After watching the latest episode of The Great American Sandwich Show, I'll never think about bacon the same way again.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a multiplatinum country star who sells out arenas and has five No. 1 hits walks into a kitchen, well, I have the answer.
If there’s one thing I know, it’s that the first bite of a truly great sandwich can live on in your memory forever. And that’s basically the whole appeal of The Great American Sandwich Show: Every episode, a celebrity guest heads into comedian Lindsay Ames’s kitchen to make their go-to sandwich, Lindsay whips up her own riff, and then the two trade plates, have a chat and crown a winner. By the end, you’ve usually learned a lot more about each of them than you expected.
A great sandwich is a work of art and dedication, and crafting one to share with someone else is a true act of love. When I watched this episode of The Great American Sandwich Show, I wanted to reach out, grab both sandwiches, and take a bite. Here’s what happened.
The Guest: Russell Dickerson
Russell Dickerson grew up in Tennessee. As a teenager, he played the snare drum in his high school marching band before falling in love with singing and guitar. He went on to earn a degree in music from Belmont University in Nashville, where he met his wife, Kailey. She became his in-house creative collaborator and shot all his album covers—which is the kind of love story that writes itself into a country song (and, to be fair, it kind of has).
Dickerson’s five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart include “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma,” “Every Little Thing,” “Love You Like I Used To,” and “Happen to Me.” His debut hit “Yours” became the undisputed wedding song of 2018, which is the type of cultural footprint most artists only dream about. His fourth studio album, Famous Back Home, dropped in August 2025 and features a bold blend of country-soul, ’80s rock influence and modern production. It’s proof that Russell Dickerson is not interested in standing still.
Russell and Kailey have two young sons, and when he’s not making them delicious sandwiches, he’s rocking out for thousands of fans each night on his sold-out tour. And somehow, he still managed to make it into Lindsay’s kitchen. Priorities!
The Sandwiches
Russell brings us his famous B.L.A.T.T.: Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, Tomato, Turkey. It’s a lengthy acronym that he delivers with the casual confidence of a man who has been defending this sandwich his whole life. I always add turkey and avocado to my BLTs, so I was immediately on his side. Piled high with every ingredient plus double mayo, it’s the sandwich equivalent of a classic song. Russell cuts his with what he cheerfully declares the “hot dog cut”—a lengthwise slice—which may or may not be sanctioned by the sandwich establishment, but gives the whole thing a satisfying reveal when it is opened up on the plate.
Lindsay comes prepared, and by “prepared” we mean she made the bread from scratch. Her homemade Hokkaido milk loaf—which she describes as the sweeter sister of brioche—serves as the foundation for a Nashville hot turkey twist on Russell’s beloved B.L.A.T.T. On top of a slice of milk bread, she piles oven-smoked, Nashville-spiced turkey slices. I love this homage to Russell’s roots, and when she adds the bacon, I may have started drooling. She weaves the slices of bacon together like a beautiful heirloom quilt! It’s a sandwich that is somehow both cozy and electric—quite like a lot of hit country tunes.
Overheard in the Kitchen
On bread philosophy:
“You can make a great sandwich without a sauce. But you can’t make a good sandwich with bad bread.” —Russell Dickerson
Russell knows it’s all about the sandwich bread, and I couldn’t agree more. It also lands as a quiet vindication for Lindsay’s whole homemade-loaf strategy. Russell basically argued himself out of his own sandwich before the judging even started!
On the bacon:
“Quilted bacon is crazy. Curl up into that thing on a cold winter’s eve.” —Russell Dickerson
Russell’s country song-style reaction to the fact that Lindsay wove her bacon into a lattice is one of the best lines in the episode. It’s true bacon (and sandwich!) inspiration.
On eating while touring:
“I’m not a big fast-food person, but on the road it’s like, hey, post-show—cool, it’s Domino’s, cool, it’s wings. … I keep frozen meals in my freezer on my bus. So that’s what usually helps.” —Russell Dickerson
There’s something very relatable and very funny about a man who just sold out Red Rocks admitting that his actual dinner situation involves bus freezer meals. The resigned “cool, it’s Domino’s” delivery is peak touring musician. As a Domino’s fan myself, I approve this message.
