The most wonderful sandwiches in every US state, ranked

Bucket-list sammies

The humble sandwich may have originated in 18th-century England, but Americans have truly made the dish their own, with diners, restaurants, and old-school sandwich shops all offering unique and delicious creations. From perfectly made subs and pastrami sandwiches on rye to OTT takes on grilled cheese and lobster rolls, there’s so much to taste and explore in every state. Here, we’ve ranked the most incredible sandwiches across the USA, counting down to the one everyone needs to try at least once.

Click or scroll through our gallery as we count down to reveal the most delicious sandwich in the USA.

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

62. Missouri: Gerber Special, Ruma's Deli, St. Louis

A St. Louis specialty, the Gerber is an open-faced sandwich made by topping Italian or French bread with garlic butter, ham, and cheese, then grilling until the cheese is molten. A special braising technique is used to make the ham extra succulent, and the juices drip into the bread as the sandwich is toasted. 

61. Pennsylvania: cheesesteak, Pat's King of Steaks, Philadelphia

Philadelphia's signature crusty roll, filled with juicy beef steak slices, fried onions, green peppers, and provolone or Cheez Whiz, is one of the most famous sandwiches in the whole country. It's said to have originated at Pat's King of Steaks in the 1930s – and the cheesesteaks at Pat's remain unbeatable, making it the perfect spot to sample this legendary sandwich.

60. Delaware: The Bobbie, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, Wilmington

Founded in Wilmington's Little Italy back in 1976, Capriotti's has been the go-to place for superb sandwiches for decades. Its signature, The Bobbie, is not only the best, but also the most famous sandwich in the state. Named after the founder's aunt, it's essentially Thanksgiving in a sandwich: pulled turkey, cranberry sauce, house-made stuffing, and a smear of mayo on a freshly baked roll. The best thing? It's available year-round.

59. Michigan: BLT, Tony’s I-75, Birch Run

If you love bacon, you’ll want to stop off at Tony’s I-75. This famous joint draws in crowds with its bacon-fueled menu, but it’s the BLT – complete with a whole pound of bacon per order – that diners return for, time and time again. The sammie is finished with crisp lettuce, tomato slices, and mayonnaise, and it's served on your choice of Italian, American, whole wheat, or rye bread.

58. Nebraska: original runza, Runza Restaurants, various locations

Meat-filled bread pockets known as runzas are beloved in Nebraska. They were brought to the region in the 1800s by Volga German immigrants, and the most common filling is ground beef, onions and cabbage; however, you might also find versions with sauerkraut and shredded cheese. You'll discover the best runzas at Runza Restaurants, a fast food chain named after the dish.

57. Wisconsin: Reuben, Stalzy's Deli, Madison

Madison favorite Stalzy's Deli is one for home comforts, with an emphasis on Wisconsin produce in generous serving sizes. Although Stalzy's roast beef sandwich, served in a salty pretzel bun, deserves an honorable mention, it's the Reuben that consistently wins hearts. It's a simple yet oh-so effective combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, house-made sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, served on freshly baked rye.

56. Georgia: Hambo, Victory Sandwich Bar, Atlanta

Hip Atlanta joint Victory Sandwich screams industrial chic, with its hanging lights, wooden booths, and leather stool–lined bar. But it's not a case of style over substance; customers love its innovative sandwiches. A particular favorite is the Hambo – a delicious combination of prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, apple, and reduced balsamic, all squished between two slices of toasted ciabatta bread. 

55. Alabama: hickory-smoked turkey, Bates House of Turkey, Greenville

For decades, hungry travelers have made a detour off the highway to eat at this family-run restaurant. It serves up turkey any which way, but its sandwiches are legendary. The open-faced turkey sandwich and the turkey club are both exceptional, but the customer favorite is the hickory-smoked turkey offering. Delicious, wafer-thin smoked turkey is piled high on a sesame seed bun, then topped with mayo and shredded lettuce. 

54. Virginia: sailor, Chiocca’s, Richmond

Famous in the state of Virginia, the sailor sandwich is a meat lover’s dream. Hot pastrami, melty Swiss cheese, grilled knockwurst sausage, and mustard are slotted inside toasted rye bread, creating a taste sensation. Chiocca’s in Richmond is popular for its take on the classic, which comes served with a side of sliced pickles. Other highlights here include the Reuben sandwich and the salami and ham sub.

