November 3 was National Sandwich Day. As with so many other putative food holidays, nobody knows exactly who established it or decided when it should be celebrated. Americans hardly need a special occasion to honor the sandwich: According to some estimates, we eat more than 300 million sandwiches a day — extraordinary if true, since the current U.S. population is only about 330 million.
Merriam-Webster’s principal definition of “sandwich” is “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” Within those terms, the possibilities are endless: classics like grilled cheese (the most popular sandwich in America, according to a 2017 study by Datassential, a food industry market research firm), peanut butter and jelly, the BLT and the club; deli sandwiches and subs (aka heroes, hoagies, grinders, etc.); regional and international specialties (including Philly cheesesteak, New Orleans po’boys, Mexican tortas and cemitas, and Vietnamese bánh mi — the last of which has grown 393% in popularity in the past five years, according to Datassential), and many more.
When you have the craving for a sandwich, why choose an independent establishment over a chain like Subway or Quiznos? Independents are admittedly more expensive, but they are much more likely to let patrons customize their orders, and at least in some cases are probably able to spend more time (and money) sourcing quality ingredients than chains that buy or produce in bulk.
The best reason, though, might just be for the sake of variety. A cold cut combo at Subway will likely taste the same from Seattle to Miami, but every Italian deli version will be a little bit different.
To identify the best independent sandwich shop in each state, 24/7 Wall St. indexed ratings weighted by number of reviews for thousands of sandwich shops on Yelp! and Google. Ratings are out of 5. We excluded chain restaurants and otherwise used our discretion to ensure only independent shops were considered. To break ties, we chose the restaurant with more Yelp! Reviews.
Click here for the best independent sandwich shop in every state.
Source: Photo by Shawn D. via Yelp
1. Alabama: Peppered Pig
> City: Huntsville
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
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Source: Photo by Deanna H. via Yelp
2. Alaska: DW Grill & Catering
> City: Fairbanks
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Tiffany T. via Yelp
3. Arizona: The Subslingers
> City: Apache Junction
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
Source: Photo by Kent A. via Yelp
4. Arkansas: Green Submarine
> City: Fayetteville
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Big H Deli via Yelp
5. California: Big H Deli
> City: Fairfield
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
Source: Photo by Redapple C. via Yelp
6. Colorado: Tokyo Premium Bakery
> City: Denver
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
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Source: Photo by Michael B. via Yelp
7. Connecticut: The Tasty Yolk
> City: Fairfield
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
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Source: Photo by Sarah L. via Yelp
8. Delaware: Malin’s Market and Deli
> City: Newark
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.7
Source: Photo by The Pastrami Joint via Yelp
9. Florida: The Pastrami Joint
> City: Hollywood
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
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Source: Photo by Veronica G. via Yelp
10. Georgia: Jackie M’s & Son
> City: Augusta
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.8
Source: Photo by Charisse T. via Yelp
11. Hawaii: Ali’i Coffee
> City: Honolulu
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
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Source: Photo by Lemon Tree Co. via Yelp
12. Idaho: Lemon Tree Co.
> City: Boise
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by Firenze Italian Street Food via Yelp
13. Illinois: Firenze Italian Street Food
> City: Chicago
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by Teddy D. via Yelp
14. Indiana: Subito
> City: Indianapolis
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
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Source: Photo by Gabe N. via Yelp
15. Iowa: Hagar’s Manhattan Deli
> City: Des Moines
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
Source: Photo by Jayla B. via Yelp
16. Kansas: Kimlan Sandwiches & Bakery
> City: Wichita
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by JoAnne S. via Yelp
17. Kentucky: Starving Artist Cafe & Deli
> City: Louisville
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Linda N. via Yelp
18. Louisiana: tM breads and pastries
> City: New Orleans
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
Source: Photo by Jessica D. via Yelp
19. Maine: The Local Press
> City: Portland
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
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Source: Photo by Bruce K. via Yelp
20. Maryland: C&B Italian Deli
> City: Ellicott City
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
Source: Photo by Colin B. via Yelp
21. Massachusetts: Toasted Flats
> City: Boston
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 5.0
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Source: Photo by Poonam S. via Yelp
22. Michigan: Hero Or Villain Van
> City: Detroit
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by Ryan H. via Yelp
23. Minnesota: Brunson’s Pub
> City: Saint Paul
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
Source: Photo by Brian H. via Yelp
24. Mississippi: The Burger Shop
> City: Hernando
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.7
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Source: Photo by Ralphie S. via Yelp
25. Missouri: Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches
> City: Kansas City
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by Joe D. via Yelp
26. Montana: Montana Sub Shop
> City: Great Falls
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.7
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Source: Photo by Keith C. via Yelp
27. Nebraska: Sips & Subs
> City: Lincoln
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
Source: Photo by Bailey Z. via Yelp
28. Nevada: Karved
> City: Las Vegas
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by Ian W. via Yelp
29. New Hampshire: Sub Station
> City: Hooksett
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Benjamin W. via Yelp
30. New Jersey: Second Street Bakery
> City: Jersey City
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by AK Deli via Yelp
31. New Mexico: AK Deli
> City: Albuquerque
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
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Source: Photo by Karen C. via Yelp
32. New York: Fat Cat Kitchen
> City: New York
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by Seaira K. via Yelp
33. North Carolina: South College Sandwich & Deli
> City: Wilmington
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.8
Source: Photo by Magic City H. via Yelp
34. North Dakota: Magic City Hoagies
> City: Minot
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Hanna C. via Yelp
35. Ohio: Lox, Stock and Brisket
> City: University Heights
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.8
Source: Photo by Johnny M. via Yelp
36. Oklahoma: A Resonance Cafe
> City: Tulsa
> Yelp rating: 5
> Google rating 4.7
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Source: Photo by Dan C. via Yelp
37. Oregon: Original Sub Factory
> City: Portland
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.9
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Source: Photo by 2 Fat Dogs via Yelp
38. Pennsylvania: 2 Fat Dogs
> City: Abington
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
Source: Photo by Jessica H. via Yelp
39. Rhode Island: YiaYia Maria’s
> City: Cranston
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
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Source: Photo by Eastside Bagel via Yelp
40. South Carolina: Eastside Bagel
> City: Charleston
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
Source: Photo by Rigs R. via Yelp
41. South Dakota: Mama’s Phried and Phillys
> City: Sioux Falls
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.9
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Source: Photo by Frussie's Deli & Bakery via Yelp
42. Tennessee: Frussie’s Deli & Bakery
> City: Knoxville
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Nicole F. via Yelp
43. Texas: Otherside Deli
> City: Austin
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
Source: Photo by Megan W. via Yelp
44. Utah: The Red Food Truck
> City: Salt Lake City
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.6
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Source: Photo by Franklin H. via Yelp
45. Vermont: Sandwich Shoppe
> City: Rutland
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
Source: Photo by Guilherme M. via Yelp
46. Virginia: Sam’s Texas Sub Shop
> City: Norfolk
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Linda D. via Yelp
47. Washington: My’s Vietnamese Sandwiches And Deli
> City: Seattle
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 5.0
Source: Photo by Krysha M. via Yelp
48. West Virginia: Dirty Bird
> City: Morgantown
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.7
Source: Photo by Alisa S. via Yelp
49. Wisconsin: Boo Boo’s Sandwiches
> City: Milwaukee
> Yelp rating: 5.0
> Google rating 4.8
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Source: Photo by Jimmy A. via Yelp
50. Wyoming: The Main Bagel
> City: Gillette
> Yelp rating: 4.5
> Google rating 4.8
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