Five Top American Sandwich Shops
‘Can I get a ham on wry?’
Take a dip into sandwich lore and explore five top American sandwich shops with food and travel writer Steve Cook, whose tongue-in-cheek humor continues even when he’s eating: “Can I get a ham on wry?” he asks.
Back in the ’60s, I’d spend many a night listening to radio personality Dick Summers who did an overnight show on WBZ radio, which, while broadcasting from Boston, could be heard at AM 1030 on your radio dial throughout much of the eastern half of the United States.
Summers spearheaded an ongoing campaign to encourage his listeners to help him ban the use of the word “sandwich.” His running tongue-in-cheek argument was that the real inventor of this food staple was the first Duke of Shrewsbury and that John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, had stolen the idea and taken credit for it. Actually, Montagu never claimed to have invented the quick meal but had only popularized it. The story goes that the earl was an avid gambler who did not want to leave the card table for meals. He allegedly asked for roast beef or meat to be placed between two slices of bread so he could eat with one hand without getting his cards greasy.
Summers’s listeners, in an effort to support his campaign, would do such things as scratch out the word “sandwich” on restaurant menus, replacing it with “shrewsbury.”
Needless to say, his valiant campaign failed. But then, this was several decades before the advent of social media. If Summers had had Facebook and Instagram to promote his conjecture, perhaps instead of celebrating National Sandwich Day on Nov. 3 (the birthdate of the Earl of Sandwich), we would be celebrating National Shrewsbury Day on July 24. Yep, you know where this is leading. That’s the date, in 1660, when Charles Talbot, the first Duke of Shrewsbury was born.
So, my burning question is, do you have plans for the third? Please don’t say, “I’ll just eat a sandwich.” Come on, what’s the big deal with that? Especially when you consider that Americans eat over 300 million sandwiches every day. On any given day, 47% of us are going to be chomping down on a sandwich of some sort.
What is your sandwich of choice? While I enjoy ham, turkey, and chicken, truth is IMHO, there’s nothing quite as tasty as a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
Now, you may be thinking, hey, he’s stolen Elvis’s favorite sandwich. Think again. Although you may have been told that this was Elvis’s favorite, you’d be only partially correct. Elvis’s sandwich of choice was fried peanut butter, banana, and bacon.
Trying to pick the best sandwich shop in America would be a fool’s errand. And I’m the fool that’s going to try it. At least, I’m going to give you some ideas. Even if you don’t live near any of the spots I’m about to suggest, perhaps you can plan your next vacation around this list.
My “Top Five” is compiled from a variety of sources, including places I’ve eaten personally, places fellow travel writers and traveling friends have recommended, and a healthy dose of Googling.
Five American sandwich shops for your bucket list
So, here goes my totally unbiased, uneducated, and partially informed list of the five best sandwich shops in America.
#5: A classic in Richmond, Virginia
Number five on my list is a recommendation from my Australian cousin, Brian, and his wife, Phyllis. As I had mentioned in an earlier column, they visited us recently here in my hometown, Richmond, Virginia. This couple from Down Under has traveled the world. So, I asked them if they had had any memorable sandwiches along the way. Brian tells me that during his visit to Richmond’s own New York Deli, which claims to be the city’s oldest operating restaurant, he enjoyed the best Reuben he’d ever tasted. There are many Richmonders who may offer other suggestions for best local Reuben, but I don’t want to spoil Brian’s love affair with the New York Deli. So, let’s not tell him.
#4: A delicious Miami vice
Is a hamburger a sandwich? I say yes. So does the U.S.D.A., by virtue of its definition of a sandwich. That being the case, I’m going to put Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina in Miami on my list. We may call it a hamburger. The folks on Calle Ocho in Little Havana call it a Fritas Cubana. Served throughout this lively community, which is considered by many to be the best known Cuban exile neighborhood in the world, the Fritas Cubana takes the burger to the next level. The patty is a delightful blend of seasoned pork (cerdo), chorizo, and beef (ternera), a tangy tomato-vinegar basting sauce (salacita), and a generous pile of crispy shoestring potatoes (papitas) on a soft roll. Before or after indulging in this traditional Cuban street food, go next door to the Domino Park and take in a game. Although signs in the park proclaim that only locals may play, many of those locals will often graciously gave up their seats and encourage visitors to play a round of dominoes.
#3: In D.C., there’s more to eat than crow, or A bright bite in the capital
When you think Michelin, you likely think of the term being synonymous with the finest restaurants around the globe. But did you know Michelin’s Bib Gourmand honors are awarded to restaurants that they deem to offer high-quality food at a great value. One of their top picks for 2026 is the lamb pita served at Yellow, the all-day casual Levantine (Eastern Mediterranean) restaurant in D.C.’s Georgetown Neighborhood. There’s also a Yellow location in the city’s Union Market District. The warehouse-style food hall/market there offers shoppers a wide array of coffees, cocktails, donuts, seafood, and much more including one of the best sandwiches on earth. At least that’s what the folks at Michelin say.
#2: Sandwiches with pedigree
Remember John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich? Well, one of his descendants, another John Montagu, the eleventh Earl of Sandwich, has capitalized on his great, great (and so on) grandfather’s reputation and created the Earl of Sandwich sandwich shop chain. Montagu and his son, Luke (Earl number 12), operate more than 20 Earl of Sandwich shops in major cities and other iconic locations mainly throughout the United States. Check the website for the location nearest you.
The menu, which offers a wide variety of hot sandwiches, features The Original 1762, a roast beef hoagie, topped with cheddar and horseradish sauce. If you want a more substantial sandwich, opt for the Full Montagu, which includes beef, turkey, Swiss, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and Earl’s mustard sauce.
#1: A Michigan foodie institution
Since this list is so subjective, I did myself the honor of picking one of my very favorite spots for the number one sandwich shop. It’s Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now, would it be worthwhile to drive to Michigan just for a sandwich. Yes, I believe it would. Besides, Michigan may be one of the most beautiful states in the nation.
But back to the sandwiches. Just check out Zingerman’s mouth-watering selection. I’m partial to their #73 Tarb’s Tenacious Tenure, which is described as featuring “all-natural, preservative-free turkey breast, fresh avocado spread, Wisconsin muenster cheese, tomato & plenty of our own Russian dressing on grilled Farm bread from Zingerman’s Bakehouse.”
Beyond American sandwich shops to a Danish delight
Bonus Pick: I’m not going to insult you by choosing the best sandwich shop in the world. But, I will pass along one suggestion from my traveling cousins. They raved about a Danish specialty known as smørrebrød – a traditional open-faced sandwich that usually consists of a piece of buttered rugbrød (a dense, dark rye bread) topped with cold cuts of meat or fish, cheese or spreads, and garnishes. Traditional toppings include pickled herring, thinly sliced cheese, sliced cucumber, tomato, and boiled eggs.
Phyllis suggests that to enjoy an excellent smørrebrød, you should try Schønnemann, in Copenhagen. She may be on to something. This restaurant, which first opened its doors in 1877, came in at number six on Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Eats: 500 Amazing Food Experiences.
No doubt, you have your own favorite sandwich and/or sandwich shop and since I love hearing folks talk about food, I’d love for you to share your thoughts on this weighty subject. Drop us a line to boomerbites@boomermagazine.com.
And maybe, I could prevail upon you to do me one small favor. Next time you’re in your favorite sandwich shop, just for fun, ask them if they serve shrewsburies.
