12 Ohio Sandwich Spots That Locals Believe Serve Better Than Any Chain
When hunger hits, the drive-thru is easy, but Ohio knows better. This state is packed with dedicated deli counters, mom-and-pop bakeries, and butcher shops that craft sandwiches far beyond the standard chain fare. Forget the uniform subs and predictable ingredients.
We asked locals across the Buckeye State where they go for the ultimate handheld meal-the kind of sandwich that requires two hands and maybe a nap afterward.
These twelve essential spots prove that the true heart of Ohio flavor resides in the small, independent joints where quality isn’t just a marketing slogan, it’s a mission.
1. Slyman’s Restaurant – Cleveland
Corned beef piled so high it defies physics awaits every visitor at this Cleveland institution. Slyman’s has been slinging legendary sandwiches since 1963, and locals treat a visit here like a sacred tradition. The meat is tender, perfectly seasoned, and stacked with such generosity that you’ll need both hands and maybe a forklift.
Clevelanders will argue passionately that nowhere else comes close to matching Slyman’s quality. The rye bread barely contains the mountain of corned beef, creating a glorious mess worth every napkin.
First-timers often stare in disbelief at the sheer size before diving in. This spot has survived decades by never compromising on portion size or flavor.
2. Katzinger’s Delicatessen – Columbus
House-made rye bread forms the foundation of every sandwich at this Columbus treasure. Katzinger’s operates with old-world deli traditions, crafting each sandwich with care and precision that chain operations simply cannot replicate. German Village and Dublin locations serve devoted customers who refuse to settle for mass-produced alternatives.
The deli counter displays fresh meats and cheeses that get sliced to order while you watch. Pickles, mustards, and sides complement the main event without stealing the spotlight. Regulars have their usual orders memorized by the friendly staff who greet them by name.
Authenticity radiates from every corner of this beloved establishment.
3. The Thurman Cafe – Columbus
Monster sandwiches that challenge your jaw capacity define this German Village gem. The Thurman Cafe has built a reputation on portions that make chain offerings look like appetizers. Flavor bombs arrive at your table looking almost too impressive to eat, but somehow you manage.
Neighborhood charm fills the space where locals gather for meals that feel like celebrations. The menu features creative builds that balance boldness with actual edibility, unlike gimmicky chain attempts.
I once watched a table of four struggle through their orders, laughing at the delicious challenge. Lines form outside because word spreads fast about sandwiches this memorable and satisfying.
4. Melt Bar And Grilled – Cleveland Area
Grilled cheese grows up at this Cleveland-area destination where creativity meets comfort food. Melt transforms childhood favorites into sophisticated sandwiches that adults crave with surprising intensity. The menu reads like a fever dream of melted cheese possibilities, each combination more inventive than the last.
Devoted followers make pilgrimages to sample seasonal specials and classic favorites that never disappoint. Crispy, buttery exteriors give way to gooey centers packed with unexpected ingredients that somehow work perfectly.
Chains serve basic grilled cheese, but Melt elevates the concept into legitimate culinary art. Multiple locations prove that Clevelanders take their melted cheese very seriously indeed.
5. Newfangled Kitchen – Bexley
Meatloaf sandwiches sound ordinary until you taste what Newfangled Kitchen creates. This Bexley boutique spot reimagines comfort classics with inventive twists that surprise and satisfy simultaneously. Local favorites emerge from a kitchen that refuses to follow predictable formulas or settle for safe choices.
Specialty sandwiches showcase seasonal ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations that work brilliantly together. The intimate setting feels worlds away from sterile chain environments where sandwiches arrive wrapped in paper.
Regulars swap recommendations like secret passwords, each discovery more exciting than the previous. Columbus-area residents guard this gem jealously, hoping it never becomes too crowded to enjoy.
6. Express Deli – Brook Park
Pita wraps and made-to-order sandwiches earn fierce loyalty at this Brook Park neighborhood spot. Express Deli operates without flashy marketing or corporate backing, relying instead on consistently excellent food that keeps locals returning. Fresh ingredients get assembled quickly by people who genuinely care about what leaves their counter.
