7 Spectacular Sandwiches Across The U.S.
From french fry-topped inventions to trusty staples and mission-based meals, each of these sandwich shops offers a must-try option
You’ll find food, spices and beverages from all over in Earl’s Grocery, but what you must try is the Charlotte-based store’s version of a bahn mi sandwich. Photo Credit: @lisaann
Expert chefs agree that true sandwich-making is an art—one that goes beyond slathering a couple of slices of bread with peanut butter and jelly. A truly great creation starts with the basics—fresh bread and quality ingredients—and ends with precise layering and careful condiment distribution. Served with a side of house-made chips and a crispy pickle, there’s little that can compare. It’s difficult to declare which is the best sandwich in America, but here are some of our favorites.
Vietnamese bahn mi in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Queen City prides itself on a robust selection of burger and sushi spots, but a stop into Earl’s Grocery in the historic Elizabeth neighborhood isn’t complete without a banh mi sandwich. An elevated version of the Vietnamese classic, Earl’s option comes complete with lemongrass pulled pork topped with aioli, crunchy daikon and carrot pickles, with radish, cilantro and mint on a toasted baguette. While you wait: peruse the shop, filled with locally made and sourced goods, to find great gifts for friends back home.
Texas-style pimento cheese in Austin, Texas
There’s no going wrong at Noble Sandwich Co. in Austin, which is known for options like the PBLT—crispy pork belly topped with romaine, tomato and garlic mayo. But don’t overlook the ooey-gooey pimento cheese sandwich with smoked green onions. Romaine lettuce gives the sandwich a little crunch while olive-oil pickles top it off. And yes, you want to add bacon.
Vegan “Meatball” in Nashville, Tennessee
Music City brings it on the sandwich scene, and for a true treat, pop over to Sloco for a vegan meatball sandwich, made with quinoa “meatballs,” tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese and topped with microgreens. The name—which stands for sustainable, local, organic and community-oriented—is indicative of the Nashville shop’s mission to keep it fresh and simple.
A french fry-stacked standard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
No french fries on the side here. Primanti Bros. serves fries as a topping on their sandwiches. Photo Credit: @primantibros
Since the Great Depression, the french fry-toped creations at Primanti Bros. in Pittsburgh have been the talk of the town. Often named in lists for the best sandwich in America, they’re stacked high with your choice of grilled meat, plus melted provolone cheese, sweet-and-sour homemade coleslaw, fresh-cut fries and tomatoes. On top of that, the ingredients are served between two hearty slices of the house-recipe Italian bread. Now with locations outside Pennsylvania, including Florida, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan and Indiana, Primanti Bros.’ original location still stands in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.
Classic chicken salad in Columbia, South Carolina
Since 1946, the old-school diner Mathias Sandwich Shop has served up simple standards. Open for breakfast—when you’d do well with any egg-meat-and-cheese choice on the menu—this local mainstay’s take on the classic chicken salad is a beloved favorite. Get a side of their house-made chips, and order a pint of chicken salad to go!
Triple threat (of pork) in San Diego, California
Find yourself inspired by pork at Carnitas’ Snack Shack in San Diego. Photo Credit: @ruined86
The Triple Threat at Carnitas’ Snack Shack is just one of Chef Hanis Cavin’s swoon-worthy offerings. Stacked with pulled pork, a fried pork loin schnitzel and bacon, it’s the kind of sandwich locals—at least the meat lovers among them—deem worthy of a last meal.
Delicious mission-based meal in Denver, Colorado
Just north of Capitol Hill, Olive & Finch serves up mission-based fresh options in a comfortable setting with a patio (and convenient curbside service). This neighborhood favorite is open for breakfast or lunch, but we recommend a trip during lunch hour for sandwiches which are named after owner/chef Mary Nguyen’s family and friends. Order the Jamal, a blackened fish sandwich perfected with a surprising citrus tartar sauce, plus capers, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, avocado and roasted tomato, all on ciabatta bread. Bonus points: every month Nguyen donates a portion of the restaurant’s profits to local, nonprofit organizations including the Denver Zoo and Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation.
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