12 Ohio Sandwich Joints That Locals Say Outshine The Big Brands
Chain sandwich shops seem to be on every corner these days, pumping out the same predictable subs and wraps no matter which state you visit. But Ohio has quietly built a lineup of local sandwich makers that leave the big brands in the dust.
I’m talking about places where the meat is sliced by hand, the bread comes from a real bakery, and the owner actually remembers your name after your second visit.
These spots have earned fierce loyalty because they do one thing incredibly well: they make sandwiches that taste like someone actually cares, which is never the case with any of the big chains.
1. Katzinger’s Delicatessen (Columbus, German Village)
Stepping into Katzinger’s feels like time-traveling to a proper 1940s deli, complete with the smell of fresh rye bread and vinegar-soaked pickles.
The Reuben here towers so high you need a strategy just to bite it, and the corned beef gets brined and steamed right in the building on South 3rd Street.
I once watched a tourist try to photograph her sandwich before eating, but gave up halfway through because it kept toppling over. House-made pickles come free with every order, and they’re crunchy enough to hear across the room.
Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, so you can satisfy that deli craving almost any time.
2. Slyman’s Restaurant (Cleveland, St. Clair Ave.)
Cleveland natives treat Slyman’s corned beef like a sacred ritual, and one bite explains why. The meat gets piled so generously on rye that structural integrity becomes optional, and the pink, peppery slices are tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
This place operates strictly as a breakfast-and-lunch spot, so sleeping in means missing out.
Regulars know to arrive before the noon rush, when the line snakes out the door and down St. Clair Avenue. The sandwich weighs about as much as a small textbook, and most people need both hands plus a pile of napkins.
3. Bagel Street Deli (Athens)
College students and professors alike crowd this Court Street institution for what locals call bagelwiches, which are exactly what they sound like and exactly what you need after a long lecture.
The beauty here is total customization: you pick your bagel, your protein, your toppings, and they pile it all together without judgment.
Long operating hours mean you can grab one at 8 am or in the evening up to 8 pm, making it the most reliable sandwich fix in Athens.
I remember ordering a everything bagel loaded with turkey, avocado, and way too much cream cheese during finals week, and it somehow tasted like a hug.
The staff moves fast even when the line wraps around, so you’re never stuck waiting forever.
4. G & R Tavern (Waldo)
Most people drive to Waldo for exactly one reason: a thick-cut fried bologna sandwich that tastes like childhood nostalgia got an upgrade. This no-frills tavern has been frying up slabs of bologna for decades, and the recipe hasn’t budged an inch.
The edges curl up crispy while the center stays juicy, and it all gets sandwiched between soft white bread with yellow mustard.
Hours vary by day, so calling ahead saves you a wasted trip down rural Ohio roads. Locals treat this place like a pilgrimage site, and first-timers always leave wondering why they waited so long. It’s simple, it’s greasy, and it’s absolutely perfect.
5. Diamond Deli (Akron)
Downtown Akron workers plan their entire Tuesday around lunch at Diamond Deli, where the sandwiches come big, tidy, and assembled with the precision of a surgeon.
Operating only on weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm, this place rewards those who keep traditional office hours. The roast beef gets sliced fresh every morning, and the bread holds up under serious weight without turning soggy.
Everything here feels intentional, like someone put real thought into the balance of meat, cheese, and condiments. I once tried to eat a whole Italian sub in one sitting and made it about three-quarters before admitting defeat.
If you work nearby, this becomes your weekly ritual real quick.
6. Larder Delicatessen & Bakery (Cleveland, Ohio City)
Chef-driven delis are rare, but Larder operates inside a converted firehouse and brings serious culinary firepower to every sandwich. The team earned a 2025 James Beard nomination, which tells you everything about the quality level here.
House-cured pastrami is the star, with a spice crust that cracks under your teeth before melting into buttery, smoky meat.
