It’s true. Although our extensive research has yet to produce the origin, or original person who proclaimed it, we’ve been informed by several sources that May is National Hamburger Month. What better way to ring in the summer, than with a celebration of burgers?

For the rest of May we tip our hats in salute to the almighty burger; we’re grilling up some really fun posts, so stay tuned! Is there a burger we must check out, have a recipe you want to share, or any other great ideas for burger related content you’d like to see this month? Let us know in the comments!

We want to wish all of our readers a happy, and healthy holiday. No matter what you celebrate, spend this time with friends, and family, eat well, and be merry!

Unbreaded will return to our regularly scheduled programming next Monday.

Happy Holidays!

Today marks the 291st birthday of John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. The story goes that this noble fellow was quite the gambler, so much so that he would go on nonstop benders seated at the card table. As one can wield a meal of meat and cheese between bread in one hand, and cards in the other, obviously the combination was the perfect meal for Montagu. Thus, the unconfirmed, unofficial name was given: sandwich.

It is vital to note that the Earl must not be credited with the invention of the sandwich. This simple creation has been serving as a quick and satisfying meal for thousands of years. Still, to commemorate the anniversary of the great Earl of Sandwich’s birth, November 3rd is officially National Sandwich Day. Who creates these “holidays” anyway?

How will you celebrate National Sandwich Day? Are you packing your normal weekday lunch of turkey and cheese on wheat, or will you head out to indulge in a delicious sandwich at the local deli, or burger at the closest pub? Let us know in the comments!

On July 4th, 1776 our forefathers wielding a quill in one hand, and a sandwich in the other, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is only right that tomorrow, on Independence Day, we celebrate accordingly.

As Americans we must recognize those who have fought for our freedom to stuff our faces. Across the nation, we will nosh on sandwiches at barbecues on the beach, smoke outs in the backyard, and picnics in the park. Some will sit on their couches and revel in the magic that is the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

So from all of us at Unbreaded, enjoy the holiday and be sure to tell us about what sandwiches you’ll be eating this 4th of July in the comments!

Memorial Day is a time to remember the men and women who devoted their lives to serving our country. It’s also a time to enjoy the company of friends and family, with food and drink. As the unofficial start of summer, people across our nation fire up the grill and start cooking burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches. Not a carnivore? Grill up some delicious portabello, eggplant or a plethora of other fresh vegetables. Others may choose to pick up hoagies from their favorite shop, or put together club sandwiches in their own kitchens. No matter what you might choose, sandwiches have deep patriotic roots in our great nation.

Today. remember those who have fought for our freedom and the ability to build whatever sandwich we may desire. Let us know what sandwiches you’ll be eating this Memorial Day in the comments.

For some, April 20th is a holiday to lay back and enjoy the act of recreational toking. Those who partake are very familiar with one troublesome side effect: the munchies. What better way to cure that insatiable need for food than to create a monstrous sandwich? Harold and Kumar spent an entire day of mischief and adventuring through New Jersey just to get their beloved White Castle sliders.

We believe that some sandwiches could only have been conceived while under the influence. The Fluffernutter? Exactly. So we ask you, dear reader, what are your favorite half baked sandwich concoctions? Let us know in the comments!

Tonight begins Passover, the yearly ritual retelling of the Jewish story of Exodus.  But mostly, it’s about eating.

A central element of the traditional seder dinner is eating a Hillel sandwich: a scoop of fruity-nutty-chutney called charoset and a spoonful of horseradish between two pieces of matzoh (unleveaned flatbread.)  This sandwich, we believe, is the very first sandwich to be recorded and preserved through history.

Born in Babylonia but “the man” in Jerusalem, Rabbi Hillel was the preeminent figure of Jewish study in the 1st Century BC (BCE.)  As a centerpiece of the Passover seder, he thought to combine the three major symbols of the meal into one compact bite: matzoh, bitter herbs and roast lamb.

Wait.  What’s that about roast lamb?

The modern Hillel sandwich is a far cry from the sage Rabbi’s original creation.  Over time, charoset has taken the place of the roast lamb, likely out of necessity and availability.  Even matzoh, the iconic “bread” of Passover, has taken on a form that is likely quite different from the original Bedouin flatbread.

So tonight, as Jews eat their Hillel sandwiches, consider this: how badass could a real Hillel sandwich be — roast leg of lamb and chopped horseradish wrapped in a wood fired flatbread?

Tell us about your perfect Hillel sandwich in the comments.

Charoset Recipe:

Yield: 3 cups

* 6 peeled apples, coarsely chopped
* 2/3 c chopped almonds
* 3 tbsp sugar, or to taste
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon
* grated rind of 1 lemon
* 4 tbsp sweet red wine

Combine all, mixing thoroughly. Add wine as need. Blend to desired texture- some like it coarse and crunchy, others prefer it ground to a paste. Chill.

Source: “The Jewish Holiday Kitchen” by Joan Nathan 1988

Sure April 1st is April Fools’ Day but it is also the start of National Grilled Cheese Month! For many of us, the grilled cheese sandwich was a staple of childhood, served warm out of mom’s pan with a side of tomato soup. Today, the grilled cheese has risen to a new level, with restaurants such as Artisanal Bistro in New York offering sandwiches with a variety of gourmet cheeses and toppings (for a whopping $15!). There is also the Beauty Shop Cafe in Philadelphia which offers a build-your-own grilled cheese menu allowing customers to cheese from several cheeses like sharp cheddar, brie and mozzarella and toppings such as avocado, green apple and roasted red pepper.

Grilled cheese sandwiches will always hold a place in our hearts, warming us up on rainy days and providing us with a quick and easy meal. So we ask, is the quick grilled cheese off the pan in your own home better than the $12 grilled cheese at the fancy gastropub?  How do you do *your* grilled cheese?

Editor’s note: Rachel Lowen is a Chicago-based sandwich fanatic who is unbreading the Windy City.

It’s St. Patty’s week- yes week- here in Chicago and everyone’s Irish. Sandwich-wise, this means corned beef is king, and when word got out that a north side pub soaks theirs in Guinness post-carving, pre-sandwich, we figured it might be worth checking out.

Enter, Mystic Celt. While the “pub” got doused with a case of the yuppies, (count the flat screen TV’s), their signature corned beef sandwich is flavor-wise as authentic as they come. The thick-cut beef nestles nicely between melted Swiss on pub-style Irish brown bread, but there definitely could have been more of it- way more. True, for a USDA “standard serving” the meat was generously heaped, but for our token St. Patty’s Day corned beef sandwich rep, we were hoping to conquer a truly-obnoxious-can’t-fit-your-mouth-around-it stack.

We recommend an extra Guinness to compensate. Slainte!

Mystic Celt
3443 N. Southport Avenue Chicago, IL 60657 (Google Map)