The Hands Down, 20 Best Sandwiches in Los Angeles

You know the old adage, “Life is short, eat a sandwich”? OK, we may have made that one up, but in a city filled with as many sammy options as Los Angeles, it’s the motto we live by. From old-school favorites like Italian subs, Jewish pastramis and pork shoulder Cubanos to local inventions like French dips, gluten-free concoctions (how SoCal) and even one named after a beloved NPR host, we hope you don’t have lunch plans. Here, the 20 best sandwiches in Los Angeles.

• Best Italian Sandwich: The Godmother at Bay Cities
• Best BBQ Sandwich: The Pastrami Sandwich at Slab
• Best Chicken Parm Sandwich: Chicken Parmigiana at Mario’s Italian Deli and Market
• Best Turkey Sandwich: The St Nic at S.O.L. Strings of Life
• Best Vegetarian Sandwich: The Lorri at Ggiata
• Best Pastrami Sandwich: #19 at Langer’s
• Best Salami Sandwich: #3 Soppressata Salami at Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits and Cheese
• Best Tuna Sandwich: Italian Tuna Panini at Da Carla Ristorante Italiano & Caffe'
• Best Breakfast Sandwich: Breakfast Sandwich at Breakfast by Salt’s Cure
• Best Falafel Sandwich: Organic Green Herb Falafel Sandwich at Dune
• Best Fried Chicken Sandwich: Szechuan Hot Chicken Sando at Daybird
• Best French Dip Sandwich: Beef Dip at Philippe the Original
• Best Persian Sandwich: Kuku-Sabzi at Attari Sandwich Shop
• Best Lobster Roll: Lobster Roll at Broad Street Oyster Co.
• Best Reuben Sandwich: The Super Reuben Sandwich at Art’s Deli
• Best Banh Mi: Old Skool Banh Mi at Lokal Sandwich Shop
• Best Gluten-Free Sandwich: Prosciutto & Gruyere at Breadblok
• Best Cubano: The Cubano at A Cut Above the Rest Butcher Shop
• Best Panini: The Chicken Special at il Tramezzino
• Best All Around Sandwich: The Terry Gross at Wax Paper

1. The Godmother At Bay Cities (Santa Monica)

Best Italian Sandwich

If you’ve lived in Los Angeles for more than ten minutes, you’ve probably heard someone mention the Godmother. Not to be confused with the 1972 crime drama the Godfather, this one is a famed Italian submarine sandwich at Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery. It’s got all the meats: prosciutto, ham, cappacola, mortadella and genoa salami. It’s topped with provolone cheese and recommended with the works: mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, homemade Italian dressing and pickled hot or mild peppers. All that good stuff is jammed between delightfuly chewy Italian bread. The market is full of other Italian delicacies so you may want to grab some pasta salad as a side or a cannoli to end your meal. Pro-tip: They only accept cash.

1517 Lincoln Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401; (310) 395-8279

3. Chicken Parmigiana At Mario’s Italian Deli And Market(Glendale)

Best Chicken Parm Sandwich

This adorable marketplace has tons of local and imported Italian foods, including deli offerings with everything fom pizza to spaghetti and meatballs. Their standout is their Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich. Stuffed with breaded chicken, oozing mozzarella and sweet tomato sauce that the bread just soaks up for a truly heavenly bite. Might we suggest this guy pairs nicely with an afternoon nap.

740 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205; (818) 242-4114

5. The Lorri At Ggiata (East Hollywood)

Best Vegetarian Sandwich

Fans of The Sopranos will get a kick out of this New Jersey-inspired Italian deli. While you’re likely to associate a place like this with meat-filled subs (and they have those too, try The Masterpiece, which lives up to its name), vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will love the Lorri: eggplant cutlet, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, roasted broccolini, balsamic glaze, garlic aioli, all on a charred seeded baguette. The sweetness of the balsamic glaze paired with the savory garlic aioli is *chef’s kiss*.

5009 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038; (805) 285-2291

7. #3 Soppressata Salami At Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits And Cheese (Larchmont Village)

Best Salami Sandwich

Browse this plentiful wine and cheese shop in Larchmont Village and then head to the back to try one of their many delicious sandwiches. They offer both full and half-sizes, but since you’ll likely have a wait during lunchtime, you’ll probably want to go for the full. Their #3 sandwich can be served on either a crispy baguette or a soft ciabatta, and the soppressata salami is layed with manchego cheese, mixed greens, sundried tomato spread, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for balanced tang.

223 N. Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004; (323) 856-8699

9. Breakfast Sandwich At Breakfast By Salt’s Cure (Santa Monica)

Best Breakfast Sandwich

Sometimes simple is best. This little breakfast-only shop on Santa Monica’s Montana Ave. is known for their Oatmeal Griddle Cakes but we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight the menu underdog: The Breakfast Sandwich. A perfectly fried egg sits atop their homemade sausage patty (with the option to sub for a chicken or chickpea one), with cheddar cheese and a flavorful arugula relish. It’s not too large so you get it all in one perfect bite.

