AVI, K-12 locations
Ingredients: Seafood medley on mini baguette
Why it’s special: Getting kids to be “fish foodies” can be a challenge, but an easy and fun option like this makes it simple.

AVI, K-12 locations
Ingredients: Pork belly, habanero slaw, pico de gallo, jalapenos and peppers
Why it’s special: The bold flavors cut through pork belly’s fatty goodness in this sassy hot dog-shaped sammie.

AVI, K-12 locations
Ingredients: Chicken, bourbon sauce, pico de gallo, papaya, mango, kiwi
Why it’s special: Kids are said to go crazy over this chicken sandwich that packs a little heat and a lot of fruit.

Jane Phillipe Medical Center, Bartlesville, Okla.
Ingredients: Chicken salad, dried cherries, pecans on pretzel bun
Why it’s special: Inspired by the classic Waldorf salad, this sandwich keeps it current with the addition of a pretzel bun.

California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, Calif.
Ingredients: Bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, sharp cheddar, Hass avocado
Why it’s special: The avocado makes this sammie “California” and the garnishes make it visually appealing to the max.

Chartwells
Ingredients: Challah bread, ricotta, orange zest, berries, dark chocolate chips
Why it’s special: Part of Chartwells’ FYUL recovery health and wellness program, the ingredients here—healthy protein and antioxidant-rich fruit—restore tired muscles and minds.

Howard University
Ingredients: Pork belly and tomato jam
Why it’s special: This savory sammie is inspired by family barbecue competitions and the tomato jam gives it a winning edge.

Chartwells
Ingredients: Chicken thigh, naan, ginger, yogurt, garam masala, curry
Why it’s special: Global flavors combine with wellness-boosting ingredients to promote muscle recovery and energy restoration.

Aramark at East Carolina University
Ingredients: Lamb patty, baby spinach, feta cheese, olive tapenade and tzatziki sauce on pita
Why it’s special: The name of the sandwich is inspired by hospitality leaders at the school, and the sandwich is an elevated gyro.

CU Boulder
Ingredients: Housemade mozzarella, pea-pistachio pesto, cherry pepper crema, tomato, salsa verde, wild arugula on toasted multigrain bread
Why it’s special: As a vegetarian option, this sandwich plays with the classic Caprese format by adding unexpected twists, like the pea-pistachio pesto.

San Jose State University
Ingredients: Crispy pork belly, pickled carrots, jicama, cilantro, Sriracha-aioli on baguette
Why it’s special: Outside of Vietnam, San Jose has the greatest number of Vietnamese residents than any city. This sandwich tells that story.

NC State University
Ingredients: Citrus mojo pork, avocado goat cheese, cilantro aioli and pickled vegetables
Why it’s special: Riffing on the banh mi takes this sandwich in a whole new direction with Southwest flavors.

Onondaga Community College
Ingredients: Hand-breaded chicken tenders, honey-Sriracha sauce, green onion, Asian slaw, crunchy ramen noodles on ciabatta
Why it’s special: Following the success of a pizza with crunchy ramen, this sandwich delivers on funky flavors and something different.

NC State University
Ingredients: Green tomatoes, housemade garlic aioli sauce, bacon, tomato on a brioche bun
Why it’s special: This sandwich uses student-grown produce in a substantial way to feed students in the spring and summer.

Harvest Table at Georgetown University
Ingredients: Chicken breast, pickled red onions, citrus mayo on a jalapeno-cheddar roll
Why it’s special: Every ingredient, from the marinated chicken to the citrus mayo, has been given extra flavor power.

Spectra at Ocean Center, Daytona Beach
Ingredients: Soy and garlic-braised pork belly, Indonesian sweet soy, lime chicken thigh, pickled vegetables, Sriracha aioli and spicy Asian mustard in a sun-dried tomato cone
Why it’s special: This cone was designed to be convention-center and trade-show friendly, since it’s portable and packed with flavor.

Michigan State University
Ingredients: Pork loin, Michigan apples, Brussels sprouts, dehydrated potato flakes, panko, miso, nori, bonito flakes
Why it’s special: The umami from the nori, miso and bonito flakes work especially well with the pork, and the local apples are a special touch.

