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Hands hold two banh mi over pavement
The banh mi from Ba Le just might be the best sandwich in Boston (or anywhere).
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

15 Essential Sandwiches Around Boston

Eat banh mi in Dorchester, Chilean sandwiches downtown, Cuban sandwiches in Jamaica Plain and more

by Terrence Doyle, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, and Nathan Tavares Updated
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The banh mi from Ba Le just might be the best sandwich in Boston (or anywhere).
| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater
by Terrence Doyle, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, and Nathan Tavares Updated

Boston doesn’t exactly have an iconic type of sandwich, at least not in the same way some cities do — Philly has the cheesesteak, Chicago has the Italian beef, and New York has pastrami on rye, for example. Sure, there’s the lobster roll, but if hot dogs aren’t sandwiches, lobster rolls aren’t sandwiches either (and are thus excluded from this map, except for one that actually is a sandwich; find the best of the best here).

The dearth of a definitive sandwich type notwithstanding, an eater can absolutely find a lot of very good sandwiches of various types in and around Boston, from banh mi to chicken parm to roast beef to fried fish. (And if you’re eating an Italian sub, don’t forget the hots.)

Here are 15 must-try sandwiches all around Boston.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Pennypacker's

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The porchetta sandwich from Pennypacker’s is served on ciabatta, with accompaniments changing by the day (with a little luck, the sweet-and-sour onion agrodolce is on offer), and it’s essential Boston eating. If you’re there, you might as well order some fried buffalo Brussels sprouts too, or whatever else looks good on the ever-changing menu. Hours at the original Somerville location are pretty limited; head downtown to Boston’s food hall, High Street Place, for an extended schedule.

514 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145
(857) 523-8053
(857) 523-8053
Closeup on a simple porchetta sandwich with a side salad on a blue plate
The Pennypacker’s porchetta sandwich is exceptional.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Also featured in:

Hot Box

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The North Shore-style roast beef sandwich is — in all of its sloppy, messy glory — an iconic Massachusetts bite. The classic version (or, the “super beef,” as it’s known in most shops) consists of an onion or seeded roll piled high with rosy-pink roast beef shaved impossibly thin and topped with mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and a slice of white American cheese. It’s known colloquially as a “three-way,” and that’s exactly how Hot Box prepares its version. This Union Square shop’s beef compares favorably to all the best spots north of the city, from Revere Beach to North Beverly.

1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 284-9600
(617) 284-9600
A three-way junior roast beef sandwich on a sesame bun sits on aluminum foil
An honest-to-goodness North Shore-style roast beef sandwich from Hot Box.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Also featured in:

All Star Sandwich Bar

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Beef on weck is a whole Buffalo vibe, so it may seem like a strange decision to put a version of it on a map of Boston’s most essential sandwiches. But All Star Sandwich Bar’s take on it — one of the only beef on wecks to be found in the Boston area — is too good not to make the list. Warm, thinly sliced-to-order roast beef is piled high on a kimmelweck roll, topped with spicy horseradish and au jus. It’s outstanding.

1245 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 868-3065
(617) 868-3065
Thinly sliced, rare roast beef is served on a kimmelwick roll with a side of fries on a plate with dark blue wavy lines. A can of Springdale beer Ginger & Juice is visible in the background.
Beef on weck from All Star Sandwich Bar.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Also featured in:

Bricco Salumeria & Pasta Shop

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Bricco Panetteria is broadly regarded as one of the best bakeries in Greater Boston, so it’s not surprising that its sibling, Bricco Salumeria, combines that great bread with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil to make a damn fine panino.

11 Board Alley, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 248-9629
(617) 248-9629

Sam LaGrassa's

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It wouldn’t be a Boston sandwich map without Sam LaGrassa’s. The downtown restaurant’s menu is vast — like, 50 sandwiches vast — but the move at LaGrassa’s is the splurge-y (with good reason) pastrami. Opt for the devilishly delicious pastrami diablo, which pairs its famous dry-cured and smoked pastrami with barbeque sauce, chipotle mayo, applewood-smoked bacon, jack cheese and hot cherry peppers. The sauces and piled-high meats blend together between a classic round roll for a spicy-fatty-savory mashup.

44 Province St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 357-6861
(617) 357-6861

Also featured in:

Chacarero

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The signature sandwich from Chacarero is unlike any other sandwich in the city. This Chilean classic sandwich consists of grilled steak or chicken (or both — get both), fresh tomatoes, steamed green beans, a slice of Muenster, avocado spread, salt, and pepper, and it’s all stuffed into a soft, freshly baked round roll. (Note: Chacarero is closed on weekends.)

