Seth Chitwood|Standard-Times
NEW BEDFORD — National Sandwich DayisNov. 3. Whether it be a complex sandwich such as a full Thanksgiving meal all-in-one or simple as peanut butter and jelly on white bread,sandwiches can be eatenanywhere and anytime.
According to History.com, the sandwich wasnamedafter John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century English aristocrat. Montagu would constantly eat his meat between two pieces of bread.
However, Montagu didn't come up with this idea on his own. While traveling abroad the Mediterranean, Montagu observed Turkish and Greek mezze platters — dips, cheeses, and meatsall “sandwiched” on layers of bread.By the Revolutionary War, the sandwich was a popular menu item in England.
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By 1815, America joined in on the trend, first serving sandwiches in pubs and ale houses.
Today, in the New Bedfordarea, there are sandwiches offered everywhere.From blackened haddock sandwiches, to shish-kebab sandwiches to a lobster grilled cheese, here are 13uniquesandwiches to orderin honor of National Sandwich Day.
We hope you "loaf" them!
Blackened Haddock Sandwich
Celebrating 32 years in business, Turk's Seafood in Mattapoisett is allabout serving fresh seafood straight from the New Bedford fishing fleet. Its blackened haddock sandwich is topped with avocado, pickled red onions and Jamaican jerk aioli served with a choice of potato salad and coleslaw
Founded in 1989, Turk's Seafood was originally owned by the late Richard "Turk" Pasquill. The three-generation family business also ownsa seafood market and sushi bar.
The Roast Beefy
In 2009, in honor of its 60th anniversary, Lees Marketin Westport introduced Blue Lobster Cafe. The internet hot spot offers several sandwiches and wraps as well as hot and cold drinks.
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The Roast Beefy is roast beef with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and horseradish mayo on a choice of white, wheat, multigrain or rye six-inch or 10-inch roll.
Lees prides itself on being a home market and community hub for Westport. It offers a wide variety of grocery items and spirits. The website also shares tons of recipes.
Grilled Sirloin Tip Sandwich
Since opening on Sept. 11, 1989 in New Bedford, Antonio's goal isto serve authentic Portuguese food in a family friendly atmosphere. Its "old world Portuguese recipes" include unique dishes like the sirloin tip sandwich, which is marinated and grilled beef served with fried onions, red peppers and cheese along with french fries or rice.
According to the website, Antonio's promotescommunity growth while providingcustomers with the freshest ingredients possible — "Where every day is Sunday."
The Thanksgiving
Tia Maria's European Cafe, located behind the Whaling Museum in the Historical Whaling Park, has been serving customers since 2013.The café prides itself onbeing afood-centric Portuguese family-owned restaurant.
The Thanksgiving, found on Tia Maria's lunch menu, is deli turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, lettuce and mayo served on a Portuguese roll. The only thing missing is the family fighting over the mashed potatoes.
Breakfast and lunchis served Monday through Saturday and Breakfast only on Sunday. The caféis also open for dinnerevery Fridayand Saturdayuntil 8 p.m.
Freestone’s Reuben Melt
The recently renovated Freestones City Grill in downtown New Bedfordstill offers its well-knownReuben melt —a fan favorite. The sandwich is a grilled marble rye with melted Swiss cheese, hot corned beef, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing.
The former bank building-turned-restaurant's lunch menu is only available Tuesdays through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. And Freestones "Appy Hour" is available at the bar from 4 to 6 p.m. and an hour before close on Tuesdays though Fridays.
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David’s Crispy BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Located in the North End of New Bedford, David's RestaurantservesupPortuguese and Spanish dishes. David's crispy BBQ chicken sandwich is a fried boneless chicken breast with crispy onion straws, smoked Applewood bacon, American cheese and BBQ sauce.
According to a previous Standard-Times article, owner and chef David Jimoncame to the United States when he was 20 years old. Starting as a dish washer, Jimon worked his way up from working the fryolator, to the sauté station andnow owning a restaurant in the formerMadeira Café on Church Street.
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Spicy Chicken Sandwich
The recently reopened Cultivator Shoals in downtown New Bedford offers a spicy chicken sandwich which is togarashi, sriracha aioli and kimchi pickles ontoasted brioche. It isone of the co*cktails bar's signature sandwiches.
The original Cultivator Shoals bar was established in 1929 where Rose Alley is now, According to the website.It was arowdy fishermen’s bar and "a place where fishermen and sailors could drink all night and then sleep in the basem*nt before going out to sea."
Linguica egg and cheese sandwich
Since 2006, Izzy'shas been servingCape Verdean-style to the residents of New Bedford. Among its creative menu, the linguica, egg and cheese sandwich sounds exactly what it is — eventhe simplest concoctions can be the best.
According the to the website, the restaurant located on Spring Street"spins up a unique and diverse menu that will fill your stomach, and bring you back time and time again." Izzy's also has a food truck that can be seen around town in place such as Buttonwood Park and For Tabor.
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'Lobsta' Grilled Cheese
If you thought you had a grilled cheese, you haven't until you'vetastedQuahog Republic Whaler’s Tavern's signature grilled cheese. The regular grilled cheese is white or wheat bread loaded withAmerican cheese.
However, the“Lobsta” grilled cheese is a quarter-pound of warm tender lobster meat on white or wheat bread with a heaping amount offontina, swiss and cheddar cheese.
Founded in 2008 in Falmouth, the New Bedford location opened in June 2015. Owners Erik Bevans and Tom Hughes grew up on Cape Cod fishing, boating and digging for quahogs.
The Veggie
At 141 Union St., Destination Soupshas several soups, salads and sandwiches to order. The vegetarian sandwich, also known as "the veggie," ismixed greens, cucumbers, avocado, roasted red peppers, cheese and hummus or specialty mayo.
Opened in 2008, owner Devin Byrnesran a kitchen in Manhattan for five years prior to moving back to New Bedford to open Destination Soups. According to the website, everything is fresh and homemade and Byrnestries"very hard to keep the menu interesting and varied."
Venetian Sandwich
Located on 613 Dartmouth St., Fay's Restaurant offers several iconic Italian dishes. It's venetian sandwich is one of several yummy choices and continues to be a fan-favorite that was forced back on the menu "full-time"in 2019.
This sandwich is a grilled marinated chicken breast withcheddar cheese, tomato, cucumber, red onionand parmesan peppercorn dressing served on Fay's house-made roll with a side of fries.
Fay's openedin1998, but Fay's has been an iconic part of New Bedford since 1961.Fay's is owned byEvelyn Bettencourt, the daughter of Fay DiPiro who was best known for herkitchen, "The Knotty Pine."
Shish-Kebab Sandwich
Since 1994,Captain's Place has been offering flavorful Portuguese cuisine inAcushnet, MA. Known for its several savory dishes, its shish-kebab sandwich is a heaping pile of marinated steak, mushrooms and Portuguese peppers. It also comes with a side of french fries.
Located at 162 Main St., the restaurant has an indoor dining area, full bar and outdoor patio. The official website offers guests a "Portuguese vacation without ever leaving the comfort of your hometown."
The Vermonter
The Flour Girls Baking Company Cafe in Fairhaven offers several signature sandwich and desserts. The Vermonter, named after the state where ownerJill Houck was born, is a smoked turkeywith Vermont cheddar, bacon, red onion, green apple slices and mayonnaise which is then hot pressed on wheat bread.
According to the website, Flour Girlshas always believed thatnatural ingredients and sustainable grown food are the basis for a healthy long life. Products can be purchased at the Flour Girls Baking Co directly, ordered online on the website or via the Flour Girl'sSweet Truck.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached atschitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