University of Southern California (USC)
Ingredients: Slow roasted pork belly, whole-grain mustard aioli, housemade spicy pickles, Swiss cheese
Why it’s special: Moreton Fig, USC’s fine-dining location, serves classics made special. Every component gets special attention, from the pork belly’s dry rub to the pickles made in house.

Rutgers University
Ingredients: Prosciutto de Parma, fig spread, fontina cheese and arugula
Why it’s special: Salty and sweet flavors mingle perfectly in this specialty sandwich, a new item that can be found at lunchtime at Rutger’s new café in the honors college.

Chartwells K-12 locations
Ingredients: Baked teriyaki chicken breast, pineapple-corn salsa, cilantro, red onion, cumin, garlic and lemon juice
Why it’s special: This fruit-forward sandwich was voted as a fan favorite in Chartwell’s Student Choice program, and it’s easy to see why: the combination is full of kid appeal.

Chartwells K-12 locations
Ingredients: Mojo pulled pork carnitas, orange juice, garlic, cumin, cheddar cheese, refried bean spread
Why it’s special: Tortas are about to be trending, big time, and this one is a great example. Another trend on display here is using beans as a healthy spread.

Chartwells K-12 locations
Ingredients: Grilled chicken breast, melted cheddar, pico de gallo
Why it’s special: At press time, this kid-friendly sandwich had been on the menu more than 70 times in several school districts. Students love the contrasting flavors and colorful look of this toasty panini.

Chartwells K-12 locations
Ingredients: Grilled chicken, tomato, shredded romaine, cucumber-dill tzatziki
Why it’s special: Mediterranean food—and the Mediterranean diet—are more popular than ever now, since it’s a healthy and delicious way to eat. This sandwich turns flatbread into a gyro-like lunch.

Eurest, various locations
Ingredients: Marinated beef, caramelized onions, specialty barbecue sauce and Gouda
Why it’s special: The combination of Gouda and beef should never be overlooked. This sandwich brings it all together is a craveable way with a kick of barbecue sauce.

Chartwells at Missouri State University
Ingredients: Maple, cheddar and bacon
Why it’s special: Playing into the salty-sweet trend, this breakfast sando is new on the menu at Missouri State, where it’s sure to make for some good mornings for students there.

Eurest, various locations
Ingredients: La Brea telera roll, turkey, bacon, truffle aioli, Swiss cheese, hard-boiled egg
Why it’s special: Telera bread is something special, certainly when it’s paired with truffle oil, turning this club variation into a special occasion.

Eurest, various locations
Ingredients: Mushrooms, bao buns, pickled vegetables
Why it’s special: If you don’t know bao, you should try it now. It’s a fluffy alternative way to make sandwiches global and fun.

Fort Valley State University
Ingredients: Pancakes, eggs, bacon
Why it’s special: This combination of all the best parts of breakfast gets students off to a well-fed start to the day.

Georgia State University
Ingredients: House-smoked brisket, smoked Gouda, barbecue sauce on Texas toast
Why it’s special: The love of barbecue is the inspiration behind this one, with 8-hour wild Applewood-smoked brisket at the center and even more smoky goodness with Gouda.

Capital One
Ingredients: Salt-and-pepper fried chicken, pickled red onions, candied bacon, smoked paprika aioli
Why it’s special: The red onions offer a pop of color that’s a hint to the explosion of flavor within this smoky, salty, peppery chicken sando.

Texas Tech University
Ingredients: Turkey, pesto aioli, choice of bread, spinach, provolone and tomato on choice of bread
Why it’s special: This Italian-accented sammie is part of TTU’s Just Say Cheez Line, a collection of gussied-up grilled cheese sandwiches. It can also double as a vegetarian option if the turkey is omitted.

Capital One
Ingredients: Porcini mushrooms, Tallegio, wild arugula, lemon-olive oil on sourdough
Why it’s special: Inspired by foraging in the field, this sandwich is melty with woodsy flavors to spare, perfect as a vegetarian menu item.

Capital One
Ingredients: Turkey cutlets, mustard greens, bacon, red pepper jam on rye bread
Why it’s special: This alternative to the classic Reuben sandwich goes in all sorts of new flavor directions, from the brined turkey to the red pepper jam, it’s a whole new Reuben.