This isn’t your grandpa’s deli unless your grandpa trained at culinary school and obsessed over every detail. The bread comes from their own bakery, so even the foundation tastes better than most places’ main event.
Prices run a bit higher, but you’re paying for craft, not just lunch.
7. Joe’s Deli & Restaurant (Rocky River)
Family-run spots have a warmth that corporate chains can never replicate, and Joe’s proves it every single day.
The corned beef and roast beef get cooked fresh daily, filling the dining room with smells that make your stomach growl before you even sit down. The menu reads like someone’s grandmother wrote it, full of classic deli staples done exactly right.
Regulars greet the staff by name, and the staff remembers how you like your sandwich without asking twice. I brought my picky cousin here once, and even he admitted the turkey club was better than anything he makes at home.
Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the vibe is pure neighborhood comfort.
8. Express Deli (Brook Park)
Tiny storefronts sometimes hide the biggest flavors, and Express Deli packs a serious punch despite its modest size.
This family-run counter blends classic deli staples with Middle-Eastern-leaning specials, so you might find corned beef next to falafel on the same menu. Locals rave about the corned beef, which gets piled high and seasoned just right.
Limited daytime hours mean you need to plan your visit, but the effort pays off in every bite. The family behind the counter treats every order like it’s going to their own table.
It’s the kind of place where you become a regular after just two visits, and they start prepping your usual before you finish ordering.
9. Original Sub Shop & Deli (Toledo)
Since 1979, this downtown-adjacent Toledo institution has been slinging scratch-made soups and subs that keep people coming back for decades.
Operating Tuesday through Saturday during lunchtime hours, it’s the kind of place that rewards routine and punishes procrastination. The bread comes fresh daily, and the soup changes based on what’s in season and what the cook feels like making.
I once tried their chicken noodle soup on a rainy Thursday and understood why people drive across town for it. The subs are straightforward and honest, built with quality ingredients and zero pretension.
If you want fancy, go somewhere else; if you want good, this is your spot.
10. Carl’s Deli (Cincinnati, Mt. Lookout)
Neighborhood delis thrive on consistency, and Carl’s delivers the same reliable experience every single time. The deli case gleams with fresh cold cuts that get sliced to order, so your sandwich is never sitting under heat lamps getting sad.
Hefty portions mean you’re getting your money’s worth, and the old-school vibe feels like stepping back into a simpler time.
Regulars know to ask for the Italian sub with extra peppers, which adds just enough kick without overwhelming the meat. The staff moves efficiently even during the lunch rush, so you’re in and out faster than most drive-throughs.
It’s exactly what a neighborhood deli should be: friendly, fast, and delicious.
11. Silverglades (Cincinnati, Downtown at 8th & Sycamore)
A century-old name carries weight in Cincinnati, and Silverglades has been feeding downtown workers since long before skyscrapers dominated the skyline.
The menu spans hefty paninis, creative wraps, and deli salads that actually taste fresh instead of like they’ve been sitting in a cooler for three days. Weekday hours cater to the business lunch crowd, so plan accordingly.
I grabbed a turkey panini here between meetings once and was shocked at how much flavor they packed into something so simple. The bread gets pressed perfectly crispy, and the fillings stay hot without turning into mush.
It’s proof that tradition and quality can coexist beautifully, even in a fast-paced downtown setting.
12. Berardi’s Family Kitchen (Sandusky)
Multigenerational family restaurants have a secret weapon: recipes that have been tested and perfected over decades.
Berardi’s serves up Lake Erie perch sandwiches that taste like summer on the water, with crispy breading and tender fish that flakes apart perfectly.
The roast beef subs hold their own too, especially when paired with their famous fries that come hot, salty, and addictive.
This homey spot feels like eating at a friend’s house, if that friend happened to be an excellent cook with access to fresh lake fish. Locals know to order the perch on Fridays, when it’s freshest and the line gets longest.
It’s comfort food done right, without any fuss or pretense.