Honorable Mentions
The Sandwiches that have been listed here have become overwhelmingly popular, have a cult following, or have made an impact in pop culture history. While they may not be "better" than other sandwiches, you have more than likely heard or eaten of many of the sandwiches on this list.
The Peanut Butter and Jelly
Otherwise known as the PB&J, the Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich has been a lunchroom classic for over a century and the sandwich of choice for many children and adults. Julia Davis Chandler is credited for inventing the sandwich as her recipe for the classic treat was included in the Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics published in 1901.
The B.L.T
Short for Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato; The B.L.T has been a popular lunchtime treat since World War II after the success of Super Market grocery stores in the United States. The Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwich recipe was first published in the 1903 Good Housekeeping Cookbook as a Club sandwich consisting of Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Sliced Turkey, and Mayonaise. The American classic has since taken on many forms with sandwich lovers adding ingredients like Avocado, Fried Eggs, other Sliced or Cured meats, and more robust roughage such as Spinach or Butter Leaf lettuce.
The Cheeseburger
An undoubted upgrade from its predecessor, The Hamburger, The Cheeseburger is without a doubt the most popular sandwich on this list. The origin of this cheesy delicacy has much debate; From merchants in Hamburg, Germany selling chopped ground beef in a roll to a small family restaurant broiling ground beef patties in a Vertical Broiler in New Haven, Connecticut, historians are unsure of who first coined the term "Burger". Regardless of its origin, The Cheeseburger can be found on Menus worldwide due to its overwhelming popularity that has Humans and felines alike asking, "Can I haz Cheeseburger?"
The Dagwood
Named after the cartoon character who originated the sandwich, Dagwood Bumstead (2nd pic) from comic strip Blondie, This Skyscraper of Cold cuts, cheeses, and just about anything else you can find in your kitchen, has been seen as the Holy grail of sandwiches by many sandwich lovers. Although popular in the morning comics, The Dagwood catapulted into popularity after being used in a recurring joke on television's Scooby Doo, Where Are You?! where character Shaggy Rogers(3rd pic) could be seen creating a comically large Dagwood on an almost episodic basis, many times devouring the sandwich in just one bite. Due to its popularity on the show, it has also been referred to as "The Scooby/Shaggy Sandwich"
The Club Sandwich
A popular Myth is that CLUB is actually an acronym standing for "Chicken and Lettuce Under Bacon". However, the true origin of the Club sandwich is as exclusive as the name sounds. Served exclusively in Members only clubhouses in New York City, New York, The Club Sandwich was first marketed as a "clubhouse sandwich" on menus in The Union Club on 5th Ave. The sandwich was officially labeled a "triple-decker" sandwich in the 1970s Good Housekeeping Cookbook. Today the Club Sandwich can be found at most diners and usually contains Ham, Turkey and or Chicken, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Mayo in triple-decker fashion.
The Grilled Cheese
While there are similar recipes dating as far back as Ancient Rome, the term "Grilled Cheese" wasn't coined until the 1960s. Prior to this, the sandwich had gone by many names including "Melted Cheese" or "Toasted cheese". In 1902 Sarah Tyson Rorer posted a recipe for a "Melted cheese" sandwich in her cookbook, Mrs. Rorer's New Cookbook, but it wasnt until World War II where the culmination of two inventions would alter the sandwich recipe into what we know and love today. With the combination of Otto Frederick Rohwedder's "Sliced Bread" and James L. Kraft's "Processed Sliced American Cheese", World War II Chefs would begin dishing out Grilled Cheese sandwiches to every soldier who enlisted.
The Rueben
Invented in Omaha, Nebraska; The Reuben Sandwich was first made at Blackstone Hotel in 1925 by Reuben Kulakofsky, a local grocer, to feed a group of late-night poker players. Charles Schimmel, one of the players and the hotel’s owner, liked it so much that he put it on the menu of The Plush Horse, the hotel restaurant. Consisting of Sauerkraut, Corned Beef, Swiss Cheese, and Thousand Island or Russian dressing. Contrary to popular belief, this sandwich is not kosher due to its combination of meat and cheese
The Philly Cheesesteak
Credited to Pat and Harry Olivieri of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Legend has it, the two brothers wanted to sway customers to their stand by offering more than the traditional hot dog. The brothers would then construct a submarine-style sandwich using chopped beef, onions, and peppers on a roll. While strikingly popular and catapulting the brothers into success, it wasn't until the mid-1940s when a manager working at the Ridge Avenue location of Olivieri's would add slices of Provolone cheese to the sandwiches, giving them the iconic name we know today
The Bacon Egg and Cheese
While known for being a NY morning staple, The Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich can be traced back to 18th century in England. During the late 1800s and during the expansion of the Industrial Revolution, British Street vendors were often found selling "Bap" sandwiches consisting of fried eggs and meat on a soft roll. After the success of James L. Kraft's "Sliced Processed American Cheese", The Bacon, Egg, and Cheese sandwich began sweeping the streets of NY and filling the many mouths of citizens who had no time to stop for a meal during the hustle and bustle of busy city life.
The Elvis
Named after the legendary Rock icon, Elvis Presley, The Elvis contains Peanut Butter, Sliced Bananas, and crispy Bacon. the sandwich is usually fried in butter after being constructed and has variations to include Honey and Jam spreads.
The Meatball Sub
Meatballs are a tale as old as time with versions being found as early as Persian texts from the 1400s which included recipes for a meatball with rice and lentils. However, the modern-day Meatball Sub sandwich wasn't coined until quite recently in North America in the early 1900s. The Italian-American sub-style sandwich can be found in almost every Italian restaurant and Pizza place in the United States.