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53. West Virginia: fish sandwich, Coleman's Fish Market, Wheeling

Opened in 1914 and still operated by the same family today, Wheeling institution Coleman's Fish Market has been dishing out fish sandwiches for over a century. You won't get any fancy creations here – just two freshly fried filets of fish served between sliced white bread (upgrade to a wheat bun if you prefer), with or without tartar sauce. There's a reason why hundreds of these beauties are sold every day. 

52. New Mexico: Albuquerque Turkey, Relish, Albuquerque

It's not unusual to see a long line at this Albuquerque joint, which focuses on gourmet sandwiches, made fresh with organic produce every day. Relish's menu makes good use of hatch chiles (the green chile that New Mexico is famed for), and crowds snap up the Albuquerque Turkey sandwich. Combining toasted sourdough with roasted turkey, Havarti cheese, chipotle mayo, and the kicking green chile, it's consistently good.

51. Arkansas: French dip, TJ's Sandwich Shop, Fayetteville

Todd, the chef-owner of TJ's Sandwich Shop, has over 30 years of cooking experience under his belt, and he's put it to good use by dreaming up a whole host of incredible bites. Customers love creations such as the Caveman Club, stuffed with ham, turkey, cheese, bacon, and honey mustard, but the favorite has to be the French dip, available exclusively on Fridays. 

50. Connecticut: D. Wayne Johnson, Meat & Co, New Haven

Meat & Co. isn't your average sandwich shop. The ever-changing menu is, according to the pair of local restaurateurs who dreamed it up, 'motivated by innovation and whimsy,' and that's evident from their imaginative takes on old-timey staples. The D. Wayne Johnson, a favorite among customers, sees house-smoked turkey paired with bacon, tomato, lettuce, and salad cream.

49. Florida: Cubano, Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop, Miami

Famous in Miami, across the state, and even throughout the country, Enriqueta's Cubanos are the best in Florida. This veteran Miami shop offers the classic Cubano – and then some. Perfect proportions of thinly sliced ham, roast pork, cheese, pickles, mustard, and mayo are toasted between two slices of panini-style bread. It's an unbeatable sandwich that both visitors and locals love.

48. Michigan: #2 Zingerman's Reuben, Zingerman's Delicatessen, Ann Arbor

The reputation of Ann Arbor deli Zingerman's precedes it, and its extensive sandwich menu features eight corned beef options alone. However, since it opened in 1982, it's been known for its classic Reuben – it's said that Zingerman's dishes out around 50,000 Reubens every year. Made on award-winning Jewish rye with Zingerman's corned beef, Emmental cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, it's been a bestseller for decades.

47. Mississippi: pig ear sandwich, Big Apple Inn, Jackson

This historic Jackson diner has been around since 1939 and has been in its current spot since 1952. It serves up tamales, burgers, and hot dogs – but is best known for its legendary pig ear sandwich. You might need a little courage, but once you've tried the first bite of this exceptional creation, you won't look back. The crispy, bacon-like pig ears are served with mustard, shredded cabbage, and a house-made hot sauce.

46. Massachusetts: Chacarero sandwich, Chacarero, Boston

What started as a humble pushcart owned by Chilean native Juan Hurtado is now one of Boston's busiest sandwich spots. It's especially bustling around lunchtime, when customers line up for just one thing – the Chacarero. A traditional Chilean sandwich, it features tender grilled steak or chicken (or a mix of both) in a soft round bread roll, with tomatoes, steamed green beans, and Muenster cheese added. It's then topped off with mashed avocado and a spicy, peppery secret sauce.

45. Utah: fried chicken sandwich, Pretty Bird Chicken, Salt Lake City

Bringing a taste of Nashville-style hot chicken to Utah, Pretty Bird Chicken and its fried chicken sandwich have legendary status in Salt Lake City. Customers praise the juicy, flavorful fried chicken thighs, which are paired with slaw and pickles and topped with a creamy buttermilk-based sauce in a buttered bun.

