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What Is a Sausage Sandwich?
A sausage sandwich is a sandwich that contains a type of sausage and a variety of toppings or condiments. Commonly served on a roll or baguette, a sausage sandwich is often influenced by the local population as to the style and type of sausage that is used in the sandwich. Italian, Polish and bratwurst are just a sample of the different types of sausage that can be found in a regional favorite. Occasionally, a breakfast sausage will be served in a biscuit or on toasted bread with an egg to create a breakfast sandwich that can be eaten easily on the go.
Found worldwide, the sausage sandwich is a common item on menus from bistros to sidewalk hot dog carts. Offering a bit more substance than the common hot dog, the sausage sandwich is often served with sauerkraut, roasted peppers and onions and the old standby favorites, ketchup and mustard. Other toppings such as chili sauce and salsa often accompany the hand-held food, and breakfast sandwiches often include eggs and cheese. The sausages are frequently served boiled or steamed, but are typically served grilled or roasted.
In some areas of the world, the sausage sandwich is referred to as as a hot dog. Renowned for curing simple ailments such as hangovers, the sandwich is served with a red or brown sauce and the meat is served on a hard roll or a slice of folded bread. In Great Britain, the sausage sandwich is often served with bacon, eggs or fried onion and tomato. While commonly thought of as a breakfast sandwich, most eateries will serve the sandwich all day long. In the United States, the sausage sandwich is commonly served hot off of the barbecue grill and is a favorite at ball games, the beach and other sporting events.
While typically made of a link type sausage, some types of sausage sandwiches are made of sliced sausage strips and pieces. The Italian sausage is often made of this sliced sausage. Covered with sauteed onions and peppers and served with a sweet hot pepper and a cup of juice, this sandwich is very popular in United States cities such as Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York, where large Italian populations exists. Polish sausage is also popular in many cities, and frequently contests and cook-offs are staged to challenge each style of sandwich as the area's best and favorite. While popular in cooler northern climates, the sausage sandwich also is popular in the tropics as well and is frequently served with a fruit salsa topping.
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![Kielbasa, which is commonly included in sausage sandwiches.]()
Kielbasa, which is commonly included in sausage sandwiches. -
![Raw sausages.]()
By: Louis RenaudRaw sausages. -
![A hot dog with mustard.]()
By: Brenda CarsonA hot dog with mustard. -
![Sauerkraut is often served with a sausage sandwich.]()
By: Dani VincekSauerkraut is often served with a sausage sandwich. -
![Many people prefer their sausage sandwiches topped with sauteed peppers.]()
By: valery121283Many people prefer their sausage sandwiches topped with sauteed peppers. -
![Bratwursts may be used to make a German-style sausage sandwich.]()
By: SunnySBratwursts may be used to make a German-style sausage sandwich. -
![A sausage sandwich typically offers more variety in flavor than the standard, plain hot dog on a plain white flour bun.]()
By: Springfield GalleryA sausage sandwich typically offers more variety in flavor than the standard, plain hot dog on a plain white flour bun.
Discussion Comments
In other words, notice how ketchup is something that little kids tend to use more often than not. In other words, they put it on and in practically everything. Mashed potatoes, french fries, sandwiches, eggs and grits, you name it. However, as I've grown older, my tastes changed, and I've outgrow those "childish" things I used to enjoy as a kid. That's not to say I don't eat them anymore, it's just that I enjoy them much less than I used to.
@Chmander - I think the reason why hot dogs are only served at fast food restaurants is because they can be eaten so quickly. Unlike hamburgers, which are always being served, and can be prepared in hundreds of ways, hot dogs are more of something that you heat up and eat on the go. Aside from the toppings, there's not much you can do with sausages.
I always enjoy hot dogs, although I do wonder why they're only served at fast food places, and not actual restaurants. I love my sausages any kind of way, especially when they're barbecued. However, if there's one thing I'll absolutely refuse to do, it's putting ketchup on a hot dog. I know that sounds a little extreme, but it just doesn't go well with the other flavors, especially mustard and mayonnaise.
This is certainly an interesting article. Before reading it, I wasn't quite familiar with the term "sausage sandwich", until it was cleared up that it's referred to as a "hot dog" in other parts of the world, a term I'm more used to. It's intriguing how many foods have different names in other parts of the world. Speaking of which, the term used in the article reminds me of an episode of The Cosby Show I saw called Cliff's Nightmares. In the episode, Cliff has a nightmare about muppets when he eats a sausage sandwich before bed. It was a pretty stupid episode, but I guess the moral of the story was "What you eat before bed will come back to bite you", ha ha.
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