In the pursuit of sandwich perfection, many have wandered, few have succeeded. The quest for the perfectly layered, melt-in-your-mouth experience is a serious one.
We’ve braved the lines, tasted the fillings, and endured the questionable bread to bring you the ultimate sandwich pilgrimage. From coast to coast, these spots are a must-try.
But hold on tight, because the top 4? They redefine the very definition of a sandwich.
1. Katz’s Delicatessen – New York City, NY
Holy pastrami heaven! This NYC institution has been stacking ridiculously tall sandwiches since 1888.
The first bite of their hot pastrami will make you understand why they’ve survived two world wars and countless food trends. Hand-carved meat is steamed to perfection.
2. Primanti Bros. – Pittsburgh, PA
Forget side dishes! These Pittsburgh legends stuff their french fries and coleslaw INSIDE the sandwich alongside whatever meat you choose.
Born during the Great Depression to feed hungry truckers, these monstrous creations solved the problem of eating a full meal while driving.
3. Philippe The Original – Los Angeles, CA
Beef dipped in savory jus isn’t just a sandwich here—it’s a 115-year-old ritual. Philippe’s claims to have invented the French Dip sandwich in 1918 after accidentally dropping a sandwich into roasting juices.
The floors are covered in sawdust, the mustard will clear your sinuses instantly, and the line moves with military precision.
4. Parkway Bakery & Tavern – New Orleans, LA
Gravy-soaked bliss! The po’boy was born to feed striking streetcar workers in 1929, and Parkway has perfected this NOLA classic.
Their roast beef version features slow-cooked meat that practically melts, swimming in rich brown gravy. Bring napkins—lots and lots of napkins.
5. Al’s #1 Italian Beef – Chicago, IL
Not for the faint-hearted or those wearing white shirts! This Chicago icon serves beef so juicy it should come with a splash zone warning.
The magic happens when they dunk the entire sandwich in seasoned beef broth before handing it over. Add hot giardiniera peppers for the full experience.
6. Reading Terminal Market’s DiNic’s – Philadelphia, PA
Forget cheesesteaks for a minute. DiNic’s roast pork sandwich—crowned with sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe—might be Philly’s true sandwich masterpiece.
The pork is roasted for hours until it surrenders into tender submission. Located in America’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market, watching them build these beauties is half the experience.
7. Cochon Butcher – New Orleans, LA
Charcuterie wizardry meets sandwich artistry! This meat-centric offshoot of the acclaimed Cochon restaurant crafts sandwiches that haunt your dreams.
Their muffuletta shrinks the traditional version to perfect proportions. The pork belly sandwich with cucumber and mint will make you question everything you thought you knew about flavor combinations.
8. Langer’s Delicatessen – Los Angeles, CA
Nora Ephron once declared their pastrami better than Katz’s—fighting words in the sandwich world! Their #19 sandwich combines hand-cut pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing on double-baked rye bread with a crust that shatters perfectly with each bite.
The meat is steamed to order, ensuring that melt-in-your-mouth texture that separates good pastrami from legendary pastrami.
9. Turkey And The Wolf – New Orleans, LA
Childhood nostalgia gets a chef’s upgrade at this quirky joint. The bologna sandwich comes with house-made potato chips INSIDE it.
Their fried bologna creation has earned national acclaim despite its humble origins. Everything here feels like a stoner food experiment that somehow works brilliantly.
10. White House Sub Shop – Atlantic City, NJ
Frank Sinatra had these subs flown to him in Vegas! This no-frills joint has been serving Italian subs on Atlantic City’s Arctic Avenue since 1946, and they still slice every ingredient to order.
Their special is so perfectly balanced it’s worth the inevitable wait. The bread is locally baked.
11. Zingerman’s Delicatessen – Ann Arbor, MI
College town sandwich nirvana! What started as a tiny deli in 1982 has grown into a gourmet empire with over 40 sandwich options.
Their Reuben—#2 on the menu—features house-made corned beef, imported Swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on grilled Jewish rye.
Every ingredient is meticulously sourced.
12. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches – San Francisco, CA
Sandwich anarchy in the best possible way! With over 700 creatively named options across their locations, Ike’s has built a cult following through sheer sandwich insanity.
Their secret “Dirty Sauce” (a garlicky aioli baked into the bread) transforms every creation. Try the “Matt Cain” for a true San Francisco original.
13. Central Grocery – New Orleans, LA
Muffuletta mecca! This Italian grocery created the iconic sandwich in 1906 for Sicilian workers who needed a portable lunch.
Their version remains the gold standard.
Each sandwich is dense enough to feed two hungry people. Buy the olive salad to take home!
14. Publican Quality Meats – Chicago, IL
Butcher shop brilliance! This meat-focused offshoot of acclaimed restaurant The Publican takes sandwich craft to artisanal extremes.
They bake their bread in-house, cure their own meats, and construct flavor combinations that boggle the mind. Worth every penny of their premium prices.
15. Bunk Sandwiches – Portland, OR
Pork belly cubano that will haunt your dreams! Portland’s sandwich scene exploded when chef Tommy Habetz opened this now-legendary spot in 2008.
Their pork belly Reuben defies convention by swapping corned beef for succulent pork belly. No pretension, just sandwich perfection.
16. Bay Cities Italian Deli – Santa Monica, CA
The Godmother will make you an offer you can’t refuse! This Italian market’s signature sandwich has achieved legendary status among LA food enthusiasts.
Genoa salami, mortadella, capicola, ham, and provolone come together on crusty Italian bread with the works. Pro tip: Order online to skip the inevitable line.
17. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar – New Orleans, LA
Fried seafood nirvana in a weathered corner bar! This unassuming neighborhood joint has been serving po’boys since the 1930s from a location that looks unchanged by time.
Their fried shrimp po’boy—dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo—represents po’boy perfection.
18. John’s Roast Pork – Philadelphia, PA
Sandwich royalty hiding in plain sight! Despite the name, their cheesesteak might be the city’s best-kept secret.
Unlike tourist traps, John’s uses tender ribeye steak and seeded rolls from South Philly’s Carangi Bakery. Open since 1930, they’ve perfected their craft across generations.