6 Restaurant Sandwiches Everyone Talks About Plus 6 That Are Even Better
I’ve always been a sandwich fanatic—there’s just something magical about the perfect combo of bread, fillings, and sauces coming together in one handheld bite.
Sure, we all know those famous restaurant sandwiches that get plastered all over Instagram and rack up five-star reviews, but what about the underrated gems? The quiet heroes of the sandwich world that might not have the spotlight, but absolutely deserve a bite—or ten.
These often-overlooked creations can be even more flavorful, satisfying, and inventive than their hyped-up counterparts. Let’s dive into some beloved classics and the lesser-known sandwich masterpieces that might just steal the show.
1. Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich – The Underrated Champion
Last summer during a road trip through Georgia, I stumbled upon what might be the best-kept secret in chicken sandwiches. Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich outshines its more famous competitor with a double hand-breaded chicken breast that’s juicier and more flavorful.
The sandwich comes dressed with their famous Zax sauce – a tangy, slightly spicy mayo-based concoction that puts plain mayo to shame. Add crisp lettuce and those thick-cut pickles on a toasted potato bun, and you’ve got chicken sandwich perfection.
What makes this sandwich special is the attention to detail. The chicken is marinated before breading, giving it that extra flavor depth that Popeyes lacks.
2. Panera’s Toasted Frontega Chicken – The Comfort Classic
Countless lunch breaks have been saved by this reliable favorite. Panera’s Frontega Chicken sandwich has developed a cult following with its pulled chicken, smoky chipotle mayo, and melted mozzarella on black pepper focaccia.
The sandwich gets pressed panini-style, creating that irresistible contrast between the crispy exterior and warm, gooey interior. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you close your eyes on the first bite and momentarily forget about your inbox piling up.
While not the most adventurous option, its consistency keeps customers coming back. The smoky-spicy-creamy balance hits that comfort food sweet spot perfectly, making it a perpetual bestseller on Panera’s menu.
3. Mendocino Farms’ Kurobuta Pork Banh Mi – The Flavor Explosion
Holy flavor bombs! The first time I tried this sandwich at Mendocino Farms, I nearly fell off my chair. Their take on the Vietnamese classic features caramelized Kurobuta pork belly with a sweet and savory glaze that should be illegal.
Unlike traditional banh mi that sometimes skimp on the meat, Mendocino Farms piles on generous portions of that melt-in-your-mouth pork. The pickled daikon and carrots provide the perfect tangy crunch to balance the rich meat, while cilantro and jalapeños add freshness and heat.
What elevates this beyond Panera’s offering is the complexity of flavors and textures. Each bite delivers something different – sweet, salty, spicy, crunchy, and tender all at once.
4. Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar – The Fast Food Icon
Nostalgia hits me like a truck whenever I see that mountain of roast beef topped with neon cheese sauce. As a kid, this was my special treat when my parents would cave to my begging for fast food.
The Beef ‘n Cheddar has stayed remarkably consistent over decades – thinly sliced roast beef piled high, smothered in tangy Arby’s sauce and that signature cheddar cheese sauce, all on an onion roll. It’s not fancy, but it has that unmistakable Arby’s identity that’s impossible to replicate.
The sandwich perfectly exemplifies fast food engineering at its finest. The sauces prevent the sandwich from being dry, the onion roll adds complexity, and that processed cheese sauce somehow works better than real cheddar would.
5. Potbelly’s Italian – The Deli Masterpiece
Forget Arby’s processed meat – when I discovered Potbelly’s Italian, I never looked back. This underground hero packs salami, pepperoni, capicola, and mortadella with provolone cheese, creating a symphony of authentic Italian flavors that puts chain roast beef to shame.
The warm, crispy bread gets a brush of olive oil and Italian seasoning before hitting the oven, giving it that distinctive Potbelly crunch. Add hot peppers (their signature hot pepper blend is legendary) and you’ve got a sandwich that dances on your taste buds.
What makes this sandwich superior is the quality and variety of meats. Each brings its own flavor profile – the fennel from the pepperoni, the subtle spice of the capicola, the creaminess of the mortadella – creating a more complex experience.
6. Popeyes Chicken Sandwich – The Viral Sensation
Remember the great chicken sandwich wars of 2019? I stood in line for 45 minutes just to try this crunchy, juicy phenomenon that broke the internet and caused nationwide shortages. The hype wasn’t just hot air!
Popeyes created something magical with their buttermilk-battered chicken breast, crispy coating, thick pickles, and mayo on a buttery brioche bun. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and tender meat keeps people coming back for more.
