The food at the Masters is spectacular. It's simple, well-executed and, for the most part, timeless. There's a little something for every palate. But that doesn't mean every palate is right. Some Masters sandwiches are better than others, and, if you're going to do the Masters the right way, then you need to be a good patron and eat the right stuff.
So, instead of wasting time in line wondering which sandwich to get at the Masters, here's our ranking of the best sandwiches for Augusta National patrons, ranked from worst to best.
10. Veggie Wrap: I'm not a vegetarian. Sorry, not sorry. So the idea of eating just veggies at the Masters doesn't work for me. I can have a nice salad when I'm not watching golf. I don't need veggies wrapped in a tortilla-type deal. I wouldn't eat it on the golf course while I'm playing, so I'm not eating it while I'm watching.
9. Ham and Cheese on Rye: It's not a bad sandwich, though I'm not the biggest Rye bread fan in the world. (Hey, you try being named Ryan and being called Ry-bread, and see if you aren't biased.) This is the right combination for a slightly elevated version of the sandwich, but this isn't a thriller.
8. Turkey and Cheese on Wheat: The good thing about turkey is that, in a deli section, it's so bland that you can put what you want on it to get the taste you would like. Hot sauce? Sure. Mayo? OK. Mustard? Absolutely.
7. Grilled Chicken Wrap: I like a good wrap on occasion, and it should only be used to hold meat. Think gyros and shawarma. Now, that's not what we have at the Masters, but the chunky chicken is nicely prepared and eating the wrap makes you feel better about ordering that extra Domestic Beer (or Import Beer if you've got an extra dollar).
6. Masters Club: On other peoples' rankings, the Masters Club is all over the place. For me, it's a solid sandwich that deserves more than its sandbox. The Club sandwich, in general, is a lazy sandwich. Hey, let's throw a whole bunch of meats on there, ideally with some bacon and toast the bread. Maybe some avocado if we're feeling froggy. I mean, it's better than just one meat (see the bottom of this ranking), but it could be so much more.
5. Bab-B-Que: This is a good sandwich. It's tangy, tasty and easy to eat. It's not too messy. However, I like my BQ with some panache and spice, which this doesn't have because not everyone likes that. In my view, BBQ should have some bolder flavoring, but you won't be disappointed by this sandwich.
4. Pimento Cheese Sandwich: The pimento cheese is supposed to be the go-to sandwich at the Masters, but I just can't endorse that. It's a good sandwich; don't get me wrong. But there are better ones, and that's something I must credit Augusta National with helping me discover. I now only have pimento cheese sandwiches grilled. The cheese spread melts just enough, and it's going to blow your mind. You'll never go back.
3. Classic Chicken Sandwich: Dare I say it, but the Masters chicken sandwich is right up there with Chick-fil-A or Biscuitville. It's not overly spiced, but it delivers with simplicity. You can get this on a biscuit for breakfast, which is even better.
(2. Peach Ice Cream Sandwich: It's a sandwich -- more so than a hot dog. A well-executed ice cream sandwich is a simple treat that typically has vanilla ice cream. The peach ice cream, though, is spectacular. It's a surprising treat, like a Chick-fil-A peach shake.)
1. Egg Salad: The egg salad sandwich is divine. It's not overly egg-y for people who are apprehensive to try it. There's not too much mayo to make it too mushy and kind of disgusting. It's perfect. The Wonder-style white bread is the perfect delivery method, as it kind of sticks to the egg salad and holds the whole thing together. I could eat 10 in a row.
It's hard to go wrong at the Masters. While there are clear bests, coming in last place on this list is still pretty special. So, you know what? Do what I did the first time I went to the Masters, order every sandwich, pay a meager $21 ($23 with the ice cream sandwich) and try them all for yourself.
