Sandwiches are popular in today’s culture. They are easy to make and eat practically anywhere and can be as fancy or as simple as we like. Po-boy, muffuletta, clubhouse, Reuben, grilled, meat, tuna or egg salad – these are just some of the many different types of sandwiches frequently eaten for lunches or light dinners.

Tuna or chopped hard boiled eggs mixed with mayonnaise is a classic sandwich filling that can be made with low-fat mayonnaise for those watching their intake of saturated fat. Grilled cheese is another popular classic sandwich and many different types of breads and fillings can be grilled to make delicious sandwiches. A fancier type of grilled sandwich can be made with foods such as pears, blue cheese and French bread. Whether you use an indoor or an outdoor variety of grill, grilled sandwiches accompanied by soup or salad can make a hot and satisfying meal.

The Reuben sandwich is a grilled or toasted sandwich that is usually made on rye or pumpernickel bread. Thousand Island or Russian dressing and Swiss cheese are almost always added to Rueben sandwiches. Corned beef and sauerkraut are its classic fillings, but sandwich meat and coleslaw or cabbage can also be used.

Clubhouse, or club, sandwiches are unique in that they have three layers of bread rather than two. These sandwiches are cut into quarters and the layers are held together with long picks. Clubhouse sandwiches were first made popular at country clubs and hotels in the United States by the end of the nineteenth century. The bread is usually toasted and filled with sliced, cooked chicken breast, bacon, tomato slices and lettuce.

Muffulettas are Italian sandwiches made on round bread. Provolone, salami, ham and an olive salad form the layers between the bottom and top slices of bread. The olive salad is made with olives and seasonings such as garlic, capers and onions. Muffulettas are popular sandwiches in New Orleans, as are po-boys.

The po-boy, or poor boy, is made on a French baguette. Shrimp or roast beef are very popular fillings. Oyster, ham, or fried catfish po-boys are also quite common. Less expensive fillings include sausage or even French fries and gravy. These sandwiches were called poor boys as they were thought to be filling and low cost enough for people who didn’t have much money.