January 14 marks National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day! In recognition of this deli-meat-driven day, CivicScience examined how Americans feel about the pastrami sandwich in general. The latest survey data show that a plurality of U.S. adults with an opinion are not fans of a pastrami sandwich. Meanwhile, nearly 3 in 10 classify themselves as a fan, while close to one-third say they’re ‘sometimes’ up for a classic pastrami sandwich.
A look at pastrami sandwich sentiment presents an interesting picture. Millennials and those aged 65 and older are the most likely demographics to say they are fans of classic pastrami sandwiches. Interestingly, despite the 65+ being the most likely to enjoy these sandwiches, they are also the most likely to say they’re not a pastrami sandwich enjoyer.
Beyond the topline and demographics, additional survey data offers a glimpse into how those who are definite classic pastrami fans compare with those who are a solid no on these sandwiches: ’
Sandwich Bread Preferences: When it comes to sandwiches in general, pastrami sandwich fans are much more likely than non-fans to say their favorite type of bread for sandwiches is either rye or potato bread. Conversely, non-fans over-index in their preference for classic grocery store white bread and whole wheat bread.
Dining out for Dinner: Those who aren’t fans of pastrami sandwiches are more than twice as likely to dine out or order takeout for dinner frequently (3+ times per week). That said, pastrami sandwich fans are more likely than non-fans to dine out/order takeout for dinner overall (72% to 66%, respectively).
Influence of Social Media: Those who self-declare as pastrami sandwich fans are nearly 4X as likely as non-fans to say social media influences the food they buy ‘a lot.’ Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of non-pastrami sandwich fans say social media has no influence whatsoever on the food they buy.
Podcast Listeners: Fans are nine points more likely than non-fans to report listening to podcasts. Comedy, news/politics, and true crime/investigative journalism are the top three categories of podcasts that fans say they listen to.
Gaming: Those who enjoy pastrami sandwiches are far more likely to report they play video games daily (40% to 28%, respectively).
The distinction between pastrami lovers and those who avoid the deli staple extends far beyond a simple lunch order; it serves as a window into a consumer’s digital and social ecosystem. From a heightened susceptibility to social media trends to a daily commitment to gaming, these preferences suggest that pastrami fandom is closely linked to specific modern lifestyles. These two groups represent different levels of connectivity and cultural engagement, proving that a single question about a pastrami sandwich can be a remarkably effective tool for predicting a consumer’s media consumption, dining frequency, and even their favorite podcast genres.
Are you a fan of classic pastrami sandwiches? Take this poll now and see how you compare with others who share your opinion:
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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.