The Official Sandwich of Every Southern State

Preferably, this sandwich would also come from Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur. Pairs extremely well with Golden Flake Sweet Heat BBQ Potato Chips.

In the home of 100 lb. catfish, Arkansans have unique qualifications in preparing this Southern staple.

Florida can be complicated like our feelings about picking between these two essential sandwiches.

While many Southern states might lay claim to this regional favorite, we had to give it to Georgia for preserving the tradition of $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches at the Masters Golf Tournament. Second place goes to the Bahn Mi, which we are so happy to see almost everywhere in Atlanta.

Y’all knew this was coming, but it was hard for us not to nominate the Bluegrass state anomaly known as the Country Ham Salad Sandwich.

Like Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint or red beans and rice, these two are cosmically linked and both invaluable gifts from Louisiana to the rest of the world.

Their fleeting availability makes them special.

We almost went with a Slugburger, the wild card from Corinth, but those boiled pig ears and crimson “smokes” with slaw from Jackson won out this time.

Arguments about Missouri’s inherent Southern-ness aside, both these sandwiches are St. Louis staples. The Saint Paul consists of an egg foo young patty topped with pickles and mayo; The Gerber sports melted provel cheese over ham and garlic butter spread on Italian bread with a sprinkle of paprika.

If there’s anything North Carolinians take more seriously than their beer, it’s pulled pork. They wear their penchant for vinegar-based BBQ sauce on their sleeve. Literally.

No contest. Fried okra on the side, please.

Okay, we’re probably going to get some flack for not giving pulled pork to South Carolina, but we’re going to stand by our decision.

While many others have given Tennessee the old, token’ “Elvis” sandwich, it’s safe to say that without Tennessee the hot chicken sandwich would not be the global phenomenon it has become.

All other designations are bull.

Smithfield, stand up.

While it’s so tempting to get into a philosophical discussion on the sandwich and non-sandwich like qualities of pepperoni rolls, we have selected the fried bologna sandwich, a nostalgic point among many that call the Mountain State home.