The sandwiches and more

Right off the bat I just want to say thank you to all of you for the kind notes and messages after my mom’s passing. While her death wasn’t unexpected it was sad. And having the support of such a great community was very helpful.

Now, a quick update. Over the past year I’ve a ton of fun traveling around the country and even to Canada, Ireland, and Britain for Sandwiches of History: LIVE! But all things must come to an end so I am announcing the final five shows. If you live in or around Austin, Las Vegas, Denver, Minneapolis (tickets available soon), or Tempe (Phoenix) get your tickets here! When it’s all said and done I’ll have done 32 shows in 28 cities. Zoinks!

That said, I am working on a concept for another tour. One that would have you be able to taste sandwiches of history! In fact, there may or may not be a trail run of it this November in Los Angeles. Stay tuned for details.

Now, on to the sandwiches that were!

The Sandwiches of the Week 🥪

Monday, August 18, 2025
Peanut Butter, Cheese, and Olive Sandwich Revisited 1925
The Chattanooga News

Rating: 4 1/2
Plus ups: chili crisp | pepper jelly | salted potato chip | sriracha | bacon
Plussed up rating: 6 1/2 | 3 1/2 | 5 | 5 1/2| 7

After combing through hundreds and hundreds of plus up suggestions the four that rose to the top (from a standpoint of how often they were mentioned) were chili crisp, pepper jelly, salted potato chip, and sriracha. What about the bacon? Well, that was clearly number 1 but as you know I am not inclined to add meat to sandwiches that don’t already have some as I think it fundamentally changes the sandwich. Plus almost every sandwich would benefit from added bacon. All but one of them worked well. The sweetness of the pepper jelly just didn’t mesh with the briny olives. 4 out of 5 plus ups working ain’t bad though.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2025
All Star Sandwich (1976)
Winning Sandwiches for Menu Makers

Rating: 7
Plus up: Cowboy candy
Plussed up rating: 8

This was interesting as I don’t see barbecue sauce called for in any of the old sandwich recipes. Here it was paired with ham, cheddar cheese, spinach, and tomato which worked quite well. Especially after it got the grilled cheese treatment. Plus it up with the always welcome cowboy candy (recipe linked above). Sweet, tangy heat that perked everything up.

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Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Turkey Red Devil (1972)
The American-International Encyclopedic Cookbook

Rating: 5 1/2
Plus up: Crystal Hot Sauce | All Purpose seasoning blend
Plussed up ratings: 6 1/2 | 6 1/2

For all the ingredients involved in making this third cousin twice removed version of a Kentucky Hot Brown, it sure didn’t have a lot flavor to it. I opted to try two different plus ups. Crystal Hot Sauce is vinegar based but to me is thicker than Tabasco. I just love it. And the All Purpose seasoning blend goes fantastically with any poultry. Both plus ups hit the spot.

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Thursday, August 21, 2025
One Meal Sandwich (1931)
The White Lily Flour Cook Book

Rating: 6 1/2
Plus up: Furikake and inverting the top slice if bread
Plussed up rating: 7

I find it hilarious that some of the older recipes just call for “meat.” As if the kind chosen didn’t really matter. I opted for roast beef in this tasty if not oddly constructed sandwich. I mean, cole slaw on the outside? Some folks opined about the cole slaw being mustard based but given that mayonnaise had been on the market and used initially as salad dressing before it was a condiment, my money is on it being the base. Plussed it up with the salty nutty goodness of tomato’s friend, furikake and inverted the top piece of bread to make it easier to eat. It definitely was a meal too.

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Friday, August 22, 2025
Onion and Bacon Sandwich (1920) w/Guest Host Terrance Volden
The Calendar of Beverages and Sandwiches

Rating: 6 1/2
Plus up: Homegrown tomato and pepper | Tari Peruvian Hot Sauce and pickles
Plussed up rating: 6 1/2 | 7 1/2

So if you haven’t noticed, I am trying to make Guest Host Friday a regular thing. If you’re interested, sign up here. The information you provide goes into a spreadsheet and I use a random number generator to select hosts. As of right now there are 692 names on the list. Terrance absolutely nailed it. Not only did they make the sandwich was written but also did two plus ups and used “pickley pop!” I have to admit, the Bacon and Onion Sandwich does sound tasty to me. And while I need another hot sauce like I need another hole in my head, I think I need to get that Tari.

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Saturday, August 23, 2025
Hatch On Rye
Our History

Rating: 7
Plus up:
Plussed up rating: 7 1/2

I was a little worried about this one going in. After all it called for avocado, Thai chili sauce, and cheese on rye bread. Then the sandwich was to be heated with avocado inside. Something I am not familiar with as it’s always something I’ve put on either after something is cooked or on cold sandwich. But it was actually tasty. Plussed it up with an herb I learned about this very year, culantro, which is a more intense version of cilantro. It worked great with the cheese and avocado.

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Sunday, August 24, 2025
Broodje Hagelslag Revisited (The Netherlands)
International Sandwich Sunday

Rating: 8
Plus up: Unsweetened coconut
Plussed up rating: 8 1/2

You may recall a while back that I made the Broodje Hageslag with dark chocolate sprinkles I bought at the store. I was read the riot act about how I needed to get the ones from The Netherlands. In the comments some folks mentioned I should get the one like chocolate shavings. So I did. Turns out, that makes a Broodke Chocoladevlokken. So yeah, I screwed it up again. This was a tasty sweet treat nonetheless made even better with unsweetened coconut (since the chocolate is already sweet).

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Well, that’s all the sandwich news that fit to email. Back next week with more sandwiches and In The Chips with Barry too!

Cheers,
Barry