A Sandwich Lover's Ultimate Bucket List

Diehard fans of a truly well-crafted sandwich will tell you that one of the best places to enjoy that favorite meal is a well-researched deli. Whether it's a classic Jewish or Italian deli or a more new-school artisanal shop, your sandwich should be made carefully with the best ingredients, which often come from a family recipe — and let's not forget the all-important pickle on the side. From unforgettable pastrami on rye to legendary Italian cold cuts, here are the most famous deli sandwiches across America. Did we miss one? Tell us in the comments.

Related: Best Delis Across America

Bates House of Turkey
Greenville
Family-owned Bates Turkey Farm opened in 1923, and Bates House of Turkey is its restaurant down the road, serving all kinds of dishes from turkey chili taco salad to turkey gumbo. The real star is the classic roast turkey sandwich, made with mayonnaise and lettuce on a sesame seed bun.

Related: Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in America

MVP Sports Deli & Eatery
Anchorage
Despite having a Chicago sports theme, this Anchorage shop has developed a loyal Alaskan following for its massive deli sandwiches (including a whopping 9-pound sandwich challenge). The signature MVP Pastrami Cheesesteak is a unique mashup, piled high with housemade pastrami doused in creamy Italian white cheddar cheese sauce and a fresh Italian relish. It's available in three sizes: Amateur (a quarter-pound of meat and cheese), Rookie (a half-pound of meat and cheese), and Pro (1 pound of food). You can customize your sandwich at the toppings bar.

Related: Belly-Busting Food Challenges That Offer Winners a Free Meal

TJ's Sandwich Shop
Fayetteville
This unassuming shop delivers big with an impressive lineup of crave-worthy sandwiches and "steamers" — Vie de France brand hoagies (aka sub rolls) coated with delicious parmesan garlic butter. Don't miss the Gobbler, which features pan-seared turkey breast topped with caramelized onions, bacon, and cream cheese with the option of jalapeños for a bit of heat.

Related: Best Subs, Grinders, and Hoagies Across America

Not Your Typical Deli
Gilbert
Tucked away in a strip mall, this deli and bakery stands out not only because of its incredible food, but also because it trains and employs adults with developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum. The slow-roasted Italian Beef with sliced provolone and giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables) is a fan favorite, as is the Cubano (try the hot dog version, too). And you don't want to miss the freshly baked cookies.

Philippe The Original
Los Angeles
For the uninitiated, a French Dip is a big, hot sandwich on a crunchy French roll made with roast beef (though it could be ham, turkey, pastrami, or even lamb), and served with a side of jus — a beef broth from the cooking process — for dipping. Philippe's in downtown L.A. claims to have invented the sandwich around 100 years ago, though nearby Cole's makes the same claim. (Maybe it's a good idea to taste test both.) Just don't bother with mayonnaise, since this place is famous for its hot mustard. Breakfast is available, too.

If you've just got to try this French Dip but can't make the trip, you can have Philippe's shipped directly to your door via Goldbelly. You'll find loads of other local favorites available there too.

Related: Legendary Restaurant Rivalries That Divide America

Curtis Park Delicatessen
Denver
This neighborhood mom-and-pop shop has a limited menu, but its reviews are overwhelmingly positive. A veggie sandwich with portobello mushroom, red pepper, zucchini, red onion, goat cheese, and house-made pesto gets high marks and costs $10.50. Its meat deli sandwiches are gushed over, too.

Rein's New York Style Deli
Vernon
Just off Interstate 84, Rein's is a must-visit that offers all the delicious trimmings of a classic Jewish deli. Served hot on rye bread, the legendary and hefty corned beef is not to be missed, though some fans swear by the Vernon Chicken Salad Club and the Reuben. Whichever you choose, you'll definitely want to take home some half-sour pickles and stop by the bakery for fresh chocolate rugelach and other sweet treats.

