A club sandwich or clubhouse sandwich, is a sandwich consisting of bread (traditionally toasted), sliced cooked poultry, fried bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.[1][2] It is often cut into quarters or halves and held together by cocktail sticks. Modern versions frequently have two layers which are separated by an additional slice of bread. Sometimes it is sliced diagonally and is called a wedge or wedgie,[3] a term also used for a type of submarine sandwich.
 | |
| Alternative names | Clubhouse sandwich |
|---|---|
| Type | Sandwich |
| Place of origin | New York State |
| Main ingredients | Toasted bread, turkey/chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise |
History
editThe club sandwich may have originated at the Union Club of New York City.[4] The earliest known reference to the sandwich, an article that appeared in The Evening World on November 18, 1889, is also an early recipe: "Have you tried a Union Club sandwich yet? Two toasted pieces of Graham bread, with a layer of turkey or chicken and ham between them, served warm."[5] Several other early references also credit the chef of the Union Club with creating the sandwich.[4][6]
Another theory is that the club sandwich was invented at the Saratoga Club in Saratoga Springs, New York, after Richard Canfield bought it and made it into the Canfield Casino in 1894.[7][8][9]
Other sources find the origin of the club sandwich to be up for debate, with several contemporaneous sources naming Danny Mears as the inventor.[10]
The sandwich appeared on U.S. restaurant menus as early as 1899.[11] The earliest reference to the sandwich in published fiction is from Conversations of a Chorus Girl, a 1903 book by Ray Cardell.[2] Historically, club sandwiches featured slices of chicken, but with time, turkey has become increasingly common.[10] An 1897 recipe has three layers, with the chicken and ham separated not by a slice of bread, but by a lettuce leaf.[12]
Ingredients
editAs with a BLT, toasted white bread is standard, along with iceberg lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes. The sandwich is usually dressed with mayonnaise. Variations on the traditional club sandwich abound. Some replace the poultry meat with eggs (a "breakfast club") or roast beef. Others use ham instead of, or in addition to, bacon, or add slices of cheese. Various kinds of mustard and sliced pickles may be added. Upscale variations include the oyster club, the salmon club, and Dungeness crab melt.[10][2]
Regional varieties
editNew Zealand
editIn New Zealand, 'club sandwich' refers to a tea (or finger) sandwich, typically filled with egg mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato.[13]
Hong Kong
editIn Hong Kong, the Chinese name of club sandwich (公司三文治) literally translates to "office sandwich". The regional version in Hong Kong consists of scrambled eggs, Spam, ham, tomato, lettuce and American cheese.
Canada
editIn Canada, club sandwiches are typically prepared using rotisserie chicken meat, as opposed to sliced chicken or turkey, and are served hot.
See also
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References
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- ^ "Classic Club Sandwich Recipe". Food Network Kitchens. Food Network. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c Mariani, John (July 1995). "The club sandwich." Restaurant Hospitality. 79 (7):54
- ^ https://grabasammi.com/club/
- ^ a b Brown, Peter Jensen (March 11, 2015). "Poultry and Pork on Toast - the History of the Club Sandwich". Early Sports 'n' Pop-Culture History. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "Have you tried a Union Club sandwich yet?". The Evening World. New York. November 18, 1889. p. 2. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ^ "Eccentric Celebrations". The New York Sun. December 26, 1889. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ "History of the club sandwich". Whatscookingamerica.net. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ John F. Mariani, The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, 1999, ISBN 1620401606, p. 87
- ^ Olver, Lynne. "The Food Timeline: history notes--sandwiches". The Food Timeline. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c Fabricant, Florence, (July 11, 1994). "Building upscale sandwiches." Nation's Restaurant News. 28(27):41
- ^ ""Steamer Rhode Island" dining room, menu dated October 17, 1899: "Cold Dishes ... Club Sandwich 25 ... with Bacon 40"". Digitalgallery.nypl.org. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ "Sandwiches", Good Housekeeping 25:2:87 (August 1897)
- ^ "Egg salad club sandwiches - Eat Well Recipe". October 5, 2008.