From sandwich to shining sandwich

This week we’re starting off by taking you back to 1637, when the historic town of Sandwich, MA was founded. Back then the word “Sandwich” didn’t mean what it does today. It comes from a town called Sandwich in England where, about 100-150 years after the town in MA was established, there was a corrupt Earl named John Montagu. The 4th Earl of Sandwich, as legend has it, was too busy gambling to get up and eat a square meal so he just put his food between two pieces of bread and ate it like that.

Did he actually invent the concept of a sandwich? Nope. Humans have been stacking meals like this for a couple thousand years. But he did land the naming rights, and that’s kind of what counts here. 

In any case, while Lord Montagu was busy Earling (and gambling) in 1776 some other English folk were getting run out of British America, never to come back. We celebrate that upset victory every year on July 4th, and for good measure we rub in the “W” by eating a ton of sandwiches. 

As you’re our loyal club members, we’d love to give you some sandwich inspo for the upcoming holiday weekend. Of course at the top of the list are sandwiches from your grill. The burgers, dogs, sausages, and more that you simply fire up, and pop on a bun with your favorite condiments. 

But a July 4th barbecue doesn’t have to be in someone’s backyard! A few days ago, I took an early morning hike that was far too difficult for me. Towards the end our hike leaders broke out a portable grill and some delicious tube shaped meat, rewarding the group by firing up sausages at 9am. (You’ll want to make sure someone else carries the grill and food in their backpacks during the hike.)

Also at the top of the July 4th list are sandwiches by the beach. Here are a couple lookers from the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific - sea to shining sea.

And on the West Coast:

Finally, we’ll close it out with a summer classic - the Maine Lobster Roll. A perfect addition to a long July 4th weekend if you’re looking to class things up. 

Whatever you end up fixing for yourself, we at Club:Sandwich wish you all a relaxing and delicious July 4th weekend. And don’t forget to submit any beautiful buns or stuffed subs from the holiday weekend to the MSD!

Until next time, may your grills stay hot and your coolers cool.

Club:Sandwich is the world's first ever members-only club for sandwich lovers (as far as you know). Together we discover, order, make, eat, and discuss sandwiches while building the largest, most comprehensive database of sandwiches ever. Grab or make a sandwich and then share it with us by adding it to the Million Sandwich Database. Uploading sandwiches will earn you points that have no value and cannot be used in any way.