Who makes the best sandwich? Restaurant Hospitality’s editorial staff narrowed down the large field in our first Best Sandwiches in America contest to 18 finalists. See all winners >>
June 11, 2014
Winner: Chicken Cutlet Vodka Panini
Restaurant: Orlando’s Deli, Manhasset, NY
Sandwich creator: Joe Spagna
Inspiration: “My love for vodka sauce.”
Key ingredients: Breaded chicken cutlets, vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella, Italian bread
Why it’s special: The vodka sauce
Price: $7.25
Food cost: 42 percent
What the judges said: We’ve been sauced on vodka and eaten plenty of pasta with vodka sauce, and we’ve liked both. We don’t know who thought of splashing vodka into a tomato/cream sauce, but damn if it doesn’t work. There have to be lots of others out there who have used vodka sauce for something other than pasta, but we’re not sure who they are. We do know Chef Spagna’s fantastic drunken-chicken cutlet will keep us out of rehab at least one more week.
Honorable mentions
• Harvest Panini: Green Leaf’s, Cleveland
• Peach BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich: RJ’s Steakhouse, Cedaredge, CO
• Turkey and Brie with Berry Mayo: Jersey Girl Café, Hamilton, NJ
You May Also Like
