While you can't beat a classic homemade PB&J, sandwich shops up and down the country still more than deliver the goods when it comes to crafting meat, cheese and veggie–packed sammies worth sinking your teeth into. From old-school delis to modern joints putting innovative ingredients to work, we've rounded up the best sandwich shops across America, state by state. 

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover America's greatest sandwich shops – did your local haunt make the cut?

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards, and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated. 

This modern joint, home to two Alabama locations, focuses on transforming fresh, carefully sourced ingredients into tasty dishes. Aside from salads, there's an excellent selection of panini, with a choice of soup, salad, or mac ’n’ cheese on the side. A favorite is the brisket panino (pictured), stuffed with meltingly soft meat, caramelized onions and white barbecue sauce.

Straightforward deli sandwiches are this homey shop's specialty. You'll find all the classics at Sara's, from a French dip to a meatball sub. If those don't take your fancy, you can opt to make your own, with ingredients from Genoa salami and roast beef to sauerkraut and avocado. There are plenty of other carb-loaded options too; go for The Keefer and you'll get Cajun turkey breast, Buffalo chicken, and bacon layered with Pepper Jack cheese, honey mustard, and Cajun remoulade on a flaky croissant.

Hip and colorful, Zookz serves toasted sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and even dessert. Egyptian-born Carole Meyer's sandwiches are inspired by her grandmother's recipe, with a rounded shape and crispy edges – and they're a huge hit with customers. The sandwiches are numbered, and No. 33 (pictured), a breakfast sammie with poached eggs, feta, and spinach, is a menu highlight. No. 55, with peanut butter, Nutella, roasted almonds, and banana, is well worth a try, too.

Owner and chef Todd (TJ) has three decades of experience under his belt, and it's put to good use whipping up creative sandwiches in relaxed surrounds at TJ's Sandwich Shop. The Vie de France hoagies – soft rolls doused in Parmesan-garlic butter and laden with fresh ingredients – steal the show. Get your taste buds around the Italian Stallion (pictured) with grilled prosciutto ham, Genoa salami, Asiago cheese, mozzarella, and fig jelly. Or, for something lighter but equally tasty, try the Maui Waui: grilled pineapple and chicken on sourdough.

This LA favorite oozes cool, with one location in a shipping container in the city's Frogtown neighborhood, and another in Chinatown. The shop has won fans with its quirky specials and signature menu, on which the sandwiches are named after radio hosts. Sink your teeth into delights such as the Ira Glass – veggies, garlic aioli, and sharp Cheddar on rye – or the Kya Ryssdal, featuring tuna, marinated celery, shredded lettuce, black olive aioli, and green onion vinaigrette on French sesame roll.

A Denver hotspot, Gates Deli & Grog serves up a wide and creative array of sandwiches and hot dogs, and there's a huge selection of salads, tacos, wings, and nacho trays on the menu too. You can't go wrong with the Italian Job, a tasty ciabatta stuffed with pepperoni, Genoa salami, ham, prosciutto, lettuce, vine tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella, and Italian vinaigrette. The shop operates from inside Platt Park Brewing Company, and reviews say the sandwiches make the perfect Colorado meal when paired with one of the brewery's IPAs.

Meat & Co. is not your average sandwich shop. Now located inside East Rock Market, the ever-changing menu is sensationally good – and that's evident from the joint's imaginative takes on old-school staples. Proper Villain, a crispy chicken cutlet with mayo, bitter broccoli, mozzarella, and blistered peppers (pictured), is a crowd-pleaser, as is the Haute Tuna Melt, which is made with Sicilian tuna and fine American cheese.

Michael Ioannoni's Italian roots inspired him to easy-going sandwich shop Ioannoni's Specialty Sandwiches – and it gets plenty of acclaim from customers. The Italian-inspired submarine sandwiches will please carnivores, with options of roast beef, tender pork, and meatballs. The chicken Parmesan, a golden chicken cutlet paired with provolone cheese and red sauces, is always a winner, too.

This spot in DC’s Dupont Circle area may be small, but it turns out some of the most belly-busting sandwiches around. The family-run joint, spearheaded by chef Jonathan Taub, is well-loved for its monstrous hoagies, which range from beef brisket soaked in veal jus to eggplant Parmesan. A perennial favorite is the Italian hoagie with cured meats, including Genoa salami and pepperoni, plus aged provolone, veggies, and a punchy relish. 

