Why is silverware considered mandatory when eating the assembled Francesinha sandwich?
Answer
It is less a handheld sandwich and more a plated, sauce-drenched meat casserole served between bread.
The necessity of using silverware—a fork and knife—for the *Francesinha* arises directly from its physical construction and presentation. Despite being assembled like a sandwich with layers of meat (steak, ham, *linguiça*) between bread, the final product is completely engulfed in melted cheese and drenched in a thick, savory gravy. This heavy saturation means it cannot be held easily; rather, it transforms into a substantial, plated entity resembling a meat casserole served atop or between bread slices, making the use of utensils the practical requirement for consumption.
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