The 10 Grossest Thanksgiving Sandwiches in America

Available all year long at Mike’s City Diner, except for Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day when this diner is (ironically) closed, Mike’s Famous Pilgrim is lumped into the menu’s “Special Sandwiches” section between the Philly Steak and Grilled Reuben, which is right where it belongs. It’s recommended you tack on an order of French fries or onion rings. While this diner serves all-day breakfast, skip right past the omelets and pancakes to this sandwich, where turkey mingles with stuffing and cranberry sauce, smushed between two pieces of bread and served with a pickle (as all good sandwiches are).

The Orlando-based national sandwich chain Earl of Sandwich was founded by the 11th Earl of Sandwich (the noble title of a businessman from the town of Sandwich, in Kent, England) and is now run by his son. Fun fact: the 4th Earl of Sandwich, deep within the family’s tree, is thought to have named the sandwich during the 16^th Century. This Holiday Turkey Sandwich is plump with cornbread stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, and mayonnaise. It’s available year-round, for whenever you miss a Thanksgiving spread.

Drawing its influence from the New Orleans culinary scene, the tavern Parkway Bakery & Tavern’s Thanksgiving Poor Boy—stacked with turkey, gravy, and dressing—is on the menu every Wednesday in November. For each sandwich bought, money is donated to the Al Copeland Foundation, which helps families cover expenses during cancer treatment and funds research. In 2024, the campaign raised an impressive $40,022.

As a convenience-store chain, Getgo Café & Market is known for offering delicious food when you’re on the go. The Pilgrim sandwich is like a sub sandwich except it’s stuffed with everything you’d eat on Thanksgiving: turkey slices and gravy, with cranberry sauce on top. This sandwich also features an unusual ingredient… tater tots. On your way out, grab your favorite chilled drink from a cooler and you’ve got a meal.

At Mad Mex‘s nine locations in Pennsylvania—including five in Pittsburgh—the seasonal Gobblerito sandwich is a clear sign that fall is here. Described as “a Thanksgiving feast,” the burrito’s ingredients, which are a twist on Mexican food given the restaurants’ South of the Border focus, are roasted turkey breast, black bean mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn, then topped with cranberry sauce and gravy.

At Edley’s Bar-B-Que‘s six locations in Music City, including one in Franklin, the Gobbler Sandwich joins classic Southern eats like fried pickles, brisket, wings, and ribs. The flavors and textures are spot-on. Think cranberry salad and cornbread dressing, combined with smoked turkey and turkey gravy, nestled between two hamburger buns.

Wawa, an East Coast favorite–especially in the Philadelphia area, where these convenience stores are most prominent – the Wawa Gobbler is a customizable hoagie, allowing diners to create their ideal Thanksgiving sandwich. There are actually seven different Gobblers to choose from, including the classic version: Hot Turkey in Gravy, also featuring cranberry sauce. There’s also the Gobbler with Stuffing, which has everything in the Hot Turkey in Gravy version, plus stuffing. This sandwich can also come as a bowl if that sounds more appealing.

Released in early November, Arby’s annual Thanksgiving menu has its own version of an ideal Turkey Day sandwich: the Deep-Fried Turkey Gobbler. Hugged by two sub buns you’ll find deep-fried turkey slices, Swiss cheese, onions, stuffing and cranberry sauce. It’s like a seasonal reboot of its Deep Fried Turkey Club, which includes bacon and mayo (but not the stuffing and cranberry sauce).

Included in Subway’s new Festive Feast collection are three subs: TurHamKen (turkey, Black Forest ham and rotisserie-style chicken), Festive Turkey and Festive Chicken. All three of these sandwiches fold in stuffing and cranberry sauce as an ode to Thanksgiving, as well as Monterey Cheddar cheese, red onions, spinach and mayo.