The bologna sandwich is a regional specialty in the East, Midwest, Appalachia, and the South. It is a sandwich served at lunch counters of small, family-run markets that surround the Great Smoky Mountains, and fried bologna sandwiches can be found on restaurant menus in many places in the South.
The fried bologna sandwich. David Letterman brought attention to it when he called his mom from the show to ask how to make it. And there are a lot of restaurants that serve a variety of versions. Although it seems to be a mid-western phenomena, it is very popular meal in Indiana.
As I was researching the foods of Indiana, the big one that kept popping up was the tenderloin sandwich – a GIANT piece of pork tenderloin, chicken fried and put on a bun that barely held half of the piece of meat. Nope – way to big. And then I saw it.
I remember when I was about 8 years old, my friend showed me how to make a fried bologna sandwich. I loved it! And then I grew up and stopped eating processed foods and forgot all about it. Until now.
Here is my take on this total comfort food. As I ate it, I remembered those days as an 8 year old in the kitchen, making fried bologna and loving every bite!
The Perfect Fried Bologna Sandwich
FAQ
Why do people fry bologna?
What’s another name for bologna sandwich?
What is the Tennessee State sandwich?
What is the state sandwich of Louisiana?
What is a fried bologna sandwich?
A fried bologna (we know how to pronounce it, no matter how we spell it) sandwich occupies that delicious middle ground between sentimental Southern comfort food and charming throwback party fare. Either way, it’s a tasty meal that is a step up from a boring cold sandwich slapped together in the flinty blue light of an open fridge door.
Can you eat a fried bologna and cheese sandwich?
In southern states, or in Appalachia, it’s common to still see the fried bologna and cheese sandwich on the menu served with a side of potato chips, as an easy comfort food option. Although a peanut butter jelly sandwich or grilled cheese sandwich might be more classic, a Fried Bologna Sandwich is surprisingly delicious.
Is Bologna fried or griddled?
It’s not so much fried as griddled, but the term speaks to our Southern habit of using “fried” to describe skillet cooking, regardless of the pan’s technique or amount of fat. Knowing cooks know to snip the edges or score the center of the bologna slice with an X to keep it from buckling, warping, or bubbling in the skillet. Looks matter.
Is fried bologna better than fried baloney?
It is true that the better the bologna, the better the sandwich. If it’s been a while since you had a well-built fried bologna sandwich, pull out a pan and give it a go. The first bite can light up a memory—the remaining bites reignite your cravings for this classic, delicious dish. Fried baloney hits the spot.