101 Arch St, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 542-0392
(617) 542-0392

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haley jane's

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Downtown food hall High Street Place certainly has no dearth of delicious sandwiches, just take peek at the outstanding breakfast offerings at the Mike and Patty’s outpost and the whitefish salad on a bagel at Mamaleh’s Delicatessen. Any visit to the hopping spot must include a stop at Haley Jane’s, a purveyor of perfect fried chicken sandwiches, which started as a special at sibling spot, Wheelhouse. While all the bites are things of beauty — especially tender since thigh meat is the cut of choice — the CBR with bacon jam and jalapeno ranch slakes those spicy-sweet-salty cravings.

100 High St, Boston, MA 02110

Fiya Chicken

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Boston is teeming with great fried chicken sandwiches, but Fiya Chicken might have the best version. The double-fried chicken used in its Korean fried chicken sandwich is brined with buttermilk and kimchi, which gives the final product a slightly fermented taste. Diners can choose from four different glaze options: soy garlic, spicy Korean (made with fermented gochujang), the kicking house Fiya sauce made with chili oil and Korean peppers, and cider honey mustard. The soy garlic glaze is the play here — it is sweet and salty, and it pairs well with the house-made kimchi and pickles that top the sandwich. It’s all served on a toasted brioche bun.

1024 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 208-8659
(617) 208-8659

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Michael's Deli

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This is a twofer, and diners at Michael’s Deli should feel free to choose their own adventure: either the corned beef Rachel, or the corned beef Reuben. The Rachel comes with coleslaw, the Reuben comes with sauerkraut, they both come with Swiss cheese and Russian dressing, and they’re both served on toasted pumpernickel.

256 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 738-3354
(617) 738-3354

Also featured in:

Cutty's

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Virtually every sandwich on this Brookline Village shop’s menu was in the running for this list, but there could only be one, and that one is the Roast Beef 1000. It’s not a North Shore-style beef, but it doesn’t matter. The roast beef is cooked in-house to a tender pink, and it is topped with Thousand Island dressing, sharp cheddar, and crispy shallots. It’s all served on a black pepper brioche bun and griddled ever so slightly in a panini press for a bit of textural variety. This sandwich is a miracle.

284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 505-1844
(617) 505-1844
A roast beef sandwich on brioche, topped with crispy shallots, a slide of cheddar, and Thousand Island dressing.
Not North Shore-style, but not bad either.
Cutty’s

Also featured in:

Joe's Famous Steak Subs

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Sub shops in Greater Boston are often measured by the quality of their steak and cheese, and Joe’s version is one of the best — the roll is pillowy, the shaved steak is tender, the cheese is abundant and melty, and the peppers and onions add a sweet and zesty zip. This Roxbury shop is not to be missed.

140 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 442-8824
(617) 442-8824

M&M BBQ

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M&M BBQ has been doing its thing since 1982. The Dorchester restaurant has taken on many forms over the past four decades — food truck, catering business, pop-up — but it found a permanent home inside Dorchester Brewing Company back in early 2020. Its ribs are certainly worth your coins, but the Geneva Ave. sandwich — shredded beef brisket topped with pickled onions, barbecue sauce, and smoked cheese sauce — is absolutely the play here. Grab a four-pack of Dorchester Brewing’s Neponset Gold to wash it all down while you’re there, and if you drop in on Mondays, check out the one-off test kitchen specials.

1250 Massachusetts Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 307-7674
(617) 307-7674

Also featured in:

El Oriental de Cuba

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The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental de Cuba in Jamaica Plain is compulsory Boston sandwich eating. The exterior is crispy, and the interior is filled with savory pork and tangy pickles dressed with a gooey amalgamation of Swiss cheese and mustard.

416 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-6464
(617) 524-6464
A Cuban sandwich on a counter in a restaurant kitchen, served in a plastic black basket and covered with lots of mustard
The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental de Cuba.
El Oriental de Cuba

Also featured in:

Ba Le Restaurant

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Boston has a spectacular banh mi scene, but the best of the best can be found at Ba Le in Dorchester. Its barbecue beef banh mi may just be the best sandwich in the entire city. The bread, which is baked in-house, has a shatteringly crisp exterior and a pillowy interior, and it is packed with fresh vegetables and sweet, charred strips of beef. Plus, some optional fresh jalapeno if you like it spicy. The shop remodeled and expanded its interior during quarantine, with now even more Vietnamese pantry staples, delightful sweet and savory pastries, and other goodies on offer. Be sure to pick up a Vietnamese iced coffee while you’re there.