44. New York: pastrami sandwich, Katz's Deli, New York City

Quite possibly the most legendary sandwich on this list, Katz's pastrami on rye is an essential New York experience, made famous by the film When Harry Met Sally. Two slices of traditional rye bread hug a mountain of pastrami that's smoked to juicy perfection and carved to your liking. You can top it off with mayo, but nothing beats the rich pastrami flavor on its own. In short, it's worth waiting in line for. 

43. Iowa: Original Maid-Rite, Maid-Rite, Muscatine

When in Iowa, you can't pass up on the opportunity to visit the original Maid-Rite to try the famous sandwich of the same name. Also known as a loose meat sandwich or tavern sandwich, it was invented right here in Muscatine in 1926. Maid-Rite is now, of course, a well-established Midwestern chain, and the simple sandwich of ground beef topped with onions and pickles in a steamed white bun remains the must-order here. 

42. New Hampshire: The Legend of Exit 25, Biederman's, Plymouth

A veteran in downtown Plymouth since 1973, Biederman's is a deli, sandwich shop, and bar rolled into one. With a sprawling menu of appetizing sandwiches, you might struggle to choose, but The Legend of Exit 25 is a long-standing favorite. Combining locally sourced pepper turkey, crispy bacon, pepper Jack cheese, tomato, and chipotle mayo on a toasted croissant, it's as good as a sandwich gets.

41. New Jersey: Taylor ham, egg, and cheese, Pascarella Brothers Delicatessen, Chatham

Whether you call it a Taylor ham sandwich or a pork roll, there's no denying that this hearty breakfast treat is one of the defining foods of New Jersey. Locals will all have their favorite place to grab one, but Chatham institution Pascarella Brothers is frequently named the top spot. Fans praise the enormous size and quality of the sandwich, which features layers of crispy fried Taylor ham, gooey egg, and melty American cheese, all stuffed inside a fresh hard roll.

40. Massachusetts: Beef 1000, Cutty’s, Brookline

Since featuring on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Cutty’s has been catapulted to nationwide stardom – and for good reason, too. There are lots of delicious creations worth trying here, but this sandwich joint is best known for its mighty Beef 1000 offering. It features slow-roasted beef, crispy shallots, sharp Cheddar, and Thousand Island dressing, all slotted inside a warm brioche bun. It's meaty and satisfying, and fans say you really can’t beat it.

39. Minnesota: traditional bánh mì, Lu's Sandwich, Minneapolis

The bánh mì at Vietnamese joint Lu's Sandwiches packs a flavor punch – and it's a firm favorite with customers, who especially love the soft yet crispy bread. The baguette is filled with your choice of meat, then topped with fresh cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, green onions, and a house-made butter and pork pâté. 

38. Nevada: Dirka Dirka, Full Belly Deli, Reno

Las Vegas might be teeming with fancy restaurants, but it's Reno's Full Belly Deli that serves up the best, and possibly the biggest sandwiches in the state. Praised by first-time visitors and regulars alike, its Dirka Dirka sandwich is a favorite. Toasted in Cheddar-jalapeño bread, it's a mix of corned beef, pastrami, pickles, yellow mustard, Swiss cheese, and jalapeño coleslaw. Customers say it always hits the spot.

37. Kentucky: Hot Brown, The Brown Hotel, Louisville

In the 1920s, The Brown Hotel was a top destination for dinner dances, and, as the guests grew increasingly hungry after hours of dancing, the hotel's chef Fred Schmidt came up with a dish to satisfy the carb-craving revelers in the wee hours. He whipped up an open sandwich with turkey and bacon and covered it in mornay sauce – and so, the Hot Brown was born. It's a dish you can't miss out on in Kentucky. 

36. New Jersey: White House Special, White House Sub Shop, Atlantic City

Open since 1946, Atlantic City's White House Sub Shop has seen the likes of Frank Sinatra, Oprah Winfrey, and The Beatles enjoy its sandwiches. It's famous for its signature White House Special: an epic two-foot-long sub stuffed with deli meats such as salami and capocollo, provolone cheese, tomatoes, and onions, and finished with an oil and chopped pepper dressing. If you're daunted by the size, don't worry – it's available in a half portion, too.

