Tom Hanks is one of those rare stars who has reached the pinnacle of fame yet still comes across as an everyday guy. Affectionately known as “America’s Dad,” he’s the kind of celebrity we’d love to sit down and share a meal with. Sure, he can dine at the fanciest restaurants around the world, but we’d like to imagine he’s just as happy enjoying homemade meal—like the candied yam dish he looks forward to every Thanksgiving.
A few years ago, when he appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Hanks took the famous “Colbert Questionert” and spilled the details on his favorite sandwich. True to form, it wasn’t anything too fancy—just a simple sandwich anyone could whip up in minutes. And now, every time we enjoy this classic, we can’t help but think of Tom Hanks.
Tom Hanks’ Favorite Sandwich
The first question in “The Colbert Questionert” is always, “What is the best sandwich?” When Colbert asked the hard-hitting question, Hanks answered without hesitation: ham and Swiss with lettuce and mustard.
He was also quick to add “no tomato,” but during this time of year when our tomato gardens are overflowing, we might bend his rule just a little (sorry, Tom!).
The “Questionert” moved so quickly, Hanks didn’t get the chance to mention what kind of bread he prefers with his ham and Swiss sandwich, leaving that part to our imagination. Maybe he likes a hearty whole-grain bread, like in these Awesome Hot Ham and Cheese sandwiches. Or perhaps a fully Hawaiian bread roll, like in these mini Funeral Sandwiches. Personally, we’d go with rye—especially with a tangy cranberry onion relish.
Other Hanks-related insights from the interview include his preference for oranges over apples, his fear of Australian sandworms, his fondness for the action movie “The Dirty Dozen,” and his preference for sparkling water over still.
Whether he’s sharing stories about his favorite movie, or admitting his distaste for tomatoes on sandwiches, this interview reminds us just how relatable Tom Hanks is, despite his superstar status. So the next time you stack ham, Swiss, lettuce, and mustard between two slices of bread, you can think of it as a way to share a meal with America’s Dad.
