Meaty? Check. Hearty? Definitely. Delicious? Duh. That’s what we’re searching for when looking for a delicious sandwich, and one that tastes like Cleveland when you’re biting in. These sandwiches from restaurants around Northeast Ohio help define the region by not only being delicious but incorporating the various cultures and cuisines that make up the area. Take a bite.

Polish Boy From Banter Cleveland and Shaker Heights The polish boy is a Cleveland staple, so no list would be complete without at least a couple of polish boys. In early 2020, the Food Network let loose their list of the “Best Sandwiches in America.” Banter, which has locations in Detroit-Shoreway and Shaker Heights’ Van Aken District, was included on the list, with its Polish Boy one of 99 sandwiches across the nation that were featured. Photo via Burklehagen Photography
Ferrara’s Imported Foods 5750 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Heights “There are simply not enough stars for this place. I’ve only purchased sandwiches here from the deli. THIS is the place to get the freshest, biggest, tastiest sub sandwich in the area. You walk in, and the small of the deli assaults your senses in a very good way. You are completely aware that the place sells fresh deli. OMG, yes.Walk to the right hand wall for fresh sandwiches. The guys behind the counter are awesome, friendly, helpful, and funny. I LOVE these guys..There is a menu on the back wall of sandwich options, but of course, they can make anything you want – it’s a deli. I’ve never had a need to deviate from the menu options. The meatball or the meatloaf subs are incredible. You will not move for another day. They are huge, but typically go fast. The hot Italian beef sandwich is also huge. This is a good sandwich to split if you are so inclined. The Italian subs are amazing. All subs can come with hot or sweet peppers. Do not skip this part. I love both, and mix it up depending on my mood. Most subs are around $6. They are huge. The sub buns are incredible. Perfectly crisp, crunchy, chewy,” Karyn C. on Yelp Photo via Ferrara’s Imported Food/Facebook
Potato Pancake Reuben at Der Braumeister 13046 Lorain Ave., Cleveland Winter is here, and in preparation for our annual hibernation, it’s time to put on some weight. Might we recommend the gut-busting potato pancake Reuben at this 35-year-old treasure? Just like it sounds, this bell-ringer consists of the usual corned beef topped with sauerkraut, melted Swiss and Thousand Island dressing, but the two-fister swaps the bread for a pair of potato pancakes. Goodnight. Photo via Scene Archives
Banh Mi From Superior Pho 3030 Superior Ave., Cleveland 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. Photo via @Superior_Pho/Instagram
OMG Philly from Black Box Fix 25359 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst Black Box Fix isn’t messing around when it comes to the OMG Philly, a knife-and-fork hoagie loaded with Philly-style chicken, grilled shrimp, mushrooms, onions and peppers. What brings it all together is the dreamy “yum-yum” sauce, a mayo-based spread. The success of the sandwich has even birthed a spin-off, the OMG 2.0, which adds buttered lobster to the already winning combination. Photo via Scene Archives
Smoked Turkey Club at Herb’n Twine 4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland People lose their minds over the smoked turkey club at Herb’n Twine, a 5-year-old gourmet sandwich emporium in Ohio City. This artful construction is composed of house-baked French bread, house-smoked turkey breast, maple-glazed bacon, smoked Gouda, pickled onions, fresh spinach and sun-dried tomato mayo. Photo by Tim Harrison
Meatball Sub From Dave’s Cosmic Subs Multiple Locations Most gravitate to one of the deli meat subs at Dave’s, and for good reason; they’re loaded with goodies and a generous helping of delicious Dave’s sauce. But the real diehards know the meatball sub is the way to go. It’s a pretty traditional meatball sub – marinara, meatballs, melted cheese and the sub roll. Trust us though when we say that its really a cut above any other meatball sub you can try. Photo via Dave’s Cosmic Subs/Facebook
Corned Beef From Slyman’s 3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland 16 tons and what do you get? The best corned beef sandmuwich 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). Photo via Scene Archives
Torta at La Plaza Taqueria 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood We know, the tacos here are heaven on Earth, but, once or twice, cycle a torta into your rotation. You still get to choose your meat (al pastor, chorizo, carne asada …), but instead of being plopped into tortillas, it’s stuffed into a soft, round bun with cheese, refried beans, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and sour cream. There’s nothing preventing you from hitting that salsa bar on the way to your seat. Photo via Scene Archives
Cubano at Caribe Bake Shop 2906 Fulton Rd., Cleveland We’ve been blessed with the opening of nearly half a dozen new Puerto Rican bakeries in town, each proffering excellent versions of this hearty pressed sandwich. But we always find ourselves heading back to Caribe, where the Cubanos come in three sizes. Here, the ideal bun is layered with roast pork, ham, melted cheese, dill pickles and yellow mustard before getting the hot-iron treatment. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
The Lincoln Park From Lox, Stock and Brisket 13892 Cedar Rd., University Heights You’ll find the best chicken sandwich on the east side at Anthony Zappola’s new-school Jewish deli. Lox’s Lincoln Park sandwich, served on an egg roll from Unger’s Kosher Bakery in Cleveland Heights, comes with an enormous triangle of buttermilk battered schnitzel set off with fluorescent pickles, slaw and a touch of spicy mayo. This sandwich is a masterclass in balance: buttery, sweet and crispy with just a hint of spice. Photo by Karin McKenna
Hot Chicken Sandwich at Parkview Nite Club 1261 West 58th St., Cleveland Short-lived Chow Chow in Lakewood provided many Clevelanders with their first taste of Nashville hot chicken. That business was rolled into the Parkview when the chef joined the team, bringing many adoring fans of that crispy, high-octane delicacy with him. Get the hot chicken sandwich here and prepare to be blasted with spicy, crunchy-fried chicken on a soft bun capped with refreshing cabbage slaw while enjoying a tasty adult beverage from the bar. Photo via Scene Archives
Bravacado Sandwich at Beet Jar 1432 West 29th St., Cleveland It’s a strange sensation to not feel bloated and tired after demolishing a sandwich, but the Bravacado from the Beet Jar manages to leave diners feeling blissfully energized. This avocado toast on steroids includes toasty coconut, red onion, greens and creamy housemade cashew spread, all tidily stacked atop toasted Sicilian bread from Stone Oven. Photo via Beet Jar/Facebook
Philly Cheesesteak at Original Steaks & Hoagies Multiple Locations We have yet to find a better version of this Philly-born classic. From the Amoroso rolls and shaved ribeye, which is chip-chopped to perfection on the griddle, to the fried onions and Cheez Whiz (or provolone if you so choose), these sandwiches would fool a Flyers fan. Since launching in Twinsburg 10 years ago, this homegrown “steak shop” has added five additional spots. Photo via Scene Archives
French Dip from Rosewood Grill Multiple Locations 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. Photo via @TheMiddletonLife/Instagram
Fried BBQ Shrimp Po’ Boy from Battiste and Dupree Cajun Grill 1992 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland 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). Photo via Scene Archives
Steve Gyro’s at the West Side Market 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland When a gyro is featured on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” you know it’s serious. A heaping pile of absolutely lamb is placed upon a fresh pita and served with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce for the best gyro around. Photo via Steve’s Gyros/Facebook
Polish Boy at Seti’s Polish Boys On Wheels All Around Town One of the foods Cleveland can claim as its own is the Polish Boy. Rooted in our Eastern European past, the hefty kielbasa-and-fries-based fistwich is the model of economy. Rolled into one baby-size bundle are meat, veg, starch and sauce, which combine to form one of the world’s messiest and most delicious meals. Photo via Scene Archives

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