Capriotti's
Wilmington
What began as a small shop in Wilmington's Little Italy opened by siblings Lois and Alan Margolet in 1976 and named for their grandfather has grown into a popular nationwide chain. For the signature sandwich, The Bobbie — named for the siblings' aunt — the shop slow roasts whole turkeys and serves the meat, hand-shredded, on a fresh roll with cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo — essentially the perfect combo of Thanksgiving leftovers available year-round.

Related: How to Spice Up Thanksgiving Leftovers

Versailles
Miami
A popular destination for Cuban exiles since 1971, Miami's Little Havana is home to Versailles, the place to go for an incredible Cubano. Featuring loaves of Cuban bread that are traditionally made with lard or shortening, the sandwich includes brown sugar-glazed ham, roast pork, thick-cut Swiss, sliced pickles, and a slathering of mustard pressed to perfection. The delicious creation is thought to have originated with Cuban workers in cigar factories in a variety of locations including Tampa more than 100 years ago.

Zunzi's
Savannah
The Conquistador sandwich at this South African-inspired shop is not only a favorite locally, but has conquered numerous best-of lists for the state and country. Deceptively straightforward, the hulking sandwich features choice baked chicken breast with lettuce, tomato, and a housemade special sauce, all served on crunchy French bread. The restaurant does catering, too.

808 Deli
Kihei
Craving pork? This Hawaiian joint has the recipe. Hawaii's famous kalua pork — in which a whole pig is smoked underground with sea salt, banana leaves, and koa wood — is given a fiery spin at 808 Deli. Here, the "Porkie" panini is made with barbecue pork, mango salsa, and pepper jack cheese on rye bread with a side of sweet chili dipping sauce. It's best enjoyed on the beach across the street. Breakfast is available too.

Lemon Tree Co.
Boise
You'd think it'd be hard for a sandwich to stand out at a place equally adept at the meaty and vegetarian or vegan, with a menu covering a range of styles from banh mi to Peruvian with a mushroom and artichoke meatless "cheesesteak" in between. But the must (or at least must-try) at the Lemon Tree Co. is the PB & JJB, made of crusty focaccia around homemade peanut butter, smoked bacon, cherry preserves, and roasted jalapeño. "Bizarre but likable," the Idaho Statesmen decrees. Each sandwich on the menu comes with salad, beet salad, oats, soup, or chips. 

Al's Italian Beef
Chicago
The Italian Beef is considered Chicago's signature sandwich, so what better place to have one than at the shop that claims to have invented the recipe? Created during the Depression — when meat was scarce — by Al Ferrari, along with his sister and brother-in-law, the classic features thinly sliced, dry-roasted, and spice-rubbed beef that's soaked in "gravy" or au jus and served on an Italian roll with giardiniera and sweet peppers. Get the whole sandwich "dipped" in the gravy for the full experience. Don't look for a club sandwich or mayonnaise-heavy sides here — the menu has wraps, party potatoes, and tamales but mostly skews Italian. 

Shapiro's Delicatessen
Indianapolis
Since 1905, this legendary spot has been turning out a menu filled with incredible Jewish deli favorites such as hot pastrami, chicken salad, corned beef, and smoked tongue. But it's the local specialty, peppered beef, that sets it apart from the pack. The sandwich features lean beef round that's been salted and cured, then peppered, smoked, and seasoned with paprika and sugar and finally piled high on fresh rye bread with mustard and a pickle on the side. 

B & B Grocery, Meat & Deli
Des Moines
While Iowa is known for loose-meat sandwiches (basically a Sloppy Joe without the sauce), if you're in search of a deluxe deli sandwich, look no further than this humble neighborhood grocer's "Killer" sandwiches made from the owner's recipe. The legendary Dad's Killer Sandwich is a beast consisting of roast beef, turkey breast, smoked ham, corned beef, pepper cheese, Swiss cheese, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, Kosher pickles, mustard, Miracle Whip (not mayonnaise), and Tuscan Italian dressing, all on an Italian hoagie roll. Come hungry. There are killer sides, too.

