Sandwiches of History
Barry Enderwick makes sandwiches from old cookbooks exactly as written, tastes them and says honestly whether they deserve a comeback.
What it is
@sandwichesofhistory is Barry Enderwick's project: he takes sandwich recipes from old cookbooks, makes them exactly as written, tastes them on camera and gives an honest verdict. The English-language clips have a signature look, with a patterned button-down shirt, a quick bit of recipe history, the first bite, and the moment of truth.
Why we picked it
It all started in 2018, when a friend sent Barry a PDF of The Up-To-Date Sandwich Book: 400 Ways to Make a Sandwich, published in 1909. He opened a separate account to work through it and has since made hundreds of videos, from a 1927 chicken salad sandwich to Mexico's mollete and China's rou jia mo, a dish with roots over two thousand years old. Some finds are truly strange, like a mayonnaise and marshmallow fluff sandwich.
The best part is the honesty. Barry never pretends everything is delicious, but he never sneers at the past either. When a recipe falls flat, he asks how to rescue it: add an ingredient, toast the bread, rebalance the filling. The result is part cooking show, part funny window into everyday life a century ago, when a sandwich could be party food rather than a desk lunch.
Where to start
- Recipes from the 1909 book that launched the whole project.
- The strangest combinations, which bring out his most honest reactions.
- Videos where he "fixes" a weak recipe, full of ideas for your own kitchen.
- His book Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook, with 75-plus recipes and coverage from The New York Times and NPR.
- The Sandwiches of History YouTube channel and Instagram.
Who it's for
Home cooks, vintage cookbook collectors, food history nerds, and anyone who enjoys an honest taste test. English helps with the backstory, but the cooking and the reaction to each bite speak for themselves.
Quick answers
Is Barry a professional chef? No. He works in consulting; historical sandwiches began as a side project and grew into a well-known series.
Can I make these recipes at home? Yes. Most use ordinary ingredients, and his cookbook adapts them for modern kitchens.
Do I need TikTok to watch? No. The profile opens in a browser, and the series also runs on YouTube and Instagram.
