Sandwich math

+ We publish one of your hot takes

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Club:Sandwich
July 09, 2025

We were going to make this week all about paninis (“Delicious toasted sandwich, or clever way to pawn off yesterday's bread?”), but then I got some very interesting material from a longtime sandwich lover, and one of our newest members.

It all started when we were at lunch and he said to the server, "I have a strange question: what’s the ratio of ingredients on the roast beef sandwich?"

A look at what our eater described as the perfectly apportioned roast beef sandwich after just one bite (seen here). 

While I haven't heard someone ask that question so directly before, it struck me as a brilliant inquiry. Because just this week, if you looked at our Instagram, I got a sandwich with a terrible ratio. It wasn’t bad tasting, but also it clearly wasn’t made with the love and thought required for great sandwiches. 

I don’t think this “pastrami” and egg had even a full single slice of pastrami on it.

Anyhow, one thing led to another and before I knew it he was applying ancient mathematical theories to sandwich construction. So here we are - paninis are out, and a guest essay with hot takes on sandwich ratios is in! Enjoy.

The Golden (Sandwich) Ratio - by John D. Sandwichfeller

“Biologists, artists, musicians, historians, architects, psychologists, and even mystics have pondered and debated the basis of its ubiquity and appeal. In fact, it is probably fair to say that the Golden Ratio has inspired thinkers of all disciplines like no other number in the history of mathematics.”

- Mario Livio, ‘The Golden Ratio’

Mario Livio should’ve included the sandwich makers among these artisans and scientists! Those masters of mastication who strive day after day in the sacred effort of creative and delicious alignment. Maybe a fancy way of saying, “Don’t put too much meat on my sandwich,” maybe much more…

The Golden Ratio in sandwich making means that the parts are proportionally allotted in such a manner that they complement one another, and no single element overbears. This, in my opinion, is the fundamental job of the sandwich maker - make sure the eater experiences the sum effect of deliciousness while simultaneously experiencing the flavor of each ingredient. 

In the age of ‘Cheesecake Factory’ consumption, it seems the prevailing notion is that bigger is better. Quantity over quality, so to speak. I reject this notion.

Have you ever been to a deli where they served you a pound of sliced meat between two pieces of bread? What is that? I’m not sure how someone even gets their mouth around it. Like me, I think the best sandwich makers would consider this an abomination. As Justice Potter Stewart of the Supreme Court said upon witnessing such a travesty, “I know obscenity when I see taste it.”  Or something like that. 

Toothpicks give way to skewers that hold together this disproportionate giant from Harold’s New York Deli - which is actually in New Jersey. 

The Golden Ratio represents the ideal all sandwich makers should strive for; that delicate equilibrium in which the elements of sandwich and life are in full harmony. So when a sandwich maker serves you up a BLT in perfect ingredient alignment, please remember to thank them for contributing to your beatific unification. 

Fin.

This BLT met the standards set by our guest author. 

Thanks for the essay, John!

If any other members want to submit a take for the newsletter, let us know and we’ll run it through our very strict editorial review and try to work it in. And if you have strong opinions on sandwich ratios, share ‘em in the MSD!

Until next week, may your stacks be golden.

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.