35. Louisiana: muffuletta, Central Grocery & Deli, New Orleans

Although po' boys are an unmistakable New Orleans staple, it's the muffuletta that those in the know chow down on. While there's stiff competition for the best in town, Central Grocery's sandwich is the one you'll want to line up for, as it's said to have been invented here. Served warm, the sesame-topped loaf is filled with a gargantuan stack of mortadella, salami, mozzarella, ham, and provolone, plus an olive salad. 

34. Rhode Island: Apple Valley Turkey, Ocean State Sandwich, Providence

At Providence's Ocean State Sandwich, you can go as healthy or as indulgent as you like, choosing from a menu that makes a point of utilizing fresh, local ingredients. Its signature sandwich is the Apple Valley Turkey, featuring house-roasted turkey, bacon, sliced apple, red onion, Cheddar, and sun-dried tomatoes on toasted whole wheat bread. Customers love the generous amount of filling and the perfectly balanced flavors. 

33. Illinois: Italian beef, Al's Italian Beef, Chicago

No trip to the Windy City is complete without a visit to Al's Italian Beef – the 'home of the great Chicago sandwich' since 1938. It's thought that Al Ferrari, his sister and brother-in-law came up with the recipe for the famous Italian beef sandwich during the Great Depression. Fast-forward to now, and there are multiple locations in and around Chicago, though the original spot, on West Taylor Street, is still the best place to try the state's most famous sandwich.

32. Indiana: cheesesteak, Hoagies & Hops, Indianapolis

Bringing a taste of Philly to the Midwest, Hoagies & Hops is run by a husband-and-wife team who moved to Indianapolis from Pennsylvania in 2007 – and they're so dedicated to the authentic taste of the cheesesteak that they ship meat and pickles from Philadelphia. The meat-packed hoagies are all great here, but the cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks are the definite must-haves.

31. New York: chicken spiedie, The Spiedie & Rib Pit, Binghamton

The pride and joy of Binghamton, the spiedie (pronounced 'speedy') is one of America’s lesser-known regional specialties, but it’s a huge part of upstate New York’s culinary heritage. The sandwich consists of skewered cubes of meat, which are marinated in a mix of olive oil, vinegar, Italian herbs, and spices, before being chargrilled and served in a hoagie. It was invented in the 1920s, and the Spiedie & Rib Pit is one of the few remaining restaurants specializing in the dish. Here, the go-to order is the juicy and tender traditional chicken spiedie, though you can choose to mix it up with all kinds of toppings and condiments.

30. Maryland: pit beef sandwich, Chaps Pit Beef, various locations

A pit beef sandwich is a Baltimore must-eat, and Chaps is the best place to feast on one. Gloriously messy, this round roll is crammed with tender beef slices that are cooked to order. You can then finish your beef sandwich with a selection of toppings, like lettuce and tomato or sauerkraut, and add a sauce – options include gravy, ranch dressing, and hot barbecue sauce.

29. Maine: Duckfat T.N.T, Duckfat, Portland

In a state dominated by lobster rolls (technically not a sandwich), it's casual Belgian-inspired restaurant Duckfat that's been winning awards since it opened in 2005. Customers return here time and again for the exceptional duck fat Belgian fries and delicious paninis, including the Duckfat T.N.T. This sensational sammie features house-smoked Tasso ham, creamy Tomme cheese, and Dijonnaise, all stuffed inside a crispy baguette. The menu changes to reflect the seasons, but all of the sandwiches on offer are exceptional.

28. Tennessee: smoked BBQ beef brisket, Mitchell Delicatessen, Nashville

A Nashville staple since 2008, chef David Mitchell's Mitchell Delicatessen has had people lining up out the door for its sandwiches from day one – and its smoked BBQ beef brisket sandwich is a longstanding favorite. House brisket is paired with Swiss cheese, house-made barbecue sauce, smoked onion jam, cilantro, and pickle and lime mayo, and the whole thing is served on a delicious hoagie. Customers say they think about it for days after eating it.

27. Oklahoma: Macaroni Pony, The Mule, Oklahoma City

The menu at hip Oklahoma City spot The Mule is packed with tempting sandwich options, and there are some great vegetarian choices – however, the Macaroni Pony is the definite star of the show. Made on jalapeño cornbread, it features American cheese, pulled pork, pickles, and a hefty helping of three-cheese mac ’n’ cheese. Virtuous? No. Delicious? Definitely.

