From famous lobster rolls to authentic banh mi, Boston has no shortage of great sandwich options! These are 15 sandwiches in Boston that hit the spot every time.
Last Updated: January 12th, 2024
1. Breakfast Sandwich from Mike & Patty’s
Famous for their breakfast sandwiches, Mike & Patty’s is the perfect takeout spot. My favorite sandwich here is “The Fancy”(~$10). It has two fried eggs, bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado, red onions, & a delicious house mayo in between a toasted multigrain. The mayo spread makes this otherwise “boring” sandwich stand out.
Another favorite is the “Grilled Crack”, which is a grilled cheese and egg sandwich hybrid. However, it can be a bit salty!
2. Torta from Tenoch Mexican
You haven’t experienced Mexican food until you’ve tried this hearty Mexican sandwich. I’ve tried several tortas around Boston and Tenoch ranks the best.
Try the campechana torta (~$10) here. It’s filled with chorizo & carnitas (pork) along with black beans, chipotle mayo, avocado, tomatoes, Oaxaca cheese, and onions. The bun is a soft and pillowy telera bread roll that soaks in all the flavors from the sauce and bean paste! Side note: the tacos here are great too.
3. Panini from Salumeria Italiana
This is my favorite Italian sub shop in Boston’s North End. Located off Hanover Street, the quaint Italian grocer is hard to miss. The Italiano (~$10) is served with salami, sliced provolone, lettuce, tomato, hot peppers, olive oil, and wine vinegar.
Further Reading: Complete Guide to Little Italy in Boston
4. Pork Gyro from Greek Gyro
This casual Greek spot in Fenway sells one of my favorite foods–the Greek gyro!
I highly recommend the traditional pork gyro(~$10) here. Seasoned pork is thinly sliced off a vertical spit and stuffed inside a warm pita along with tzatziki sauce, fries, onions, and parsley. It’s a delicious and filling meal at a reasonable price of $9.95. They also have chicken, veggie, bifteki (beef burger), and souvlaki options.
5. Gyro (& Greek donuts!) from Gre.Co
This is another amazing spot for gyros in Boston. I go to Gre.Co often since it’s conveniently located on Newbury Street. My go-to’s here are either chicken or pork (~$12) gyros. The meat is always tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.
For dessert, you must try their loukoumades (Greek-style doughnuts). I love the “Yaya” flavor, which is doughnuts topped with hazelnut praline, crushed Oreos, & powdered sugar. So good.
225 Newbury St Boston, MA 02116 / Visit Site
6. Deli Sandwich from Sam Lagrassa’s
No list of the best Boston sandwiches is complete without Sam Lagrassa’s. Here, their pastrami meat is the star of the show. Try the Chipotle Pastrami sandwich! It includes generous layers of pastrami, chipotle honey mustard, coleslaw, and Swiss in between an Italian sesame roll. Prices are pretty high at around $26 per sandwich, so it is definitely more of a treat for me.
*Note: They are only open on weekdays until 3pm!
JUNE 2023 UPDATE: I recently had Sam Lagrassa’s again, and it was NOT good. It was flavorless and had a weird consistency from the coleslaw. I’ll try it again (maybe it was an off day), but it’s not as good as it once was.
7. Burger from Crazy Good Kitchen
Next on the best Boston sandwiches list is my favorite burger in Boston! The burgers at Crazy Good Kitchen are juicy and full of flavor. My favorite ones are the Hot Mess and Cheese (Beef patty, shaved steak, double American cheese, griddled onions) and Double Trouble (pictured: beef patty, bacon, double American cheese, burnt butter mayo sauce, house pickled onion). Their fried chicken sandwiches and loaded fries are also amazing.
130 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113 / Visit Site
8. Pressed Sandwiches from Blunch
Next on the best Boston sandwiches list is a small shop in the South End that serves a variety of pressed sandwiches and egg sandwiches. It’s a popular spot amongst locals and has also gained recognition from the press over the years. Notably, it has been featured in Guy Fieri’s “Diners & Drive-ins”.
My recommendation is the “Bird on Fire”, which is a panini with sliced chicken breast, bacon, spicy aioli, cheddar cheese, and lettuce (~$11.50). I don’t have a high spice tolerance, but this sandwich only has a hint of spice from the aioli. The “Big Papi” (pictured) is also popular. You also can’t stop by Blunch without getting a triple chocolate chip cookie.
59 E Springfield St, Boston, MA 02118 / Visit Site
9. Banh Mi from Banh Mi Ba Le
This Dorchester takeout spot sells the best banh mi (Vietnamese sub sandwich) in the city. Their banh mi (~$7) is served on a freshly baked baguette with homemade mayo, fish sauce, scallion oil, liver pate, vegetables, and optional jalapeno. For meats, the most popular options are BBQ Beef (my go-to) or cold cuts.
