Sandwich (Photo by Hillshire Farm on Unsplash)
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NEW YORK — More than four in five Americans take the quality of their sandwiches very seriously. In a poll of 2,002 people, 62 percent say they are loyal to one restaurant or deli specifically because they make the best sandwiches.
In fact, almost two-thirds (65%) cycle through three or more different restaurants before finding their go-to sandwich stop.
What makes the perfect sandwich?
The meat-to-cheese ratio is a hot topic in the sandwich-loving community, especially among those who take their sandwiches “very seriously.” In fact, 43 percent of these serious eaters believe the perfect ratio includes much more meat than cheese.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of French’s Mustard, also reveals that 66 percent of the poll will put between three and six (or more) different condiments on their sandwiches at once.
Almost half the poll (45%) spreads their condiments on the bun with a knife, compared to 26 percent who drizzle them on. On top of that, 44 percent believe that condiments belong not just on the top bun or bottom bun, but on both.
Forty-three percent prefer a creamy texture to their condiments, including 36 percent of those who claim to not take their sandwiches “very seriously.” When it comes to the sandwich as a whole, 57 percent believe the most important part is the meat they choose.
Another 44 percent believe having the right bun or bread is what produces the best quality sandwich. On the opposite side of the spectrum, almost one-third of Americans think adding olives will ruin the entire sandwich for them. However, for millennials (ages 25-40), banana peppers are the ultimate sandwich-killer.
“Our main goal is to get mustard on more sandwiches, so it was affirming to see how seriously Americans feel about them,” says Jill Pratt Chief Marketing Excellence Officer at McCormick, in a statement. “There is no more perfect lunch or dinner than a satisfying sandwich.”
Is there such a thing as a healthy sandwich?
Thirty-eight percent of respondents build their sandwiches to be somewhere between a healthy meal and a guilty indulgence. The majority (39%) of those who take their sandwiches “very seriously” lean more toward keeping their sandwiches as healthy as possible, but 58 percent of those who don’t take their sandwiches seriously prefer a guilty indulgence.
“Focusing on small changes to make better choices feels achievable,” Pratt adds.
Although two-thirds of respondents usually order the same type of sandwich, 43 percent of people will try a more “adventurous” sandwich if it’s recommended to them by family or friends.
