8 Ohio Sandwich Shops That Locals Say Outclass The Big Names
Ohio might be known for cornfields and roller coasters, but ask any local, and they’ll tell you our real claim to unexpected fame is the sandwich scene. Forget the national chains promising factory-fresh flavor; the true gods of stacked goodness operate out of unassuming storefronts where the bread is fresh and the recipes are family heirlooms.
We’ve collected the eight absolute must-try spots—the places that prove the Buckeye State is a culinary powerhouse. If you want to eat like a true Ohioan, step away from the highway rest stop and follow this insider guide.
1. Newfangled Kitchen Brings Soulful Sandwiches To Bexley
Tucked into a tiny Bexley storefront, this obsessed meatloaf-and-deli shop has earned statewide buzz for a reason. Newfangled Kitchen crafts each sandwich with care that borders on artistic, layering flavors that tell a story far richer than anything you’ll find under golden arches.
Locals have been singing praises loud enough to reach every corner of Ohio. Each bite delivers soulful satisfaction that makes chain sameness taste like cardboard in comparison. The shop’s small size forces them to focus on quality over quantity, and that choice pays off deliciously.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch on a Tuesday or treating yourself on the weekend, expect sandwiches that actually remember what real ingredients taste like.
2. Express Deli Serves Brook Park’s Best Corned Beef
Family recipes and neighborhood devotion fuel this Brook Park treasure that’s been stacking corned beef higher than most people’s ambitions. Express Deli operates with the kind of consistency that only comes from generations knowing exactly what their community craves.
Every sandwich emerges from behind the counter as proof that chains have forgotten what deli food should actually taste like. The corned beef gets brined to perfection, tender enough to melt but substantial enough to satisfy even the hungriest construction worker. Portions here don’t apologize for their generosity.
Greater Cleveland residents know that when the craving hits, this family-run spot delivers every single time. The devoted following isn’t just about food quality, though that’s certainly stellar.
3. Katzinger’s Delicatessen Keeps Columbus Traditions Alive
Stepping into Katzinger’s feels like time-traveling to when delis actually meant something beyond fast food with better bread. This German Village institution has been piling meats sky-high and crafting legendary Reubens for decades, earning consistent neighborhood love that never wavers.
Columbus residents treat this place like the culinary landmark it truly is. I once watched a regular order the same sandwich he’d been getting for twenty years, grinning like it was his first time.
The multiple locations across Columbus prove that quality scales when you refuse to sacrifice standards. Each Reuben arrives as a masterclass in balance, with sauerkraut, Swiss, and Russian dressing playing together like a well-rehearsed symphony.
4. Slyman’s Tavern Defines Cleveland Corned Beef Excellence
Clevelanders don’t just recommend Slyman’s, they insist on it with the fervor of sports fans defending their team. This legendary spot serves corned beef so perfectly brined and piled so impossibly high that physics seems optional.
National deli chains have nothing on what Slyman’s accomplishes with patience, skill, and respect for the craft. The meat achieves that magical texture where each slice separates perfectly yet holds together when you bite down.
The tavern atmosphere adds character that corporate dining rooms couldn’t replicate with a million-dollar budget. Regulars swap stories between bites, united by their shared appreciation for corned beef done right.
5. Wario’s Beef & Pork Brings East Coast Style Home
Columbus locals call Wario’s their proof that you don’t need a plane ticket to taste authentic East Coast sandwiches. Those semolina rolls arrive fresh and perfect, cradling house-made sauces that would make any New York or Philly deli jealous.
Each sandwich construction follows techniques that East Coasters recognize immediately and Midwesterners quickly learn to crave. The meats get layered with precision, the condiments distributed with purpose, and the final product handed over with justified pride.
Regulars debate whether the Italian hoagies or roast pork sandwiches reign supreme, but everyone agrees chains don’t deserve a seat at this table. The shop proves that geographic authenticity matters less than commitment to craft.
6. Buck City Sammies Revolutionizes Columbus Lunch Scene
What started as a sammie stall has exploded into a Columbus obsession that draws crowds willing to wait for bold, handcrafted combinations. Buck City understands that sandwiches can be canvases for creativity without sacrificing substance or becoming pretentious.
Fast-rising doesn’t begin to describe how quickly locals adopted this spot as their go-to lunch destination. Each sammie arrives as proof that innovation and deliciousness aren’t mutually exclusive concepts.
Columbus residents flock here because Buck City delivers excitement alongside satisfaction, a combination big names abandoned years ago. The handcrafted approach means every sandwich gets individual attention rather than assembly-line indifference.
7. Canal Street Arcade & Deli Charms Dayton Diners
Part neighborhood deli, part Dayton institution, this spot wraps classic sandwiches in an atmosphere that feels genuinely special. Canal Street operates with the kind of friendly service that makes you remember why local businesses matter more than corporate efficiency.
The Arcade setting adds character that anonymous national spots could never manufacture, no matter how many focus groups they consulted. Dayton locals treasure this place for reasons that extend beyond just excellent sandwiches, though those certainly help.
Walking in feels like joining a community rather than completing a transaction. I’ve seen regulars greet staff by name and tourists leave looking like they’d discovered Dayton’s best-kept secret. The sandwiches themselves deliver straightforward deliciousness without gimmicks or unnecessary complications.
8. Tony Packo’s Defines Toledo’s Sandwich Heritage
Toledo’s most famous food institution didn’t earn decades of devotion by accident or luck. Tony Packo’s serves Hungarian hot dogs and sausage-on-rye that have become inseparable from the city’s identity, complete with pop-culture cachet that most local restaurants only dream about.
The walls covered in signed hot dog buns tell stories of celebrity visits and community pride spanning generations. Regional sandwich traditions don’t get more authentic than what Tony Packo’s has perfected over the years.
Their sausages achieve flavor profiles that chain fare can’t approach, seasoned with recipes that have stood the test of time. Locals bring visiting friends and family here like a rite of passage, eager to share what makes Toledo special.