National Sandwich Day is celebrated every year on November 3, honoring one of the most practical and widely enjoyed meals—the sandwich. The date commemorates the birthday of John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (born in 1718), who helped popularize the idea of eating meat between slices of bread for convenience.
According to legend, Montagu came up with the idea during a long card game, asking for his meal to be served between bread so he could keep playing without using utensils. His fellow players began ordering “the same as Sandwich,” and the name quickly caught on.
Today, National Sandwich Day celebrates a meal that fits into busy schedules, travels easily, and adapts to any taste—from a quick packed lunch to a freshly made sub or grilled panini.
Many restaurants and chains join the celebration by offering special deals, discounts, and freebies, making it a fun excuse to grab lunch out or try something new. On social media, the day remains popular, with over 76.8K posts under #NationalSandwichDay on Instagram (and 97K on Facebook) plus 28.7K posts under #SandwichDay on Instagram (and 28K on Facebook).
When is National Sandwich Day?
National Sandwich Day is always celebrated on November 3, no matter which day of the week it falls on. This consistency makes it easy to mark your calendar each year—whether you plan to enjoy a classic grilled cheese or grab a deal at your favorite sandwich shop.
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 3 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | November 3 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | November 3 | Friday |
| 2029 | November 3 | Saturday |
| 2030 | November 3 | Sunday |
♥️ Similar Days: National French Toast Day, National Toast Day, National Chicken Sandwich Day
When Did National Sandwich Day Start?
Our research show that National Sandwich Day has existed since at least 2001, though its exact origin remains unknown. No individual or organization has officially claimed to have created it.
Many sources state that the observance falls on November 3 because it marks the birthday of John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. However, historical records show that Montagu was actually born on November 13, 1718—ten days later.
This means the connection between his birthday and the date of the celebration is likely based on a mix-up or simply a tradition that stuck over time. Regardless of how it began, National Sandwich Day continues to be celebrated on November 3 each year.
10 Sandwiches To Eat on National Sandwich Day
The best way to celebrate Sandwich Day is to eat a sandwich, of course. But instead of reaching for your usual combo, why not make the day a little more special by trying something new?
Club Sandwich
This layered classic traces its roots to the Saratoga Club-House in New York, where it was reportedly created in 1894. The sandwich features bacon, chicken or turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, stacked between toasted bread and cut into neat triangles. It’s been enjoyed by everyone from diners to royalty, including King Edward VIII.
Roast Beef Sandwich
There are many types of roast beef sandwiches—some hot, others cold; some topped with cheese, others with mayonnaise or barbecue sauce. What they all have in common is that they’re simply irresistible.
BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato)
The BLT, standing for Bacon Lettuce Tomato, is the Big Mac of sandwiches. It’s been around for longer, though. BLT first appeared in British cookbooks in the 1920s and remains one of the most popular sandwiches in the world. April even has its own National BLT Month dedicated to it.
Reuben
The Reuben sandwich is, unlike the BLT, one of those sandwiches you want someone else to make. Why? Because this New York specialty is quite complicated to prepare on your own. The Reuben is a delicious combination of corned beef, rye bread, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.
Cuban Sandwich
If you go to Florida, you have to try their local delicacy: the Cuban sandwich. It’s grilled, pressed, and absolutely delicious! Ingredients include ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard—a match made in heaven.
Lobster Roll
The lobster roll is a mouthwatering Maine specialty that puts most other sandwiches to shame. Cooked, buttery lobster placed in a hot dog roll with lettuce, lemon juice, and a bit of seasoning makes for an unforgettable sandwich.
Tuna Sandwich
One of the most popular homemade sandwiches—especially among children—the tuna sandwich rarely disappoints. The typical ingredients are canned tuna and mayonnaise, but to make it special, you can add olives, cucumber, onions, and eggs.
Muffuletta
Like many sandwiches in America, the muffuletta was invented by Italian immigrants, this time in New Orleans. The muffuletta is a large, filling sandwich made from a split loaf packed with olive salad, salami, ham, mortadella, and cheese (typically mozzarella and provolone).
Sloppy Joe
The Sloppy Joe is an American classic sandwich—almost as American as apple pie. For those not familiar with this favorite, it’s made with a hamburger bun filled with ground beef, onions, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup or tomato sauce.
Meatball Sandwich
An Italian-American invention from about 130 years ago, the meatball sandwich now comes in many variations. What they all share—besides the meatballs—are the red sauce and melted cheese served inside a long roll.
National Sandwich Day Facts & Trivia
We’ve compiled some of the most interesting facts about National Sandwich Day for you. These facts are ideal for trivia quizzes, especially at your next pub quiz night. Use them to impress your friends and add some extra flavor to your quiz!
- Believe it or not, but the most common sandwich filling is lettuce.
- The most popular sandwich sauce in the USA is mayonnaise, beating both mustard and ketchup.
- The most common breakfast sandwich in the USA is an egg sandwich: 44% of sandwiches eaten for breakfast were classified as egg sandwiches in this study.
- According to this YouGov survey from 2019, the favorite sandwich in America is the grilled cheese sandwich: 79% of the respondents either really liked or somewhat liked it. The second-most liked sandwich in the same survey was the grilled chicken sandwich (75%). In third place, we have the roast beef sandwich (71%), before BLT sandwich (69%) and peanut butter and jelly sandwich (66%).
- In the same YouGov survey, 60% of the respondents thought a hamburger should be considered a sandwich. On the other hand, only 15% thought that a taco should be considered a sandwich, with 75% thinking the opposite.
- What’s Britain’s favorite sandwich? In this survey, the winner was the cheese and onion sandwich with 12% of the votes. The tuna mayo sandwich (10%) came second, before the cheese and ham sandwich (4%).
- One any given day, 49% of Americans eat at least one sandwich.
