Peanut butter and jelly? Child's play.
Grilled cheese? You can have it.
Ham and Swiss? Not even in the conversation.
Thursday is National Sandwich Day, and some of the best chefs around the NFL and NHL have stepped their games up, rolling out the most over-the-top sammies and heroes ever to grace the cheap seats.
Didn't know there was a day honoring the humble hoagie? Well, if there's a National Strawberry Ice Cream Day (Jan. 15), then the sandwich definitely deserves one.
Seventeen venues around the professional sports landscape will celebrate the holiday with one-of-a-kind creations.
"Sandwiches have always been a popular menu choice among sports fans, so it seems only natural to salute the sandwich at our stadiums and arenas," said Andrew Shipe, vice president of culinary and marketing for ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment. "Our chefs have captured the local essence and tastes of their cities to create original sandwiches that are infused with hometown flair, to further enhance the game day experience
for fans."
There isn't a single sandwich out of the bunch that we wouldn't fly across the country to chow down on. But a handful stand out from the rest. So here are the Top 5 sandwiches sports fans should reach for:
"Bloomfield" Sausage Meatloaf (Pictured above.)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
Sweet and Hot Sausage Loaf, Pepper and Tomato Ragout, Fried Provolone Cheese on Grilled Italian Bread.
The Southern Strip
Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome, Minneapolis
Crusted Strip Loin, Roma Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, "Tobacco Onions" and Spicy Aioli on a Petit Multigrain Rye Bun.
Sauerbraten Stacker
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Shredded Beef Sauerbraten, Braised Cabbage, Red Onion, Fennel Slaw, Roasted Garlic Aioli on a Caraway Seed Salted Rye Kaiser Roll.
Herb Encrusted Porchetta
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Garlic Salt Rubbed Porchetta, Wilted Greens, Sharp Provolone on a Seeded Amoroso Roll.
Chopped Bacon Cheeseburger (Pictured at left.)
Pepsi Center, Denver
Ground Beef, Sautéed Onions, Bacon, House-Made White Cheese Sauce, Lettuce, "Pickle De Gallo" (chopped tomato and pickle), on Warm Flat Bread.
Resist the temptation to lick the picture of that last one. Your IT department just won't understand. If you can't get out to any of these venues and enjoy one of these mouth-watering creations, find your own way to celebrate National Sandwich Day.
Here's a simple recipe: Take last night's leftovers and slap them between two pieces of bread. Now there’s a dinner that would even make the Earl of Sandwich proud.
Related Stories:
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-- Primanti Bros. Sandwich In Pittsburgh Ranks Among Best NFL Stadium Food
-- Cleveland Deli Disses LeBron With Menu Change
