Almost every American loves sandwiches. As a nation, Americans consume 300 million sandwiches every day.
Easy to prepare and even easier to eat, it’s safe to say that sandwiches are the unsung hero of lunchboxes. This blog explores the most popular sandwich choices by state, based on a 2022 Google Trends analysis.
The Skinny on Sandwiches
This data is based on a 2022 Zippia report analyzing Google Trends data for 40 popular sandwiches in each state. The more people in a state Googled a particular sandwich, the more likely it is a favorite in that state.
It is important to acknowledge the limitations of using Google Trends data as an indicator of actual consumption.
For example, most people don’t need to search for a recipe for a classic turkey and Swiss, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t eating it. What this Google Trends data can show is a pattern in taste.
Regional Sandwich Showdown: State Favorites
Here are some of the favorite sandwiches for each state, grouped by region to highlight culinary trends.
South
- Alabama: BBQ sandwiches are the most popular, especially when doused in the state’s signature white barbecue sauce.
- Arkansas: Fried, smoked, or grilled chicken sandwiches reign supreme.
- Georgia: Locals love their chicken sandwiches and some dream of mastering the restaurant chain’s secret recipe.
- Indiana: You just can’t beat a classic chicken sandwich.
- Mississippi: Locals claim the classic fried chicken sandwich as their favorite lunchtime bite.
- Missouri: The classic chicken sandwich is considered the state’s favorite.
- Nevada: Nevada residents still prefer a well-made chicken sandwich over more complicated fare.
- Kentucky: Bologna is the state’s favorite sandwich.
- Ohio: Basic bologna is the most popular sandwich filling.
- North Carolina: Locals stick leftover barbecue in a sandwich.
- Tennessee: Barbecue is the sandwich of choice, especially when paired with whiskey and live country music.
- West Virginia: Smoked, shredded, and doused in sauce, barbecue meats make up the filling for the state’s favorite sandwich.
West
- Arizona: Tortas prove the most beloved sandwich. The Mexican street food staple features a fluffy bun, a healthy dose of butter, and almost any filling you can fit between two pieces of bread.
- California: Perfectly pressed paninis prove most popular, especially when topped with a healthy dose of local avocados.
- Colorado: Doner kebab is the most sought-after sandwich. Fluffy pita packed with perfectly seasoned, slow-roasted lamb or beef and a healthy dose of fresh vegetables provide hikers and sightseers alike with a hearty one-hand meal.
- Hawaii: Hawaiians craving a taste of the mainland order pastrami on rye, the surprising favorite sandwich of the Aloha State.
- Montana: Montana locals enjoy tuna sandwiches.
- New Mexico: Tuna is the preferred filling for the state’s surprising favorite sandwich.
- Rhode Island: Tuna takes the top spot as the state’s favorite sandwich.
- Wisconsin: Traditional tuna is the most likely filling.
- Oklahoma: Thick patties get a healthy dose of cheese before being tucked between two buttery slices of toast. Mouthwatering patty melts are the sandwich of choice.
- Texas: The state’s favorite sandwich is a rich and beefy upgrade to a classic burger, made acceptable for lunchtime by the substitution of Texas toast for a traditional burger bun, a patty melt.
- Oregon: Vietnamese banh mi (a baguette packed with roasted meats, paté, fresh and pickled vegetables) reigns supreme as the state’s favorite sandwich.
- Washington: Locals also love a classic Vietnamese banh mi. The handheld sandwich is perfect to pack for a hike…or just a picnic out in nature.
- Utah: Residents prefer chicken salad over tuna in their favorite sandwiches.
- Wyoming: Residents are filling their lunchboxes with egg salad sandwiches.
Midwest
- Iowa: Pounded thin, deep fried, and simply served on a warm fluffy bun, the pork tenderloin sandwich is an Iowa staple.
- Kansas: Barbecue in sandwich form is the state’s favorite bite.
- Minnesota: A hearty midwestern breakfast is just what the people want, where fried egg sandwiches reign supreme.
- Nebraska: Lunchtime stays classic where peanut butter and jelly takes the top spot.
- North Dakota: Residents love a classic ham and cheese sandwich.
- South Dakota: Fluffernutter is the state’s favorite sandwich.
- Massachusetts: The classic combination of peanut butter and marshmallow cream (aka, Fluffernutter) is the state’s favorite lunchtime staple.
- Michigan: Locals skip right over the turkey and ham at the deli counter. Corned beef sandwiches take pride of place as the state’s favorite.
Northeast
- Alaska: Residents are taking a page out of New England’s playbook. The Grinder, a hefty sub packed with Italian cured meats, sliced cheese, and topped with a veggie slaw dosed with an extra drizzle of red wine vinegar, proves a popular choice up north.
- Delaware: Italian subs take the top spot. A distinctly American invention featuring Italian ingredients, the popular sandwich typically includes a blend of Genoa salami, mortadella (Italian bologna), prosciutto di Parma, and provolone cheese topped with fresh veggies, herbs, and red wine vinaigrette, not unlike another New England favorite: The Grinder.
- Connecticut: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, where bacon, egg, and cheese is considered the favorite sandwich.
- New York: On-the-go New Yorkers love a handheld breakfast. Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches are the most popular choice.
- Maine: Lobster rolls take top billing, where fishermen bring in over 100 million pounds of the crustacean annually. The Maine-style sandwich is served chilled with lobster meat mixed with mayo and crunch greens like celery or scallion.
- Maryland: Tuna, not crab, reigns supreme. To be fair, the canned fish is much easier to slather on bread.
- New Hampshire: Roast beef is the deli meat of choice. Served hot or cold, roast beef sandwiches are the preferred lunchtime meal.
- New Jersey: The state’s signature food is also the state’s favorite sandwich. Not quite ham and not quite pepperoni, the pork roll sandwich remains the Garden State’s breakfast, lunch, and snack of choice.
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia’s affinity for the cheesesteak eclipses all other sandwiches. The sandwich has been around for almost 100 years, but locals still can’t agree on what constitutes an “authentic” cheesesteak.
- Vermont: Turkey is the deli meat of choice, especially when stuffed into classic turkey sandwiches come lunchtime.
- Virginia: Comfort food is the order of the day, where locals love a good grilled cheese more than any other type of sandwich.
Alicia Richards