26. Wyoming: egg salad sandwich, The Bread Basket Bakery, Cheyenne

This simple yet incredibly delicious sandwich is Wyoming's best. Found in the state's most popular bakery, The Bread Basket in Cheyenne, the egg salad sandwich is a classic that's perfectly executed. It's generously filled, and it's made with bread that's baked fresh every morning. You can also get it as part of a daily lunch combo with soup or salad, plus a cookie.

25. Texas: Reuben, Otherside Deli, Austin

Cool Austin spot Otherside Deli serves up a wide selection of hot and cold subs, plus classic deli sandwiches – including a superb take on the Reuben. It features a classic combo of pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, and customers say the meat is especially juicy. In fact, many claim it's the best Reuben they've ever had.

24. California: Bubble Breakfast, The Sandwich Society, Santa Ana

The Sandwich Society's founder Mi Ho created the sandwich shop with one motto in mind – life's too short to eat boring sandwiches. As a result, the creations served here are anything but average. From classic grilled cheese sandwiches to innovative Hawaiian offerings stuffed with beef and grilled pineapple, there's plenty to choose from. The best time to stop by is before 11am, so you can try the Bubble Breakfast – a Hong Kong egg waffle wrapped around bacon, a sausage patty, and an egg, finished with syrup and powdered sugar.

23. North Dakota: Beast, Magic City Hoagies, Minot

Magic City Hoagies is the place to go if you're hungry and craving carbs. It serves the ultimate hoagies, or subs, packed with fresh fillings and tasty meats. One of the customer favorites is the Beast, a signature hoagie filled with layers of roast beef, turkey, crispy bacon, cheese, fries, and Magic City Sauce. Customers say the sandwiches are huge, messy, and delicious.

22. Virginia: Stevie, Handsome Biscuit, Norfolk

You could argue that this isn't technically a sandwich; however, the Handsome Biscuit's Stevie is so good, it's worth bending the rules for. Fried chicken is topped with pickles, wholegrain mustard, and honey, then served on house-made sweet potato biscuits instead of a typical roll. You can opt for a bun instead, but why would you?

21. South Carolina: sesame shrimp, The Southern General, Johns Island

Celebrating the best traditions of Southern comfort food, Southern General's sandwiches are second to none. There's a menu full of classics updated with creative twists, but it's the sesame shrimp sandwich that regulars come back for. The shrimp is fried to crispy perfection in a panko coating and laid on top of sweet chili slaw, roasted tomatoes, and spicy mayo, all in a grilled local honey hoagie.

20. Alaska: Harvest Veggie, Great Harvest Bread Co., Anchorage

Run by the Jarrett family, Anchorage's Great Harvest Bread Co. is a one-stop shop for incredible bread, cookies, sweet pastries, and, of course, sandwiches. From a lengthy menu offering hot paninis, specialty sandwiches, and build-your-own options, it's the Harvest Veggie that customers keep coming back for. A combination of provolone and Cheddar cheeses, and various vegetables including red onions, tomatoes, and lettuce, the filling is squeezed between two slices of your choice of bread and slathered with a house-made roasted red pepper spread.

19. South Dakota: curried cauliflower, Bread & Circus, Sioux Falls

Opened by long-time friends Barry Putzke and Jordan Taylor, Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen focuses on local ingredients, crafted into the most incredible sandwiches. A consistent favorite is the vegan-friendly curried cauliflower sandwich, featuring red lentil hummus, arugula, and cilantro, all stuffed inside locally baked pita bread. Customers say it's flavorful, with a slight kick.

18. Florida: turkey, ham, roast beef, and cheese, Franky’s Deli Warehouse, Hialeah

Rated one of the best sandwich spots in America by Yelp users for several years running, Franky’s Deli Warehouse is a mom-and-pop deli that delivers big on hearty offerings. You can mix and match your flavors, fillings, and spreads, but locals say you really can’t beat #11 on the menu. This sandwich combines slices of turkey, roast beef, and ham with your choice of cheese (provolone, American, or Swiss), plus salad and sauces. You can also choose what bread it comes on, and whether you'd like it cold, pressed, or double pressed (with hot bread and meat).