714 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA; (323) 848-4879

10. Organic Green Herb Falafel Sandwich At Dune (Atwater Village)

Best Falafel Sandwich

Dune is an escape to the Middle East; their menu has all of the great foods from this region including shawarma, hummus, tabouleh salad, and of course, falafel. The wait can be a bit long at this small shop along the bustling Glendale Ave, but it’s worth it for their Organic Green Herb Falafel Sandwich. The falafel is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside, packed with fresh flavorful herbs like parsley, cilantro and garlic. Smothered in hummus and topped with pickled turnips and radishes, marinated cabbage and onions, the entire sandwich is on the house soft flat bread. The fried potato shoestrings are a nice addition to add texture to every bite.

3143 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039; (323) 486-7073

12. Beef Dip At Philippe The Original (Downtown)

Best French Dip Sandwich

A trip to Philippe’s feels like you’ve gone back in time. The originators of the French dip, this is of course, the house specialty. The tender, USDA prime roast beef is sliced by one of the “carvers” working there and served on a French roll, dipped in the natural gravy of the roasts. It’s so good, we definitely suggest the double dip. You can also sub for beef, turkey, lamb, pastrami, ham or pork.

1011 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; (213) 628-3781

13. Kuku-sabzi At Attari Sandwich Shop (Westwood)

Best Persian Sandwich

Westwood is known for having great Persian food, and Attari is a standout amongst the pack. Visit here for lunch and try the Kuku-Sabzi—a vegetarian sandwich made with an egg frittata filled with fresh herbs on crusty bread. Another local favorite is the tongue sandwich, and both pair nicely with Osh—a Persian noodle soup.

1388 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90024; (310) 441-5488

14. Lobster Roll Warm With Butter At Broad Street Oyster Co. (Malibu)

Best Lobster Roll

While lobster rolls are native to New England, the one at Broad Street Oyster Co. will save you a flight. Large chunks of flavorful lobster sit on top of a thick hotdog roll, soaked in butter. It’s total perfection. If you have the room, get a side of fries to dip in their Old Bay aioli. There are other classic seafood options like fried shrimp and oysters as well as a unique variety of beers and natural wines. Tucked away in an alley at the Malibu Country Mart, grab an outdoor picnic bench and really take in the good life!

23359 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265; (424) 644-0131

15. The Super Reuben Sandwich At Art’s Deli (Studio City)

Best Reuben Sandwich

Reminiscent of a New York City deli, Art’s Deli is right off of Ventura Blvd., and a staple in the area since 1957. The Super Reuben sandwich is filled with both pastrami and corned beef (why choose one?) piled high on top of two slices of grilled rye bread, with a hefty amount of sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and melted Swiss cheese. The sandwich is so tall, you may not be able to fit it all in one bite. But each messy bite you get, will make it worth the $29 sticker price.

12224 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604; (818) 762-1221

17. Old Skool Banh Mi At Lokal Sandwich Shop (West L.A.)

Best Banh Mi Sandwich

If you’re craving this classic Vietnamese sandwich, then stop by this neighborhood joint and pick up their Old Skool Banh Mi. The meat—pork loaf and Vietnamese ham—spills off the sides of the crispy and large baguette. Add to that head cheese plus pork pate. Then, there’s cucumber, pickled daikon and carrots. A bit of spice from the jalapeno balanced by the mayo, sprinkled with cilantro, and this sandwich burst with flavor. Start with this classic sandwich but then come back to try some of their other versions like the K-BBQ Banh Mi with Korean marinated beef.

10433 National Blvd #1A, Los Angeles, CA 90034; (310) 836-5333

18. The Cubano At A Cut Above The Rest Butcher Shop(Santa Monica)

Best Cubano Sandwich

Sometimes you find love in the most unlikely places. Who would have thought that hidden in this Santa Monica Butcher shop is the best Cubano sandwich in Los Angeles? Native to Miami, the Cubano is the Cuban version of ham and cheese. The shop’s butcher uses melt-in-your-mouth slow-roasted Kurobuta pork shoulder and sliced ham for this masterpiece. Swiss cheese, dill pickles, jalapenos, sweet caramelized onions, cilantro and Djon Mustard all make their way onto the warm baguette. If you’re a home chef, while here, pick up some pasture-raised, grass-fed steaks, because who isn’t trying to cook more at home? You did JUST eat lunch out.

2453 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404; (310) 998-8500

19. The Chicken Special At Il Tramezzino (Studio City)

Best Panini

This unassuming spot in Studio City serves one of the best paninis around. The Chicken Special has a garlic basil aioli on it that you’ll want to bathe in. In additionto the aioli, the fresh grilled chicken is topped with sundried tomatoes, provolone, and avocado. This sandwich is amore!

13031 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604; (818) 784-2244