After weeks of voting and regional food rivalries, Hellmann's has crowned America's favorite sandwich.
The mayonnaise brand created a nationwide bracket featuring sandwiches representing all 50 states as part of its celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday. More than 10,000 sandwich fans participated, casting nearly 100,000 votes throughout the competition.
The bracket turned regional favorites into a national food showdown, with fans backing sandwiches that represent their home states and local food traditions.
In the end, Pennsylvania's Philly cheesesteak emerged on top, giving the state bragging rights to what Hellmann’s is calling "America’s Sandwich."
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A final showdown between Pennsylvania and Kansas
The competition ultimately came down to a matchup between Pennsylvania’s cheesesteak and Kansas’ burnt end sandwich.
Hellmann’s promoted the final as a showdown to determine “America’s Sandwich,” urging fans to cast their votes and make sandwich history. The Kansas entry featured burnt ends, a barbecue staple particularly associated with Kansas City, while Pennsylvania was represented by its iconic cheesesteak.
USA TODAY reached out to Hellmann’s for additional details about the bracket, including the other sandwiches that competed and how the competition unfolded. The company did not immediately respond.
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Hellmann’s said the competition was created to celebrate the sandwiches that help define regional food culture across the country.
“America has official symbols for its bird, flower and tree. It was about time we settled the sandwich,” Jessica Grigoriou, senior vice president of marketing for condiments at Unilever North America, said in a news release.
“America chose the Philly Cheesesteak, and we'll be celebrating it the Hellmann's way: with a creamy spread of America's number one mayonnaise,” Grigoriou said.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: America voted on its favorite sandwich. See who won
