Sandwich Hall of Fame, CVG hot sauce vending machine, today’s top stories | Daily Briefing

Happy Thursday, Cincinnati. This is Keith Pandolfi, food and dining writer for The Enquirer. I recently took on the task of selecting inductees for my inaugural Greater Cincinnati Sandwich Hall of Fame.

It wasn’t easy.

The problem I have with most sandwiches is that they are either too unimaginative or too overwrought. A plain old turkey-and-swiss sandwich with tomato, lettuce and mayo is fine, as long as the turkey is sliced thin, the bread is fresh (even if it’s from the grocery store) and the toppings are crisp and crunchy.

And while I appreciate imaginative combinations, a brisket sandwich piled high with too much meat, candied bacon and bourbon-maple-siracha sauce that collapses after your first bite isn’t worth the price of all the napkins you’ll need to clean it up.

For this list, I was looking for sandwiches that struck a happy medium between the two. Sandwiches that were well-constructed, easy to eat and, of course, delicious. I also split the inductees into two categories: Old School and New School.

So while a chicken salad sandwich from one of Cincinnati’s most beloved delis is on there, so too is a Korean-inspired sandwich from a restaurant that’s only been open for a couple of years. And yes, I did include one very messy sandwich that might require a few napkins, but, believe me, it’s worth it.

Take a look, and let me know what you think. If there’s a sandwich you love that didn’t make the list, feel free to email me at kpandolfi@enquirer.com.

Editor’s note: Wednesday’s newsletter included an incorrect dollar amount for the amount spent so far by Norfolk Southern to clean up the train derailment in East Palestine. The correct amount is $803 million.

What else you need to know Thursday, Aug. 3

⛅ Weather: High of 82. Times of sun and clouds.

🔥 Don’t Miss: New hot sauce vending machine at CVG brings the heat with Ohio and Kentucky-based sauces

🌈 Entertainment: New LGBTQ+ lounge, The Flock, opening in former Birdcage location this week

🏀 Sports: ‘There was incredible turnover.’ How Sean Miller navigates Xavier’s new-look roster

🥃 Dining: Award-winning Augusta Distillery joins Kentucky Bourbon Trail and launches new Old Route 8

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