These Oklahoma Sandwich Counters Are Protected By Locals Like Heirloom Cast Iron
Some sandwich shops feel like they belong to everyone who walks through the door, but in Oklahoma, a handful of counters get treated with the kind of fierce loyalty usually reserved for grandma’s cast-iron skillet.
These places don’t chase trends or shout about themselves on billboards. Instead, they’ve earned their place in the hearts of regulars through decades of consistent, honest food and the kind of service that makes you feel like part of the family.
I’ve watched people defend their favorite sub shop with the same passion they bring to football debates, and honestly, that tells you everything you need to know about what makes these spots special.
1. Neptune Submarine Sandwiches – Oklahoma City
Regulars talk about Neptune like an old friend who always comes through. Inside the N Classen shop, the line bends toward a long counter where sub rolls get piled high with bologna, salami, ham, beef, and all the crunchy fixings.
Buns are baked fresh, and the menu reads like a time capsule of classic American subs, from the Super Sub to simple ham and cheese.
Neptune has been slinging sandwiches in Oklahoma City since the 1970s, and recent reviews and social posts confirm the shop is still going strong with daily hours and even a newer Moore location.
2. Krell’s East Coast Style Delicatessen – Yukon
Walk into Krell’s in Yukon and it feels like someone air-dropped a Philly deli onto the prairie. Stacks of pastrami and corned beef, house pickles, matzo ball soup, and real Philly cheesesteaks all come out of a bustling open kitchen.
Owner and chef Jonathan Krell, raised on East Coast delis, built this place so locals could taste the kind of Reubens, kugel, and kasha varnishkes he grew up with.
Current hours, online ordering, and a busy social feed show Krell’s still very much alive, with locals raving about the Philly, Italian Stallion, and complimentary pickle plates.
3. Trenchers Delicatessen – Tulsa
Tulsa sandwich fans treat Trenchers like sacred ground for serious sandwiches.
A glass case of house-baked breads and deli meats lines the counter, where orders for Dutch Crunch, Reubens, Cubanos, and vegan Reubens move nonstop.
TravelOK highlights the from-scratch breads, pastries, and salads, and the menu leans creative with options like the Coolio and a loaded Dutch Crunch sandwich.
Recent listings show Trenchers open daily with mid-day hours, and multiple delivery and takeout platforms still carry its full menu of hot and cold sandwiches.
4. Lou’s Deli & Oklahoma Spud – Downtown Tulsa
Downtown workers treat Lou’s like the unofficial lunchroom of Main Street.
Inside a narrow storefront, a long counter turns out old-school subs on soft rolls plus enormous baked potatoes buried under cheese, sour cream, and all kinds of toppings.
The shop opens early for breakfast, then runs a steady stream of regulars through lunch before closing mid-afternoon.
Its website and downtown dining guides list current weekday hours, phone number, and a full submarine and spud menu, while recent reviews praise the Italian subs, generous baked potatoes, and family-style service.
5. Bill & Ruth’s Sub Shop No. 7 – Tulsa (51st & Sheridan)
South Tulsa residents speak about Bill & Ruth’s like a neighborhood clubhouse with really big sandwiches.
Behind the counter, staff load soft sub rolls with stacks of ham, salami, turkey, and cheese for classics like the Super Sub or Belly Buster, then wrap them in paper that never quite contains the fillings.
Official listings and online menus confirm the 6124 E 51st Place shop continues to operate as a deli and sandwich spot, serving a long lineup of hot and cold subs alongside favorites like chili pies and gyros.
6. Bill & Ruth’s Submarine Shop – Broken Arrow (New Orleans Street)
Broken Arrow locals watched this Bill & Ruth’s fight back from serious water damage, cheering when the doors finally reopened.
Today, the small shop along West New Orleans turns out subs on fresh bread with house sauces, feeding a loyal crowd that keeps the place alive.
I remember stopping by right after they reopened and seeing the relief on everyone’s faces, like a missing piece of the neighborhood had finally come home.
7. City Bites – Oklahoma City Metro & Norman
City Bites started as a small family sandwich shop in the 1980s and now runs a whole constellation of counters around the OKC metro, plus Norman and a few nearby towns.
Walk into one of the Oklahoma locations and the vibe lands somewhere between funky art space and neighborhood deli, with a long line for big stuffed baked potatoes, deli sandwiches, and giant cookies.
Company info and tourism listings describe City Bites as an Oklahoma-based, family-owned chain with around 15 to 18 metro locations, still baking bread twice daily and serving its famous spicy ranch and loaded spuds.
8. Midway Deli – Norman
Sooner country runs on Midway sandwiches. A short walk from campus, this low-key deli and grocery pulls in students, professors, and longtime Norman residents who line up at the counter for thick sandwiches, soups, and sides.
The shop doubles as a community hangout, hosting occasional backyard music events and keeping shelves stocked with snacks and pantry basics.
The deli’s website, social channels, and recent reviews confirm Midway still operates at 601 W Eufaula Street with made-to-order sandwiches, vegetarian options, and daytime hours that cover breakfast through late afternoon.
9. Red Rock Bakery & Deli – Stillwater
Game days in Stillwater send hungry fans straight to Red Rock for carb-loaded sandwiches and thick slices of fresh bread.
Inside the Boomer Road shop, staff slice loaves baked that morning, then stack slow-roasted meats and crisp vegetables for simple, sturdy sandwiches built to survive a long day around campus.
Red Rock’s own site and local tourism listings emphasize that breads are made from scratch each morning and meats are sliced and roasted daily, and current hours show the deli open every day with a drive-thru for quick sandwich runs.
10. The Mule – Oklahoma City (Plaza District)
Plaza District crowds treat The Mule like a sandwich shrine where comfort food gets a playful remix.
Inside a lively dining room, servers drop off grilled cheese creations like the Big Ass Grilled Cheese, loaded turkey melts, and the Macaroni Pony, a jalapeño-cornbread sandwich stuffed with pulled pork and mac and cheese.
Locally owned and operated, The Mule is listed by VisitOKC as a restaurant centered on gourmet hot melts and grilled cheese, and its website, delivery partners, and recent coverage all confirm daily service in its NW 16th Street home.
11. Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler – Oklahoma City
Locals guard Johnnie’s like a time machine that still serves perfect burgers and onion rings. Since 1971, this family-run spot has been flame-grilling beef patties over charcoal and hand-cutting onion rings that come out golden and crispy.
The counter setup feels straight out of a classic diner, with red vinyl stools and a menu that keeps things simple but does everything right.
I once brought a friend visiting from out of state, and they couldn’t believe a burger this good existed outside of their childhood memories.
Multiple OKC locations keep the legacy alive, and recent listings confirm daily service with the same recipes that built the reputation decades ago.
12. Hideaway Pizza – Multiple Oklahoma Locations
Hideaway started in a Stillwater basement in 1957 and grew into an Oklahoma institution that serves way more than pizza.
Walk up to any Hideaway counter across the state and you’ll find a menu packed with overstuffed sandwiches, from hot Italian subs to turkey clubs loaded with all the extras.
The vibe stays casual and welcoming, with booths full of families, students, and regulars who’ve been coming back for generations.
Current restaurant guides and the company’s own website list more than a dozen Oklahoma locations, all still serving the signature sandwiches, hand-tossed pies, and fried mushrooms that made Hideaway a household name.