Sandwiches are a trend? Since when!?

Every so often, we see it pop up again.An article, a comment, someone on Instagram saying:

“Sandwiches are having a moment.” ... “It’s the new food trend.”

And every time we read it, we have the same reaction…

What do you mean a moment?

Since when has putting really good things between bread been a passing phase?

Sandwiches have been quietly carrying the food world on their back for centuries. No fuss, no ego, no need to reinvent themselves every six months. They’ve just… always been there. Reliable. Adaptable. Consistently excellent when done properly.

Because if your only reference point is a sad, fridge-cold triangle in a plastic box from a petrol station, then yeah, maybe it feels like sandwiches have suddenly “improved”. But that’s not a trend. That’s just the bar being raised back to where it should have been all along.

We don’t even need to look far for proof that sandwiches aren’t some new idea. We’re literally surrounded by it. Just down the road from us is Sandwich - yes, an actual place - where the name comes from.

A bit of history for you...

The story goes that John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, wanted something he could eat without stopping what he was doing. So he asked for meat between bread.

Simple. Efficient. Genius, really.

And here we are, a few hundred years later, still doing exactly that. Just with slightly more ambition.

So no, no, sandwiches aren’t a trend.

What is happening is that people are remembering what makes them great in the first place. Good bread that actually has some structure to it. Ingredients that taste like something. Flavour combinations that make sense (or don’t, but somehow still work).And portions that don’t leave you wondering if you’ve just had a snack instead of a meal.

It’s not revolutionary. It’s just… better.

We’ve definitely noticed a shift though. People are less willing to settle for average. They want something that feels worth it. Something that’s been thought about. Something that doesn’t feel like it came off a conveyor belt at 6am and sat around waiting for them.

And that’s where places like ours come in.

We’re not trying to “reinvent” the sandwich. We’re not out here pretending we’ve discovered something new. What we are doing is taking something that’s been around forever and giving it the respect it deserves.

Bigger flavours. Better ingredients. Proper portions. And yes - occasionally pushing things slightly too far, because where’s the fun in playing it safe? Wee LOVE a giant ridiculous sandwich (with an equally ridiculous name).

Calling sandwiches a trend feels a bit like calling tea a trend. Or bread itself, for that matter. It’s not going anywhere. It doesn’t need a rebrand. It just needs people to keep doing it well.

And if more people are paying attention to sandwiches again, then great. We’re all for it. The more good sandwiches out there, the better.

But let’s not pretend this is some fleeting moment that’ll disappear when the next food craze rolls in.

Sandwiches have been here long before us, and they’ll be here long after.

At Stacks, we’re just doing our bit to make sure they’re done properly .Big, bold, slightly ridiculous at times - but always built with loads of love. If you’re going to eat something that’s been around for centuries, it should probably be worth it.

Fancy putting that theory to the test?

Come and see us, check out the latest menu, or get in touch about catering for your next event.

We’ll let you decide if it’s a “trend”… or just a very, very good sandwich. 🥪

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