The Classic Tomato and Mayo on White Bread
There’s something magical about the simplicity of a Southern tomato sandwich that makes it impossible to resist. While specific early references are difficult to verify, the tomato sandwich tradition became well-established in the South during the early 20th century. This isn’t just any sandwich – it’s a cultural touchstone that represents everything about Southern summers.
Duke’s mayonnaise is the go-to Southern brand, but Hellmann’s is a high-quality mayo as well. The beauty lies in the messiness, where tomato juice mingles with mayo to create what food lovers call the perfect pink, milky goodness. The end goal is to have a tomato sandwich so juicy that the only way you can eat it is standing over the sink. The tomato juice should fabulously mix with the mayo to form the most amazing pink, milky substance that it’s practically dripping down your arms.
Fried Green Tomato and Pimento Cheese Masterpiece
Fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese are Southern classics individually, and unbeatable when combined on a sandwich. This combination takes two beloved Southern staples and creates something that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The tangy, firm texture of fried green tomatoes provides the perfect contrast to creamy, sharp pimento cheese.
When it’s spread on a fried green tomato sandwich, the tang and brightness of the tomato is balanced by the creamy mayo and cheese, and the warmth of the fried tomatoes melts the cheese in the spread. The crunchy, deep fried coating on the tomatoes also adds a satisfying texture to the otherwise smooth pimento cheese. Many restaurants have started featuring this sandwich because it represents everything people love about Southern comfort food.
Po’ Boy – The Louisiana Legend
The po ‘boy is a Louisiana fried seafood (or roast beef) sandwich. It is served on New Orleans French bread, which is lighter and airier than traditional French baguettes, with a crispy crust specifically designed for po’ boys. Born from necessity during tough economic times, the po’ boy became a symbol of New Orleans resilience and creativity.
The po’ boy can be garnished with Creole mustard, melted butter, mayonnaise and may or may not contain raw vegetables, pickles, gherkins, lettuce, white cabbage or tomatoes. According to Sarah Rohan, author of the book Gumbo Tales, po’ boys can also contain duck meat, rabbit, or fried chicken, sausages or baked ham. What makes this sandwich special is how it transforms simple ingredients into something that feels like a celebration.
The Magnificent Muffuletta
Muffuletta or muffaletta is a type of round Sicilian sesame bread, as well as a popular sandwich, created by a Sicilian immigrant to the United States, that was popularized in the city of New Orleans. This isn’t just a sandwich – it’s a work of edible art that requires patience and appreciation for complex flavors.
The traditional-style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf split horizontally and covered with layers of marinated muffuletta-style olive salad, salami, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone, and mortadella. The signature olive salad is a chopped salad made from green olives, black olives, olive oil, celery, cauliflower, carrots, sweet peppers, onions, capers, parsley, peperoncini, oregano, garlic, vinegar, herbs, and spices. The combination creates a symphony of flavors that can convert even the most skeptical sandwich lover.
Country Ham Biscuit – Morning Perfection
Virginia is home to country ham, so having the country ham sandwich as a favorite dish in the state is not a big surprise. The sandwich uses specifically Virginia or Virginia-style country ham on a bun, and you can add toppings from mustard and mayo to cheese and herbs. This sandwich represents the marriage of two Southern icons that simply belong together.
We use finely chopped artisanal Virginia country ham and house-whipped Dijon mustard butter, tucked inside our signature sharp cheddar biscuit. They truly make for the most perfect cocktail hours d’oeuvre that one can eat in a lady-like manner! The salty richness of country ham balanced by fluffy biscuit creates a combination that’s both sophisticated and comforting. They cure the ham in salt, which makes these sofi award-winning, Southern delicacies extra salty.
BPT – Bacon, Pimento, and Tomato Bliss
The BPT represents an evolution of the classic BLT, but with distinctly Southern flavors that elevate it beyond its predecessor. This sandwich combines the smoky satisfaction of crisp bacon with the creamy tang of pimento cheese and fresh tomatoes. Gently spread one side of each slice of bread with the jalapeno pimiento cheese. Arrange the bacon, then the fried green tomatoes and then the lettuce on 4 slices.
What makes the BPT special is how each component complements the others without overpowering. The bacon provides smoky depth, the pimento cheese adds creamy richness, and the tomatoes bring fresh acidity that cuts through the richness. It’s a sandwich that feels familiar yet exciting, traditional yet innovative.
Grilled Pimento Cheese – Southern Comfort Redefined
This Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich takes the traditional grilled cheese to the next level by incorporating the creamy, tangy goodness of homemade pimento cheese spread, nestled between two slices of golden-brown sourdough bread. This sandwich proves that sometimes the simplest concepts create the most satisfying results.
Combines everything I love about Southern comfort food. The creamy texture of the pimento cheese spread, with its sharp cheddar and piquant pimento peppers, melts beautifully between two slices of buttery, golden-crisp bread. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – you can add crispy bacon, a slice of tomato, or even a dollop of hot sauce to make it your own. The grilled version transforms the spread into something that’s both familiar and extraordinary.
Benedictine Tea Sandwich – The Kentucky Classic
With Pimento Cheese, Benedictine Spread and Jalapeno Egg Salad varieties, there’s something for everyone. The Benedictine sandwich represents the refined side of Southern sandwich making, originally created as a tea sandwich but beloved far beyond formal occasions.
This green goddess of Southern sandwiches combines cucumber, cream cheese, and onion into a spread that’s both refreshing and rich. Originally created in Louisville in the early 1900s, it became associated with the Kentucky Derby and is now a staple throughout the South. The pale green color might look unusual, but the flavor is addictive – cool, creamy, and surprisingly complex. It’s proof that Southern cuisine includes elegant, lighter options alongside the hearty classics.
Hot Brown – Louisville’s Open-Faced Wonder
List includes: Texas Brisket Sandwich, Po’Boy, Hot Chicken Sandwich, Muffuletta, Hot Brown. The Hot Brown stands out as Louisville’s contribution to Southern sandwich royalty, though it breaks traditional sandwich rules by being served open-faced.
Created at the Brown Hotel in 1926, this sandwich layers turkey and bacon on toast, then smothers everything in a rich Mornay sauce before being broiled to golden perfection. It’s more like a casserole on bread, but it has earned its place in the sandwich hall of fame. The combination of tender turkey, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese sauce creates something that’s both indulgent and comforting. Some say it’s not technically a sandwich, but no one argues about its place in Southern food culture.
The Spicy Southerner – Triple Threat Supreme
The Spicy Southerner brings together our version of two Southern classics: Fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese. Setting the flavors over the top is our original bacon bourbon jam. This sandwich represents the pinnacle of Southern sandwich making – taking multiple beloved elements and combining them into something spectacular.
Our Spicy & Smoky Pimento Cheese has a kick like none other and the flavors are out of this world. The Spicy Southerner is a sandwich that combines Cajun fried green tomatoes, spicy, smokey pimento cheese, and bacon bourbon jam for over-the-top Southern flavor in every bite. This isn’t just a sandwich – it’s a celebration of Southern culinary creativity. The bacon bourbon jam adds a sweet-smoky element that ties everything together, creating flavors that linger long after the last bite.
Southern sandwiches represent more than just food – they’re edible stories that connect us to place, tradition, and community. From the simple perfection of tomato and mayo to the complex layers of a muffuletta, each sandwich carries the DNA of Southern hospitality and creativity. These aren’t just meals; they’re reminders of why food matters beyond mere sustenance. The next time you bite into one of these classics, remember you’re tasting history, culture, and the kind of comfort that only comes from recipes passed down through generations. Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as bread and filling can carry so much meaning?
