Between the Bread

Most regional sandwiches involve a trademark local food: lobster rolls in Maine, oyster po'boys in New Orleans, or pork in Indiana. But the chow mein sandwich is a little different — OK, a lot different.

Drive-ins, diners, and cafes around Fall River, Mass., and some parts of Rhode Island offer a local favorite known as the chow mein sandwich. Made with crunchy noodles, brown gravy, and vegetables piled onto a hamburger bun, the creation traces its local lineage to the Oriental Chow Mein Company noodle factory in Fall River, founded in 1936.

The sandwich was a staple on Fall River's school lunch menus as recently as the 1990s, and today you can sop up your chow mein sauce with hamburger buns at joints throughout the region, including Mee-Sum in Fall River and Evelyn's Drive-In.

Now, Food Gal has also spotted chow mein sandwiches at Clover Bakery in San Jose. This Japanese bakery peddles in creatively stuffed buns filled with chow mein (pictured above) and spaghetti, as well as white bread sandwiches involving potato salad or strawberries and cream. Though I'll admit they look and sound strange, I'd still be up for sampling one if I'm ever down in SJ. Would you dig in?

Source: Food Gal

I think every state should have an official state sandwich, and apparently Massachusetts agrees. State lawmakers are considering making the Fluffernutter sandwich one of the state's official foods, along with Necco Wafers and the Charleston Chew candy bar.

Since Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Somerville, MA, the classic peanut butter/Fluff combo could earn a place alongside other state foods, including baked navy beans and Boston cream pie. I didn't grow up eating Fluff; in fact, I don't think I've ever had it. But I know plenty of people who be happy to have more excuses to eat Fluffernutter sandwiches.

For all you Massachusetts natives, does Fluffernutter seem like the right choice? Everyone else: what do you think your state sandwich should be? For California, I'd nominate the French dip (invented in LA) or perhaps a healthy veggie sandwich with avocado and sprouts.

Photo Source: Flickr User Kimberlykv