Don’t underestimate the satisfaction a great sandwich can bring to a busy work week on a warm Texas day in Austin! Served cold or hot and toasty; freshly sliced meat, gooey cheese, fresh veggies and a “knock your socks off” homemade spread all nestled between some fluffy bread is perfection at it’s finest. Today, as part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance‘s annual #ATXBestEats Austin City Guide, I’m sharing some of Best Sandwich Shops in Austin, Texas that WE love and ones that are on our bucket list, because let’s face it, one can never grow tired of a gourmet deli sandwich!
G’s Dynamite Deli: 2312 South 1st Street, Austin, TX 78704
If you blink you might miss this tiny, little sandwich shop on South 1st Street. Despite the small house turned deli, G’s doesn’t disappoint on the dynamite flavor packed into each sandwich on it’s menu. From classics like the Muffaletta, Ruben and Chicken Salad to a create your own option and daily house specials this deli has something for everyone. Oh and the sandwiches are HUGE! If you are wanting a lighter lunch share a sandwich and pair it with one or two of their house made sides like pita and hummus or their highly raved about Mushroom Brie Soup.
Recommended:
- Any of the daily specials
- THE Panini – Turkey, Salami, Provolone, with red onions, sweet ’N’ spicy pickles, pepperoncinis, homemade dijion and balsamic vinaigrette served hot from the panini press on White bread.
- Turkey Jalapeño Melt – Turkey, jalapeños and Cheddar served hot and melty with sun-dried tomato pesto, spring mix and jalapeño ranch on toasted Jalapeño Cheddar bread.
Pro Tip: Did I mention this place is tiny? There is very limited parking only accessible on the left hand side of the building which can be a huge issue during a busy lunch hour on a busy street. Also, seating is limited to a few tables inside and a handful of tables outside.
Hey! You Gonna Eat or What?: 1720 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas
Big things come out of this tiny food truck. And by big, I mean the biggest and best Monte Cristo in all the land! This food truck and this sandwich is known nation wide and with a reputation like that you know it’s got to be good! Unlike other delis Hey! You Gonna Eat or What? keeps it’s menu small and simple, choosing to make a handful of things absolutely amazing. And all you need to accompany one of their sandwiches is some fresh made to order potato chips.
Recommended:
- The Shiner Monte Cristo – Shiner Bock beer battered Monte Cristo with pit-smoked ham, mesquite-smoked turkey, cheddar and provolone cheese, served with a house-made cherry and fig jelly.
- Lone Star BLT – Applewood smoked bacon, fried green tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, house-made Poblano pepper aioli served on ciabatta bread.
Cuban Sandwich Cafe: 1804 Briarcliff Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
This little, unassuming “hidden gem” in East Austin has quite a following. The menu features a mix classic Cuban food, including classic Cuban sandwiches, fried plantains and Cuban coffee, and modern twists with things like a Cubanito Burger and breakfast tacos and Cuban breakfast plates. (This place is so small that they don’t have a website or social media accounts.)
Recommended: The classic Cuban sandwich or any of the Cubanito Burger.
Noble Sandwich Co.: 4805 Burnet Rd, Austin, Texas and 12233 620 N. Suite 105; Austin, Texas and 4805 Burnet Rd, Austin, Texas 78756
If you were to ask locals and out of town visitors their favorite Austin area sandwich shop, the Noble Sandwich Co. is the first one on the list. It has gained a national following from being featured in numerous national publications, as well as being featured as a hot spot on many popular TV shows. This local shop, which quickly grew a loyal following since the day it opened in 2010, makes noble and elegant breakfast, lunch and dinner sandwiches using the finest, freshest, locally sourced ingredients.
Recommended:
- Chorizo and Egg Sandwich with cheddar and salsa picante (breakfast)
- The Noble Pig – Spicy ham, pulled pork, provolone cheese, spicy mustard, mayo and bacon
- Knuckle Sandwich – Roast beef, horseradish, caramelized onions and cheddar
Dock & Roll Diner: 1905 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, Texas and 700 West 6th Street Austin, Texas
Austinites might be shocked to find out they can grab an authentic New England style lobster roll, loaded with wild caught Maine lobster, in the heart of Texas; but that’s what the folks at Dock & Roll Diner are dishin’ up! This gourmet sandwich food truck specializes in that classic lobster roll, and yet adds a pop of Austin “weirdness” with a menu full of mouthwatering variations of this New England staple as well as their twist on banh mi and po’ boys . Stop by the original 1957 Flying Cloud Airstream trailer and taste these fresh lobster delicacies, tucked into a soft hoagie roll and smeared with house-made mayo and sauces and try it for yourself.
