18 Washington Sandwich Spots That Rival The State’s Famous Salmon Dishes
Sure, Washington built its culinary reputation on cedar-planked salmon and fresh seafood pulled straight out of Puget Sound. But ask any local what they really crave after a long week, and the answer might surprise you.
Sandwiches have quietly become the heartbeat of our state’s food culture, tucked into neighborhood corners and downtown storefronts where lines stretch out the door at lunch.
I’ve chased down cheesesteaks in Pioneer Square, devoured Caribbean pork in Fremont, and learned that sometimes the best meal comes wrapped in paper, not plated on porcelain.
These 18 spots prove that Washington’s sandwich game deserves just as much love as any salmon fillet.
1. Tat’s Delicatessen — Seattle, Pioneer Square
Griddles hiss, rolls steam, and that East Coast energy hits the moment you step inside. The cheesesteaks and Tatstrami are the move when you want big flavor that hugs back.
I remember my first bite during a rainy Tuesday lunch rush, juice running down my wrist, thinking this might be the best decision I’d made all month.
Open with posted daytime hours, plus weekend service. Check their site for current timing and prepare for a wait that’s always worth it.
2. Paseo — Seattle, Fremont
The Caribbean Roast is gloriously messy in the best way, a warm baguette stacked with slow-roasted pork, onion, and aioli that tastes like sunshine on a gray day.
Every bite delivers that perfect balance of crispy edges and tender meat, with enough garlic to keep vampires at bay for weeks.
Multiple locations run daily; Fremont is the classic. Napkins are not optional here; they’re survival tools, so grab a stack and settle in.
3. Un Bien — Seattle, Ballard/Shilshole
Sisters to the Paseo tradition, these sandwiches drip with garlicky mojo and caramelized onions, a two-napkin situation you will daydream about later.
The pork practically melts on your tongue while the bread soaks up every drop of that incredible marinade. Ballard and Shilshole shops post current hours mid-week through weekends.
Plan your visit around lunch or early dinner, and maybe bring a change of shirt if you’re heading somewhere fancy afterward.
4. HoneyHole — Seattle, Capitol Hill
Playful names, seriously stacked builds, and late hours for the neighborhood mean you can wander in hungry and leave with a saucy grin.
Their current schedule runs into the night all week, making this the perfect stop when everything else has already closed.
I’ve stumbled in after concerts more times than I care to admit, always grateful someone understands the post-show hunger.
Check their social channels for specials and seasonal creations that keep the menu fresh.
5. Saigon Deli — Seattle, Little Saigon
Crackly baguettes, herb snap, and bright pickles make these counter-service banh mi feel like the city’s best bargain feast.
The Jackson Street location keeps reliable daytime hours, serving up sandwiches that pack more flavor per dollar than almost anywhere else in town.
Order the classic combination or go adventurous with the house special. Either way, you’ll walk out wondering why you ever paid more for lunch anywhere else in your life.
6. Dingfelder’s Delicatessen — Seattle, Capitol Hill
Hot pastrami piled high, matzo ball soup when you need comfort, and a genuine New York-style deli spirit, Seattle edition.
Daily hours are posted with early opens for the breakfast crowd, so you can start your morning right with a proper bagel or save the pastrami for lunch.
The vibe here feels transported straight from the Lower East Side, complete with pickles on every table and staff who know their regulars by name and order.
7. Mean Sandwich — Seattle, Ballard
Creative, craveable stacks on squishy bread, built with chefly precision that still feels like a guilty pleasure.
Running a focused daytime schedule, perfect for a lunch mission when you want something that tastes expensive but won’t drain your wallet. The menu rotates with the seasons, so there’s always a reason to return and try something new.
Grab yours to go and head to the waterfront, or claim a spot at the counter and watch the magic happen.
8. Bottega Gabriele — Seattle, Pioneer Square
Focaccia and Italian meats meet olive-bright condiments for sandwiches that taste like a quick trip to Rome.
Recently expanded hours keep the noon crush happy, and the bread alone is worth the visit, pillowy soft inside with just enough chew on the crust.
I once brought one of these to a picnic at the waterfront, and my friends spent the entire afternoon asking where I got it.
Now it’s our group’s official sandwich supplier for any outdoor gathering.
