Unearth The Voyage
California is packed with amazing sandwich spots that most people never hear about. Hidden inside water stores, corner groceries, and neighborhood wine bars are some of the most delicious handheld meals you’ll ever taste. These under-the-radar gems serve everything from perfect tuna melts to oak-grilled tri-tip, and they’re waiting for you to discover them.
1. Open Market’s Normandie Tuna Melt — Koreatown, Los Angeles
Tucked away on the ground floor of a Koreatown office building sits Open Market, where deli classics get a serious upgrade. This corner-store café hybrid serves natural wines alongside what many call the sleeper hit of LA sandwiches—their reimagined tuna melt.
Arrive at 11 a.m. when the lunch menu kicks off, and you’ll beat the rush. The tuna melt here isn’t your average diner fare; it’s part of their “new-school” sandwich lineup that’s earned a loyal following.
Free parking under the “3333” sign off Catalina makes this spot even more convenient. Between the creative menu and easy access, Open Market proves that office plazas can hide real culinary treasures.
2. Wax Paper’s “Larry Mantle” — Frogtown (Elysian Valley), Los Angeles
This tiny riverside shop started something special years ago: naming every sandwich after NPR hosts. The “Larry Mantle” has become a cult favorite among locals who crave its Italian-leaning cold cuts and sharp, tangy cheeses stacked just right.
Grab your order and head to a spot along the LA River for an impromptu picnic. The whole NPR-themed menu concept originated right here in Frogtown, making it a true original.
Public radio fans and sandwich lovers alike flock to Wax Paper for good reason. The combination of quirky charm, riverside location, and seriously good ingredients creates an experience worth the trip to Elysian Valley.
3. The Heights Deli’s Chicken Parm — Lincoln Heights/Glassell Park, Los Angeles
A neighborhood bottle shop slinging one of LA’s most craveable chicken parms might sound unusual, but The Heights Deli makes it work perfectly. Crispy chicken, gooey cheese, tangy sauce, all nestled in a proper roll—it’s the kind of sandwich that keeps people coming back weekly.
Eater LA’s editors recognized this gem on their best sandwiches list this year. You can find locations in both Lincoln Heights and Glassell Park, making it accessible to more sandwich hunters.
The bottle shop setting adds character to the whole experience. Browse some interesting wines while you wait, then enjoy what locals already know is sandwich perfection.
4. Avian Water & Banh Mi’s Grilled Pork Bánh Mì — Linda Vista, San Diego
Yes, you read that right—this spot operates inside an actual water store. Avian Water & Banh Mi proves that amazing food can pop up in the most unexpected places, and San Diego locals are thankful for it.
Eater San Diego crowned the banh mi here as their top pick, praising the perfect bread-to-filling ratio. Generous portions of pickled vegetables add that essential crunch and tang that makes Vietnamese sandwiches so addictive.
Linda Vista keeps this treasure under-the-radar, which means shorter lines for those in the know. The grilled pork version delivers authentic flavors that transport you straight to the streets of Saigon, water jugs and all.
5. Moto Deli’s Turketta — Encinitas (North County San Diego)
House-smoked turkey sets the foundation for Moto Deli’s most popular creation, but it’s the combination that makes magic happen. Crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, creamy avocado, and a touch of mostarda come together on squaw bread for something truly special.
The patio lunch scene at Moto is part of the appeal. Pair your Turketta with their fresh-fried chips, and you’ve got yourself a proper North County San Diego meal.
Encinitas locals have known about this spot for years, making it a regular lunch rotation staple. The balance of smoky, savory, and fresh flavors explains why the Turketta remains their bestseller season after season.
6. Old San Luis BBQ’s Tri-Tip Sandwich — San Luis Obispo (Central Coast)
Santa Maria-style tri-tip reaches peak perfection when grilled over red oak, and Old San Luis BBQ knows exactly how to do it right. Thick slices of smoky, tender beef get piled onto local bread with your choice of salsa or BBQ sauce.
This is Central Coast cuisine in sandwich form—simple, hearty, and full of regional pride. The red oak grilling method adds a distinctive flavor you won’t find anywhere else.
Highway 101 travelers should absolutely make this detour. Whether you’re a local or just passing through San Luis Obispo, this tri-tip sandwich represents everything great about California’s BBQ traditions and deserves your attention.
7. Roxie Food Center’s Dutch Crunch Special — Excelsior, San Francisco
Operating since the 1970s, Roxie Food Center represents old-school San Francisco at its finest. This corner grocery has earned fierce loyalty from Excelsior residents who swear by their giant, two-handed Dutch crunch sandwiches.
The Roxie Special and salami options are neighborhood favorites. That distinctive Dutch crunch bread—with its crackled, sweet-savory topping—makes every bite textually interesting and totally San Francisco.
Locals know to arrive hungry because these sandwiches don’t mess around with portion sizes. Pure deli goodness without any pretension, just the way corner groceries used to make them decades ago when the city felt different.
8. Saigon Sandwich’s Roast Pork Bánh Mì — Tenderloin, San Francisco
Cash-only and lightning-fast, Saigon Sandwich has been a San Francisco institution for years. Located on Larkin Street in the Tenderloin, this spot churns out some of the city’s best cheap eats without compromising quality.
The roast pork banh mi is the move here, though the meatball version has its devoted fans too. Lines form quickly but move even faster, so don’t let the crowd intimidate you.
Bring cash and prepare for a no-frills experience that’s all about the food. At these prices with this quality, Saigon Sandwich proves that San Francisco still has affordable, delicious options if you know where to look.
9. Palm City Wines’ Roast Pork Hoagie — Outer Sunset, San Francisco
A pandemic pivot turned this neighborhood wine bar into an unlikely sandwich destination, and Palm City Wines never looked back. Their arm-length hoagies became instant legends in the Outer Sunset, with the roast pork and Italian American versions leading the charge.
Under-hyped but big on flavor, these hoagies pair surprisingly well with the wine bar setting. The combination feels perfectly San Francisco—a little unexpected, totally delicious.
Locals appreciate having serious sandwiches alongside their wine selection. What started as a survival strategy became a signature offering that defines Palm City Wines just as much as their carefully curated bottles do.
10. Piemonte’s Italian Delicatessen’s “Piemonte” — Fresno (Central Valley)
Nearly a century of deli tradition lives on at Piemonte’s, now under Gen-Z ownership that respects the classics. The signature “Piemonte” sandwich—two salamis, mortadella, ham, provolone on a French roll—has fed generations of Central Valley families.
This enduring recipe hasn’t changed because it doesn’t need to. Simple, quality ingredients stacked with care create something that transcends trends and fads.
Fresno’s food scene is booming again, and Piemonte’s is right there leading the charge. Young owners keeping old traditions alive while introducing new customers to Central Valley classics—that’s the kind of story California needs more of.