The Winning Sandwich
Here’s the thing about this episode: Russell Dickerson makes a really good sandwich. He knows what he’s doing with his B.L.A.T.T. The double mayo, the careful construction, the hot dog cut: It’s a confident, well-executed sandwich from a man who clearly appreciates them. But Lindsay shows up with homemade bread, and as Russell says, bread that good changes the math entirely. Both Russell and Lindsay seem to arrive at the same conclusion independently: The Hokkaido milk loaf is the deciding factor, and Lindsay’s Nashville hot turkey version of the B.L.A.T.T. is the winner. To his credit, Russell says so first. He even has the self-awareness to note that his emotional attachment to his own sandwich might be coloring things, and that—stripped of that bias—Lindsay’s is clearly the one going on the board. It’s the right call, and honestly, a little endearing.
The winning sandwich got its name the way the best things do: It came from a pun. Since Russell’s latest single is titled “BOAT” (Best of All Time), and the sandwich that just beat him is a spin on his B.L.A.T.T., they agree to combine them into one ridiculous acronym: The B.O.A.T.B.L.A.T.T. It’s the perfect sandwich name: a little playful, a little proud and completely committed to the bit.
You Be the Judge
Lindsay’s pillowy homemade milk loaf stacked with Nashville hot turkey and quilted bacon went head-to-head with Russell’s double-mayo classic B.L.A.T.T. Which sandwich would you reach for first?
The Full Play-by-Play
Find out how this sandwich showdown played out by reading along below.
Russell: What’s up, Linds?
Lindsay: Russell Edward Dickerson!
Russell: What a tune you got going on there.
Lindsay: Thank you. Well, you know, I try.
Russell: Looking for lunch.
Lindsay: Yeah, in all the wrong places.
Russell: Yeah, but this is the right place.
Lindsay: Yeah, this is the right place. This is it. Because today, we’re gonna be making a sandwich together.
Russell: I can’t wait.
Lindsay: Russell, could I call you Russell D.D.?
Russell: No.
Lindsay: OK, what about, uh, Broski Malowski?
Russell: No.
Lindsay: I hate that one, too.
Russell: Yeah.
Lindsay: OK, let’s just make a sandwich.
Russell: OK, let’s do that.
Lindsay: What sandwich are we making?
Russell: Today, I’m gonna bring you my famous B.L.A.T.T.
Lindsay: B.L.A.T.T. Can you tell everybody at home what that is?
Russell: Why, of course. Bacon. Lettuce, tomato, avocado, turkey. It’s a large acronym to keep a hold of.
Lindsay: The whole point of this is, I’m gonna make a twist on your favorite sandwich.
Russell: Oh, you’re gonna outdo me in my own sandwich.
Lindsay: I mean, I’m gonna try my best.
Russell: OK.
Lindsay: I, mean, I did make a little bit of—I made a homemade Hokkaido milk loaf.
Russell: I would have sworn it was a brioche.
Lindsay: If there were a couple more eggs, it would be. That’s why it’s the sweeter sister of the brioche. Just, like, me to my sister, Jennifer.
Russell: Thank you for the pre-slice.
Lindsay: You’re welcome. I got some nice oven-smoked turkey. And I, as a nod to your home, went for some Nashville hot turkey.
Russell: Nashville hot turkey? Yeah. Never have I heard of such… such poultry.
Lindsay: I had not either, but apparently it’s a thing. And I was like, well, I know if my boy Russell’s coming in, that’s what I gotta do.
Russell: You know it!
Lindsay: Ooh! Such easy pour. Is it a pour or a squirt?
Russell: Easy squirt.
Lindsay: Russell, why the B.L.A.T.T? Why all the letters? Why this sandwich?
Russell: Why such a dense acronym of a sandwich?
Lindsay: Yes.
Russell: It’s just the perfect little—it’s that crispy crunch. You’ve got a little protein in there. Extra fat. Just to keep your energy up.
Lindsay: Are you a big sandwich fan?
Russell: Yeah, yeah.
Lindsay: What’s your next favorite sandwich in line after this?
Russell: Do you consider burgers sandwiches?
Lindsay: Honestly, I gotta go.
Russell: Uh oh.
Lindsay: It’s a burger. It’s called a burger. Like, listen, you wanna do a patty melt? Do a patty melt.
Russell: Doesn’t count.
Lindsay: Chopped cheese! Patty melt! Sandwiches. You went…burger?
Russell: Yeah.
Lindsay: What happened to you?
