10 Sandwiches that Define Cleveland

16 tons and what do you get? The best corned beef sandwich without going into debt. They still slice every sandwich to order, and every sandwich still towers above much of the competition. Amaze your friends by ordering in Slymaneze: a “natural” means plain; “original” comes with mustard; and “Smurf” buys you one with Swiss and mustard (which ain’t kosher, by the way).

3106 St. Clair Ave., 216-621-3760

The unlikely marriage of French and Vietnamese cuisines birthed the bahn mi, the United Nations of sandwiches. A split baguette is slathered with chicken liver pate and sweet mayonnaise. It’s layered with thinly sliced roast pork, shredded daikon and carrot, wheels of jalapeño and a smattering of fresh cilantro.

3030 Superior Ave., in Golden Plaza, 216-781-7462

Hard or soft roll, with or without kraut, brown or yellow mustard. To many, these are the choices that begin a day of shopping at the West Side Market. Do everybody a favor and know what you want before you reach the counter.

West Side Market, 216-344-2180

Here's what you need to make a truly authentic Philly cheesesteak: 100 percent shaved ribeye, Cheez Whiz, Amoroso rolls and at least one Philadelphia expat. Lucky for us, this shop has two. Hands down the best cheesesteak in the region.

10735 Ravenna Rd., Twinsburg, 330-998-6586, www.steaksandhoagies.com

The Classic Pickle is the Italian hoagie of one’s dreams. This perfectly balanced and assembled sub has just the right amounts of capicola, sopressata, prosciutto, provolone, and a spicy pickle relish to boot.

850 Euclid Ave., 216-575-1111, www.clevelandpickle.com

A great marriage of smoked turkey, mild cheddar, fresh spinach and avocado-chipotle mayo in a warm, griddle-crisped bread hug.

2482 Fairmount Blvd., 216-231-8585, lunabakerycafe.com

Tender, moist, lean and smoky thanks to a lengthy stay in the pit, Brew Kettle’s pulled pork sandwich exhibits all the signs of great ‘cue. Piled high on a toasted Kaiser roll, the sandwich needs little more than a dollop of cool, crisp slaw to impart that Memphis in May – in Cleveland – feel.

8377 Pearl Rd., 440-239-8788, thebrewkettle.com

This mammoth foot-long sammie features good French bread, Cajun-spiced-battered-and-fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato, onion and a schmear of Junior’s killer remoulade sauce. (It also comes with American cheese, which we kindly ask the boss to omit).

1992 Warrensville Center Rd., 216-381-3341‎, battisteanddupreecajungrill.com

Call your sandwich the "Killer French Dip" and it damn well better be good. Oh, it is. A crusty French roll is stuffed with shaved Certified Angus Beef prime rib and gruyere cheese. But it’s that salty, beefy au jus on the side that transforms this sandwich into the stuff of legends.

Multiple locations, rosewoodgrill.com

For crying out loud, it’s pronounced YEE-roh! Regardless, the Greek creation at this location has all the components of a typical sandwich: bread, meat, veggies and sauce. But in this case, the bread is warm pita, the meat is seasoned lamb and beef, standing in for the veggies are tomatoes and onion, and that sauce is a refreshing yogurt-cucumber blend.

Multiple locations, greekvillagegrille.com