Bryant University
Ingredients: Grilled chicken breast, avocado, bacon, arugula and chipotle mayo on ciabatta bun
Why it’s special: This sandwich is named for Nelson Gulski, who served as university president in the 1970s. The traditional—chicken and bacon—is balanced with the edgy—chipotle mayo and arugula—as a representation of Gulski’s leadership style.

Harvest Table Culinary Group at High Point University
Ingredients: Housemade beet burger, housemade vegan za’atar mayo, pickled radishes, tobacco onions, arugula on ciabatta
Why it’s special: So many awesome trends in one sammie: plant-based burger, the lemony Middle Eastern seasoning za’atar, pickled veggies…the list goes on!

Georgia State University
Ingredients: Fried chicken thighs, Sriracha dijonnaise, dill pickles, shaved hardwood-smoked pit ham, Swiss cheese on toasted butter bun
Why it’s special: If the traditional Cuban sandwich headed north—but not too far north—this would be the result. Southern-ed up and sassy, it’s a Cuban like no other.

Harvest Table Culinary Group at University of Rochester
Ingredients: Maple-Dijon pulled pork, buns
Why it’s special: Created for large, outdoor events, this sandwich exemplifies the fun, crowd-feeding aspect of barbecue.

Virginia Tech
Ingredients: Freshly made drop biscuit, braised collards with pork belly, hardwood-smoked shoulder bacon, fried egg, Texas Pete hot sauce
Why it’s special: This breakfast sammie started out on Va Tech’s food truck, the Periodic Table, and is now a favorite pre-exam power-up for students.

eBay World Headquarters
Ingredients: Grass-finished beef tenderloin, pickled cabbage, feta, zhug sauce, tomatoes on pita
Why it’s special: The feta cheese is marinated for extra flavor and the zhug sauce is totally on trend.

The College of New Jersey
Ingredients: Grilled chicken, avocado, housemade bruschetta in spinach tortilla
Why it’s special: A beacon of the lighter, brighter summer months, this sandwich also makes use of local tomatoes for the bruschetta when they’re in season.

Sodexo at Liberty University
Ingredients: Extra-firm tofu, chipotle-ancho marinade, jicama, Granny Smith apple, radish, scallions, cilantro on whole-wheat wrap
Why it’s special: Served as a pop-up chef’s special, this is a vegan wrap with attitude.

Sodexo at Liberty University
Ingredients: Chicken, basil pesto, mayo, Dijon mustard, red onions, Roma tomato, arugula, roasted garlic spread
Why it’s special: This LTO takes advantage of focaccia bread’s airy texture to load up with a hearty chicken salad and fresh veggies.

The College of William & Mary
Ingredients: Local catfish, housemade kimchi, ramen, pineapple teriyaki mayo
Why it’s special: Fusion at its best, this sandwich combines local seafood with global flavors (with ramen as a bun!)

Sodexo at Liberty University
Ingredients: Chinese 5-spice powder, pork belly, garlic, wasabi mayo, raita, Asian slaw
Why it’s special: Liberty U chefs have found special sandwiches like this help students step out of their culinary comfort zones.

Sodexo at Liberty University
Ingredients: Chicken breast, pepper Jack cheese, peach chutney, Sriracha mayo, greens
Why it’s special: Chutney is an overlooked sandwich ingredient that can take things in a whole new direction. This sandwich is meant to conjure a summer day at the beach.

Sodexo at Liberty University
Ingredients: Slow-smoked pulled duck in raspberry barbecue sauce with Brie and aged cheddar on Italian bread
Why it’s special: Duck is fairly unusual in sandwiches, and here, it’s paired with the unlikely combo of Brie and barbecue sauce.

Columbia University
Ingredients: Citrus grilled chicken, halloumi cheese, cumber, marinated tomatoes, kalamata aioli on olive roll
Why it’s special: The brininess of the olives matched with mayo, roasted garlic and lemon juice is heavenly as a spread for this Mediterranean masterpiece.

Union College
Ingredients: Housemade garlic-dill pickles, roasted pork, country ham, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
Why it’s special: This sandwich was created to showcase a cool new item at Union College, housemade pickles, which work as a gluten-free “bun” on this spin on the Cuban sandwich.

Mindful by Sodexo in healthcare
Ingredients: Grilled chicken, tomato onion jam, housemade berbere spice
Why it’s special: Ethiopian food is getting more and more interesting to the American palate, and the fresh mix of spices here will show you why.