1052 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125
(617) 265-7171
(617) 265-7171
Hands hold two banh mi over pavement
The perfect sandwich most certainly does exist, and you can find it on Dorchester Avenue
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Also featured in:

Venice Pizza

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There’s lots to love at this neighborhood pizza restaurant on bustling Dorchester Ave., where pies with crispy, milk-based dough take the stage. But its Italian sub might be the secret star — with mortadella, prosciutto, provolone, and salami piled on a seeded roll in that perfect “generous, but not exploding” filling-to-bread ratio. The house-made Giovanni hots, a kicking condiment made of crushed peppers, adds a welcomed zip to all the savory, meaty goodness. Do check out the buffalo chicken knots on the snack menu, and the especially luxe sausage and bacon Alsatian pizza with gruyere cheese, too.

39 Savin Hill Ave, Boston, MA 02125
(617) 716-6499
(617) 716-6499

Also featured in:

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Pennypacker's

514 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145

The porchetta sandwich from Pennypacker’s is served on ciabatta, with accompaniments changing by the day (with a little luck, the sweet-and-sour onion agrodolce is on offer), and it’s essential Boston eating. If you’re there, you might as well order some fried buffalo Brussels sprouts too, or whatever else looks good on the ever-changing menu. Hours at the original Somerville location are pretty limited; head downtown to Boston’s food hall, High Street Place, for an extended schedule.

514 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145
(857) 523-8053
(857) 523-8053
Closeup on a simple porchetta sandwich with a side salad on a blue plate
The Pennypacker’s porchetta sandwich is exceptional.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Hot Box

1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143

The North Shore-style roast beef sandwich is — in all of its sloppy, messy glory — an iconic Massachusetts bite. The classic version (or, the “super beef,” as it’s known in most shops) consists of an onion or seeded roll piled high with rosy-pink roast beef shaved impossibly thin and topped with mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and a slice of white American cheese. It’s known colloquially as a “three-way,” and that’s exactly how Hot Box prepares its version. This Union Square shop’s beef compares favorably to all the best spots north of the city, from Revere Beach to North Beverly.

1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 284-9600
(617) 284-9600
A three-way junior roast beef sandwich on a sesame bun sits on aluminum foil
An honest-to-goodness North Shore-style roast beef sandwich from Hot Box.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

All Star Sandwich Bar

1245 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Beef on weck is a whole Buffalo vibe, so it may seem like a strange decision to put a version of it on a map of Boston’s most essential sandwiches. But All Star Sandwich Bar’s take on it — one of the only beef on wecks to be found in the Boston area — is too good not to make the list. Warm, thinly sliced-to-order roast beef is piled high on a kimmelweck roll, topped with spicy horseradish and au jus. It’s outstanding.

1245 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 868-3065
(617) 868-3065
Thinly sliced, rare roast beef is served on a kimmelwick roll with a side of fries on a plate with dark blue wavy lines. A can of Springdale beer Ginger & Juice is visible in the background.
Beef on weck from All Star Sandwich Bar.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Bricco Salumeria & Pasta Shop

11 Board Alley, Boston, MA 02113

Bricco Panetteria is broadly regarded as one of the best bakeries in Greater Boston, so it’s not surprising that its sibling, Bricco Salumeria, combines that great bread with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil to make a damn fine panino.

11 Board Alley, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 248-9629
(617) 248-9629

Sam LaGrassa's

44 Province St, Boston, MA 02108

It wouldn’t be a Boston sandwich map without Sam LaGrassa’s. The downtown restaurant’s menu is vast — like, 50 sandwiches vast — but the move at LaGrassa’s is the splurge-y (with good reason) pastrami. Opt for the devilishly delicious pastrami diablo, which pairs its famous dry-cured and smoked pastrami with barbeque sauce, chipotle mayo, applewood-smoked bacon, jack cheese and hot cherry peppers. The sauces and piled-high meats blend together between a classic round roll for a spicy-fatty-savory mashup.

44 Province St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 357-6861
(617) 357-6861

Chacarero

101 Arch St, Boston, MA 02110

The signature sandwich from Chacarero is unlike any other sandwich in the city. This Chilean classic sandwich consists of grilled steak or chicken (or both — get both), fresh tomatoes, steamed green beans, a slice of Muenster, avocado spread, salt, and pepper, and it’s all stuffed into a soft, freshly baked round roll. (Note: Chacarero is closed on weekends.)

101 Arch St, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 542-0392
(617) 542-0392

haley jane's

100 High St, Boston, MA 02110

Downtown food hall High Street Place certainly has no dearth of delicious sandwiches, just take peek at the outstanding breakfast offerings at the Mike and Patty’s outpost and the whitefish salad on a bagel at Mamaleh’s Delicatessen. Any visit to the hopping spot must include a stop at Haley Jane’s, a purveyor of perfect fried chicken sandwiches, which started as a special at sibling spot, Wheelhouse. While all the bites are things of beauty — especially tender since thigh meat is the cut of choice — the CBR with bacon jam and jalapeno ranch slakes those spicy-sweet-salty cravings.

