Emily Carter
The club sandwich is a popular food item that has been around for a long time. It is a three-layer sandwich consisting of three slices of bread, sliced cooked poultry, fried bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. The sandwich is usually cut diagonally into quarters or halves and held together by cocktail sticks. While there are various theories about how the sandwich got its name, one popular theory is that the word club in club sandwich stands for chicken and lettuce under bacon. This theory, however, has been debunked by fact-checking sites, and there are no sources to support this claim before the advent of the internet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken, Lettuce, Bacon, Tomato, Mayonnaise, Turkey or Ham |
| Origin | The sandwich may have originated at the Union Club of New York City in the 1880s. |
| Etymology | The word "club" in "club sandwich" is not an acronym. It is a backronym or "back acronym", meaning the claim was made after the fact. |
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What You'll Learn
The theory that 'club' stands for 'chicken and lettuce under bacon' is false
The theory that the word "club" in "club sandwich" stands for "chicken and lettuce under bacon" is false. While the theory has gained traction on the internet, it does not stand up to scrutiny.
Firstly, the theory does not account for all the ingredients in a club sandwich, omitting fundamental components like tomato and mayonnaise. Secondly, the acronym "chicken and lettuce under bacon" does not appear in any sources prior to the advent of the internet. Etymologist Barry Popik traced the earliest reference to this acronym to a Google Groups discussion from December 8, 1998, indicating that the theory is a backronym, or an acronym created after the fact.
The club sandwich has a much longer history than the late 1990s, with references to the sandwich and recipes for making it dating back to the 1890s. For example, an article in The Evening World newspaper from November 18, 1889, mentions the "Union Club sandwich," which consisted of "two toasted pieces of Graham bread, with a layer of turkey or chicken and ham between them, served warm." Other early references also credit the chef of the Union Club of New York City with creating the sandwich.
While the exact origin of the name "club sandwich" is unclear, one theory suggests that it originated in the kitchen of a private social club, with credit often given to the Saratoga Club House in Saratoga Springs, New York. Another theory posits that the name comes from the double-decker club cars on American trains in the 1890s.
In conclusion, while the theory that "club" stands for "chicken and lettuce under bacon" may be amusing, it is not supported by historical evidence. The club sandwich has a rich history that predates the creation of this acronym, and it is more likely that the name originated from the context in which the sandwich was first served rather than its specific ingredients.
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The club sandwich was popularised in a club
Some sources claim that the sandwich originated at the Union Club of the City of New York in the 1880s. An article in The Evening World newspaper from November 18, 1889, supports this claim, advertising a "Union Club sandwich" with "two toasted pieces of Graham bread, with a layer of turkey or chicken and ham between them, served warm." Other early references also credit the chef of the Union Club with creating the sandwich.
However, there is another theory that the club sandwich was invented at the Saratoga Club in Saratoga Springs, New York. This theory gained traction when Richard Canfield bought the club and turned it into the Canfield Casino in 1894. The Saratoga Club House website also proudly claims this origin story.
Regardless of its exact origin, the club sandwich has become a beloved classic, featuring layers of toasted bread, poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. While the ingredients may vary, the sandwich's simple yet satisfying combination has endured for over a century.
It's worth noting that there is a popular myth that the word "club" in "club sandwich" stands for "chicken and lettuce under bacon." However, this theory has been debunked by fact-checkers, who point out that it is a backronym inspired by the BLT sandwich. The name "club sandwich" predates the internet theory and can be traced back to the late 19th century when it was popularised in a club.
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The sandwich was first introduced in 1894
The club sandwich is a diner staple with ambiguous origins. While the sandwich most likely existed in the United States by the late 19th century, the Saratoga Club House in Saratoga Springs, New York, claimed to have introduced it in 1894. Originally called Morrissey's Club House, it was an exclusive gentlemen's gambling house that did not permit women or locals in the gambling rooms. In 1894, Richard Canfield purchased the club, and the club sandwich was born.
The sandwich was popularized at a club, which is how it got its name. However, a myth exists that the word "club" in "club sandwich" stands for "chicken and lettuce under bacon". This theory was popularized by a Twitter user, Saul J Henderson, in 2018. While the theory is amusing, it does not hold up to scrutiny, as it omits ingredients like tomatoes and mayonnaise that are considered fundamental to the modern club sandwich.
