18 Must-Try Restaurant Sandwich Copycat Recipes
Ever craved your favorite restaurant sandwich but didn’t want to leave home? Good news – you can recreate these mouthwatering classics right in your kitchen!
With a few simple ingredients and some insider tips, you’ll be crafting restaurant-quality sandwiches that might even taste better than the originals. Get ready to impress your family with these spot-on copycat recipes.
1. Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Holy pickle juice magic! The secret to this iconic chicken sandwich isn’t just in the breading—it’s the pickle brine marinade that transforms ordinary chicken into that unmistakable Chick-fil-A flavor.
Dunk boneless chicken breasts in pickle juice for 30 minutes before dredging in a mixture of flour, powdered sugar (yes, sugar!), paprika, and pepper. Pressure-frying creates that signature crunch, but a deep fryer works wonderfully too.
2. Subway Italian BMT
Forget the $5 footlong jingle—you’re about to become your household’s sandwich artist! The BMT (originally Big Meaty Tasty, not Brooklyn Manhattan Transit) combines a trifecta of Italian meats that create flavor magic.
Layer thinly-sliced pepperoni, genoa salami, and ham on a fresh Italian roll that’s been sliced down the middle but not completely through. The veggie lineup matters: shredded lettuce, tomato slices, green peppers, red onions, and black olives.
3. Panera Bread Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
Vegetarians, rejoice! This flavor bomb proves meatless sandwiches don’t equal boring lunches. The zingy sun-dried tomato cream cheese spread is what elevates this from garden-variety to gourmet.
Start with Panera’s signature tomato basil bread (substitute ciabatta in a pinch). Whip cream cheese with finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then slather generously on both sides. Stack thinly sliced cucumbers, crisp red onions, emerald lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and—the crowning glory—tangy pepperoncini.
4. McDonald’s McRib
Cult sandwich alert! This elusive McDonald’s offering appears and disappears faster than your willpower at a bakery. The McRib isn’t actual ribs—it’s a pork patty magically molded with fake bone impressions.
For homemade perfection, mix ground pork with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Shape into that distinctive rectangular “ribbed” form before grilling. The sauce makes the sandwich: combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke.
5. Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar
Forget what you’ve heard—Arby’s doesn’t just have the meats, they have THE sandwich. Their Beef ‘n Cheddar combines thinly sliced roast beef with a mysterious cheese sauce that haunts dreams.
The onion roll is non-negotiable! Toast it lightly, then spread the bottom with their secret Red Ranch sauce (a tangy mix of ketchup, garlic powder, and onion powder). Warm deli-sliced roast beef in beef broth before piling it high.
6. Popeyes Chicken Sandwich
Remember the Great Chicken Sandwich Wars of 2019? Popeyes broke the internet and caused nationwide shortages with this crunchy, juicy masterpiece. The battle for supremacy continues in your kitchen!
Brine chicken breasts in buttermilk, hot sauce, and Popeyes’ signature Cajun seasoning overnight—patience is key here. The breading needs that distinct orange-ish hue from paprika and cayenne mixed with flour and cornstarch.
7. Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
Panera’s sneaky good sandwich deserves way more attention! This melty miracle combines smoky chipotle flavor with creamy avocado in a marriage that’ll make your taste buds renew their vows.
Marinate chicken breasts in a blend of adobo sauce, lime juice, and honey before grilling to juicy perfection. The chipotle mayo is non-negotiable: mix mayonnaise with pureed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and a squeeze of lime.
8. Jimmy John’s Italian Night Club
Freaky fast? More like freaky delicious! This meat-lover’s dream stacks five different proteins between Jimmy John’s signature crusty-yet-soft French bread. No wimpy sandwiches allowed!
The bread makes this sandwich—if you can’t find comparable French bread, partially bake a baguette for that perfect texture. Layer genoa salami, capicola, smoked ham, provolone, and top with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, and onion.
9. Earl Of Sandwich Holiday Turkey
Christmas dinner between bread slices? Genius! This Disney Springs favorite combines Thanksgiving leftovers into sandwich perfection that deserves year-round celebration.
Start with artisan bread brushed with butter and toasted until golden. The cranberry sauce needs tweaking—traditional versions are too sweet, so make yours with less sugar and add orange zest for brightness. Layer thick-sliced turkey breast (roasted, not deli), cornbread stuffing (yes, inside the sandwich!), and that tangy cranberry sauce.
