This Is How You Should Be Making Grilled Cheeses + 4 Other Classic Sandwiches

By Anna Monette Roberts

Thanks to Jeff Mauro, we know that mealy tomatoes are a definite NO when it comes to making sandwiches, but we're hungry to learn more. While repping BLACK+DECKER and George Foreman, the Food Network's "Sandwich King" took the time to tell POPSUGAR exactly what five sandwiches he thinks every American needs to know how to make. This professional sandwich builder knows his cold cuts. Even if you're not looking to complicate your sandwich building too much, Jeff's tips and ingredient suggestions are bound to inspire you the next time you're busting out that loaf of bread.

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts
  • A proper club sandwich: According to Jeff, sliced challah bread, Kewpie Mayonnaise, and honey-roasted turkey can turn the flavor of a sandwich around. If you're wanting to get even fancier, try his club sandwich recipe which features pancetta bacon and a sun-dried tomato pesto.
  • A patty melt: Like a grilled cheese but with a burger patty stuffed inside, Jeff likes to sandwich his chuck-brisket patty with rye bread, slathered with 18,000 Island Dressing, a mayo-ketchup-Sriracha-Dijon blend.
  • A classic American grilled cheese: White bread, American cheese, and butter. That's it! The trick to getting the cheese to melt is to put a metal bowl over the top of the sandwich as it cooks, so the steam heats the sandwich throughout.
  • An Italian sub: Shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, mozzarella, and Italian cold cuts are stuffed between a hoagie roll and seasoned with tangy Italian dressing. Make it homemade with just a few pantry staples. Once you do, you'll wonder why you've bothered with the bottled stuff.
  • Roast beef & cheddar: Ask for superfresh roast beef, sliced from the center, and thick-cut cheddar when you're at the deli. Those two ingredients will go a long way when it's time to assemble. Jeff adds a horseradish sauce and fried onions to the mix to send it over the edge of deliciousness.