Now if you’re somebody who loves meats, veggies and cheeses stuffed between two pieces of bread like me, it’s been great run for the past couple of years in the Triangle! We’ve seen a surge of great sandwich spots and I’d generously include hoagies, subs and tortas in this food category. But where to go for the best sandwiches in the Triangle? Here are some of the favorites that have made my short list!
Alimentari at Mothers & Sons – 105 W Chapel Hill Street in Durham, NC
Alimentari is the casual offshoot of the popular Mother and Sons restaurant in Durham. Decorated like an old school European cafe with a handful of 2-tops in the dining room, Alimentari offers up some classic Italian-American sandwiches like a meatball parm sub and more. Love the simplicity of the concept, it feels like you could be in Brooklyn, New York!
Brooklyn Pickle – 4025 Lake Boone Trail Suite 120 in Raleigh, NC
Located in the busy Marketplace at Lake Boone, Brooklyn Pickle is one of several NC locations for this small sandwich shop chain based out of NY State. What to like about it? It’s all about the fresh baked bread and sliced meats, assembled with care for you in classic deli sandwiches. Choose from pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, tuna salad and more off their expansive menu. From sandwiches to wraps, subs and soups, Brooklyn Pickle does an exemplary job serving up meats between two slices of bread!
CapriFlavors – 867 Bass Pro Lane in Cary, NC
One of the newer entries in the sandwich wars, CapriFlavors is better known as an Italian grocery and specialty store. But a change in ownership brought about the addition of a deli area and sandwich shop, hooray! They offer classic Italian-American sandwiches on a seeded, crusty roll, dee-lish! I’ve tried their roast pork (with garlicky broccolini) and their stuffed Italian. Grab your sandwich along with some gelato, pastries, and a bottle of wine for an Italian feast.
Eastcut Sandwich Bar – Durham and Raleigh location
With locations in both Durham and Raleigh, Eastcut does a great job when it comes serving up sandwiches and more. From cold subs to hot grinders, burgers and wings, Eastcut does it all pretty well and covers traditional NY Italian deli faves along with breakfast sandwiches and appetizers. Counter order and the space at Raleigh Iron Works is super convenient and modern, it’s a reliable option for an affordable and delicious meal!
Fratelli’s Delicatessen – 1481 Richardson Rd #107 in Apex NC
When it comes to delis, they often specialize in a specific type of cuisine but guess what? Not Fratelli’s Deli! This popular spot offers up Italian-American favorites along with Jewish deli sandwiches and more. Think chicken parm along with pastrami, Italian beef and Chicago hot dogs! A broad and diverse menu along with great service makes Fratelli’s a favorite dining spot in the area. Just be aware it’s popular and will likely be very busy in peak hours.
Ideal’s Sandwich, Grocery – 2108 Angier Ave in Durham, NC
Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery is probably at the top of the best sandwiches in the Triangle list! This super popular sandwich shop usually has a line at open and limited hours (12 to 3pm, Thursday to Monday) so plan your visit accordingly. Offering classic hoagies from up north on fresh-baked seeded rolls onsite, you can’t go wrong with anything off the menu but I’m particularly fond of their roast pork with broccoli di rabe and the salami, egg, and cheese on a muffin. Save up your calories before visiting Ideals!
PrimoHoagies – Multiple locations in Raleigh NC
While PrimoHoagies is a chain, it’s a good one! As someone who’s spent a bit of time in Philadelphia, I can attest to the authenticity of their hoagies. From the seeded bread baked in-house to the fresh sliced meats, PrimoHoagies puts out great sandwiches! My favorites include the roasted pork, Italian, and chicken cutlet options along with their Thanksgiving Pilgrim (turkey, stuffing, cranberry) sandwich! The space is takeout only, although you might find some limited sidewalk seating if you can’t wait.
Merritt’s Grill – 1009 S Columbia Street in Chapel Hill NC
The long-standing Merritt’s Grill has been a popular eatery for the Carolina crowd for decades! While many sandwich shops offer a large and diverse menu, Merritt’s eschews that superficial breadth and instead focuses on Southern sandwich offerings. Choose from egg salad, pimiento cheese, or a classic Club. But what Merritt’s is widely known for is their BLT: thick-cut bacon with ripe red juicy tomatoes, crispy leaf lettuce and a smear of Duke’s mayonnaise tucked away between two perfectly toasted pieces of sourdough bread.
Oakwood Deli – 2108 Angier Ave in Durham NC
A newer addition to the sandwich scene in Raleigh is Oakwood Deli! Conveniently located on New Bern Avenue, Oakwood Deli feels like a modern bodega offering breakfast sandwiches, salads, biscuits, tacos and more. A large selection of sodas, juices, cold salads and NY cheesecake round out the large menu. There’s plenty of seating inside along with a patio out front to enjoy your meal!
Publix – Various locations
While you can always go fancy with your sandwiches, what if you just want a tasty and affordable option? That’s where Publix comes to play! This popular supermarket offers some really great sandwich options that are typically under $10 for a full sub. Grab an Italian, turkey or classic chicken tender PubSub while you’re doing some food shopping. For a really easy experience, order your sandwich online and you’ll be able to pick it up with little to no waiting! Love the fact that you can customize your bread, toppings, and how it’s prepared, you really can’t go wrong grabbing a sandwich
Toast Paninoteca – 345 W Main Street in Durham NC
While restaurants come and go, Toast Paninoteca breaks the mold as one of the long-standing restaurants in downtown Durham. Known for its panini sandwiches (pressed Italian sandwich), Toast offers a nice variety of traditional flavor combinations like chicken-mozzarella, herb pesto and tomato along with an assortment of crostini and tramezzini (crustless sandwich). Pair your sandwich with some of their delicious soup and it always feels like a tremendous bargain when dining here. Toast is also in a convenient location for DPAC events, enjoy!
Aaktun Coffee, Restaurant, and Bar in Durham – A Tropical Interlude for the Bull City