10. Potbelly’s Wreck Sandwich
Carnivores unite! This meaty monstrosity earned its name by “wrecking” your diet plans—but oh, what a glorious way to go down. Four different meats create a flavor symphony that’ll have you questioning all other sandwich choices.
The bread matters: find an Italian roll with a crispy exterior and pillowy interior. Toast it in a salamander or broiler until warm but not crunchy. Layer salami, roast beef, turkey, and ham with Swiss cheese, then pop it back under the broiler until cheese melts.
11. Shake Shack’s Chick’n Shack
Move over, basic chicken sandwiches! Shake Shack’s creation brings buttermilk-battered bliss that’s worth every calorie. The crispy-crunchy-juicy trifecta is food engineering at its finest.
Pound chicken breasts to even thickness, then soak overnight in buttermilk, herbs, and spices. The breading needs that signature crackly texture—mix flour with cornstarch and baking powder for the perfect crunch factor. Double-dredge for maximum crispiness.
12. Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Spice-seekers, this one’s for you! Wendy’s pioneered the fast-food spicy chicken game with a sandwich that delivers consistent heat without scorching your taste buds into oblivion.
The chicken needs a proper marinade—buttermilk, hot sauce, and cayenne create the foundation. The breading requires cayenne, paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder for that signature Wendy’s kick. Don’t skimp on the frying temperature; 350°F gives you that crackling exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
13. Jersey Mike’s Italian Sub
“Mike’s Way” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a lifestyle! This East Coast submarine sensation delivers a perfect balance of meats, cheese, veggies, and that signature red wine vinegar-oil combo that makes Jersey Mike’s legendary.
Start with a proper Italian sub roll (soft inside, slightly crusty outside). Layer provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni in that exact order. For authentic “Mike’s Way” toppings, add shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, and salt.
14. Firehouse Subs Hook & Ladder
Firefighter-approved flavor that doesn’t require running into burning buildings! Firehouse Subs’ most popular sandwich earns its reputation through a unique steam-heat process that melts cheese and warms meat to perfection.
The sub roll needs steaming—invest in a handheld steamer or improvise with a pot of boiling water and a colander. Layer smoked turkey breast, Virginia honey ham, and Monterey Jack cheese, then steam the entire sandwich until cheese melts.
15. Schlotzsky’s Original Sandwich
Round sandwiches rule! This Texas-born chain’s signature creation features a distinctive sourdough bun that’s unlike anything else in sandwich-dom. The Original hasn’t changed since 1971—because perfection needs no updates.
The bread is non-negotiable: a round sourdough bun with crisp exterior and chewy interior. Marinated black olives provide the unexpected flavor bomb that makes this sandwich legendary. Layer ham, genoa salami, and cotto salami with three cheeses: cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
16. Portillo’s Italian Beef Sandwich
Chicago’s legendary wet sandwich deserves national monument status! This messy masterpiece features thinly sliced roast beef soaked in seasoned jus until every fiber bursts with flavor.
Roast your beef with garlic, oregano, and basil until medium-rare, then slice paper-thin (a meat slicer is ideal, but a sharp knife works). The magic happens when you return those slices to the herb-infused beef broth for a proper soak.
17. Pret A Manger’s Chicken Avocado Sandwich
British sandwich royalty has invaded American lunch breaks! Pret’s chicken avocado creation proves simplicity reigns supreme when quality ingredients take center stage.
The bread makes all the difference—artisan malted wholegrain has a nutty flavor that elevates every bite. Poach chicken breasts in herbed broth rather than using deli meat for that signature tender texture. The basil pesto mayo creates the flavor foundation: mix fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil with mayo.
18. Five Guys Patty Melt
Secret menu alert! This off-menu Five Guys creation combines their perfect burger with melty cheese on grilled bread instead of a bun. Burger purists might call it blasphemy, but one bite converts skeptics into believers.
Form 80/20 ground beef into thin patties and season generously with salt and pepper only. Cook on a screaming hot griddle, smashing once for those crispy edges Five Guys is famous for. The bread matters—Texas toast or thick-sliced sourdough buttered on both sides and grilled until golden.
19. Quiznos Honey Bacon Club
Toasty, melty perfection! Quiznos revolutionized sub sandwiches with their conveyor toasters, and this sweet-savory combo showcases why their method creates sandwich magic.
The honey-bacon relationship is the star here. Cook bacon until almost crispy, then brush with honey during the last minute for caramelized sweetness. The bread needs proper toasting—use a conveyor toaster if possible, or broil open-faced until edges brown.