Recommended:
- The Maine Event – Freshly picked Maine lobster claw and knuckle meat served chilled with Dock & Roll’s special house mayo, our own Dock Salt, and chive. Served on a freshly baked split top roll. The Maine Event is the foundation for all their other lobster roll variations.
- The Real B.L.T. – (Chicken Fried) Bacon, Lobster and Tomato.
Pro Tip: Since these are lobster rolls, they are a bit pricey for a lunchtime sandwich run. However, you can order a half roll which still comes with their house-made slaw and chips for half price. They also do catering, if you want something delicious and unique for a party or wedding.
Melted Food Truck: Rotating locations visit website for updates
This is a food truck with a heart and started with passion from a local high school sophomore (talk about inspiring!). Melted Food Truck is a new grilled cheese food truck that is getting quite the reputation not only for its crispy, gooey grilled cheese sandwiches, but for their mission to donate 100% of it’s profits (yes 100%) to the International Justice Mission.
Recommended:
- Farmer’s Market BLT – chef’s bacon, garlic aioli, roma tomato, organic arugula, dripping springs goat cheese
- Hill Country Toast- Texas beer-braised pork, red onion jam and spicy barbecue sauce
Burro Cheese Kitchen: 1221 South Congress Ave, Austin, Texas and 80 Rainey Street, Austin, Texas
Who doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich!?! Burro Cheese Kitchen takes a childhood comfort food and makes it perfectly acceptable for adults by making it gourmet with fresh ingredients, rustic bread and fancy cheese and spreads like gouda and almond pesto aioli – no these grilled cheese sandwiches aren’t just haphazardly thrown together, each ingredient is carefully well thought and put together with care. After one bite into that crispy, crunchy toasted bread filled with gooey cheese, you’ll make any excuse to drive down to this super hip, yet uber comforting, SoCo food trailer, err, bright yellow shipping container!
Recommended: Pretty much anything but we LOVE the following:
- Waylon and Willie – sour dough bread, aged cheddar and gouda cheese, caramelized onions, peperoncini peppers and a spicy maple bacon sauce.
- Coppola – (a more traditional sandwich) sour dough bread, gouda, almond-pesto aiolo, fresh basil, and tomatoes.
Luke’s Inside Out: 1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas
Luke’s Inside Out, located next to Gibson Bar on ultra trendy South Lamar, is dishing up exotic and flavorful sandwiches and shareable sides that have been featured in many publications and even on the Food Network. This small family owned sandwich trailer not only provides food for hungry bar patrons at Gibson’s but is a great spot for a sunny Austin lunch or Sunday morning brunch.
Recommended:
- Daily Special – According to their website, Luke’s has been coming up with three daily specials unrelated to their menu for two years. So if you see something that sounds good, you better get it since there is no telling when they’ll make it again.
- The Shrimp – Chipotle Rosemary Glaze with Blue Cheese, Apple and Honey.
Hoody’s Sub Shop – 1205 Round Rock Ave # 121, Round Rock, Texas
If you are looking for exotic, trashed up, sandwiches with a modern twist, Hoody’s is not for you. However, if you want a classic sandwich from a local Mom and Pop sandwich shop that has been serving Austin/Round Rock residents and giving back to the local community for over 30 years, then you must make Hoody’s your weekly lunch spot. This tiny little sandwich shop, tucked into a strip mall on 620, is constantly busy, often with standing room only and a line out the door. They proudly serve Boar’s Head meat and cheese and have daily lunch specials. On the menu you’ll find classic hot and cold subs, like a Philly Cheesesteak, Meatball Sub and a classic Club Sandwich.
Recommended:
- The House Special – Salami, Provolone Cheese, Cappicola, Prosciuttino, and Boiled Ham.
- The Meatball – Meatballs, Provolone Cheese, Onions, Peppers.