Cleveland-area residents swear by the quality and value found here compared to chain alternatives. The menu offers familiar favorites executed with attention that larger operations cannot match.
Customization happens naturally through conversation rather than checking boxes on an app. Simple excellence wins over gimmicks every single time at this unpretentious gem.
7. Larder Delicatessen & Bakery – Cleveland
Chef-driven precision elevates every sandwich at this Ohio City destination. Larder Delicatessen & Bakery bakes bread in-house daily, creating foundations that chains purchase frozen by the truckload. Each sandwich reflects careful thought about flavor balance, texture contrast, and ingredient quality that shows in every bite.
Locals rave about combinations that feel both familiar and refreshingly original simultaneously. The bakery component means pastries tempt you while you wait for your carefully crafted order.
My first visit left me wondering why anyone settles for corporate sandwich formulas when this exists. Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood claims this spot as a point of pride and culinary destination.
8. Tommy’s Restaurant – Cleveland Heights
Old-fashioned diner charm wraps around you at this Coventry Village institution. Tommy’s Restaurant has served Cleveland Heights for decades with consistency that builds trust and habit. The menu features handhelds that deliver exactly what you hope for without pretension or unnecessary complications.
Neighborhood regulars fill booths discussing local happenings while enjoying sandwiches made with reliable quality. Nothing here tries too hard or chases trends, which paradoxically makes it feel more authentic.
Servers remember faces and orders, creating connections that app-based chains cannot replicate. Comfort radiates from the food and atmosphere equally, making every visit feel like coming home.
9. J & W Sandwich Shoppe – Norwood
Generous portions and dependable quality define this Norwood counter institution. J & W Sandwich Shoppe has operated for years by doing simple things exceptionally well without fanfare. Cincinnati-area locals know they can count on sandwiches that satisfy both appetite and expectations every single visit.
The counter setup encourages friendly interaction while your order gets prepared fresh before your eyes. Nothing fancy happens here, just honest sandwiches built by people who take pride in their work.
Chains promise consistency but often deliver mediocrity, while J & W consistently delivers actual satisfaction. Longevity in the restaurant business speaks volumes about quality and community connection.
10. The Eagle – Cincinnati
Crispy fried chicken sandwiches with Southern soul arrive at this Over-the-Rhine favorite. The Eagle combines comfort food traditions with drinks hall energy, creating an atmosphere chains desperately try to manufacture.
Each bite delivers crunch, juiciness, and seasoning that shows someone in the kitchen actually cares. I once brought a friend convinced chains had perfected fried chicken sandwiches, and watched their worldview shift.
The food hall setting adds community vibes that isolated drive-throughs cannot provide. Cincinnati’s OTR neighborhood continues producing culinary gems that residents celebrate and protect.
11. Swensons Drive-In – Akron
Classic drive-in service meets cult-following burgers at this Akron institution. Swensons operates multiple locations where carhops still take orders at your window with genuine friendliness. The sandwiches and burgers inspire passionate debates among locals who argue these tops any chain alternative.
Galley Boys and other signature items have achieved legendary status throughout the region. Fresh ingredients and made-to-order preparation happen quickly without sacrificing quality or flavor.
Nostalgia combines with legitimate excellence, creating experiences that feel special rather than transactional. Akron-area residents introduce newcomers to Swensons like sharing a closely guarded secret worth protecting.
12. Tony Packo’s – Toledo
Regional icon status belongs firmly to this Toledo institution with personality to spare. Tony Packo’s has become synonymous with the city itself, offering unique sandwiches that reflect local pride. The upbeat atmosphere and distinctive menu items create experiences that corporate chains cannot possibly duplicate.
Hot dogs and Hungarian-influenced specialties draw crowds who appreciate food with actual cultural roots. Signed hot dog buns from celebrities line the walls, adding quirky charm to every visit.
Toledo residents defend this spot fiercely, knowing some traditions deserve protection from homogenization. Visiting Toledo without stopping here feels incomplete, like skipping a required pilgrimage destination.