Founded in 1988, Enriqueta's is the ultimate purveyor of Florida's famed Cuban sandwich. This veteran Miami shop offers a classic take on the sammie with perfect proportions of thinly sliced ham, roast pork, cheese, pickles, mustard, and mayo between panini-style bread. The beloved shop is famous for its hearty steak sandwich, too

Cosa Nostra Italian Deli is a family-run spot that sources the freshest ingredients possible to construct its tasty, toasted ciabattas. There are plenty of mouthwatering options to choose from, including the Italian Mortadella, stuffed to bursting with pistachio, burrata, pesto, arugula, and truffle balsamic glaze, and the Roast Beef Del Boss: roast beef, jalapeños, demi-glace sauce, tomato, lettuce, onion, provolone, and aioli. No order is complete without a cannolo for dessert.

This Atlanta venue screams industrial chic, with its hanging lights, wooden booths, and metal signs lining the walls. But it's not a case of style over substance at Victory Sandwich Bar, whose menu is full of imaginative combos. Innovative options include the spicy Tea Bird – which sees chicken paired with ghost Pepper Jack cheese and sweet tea mayo – and Hambo: prosciutto, mozzarella, and apple. You can pair your sandwiches with a side of potato or pasta salad, a bag of chips, a cup of soup, or a mini portion of cold ramen. 

Regional produce and wholesome ingredients are the USP of this healthy Honolulu joint. Sprout's sandwiches are piled high with leafy greens and Hawaiian vegetables, such as Waialua sprouts and juicy local tomatoes. Top choices include the Fonz, a pastrami, prosciutto, and salami offering with olive tapenade and Maui butter, and the Keiki, a banana creation with almond or peanut butter and Hawaiian honey.

With a giant selection of totally bonkers creations, Meltz takes grilled cheese sandwiches to the next level (and then some). The menu has some pretty mouthwatering choices, from a tasty take on a Cubano to a pepperoni pizza–style option with roasted garlic, spicy tomato, and basil sauce. You can create your own masterpiece, too, packed with proteins like bacon and pulled pork, and extras such as buttermilk fried onions, Kalamata olive, and garlicky spinach. The team also has a joint in Bend, Oregon.

If you want to sample the finest Italian beef sandwich – a Chicago staple – head straight for Publican Quality Meats. The small but perfectly formed menu draws in customers with a brilliant line-up of sandwiches. Equally, you can't go wrong with the chicken Parm: juicy fried chicken piled high with tomato sauce, pesto, and mozzarella on a ciabatta roll.

Bringing a taste of Pennsylvania to the Midwest, Hoagies and Hops is the vision of a husband-and-wife duo who moved from the Keystone State in 2007. Meat-packed hoagies keep the crowds flowing in, with traditional or chicken cheesesteaks, and inventions such as the Always Sunny (pictured), with bacon bits, turkey, Muenster cheese, horseradish mayo, and peppers. 

Maid-Rite's is credited with the invention of the Tavern sandwich – ground beef topped with onions and pickles in a steamed white bun. The joint has now burgeoned into an established Midwestern chain, but you can still sample it in its original location. On top of the traditional option, you can try a pork tenderloin, Iowa's staple sandwich, or pair your original Maid-Rite with blue cheese, jalapeños, or melted Cheddar cheese sauce.

This old-school shop has been open since 1932, and it's become something of a local institution. Full of comforting classics, Old Mill Tasty Shop's menu has changed little over the years. Tuck into the seafood crab salad sandwich, served open-faced on egg bread, or try the hot turkey pastrami with Monterey Jack cheese and tangy Dijon mustard on rye. On top of its long list of sandwiches, the shop boasts an original soda fountain, which draws in the crowds, too.

This much-loved sandwich shop in Lexington boasts impressive reviews – and rightly so. Not only does the bakery and café offer an incredible selection of all-day breakfast and lunch sandwiches (as well as tacos, salads, and baked goods), DV8 Kitchen also operates as a second-chance employment opportunity for people in the early stages of substance abuse recovery. If you're having trouble picking just one sandwich, go for the fan-favorite orange marmalade chicken. You won't be disappointed.

NOLA has plenty of spots to get a great po' boy, but Domilise’s Po-Boy and Bar's informal shop stands out from the rest. Soft white bread is crammed with mouthwatering fillings such as shrimp, catfish, oysters, and roast beef. Hot smoked sausage, turkey, and ham make an appearance on the menu, too. Founded as a bar in 1918, the po' boy house has had plenty of time to perfect its recipes.

