Do you remember pickle and pimento loaf? Braunschweiger? Mayonnaise sandwiches? My small, elementary school did not offer school lunches. Instead, I counted on a homemade sandwich made with white bread and, inside, I’d find a sandwich ingredient seldom used today.
National Sandwich Day lands every November 3rd. (Who knew?) It’s a low-key food holiday that gives sandwich lovers an excuse to celebrate convenient meals that can be held and consumed using just one hand!
National Sandwich Day is observed across social media, food blogs, and local delis. It’s a short, tasty festival of creativity that invites people to try classics or invent something new.
The sandwich history
Ever wonder how the sandwich was invented? This humble food traces back to John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, in 18th-century England. According to popular legends, Montagu asked for meat tucked between bread so he could keep playing cards without greasy fingers.
This “sandwich” idea spread through Europe and the Americas. The sandwich became a staple that could be dressed up for a party or simplified for a lunchbox. National Sandwich Day uses this history as a fun hook to celebrate the simplicity and genius of the lowly sandwich.
Early sandwiches of the past
Sandwiches from the past offer an abundance of “What were they thinking?” options. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Americans ate oyster loaves and even popcorn sandwiches (popcorn mixed with sardines and ketchup).
The Victorian-to-midcentury recipe books also contain toast sandwiches (a slice of toast between two slices of buttered bread). Yeast sandwiches were promoted as a “nutritious” spread, and mashed-potato-on-bread creations are credited to entertainers and home cooks alike.
Other once-popular midcentury staples included pimento cheese spreads, chow mein piled into buns, frosted sandwich loaves (“sandwich cakes”), and SOS sandwiches, or creamed-chipped-beef served on toast. (As a child, I remember countless SOS meals, but they were too messy for a handheld sandwich.)
Many of these sandwiches fell out of favor as tastes and ingredients changed. However, they’re great conversation starters as you celebrate National Sandwich Day.
20th-century sandwiches
The late 20th century concocted its own strange sandwich combinations. There were banana-and-mayonnaise sandwiches, sardine sandwiches, bologna-and-ketchup, and pickle-and-peanut-butter combos.
I remember sugar sandwiches as a nighttime comfort snack. My husband lived on fried bologna sandwiches as a teen. These and other sandwiches were common in some regions, even if they now trigger nostalgic winces more than cravings.
A surprising number of those retro sandwiches made sense in their time. Sandwich ingredients were inexpensive and shelf-stable. Can-do kitchen attitudes produced combos that were practical and economical.
Today’s picks
For RVers, hikers, and sightseers, sandwiches are nearly ideal travel food because they’re portable, flexible, and can be tailored to fridge space and cooking limitations.
A good sandwich gives carbs, protein, and fat in one tidy package. It’s the right balance to keep people moving on day hikes or to tide a family through a long driving stretch.
Many outdoor-focused guides recommend sandwiches for the trail because they pack flat, eat easily, and can be made ahead. Sandwiches also work with leftovers and require minimal cleanup, which matters when you’re conserving water and propane in an RV.
Here are quick RVer-friendly ideas that echo both tradition and practicality:
- Prepare robust fillings that travel well (hard cheeses, cured meats, nut butters, or grilled chicken).
- Choose denser breads or wraps to avoid sogginess.
- Pack condiments separately if you expect a long ride.
- Use airtight containers or beeswax wraps to keep sandwiches fresh in a small fridge.
Plan to celebrate?
National Sandwich Day is as much about the joy of simple food as it is about culinary curiosity.
For RVers who love easy-to-make meals, it’s the perfect excuse to celebrate an old favorite, resurrect a retro oddball for laughs, or invent a new signature sandwich to enjoy.
What’s your favorite sandwich? Tell us in the comments below.
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RVDT2766
Peanut butter, banana, and mayo! My favorite sandwich combo growing up!
I went to an Automat in Philly back in the 60’s. The most memorable sandwich I got there was a bologna, butter and white bread sandwich. It was delicious!!
Avocado and tomato on pumpernickel!