Gatsby Sandwich
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This Gatsby Sandwich is pure, glorious chaos in the best way. Warm roast beef, melty cheese, sweet caramelized onions… then you throw in crispy fries because why wouldn’t you??? Every bite is saucy, messy, crunchy, soft, and absolutely outrageous. It’s the kind of sandwich you eat with two hands and zero regrets.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS GATSBY SANDWICH RECIPE
- Ready in 25 minutes but tastes like a diner masterpiece
- That spicy-tangy sauce… you’ll want it on everything
- Layers on layers of flavor and texture
- Perfect for busy nights, hungry teens, or “I deserve something fun” dinners
Gatsby Sandwich
Okay, listen… this sandwich is a moment. I swear the first time I made it, I took a bite and just stood there like, “Well, hello, chaos queen.”
But first… what is a Gatsby sandwich? It’s a sub sandwich stuffed with crispy fries, sauce, and as many fillings as you can cram in there. Seriously, there are probably hundreds of combinations to try.
I’ve come up with the best one (in my humble opinion), and you’ll see why after that first bite!
Warm beef, crispy fries, melty cheese. Think… sandwich-of-your-dreams. And that sauce?? Don’t even get me started. I drizzle it like I’m an artist.
Make it, eat it, get messy. This is not a white-shirt meal, friends. I mean, I don’t wear white shirts for any meals…. I know myself better than that!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Roast Beef: Deli-sliced works great, but go thicker if you want a heartier bite.
- American Cheese: Melts like a dream. Cheddar works, but it won’t be as oozy.
- Sriracha: Gives heat and tang, but you can swap in any chili sauce you love. Reduce the amount for a less spicy spread.
- French Fries: Use thicker cuts if you want fries that stay sturdy in this Gatsby sandwich.
- Submarine Rolls: Look for soft, slightly chewy rolls. If they’re too crusty, everything will explode out.
VARIATIONS
Chicken Version: Swap the roast beef for sliced rotisserie chicken.
Extra Spicy: Add more sriracha or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce.
Cheesy Melt: Pop the assembled Gatsby sandwich (minus the fries) under the broiler for 30 seconds to melt the cheese even more.
Veggie Style: Replace roast beef with sautéed mushrooms and peppers.
Garlic Aioli Sauce: Swap the mayo-sriracha mixture for a garlicky mayo if heat isn’t your thing.
Crunch Factor: Add kettle chips instead of fries for potato flavor with extra texture.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Top with our crispy oven fries for the full Gatsby experience.
- Add a tall glass of lemonade for a bright, refreshing sip.
- Pair this Gatsby sandwich recipe with creamy macaroni salad.
- Serve with a side of fried pickle chips for balance.
SOUTH AFRICA GATSBY SANDWICH FAQ
Yes. Hoagie rolls, soft baguettes, or bolillo rolls all work for a Gatsby sandwich as long as they’re not too crusty.
Add them at the very end and make sure they’re hot and crisp when assembled.
Keep the components separate, then assemble right before serving for the best texture.
Upon its creation, one of the diners called it a “Gatsby smash,” referring to the film The Great Gatsby. It started as a quick way to feed a hungry crew and quickly became a hit.
The only requirements for a South Africa Gatsby sandwich are a soft sandwich roll and “slap chips,” which are fries tossed with salt and vinegar. It’s usually got a meat or seafood filling plus some kind of sauce, and it’s often large enough to share.
I’ve made a lot of sandwiches in my life, and here’s what I’ve learned: the magic is always in the layering.
Hot next to cold, crunchy next to soft, salty next to tangy… your taste buds want a roller coaster, not a flat road.
The South Africa Gatsby sandwich checks every box. The vinegar in the sauce brightens the beef, the fries soak up the drippings like champs, and the lettuce gives that fresh bite you absolutely need.
It’s messy in all the right ways, which to me is the sign of a great sandwich.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Warm the roast beef slightly so the cheese melts faster.
- Slice your lettuce super thin. It hugs the sandwich this way instead of falling out.
- Don’t walk away from the broiler… it’s a trickster!
- Assemble these fast so the fries stay crisp and happy.
- If tailgating or transporting, pack the fries separately and add them right before eating.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Rimmed Baking Sheet: For broiling the rolls without making a mess.
- Medium Skillet: To caramelize those onions to perfection.
- Cutting Board + Sharp Knife: For slicing the lettuce and tomatoes thinly.
- Small Mixing Bowl: Just for the sauce.
- Tongs or Spatula: For layering the hot ingredients safely.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- Big, messy, delicious sandwich loaded with beef, cheese, fries, and sauce
- Sauce can be prepped ahead
- Use soft submarine rolls
- Thinly slice the veggies for best layering
- Eat immediately for crispy fries
- Swap proteins or cheeses easily
- Keep components separate if serving later
- Add extra sauce — trust me, you’ll want it
Gatsby Sandwich
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sandwich
- 4 submarine rolls
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pound sliced roast beef
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced pickles
- 12 slices American cheese
- 2 to 3 cups cooked french fries, warmed
Instructions
- PREHEAT OVEN: Set the oven to broil. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- MAKE SAUCE: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce, 2 teaspoons white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika until smooth. Set aside.
- PREP ROLLS: Slice the 4 submarine rolls lengthwise. Brush each roll with ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- COOK ONIONS: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook 1 medium white onion for about 5 minutes until golden and caramelized. Set aside.
- TOAST ROLLS: Broil the rolls for 3 to 5 minutes, until the centers are lightly golden. Watch closely so they do not burn.
- ASSEMBLE: Spread the prepared sauce inside each toasted roll. Layer in this order: ¼ pound sliced roast beef, a spoonful of caramelized onions, iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, 3 slices American cheese, and about ½ cup warm french fries.
- SERVE: Add extra sauce if you like. Serve warm.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2025
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