Now part of a quartet of New England venues, Bennett's Sandwich Shop was born in the pretty seaside town of Kennebunk. Open during the summer season, the Kennebunk shop makes the most of Maine's seafood, with the star of the show being the fresh lobster rolls (pictured). The Lobby Sub sees tender lobster meat (knuckle and claw) plucked straight from Maine's waters, dressed with light mayo, and piled into a toasted white sub with shredded lettuce.

A pit beef sandwich is a Baltimore must-eat, and this is the best place to gorge on one. Gloriously messy, the offering at Chaps Pit Beef (now with several locations in the state) is a round roll crammed with tender beef and doused in horseradish mayo. If you fancy something else, the pork BBQ rivals the pit beef for flavor, while the fish option is lighter and fresher, seeing a generous hunk of fried cod slipped between white bread

After bursting onto the scene in 2010, Cutty's hasn't had any problems grabbing local attention, especially since hosting foodie TV personality Guy Fieri. The teeny-tiny shop's flavor-packed menu features creations like the Beef 1000 (pictured): brioche packed with slow-roasted beef, crispy shallots, sharp Cheddar, and Thousand Island dressing. The grilled cheese with havarti is equally delicious. 

The reputation of this Ann Arbor deli precedes it, and it lays on an impressive number of sandwiches without compromising on quality. There are seven corned beef options alone, from Sherman's Sure Choice (pictured), with Emmental cheese, crunchy coleslaw, and Russian dressing, to Oswald's Mile High, with corned beef and yellow mustard on double-baked Jewish rye bread. Veggies aren't forgotten, either: opt for Leo's Friendly Lion, with avocado, green chilies, and Muenster cheese.

Fans constantly rave about this Vietnamese sandwich shop, whose bánh mì packs a true flavor punch. Bringing traditional Vietnamese baguettes to Minneapolis, the folks at Lu's Sandwiches use an exciting array of ingredients, including pork pâté, daikon, and cilantro. Sample the shredded chicken option cooked in Vietnamese five spice, or the tofu in kicking curry sauce.

The sandwiches at Monster Subs and Sandwiches are, by the owners' own admission, overstuffed. Fillings are practically bursting from your choice of sub, marble rye, or kaiser roll. Try Monster's gargantuan New Yorker, complete with roast beef, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and a coating of Dijon mustard, or opt for the Rachel, piled up with pastrami and topped with slaw and Swiss.

This casual spot fancies itself as having 'St. Louis’ finest po' boys and muffulettas' and, given its popularity, this may well be true. The original roast beef po' boy is the jewel in Blues City Deli's crown, with hot roast beef, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and mayo. The 7th Street Sicilian – Genoa salami, capicola, pepperoni, and provolone with vegetables and Italian vinegar oil – is another tasty pick.

Meeting Missoula's sandwich needs since 2009, Tagliare Delicatessen keeps things simple with a relatively small menu packed full of carefully selected ingredients. The bread, sourced from a local bakery, is fired daily, and filled with such delights as prosciutto, provolone, and fig and walnut chutney (making up menu favorite, Kiss). 

Star Deli serves a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods. With its very own gallery space showcasing local artists, the deli is heavily involved with the Omaha community, popping up and selling sandwiches at festivals, fundraisers, and other events in the area. On the menu, you’ll find classics like the BLT alongside more creative combinations such as the Peach N’Pork, which features pork loin, peach and bacon jam, Caribe peppers, and slices of fresh peach.

Bringing the café culture of France to Nevada, Baguette Cafe is one of the state’s best sandwich shops. The joint, home to a location in Henderson and another in Las Vegas, has become renowned for its French classics and specialty coffee. There are a host of tasty delights to choose from, including The Eggplant: a chunky sammie filled with roasted eggplant, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, and tomato pesto. Customers can add on a side of chips, roasted potatoes, or soup at a small extra cost, too.

Chunky sandwiches stacked with fillings are the order of the day at Biederman’s Deli, a popular spot located in Plymouth. Established in 1973, this low-key joint has won over customers thanks to its bountiful offerings, with the meatball sub a firm favorite. A sub roll is stuffed with house-made meatballs and topped with melty provolone, then heated in the oven until toasty and delicious. Look out for the regularly changing specials, too.

This sandwich shop has been running since 1946, and Atlantic City locals are extremely fond of it. Founded by an Atlantic City tailor in the wake of World War II, the White House Sub Shop has welcomed a string of showbiz heavyweights in its time; Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra, and The Beatles have all stopped here for their hoagie fix. Order the White House Special (pictured): a two-foot-long white sub stuffed with deli meats such as salami and capocollo, and finished with provolone cheese.