They sell plenty of other traditional Vietnamese dishes that I recommend in this TikTok.
1052 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125 / Visit Site
Further Reading: 13+ Boston’s Best Vietnamese Restaurants
10. Fried Chicken Sandwich from Saus
Saus is a Belgian restaurant famous for its chicken sandwiches and hand-cut Belgian fries/poutine. I ordered the Classic Crispy ($10) with lettuce, tomato, cheddar, and roasted garlic mayo. They also have a Kimchi-ranch and Southern flavor!
While you’re there, I highly recommend trying Saus’ poutine. Thick-cut Belgian fries are topped with a heap of gravy and cheese curds. It may sound like an odd combination, but it’s the perfect hearty comfort food.
33 Union St, Boston, MA 02108 / Visit Site
Further Reading: 17+ Best Cheap Eats in Boston
11. Lobster Roll (or any other sandwich really) from Pauli’s
You can’t have a best Boston sandwiches list without the quintessential Boston sandwich– the lobster roll. In all honesty, I’m not the biggest fan of seafood. However, Pauli’s has been voted one of the best lobster rolls you can get in the city. It comes with 7oz of lobster meat chunks, lemon, and mayo on a hot dog bun for around $25.
Note: Two alternatives for a top-notch Boston lobster sandwich are Luke’s Lobster in Back Bay and Yankee Lobster in Seaport.
Their other sandwiches are great too. I especially like the sandwiches with their fried chicken. Try the “Pollo pazzo” or “Pauli-tician”!
65 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113 / Visit Site
Further Reading: The Best 2024 Boston 3 Day Itinerary
12. Chickpea Fritter Sandwich at Clover
Looking for an option for a vegetarian sandwich in Boston? Clover is a casual, all-vegetarian eatery with locations across the city. Their most popular sandwich is undoubtedly the chickpea fritter sandwich. It’s a salty, slightly tangy pita wrap filled with salad, fried falafel, and hummus.
Even though the sandwich is HUGE and filling, I also can’t help but order their rosemary sea salt fries every time.
Multiple Locations / Visit Site
13. Meridian Food Market
Located in East Boston, Meridian is a neighborhood gem for Italian food and sandwiches. I love the Meridian Special. It comes loaded with juicy fried chicken, sweet red peppers, basil, prosciutto, and thick mozzarella cheese. They then drizzle it with oils and other herbs.
The sandwich is hefty and flavor-packed. The crispy chicken perfectly contrasts with the veggies. This is one of the best Boston sandwiches in the neighborhood, for sure!
121 Meridian St, Boston, MA 02128 / Visit Site
14. Chilean Sandwich at Chacarero
Next on the best Boston sandwiches list is Chacarero. It’s the only place in the city that sells Chilean sandwiches! It first started as a pushcart and eventually received a storefront in Boston’s financial district. Since there are so many office workers in the area, it’s very popular during lunch hours!
Onto the food: the Chilean sandwich comes with BBQ meat, avocado spread, sliced tomato, muenster cheese, hot sauce, and string beans.
The only con is each sandwich is pricey (even for Boston). Chacarero’s BBQ Chicken and Beef combo is ~$15.50 for small and ~$16.50 for a large.
101 Arch St, Boston, MA 02110 / Visit Site
15. Bagelsaurus
Although I’m cheating by listing a bagel shop located in Porter Square, Cambridge, I still think Bagelsaurus is worth a mention on this best Boston sandwiches list. The small shop specializes in handmade bagels that are patiently fermented 24 hours. Their range of bagel sandwiches includes a smoked salmon sandwich, classic bacon egg and cheese, and, my favorite, the Eggspanola with feta, eggs, pimenton aioli, and bacon.
Further Reading: The Best Breakfast in Boston: 27 Must-Try Spots
Conclusion: Best Boston Sandwiches
Of course, there are many other amazing options around the city. These are just 15 of the best Boston sandwiches! Other city guides to visit include my Boston Foodie Bucket List, Boston 3-day travel itinerary, Chinatown Restaurant Guide, and 21+ Best Day Trips From Boston.
Or, check out some of my other Boston food posts:
- The Best Boston Southern Food: 11 Spots
- Best Ramen in Boston: 11 Top Picks
- The Best Chinese Food in Boston (By an Asian)
Thank you for reading this far and hopefully this best Boston sandwiches article was helpful! If you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to share your experience, please feel free to leave a comment or message.
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