So...when I started thinking about this entry, I had this great plan in mind. I was going to do an entry on my Three Favorite Sandwiches, across the U.S. I'd do a bit on each one, what makes it great, then move on to the next one until I had covered all three.

Now, to qualify, it had to just be a sandwich (not a burger) found somewhere in the U.S., and it could be included. But, I wanted the three to be from different parts of the country, so that was important. Also, since the U.S. is a great, big melting pot, I fully expected that the three sandwiches would represent some level of ethnic diversity, even while being considered...American.

So, here's my issue. I hit a road block at number three. I "know" of several sandwiches that might qualify, but I'd never had them before. Obviously I need too, but until then, my quest to write about three great American sandwiches, is going to be stopped at two.

First stop, the Poboy. However, not just any Poboy, the Roast Beef, Ham & Cheese Poboy from the Gator Stop in Morgan City, LA. I'd love to link you a photo, a website, some reviews, etc. But, they just don't exist. There's a Chevron Gas Station on the outskirts of Morgan City, LA named, the Gator Stop.

Inside this unassuming, very obviously a gas station, building, there is the smell of fresh baked French Bread as well as fried oysters, shrimp, roast beef, ham, etc. Slicing open this fresh baked french bread, they load it down with Roast Beef and Ham, top it with cheese, add some veggies and wrap it in butcher paper, then slice it in half, wrap it again and nuke it for 1.5 minutes. What comes out is this heavenly, dripping, melted cheese and au jus laden, god like sandwich.

Large enough that I can barely manage to eat a whole one, the real secret to the greatness of these Poboys is the french bread. Crusty and flaky on the outside, it is soft and buttery on the inside, and by the time you are eating it, has absorbed the juices from your Roast Beef, Ham and cheese. Each bite has tiny crumbs of bread falling to the butcher paper while the rest just melts in your mouth.

For these qualities, it has a worthy spot as one of my Three Great American Sandwiches.

Number two, in no particular order on my list of Three Great American Sandwiches, is The Roast Beef Deli Sandwich from Jerry's Famous Deli in South Beach (Miami, FL). The full size Roast Beef comes in just short of $15.00, and pushes north of that mark once you add Fries (gotta have fries or onion rings). And, it's a challenge to fit the thing in your mouth. Offering either rare or well done roast beef, there are numerous bread selections available too.

My choice? Regular size, rare, double baked crisp rye bread, with fries. Enjoyed best while on an outside table on a Friday night doing some South Beach people watching among friends, with a cold beer and a plate full of Deli Pickles, this really is an American Classic.

The roast beef is spiced wonderfully, and served up rare. The bread is crisp and flavourful. Simply wonderful, somewhat enormous.

Now...coming in at number three is? Hmm, well, I don't know. The Club sandwich at Kerbey Lane Cafe in Austin maybe, on Wheatberry Bread with Chipotle Mayo? The spicy italian Roast Beef sub at Marino's Pizza in Saratoga Springs, NY? The Philly Cheesesteak at Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia?

I think the best solution for this would be for me to visit Primanti's Brothers Restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA. Then I'd have a definitive choice for my third sandwich.

Donations now being accepted...