9. Fortuna Bottega — Seattle, Phinney Ridge/Greenwood
Schiacciata, the Tuscan flatbread, becomes the buttery backbone for layered Italian builds that are light, crisp, and deeply satisfying.
Opened September 2025 with a concise lunch window, so time your stroll carefully or you might miss out on these beauties.
The simplicity here is the secret, letting quality ingredients shine without unnecessary fuss or overcomplication.
Pair yours with an espresso and enjoy the neighborhood vibe that makes Phinney Ridge such a treasure.
10. MSM Deli (Magical Sandwich Makers) — Tacoma
A Tacoma rite of passage involves massive French-bread sandwiches, built to share, devoured solo.
House site and listings show daily service with steady hours, so plan for a line and enjoy the payoff when you finally get your hands on one of these monsters.
The first time I ordered, I genuinely thought I could finish the whole thing myself. Three meals later, I learned my lesson about Tacoma portion sizes and proper sandwich respect.
11. Domini Sandwiches — Spokane, Downtown
Classic deli cuts, thick-sliced and simple, the kind of old-school counter where mustard decisions matter and piles of chips finish the ritual.
The shop posts weekday lunch hours only, serving downtown workers who know that sometimes the best sandwich is the one that doesn’t try too hard.
No fancy aiolis or artisan breads here, just honest ingredients assembled with care and a side of nostalgia for simpler times when lunch meant exactly this.
12. High Nooner — Spokane & Spokane Valley
Locals swear by these saucy, toasty signatures that land right in the comfort zone, from the Nooner classics to seasonal specials.
Both locations keep weekday lunch hours, making this a staple for office workers and students who need something reliable and delicious. The bread gets grilled to perfection, creating that satisfying crunch with every bite.
Ask anyone in Spokane about their go-to sandwich spot, and this name comes up more often than any other in the conversation.
13. Graze ‘A Place to Eat’ — Walla Walla & Richland
Bright, crisp salads and warm pressed sandwiches share the stage, but that turkey-bacon-avocado or steak-and-blue always seems to win hearts.
The official hours vary slightly by town; both are currently active and serving loyal followings who appreciate the balance of healthy and indulgent.
I’ve watched people order salads with the best intentions, only to switch to sandwiches after seeing what comes out of the kitchen for the table next door.
14. Avenue Bread — Bellingham
House-baked loaves become the star, from simple turkey-Swiss to veggie-stacked beauties, all with that just-out-of-the-oven aroma.
The James Street cafe posts daytime hours for breakfast and lunch, and arriving early means you might snag a loaf of their famous bread to take home for tomorrow’s breakfast.
The smell alone could guide you here blindfolded, a warm yeasty welcome that makes every visit feel like coming home to grandma’s kitchen on baking day.
15. Old World Deli — Bellingham, Downtown
Cured meats, roasted in-house, a great bottle shop, and sandwiches that feel both European and thoroughly Northwest.
The deli keeps daily daytime service, offering a selection that changes with what’s fresh and what the staff has been curing in the back room.
This place reminds me of the tiny delis I stumbled into during a college trip to Prague, where the owner knew every customer and every ingredient had a story worth telling over the counter.
16. 5th on 4th Sandwiches & More — Olympia
A no-frills counter turning out hot and cold classics, the sort of shop where office workers and little leaguers alike queue up for the same beloved subs.
Current lunch-centric hours are posted, and the menu hasn’t changed much in years because nobody wants it to.
Sometimes you just need a straightforward sandwich without the fuss, and this spot delivers exactly that with a smile and a side of chips that never disappoints anyone in line.
17. Lemolo Café & Deli — Wenatchee
Hearty, inventive stacks on fresh bread with soups to match, a downtown staple that feels like a community table.
Open late-afternoon into early evening, Monday through Saturday, serving a crowd that includes everyone from tourists exploring the valley to locals grabbing dinner before heading home.
The sandwich-and-soup combo here has saved me on more cold Wenatchee evenings than I can count, warming me from the inside out after long days exploring apple country.
18. Bleu Door Bakery — Vancouver
French-leaning cafe energy with serious sandwiches, from croque-style comfort to bright, veggie-forward options, all built on stellar bread.
The bakery’s site and listings confirm current daytime hours, and the pastry case will tempt you to add dessert before you’ve even finished ordering lunch.
Everything here tastes like it was made by someone who actually cares about the craft, not just punching a clock and slapping ingredients together on autopilot.