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Sailor sandwich facts for kids

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Sailor sandwich
2015 0629 Sailor at NYD.jpg
A sailor sandwich, as served at Richmond's New York Deli
Type Sandwich
Place of origin United States
Region or state Virginia
Created by New York Deli,
Richmond, Virginia
Main ingredients Pastrami, knackwurst, Swiss cheese, hot mustard, rye bread

The sailor sandwich is a yummy hot sandwich. It's super popular in Richmond, Virginia, a city in the United States. This sandwich is made with hot pastrami, a kind of smoked meat. It also has grilled knackwurst, which is a type of sausage. Then, it's topped with melted Swiss cheese and spicy hot mustard. All these tasty ingredients are served on rye bread.

How the Sailor Sandwich Started

The New York Deli, a restaurant that opened way back in 1929, says they invented the sailor sandwich. People in Richmond tell a story about how it got its name. During World War II, which was a big global conflict, Navy sailors were training at the University of Richmond. They were part of a special program called the Navy V-12 program.

These sailors often visited the New York Deli. They would order this delicious sandwich, but it didn't have a name yet. Over time, because so many sailors ordered it, it became known as the "sailor sandwich." No one is quite sure who officially gave it that name, but it stuck!

Other Kinds of Sailor Sandwiches

There are some different versions of this sandwich. For example, the marine sandwich is popular near some Marine bases. One of these bases is MCB Quantico. This version is usually served on Italian bread. It can have knackwurst, pastrami, or even salami. It also uses a German-style mustard and often comes with peppers.

If you go to the West Coast of the United States, you might find a version that includes sliced tomatoes on the side. So, while the original sailor sandwich is famous in Virginia, you can find similar tasty sandwiches in other places too!

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