An American idea of a good lunch is a hefty sandwich. The variety of sandwiches available can be more than one can ever possibly imagine. Anything and almost everything which can fit between two slices of bread can qualify as a sandwich.
The sandwich, however, did not originate in America. It was introduced in the 18th century by the 4th Earl of Sandwich. He ordered that slices of cold beef be placed between pieces of bread and be brought to him. Today it is a staple of the American
diet.

Some sandwiches when bought from a delicatessen are so large that they can easily be shared by two people. Depending upon where one goes in America, these extra-large sandwiches can take on a different name. In New York they are called "heroes", but in Los Angeles they are known as "submarines." I other places between the two coasts they are referred to in a variety of ways; they can be "grinders," "hoagies," "poor boys" or "torpedoes." There is also the Philly steak sandwich ( steak, fried onions and melted cheese) which originated in Philadelphia, pastrami on rye bread is famed in New York and the lobster roll can be found along the New England coast.

There are also double-decker and triple-decker sandwiches. A double-decker consists of two layers of filling with three slices of bread. A triple-decker is three layers of filling with four slices of bread and must be eaten with great dexterity.

A bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, more commonly called a BLT, is uniquely famous and easy to prepare. Tuna fish, egg salad, ham and cheese, and roast beef are also among the most popular and would surely be found on the top ten list of America's best loved sandwiches. Another favorite is a grilled cheese sandwich which is filled with processed cheese and a slice of ham and then grilled in a frying pan until the cheese melts and oozes from the sides. A peanut butter and banana sandwich may seem a strange combination to a novice , but it offers a unique taste for the adventurous, providing that a diet is not being considered. The most popular sandwich, however, is a cheeseburger on a roll made infamous by the many fast-food chains which embrace the country. Ironically, a fast-food chain called "Subway" specializes in nothing but sandwiches and the menu contains a galaxy of fillings.

As varied as the fillings may be, so too are the kinds of breads in which they are served. There are rye bread, white bread, pumpernickel and black bread. Some breads may contain raisins or peanuts and all can be selected according to one's taste and the filling used.

Americans, it should be noted, love to eat their sandwiches with the crust intact. Unlike the Japanese who prefer to remove the crust when making a sandwich, Americans find a sandwich just not complete with the crust removed.