It's not unusual to see a line at this Uptown joint, which serves incredible sandwiches made fresh with organic produce. Relish's menu makes good use of hatch chiles (that New Mexico is famed for), with crowds snapping up the Albuquerque Turkey: toasted sourdough heavy with roasted turkey, havarti cheese, chipotle mayo, and the green chile. The double-decker Reuben (pictured), which has an extra wedge of marbled rye stuffed in, is another top choice.

Renowned worldwide for its giant beef-filled sandwiches, Katz’s Delicatessen is a New York institution. Founded in 1888, the joint is perhaps best known for its pastrami sandwich: juicy slices of the cured meat are slotted between thick, seedless rye. It can be enjoyed as is, or taken up a notch with condiments and toppings, such as sauerkraut, Reuben dressing, and Swiss cheese. The corned beef option is almost as popular (and just as delicious).

Amherst locals say you can’t go wrong with a sub from laid-back spot Jonny C’s. The team has become renowned for its huge menu offering, with highlights including the Ultimate Rooster (grilled chicken, mushroom, onion, peppers, French fries, hot sauce, blue cheese, and provolone), the Philly Chaser (roast beef, melty provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing), and the Manhattan Chicken Salad (chicken salad, grapes, toasted almonds, lettuce, and tomato).

A favorite among students at the nearby University of North Carolina, Merritt's Store & Grill specializes in classic sandwiches. A stand-out that gets the most praise is the single BLT. With quality ingredients and perfectly balanced flavors, customers praise Merritt's Grill's perfect ratio of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, all hugged by toasted white bread. Those feeling really hungry should opt for either the double or triple (pictured) option.

Customers keep coming back for the imaginative specials at this Minot spot. The lengthy menu at Magic City Hoagies features hot, cold, or pressed hoagies up to 12 inches long. The Tangy Porky combines roasted pork and salty bacon, lifted with honey mustard, horseradish, and crispy jalapeños, and the TKO Knockout is a popular choice, too. Mouthwateringly indulgent, this winning sammie consists of corned beef, roast beef, pastrami, cheese, crispy onions, horseradish mayo, and honey mustard. 

This established spot in Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati, whips up all the classics in its pocket-sized shop. You can't go wrong with J & W Sandwich Shoppe's Little Italy: a 16-inch sub roll lined with salami, ham, capicola, oozing provolone, and softened vegetables. For a warming treat, go for the steak hoagie hot sandwich, with Swiss, American, or provolone cheese.

This cool sandwich bar focuses on two things: hot melts and cold beer. It does both very well indeed, with fans of the relaxed joint come back time after time for its grilled cheese sandwiches. The menu standout is the Macaroni Pony (pictured), which sees the Mule's signature jalapeño cornbread stuffed full of chipotle barbecue pulled pork, three-cheese mac ’n’ cheese, and pickles, then toasted to perfection.

This effortlessly cool Portland joint began as a food truck, but the great reception convinced chef and owner Rick Gencarelli that it was time to set up shop. Lardo celebrates its self-described 'gonzo approach' with an eclectic menu that includes a pork meatball banh mi with sriracha mayo and plenty of cilantro, and the Pho’rench Dip, which comes with shaved steak, hoisin sauce, Thai basil, and pho broth. There's also a location in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Cheesesteaks are an essential menu item at all Philly sandwich shops, but this venue takes the humble classic to new heights. 'Farm to takeout' is Stockyard Sandwich Co.'s mantra, and its reimagined cheesesteak features braised beef, homemade 'whiz' cheese, onions, and mushrooms in a pillowy baguette. Other delicious bites on offer include a falafel hoagie with tahini tzatziki, tabbouleh, tomato, cucumber, and lettuce, and a mouthwatering banh mi.

This venue has been going strong since 1963, so you know you're sure to get a mean sandwich here. The Sandwich Hut is best known for its 'hut-made' meatballs, which you can order served with red sauce and gooey provolone cheese on an oven-toasted roll (add grilled peppers and onions for extra deliciousness). If you fancy a deli-style option, you have the choice of cured meats, plus smoked mozzarella, house-made sweet pickles, and more.

