# 21 Sandwich Shops in America to Eat at Before You Die **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 4, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781 "2015-02-04T01:07:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/1 "2015-02-04T01:07:33Z")
From [this article](http://www.buzzfeed.com/kaylayandoli/all-anyone-really-wants-in-life-is-to-sit-in-peace-and-eat-a#.io3JVeB44) comes a list of sandwich shops in the country one must supposedly eat at. I’ll be setting up a poll to see how many of us have hit up various places on the list. But I’m also hoping for a discussion about which ones were great, and which ones didn’t live up to the hype. And what should have been on the list that wasn’t. Poll to follow! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/2 "2015-02-04T01:15:11Z")
It doesn’t include [The Original Philippe’s,](http://www.philippes.com/philippes-history.html) home of the French Dip sandwich in LA, so their methodology is suspect. Tony’s French Dips out in Pomona is a close runner up. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/3 "2015-02-04T01:18:19Z")
I live 5 minutes from a _Busboys and Poets_. I don’t get what’s special about it. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/4 "2015-02-04T01:20:52Z")
I’ve been to Katz’s. It’s a delicious sandwich. It isn’t worth 25 bucks, but that’s largely because it’s impossible for a sandwich to be worth 25 bucks; it’s no fault on the individual sandwich. That said, Sarge’s is just as good, and they deliver. Protip: if you go to Katz’s and order the roast beef, they will argue with you that you do not want the roast beef but instead want the pastrami. They’ve done this to me three times. The first time, I gave in, and they do indeed have excellent pastrami. The other times, I persisted, and their thick-cut rare roast beef is equally wonderful — I have no idea what their employees have against it, but if you succeed in ordering it, you won’t be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/5 "2015-02-04T01:59:54Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > It doesn’t include [The Original Philippe’s,](http://www.philippes.com/philippes-history.html) home of the French Dip sandwich in LA, so their methodology is suspect. Tony’s French Dips out in Pomona is a close runner up. I’ve been to Langer’s and Philippe’s many times, and I love them both. But I admit that I’ve gravitated more to Langer’s in the past few years. I feel like my lack of experience with most of this list makes me unqualified to demand that LA gets represented twice on the list. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/6 "2015-02-04T02:06:32Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > It doesn’t include [The Original Philippe’s,](http://www.philippes.com/philippes-history.html) home of the French Dip sandwich in LA, so their methodology is suspect. Agree. The whole list is tainted, since the makers obviously don’t possess taste buds. And Primanti’s claim to “fame” is that they put French fries on the sandwich. Big whoop. ---
**Author:** ![corefive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@corefive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corefive)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/7 "2015-02-04T02:06:43Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I live 5 minutes from a _Busboys and Poets_. I don’t get what’s special about it. Agreed. Plus it’s not even a sandwich shop. It’s a restaurant/coffee shop/bar/bookstore/arts venue. The food is fine, but not noteworthy. Most people go there for the vibe. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/8 "2015-02-04T02:24:44Z")
> [@corefive](#): > > Agreed. Plus it’s not even a sandwich shop. It’s a restaurant/coffee shop/bar/bookstore/arts venue. The food is fine, but not noteworthy. Most people go there for the vibe. Yeah, it’s just fine. The one near me is the Hyattsville location, and given a choice I’d much rather go to Franklin’s 2 blocks down the street. They brew their own beer and have an awesome toy and novelty store attached! ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/9 "2015-02-04T02:29:43Z")
I’ve eaten at Primanti Bros. a half a dozen times and it was garbage, absolute trash with no redeeming value whatsoever. I can’t understand why or how it keeps getting mentioned as this awesome steak sandwich place. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/10 "2015-02-04T02:33:49Z")
> [@Apocalypso](#): > > I’ve eaten at Primanti Bros. a half a dozen times and it was garbage, absolute trash with no redeeming value whatsoever. I can’t understand why or how it keeps getting mentioned as this awesome steak sandwich place. So… why did you keep going back? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/11 "2015-02-04T03:16:52Z")
Jerry’s (Chicago)? Seriously, the best sandwiches in Chicago are served at _Capn’ Nemos_. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/12 "2015-02-04T03:41:05Z")
> [@Apocalypso](#): > > I’ve eaten at Primanti Bros. a half a dozen times and it was garbage, absolute trash with no redeeming value whatsoever. I can’t understand why or how it keeps getting mentioned as this awesome steak sandwich place. I wouldn’t go that far, but, like **silenus** upthread, I don’t see the point for the raves. Yes, there are french fries in it. Big deal. Oh, and this list AIUI does not mention either bahn mi or muffaletta, so it’s rather incomplete. Edit: I already did want to go to Zingermanns in the worst way, and I will try this place in San Marcos, so I guess the clickbait article isn’t entirely worthless. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/13 "2015-02-04T03:51:44Z")
Agreed that Busboys and Poets is an odd choice. It’s not primarily a sandwich shop, and while it is good enough for what it is, it’s hardly a transcendent experience. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/14 "2015-02-04T03:51:49Z")
Primanti’s is stupid and not good. Snarf’s is decent but not even the best in Boulder (Salvaggio’s). Katz’s Deli serves great meats but the volume is too much. Loses points for gimmickry. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/15 "2015-02-04T03:58:04Z")
I’ve been to Lee’s, Zingerman’s, and Katz’s. Oddly, the one in Chicago (Jerry’s), I’ve not only never been to, but never even heard of. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/16 "2015-02-04T04:01:10Z")
[quote=“Roland\_Orzabal, post:4, topic:711781”] Buddy, you don’t want the roast beef. Get the pastrami. The pastrami at Katz’s is REALLY GOOD. So is the brisket. If you HAVE to have roast beef, get the brisket. And order a couple of hot dogs as an appetizer. Yorkside Pizza in New Haven, Connecticut. Get the tuna grinder, with the melted cheese. Just enough tuna to hold the mayonnaise together. Sustenance for pot-smoking Yalies, at least through 1978-82. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/17 "2015-02-04T04:03:55Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Jerry’s (Chicago)? > Seriously, the best sandwiches in Chicago are served at _Capn’ Nemos_. Oh ya. I can think of a bunch of classic places to send folks and Jerry’s would never get mentioned. Places like Johnnie’s, Superdawg, Kumas, Gene&Judes, etc. Where’s [Kenny & Zuke’s](http://www.kennyandzukes.com/) in Portland? Or [Central Grocery](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Grocery) in New Orleans for muffulettas. Or any of the cheesesteak places in Philly? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/18 "2015-02-04T04:08:37Z")
And no love for a well-made Cubano? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/19 "2015-02-04T04:16:30Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > And no love for a well-made Cubano? La Grade Castilla de Jagua on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. South Florida and Keys Cubanos are made with sliced lunchmeat. In New York, they carve the roasted pork right out from under the scary orange lights. Ooooh baby. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781/20 "2015-02-04T04:19:24Z")
Hoagie Haven…ah, memories. After we graduated, a friend and I travelled back just long enough to eat hoagies, and left town again. Worth it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/21-sandwich-shops-in-america-to-eat-at-before-you-die/711781.md?page=2)