7 Ohio Sandwich Chains That Totally Disappoint & 7 That Absolutely Deliver
Ohio offers everything from mouthwatering local gems to national chains that leave much to be desired.
When hunger strikes and you’re craving layers of meat, cheese, and toppings between bread, knowing where to go can make or break your lunch.
I’ve eaten my way through the Buckeye State to separate the sandwich superstars from the letdowns.
1. Subway: The Sad Sandwich Standard
Remember when Subway seemed revolutionary? Those days are long gone. The bread often arrives stale, the meat portions skimpy, and the vegetables wilted beyond recognition.
Last summer, I ordered their Italian BMT and received what looked like a sad science experiment. Most locations can’t even maintain consistent quality between visits, making every order a gamble.
2. Jimmy John’s: Speed Over Substance
Lightning-fast delivery doesn’t compensate for Jimmy John’s mediocre offerings. Their sandwiches arrive quickly but lack personality, with bread that tastes mass-produced and fillings that need serious flavor upgrades.
The Dayton locations particularly struggle with consistency. While not terrible, they simply don’t measure up to local alternatives that put more care into their craft.
3. Penn Station: Promising Concept, Underwhelming Execution
Founded in Cincinnati, Penn Station should understand Ohio tastes. Yet their cheesesteaks and subs frequently miss the mark, delivering a generic experience that lacks distinctive character.
During college, I practically lived on their grilled subs until discovering how much better local shops were. Their quality varies wildly between locations, making loyalty difficult to maintain.
4. Frisch’s Big Boy: Yesterday’s Icon, Today’s Letdown
Once a beloved Ohio institution, Frisch’s Big Boy has struggled to maintain relevance. Their sandwiches feel stuck in a time warp, with aging recipes that haven’t evolved with modern tastes.
The chain has shrunk dramatically, closing numerous locations. What remains often feels like a nostalgic shadow rather than a vibrant dining option worth seeking out.
5. Rax Roast Beef: A Fading Memory
Rax once dotted Ohio’s landscape, serving roast beef sandwiches to loyal fans. Today, with just six locations remaining, it’s a shell of its former self. My grandfather still reminisces about their heyday in the 80s.
Unfortunately, current offerings taste like pale imitations of their glory days, with dry meat and lackluster toppings that leave customers wondering what happened.
6. Wendy’s: Falling From Grace
Despite Ohio roots, Wendy’s has betrayed its home state with declining sandwich quality. Their chicken sandwiches arrive lukewarm, and burger-based offerings lack the freshness the brand once prided itself on.
Multiple Ohio locations have closed amid customer complaints about inconsistent food and ballooning prices. Even their marketing can’t disguise that the quality no longer justifies the cost.
7. Panera Bread: Corporate Mediocrity
Panera’s sandwiches represent everything wrong with corporate food: overpriced, underwhelming, and oddly tasteless despite fancy descriptions. Ohioans increasingly recognize that better value exists at local delis.
The bread might be fresh, but the fillings often disappoint with skimpy portions. I once paid nearly $15 for their “Mediterranean Veggie” that contained exactly three olive slices and a scraping of hummus.
8. Charlie’s Deli & Catering: Dayton’s Sandwich Superstar
Charlie’s doesn’t just make sandwiches—they craft edible masterpieces that tower gloriously on freshly baked bread. Voted Dayton’s best sandwich shop for good reason, their reputation for excellence brings lines out the door.
Their Reuben stands tall enough to require unhinging your jaw. The owner once told me they slice their corned beef fresh hourly, refusing to let it sit around losing flavor.
9. Herb ‘n Twine: Cleveland’s Gourmet Sandwich Revolution
Herb ‘n Twine elevates sandwich-making to a culinary art. Their porchetta sandwich, featuring succulent roasted pork, bitter rapini, nutty gruyere, romesco sauce, and honey-mustard, creates flavor combinations that dance across your taste buds.
The chef-driven menu changes seasonally, ensuring fresh ingredients and innovative combinations. Everything feels crafted with intention rather than simply assembled.
10. Larder Delicatessen & Bakery: Old-World Excellence
Housed in a former Cleveland firehouse, Larder creates sandwich magic through time-honored techniques. Their thick-cut pastrami undergoes a week-long curing process before being smoked to perfection.
Everything feels authentically crafted, from their tangy fermented pickles to their sourdough bread with a crackling crust. I’ve brought out-of-state friends here who still text me about those sandwiches years later.
11. Slyman’s: Cleveland’s Corned Beef Kingdom
Slyman’s doesn’t just serve corned beef sandwiches but delivers monuments to meat excess. Their legendary creations contain nearly a pound of perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth corned beef stacked impossibly high on rye bread.
Presidents and celebrities make pilgrimages here when visiting Cleveland. My first bite three years ago literally made me stop mid-conversation, wondering how I’d lived so long without experiencing this sandwich perfection.
12. Marlow’s Cheesesteaks: Philly Authenticity in Ohio
Marlow’s brings true Philadelphia cheesesteak excellence to Columbus. Their thinly-sliced ribeye sizzles on the flat-top before being smothered with your choice of cheese (Whiz is the correct answer) and loaded into a perfect Amoroso roll.
The owner spent years in Philly learning the craft. Don’t miss their water ice for dessert—the perfect sweet finish after a savory, meat-packed sandwich experience.
13. Frenchi’s Deli: Columbus’s Sandwich Sensation
Frenchi’s consistently ranks among Columbus’s top sandwich destinations for good reason. Their commitment to quality ingredients shines through in every bite, with house-roasted meats and freshly baked bread creating sandwich harmony.
The family-run operation treats customers like relatives. Last winter, I arrived five minutes after closing time, soaking wet from rain, and they reopened just to make me their famous Italian sub.
14. Buck City Sammies: Columbus’s Sandwich Revolution
Buck City Sammies has rocketed to sandwich stardom through inventive combinations and impeccable execution. Their menu balances creative offerings with perfectly executed classics, ensuring something for every sandwich lover.
Their social media-famous creations deserve the hype. The owner once explained they test each new sandwich recipe at least 20 times before adding it to the menu, tweaking ingredients until achieving perfect balance.