A stylish spot in dreamy Charleston, Circe's Grotto prides itself on fresh produce and a great relationship with the local community. The venue is family-owned and run, and the menu is filled with nourishing ingredients. Turkey pops up in many of the sandwiches, coupled with avocado and honey mustard, or topped with stuffing, cranberry, and mayo for a year-round Thanksgiving treat. 

For creative sandwich choices in Sioux Falls, head straight for Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen. Open since 2017, this trendy spot quickly made a name for itself thanks to amazing meaty, veggie, and vegan options, an atmospheric outdoor seating area, and its fantastic drinks selection. The menu includes delights like the Vietnamese Fried Chicken (crispy chicken thigh, pickles, cilantro aioli, and spicy fish sauce) and the Curried Cauliflower: pitta bread piled high with curry-tossed cauli, red lentil hummus, arugula, radish, and cilantro.

Famous in Nashville for running out of food on its opening day back in 2008, chef David Mitchell's Mitchell Delicatessen has enjoyed continued success ever since. Much of this is due to the deli's popular sandwiches, especially the Smoked BBQ Beef Brisket – a golden hoagie stuffed with house-smoked brisket, house-made barbecue sauce, smoked onion jam, pickles, and tangy yet creamy lime mayo.

This Dallas hotspot may be better known for its pizza, but locals will tell you just how great the selection of hot and cold sandwiches is. Opt for a classic Italian Deli (deli meats, provolone, salad, and peppers), or mix things up with the Fancy Fried Bologna: mortadella, pistachio butter, and arugula. Head here on a Thursday and you’ll have the chance to sample the delight that is the chicken parm sandwich (pictured). Cenzo’s Pizza & Deli is a cool location, too, set inside a former gas station and home to a kids’ outdoor play area.

Austin has no shortage of cool lunch spots, and Otherside Deli is no exception. Known for its meaty creations, this hip sandwich joint has a menu filled with favorites, from its Reuben to its turkey club. Don't miss the creative specials; past offerings have included braised brisket on sourdough with Cheddar and horseradish sauce, and a banh mi with pastrami and chicken liver.

A cozy counter-service shop, The Robin's Nest has become a Salt Lake City staple. Touted as a 'year-round reason to be thankful,' The Gobbler will not disappoint. A Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich, it sees succulent roast turkey breast, melting cheese, avocado, and house-made cranberry jelly tucked into a light ciabatta. The regular specials continue the creativity, with new options every week.

Union Jacks may be better known for its British classics (the fish and chips come highly recommended), but order one of the hearty sandwiches or subs and you won’t be disappointed. Opt for something simple like a tuna melt or turkey and cranberry – or, go all out with the Ultimate Club: turkey, ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, tomato, onion, and Parmesan and peppercorn dressing.

Earl's prides itself on its house-made offerings, and customers love them too. This spot has been serving mouthwatering sandwiches in generous portions since 2005, delighting punters with simple yet delicious creations. Plump for turkey breast with cranberry relish on grilled multigrain bread, or try the pork loin, chipotle mayo, and French fries in ciabatta. Vegetarians will love the breaded eggplant concoction, too. 

This Capitol Hill spot has been serving sandwiches from lunch through to dinner since 1999. The joint was recently relaunched under new ownership, and fans are loving the tasty, toasted sandwiches. Customer favorites include The Bandit (smoked beef brisket, barbecue sauce, coleslaw, and melted Cheddar), and the Va Va Shroom: a veggie option packed with roasted mushrooms and peppers, bruschetta mix, and melted vegan mozzarella.

This low-key spot in South Charleston brings a taste of Vietnam to West Virginia with its superb bánh mì. Its baguettes, baked in-house, are packed with a choice of fillings (from Vietnamese ham and lemongrass beef to shredded pork and chicken), then topped with fresh vegetables and finished with a tangy garlic-chili sauce. Customers praise the pork meatball bánh mì in particular.

Local favorite Stalzy's Deli is the place to go for some home comforts, with an emphasis on Wisconsin produce in generous proportions. The sandwiches are packed full of everything from roast beef to pork schnitzel and even meatloaf, but top choices include the Reuben, the Rachel (pictured), and the Brooklyn Breakfast with pastrami.

Wyoming’s Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse is exactly as its name implies: a bookshop with a great food and coffee offering. Reviews state that the shop serves the best coffee in town and claim its atmosphere to be ‘second to none.’ Its bakery and sandwich offerings get switched up regularly, but particularly famed is the Bison Reuben sandwich. This is the perfect cozy spot to make yourself at home with coffee, a great sandwich, and your next favorite book.

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Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.