It’s kind of funny to think about, but food has its place in a city’s folklore and history.
Visiting a new city can be an exciting experience. From stopping by cultural institutions to shopping at local stores, you can learn a lot about a city and the people that populate it. Another fun adventure to embark on is having a bite of the city’s culinary favorites. It’s kind of funny to think about, but food has its place in a city’s folklore and history. If you happen to be visiting any one of the cities listed below, be sure to take the time to sink your teeth into one of these iconic sandwiches:
1. Pittsburgh, PA: Almost Famous Primanti Bros. Sandwich
This sandwich came into the lives of Pittsburghers during the Great Depression. Late night and early morning workers came into Joe Primanti’s restaurant to grab a bite to eat but were pressed for time. Recognizing their hungry but hurried state, he whipped up a hearty on-the-go sandwich.
Between two slices of Italian bread, grilled meat and cheese are placed one on top of the other. Then, tomato slices and an oil and vinegar-based coleslaw are added. Finally, a generous helping of fresh-cut French fries is put on top of the sandwich.
Is your mouth watering yet? Treat your tummy to this filling sandwich when you pick up a Primanti Bros. e-gift card. Use it throughout participating restaurants in the Pittsburgh area.
2. Nashville, TN: Nashville Hot Chicken
The old saying, “Revenge is a dish best served cold” really is true. Nashville Hot Chicken was the result of a scorned lover who fried up some chicken and then smothered it in cayenne pepper to get back at her beau, James Thornton Price. But the intent backfired, as Price loved the dish and decided to recreate it and serve it in his restaurant.
The sandwich begins with a buttermilk marinated chicken breast or thigh that’s pan fried and covered in a spicy sauce made with lard and a serious amount of cayenne pepper. Served with two slices of white bread and some pickles, people travel from all over the globe to get their fix.
While many restaurants serve up this fiery but addictive sandwich, get the original at Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack.
3. Tampa, FL or Miami, FL: Cuban sandwich
The Cuban is a savory sandwich that begs you to take another bite. There are two versions of the sandwich (hence, the debate over its origin). Typically, it’s made with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard in between two slices of Cuban bread. The sandwich is then pressed down where the ingredients come together and melt in perfect harmony. This variation hails from Miami while Tampa’s version includes a layer of salami as well as the aforementioned fixings.
Like other sandwiches on this list, many say that the Cuban was born to feed hungry workers in the factories and mills in the late 1800s. While the debate between Miami and Tampa still lives on today, generally, it’s noted that Ybor City in Tampa was where the Cuban came into being.
So, where does one go to try this much-debated sandwich? Top restaurant picks include La Segunda Central Bakery and Columbia Restaurant, both located in Ybor City.
4. New Orleans, LA: Po’boy
Diving into research regarding the origin of the po'boy sandwich, we learned a thing or two. For starters, the sandwich was a product of its time. During the late 1920s, there was a time when streetcar workers went on strike in New Orleans. Former conductors turned restaurant owners, Benny and Clovis Martin, served these sandwiches to the “poor boys” on strike.
Secondly, po'boy’s can be filled with whatever meat you desire. From roast beef to shrimp, this sandwich is sure to satisfy your taste buds. For this article, we’re going to highlight the Oyster Po’boy as that tasty French bread that has often been referred to as “oyster loaves.” Beginning with the said bread, a mound of fried oysters is added, then topped off with melted butter and pickle slices.
Ready to sink your teeth into one? Check out popular restaurants like Acme Oyster House and Parkway Bakery & Tavern in New Orleans.
5. Chicago, IL: Italian beef
This sandwich is rumored to have been created in the late 1930s in Chicago, IL. Looking for a way to stretch their budget and meat supply, Al Ferreri, his sister, and her husband decided to get creative with a beef roast. Their sandwich creation was a hit across the neighborhood. Needless to say, the more people tried it, the more popular it became.
Thankfully, they opened Al’s Beef on Taylor Street in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood. The restaurant still exists today and is just the place you can pick up the Italian beef sandwich. It’s made with French bread, thinly sliced, dry roasted beef that’s then dipped into a flavorful Au Jus and topped with sweet and hot peppers. Yum!