- Philly Cheesesteak – Grilled Ribeye Steak, Mushrooms, Onions, Peppers.
Pro Tip: Since this place can get super busy, calling in to go orders is recommended.
Food Heads Cafe and Catering: 616 W 34th St, Austin, Texas
This adorable little artisan sandwich shop in central Austin (that happens to be BYOB), is tucked into a refurbished bungalow near the University of Texas. This cozy and eclectic shop offers an array of breakfast and lunch items, including not only a menu full of sandwiches to satisfy any taste buds (including a superb selection of vegetarian sandwiches), but fresh salads, daily rotating soups and breakfast tacos.
Recommended:
- The Gypsy Grove – Marinated and grilled pork tenderloin and grilled ham on toasted ciabatta with Swiss cheese, jalapeno relish, Tabasco slaw and a fried egg.
- Chicken and Eggplant – Grilled chicken breast & roasted eggplant on toasted multi-grain bread with goat cheese, basil pesto, spinach, tomato, and blackberry balsamic vinaigrette.
Austin Daily Press: 1900 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, Texas
This sandwich shop started out as a food truck gaining popularity after competing in the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race. This tiny little shop has a loyal following and an impressive 5-star menu bringing back fans for more sandwiches, paninis and tortas.
Recommended:
- Canadian Tuxedo – roasted chicken, pickles, cheddar cheese, aioli, and a black pepper maple sweet and sour sauce
- The Edward – Edamame fritter, ginger peanut sauce, avocado, pickled peppers, onion, cilantro and mint
- House-made fries and Jalapeno Hush Puppies
Other “Best Sandwich Shops in Austin, Texas” with a loyal following:
Easy Tiger Bakeshop and Beer Garden: 709 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas
Artisan sandwiches like roast beef and pastrami, made with in-house cured meat and served on fresh, homemade bread.
Fricano’s Deli and Catering: 2405 Nueces Street, Austin, Texas
New York style deli serving up fresh traditional sandwiches and salads.
Walton’s Fancy and Staple: 609 West 6th Street, Austin, Texas
It is a deli, coffee shop, bakery and floral shop all in one!
Salt & Time: 1912 E. Seventh Street, Austin, Texas
This butcher shop and restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; with lunch focusing on sandwiches using fresh in-house butchered and premium smoked meats.
Gourmands Neighborhood Pub: 2316 Webberville Rd, Austin, Texas
A family run sandwich shop featuring fat sandwiches and a full bar open all day and night!
Little Deli and Pizzeria: 7101 Woodrow Ave, Austin, Texas
Small local deli and pizzeria featuring Jersey style pizza and subs.
Flyrite Chicken: 2129 E 7th St Austin, TX 78702 and 6539 Burnet Rd Austin, TX, 78757
This local “fast casual” fried chicken joint is gaining quite the following with it’s fast and fresh chicken sandwiches.
Thunder Cloud Subs: multiple locations in Austin and the surrounding areas
This sub shop, which opened up in 1975 on Lavaca Street, has a loyal cult following.
Schlotzsky’s: multiple locations worldwide
This international sandwich shop chain, known for gigantic toasted sandwiches, got it’s humble start in the 1970’s in a tiny little shop off South Congress.
This guide to Best Sandwich Shops in Austin, Texas was originally published March 2016 and updated February 2017 and is part of the 2017 AFBA City Guide. Want to know ALL the BEST eats in Austin, Texas from local area foodies? Check out the Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s City Guide for the best eats in town!
Linda says
Great write up! Sugarface introduced me to Fricano's years ago! I haven't been in years though.
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
Thanks Linda! Yeah, Fricano's comes highly recommended.
Julie @ Sugarfoot Eats says
I've never heard of G's! It's fairly close to where I work, so I am adding it to the list!
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
Yes, you should check it out! I'm slowly learning all the best little spots in that part of town. Can't wait to discover more!
Kristin Hong says
Great list here! I didnt’ know ADP was on The Food Network. I was at The Wheel the other night and people were ordering from ADP. They look delicious! I’ll have to go soon!
Heather says
Yeah, I didn’t even know about ADP until SXSW a few years ago when a friend was visiting from out of town and all she talked about was visiting their food truck since she saw them on the Food Network. Still need to make it out to their brick and mortar location.