Gerber Sandwich

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Gerber sandwich is an open-faced sandwich originating from St. Louis. It is made by topping garlic bread with ham and Provel – a processed blend of Swiss cheese, provolone, and mozzarella. The sandwich is broiled until the cheese melts, and Gerber is then sprinkled with paprika on top. It was invented at Ruma's Deli in 1973. The owners named it after their neighbor Dick Gerber, who created his own sandwich in Dee and Tom Ruma's kitchen. The Rumas liked it so much that they added the sandwich to their menu.