Russell: I don’t know.
Lindsay: Who hurt you? Honestly, we have time. We can talk about it.
Russell: I’m so glad you asked.
Lindsay: I feel like nobody has in a while.
Russell: What do we got?
Lindsay: Look at that.
Russell: It’s basically the works.
Lindsay: Sorry, just casually dropped down a lattice of bacon.
Russell: What a flex!
Lindsay: Some of us have plans on Tuesday nights? Some of us don’t. You know, we just prepare a lattice of bacon for our guests.
Russell: Quilted bacon is crazy. Curl up into that thing on a cold winter’s eve.
Lindsay: Now, listen—you have some kids?
Russell: I do have two young boys, 5 and 2.
Lindsay: Who’s your favorite?
Russell: Probably the oldest right now.
Lindsay: Huh? I really didn’t think you were gonna answer that.
Russell: OK!
Lindsay: So I gotta make a little spread for us. Listen, I just wanted to make you a delicious sandwich.
Russell: I appreciate that. And I wanted to make you one as well. So I’m going double mayo.
Lindsay: OK. Oh, good. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of extra mayo. Are you having as much fun here as you did at your sold-out show at Red Rocks?
Russell: Uh…you know what? Yeah. Different kind of fun.
Lindsay: Different kind of fun. I’m gonna take this seed out of the avo for you.
Russell: Good for you.
Lindsay: What’s your favorite song out of all of your songs?
Russell: Mm, I think “Yours.” That’s my very first one. It’s like my infant. When you said which child is your favorite? That’s kind of what songs feel like.
Lindsay: What’s one question that you would be happy to never be asked again?
Russell: “Who’s your dream collab?” It’s probably…it’s not that I don’t want to ever answer it, it’s just the number one most-asked.
Lindsay: We’re getting business done. We’re getting sandwiches done. We are now at the most important part of the show: how do you cut this?
Russell: It is. I think it should be a surprise.
Lindsay: Yeah, OK. I don’t even know…OK, OK. Ready? One, two, three.
Russell: That was really fast. I also did my—oh, it’s falling apart. Oh, gosh. Don’t look yet!
Lindsay: I’m not looking! I am reveling in how beautiful mine looks.
Russell: Me too.
Lindsay: You’re gonna freak out, this bread—not saying it because I made it—but it is perfect.
Russell: You ready? One, two, three.
Lindsay: We did the same thing!
Russell: We did. I knew it!
Lindsay: I think you’re on the right track.
Russell: Right?
Lindsay: Might I do something?
Russell: Please. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. I like it. I like it.
Lindsay: Then right, we can share.
Russell: There’s so much flavor. It’s like a flavor highway.
Lindsay: And, it’s like four sandwiches now. What’s the title of this cut?
Russell: Uh, well, you’re probably not gonna like this, ’cause there’s apparently strict guidelines on what’s a sandwich or not.
Lindsay: And also I’m fickle.
Russell: But I would call that the hot dog cut.
Lindsay: OK, I went for the straight halfie.
Russell: “The straight halfie?”
Lindsay: Yeah. That’s what I’m calling it. The straight halfie. Look, you get to — oh, this little guy’s falling out in the back, but I’ll fix that for you. OK, let’s plate these, and then we’ll eat and enjoy and talk more.
Lindsay: You’re going to eat the sandwich.
Russell: OK.
Lindsay: We’re gonna take a bite. We’re gonna decide whose we think is more delicious. No bias, OK? And we’ve had other people whose sandwiches have been better than mine. She was a Top Chef winner.
Russell: I mean, OK. And I sing country music, so…
Lindsay: Exactly, right? Bar is low. And then after we decide whose sandwich is gonna go up on the board, we’re gonna name it. All right?
Russell: OK. So, God, this looks great. Yours looks already —
Lindsay: I think your cross section is great.
Russell: Wow. Yeah. The woven bacon, the tomato…
Lindsay: OK, wait, let me try that, and then will you try this. That way we make an educated decision.
Russell: OK. Mm. I’m pretty good now! I mean, how are we gonna compete with that? You pulled out potions and all kinds of stuff.
Lindsay: And the bread is a good—
Russell: You love that bread.
Lindsay: I do. I’m proud of it. How do we decide which of these sandwiches is going up on the board?
Russell: I mean, we both know. It’s obviously yours.
Lindsay: OK, that’s gonna be cool.