17. Hawaii: Fonz, Sprout Sandwich Shop, Honolulu

All about regional produce and wholesome ingredients, Honolulu joint Sprout's sandwiches are piled high with leafy greens and Hawaiian vegetables like Waialua sprouts and juicy, locally grown tomatoes. Top choices include the Duke (a take on a BLT with oven-roasted turkey) and the sweet Keiki, which combines almond or peanut butter with banana and Hawaiian honey. However, the customer favorite is the Fonz – a trio of prosciutto, pastrami, and salami with olive tapenade, pickled red onions, and butter lettuce, topped with a mayo dressing.

16. North Carolina: BLT, Merritt's Grill, Chapel Hill

A favorite with students at the nearby University of North Carolina, Merritt's Store & Grill specializes in classic sandwiches like chicken salad and club, but it's the signature BLT that keeps customers coming back for more. Made with the bread of your choice, it's packed with a generous amount of bacon, fresh, crispy lettuce, and vine tomatoes. It's available in a single, double, or – for the very hungry – triple size, and customers frequently say it's the best BLT they've ever had. 

15. Idaho: Potsticker Meltz, Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese, Coeur D'Alene

Meltz takes grilled cheese sandwiches to the next level. Although its rotating menu often features mouthwatering specials you won't want to pass up on, the Potsticker Meltz is a classic that regulars return for. This award-winning sammie features provolone and pepper Jack cheese, pork, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, scallions, fried wontons, and a sriracha aioli. It comes in a giant full size and a more manageable half size. 

14. Ohio: club sandwich, J & W Sandwich Shoppe, Cincinnati

Cincinnati's J & W Sandwich Shoppe whips up all the classics in its pocket-sized shop. You can't go wrong with the customer favorite: the club sandwich. Piled high, there's plenty of bacon and ham, as well as a generous amount of tomato and lettuce. People say the meat is incredibly flavorful, the bread is perfectly toasted, and it's just a great value sandwich.

13. Colorado: The Rachel, Leven Deli, Denver

Located just next to the Denver Art Museum, the Leven Deli serves up sandwiches that look great and taste even better. If you're a meat eater, the Reubens are the way to go, with The Rachel – also known as the Number Eighteen – especially popular. It swaps out pastrami for smoked turkey breast, and fans say it's incredible.

12. Kansas: The Z-Man, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City

Famous for its pulled pork, beef brisket, burnt ends, and ribs, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que is one of the best places in the country to enjoy truly incredible barbecue. However, the sandwiches, especially the Z-Man, are as loved as the meats. Slow-smoked beef brisket is piled high on a toasted Kaiser roll, then topped with smoked provolone and two crispy onion rings – it's so good, you won't mind waiting in line.

11. Montana: Megadeath, Tagliare Delicatessen, Missoula

Tagliare Delicatessen offers made-to-order creations named after famous musicians and bands (think Led Zeppelin, Kiss, and The Cure). The sandwiches are packed with fresh, quality ingredients, while the bread is sourced from a local bakery. Customers especially love the Megadeath, a sandwich filled with ham, soppressata (a type of Italian salami), pepperoni, smoked mozzarella, and slaw.

10. Oregon: torta ahogada, Güero, Portland

At this sunny and welcoming sandwich shop, it’s all about the torta. Güero’s take on the hearty, Mexican-style hot sandwich involves the freshest telera and bolillo rolls, stuffed with everything from achiote-marinated chicken to melt-in-the-mouth braised beef and refried beans. But for those in the know, the classic order is the torta ahogada – a delightfully messy mix of tender pork, habanero slaw, and cilantro, smothered in a richly spiced tomato sauce.

9. Arizona: No. 33, Zookz, Phoenix

Inspired by her grandmother's sandwich-making techniques, Egyptian-born Carole Meyer's sandwiches, served at Zookz, are among the most loved in all of Arizona. The round sandwiches are toasted, meaning the filling is sealed inside and surrounded by a wonderfully crispy edge. The No.33 is a breakfast sandwich filled with two poached eggs, feta cheese, Parmesan, fresh spinach, tomatoes, and fresh basil, and it's a firm customer favorite. There are two Zookz locations in Phoenix.

