The Greatest Hits of American Fast Food

Published in Gourmet Live 06.20.12
Gourmet Live’s Kelly Senyei counts down the 10 dishes that have fueled America’s love affair with in-an-instant eats
It’s commonly said that the fast-food industry feeds 25% of Americans daily. In 2011, the fast-food sector in America generated more than $190 billion in revenue, and 2012 estimates show no signs of slowing. That’s a whole lot of eating. We’re counting down the top 10 tastiest dishes that keep diners coming back for more.

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9. Subway Italian B.M.T. Sandwich

Subway began in 1965 as a single sub-sandwich shop in Bridgeport, Connecticut, run by then 17-year-old high school grad Fred DeLuca. It’s since grown into more than 36,980 shops in 100 countries worldwide. The chain’s flagship sandwich, the Italian B.M.T.—which originally was named for the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit line of the New York City subway system—features layers of Genoa salami, spicy pepperoni, and Black Forest ham with a choice of veggies. The company has since given a new translation to the acronym: “Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest.”

Photo: Subway Restaurants

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Kelly Senyei is an associate editor at Gourmet Live and author of Food Blogging for Dummies (Wiley, 2012).

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