Russell: I mean, you have so much emotional attachment.
Lindsay: OK, what if I didn’t have the emotional attachment?
Russell: Well, then you have to make your own vote, ’cause I can’t vote for you on your behalf.
Lindsay: I just feel like, and I know it sounds dumb because it’s my sandwich, but I do feel like this bread is really important.
Russell: Yeah, it is good. It is! And you’re the clear winner to me.
Lindsay: Thanks.
Russell: You’re the winner! How about it?
Lindsay: In honor of you, I think we call it, “Blame It on Being Yum.”
Russell: Ooh! She’s got bars.
Lindsay: Right?
Russell: Wow.
Lindsay: I love that. That’s my only bars, but yeah.
Russell: I’ll take “Blame It on Being Yum.” I mean, how could you not. We’ve already mentioned it—I put out a song called BOAT, which is Best of All Time. B.O.A.T.B.L.A.T.T. They’re gonna be like, “What is that? I have to have it.”
Lindsay: I have to have it.
Russell: OK, you get the sandwich, I get the name.
Lindsay: Great. If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
Russell: Oh, probably a serial entrepreneur.
Lindsay: Oh. What kind of cereal?
Russell: Uh…
Lindsay: Do you have a strict diet or anything that you have to stick to while you’re touring, and then you go off?
Russell: Just, like, enjoy eating healthy. Like, I’m not a big-fast food person, but on the road it’s like, hey, post-show—cool, it’s Domino’s, cool, it’s wings. It’s always just kind of trash, but I keep frozen meals in my freezer on my bus. So that’s what usually helps. Yeah, those are healthy.
Lindsay: Dream collab.
Russell: Oh yeah. I mean, Usher. Gotta be Usher.
Lindsay: Yeah, you’re a great dancer. OK, the song you want to be remembered by?
Russell: Yours.
Lindsay: Favorite food cities on the road?
Russell: Mmm. You ready for it? I mean, we all know the big ones: Omaha, Nebraska.
Lindsay: Oh. What’s your favorite place to eat?
Russell: I have no idea, but every time we go there, there are steakhouses galore.
Lindsay: What’s more important—the bread or the sauce?
Russell: I’m gonna go bread. You can make a great sandwich without a sauce. But you can’t make a good sandwich with bad bread.
Lindsay: OK. What’s worse for a sandwich: too thin, too thick, or too big and tall so you have to unhinge your jaw like a snake?
Russell: So are these three different options? Too big, too small…or too thick?
Lindsay: Yeah.
Russell: I’d go too small.
Lindsay: Yeah, I agree.
Russell: You know, when it’s like one slice?
Lindsay: In or out: belly buttons.
Russell: In.
Lindsay: Autotune? Everybody does it.
Russell: Come on, right?
Lindsay: Cyber Trucks.
Russell: Out.
Lindsay: Oh, thank God. I would have ended this right here if—maniacs. Well, this is kind of skewed. I don’t know where you land on this: Tall people at concerts.
Russell: I have to be in. Yeah, ’cause then I wouldn’t allow myself.
Lindsay: Yeah, exactly. But, like, if you’re at a concert—not yours, you’re in the crowd—and you’ve got, like, are you conscious at all about blocking somebody?
Russell: Yeah. But, what am I gonna do?
Lindsay: Here’s the thing—I was at a show recently, and a biggie stepped in front of me, and so I said, “Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, Biggie.” And he was so nice, he was like, “Absolutely go for it,” and I went in front of him and had a wonderful time.
Russell: As would I.
Lindsay: Yeah. Just how you ask. I mean, if I was a jerk about it…but you can’t help being tall. And I can’t help being small!
Russell: Asking to trade places is a great solution.
Lindsay: Yeah.
Russell: But then what about the next person?
Lindsay: Well, that’s their problem. All right, now it’s time to immortalize you on our sandwich board of fame. Come get the B.O.A.T.B.L.A.T.T.
Russell: B.O.A.T.B.L.A.T.T.
Lindsay: OK, sign it. Immortalize it. Oh, very nice signature. Wow. And a little face!
Russell: Done!
Lindsay: Wow. Since you’re a biggie, let’s get you —
Russell: Biggie for hire.
Lindsay: Wow! Look at that. B.O.A.T.B.L.A.T.T.
Russell: Coming to a sandwich shop near you.
