Beyond Subway: 7 Indiana Sandwich Spots That Miss The Mark & 7 That Nail Hoosier Taste
Indiana knows its sandwiches, but not every spot serves up a winner. Some shops pile on the hype only to leave you wishing you had just made one at home.
Others, though, create handheld masterpieces that capture the true Hoosier spirit with every bite.
From underwhelming delis to hidden gems that locals swear by, the sandwich scene here is full of surprises. Let’s separate the misses from the flavors that truly hit the mark.
1. Jimmy John’s: Speed Over Substance
Sure, they’re ‘freaky fast,’ but at what cost? The assembly-line sandwiches at Jimmy John’s lack that special something Hoosiers crave in their lunch options.
The bread often arrives too crusty or oddly soft, while the meat portions would make any true Indiana farmer raise an eyebrow.
When you’re in a state known for hearty portions and homestyle cooking, these cookie-cutter subs just don’t satisfy.
2. Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Lukewarm Chain Experience
Calling all sandwich lovers who enjoy waiting in line for mediocre meals! Potbelly’s attempts at ‘toasted perfection’ often result in bread that’s burnt around the edges yet somehow still cold in the middle.
Their meat portions would make a Hoosier grandmother scold them for stinginess.
While their milkshakes might save the day, you’re not here for dessert – you want a sandwich that stands up to Indiana’s farm-fresh standards.
3. Penn Station East Coast Subs: All Flash, No Flavor
Fresh-cut fries can’t save a sandwich shop that misses the mark on what matters most. Penn Station’s cheesesteaks lack the juicy, flavorful punch that Indiana palates expect from quality meat.
Their bread often arrives either too soft or crumbly, falling apart faster than a Pacers lead in the fourth quarter.
Despite the made-to-order promise, something gets lost between ordering and eating – that magical ingredient called ‘satisfaction.’
4. Firehouse Subs: Overpriced and Underwhelming
Walking into Firehouse Subs feels like entering a theme park – lots of atmosphere but prepare your wallet for a shock.
Their sandwiches come with fancy names and firefighter decor, but the taste rarely justifies the premium price tag. For a state where value matters, these subs fall short on the meat-to-cost ratio.
The steamed meat concept sounds great in theory but often results in soggy bread that no self-respecting Hoosier would serve at a family gathering.
5. Jersey Mike’s Subs: East Coast Attitude, Midwest Letdown
Jersey Mike’s makes big promises about authentic East Coast flavor, but something gets lost in translation on the journey to Indiana.
Their much-hyped ‘Mike’s Way’ preparation can’t disguise the fact that their cold cuts taste remarkably similar to grocery store deli meat. The bread, while fresh-baked, lacks character – a cardinal sin in sandwich crafting.
For a state that appreciates straightforward quality over fancy techniques, Jersey Mike’s misses what matters most to Hoosier taste buds.
6. Charleys Cheesesteaks: Mall Food Court Mediocrity
Found primarily in shopping mall food courts across Indiana, Charleys Cheesesteaks serves up disappointment between two pieces of bread.
Their meat often arrives mysteriously gray and lacking the savory punch that makes a cheesesteak worth eating. The cheese sauce comes unnaturally bright and tastes more like a lab experiment than actual dairy.
When Indiana is home to some of the finest dairy farms in the Midwest, serving this processed cheese product feels like a particular insult to local tastes.
7. Which Wich: Gimmicky Concept, Forgettable Flavor
Marking your sandwich preferences on a paper bag seems fun until you bite into the unremarkable result.
Which Wich offers endless customization but somehow manages to make every combination taste vaguely the same. Their bread lacks character, and their meats never seem to shine through the excessive toppings.
For Indiana folks who appreciate straightforward, quality ingredients that speak for themselves, the Which Wich experience feels like style over substance – a sandwich designed for Instagram, not your appetite.
8. Shapiro’s Delicatessen: Hoosier Deli Royalty
Family-owned since 1905, Shapiro’s stands as Indianapolis’ answer to the famous delis of New York. Their corned beef sandwich arrives stacked impossibly high with warm, tender meat that melts in your mouth.
The rye bread – oh, that perfect rye bread – offers just enough resistance before yielding to a satisfying chew.
No wonder locals have been lining up for generations! Shapiro’s doesn’t just make sandwiches; they create edible monuments to Indiana’s multicultural heritage.
9. Goose the Market: Artisanal Perfection in Bread Form
Tucked away in Indianapolis’ Fall Creek Place neighborhood, Goose the Market crafts sandwiches that would make Italian grandmothers weep with joy.
Their Batali sandwich – loaded with multiple Italian meats, provolone, and hot giardiniera – represents sandwich artistry at its finest.
The ingredients come from small farms and specialty producers, many right here in Indiana.
Each bite delivers a perfect balance of flavors that makes chain sandwiches taste like sad cafeteria food by comparison.
10. Nick’s Kitchen: Birthplace of the Breaded Pork Tenderloin
Legend has it that Indiana’s famous breaded pork tenderloin sandwich was born right here at Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington back in 1908.
One look at their signature sandwich explains why it became a state icon – a massive pork cutlet, pounded thin, breaded, and fried to golden perfection.
It extends hilariously beyond the bun, creating that classic ‘where’s the bread?’ moment Hoosiers love.
Topped simply with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, it’s Indiana comfort food that locals measure all other tenderloin sandwiches against.
11. Triple XXX Family Restaurant: Root Beer and Burger Bliss
Don’t let the name fool you – nothing inappropriate happens at this West Lafayette institution except maybe some inappropriate moaning over their Duane Purvis burger.
This legendary sandwich features a quarter-pound of fresh ground sirloin topped with creamy peanut butter! Served alongside their house-made root beer, it’s a combination that sounds bizarre but tastes like heaven.
Purdue students have been fueling late-night study sessions here since 1929, proving that some Indiana food traditions are weird but wonderful.
12. The Steer-In: Classic Diner Sandwiches with History
Featured on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,’ this Indianapolis landmark has been serving memorable sandwiches since the 1960s.
Their breaded tenderloin rivals any in the state, while their classic burger comes perfectly grilled with that ideal char that chain restaurants can never quite replicate.
The retro diner atmosphere adds to the experience – chrome, neon, and friendly servers who remember regulars by name.
When you bite into their famous Frisco Melt, you’re tasting sixty years of Indianapolis food history.
13. South Side Soda Shop: Small-Town Sandwich Paradise
Goshen’s beloved South Side Soda Shop looks like it was plucked straight from a 1950s movie set, complete with mint-green walls and chrome barstools.
Their Reuben sandwich arrives piled high with tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese that stretches into perfect cheese pulls with every bite.
The homemade pie selection might tempt you to skip lunch altogether, but resist – their sandwiches deserve your full attention. After one visit, you’ll understand why this small-town gem has survived since 1910.
14. Powers Hamburgers: Slider Perfection Since 1940
Fort Wayne’s answer to White Castle – except infinitely better – Powers Hamburgers has been slinging onion-laden sliders from the same tiny building since 1940.
These aren’t fancy gourmet burgers; they’re small, simple, and utterly perfect. The griddled onions caramelize directly into the patties, creating an aroma that’s drawn hungry Hoosiers for generations.
You’ll leave smelling like onions and happiness. Pro tip: order at least four – these addictive little sandwiches disappear faster than you’d expect!