The earliest known reference to the sandwich is from an article in The Evening World on November 18, 1889, which asks readers if they have tried a Union Club sandwich yet. The article describes the sandwich as two toasted pieces of Graham bread, with a layer of turkey or chicken and ham between them, served warm. The Union Club, located on Fifth Avenue in New York City, added a clubhouse sandwich to its menu five years before the Saratoga Club House introduced its sandwich in 1894.
The Saratoga Club's sandwich was similar to the Union Club's, consisting of two toasted slices of thin Graham bread with turkey or chicken and ham in between. At the same time, a cookbook called Sandwiches was published, featuring a recipe for a club-house sandwich served warm with toasted, buttered bread, broiled ham or bacon, roasted chicken, a thin layer of mayonnaise, lettuce, and pickles. The recipe also specified cutting the sandwich into triangles, a common practice for club sandwiches today.
The club sandwich is often associated with hotels and resorts worldwide and has become a classic diner staple, offering a satisfying lunch with crunchy textures and salty flavors.
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The sandwich was first introduced in the Union Club of New York City
While the club sandwich is widely believed to stand for "chicken and lettuce under bacon", this is simply a fun myth. The origin of this acronym dates back to the 19th-century clubhouses in New York.
Now, onto the introduction of the sandwich in the Union Club of New York City.
The club sandwich, a timeless classic, first graced diners' menus in the late 19th century, with its earliest mention in a publication dating back to November 18, 1889. The Evening World newspaper posed a tantalizing question to its readers: "Have you tried a Union Club sandwich yet?" This query shone a spotlight on the Union Club of the City of New York, also known as the "Mother of Clubs," as a potential birthplace of the iconic sandwich.
The Union Club's chef is often credited with creating this sandwich masterpiece. The original Union Club sandwich, as described in The Evening World, consisted of "two toasted pieces of Graham bread, with a layer of turkey or chicken and ham between them, served warm." This early recipe set a precedent for the modern-day club sandwich, which typically features two or three slices of toasted bread stacked with poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
The Union Club of New York City holds a prominent place in the history of the club sandwich, but it's important to acknowledge that the exact origins of this sandwich remain a subject of speculation. Another popular contender for the birthplace of the club sandwich is the Saratoga Club in Saratoga Springs, New York. The debate over its origins adds to the allure of this enduringly popular dish.
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The sandwich was first introduced in the Saratoga Club House
The club sandwich is an American staple, equally at home in a neighbourhood diner or a five-star resort. While several places have tried to claim the invention of this classic sandwich, the most popular theory is that it originated at the Saratoga Club House in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1894.
The Saratoga Club House, known today as the Canfield Casino, is a beautiful event venue with a haunted reputation. It was founded in 1870 by John Morrissey, an accomplished boxer and politician. Morrissey instituted three rules for his gambling parlour: cash only, no locals, and no women allowed. The exclusive nature of his club made it one of the country's most renowned gambling destinations during the 19th and 20th centuries.
It is believed that the club sandwich was created in the Saratoga Club House's kitchen, either by the chef or the clubhouse owner, Richard Canfield. The sandwich soon spread from the gambling tables of Spa City to the rest of the country, becoming a quintessential American dish.
While the exact origin of the club sandwich may be debated, it is clear that it has become a beloved and iconic part of American culinary culture, with variations popping up in different regions, such as New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Canada. The sandwich typically consists of three layers of bread (traditionally toasted), sliced cooked poultry, fried bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. It is often cut diagonally and held together by cocktail sticks, creating a satisfying and indulgent eating experience.
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Frequently asked questions
No. While it is a tempting theory, it does not stand up to scrutiny. Firstly, there are no sources to support this theory before the advent of the internet. Secondly, fundamental ingredients like tomatoes and mayonnaise are missing from the acronym. Lastly, the name 'club sandwich' probably originated at a club. The Union Club of New York City and the Saratoga Club House in Saratoga Springs, New York, are two clubs that have been credited with creating the sandwich.
A club sandwich is made with three slices of bread, poultry (chicken or turkey), ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. It is often cut into quarters and held together by cocktail sticks.
Some variations of the club sandwich include replacing the poultry with eggs (breakfast club) or roast beef. Others may add ham or slices of cheese. Various kinds of mustard and sliced pickles may also be added. Upscale variations include the oyster club, the salmon club, and the Dungeness crab melt.
