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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Club sandwich

A club sandwich is a layered sandwich typically made with toasted bread, sliced poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

A club sandwich is a stacked, triple-decker sandwich made with toasted bread, poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, typically cut into quarters and secured with toothpicks.

What it is

The club sandwich is built from three slices of toasted bread, with classic fillings of sliced poultry (chicken or turkey), bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. It is often cut diagonally into halves or quarters and held together with cocktail sticks or toothpicks. Variations may include ham, cheese, or other condiments, but the triple-decker structure remains a defining feature.

Why it matters

The club sandwich is a familiar staple on Canadian diner, hotel, and pub menus, recognized as a classic North American comfort-food sandwich. Its widespread popularity reflects its role in casual dining, and it remains a standard item in many regions, including Canada.

Key details

Most accounts trace the club sandwich to late-19th-century American clubs, particularly in New York State, though its exact origin is disputed. It is also known as a clubhouse sandwich. Modern versions adapt ingredients, but the traditional recipe uses poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on toasted bread.

In short

  • Triple-decker sandwich with toasted bread, poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
  • Often cut diagonally and secured with toothpicks.
  • Originated in late-19th-century American clubs; exact origin debated.
  • Common on Canadian diner and pub menus as a classic sandwich.
Canadian angle

The club sandwich is common on Canadian diner, hotel, and pub menus and is familiar to Canadian readers as a standard North American sandwich style.

Quick questions

What is a club sandwich?
A layered sandwich made with toasted bread, poultry, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
Why is it called a club sandwich?
The name comes from the clubs or clubhouses where it was first served, not from the acronym 'Chicken Lettuce Under Bacon.'
How is a club sandwich usually served?
It is cut into halves or quarters and held together with toothpicks or cocktail sticks.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_sandwich
    Supports: Basic definition, typical ingredients, three-slice structure, and common serving style.
  2. What's Cooking Americahttps://whatscookingamerica.net/history/sandwiches/clubsandwich.htm
    Supports: Traditional ingredients and historical overview.
  3. Town & Countryhttps://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/dining/a70637656/club-sandwich-history-significance/
    Supports: Historical origin discussion and the club-house association.
  4. Allrecipeshttps://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-a-club-sandwich-8640719
    Supports: Modern structure, common ingredient variations, and popularity on menus.