Sandwiches + Wraps

These delightfully crispy, unforgettably delicious fried chicken sandwiches come from 2022 F&W Gamechanger Chintan Pandya — the chef behind popular New York City Indian restaurants Dhamaka, Adda, Semma, and Rowdy Rooster. Rowdy Rooster, where you'll find these spicy sandwiches, celebrates different styles of fried chicken across the Indian subcontinent, as well as other street food like pakora and vada pao. For the sandwiches, boneless, skinless chicken thigh pieces go through two stages of marination and are fried twice to deep brown perfection, locking in flavor and moisture with a crunchy exterior. After a quick dip in spiced melted butter, they're ready for the sandwiches. Pandya opted for a bright Mint Chutney, Amchur Onions, and Scallion Yogurt to round them out — and when you take a bite, you'll see how everything melds together perfectly. The chaat masala helps balance the heat from the Kashmiri chili powder in the butter. If you find yourself with leftovers, try reheating the chicken in an air fryer instead of a microwave so you can preserve that crispy coating.

Our take on Philadelphia Roast Pork Sandwiches combines roasted pork with melty provolone cheese and broccoli rabe for a seriously satisfying bite. We sautéed the broccoli rabe with plenty of garlic and some crushed red pepper flakes, and finished it with fresh lemon juice. Its bitterness and brightness balances the fattiness of the pork, which is incredibly tender and buttery with a flavorful crust. Letting the pork sit at room temperature for an hour while the oven preheats helps ensure it cooks evenly. Roasting it initially at 450°F and then lowering the oven temperature crisps and renders the fat on top, and then slowly cooks the meat. The provolone brings sharpness and helps keep the bottom of the roll from getting too soggy, and the mayo — which has a punch of acidity from pickled pepperoncini and its brine — is the finishing touch.

Essentially a Niçoise salad in sandwich form, the pan bagnat is sold at nearly every outdoor market in Nice, France, as well as at bakeries and restaurants. For this version, tuna is pureed with red wine vinegar, olive oil, anchovies, and garlic to form a unique sandwich spread inspired by tonnato sauce. Spreading a tangy tuna dressing on the cut sides of the ciabatta allows it to get absorbed into the bread, giving the sandwich plenty of flavor while also making it easier to eat.

The only reason you think cucumber sandwiches are boring is because you haven't had one that is made right, says chef Vishwesh Bhatt. Benedictine, a creamy spread of cucumber and herbs; along with a spicy and herbaceous peanut pesto with serrano chile, cilantro, and citrus; and chaat masala add verve to these sandwiches. And after layering in the crisp cucumbers, spicy chile slices, and juicy tomatoes, take a bite. "Once you serve this one, it's going to become a fixture at your summer parties," Bhatt says.

Fresh fillets of haddock are coated with smoky paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme before they get a quick sear to develop a delicious crust. They are then sandwiched between toasted brioche buns smeared with a strong, tangy tartar sauce laced with refreshingly piquant horseradish. If your fish fillets are thicker than 3/4 inch, butterfly them by carefully cutting through the center of the fillet (parallel to the work surface), leaving 1/2 inch of the meat attached at the side so it can be opened like a book.

In these decadent fried chicken sandwiches from Hakim Sulaimani, proprietor of Yafa Cafe in Brooklyn, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are infused with golden color and warming flavors from a buttermilk brine seasoned with hawaij, a Yemeni spice mixture usually consisting of cardamom, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, and coriander. Nutmeg in the crunchy panko coating for the fried chicken further spices up the sandwich, as does the slightly smoky adobo chile and plum sauce. Fresh coleslaw and pickles add a crisp bite and a subtle vinegary punch.