Related: Strange But Surprisingly Tasty Local Foods to Try

WheatFields
Lawrence
For more than 20 years, this artisanal bakery has been turning out delicious, hearty breads and other baked goods, so you definitely don't want to miss the excellent sandwiches making use of those freshly baked loaves. Feel free to skip heavy pork and red meat for lunch — the notable standout is the Spicy Tuna Melt, a fiery spin on the deli classic that features Southwest spiced tuna, jalapeño cream cheese, and white cheddar on grilled white sourdough.

Morris' Deli
Louisville
This no-frills deli and liquor store hasn't changed much in more than four decades of business, and hopefully it won't anytime soon. For its legendary, made-to-order deli sandwiches, it smokes choice meats in-house, including the not-to-be-missed country ham. Be sure to get it with a side of housemade pimento cheese and maybe grab a beverage from the walk-in cooler. It's a former ice house that's said to be the coldest in town at around 24 to 26 degrees. They have catering options, too.

Cochon Butcher
New Orleans
While eating po'boy sandwiches is a must when visiting New Orleans, you don't want to miss out on the muffuletta. This NOLA original is made with a round sesame-studded Sicilian bread and filled with house meats, olive salad, and more. Chef Donald Link's Cochon restaurant expanded into this butcher shop/wine bar/tap room space in 2009, and its muffuletta is among the best in the Big Easy. 

The Coffee Pot
Bangor
While the original Coffee Pot, a sandwich institution in Maine, may have closed in 2009 after nearly 80 years of business, a new business opened a few years back to carry the taste torch. The deluxe signature sandwich, beloved by generations, consists of a soft split-top roll filled with green bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, then topped with layers of salami or ham, American cheese, and pickles. Add some crushed red pepper for heat. 

Chick & Ruth's Delly
Annapolis
Ownership of this famous deli may have changed hands from the family that ran it for five decades, but it remains a local legend. You'll find a huge variety of sandwiches on house-baked bread (vegetables such as onions and tomatoes are free on request), many named for local politicians, but the truly hungry can opt for the "Man vs. Food" challenge, featuring a 1.5-pound "Colossal" Reuben paired with a 6-pound milkshake. Make history, deli-style. 

Kelly's Roast Beef
Revere
Roast beef sandwiches are a way of life in the Boston area, and Kelly's Roast Beef is one of the original purveyors. It opened in 1951 and operates the same walk-up-window location on the beach in Revere, along with a few others in the area. Order a Surf and Turf and get the two things Kelly's is known for: a lobster roll and a roast beef sandwich. The seeded roll the thinly sliced beef is piled on is grilled and crusty, making it perfect to sop up any condiments you like.

Related: Mouthwatering Roast Beef Sandwiches Across America

Zingerman's
Ann Arbor
This Ann Arbor favorite has been a destination for foodies from all over since it opened in 1982. You'll find delicacies from around the globe, as well as Jewish deli classics and sublime sandwiches. The biggest seller is easily the hot Reuben, which features Zingerman's legendary corned beef, Emmental Swiss cheese, locally made Brinery brand sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on grilled rye bread from Zingerman's Bakehouse. The place makes its own pickles, has homemade soups, and offers catering — plus you can add vegetables or sauce to any sandwich for less than a dollar. Still, brace yourself for the price: The sandwiches are high quality and can top out at nearly $20. 

Related: Amazing Sandwiches From Around the World

Bump's Family Restaurant 
Glencoe
If you've never heard of a beef commercial sandwich, don't worry; it's called that only in parts of Minnesota and the Dakotas. It's made up of roasted beef sandwiched between two slices of bread, served with mashed potatoes, and topped with gravy. You can find a great version at Bump's, where the beef is pot-roast-style and the mashed potatoes and gravy are homemade. Each plate gets 12 ounces of that gravy, so you'll never have to complain about a dry sandwich. This is the ultimate comfort food, but it's a sandwich you must eat with a fork.

United Deli and Grocery
Columbus
Yes, this deli is tucked inside of a gas station. And yes, it's going to forever change your perception of what a gas station deli can make. While you'll find solid Southern specialties such as a muffuletta, po'boys, and even a gyro, the big winner is Mike's Deluxe, which features ham, turkey, roast beef, avocado, cheese, bacon, and your choice of condiments, piled high on a roll.

