10 Ohio Sandwich Spots Locals Say Are Better Than Any Chain
Ohio knows a thing or two about making sandwiches that stick with you long after the last bite.
From old-school delis piled high with pastrami to creative grilled cheese joints that blur the line between comfort food and culinary art, the Buckeye State has sandwich shops that make chain restaurants look downright boring.
Locals have been keeping these spots busy for decades, and once you taste what they’re serving, you’ll understand why nobody’s settling for the usual fast-food lineup.
1. Katzinger’s Delicatessen – Columbus, OH
Walking into this German Village landmark feels like stepping back to a time when delis were neighborhood gathering spots rather than quick-stop conveniences.
Since 1984, Katzinger’s has been stacking corned beef, pastrami, and turkey so high you’ll need an engineering degree to figure out how to get your mouth around it.
Their rye bread comes from local bakeries, and every sandwich gets built with the kind of care your grandmother would approve of.
The shop sits at 475 S Third St, Columbus, OH 43215, where regulars know to arrive early before the lunch rush turns the line into a test of patience.
2. Brown Bag Deli – Columbus, OH
Tucked away in German Village, this tiny spot proves that great sandwiches don’t need fancy marketing or Instagram-worthy interiors.
What Brown Bag lacks in square footage, it makes up for with flavor bombs like the “Thurmanator” wannabe and creative daily specials that keep the menu from getting stale.
Fresh ingredients arrive daily, and the staff treats sandwich-making like the craft it deserves to be.
You’ll find this hidden gem at 898 Mohawk St, Columbus, OH 43206, where parking might be tricky but the payoff is absolutely worth circling the block.
3. Tommy’s Restaurant – Cleveland Heights, OH
Vegetarians and meat-eaters peacefully coexist at this Cleveland Heights institution where the falafel could convert even the most dedicated carnivore.
Tommy’s has been serving up creative sandwiches since the 1970s, long before “plant-based” became a buzzword on every menu.
Their secret lies in treating vegetables like the stars they are, not sad substitutes for meat.
The hummus alone deserves its own fan club, and the banana smoothies have achieved legendary status among regulars who’ve been coming here for decades.
Find this beloved spot at 1824 Coventry Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.
4. Danny’s Deli – Cleveland, OH
Some delis talk a big game, but Danny’s has been quietly serving knockout sandwiches since 1952 without needing to brag about it.
Their corned beef gets cured in-house using recipes that have been passed down through generations, resulting in meat so tender it practically melts on your tongue.
The no-frills atmosphere lets the food do all the talking, and trust me, it’s got plenty to say.
Locals know to order the “Danny’s Special” and prepare for a sandwich that requires both hands and possibly a nap afterward.
Visit them at 1658 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114.
5. Joe’s Deli & Restaurant – Rocky River, OH
Family recipes and fresh ingredients have kept this Rocky River favorite packed with hungry customers for over four decades.
Joe’s specializes in Italian-style subs that transport you straight to the streets of Little Italy, minus the airfare.
Their meatball sub features homemade sauce that simmers all day, filling the place with aromas that make it impossible to walk past without stopping in.
The deli counter showcases imported meats and cheeses that elevate every sandwich from good to “I need another one of these right now.”
Head to 19215 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116 for your fix.
6. The Original Sub Shop & Deli – Toledo, OH
When a place calls itself “The Original,” it better deliver, and this Toledo institution has been backing up that claim since way back when.
Their subs come loaded with quality meats sliced fresh throughout the day, never that pre-packaged stuff that tastes like it’s been sitting around since last Tuesday.
The bread gets delivered daily from local bakeries, because they understand that a great sandwich starts with a great foundation.
Simple, honest, and consistently delicious—that’s the formula that keeps generations of families coming back. Find them at 402 Broadway St, Toledo, OH 43604 in the heart of downtown.
7. Barry Bagels – Maumee, OH
Bagels get the respect they deserve at this Maumee shop where everything gets made fresh daily, no shortcuts or frozen dough allowed.
Barry Bagels boils and bakes their bagels the traditional way, creating that perfect chewy texture that makes chain bagels taste like sad bread circles in comparison.
Their sandwich menu goes way beyond basic cream cheese, though their schmears alone could make a grown person weep with joy.
Breakfast sandwiches here are legendary, piled high with eggs, cheese, and your choice of proteins on bagels that actually taste like bagels should.
Stop by 302 W Dussel Dr, Maumee, OH 43537.
8. Fat Head’s Brewery & Sandwich Bar – Middleburg Heights, OH
Known primarily for their brewing skills, Fat Head’s proves they’re equally talented at building sandwiches that hold their own against any specialty shop.
Their menu features creative combinations that pair perfectly with their house-made sodas and other beverages, from classic reubens to innovative creations that change with the seasons.
The Headwiches are particularly famous, each one named with the same irreverent humor that makes Fat Head’s a Cleveland favorite.
Generous portions and quality ingredients make every sandwich worth the trip to 17450 Engle Lake Dr, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130, where good food and good times collide.
9. Slyman’s Restaurant – Cleveland, OH
Few places in Ohio inspire sandwich loyalty like Slyman’s, where corned beef is piled so high it becomes legendary.
The beef is sliced thick, unbelievably tender, and stacked on rye bread that barely contains it all. Lines form daily, and nobody complains.
For many Clevelanders, this is the sandwich they measure every other deli against—and almost none pass the test.
Address: 3106 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114
10. Blue Ash Chili – Blue Ash, OH
Known statewide for chili, this diner quietly serves some of the most satisfying sandwiches in Ohio.
The patty melt and cheeseburger sandwich are diner classics done exactly right, with no trends and no shortcuts.
Regulars don’t come here chasing what’s new—they come because it tastes exactly as good today as it did decades ago.
Address: 9525 Kenwood Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242