Meat on meat: THE WINNER
The winner was The Chicano from The Ridge in Nashville, Tenn., made with local chorizo, brisket, house-made queso, chipotle aioli and served on a Tuscan baguette with picked jalapenos.
The Big Dozier from Zarda Hickory Pit BBQ in Blue Springs, Mo., and Lenexa, Kansas.
Created by Kansas City Royals player Hunter Dozier, The Big Dozier includes burnt ends, which are cut from the brisket, topped with pulled pork, melted provolone and crispy onion straws along with Dozier’s favorite barbecue sauce on a toasted Roma bun. Available throughout baseball season, the sandwich sells for $9.99 and benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Kung Fu Ku-Ban from Kickback Neighborhood Tavern in Wellington, Fla.
Described as a “love letter to the guests who stuck around during COVID,” this sandwich includes smokey ham and pork belly with apple sesame slaw, gochujang mustard, garlic pickles and “gooey” provolone. It’s priced at $14.
Newman’s Jewban from Kush Hialeah in Hialeah, Fla.
Again with the Cubano puns, this Cuban/Jewish-style deli sandwich includes pulled pork, corned beef, Swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut, yellow mustard and Russian dressing on grilled rye. It is $15.
Torta Bamba from Taco Bamba, based in Falls Church, Va. (available at six locations in Washington, D.C. area)
This sandwich is the meat-on-meat trend on steroids. Weighing in at close to two pounds, the Torta Bamba has more than 15 ingredients, including ham, an all-beef frank, carne asada, chorizo, al pastor pork and chicken and beef Milanesa, along with chihuahua cheese, black beans, pineapple, pickled jalapeno, lettuce, tomato, avocado and, of course, mayo. Price: $16.75.
THE WINNER: Bun Keema from Amber India in San Francisco.
Joseph Weaver
It looks like an Indian version of a Sloppy Joe, but it’s actually a traditional street food dish in Bombay.
The Sloppy Khan from Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen in Fullerton, Calif.
This really is a rendition of a Sloppy Joe, tapping flavors from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It includes high-quality Keema Pav Wagyu Beef served on “gun powder dusted” buttery house-made pav bread. It’s served in a little street food cart “with working wheels and all!” Price: $12
Chicken Tikka Roll from Bombay Wraps in Chicago
Chicken breast marinated in tikka masala spices and served with tikka masala sauce, cilantro, mint chutney, pickled onions on a buttered and toasted brioche roll.
Mushroom French Dip from Bianca in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
This sandwich hit two trends: the use of mushrooms in place of meat and the return of the French dip, which is, no doubt, also connected with the rise of birria.
Mushroom Shawarma from Shouk in Washington, D.C.
This shawarma is made with oyster mushrooms and served with pickled green cabbage, cucumber and onion salad, arugula and tahina in a pita. Price:
$12
Primo Double-Double from Butterfly Burger in Sedona, Ariz.
Watch out In-N-Out: This sandwich includes house-marinated and grilled portobello mushroom on a whole grain bun, topped with caramelized balsamic onions, manchego cheese and chipotle aioli for $16.
The Kingwich from Alice & Friends Vegan Kitchen in Chicago.
A breaded and crispy organic king trumpet mushroom is marinated with chef’s secret recipe to make it juice inside and crispy outside. Served with house slaw on a pretzel bun for $14.25.
The Curry Dip from Champion’s Curry in Los Angeles and Irvine, Calif.
Guests have the choice of chicken, pork, beef or fish katsu on brioche bread with gem lettuce, cucumber, tomato, Rakkyo salsa, sour cream sauce, Worcestershire and chives with a side of original or spicy curry for dipping.
Black Garlic Honey Habanero Chicken Sandwich from Table Manners in Redondo Beach, Calif.
This version combines black garlic, honey-roasted habanero and roasted pineapple to season the chicken thigh, which has been double brined, for a sweet-and-spicy result.
The Sweet & Spicy Chicken Schnitzel from Daughter’s Deli in West Hollywood, Calif.
Served on a brioche bun, this includes crispy chicken, sweet and spicy aioli, house-made cole slaw, pickles and muenster cheese. Price: $17
Southern Seoul at Char’d in Tempe, Ariz.
Also using the trendy chicken thigh, for this sandwich the meat is double battered and fried, then covered in gochigari garlic paste mixed with sesame emulsion and topped with a kimchi slaw on a toasted potato bun. Price: $7.