Ruma's Deli
St. Louis
Regarded by many as an official state sandwich, The Gerber is a hot, open-faced sandwich on an Italian or French loaf that's coated in garlic butter, and packed with lots of ham and melted provelone cheese — a local specialty that's a blend of Swiss, provolone, and cheddar. Ruma's Deli is considered the birthplace of this beauty, where you can also find the notable Prosperity sandwich that swaps the ham for roast beef and gravy. Ruma's boasts an array of club sandwiches, salads, soup, and pasta, plus lunch specials.

Staggering Ox
Helena
As if the colorful local art wasn't enough to take in at this Montana favorite, the restaurant's famous Clubfoot sandwiches are sure to catch your eye. Towering above your standard club sandwich, the signature sandwich is made with a foot-tall loaf of bread that's hollowed out, filled with ingredients and served upright. There are plenty of great variations, but one of the most notable versions is the Isis Crisis that's filled with gyro meat, feta, Monterey jack, vegetables like onions, green bell peppers, black olives, tomatoes, and lettuce, and traditionally served with "Camel Spit" sauce. The eyebrow-raising names on the menu are trademarked, according to the Staggering Ox crew.

The Crescent Moon Ale House
Omaha
While most people associate the Reuben with East Coast delis, the origins of the famous sandwich are largely credited to Bernard Schimmel, who worked at the former Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. The Crescent Moon Ale House is regarded as the honorary heir to the tradition, where you'll find the tender corned beef cut into chunks rather than thin slices and served on dark rye bread slathered with Thousand Island dressing, covered in sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, and run through a conveyor-belt pizza oven. Add soup, salad, or another side to make a main meal.

Full Belly Deli
Reno
This irreverently creative deli offers up plenty of delicious variations on classic sandwiches served on a variety of freshly baked breads. But it's the Dirka Dirka that stands out from the pack: corned beef, pastrami, and Swiss cheese with pickles, yellow mustard, and jalapeño coleslaw. You can choose your bread, but the famous jalapeño cheddar is a solid choice. There's also a breakfast sando packed with your choice of favorite pork products (bacon, ham, chorizo, and sausage).

Moe's Italian Sandwiches
Portsmouth
What started as a small shop in Portsmouth specializing in just one sandwich in 1959 has grown to multiple locations throughout New England with a slightly expanded menu, including an all-vegetable sub. But Moe's original sandwich is still a must-order: mild-cooked salami, creamy provolone, thinly sliced onions and bell peppers, dill pickles, tomatoes, olives, and a splash of olive oil. Add crushed red pepper for some heat.

Town Hall Deli
South Orange
Quite different than the Sloppy Joe that comes to mind for most people, New Jersey's famous Sloppy Joe consists of a layered sandwich with two types of meat, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing, all layered between three long pieces of super-thin rye bread that's sliced into squares. Town Hall Deli lays claim to the original from 1935, which featured ham and beef tongue, though these days, the one with roast beef and turkey is the most popular. Soups of the day and sides offer plenty of choices.

Relish
Albuquerque
This beloved gourmet sandwich shop beats the New Mexico heat by offering a mouthwatering array of deli classics made with high-quality ingredients. For a bit of delicious local flavor, go for the Albuquerque Turkey, which features honey roast turkey, Havarti, tomatoes, chipotle mayo, and the iconic New Mexico green chile, all on toasted sourdough. Side choices include soup, pasta salad, and slaw.

Katz's Deli
New York
When it comes to deli sandwiches, it doesn't get much more iconic than pastrami on rye. And when it comes to delis, it doesn't get much more iconic than Katz's Deli — a New York institution famous for its packed pastrami and corned beef. The pastrami is made from beef navel — a fattier, more traditional cut — that is coated with a secret spice blend, cured for up to 30 days, smoked for up to three days, sliced to order, and served on rye bread with a swath of deli mustard. Katz’s is also one of Cheapism's must-visit U.S. restaurants. Too much food? Box it up for delicious leftovers and grab some bagels for breakfast, too.  

