These Virginia Sandwich Counters That Are Protected By Locals Like Generational Secrets
The air smells like frying onions, old coffee, and the faint, comforting scent of 1980s vinyl booth upholstery. These are cultural institutions cemented in decades of grease-stained transactions and family arguments.
If you didn’t learn to order your lunch while standing awkwardly behind a local plumber and a taciturn state senator, you haven’t lived. These are the places that refuse to accept Apple Pay, still use paper tickets, and where the counter staff knows your order (and your mother’s maiden name) before you even open your mouth.
Approach with hunger, but also with profound humility.
1. New York Deli: Richmond’s Sandwich Institution Since 1929
Step into Richmond’s oldest continuously operating deli, where sandwich history was literally made. The New York Deli earned legendary status among locals for inventing the “Sailor” sandwich – a divine combination of pastrami, knackwurst, Swiss cheese, and mustard that locals consider mandatory eating.
Generations of Richmonders have fiercely protected this Carytown landmark from changing too much. The vintage atmosphere complements sandwiches built with the kind of quality that only comes from nearly a century of practice.
Regulars often have standing orders the staff remembers without asking, creating that neighborhood feeling that chain restaurants can never replicate.
2. Chiocca’s Downstairs Deli: The Basement Sandwich Secret
Hidden beneath street level, Chiocca’s feels like a delicious secret you’ve stumbled upon. This basement-style Italian deli has served piled-high sandwiches since the 1950s from its original Cary Street location in Richmond’s Belmont neighborhood.
The dimly lit interior creates an atmosphere of exclusivity that longtime Richmonders protect fiercely. First-timers often miss the entrance entirely, which is exactly how regulars prefer it.
Sandwiches arrive on paper plates with no pretension – just impossibly good combinations of quality meats and cheeses that have kept this underground gem thriving for over half a century.
3. Perly’s Restaurant & Delicatessen: Jewish Deli Revival With Devoted Following
Perly’s resurrection story makes locals emotional. Originally opened in 1961, this Jewish-style deli closed briefly before being revived with a perfect blend of tradition and modern touches that Richmond sandwich enthusiasts treat with religious reverence.
My grandmother used to bring me here as a child, insisting their pastrami was worth the downtown parking hassle. Twenty years later, I still make the pilgrimage monthly for that same perfect sandwich.
The Reuben deserves special mention – towering with house-cured corned beef and tangy sauerkraut that creates devoted followers willing to wait in line rather than settle for lesser versions elsewhere.
4. Coppola’s Deli: Family-Run Italian Heritage Since 1982
Bread makes the difference at Coppola’s, where fresh-baked rolls create the foundation for Italian hoagies worth crossing town for. This family-operated Carytown institution has maintained unwavering quality standards since 1982.
Locals speak of these sandwiches in hushed, reverent tones. The Italian cold cut combination piled with capicola, mortadella, and provolone draws particular devotion from those who understand proper sandwich construction.
Regulars develop personal connections with the family behind the counter, who remember preferences and family updates between visits. This relationship-based approach to sandwich-making keeps Richmonders fiercely loyal to their neighborhood Italian deli.
5. The Cheese Shop: Williamsburg’s Sandwich Legacy
College students learn quickly that The Cheese Shop represents Williamsburg’s most important food education. This decades-old family business in Merchants’ Square builds sandwiches that alumni reminisce about years after graduation.
The house dressing achieves near-mythical status among locals. This signature condiment elevates already excellent combinations of premium meats and cheeses on fresh-baked bread to something transcendent.
I still remember my first visit as a freshman, when a wise upperclassman insisted we skip the tourist traps for these sandwiches. Fifteen years later, I make the same recommendation to anyone visiting this historic town.
6. The Italian Store: Arlington’s Authentic Sub Sanctuary
Lines form early at The Italian Store, where Arlingtonians have religiously gathered for authentic Italian subs since 1980. This specialty market-meets-sandwich counter maintains strict quality standards that have earned multigenerational loyalty.
The Milano and Napoli subs represent sandwich perfection that locals protect from becoming too widely known. Family ownership ensures consistency that keeps customers returning decade after decade.
Both the original Lyon Village location and newer Westover outpost maintain the same commitment to properly constructed Italian sandwiches. Locals debate which location makes superior subs with the passion typically reserved for sports rivalries.
7. Greenwood Gourmet Grocery: Roadside Sandwich Revelation
Travelers along Route 250 through Albemarle County might miss this unassuming roadside market if not for locals who spread the gospel of its exceptional sandwiches. Since 1999, this family-owned grocery has transformed from simple store to sandwich destination.
Made-to-order creations feature locally sourced ingredients that showcase Virginia’s agricultural bounty. The turkey and apple with house-made chutney exemplifies their approach to elevated sandwich craft.
What started as a convenient stop has become a mandatory pilgrimage for those in the know. Charlottesville residents will drive the extra miles to Crozet rather than settle for more convenient options – the ultimate testament to sandwich superiority.
8. Tad’s Deli & Smokehouse: Virginia Beach’s Smoked Meat Sanctuary
Savvy Virginia Beach locals steer clear of tourist traps and head straight to Tad’s when sandwich cravings strike. This Oceanfront area institution earns devotion through house-smoked meats that transform ordinary sandwiches into memorable meals.
The brisket sandwich has achieved particular fame among Tidewater residents. Smoked for hours until perfectly tender, then sliced thin and piled high, it represents the pinnacle of sandwich craftsmanship.
Families visiting the beach each summer make Tad’s part of their tradition, with parents introducing children to these exceptional sandwiches just as their parents once did for them – creating new generations of devoted customers.
9. Stanley’s: Richmond’s New Classic Hoagie Headquarters
Sometimes traditions start quickly. Though newer than others on this list, Stanley’s has rapidly achieved protected status among Richmonders who recognize extraordinary sandwich craft when they taste it.
This self-described “hoagie emporium” approaches sandwich-making with obsessive attention to detail. The bread, meat proportions, and condiment balance undergo scrutiny that borders on scientific.
The Italian hoagie represents their philosophy perfectly – traditional ingredients assembled with modern precision. Richmond sandwich enthusiasts speak of Stanley’s with the protective tone usually reserved for decades-old institutions, guarding this relative newcomer as if it’s been around for generations.