Capital One
Ingredients: Potatoes, guajillo sauce and housemade chorizo on bolillo roll
Why it’s special: Guajillo chilies are finally getting the attention they deserve on menus, shown here as the perfect foil for housemade chorizo and potatoes.

Spectra at PPL Center
Ingredients: Chorizo, fried egg, pico de gallo, cheddar on brioche
Why it’s special: Early afternoon Phantoms games with fans in the mood for brunch was the inspiration for this spicy wakeup call.

University of Richmond
Ingredients: Country ham, Duke’s mayo, smoked turkey, provolone, Dijon mustard, A1 sauce on Cuban bread
Why it’s special: Served at Richmond’s Lou’s Café, this sandwich combines many Southern favorites in one place.

Sodexo at Liberty University
Ingredients: Beefsteak tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, smoked beef brisket, grilled onions, barbecue sauce on sourdough
Why it’s special: Tender brisket, smoked overnight, shares the spotlight with super-flavorful tomatoes in red and yellow.

Morrison Healthcare at INOVA Loudoun Hospital
Ingredients: Thinly sliced prime rib, avocado, orange salsa on kalamata-thyme baguette
Why it’s special: The orange salsa takes this beefy sandwich to a whole new level of flavor.

SUNY Morrisville
Ingredients: Brisket, smoked kielbasa, pulled pork, pepper Jack cheese, coleslaw, pickled jalapenos on kaiser roll
Why it’s special: If you’ve ever had the “want it all” feeling at a barbecue joint, then this is the sandwich for you.

Springhill Suites HQ
Ingredients: Chicken breast, Cornflakes, Sriracha ranch, cabbage, pickle
Why it’s special: Creating a unique breading is a great way to make a chicken sandwich stand out in a crowded field.

IBM Armonk CHQ
Ingredients: Broccoli rabe, eggplant, Buffalo mozzarella, house-roasted peppers, frizzle onions, aged red pepper balsamic
Why it’s special: This vegetarian sandwich shows just how luxurious going meatless can be.

Stony Brook University Hospital
Ingredients: Sliced flank steak, citrus gremolata, gorgonzola crumbles, arugula, onions, cherry tomatoes on baguette
Why it’s special: As an escape from the daily grind, you can’t do much better than this sandwich, which feels indulgent but happens to be healthful.

Charleston (SC) Schools
Ingredients: Chicken salad, bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato
Why it’s special: Easy for kids to eat, this wrap has been a favorite on the menu since day one.

University of Richmond
Ingredients: Chicken breast, pesto aioli, spinach, roasted red peppers
Why it’s special: Students at Richmond crave pesto in any application, but there hadn’t been a pesto-chicken sandwich until recently.

University of Richmond
Ingredients: Grilled chicken breast, pepper Jack cheese, pineapple salsa, avocado
Why it’s special: Complexity of flavors and textures is what wakes up this chicken sammie, with hints of heat and sweet.

University of Rochester
Ingredients: Ham, Gruyere, red onion gastrique, arugula and white truffle oil
Why it’s special: New on the menu of Rochester’s catering operation, this is one luxurious ham sandwich.

Mansfield (TX) Independent School District
Ingredients: Roasted squash, bell peppers, red onions, basil pesto, mozzarella on whole-grain Texas toast
Why it’s special: This sandwich was featured at a party showcasing new menu options and it’s now on the menu each week. Since it’s designed to be made ahead then pressed to order, it’s perfect for school lunch.

Spectra at the Seattle Center
Ingredients: Tarragon chicken salad, toasted almonds, frissee lettuce, cornichon pickles on ciabatta
Why it’s special: An elegant take on the chicken salad sandwich is a fan favorite, made fun and fancy in slider size.

Sacramento City Unified School District
Ingredients: Local chicken thighs, kimchi, pickled veggies, whole grain white-wheat tortilla
Why it’s special: SCUSD has been looking for more global items to appeal to a diverse student body, and this barbecue wrap fits the bill.

Penn State
Ingredients: Ground lamb and beef, turmeric, tzatziki on housemade pita bread
Why it’s special: Street food has strong student appeal, and kebobs are a cornerstone of that trend.