While other fast-food chains scrambled to compete, Popeyes maintained its crown as the fast-food chicken sandwich king. Its simplicity is deceptive – those few ingredients work together in perfect harmony.
7. Jimmy John’s #9 Italian Night Club – The Speedy Favorite
Speed demons rejoice! Jimmy John’s has built an empire on making sandwiches freaky fast, and their #9 Italian Night Club stands tall as their most talked-about creation. My college years were fueled by these bad boys delivered to my dorm at 1 AM during all-nighters.
The sandwich stacks genoa salami, capicola, ham, and provolone on their fresh-baked French bread, topped with veggies, Italian vinaigrette, and a sprinkle of oregano-basil. The thin-sliced meats and quick assembly create that signature compressed Jimmy John’s look that somehow enhances the flavor.
Their bread deserves special mention – baked fresh daily, it has that perfect chewy interior and slightly crisp exterior that forms the foundation of a great sandwich.
8. Jersey Mike’s #13 Original Italian – The Superior Sub
Jersey Mike’s has quietly been serving the best Italian sub in the fast-casual game, and I’ll die on this hill! Their #13 Original Italian blows Jimmy John’s version out of the water with its freshly sliced-to-order meats and that magical “Mike’s Way” preparation.
The key difference? Jersey Mike’s slices everything right in front of you on that beautiful deli slicer. Provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni are piled high on fresh-baked bread, then dressed with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil, and spices.
The red wine vinegar and olive oil soak perfectly into the bread’s interior while the outside stays intact. That “juice” (as they call it) creates a flavor explosion that Jimmy John’s pre-sliced meats and vinaigrette can’t match.
9. Subway’s Meatball Marinara – The Guilty Pleasure
Who hasn’t succumbed to the siren call of Subway’s Meatball Marinara? That distinctive smell wafting through mall food courts has been tempting us for decades. I shamefully admit it was my weekly reward after high school swim practice.
This saucy mess features seasoned meatballs smothered in marinara sauce, topped with melted provolone or mozzarella cheese. It’s not sophisticated, but there’s something comforting about those soft, slightly spiced meatballs swimming in sweet-tangy sauce, all contained (barely) within Subway’s bread.
The sandwich is notorious for being difficult to eat without wearing some of it home. Yet this structural flaw somehow adds to its charm – it’s a sandwich that requires commitment and possibly a bib.
10. Firehouse Subs’ Italian Meatball – The Upgraded Alternative
Mamma mia! After trying Firehouse Subs’ Italian Meatball, I felt like I’d been cheating myself with Subway for years. These firefighter-founded sandwich specialists create a meatball sub that puts the chain version to absolute shame.
Firehouse’s Italian meatballs are properly seasoned with authentic Italian herbs and spices, then simmered in a rich marinara that tastes homemade rather than from an industrial-sized can. The provolone cheese is melted directly onto their toasted sub rolls before assembly, creating a protective layer that prevents the bread from getting soggy.
The real game-changer is their signature steaming process. By steaming the entire sandwich, the flavors meld together while the cheese gets extra melty, creating a cohesive eating experience rather than separate components between bread.
11. Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich – The OG Classic
Long before the chicken sandwich wars, there was the pioneer that started it all. My Sunday disappointment is real whenever I crave this sandwich only to remember they’re closed.
Chick-fil-A’s deceptively simple creation features a pressure-cooked chicken breast (brined in pickle juice – their secret weapon) fried in peanut oil, served on a buttered, toasted bun with nothing but two pickle chips. No fancy sauces or toppings needed when the chicken itself is this good.
The sandwich has remained virtually unchanged since 1964, proving that sometimes perfection doesn’t need updating. The chicken’s distinctive flavor comes from that pickle brine and proprietary seasoning blend that competitors have tried and failed to duplicate for decades.
12. Shake Shack’s Chicken Shack – The Gourmet Alternative
Blasphemy alert! I’m about to claim something better than Chick-fil-A exists. Shake Shack’s Chicken Shack sandwich emerged as a formidable challenger to the throne when it debuted in 2015, and my taste buds have never been the same.
This beauty features a hefty piece of all-natural chicken breast that’s slow-cooked in buttermilk before being hand-dipped in batter, dredged through seasoned flour, and fried to golden perfection. The buttermilk marinade creates next-level tenderness and flavor depth.
What seals the deal is their herb mayo (spiked with chives, parsley, and thyme), crisp lettuce, and thick-cut pickles on a potato roll. The herbs in the mayo elevate this sandwich beyond fast food to genuine gourmet territory while maintaining the accessibility of a great chicken sandwich.