Sandwiches are one of America’s most beloved lunch options. As a nation, we eat more than 300 million sandwiches every single year. Whether you like them stacked high with deli meats, or slathered with worldly condiments, sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food — in part, because they’re so customizable! 

We wanted to learn more about this all-American food tradition. So we asked 1,000 workers to share their thoughts on the classic lunch sandwich — from what makes a sandwich a sandwich to ranking condiments from most popular to least.

The answers rushed in. As it turns out, people take their sandwiches very seriously and the topic sparked a lot of fun responses. Ultimately, there’s one thing we can all agree on when it comes to sandwiches: everyone loves them.

Here’s a look at the most interesting sandwich-related ordering trends of 2023.

A sandwich is a sandwich is a sandwich

If somebody asked you, “So what is a sandwich?” you wouldn’t have trouble answering, right? You might say it’s two slices of bread with a filling between them. That’s a good answer. It includes savory sandwiches, like BLTs, and sweet sandwiches, like PB&Js.

But what if someone asked you if a lox bagel is also a sandwich? After all, it’s a bread roll sliced in half and filled with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and other savory ingredients. Yet not many people ask for this East Coast delicacy by ordering a lox sandwich.

Or what about a Kentucky hot brown sandwich? It clearly has the word sandwich in the name, but it consists of just one bread slice topped with roast turkey, tomatoes, and a creamy sauce. It’s even eaten off a plate with utensils, not with your hands.

It’s not so clear-cut anymore and people have strong opinions.

Sandwich definitions get even more complicated as you hone in on geographical areas. Is a wrap loaded with lettuce, tomato, chicken, avocado, and pesto a sandwich? We surveyed workers in different cities. Here’s what we found out: in Boston, 61% of workers will call that a sandwich; but if we travel south to Phoenix, Dallas, or Houston, 67% of workers will shake their heads and say it’s just a wrap.

Would it surprise you to learn that not even courts and governments will agree on what a sandwich is? In 2006, a Massachusetts judge ruled that burritos are not sandwiches. And yet the state of New York legally classifies burritos as sandwiches in their tax code.

What butters your biscuit (or lunch sandwich)?

The food fight doesn’t end there. There’s also a lot of discussion on how to build the ultimate sandwich. Are burgers better than a grilled cheese? Do artisanal loaves of bread make superior sandwiches? Is a sandwich tastier with or without the crust?

Here’s how surveyed workers rank condiments, bread, and types of sandwiches:

As far as the great debate goes in terms of bread crust, 80% of workers are team crust on. 

Sandwich preferences: a generational divide

One of the most curious takeaways from our sandwich survey is that different generations of workers have vastly different culinary preferences. Here’s what different generations of employees appreciate most when it comes to sandwich sandwich fixings:

We found out that younger workers are much more likely to be adventurous with their lunch sandwich orders. For example, Boomers and Gen X prefer classic condiments like mayo and mustard. Meanwhile, Millennials and Gen Z favor more adventurous options, like hot sauce and pesto.

It’s about more than just condiments. Younger generations want to step beyond tradition and discover new possibilities. Millennials and Gen Z are the most diverse generation to date. They grew up with the internet and in cosmopolitan environments, even if just online. They embrace new flavors, textures, and food trends with arms wide open. It’s why wacky recipes go viral frequently on TikTok — from sweet corn ribs to butter boards and 21-ingredient Italian Grinder sandwiches.

Around the country in 50 sandwiches

It’s this creativity that makes sandwiches such an iconic food. There are even 50 sandwiches for 50 states, each incorporating local ingredients and paying homage to the region’s history.

There’s the Alaskan yak burger, made with a non-traditional type of red meat that is lean and abundant up north. Or the mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches so popular in Florida, with their distinct Caribbean flavors. And who could forget Hawaii’s kalua pork sandwiches, which draw on native culinary traditions and incorporate ingredients brought over by immigrants?

If you’re a self-described sandwich connoisseur, here’s a fun travel challenge: try the most popular sandwich in each state you visit. But first, just for fun, learn how sandwich tastes vary by region.

Any way you slice it, the lunch sandwich is here to stay

We might not collectively agree about what makes a sandwich, which types of sandwiches reign supreme, or how to build a custom sandwich. But we do agree on one thing: everyone loves them. 

Remember that the next time you have to order food for an office lunch or work event. ezCater streamlines the ordering process so you can easily get the food your team deserves. Whether you’re ordering a tray of mixed sandwiches for everyone to share or individually packaged sandwiches hand-picked by your team, ezCater is the catering work lunch partner you need.

Still hungry for more? Check out our full Lunch Report to read all the survey results and learn how the humble lunch sandwich can boost productivity, happiness, and loyalty at work.