The roast beef sandwich is a sandwich that is made out of sliced roast beef or sometimes beef loaf. It is sold at many diners in the United States, as well as fast food chains, such as Arby's and Roy Rogers Restaurants. This style of sandwich often comes on a hamburger bun and may be topped with barbecue sauce and/or melted American cheese. The roast beef sandwich also commonly comprises bread, cold roast beef (either the leftovers from a homemade dinner or deli meat), lettuce, tomatoes, and mustard, although it would not be uncommon to find cheese, horseradish, fresh/powdered chili pepper and even in some cases red onion.[1] Roast beef sandwiches may be served hot or cold, and are sometimes served open faced.[2]
A roast beef submarine sandwich | |
Place of origin | United States |
---|---|
Region or state | massachusetts Pennsylvania |
History
Some trace the origins of the modern (American-style) roast beef sandwich as far back as 1877, with the then little known "beefsteak toast" recipe: cold beef, bread and gravy dish.[3] In 1900, the dish was described by The Washington Post as "unattractive" and as "a tired ark in a gravy flood". The dish gained popularity in the coming years and by 1931, some critics even went as far as to describe it as "a true taste of South Dakota".[4]
By region
Roast beef sandwiches have been a specialty of the Boston area, in particular in the North Shore of Massachusetts, since the early 1950s, typically served very rare, thinly sliced (sometimes referred to as shaved) and piled on an onion roll. [5] Restaurants specializing in it include John’s in Lynn, Londi's in Peabody, Mike’s of Everett, Nick's of Beverly, Harrison's of North Andover, Land & Sea of Peabody, Bellas of North Andover, and Bill and Bob's of Peabody, Salem and Woburn.[6] These spots serve a version of the sandwich known as a THREE WAY which consists of cheese, JAMES RIVER barbecue sauce and mayonnaise. There are ever growing sandwich fan pages on Facebook and Instagram. October 14 is National North Shore Beef Day. The sandwich may have started as a regional delicacy but it’s popularity is growing nationally with establishments popping up in San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Portland, ME. Kelly’s in Revere is credited with inventing the sandwich, but Bill and Bob’s franchisee Nondas Lagonakas is credited with bringing james river barbecue sauce into the fold as well as hiring many Greek immigrants who went on to open their own shops.
In Brooklyn a small handful of establishments, beginning with Brennan & Carr in 1938, have served a variant of the sandwich, and two more directly Boston-derived roast beef restaurants opened in the early 2010s.[7]
Similar sandwiches
Beef on weck
The beef on weck is a sandwich found primarily in Western New York.[8][9][10] It is made with roast beef on a kummelweck roll topped with salt and caraway seeds. The meat on the sandwich is traditionally served rare, thin cut, with the top bun getting a dip au jus and topped with horseradish.
Chivito sandwich
The chivito sandwich is a national dish in Uruguay, and consists primarily of a thin slice of filet mignon (churrasco beef), with mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise, black or green olives, and commonly also bacon, fried or hard-boiled eggs and ham. It is served in a bun, often with a side of French fries.[11][12] Other ingredients might be added into the sandwich such as red beets, peas, grilled or pan-fried red peppers, and slices of cucumber.
Corned beef sandwich
The corned beef sandwich is a sandwich prepared with corned beef.[13] The salt beef style corned beef sandwiches are traditionally served with mustard and a pickle. In the United Kingdom, pickle is a common addition to a corned beef sandwich.
French dip
The French dip sandwich is a hot sandwich consisting of thinly sliced roast beef (or, sometimes, other meats) on a "French roll" or baguette. It is usually served au jus, that is, with beef juice from the cooking process. Beef broth or beef consommé is sometimes substituted. Despite the name, this American specialty is almost completely unknown in France, the name seeming to refer to the style of bread rather than an alleged French origin.
Pastrami on rye
The pastrami on rye is a classic sandwich made famous in the Jewish kosher delicatessens of New York City. First created in 1888 by Sussman Volk, who served it at his deli on Delancey Street in New York City. It became a favorite at other delis, served on rye bread and topped with spicy brown mustard.[14] Delis in New York City, like Katz's Delicatessen, have become known for their Pastrami on rye sandwiches.[15][16]
- Similar sandwiches
-
A pastrami on rye sandwich
See also
References
- ^ "Deluxe Roast Beef Sandwich". MyRecipes.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ Neman, Daniel (March 30, 2016). "Variety is the slice of life". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ "Feeding America". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ Olver, Lynne. "The Food Timeline: history notes--sandwiches". The Food Timeline. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ Sarah Walker Caron. "Regional Bites: Roast Beef Sandwiches of Greater Boston". Sarah's Cucina Bella. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ Daniel Maurer. "Boston-Area Roast Beef Will Take On New York's 'Crappy' Competition". Grub Street. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ Serious Eats (10 February 2010). "This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ "Beef on Weck: A Locally Famous Sandwich, Upgraded". BuffaloChow.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
- ^ "History of Beef on Weck". The Kitchen Project.com. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
- ^ Ekfelt, Lynn Case (Spring–Summer 2003). "Buffalo's Other Claim to Fame". Voices Volume 29. The New York Folklore Society. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
- ^ Caskey, Liz (2010). Knack South American Cooking: A Step-by-Step Guide to Authentic Dishes Made Easy. Guilford, CT, USA: Globe Pequot Press. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-1-59921-918-9.
- ^ Bernhardson, Wayne (2008). Moon Buenos Aires. Berkeley, CA, USA: Avalon Travel div. of Perseus Books Group. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-56691-991-3.
- ^ Serious Eats (5 March 2008). "Serious Sandwiches: Hot Salt Beef Bagel". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ Marks, Gil (2010). Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0544186316. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ Weissmann, Jordan (October 27, 2014). "The Ur-Deli". Slate. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ "NYC Jewish Delicatessens: The Ultimate Guide". New York Eater. December 22, 2015. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.