Summer is almost here – it’s high time we updated Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide, don’t you think?
We first put together this guide to the best sandwiches across the country two years ago, and also shared mobile guides for four cities on Foodspotting. I say “we” because it was built largely on recommendations from the Panini Happy community. I hope you guys have found this resource as valuable as my husband and I have – whenever we visit a new city, we pull up the list and plan out our lunching itinerary!
Restaurants have opened and closed, tastes have changed since the guide first launched…let’s bring our guide into 2013 with the lastest and greatest recommendations.
>>Leave a comment on this post: What is the best sandwich in your hometown, why, and what restaurant/cafe/store makes it?
I’ll collect nominations until June 15, 2013 and then I’ll get to work on crunching, cross-referencing, mapping, etc. to release our new-and-improved updated guide.
Panini Happy, online since 2008, is more than just a sandwich blog. Here, you'll find hundreds of my original 
I’m from Charlottesville, VA and the best sandwich around these parts goes to the Great Harvest Bread Co. for their tofu pesto! I’m a vegetarian and I love it because it’s on tasty fresh whole wheat bread with nuts, and the tofu and the pesto are so flavorful. Sometimes you can’t have just another veggie panini, know what I mean?
The Tofu Sandwich from the Organic Market in Westport CT. Multi-grain, toasted bread, stuffed with marinated tofu (Annie’s Shiitake Vinaigrette), lettuce, tomato, cucumber and sprouts. The perfect combination of veggies – satisfies even burger ‘lovin carnivores!
Thanks a lot, Ilene! I bet Westport is full of great places for lunch these days – I have fond memories of Oscar’s on Main Street. 🙂
I am from Buffalo, NY and the best sandwich from Buffalo is the Beef on Weck. Many restaurants offer Beef on Weck, and many are very good. But in my humble opinion, Franks Restaurant on Broadway in Lancaster NY, which is a “burb” of Buffalo, has the most exceptional beef in the area. Very tender, juicy and full of flavor!
Hopefully even though I’m married to Kathy Strahs, I can still nominate three sandwiches in San Diego, CA. First, I’m a big fan of the Bahn Belly at Solace & the Moonlight Lounge in Encinitas, CA (love the BBQ pork belly, pickled onions, and fresh very spicy herbs on a toasted baguette). Second, I’m a big fan of the Cali Cuban at Moonlight Beach Deli & Dogs, also in Encinitas, CA (ham, pulled pork, pickles, Swiss cheese and “Cuban sauce”, which is essentially a chipotle mayo). And third, I love the very simple Squid Sandwich at Point Loma Seafoods in San Diego, CA (only bread, fried calamari strips and tartar sauce). Boom!
Yes, you’re allowed to vote too, Mike. 🙂
Palo Alto is not my hometown, but I spent most of my adult life (so far) in the area.
The Fred Sandwich at Schaub’s in Stanford Shopping Center is fabulous. A sandwich made from Fred steak? Winner.
The European from the deli counter at Mollie Stone’s is a close second. Black Forest ham, brie and butter on a French roll — not so heart healthy, but what a treat!
Then there’s the beef and lamb shawarma at Mediterranean Wraps. It’s got just the right amount of everything, and is so flavorful.
I’m from Algonquin, IL, and we have a little sandwich shop here called the Algonquin Sub Shop. They make the most wonderful, gourmet subs. I think over the years I’ve tried almost all the subs on the menu, and they are all winners in my book! My favorites are the Al Capone, the California, and the Monterey chicken.
Fantastic – thanks, Debby! We’ve got the Al Capone in the guide from last time, so we’ll definitely be sure to keep it. 🙂
Cosmic Castle in Parsons Kansas makes a great Panini called the Italian Grill. Salami, Pepperoni, Ham with delicious provolone cheese, sport peppers, tomatoes, and topped with a delicious Italian dressing. This isn’t their only Panini but it is my favorite. They also have a Reuben, and a Pastrami on marbled Rye. They are all very delicious on good breads toasted crispy on the outside and warm and soft of the inside PERFECT.
Dixon’s Fixin’s in Parsons Kansas has some GOOD BBQ! They are a food truck that operates on the weekends in the Sears Parking Lot during the summer months. My favorite item on their menu is the Belly Buster. It’s a baked potato topped with butter, sour cream, onions and your choice of their smoked and pulled pork or brisket. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the brisket on mine. Best BBQ in town!
Cosmic Castle in Parsons, Kansas has some delicious sandwiches and gourmet hot dogs as well. My favorite is their pizza panini. It’s pepperoni and mozzarella cheese on grilled sourdough bread and served with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Hi Kathy
The best sandwiches in Ottawa, Canada can be found at Dirienzo’s in Little Italy. “Zo’s” is a small deli/grocery store where those in the know can be found lining up out the door at lunchtime. Pick a bun out of the bins, slap it up on top of the deli counter and you’re off to sandwich heaven. $5.oo gets you a huge honking sandwich stuffed with deli meats, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, spicy eggplant if you’re up to it. These are 2 hand sandwiches, hunker down and emjoy. best deal in town!
Hungry now, think I’ll go pick up a breakfast western sandwich at Zo’s, get there early before they run out!
great job on the website
Anne Villeneuve
Ottawa, Canada
The best sandwich place in Kansas City is Momo’s Grilled Paninis! They bake their own bread, slice their meats and cheese fresh daily, and what could be better than their customer service?! They obviously enjoy what they do and look forward to feeding people daily. Oh, and they have a special sauce that they put on all their paninis that is delicious. Lets not forget about the homemade tomato basil bisque soup…! It’s most definitely the best I have ever had. Momo’s Grilled Paninis in Kansas City/Independence MO They are a small restaurant with huge expectations for themselves! I love it