Leading up to Sunday's big game, Indiana's tourism agency has spotlighted 46 regionally popular sandwiches — including several that feature tenderloin, a Hoosier favorite, and a cheeseburger slathered in peanut butter — for a competition to find the state's tastiest sandwich.
The Super 46 Sandwiches competition has highlighted dining options across Indiana that could appeal to Super Bowl fans looking for local specialties.
The Indiana Office of Tourism Development produced a limited-edition guide of the 46 sandwiches in partnership with Indianapolis's Super Bowl host committee and Indianapolis Monthly magazine.
"This is a unique opportunity to showcase some of the many local businesses that serve up great food and trademark Hoosier hospitality," said Amy Vaughan, the tourism office's director.
Indiana residents and visitors have voted online at Super46.com for their favorites. The field is down to two — The Mile-High Club from Rock Cola in Indianapolis vs. the Bratwurst from Schnitzelbank in Jasper — and voting ends at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The winning sandwich will be announced before the game Sunday.
The sandwich guide identifies each sandwich, restaurant, price point and distance from Lucas Oil Stadium, the Super Bowl venue.
Five of the sandwiches have found fame on shows such as "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," "Man vs. Food" or "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."
The 46 candidates included Indiana favorites such as the Reuben at Shapiro's Delicatessen in Indianapolis and the Tom Crean & Crimson Burger at Opie Taylor's in Bloomington.
Tenderloins — a Hoosier classic — included the Schweinefilet sandwich served at the Gerst Bavarian Haus in Evansville.
Gerst Haus manager Cindy Reitz said the honored dish is "pretty much just a pork tenderloin sandwich," but quickly noted it's also her personal favorite. Though diners can choose a grilled version of the Schweinefilet, it's meant to be fried, Reitz said.
"This is the west side of Evansville," she said. "You've got to get it fried."
The list also included a hamburger named after a 1930s Purdue University football player — the Duane Purvis. It's a quarter-pound ground sirloin cheeseburger served on a toasted sesame seed bun with a thick dollop of peanut butter.
Legend has it Purvis suggested the peanut butter schmear during a visit to the West Lafayette restaurant.
Greg Ehresman, who owns the 83-year-old Triple XXX Family Restaurant with his wife, Carrie, said they're delighted to be part of the competition.
"We feel honored and absolutely flattered to even be thought of," Ehresman said. "To even be part of all the Super Bowl stuff is a once-in-a-lifetime shot. We're happy as can be."
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