The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop
Fayetteville
The debate between potato and pasta salad isn't the only one that gets people fired up. It's hungry work waiting for the North Carolina debate over the best barbecue pork sandwich — chopped (Eastern-style) vs. pulled (Western-style) — to end. Best fortify yourself with a non-controversial treat from The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop. The shop offers a huge variety of options that uses its deep-fried turkey recipes, but we recommend The Turkey Day with stuffing on buttered Texas toast and a side of gravy and cranberry sauce.

The Red Pepper
Grand Forks
A late-night favorite — especially among University of North Dakota students — since 1961, this classic eatery serves up a varied mix of tacos, burritos, burgers, and more. But it's the signature grinders that you want to try, specifically the Everything Grinder with ham, salami, turkey, taco meat, and lettuce on a roll. Cheeses on this deli-style beast include Colby and Swiss. Hope you're hungry.

Related: Where to Order Good Cheap Burritos in Every State

Barrister's 
Cleveland
Though Barrister's is well known for its corned beef, don't overlook the roast beef. It's also made in house, so it's always fresh and juicy, and then sliced thinly to ensure its tenderness. The Horsey Roast Beef is a simple deli-style sandwich, with a large mound of roast beef topped with provolone, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy house-made horseradish sauce on rye bread.

Trencher's Deli
Tulsa
At Trencher's Deli — named for the Medieval precursor to a sandwich where stale bread served as an edible plate for whatever ingredients were on hand — nearly everything is made in-house. The hugely popular deli bakes its own bread, smokes and roasts its meats, makes the condiments (including two types of mayonnaise), and offers six different cheeses for its sandwiches. Don't miss the Dutch Crunch, made with turkey, Swiss, bacon, tomato, arugula, and avocado mayo, served on a Dutch Crunch roll — a variation on the baguette.

Laurelhurst Market
Portland
Laurelhurst Market offers an exceptional brasserie-inspired steakhouse and a butcher shop with plenty of deli delights, such as sustainably sourced meats that are cured and smoked in-house. The cold corned beef and hot pastrami are favorites judging by reviews, and there are rotating specials such as the fried chicken — but the ham and salami is the must-try classic, including provolone, red onions, pepperoncini, shredded iceberg, spicy mayo, oil and vinegar, all on a freshly baked ciabatta roll.

Related: Best Hole-in-the-Wall Spots for Fried Chicken in Every State

Philip's Steaks
Philadelphia
To avoid the nonsense and just get a decent steak sandwich on your way home from Shop-Rite, Philip's in South Philly gets it done. Just a little red-and-white stand on Passyunk in South Philly, Phillip's serves perhaps the greatest cheesesteak combination this town has devised: sliced-steak sandwich, provolone, grilled tomatoes, peppers, and just a little oregano. No onions, no Cheez-Whiz ... just a roll filled with joy, served beneath floodlights.

Hudson Street Deli
Providence
Tucked away on a quiet residential street, this humble deli draws fans from all over for its extensive lineup of excellent sandwiches. But it's one of the best choices, the Italian Grinder — a Rhode Island classic — that's a party on bread. The sandwich is loaded with ham, Genoa salami, pepperoni, provolone, onions, banana peppers, tomato, and romaine lettuce, and topped with homemade Italian salsa in an Italian loaf from the famous Crugnale Bakery.

Related: Best Old-School Italian Restaurants in America

Brown Dog Deli
Charleston
This friendly deli with two locations puts a strong emphasis on high-quality, local ingredients for its sandwiches. While you'll find several excellent classic deli options, many served fresh off the grill (and several with sautéed peppers), it also offers lots of vegan and vegetarian choices, and an extensive list of specialty sandwiches. The top dog among them is the Apple "Butter" Jeans, with melted brie, sliced Granny Smith apples, local apple butter, fresh arugula, honey ham, mesquite-smoked turkey, and applewood-smoked bacon on a panini-pressed local French baguette.

The Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge
Brookings
While a pheasant salad sandwich may sound like an oddity to outsiders, locals know that the state's most famous game bird has a history of making an excellent sandwich. Prepared similarly to a chicken salad sandwich, the traditional rendition features ring-necked pheasant with apple, dried cranberries, and roasted pecans, and is served with melted Swiss on grilled marbled rye bread. Just want to try it? Order the half-sandwich, half-soup combo. 

Mitchell Delicatessen
Nashville
This Nashville favorite has been drawing crowds since opening in 2008 and offers a tasty range of deli sandwiches, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options that get good reviews. One of its first big hits has gone on to become an essential menu item, featuring grilled flank steak that's been marinated in a blend of Asian-style spices, then served with giardiniera, provolone, and mayo on a hoagie roll from the legendary Silke's Old World Breads Bakery.

The Station Cafe
San Antonio
The Station Cafe is for beef and spicy food lovers. It specializes in making homemade sauces with all kinds of fresh Texas peppers. On Pele's Fire, hot roast beef on a homemade roll comes with super-spicy ghost-pepper sauce. If that's a little too much heat for you, try the version with a garlic habanero aioli instead. Or get the unique Thai Fighter with roast beef and a Thai-style curry sauce. No matter how spicy you want your sandwich, you'll be satisfied here.

Caputo's Market & Deli
Salt Lake City
A legend of Salt Lake City, Caputo's is a foodie's dream complete with cheese cave stacked with aging wheels, shelves of gourmet chocolates and countless imported and domestic artisanal treats. The deli's sandwich offerings are equally impressive, including the hugely popular Meatball with housemade meatballs, marinara sauce, parmesan, and provolone on a fresh loaf of Italian bread. Get a box to take half home. 

Jericho Center Country Store
Jericho
You'd be hard-pressed to find a deli or sandwich shop in Vermont that didn't serve some variation on the state's namesake sandwich. And while there are plenty of excellent options to choose from, many Vermonters themselves favor this historic country store's version, which features sweet ham, apple slices, honey mustard, Vermont cheddar, tomato, and onion, served on locally baked bread that's grilled in a panini press. 

Union Market
Richmond
This take on a deli classic will ring a bell with anyone craving Korean food flavors. This neighborhood sandwich shop is known for using exceptional ingredients and putting creative twists on deli classics such as the French Dip with a fresh horseradish-sriracha dipping sauce. The same goes for the pastrami, which comes grilled and topped with a housemade kimchi slaw, smoked gouda, Russian dressing, and locally renowned Billy Bread. The sandwich can also be made vegetarian by swapping in tempeh and skipping the kimchi, which contains fish.

Tub's Gourmet Subs
Seattle
Tub's menu spans nearly two pages, but it has a local favorite and a great regional stamp on the sub sandwich genre in this combination of mayo, ham, turkey, roast beef, bacon, and cheddar cheese that's toasted on a baguette, topped with lettuce and tomato, and served with hot barbecue sauce for dipping.

Cam's Ham
Huntington
Since the early 1950s, travelers have been stopping by Cam's Ham for the legendary sugar-flaked ham sandwich and top-notch onion rings. The unique West Virginia favorite features thin flakes of sweet, lean ham, piled on a toasted Grecian bun, along with lettuce and a sweet and tangy secret sauce. Better yet, the regular-size sandwich will set you back only $3.39, while the large is just $4.09. Add a slice of Swiss for 50 cents more.

Benji's Deli and Restaurant
Milwaukee
Since 1963, this no-frills deli has been a favorite destination for sandwich lovers far and wide. While you'll find plenty of great deli classics — and a great breakfast — consider the Hear-O Israel that was featured on "Man vs. Food." The famous half-pound sandwich is stacked with hand-carved corn beef, pastrami, salami, and pepper beef that have been steamed on the griddle, topped with Swiss, coleslaw, and 1000 Island dressing, all on rye bread.

The Bread Basket
Cheyenne
While just about anything is elevated when served on freshly baked bread from this famous bakery, the delicate nuance of the oft-neglected egg salad is a perfect fit. It's a deli classic that's not to be missed. Also, be sure to take home a pie and some Danish.