100 High St, Boston, MA 02110

Fiya Chicken

1024 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

Boston is teeming with great fried chicken sandwiches, but Fiya Chicken might have the best version. The double-fried chicken used in its Korean fried chicken sandwich is brined with buttermilk and kimchi, which gives the final product a slightly fermented taste. Diners can choose from four different glaze options: soy garlic, spicy Korean (made with fermented gochujang), the kicking house Fiya sauce made with chili oil and Korean peppers, and cider honey mustard. The soy garlic glaze is the play here — it is sweet and salty, and it pairs well with the house-made kimchi and pickles that top the sandwich. It’s all served on a toasted brioche bun.

1024 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 208-8659
(617) 208-8659

Michael's Deli

256 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

This is a twofer, and diners at Michael’s Deli should feel free to choose their own adventure: either the corned beef Rachel, or the corned beef Reuben. The Rachel comes with coleslaw, the Reuben comes with sauerkraut, they both come with Swiss cheese and Russian dressing, and they’re both served on toasted pumpernickel.

256 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 738-3354
(617) 738-3354

Cutty's

284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

Virtually every sandwich on this Brookline Village shop’s menu was in the running for this list, but there could only be one, and that one is the Roast Beef 1000. It’s not a North Shore-style beef, but it doesn’t matter. The roast beef is cooked in-house to a tender pink, and it is topped with Thousand Island dressing, sharp cheddar, and crispy shallots. It’s all served on a black pepper brioche bun and griddled ever so slightly in a panini press for a bit of textural variety. This sandwich is a miracle.

284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 505-1844
(617) 505-1844
A roast beef sandwich on brioche, topped with crispy shallots, a slide of cheddar, and Thousand Island dressing.
Not North Shore-style, but not bad either.
Cutty’s

Joe's Famous Steak Subs

140 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119

Sub shops in Greater Boston are often measured by the quality of their steak and cheese, and Joe’s version is one of the best — the roll is pillowy, the shaved steak is tender, the cheese is abundant and melty, and the peppers and onions add a sweet and zesty zip. This Roxbury shop is not to be missed.

140 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 442-8824
(617) 442-8824

M&M BBQ

1250 Massachusetts Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

M&M BBQ has been doing its thing since 1982. The Dorchester restaurant has taken on many forms over the past four decades — food truck, catering business, pop-up — but it found a permanent home inside Dorchester Brewing Company back in early 2020. Its ribs are certainly worth your coins, but the Geneva Ave. sandwich — shredded beef brisket topped with pickled onions, barbecue sauce, and smoked cheese sauce — is absolutely the play here. Grab a four-pack of Dorchester Brewing’s Neponset Gold to wash it all down while you’re there, and if you drop in on Mondays, check out the one-off test kitchen specials.

1250 Massachusetts Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 307-7674
(617) 307-7674

El Oriental de Cuba

416 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental de Cuba in Jamaica Plain is compulsory Boston sandwich eating. The exterior is crispy, and the interior is filled with savory pork and tangy pickles dressed with a gooey amalgamation of Swiss cheese and mustard.

416 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-6464
(617) 524-6464
A Cuban sandwich on a counter in a restaurant kitchen, served in a plastic black basket and covered with lots of mustard
The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental de Cuba.
El Oriental de Cuba

Ba Le Restaurant

1052 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125

Boston has a spectacular banh mi scene, but the best of the best can be found at Ba Le in Dorchester. Its barbecue beef banh mi may just be the best sandwich in the entire city. The bread, which is baked in-house, has a shatteringly crisp exterior and a pillowy interior, and it is packed with fresh vegetables and sweet, charred strips of beef. Plus, some optional fresh jalapeno if you like it spicy. The shop remodeled and expanded its interior during quarantine, with now even more Vietnamese pantry staples, delightful sweet and savory pastries, and other goodies on offer. Be sure to pick up a Vietnamese iced coffee while you’re there.

1052 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125
(617) 265-7171
(617) 265-7171
Hands hold two banh mi over pavement
The perfect sandwich most certainly does exist, and you can find it on Dorchester Avenue
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Venice Pizza

39 Savin Hill Ave, Boston, MA 02125

There’s lots to love at this neighborhood pizza restaurant on bustling Dorchester Ave., where pies with crispy, milk-based dough take the stage. But its Italian sub might be the secret star — with mortadella, prosciutto, provolone, and salami piled on a seeded roll in that perfect “generous, but not exploding” filling-to-bread ratio. The house-made Giovanni hots, a kicking condiment made of crushed peppers, adds a welcomed zip to all the savory, meaty goodness. Do check out the buffalo chicken knots on the snack menu, and the especially luxe sausage and bacon Alsatian pizza with gruyere cheese, too.

39 Savin Hill Ave, Boston, MA 02125
(617) 716-6499
(617) 716-6499

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