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An expertly crafted sandwich can be a perfect meal on its own — and it’s tailor-made for takeout if you’re in a hurry or avoiding indoor dining situations. While lots of restaurants offer a great sandwich or two, this map covers some of the best sandwich shops dedicated to the form in its many incarnations, from Philly cheesesteaks to fried catfish sandwiches to a smoked tofu Reuben. Note that there’s also a whole separate guide for banh mi, since the city has so many excellent options; a breakfast sandwich-focused list; and a map dedicated to fried chicken, which includes yet more sandwiches.
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Where to Order Some of Seattle’s Most Sensational Sandwiches
Tri-tip monstrosities, fried catfish sandwiches, a smoked tofu Reuben, and more hand-held treats
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Zylberschtein's
Pinehurst Jewish deli Zylberschtein’s features thick-cut pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on freshly baked rye among its more popular items, while options like whitefish salad and a smoked tofu Reuben provide an alternative to the otherwise meaty menu. You can also sign up for a bagel club with a wide delivery range across Seattle.
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Martino’s
After a hiatus of several years, Martino’s, a Phinney Ridge meat lover’s paradise, made a comeback in 2021. On the current menu, fans can find a a rosemary and dijon pork shoulder sandwich stuffed with grilled onions and Mama Lil’s peppers, as well as the famed Santa Maria tri-tip beauty on a French roll, with the meat smoked over red oak and topped with poblano salsa and chimichurri. But don’t delay: The restaurant just announced it’s closing once again by the end of November.
Un Bien
The folks formerly of iconic Paseo are now at Un Bien, with two locations in Ballard — including one in Shilshole along the Burke-Gilman Trail’s western terminus. serving slightly less massive but still wonderful Caribbean sandwiches, covered in aioli, cilantro, pickled jalapenos, and caramelized onions on toasted baguettes. The Caribbean roast sandwich is the star, with its marinated pork shoulder falling apart at a glance, but all the sides and sandwiches are worth your time.
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Layers Sandwich Co.
Popular food truck Layers, which tends to show up regularly at breweries such as Ballard’s Stoup Brewing, has developed a reputation for well-crafted sandwiches with quality ingredients since opening in 2019. Look out for the Precocious Piggy, a succulent pork belly concoction with pepper jelly on toasted brioche, and vegetarian or even vegan options like Rock Out With Your Brocc Out, which features charred broccoli, a bean schmear, and pickled fennel on toasted ciabatta.
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Mean Sandwich
Mean Sandwich, the acclaimed Ballard counter, has a contact-less pickup window, offering winners such as the shop’s eponymous sandwich (griddled corned beef, pickled red cabbage, yellow mustard, and fresh mint), oyster po’ boys, and the vegetarian Midnight at the Oasis, with falafel, hummus, harissa beets, and Persian pickles — not to mention a mind-blowing burger. You can also order your food dropped at a special window into neighboring Bickersons Brewhouse’s massive outdoor space.
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Local Tide
Local Tide is a seafood dream, drawing long lines in particular for its well-crafted Dungeness crab roll with mayo on a griddled split-top bun, currently available just Friday through Sunday. Of course, you might argue a crab roll, like a hot dog, isn’t even a sandwich. If so, the popular Fremont shop has you covered with other stellar sandwiches, from a salmon BLT to a rockfish banh mi to fried dover sole on a brioche bun.
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Where Ya At Matt
Swoon-worthy beignets, jambalaya, shrimp and grits: Mobile sandwich specialist Where Ya At Matt does many things well. That includes the po' boy menu, with highlights like fried catfish, shrimp, and melt-in-your-mouth Creole pork. The truck pops up all over the place, from Bellevue to Chuck’s Hop Shop in Greenwood, so check Facebook for updates.
Crumby Sandwich and Spirits
Crumby, a relatively new upscale sandwich shop and bar in Fremont, has plenty of tempting items, from a vegan sloppy joe made with wild mushrooms to an octopus and chorizo sandwich with pickled potatoes, all made with incredible attention to detail. The food pairs well with the restaurant’s excellent cocktails, whether you take them to the cozy sidewalk patio or dine inside the airy venue with its floor-to-ceiling windows.
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HoneyHole
Longtime Capitol Hill go-to HoneyHole reopened under new ownership recently, and the quality remains high, with sandwiches like the Dude (with marinated flank steak, provolone, and tomato relish) and the vegetarian Emilio Pestevez (smoked tomato Field Roast, pesto, goat cheese) holding down the fort. There’s now a spacious location in the Central District, too.
Tat’s Delicatessen
Tat’s Delicatessen, an East Coast-style sandwich shop in Pioneer Square (with a roving food truck, too), runs the gamut with monster hoagies, grinders, and cheesesteaks. Don’t miss the Tat’strami, a cheesesteak-pastrami mash-up, and the monster meatball sub with beef, pork, and veal.
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Jackson’s Catfish Corner
Beloved since its inception in 1985, Jackson’s Catfish Corner has closed and reopened multiple times now, most recently making a triumphant return to the Central District in 2021. While the namesake catfish is great on its own, the crispy fried fish is absolutely delightful on a squishy bun topped with the restaurant’s famed tangy tartar sauce and slices of pickles. Don’t forget the hush puppies as a side.
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The Original Philly's
Even though it’s a long way to Philadelphia, this no-frills sandwich shop in South Seattle does cheesesteaks right. The Original Philly’s generously stuffs chopped-up beef, mushrooms, and peppers into its sandwiches, and also allows you to work on your arguments for the eternal debate: melted cheese on the bottom or cheese sauce on top? Can’t go wrong either way.
The Swinery
The Swinery, an impressive butcher shop in West Seattle, also serves burgers and sandwiches involving all manner of pork. The Swinery Spectacular in particular is worth unhinging your jaw for, stuffed as it is with pulled pork, ham, pork belly, and Swiss cheese, all dressed in Dijonnaise.
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Tony's Bakery
One of many popular Vietnamese spots near Othello Station, the unassuming Tony’s Bakery serves some of the city’s best banh mi on wonderfully flaky bread. While the dac biet banh mi is popular, those in the know order banh mi ca xa ot, with fried catfish and a smear of garlic-chive aioli. It makes for as good a start as any to a wider Seattle banh mi tour.
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