8. Washington: Caribbean Roast, Un Bien, Seattle

Now with three locations in Seattle, all serving up delicious Caribbean food, Un Bien was opened by Julian and Lucas Lorenzo, whose father owned the original Paseo – another legendary Seattle sandwich shop. A firm favorite here is the Caribbean Roast sandwich; to make it, tender pork shoulder is coated in a marinade, slow roasted until it falls apart, then served on a toasted baguette with aioli, cilantro, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, and caramelized onions.

7. Tennessee: Reuben, Tennessee Jed's, Gatlinburg

Barbecue lovers can’t get enough of the sensational sandwiches at Tennessee Jed's. The expert pitmasters at this homey Gatlinburg joint smoke their meats for up to 14 hours to make their signature brisket and melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork. The wonderfully tender beef brisket is used to make the shop’s most popular sandwich – a classic Reuben that regulars say is the best you’ll ever taste. Other must-try dishes include Frito pie and a turkey and bacon ranch sandwich.

6. Montana: Creole Deluxe, Blues City Deli, St. Louis

Specializing in everything from made-to-order roast beef po' boys to hefty muffulettas and smoked pastrami sandwiches, Blues City Deli is a St. Louis institution that always draws a crowd come lunchtime. The eclectic sammies here are totally unique and packed with flavor. A fan favorite is the New Orleans–inspired Creole Deluxe po' boy (stuffed with roast pork, slow-cooked beef, provolone, arugula, onion, and pepperoncini peppers), but pretty much everything on the menu tastes great.

5. Texas: Philly cheesesteak, Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy, San Antonio

A former gas station in San Antonio isn’t where you’d expect to find one of the best Philly cheesesteaks going, but Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy has a cult following for its take on the Pennsylvania classic. Each one of these hefty sandwiches contains a quarter pound of sliced rib-eye and a melt-in-the-mouth mixture of caramelized onions, bell peppers, and smoked provolone cheese, all housed in a super-fresh roll sourced from a local bakery.

4. Vermont: Skyscraper, The Sandwich Shoppe, Rutland

Owned by the Zullo family for some 40 years, The Sandwich Shoppe is a Rutland institution serving towering creations that will satisfy even the biggest of appetites. The Skyscraper, packed with pastrami, corned beef, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone, Cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and Thousand Island dressing, is a beast of a sandwich that's loved by customers. As well as the food, visitors praise the service and friendly atmosphere.

3. New York: The Tony, Tony’s Beechhurst Deli, New York City

Crowned New York’s best sandwich shop in 2024 by Yelp, Tony’s Beechhurst Deli is a hidden gem tucked away in the Whitestone neighborhood of Queens. The Polito family has been running this no-frills deli since 1992, and it has a dedicated local following for its perfectly made meatball sandwiches, its chicken parmigiano, and even its fresh mozzarella, which is made in-house. But reviewers say the Tony – a classic, overstuffed Italian sub filled with cured meats including soppresatta, mortadella, and pepperoni, along with provolone cheese and sweet peppers, is the star of the menu.

2. South Carolina: Spicy 2.0, Cold Shoulder Gourmet, Charleston

The best sandwich spot in South Carolina according to Yelp reviewers, Cold Shoulder Gourmet is run by just one man: Craig Edmunds, who slings an ever-changing menu of gourmet focaccia sandwiches each morning until they sell out. There are different specials every day, but you can’t go wrong with the sublime Spicy 2.0, featuring spicy salami, 'nduja, black truffle cream, greens, Parmesan, and truffled hot sauce. Remember there are no substitutes here, but don’t worry – every sandwich is a riot of flavor and texture.

1. California: The Manwich, Sierra Subs and Salads, Three Rivers

Sandwich joints don’t get more scenic than this destination shop, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Named the eighth best restaurant in the whole of the US in Yelp’s 2024 Top 100 Places to Eat list, a visit here is certainly worth the trip. All sauces and salsas are made fresh, and fans rave about the generous portions and creative fillings. Customers particularly rate the mighty Manwich: a double decker of toasted sourdough stuffed with turkey, ham, salami, bacon, avocado, olive tapenade, and provolone.

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Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.