Sandwiches are a perfect food. Whoever thought of putting food between two slices of bread was probably the world’s first prodigy (My roommate tells me that it was the Earl of Sandwich, but I’m not totally convinced). Yet, the sandwich spectrum is a large one, spanning from the turkey and Swiss you found in your lunchbox throughout elementary school to the gyro you buy at your favorite street cart.
This week I went on a search for the weirdest, most wonderful sandwiches I could find around Durham. These combos are mouthwateringly delicious, forcing you to wonder why you never thought to put these ingredients together in the first place. Whether you go out and eat all of them in one day, or attempt to replicate them back home, these new sandwich combinations are sure to impress.
Brie and Avocado Baguette at Geer St. Garden
Photo by Christina Langmack
This sandwich changed my life for the better. The combo of the French cheese and avocado could not make for a smoother sandwich. With warm brie, caramelized onions, aioli and avocado (and served with a side of salad or fries), the sandwich will leave you wondering whether you could eat this sandwich, and only this sandwich, for the rest of your life. Bonus: for just $1, add bacon to the sandwich to take it to the next level.
Peanut Butter, Bacon and Banana Panini at Parker and Otis
Photo by Christina Langmack
This sandwich might be more of a dessert than a sandwich. The contrasting textures of crispy bacon with the smooth peanut butter and bananas will please your palate, despite the odd sounding combination. The saltiness of the bacon counters the sweetness of the bananas and honey, leaving your tastebuds excited and your stomach fully satisfied. But be warned: the warm, dripping peanut butter and honey will undoubtedly cover your face, hands and any unprotected clothing by the end of your meal.
Brier Bear Panini at Deli-icious Food Truck
Photo by Christina Langmack
This panini is by far one of the prettiest sandwiches I’ve ever seen. The sweet blackberry jam not only colors the sandwich but also compliments the salty Black Forest ham. Add in the flavor of the pears, and the sandwich becomes reminiscent of a fall Thanksgiving meal. Perhaps the best thing about this sandwich is that Deli-icious conveniently comes to Duke on Mondays and Thursdays, providing you a welcome break from the typical food plan eateries. Find more information about Deli-icious’s schedule on campus here.
Bacon, Egg, Cheese and Jam on Focaccia at Monuts
Photo by Izzi Clark
It’s hard to assemble any Durham food list without including Monuts. Next time you’re there, break from your traditional order of bacon, egg and cheese by adding some housemade jam and arugula on Monuts’ freshly baked focaccia. This sandwich is the perfect twist to your traditional breakfast sandwich and doubles as a lunch or dinner. With this sandwich on the menu, Monuts’ bagels, biscuits and—dare I say—donuts face some pretty stiff competition for best item.
Fried Pork Cutlet Sandwich at Rose’s Meats and Sweets
Photo by Christina Langmack
Conveniently located off Duke’s East Campus, Rose’s small storefront doubles as a butchery and bakery. Each of the three daily sandwiches are made with freshly-baked bread and cuts from their butcher. This sandwich was much more complex than the others on our list, but it was delicious nevertheless. It’s piled high with freshly fried pork, cabbage, doubanjiang (a mildly spicy fava and soybean paste) and pepitas that combine to make a unique sandwich with an Asian flair. Finish your meal with a perfect baked good or homemade ice cream from the large sweet section to complete a fantastic experience.
Want more sandwiches? Check out these articles.
- 9 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches That Are Anything But Basic
- How to Build a Better Sandwich in 6 Easy Steps
- Eat More Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches