A sandwich is essentially a delivery system. Instead of inviting you to pick at cheese, meat and other bites on a charcuterie board, it delivers all the flavors to your mouth between slices of bread, a bun or something else. It’s a sensible and convenient solution, to be sure — which explains why sandwiches are so ubiquitous — but it also raises a very important question: If a sandwich is a delivery system, does a hot dog qualify? What about a burrito or a gyro? All of them operate with the same principles, after all.
We’re not here to quibble over definitions, so if you want to call that massive spring roll you picked up from the Fresh Cool Drinks food cart on Library Mall a sandwich, be our guest. Falafel-packed pitas from Banzo could also count, as could the big-as-your-head burritos at La Bamba Mexican Restaurant on Gammon Road or any of the loaded hot dogs at Stadium Takeout. Tacos? The birria tacos at Mercado Marimar are definitely a delivery vessel for flavorful meat and cheese. Mediterranean Cafe on State Street even calls its gyros “sandwiches” to leave no room for doubt. And what about Toast’s chocolate-filled panini drizzled with chocolate sauce — is there room in the sandwich category for a dessert? –ARC
Four Standout Sandwiches
Paradigm
The thinly sliced meats, cheese and veggies on Casetta Kitchen and Counter’s sandwiches add up to a massive ’wich that requires some modest jaw expansion to devour. All the sandwiches at Casetta are layered works of art, but the Paradigm, with its spicy soppressata, arugula and bright, spicy tomato vinaigrette, packs a powerful punch of flavor. 222 W. Washington Ave. –ARC
Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich
Crostini Sandwiches on Madison’s east side celebrates the sandwich in all its forms: subs, paninis, gyros, pitas and wraps. No need to be overwhelmed by the options: We recommend the pepper jack chicken sandwich. This spicy number on a toasted bun combines a chicken sandwich with a BLT, adding chipotle ranch dressing and pepper jack cheese to a slab of Cajun grilled chicken breast. 231 North St. –ARC
Signature Sandwich
On Capitol Square, Fromagination offers a strong list of sandwiches to make your picnic or lunch a memorable one. What sets these sandwiches apart is that the cheese is often the star — as it should be when you’re ordering from a cheese shop that stocks some of the best blocks and wheels in the state and country. Our favorite of the bunch is the Signature Sandwich, which tops smoked turkey with brie and a handmade cranberry relish. 12 S. Carroll St. –ARC
Vegan Banh Mi
The sandwich lineup at Hot Lunch is always playful, and the specials are sometimes delightfully off the wall. The vegan banh mi has proven staying power at this ’90s fever dream of a sandwich shop. You might find yourself in a state of childlike excitement after you place your order and wait for your sandwich, which comes packed with roasted cauliflower, chickpea, sesame, pickled carrot, a mix of herbs and vegan sriracha aioli inside a Stalzy’s Deli & Bakery baguette. 708 1/4 E. Johnson St. –AB
Going, Going, Gone
In August 2021, Pip Freeman launched a “Thursday Lunch” sandwich special. What started as a small way to introduce guests to in-house sausages and cuts of meat at Meat People Butcher — Freeman’s specialty butcher shop that he co-owns with Jenny Griep on Monona Drive — has grown into a bona fide operation. They’ve gone from selling two dozen sandwiches a week to 120, and they often sell out after an hour and a half.
“We never repeat,” says Freeman. “We have some people who come without even looking and say, ‘I’ll have one, whatever it is.’ ” –AK
World’s Greatest Sandwich
According to Mickey’s Tavern (1524 Williamson St.), the title belongs to a BLT with a fried egg and cheese, or a BLT-CE. It’s been on the menu there for nearly two decades, but it’s not just the world’s greatest sandwich by the tavern’s standards. The sandwich was inspired by the 2004 film “Spanglish,” which starred Adam Sandler as a chef. In the movie, Sandler’s character comes home from a long restaurant shift and fixes himself a BLT with cheese and a fried egg. The movie’s producers enlisted James Beard award-winning chef Thomas Keller to develop this sandwich, which film critics and audiences came to call the “World’s Greatest Sandwich” after the film’s release. Chef Gilbert Altschul (of Grampa’s Pizzeria, Gib’s Bar and Bandit Tacos & Coffee), who is the stepson of Mickey’s late owner Jane Capito, notes there’s a memorable bonus feature on the “Spanglish” DVD where Keller teaches Sandler how to make the sandwich. It inspired him to add it to Mickey’s original food menu. –EW
Expedition Eats
These Madison sandwich spots chart a path around the globe.
France
The last place we would expect to hear French is in a strip mall adjacent to the West Towne Mall, and yet it’s where Madison diners can find five French sandwich options all served on freshly baked bread. The Parisien — featuring ham, Swiss cheese, cornichons and butter on a baguette — is the signature sandwich offering at La Baguette. 7424 Mineral Point Road
Italy
At spice shop and restaurant The Deliciouser, the lunch menu transports diners via sandwiches that showcase the flavors of Italy, France and Japan. The heftiest option is an Italian gabagool (a word just begging to be uttered a la Tony Soprano) with three layers of meat, provolone, olive salad, mayonnaise, iceberg lettuce and house-made sub sauce on a Batch Bakehouse ciabatta roll. 931 E. Main St.
Chile
The sandwiches at Weary Traveler Freehouse are a sight for sore eyes — especially for well-traveled diners longing for a taste of faraway places. The West of the Andes, a South American-inspired sandwich, is served with a choice of grilled beef tenderloin, tuna steak or chicken breast rubbed in Churrasco seasoning and topped with avocado, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli. 1201 Williamson St.
Cuba
Eugene Martinez at Cubarican’s Cocina started vending Cuban- and Puerto Rican-inspired dishes at bar and lounge The Green Room Public House last summer. After putting the pop-up on hiatus, he’s back at The Green Room on Monday nights with what’s become a menu mainstay. Martinez’s Cuban sandwich includes roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayonnaise and mustard between two slices of pressed bread and is served with a side of plantain chips. 2001 Atwood Ave.
Vietnam
Saigon Sandwich is a build-your-own banh mi food truck that parks on campus Monday through Friday during lunchtime. The formula is simple: Choose proteins (like tofu, pork, chicken or meatballs) and add toppings like mayonnaise, pâté, cucumbers, jalapeños, cilantro, dehydrated onions, and sweet pickled carrots with daikon radish. This powerhouse Vietnamese sandwich is always served on a baguette at Saigon Sandwich. At the intersection of North Charter and West Johnson streets –EW…