Unearth The Voyage
Ohio’s fast-food scene boasts some truly legendary sandwiches that locals can’t get enough of. From humble beginnings in small Ohio towns to regional fame, these sandwiches have earned their place in the state’s food history. Whether you’re a lifelong Buckeye or just passing through, these iconic handheld meals offer a true taste of Ohio’s culinary personality.
Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich
Born in Boardman, Ohio in 1964, Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich has become nothing short of an American icon. The simple combination of thinly-sliced roast beef piled generously on a soft bun has stood the test of time while other fast-food fads have come and gone.
What makes this sandwich special is its straightforward approach—quality roast beef with minimal distractions, allowing the meat to shine. The slight peppery edge and warm, tender texture keeps Ohioans coming back decade after decade.
Many don’t realize this national chain started right here in Ohio, making it a point of local pride. The signature sandwich remains virtually unchanged since its debut, proving that sometimes the original really is the best.
Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar
If the original Arby’s sandwich wasn’t indulgent enough, the Beef ‘n Cheddar kicked things up several notches. This masterpiece takes the classic roast beef foundation and transforms it with creamy cheddar cheese sauce, tangy Arby’s sauce, and a toasted onion roll that adds just the right savory crunch.
The combination creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that’s impossible to resist. The cheese sauce cascades over the meat, creating that Instagram-worthy moment when you take your first bite.
While not part of the original menu, this sandwich quickly became a fan favorite after its introduction and has maintained its popularity for decades. For many Ohioans, this sandwich represents the ultimate comfort food splurge.
Rax Roast Beef’s BBC Sandwich
Remember Rax? This once-mighty Ohio fast-food chain has dwindled to just a handful of locations, making their BBC (Beef, Bacon & Cheddar) sandwich something of a culinary treasure hunt. Lucky hunters are rewarded with a perfect trinity of flavors: warm roast beef, crispy bacon strips, and melted cheddar cheese.
The sandwich achieves that rare balance where each ingredient complements the others without overpowering them. The BBC represents a piece of vanishing Americana that Ohioans refuse to let disappear completely.
Fans drive hours to the few remaining locations in Lancaster and other small towns. This sandwich isn’t just food—it’s nostalgia between two buns, a taste of childhood that keeps the remaining Rax restaurants in business despite nationwide chain competition.
Cleveland Polish Boy
Forget fancy culinary trends—the Polish Boy is Cleveland’s messy masterpiece that demands both appetite and napkins. This working-class hero combines a grilled kielbasa sausage stuffed into a bun, then piled high with crispy french fries, tangy coleslaw, and a generous drizzle of barbecue sauce.
Created in the 1940s, this sandwich represents Cleveland’s melting pot of cultures and no-nonsense approach to good food. Every bite delivers an explosion of contrasting textures—the snap of the sausage, crunch of fries, creaminess of slaw, and sticky-sweet sauce.
You’ll find the best versions at neighborhood spots like Seti’s Polish Boys and Hot Sauce Williams. True Cleveland natives can identify the subtle differences between each vendor’s interpretation, sparking friendly debates about who makes the definitive version.
G&R Tavern’s Fried Bologna Sandwich
In tiny Waldo, Ohio (population: barely 300), the G&R Tavern has turned the humble bologna sandwich into something worth driving hours for. Forget those sad lunch-box memories—this is a thick-cut slab of all-beef bologna griddled until the edges caramelize and curl, then topped with melty cheese, sweet pickles, and raw onions on a soft bun.
The magic happens when that thick-cut bologna hits the hot grill. What was once ordinary lunch meat transforms into something transcendent with crispy edges and a juicy center.
Motorcycle clubs, road-trippers, and food enthusiasts make pilgrimages to this unassuming tavern founded in 1962. No fancy ingredients or chef techniques—just perfect execution of a Midwest classic that proves simple food done right becomes extraordinary.
Wilson’s Square Hamburgs
Since 1936, Wilson’s Sandwich Shop in Findlay has been serving their signature “hamburgs”—small, square hamburgers with a cult-like following. These aren’t fancy gourmet burgers; they’re simple, nostalgic sliders with thinly pressed beef patties, diced onions pressed into the meat, and a slice of pickle on a steamed bun.
The magic happens on the well-seasoned flat-top grill where generations of cooks have perfected the technique. Locals order them by the sackful, often requesting “everything” (ketchup, mustard, pickle) or “plain” with nothing but meat and bun.
The restaurant itself feels frozen in time with its counter seating and no-frills approach. College students who leave Findlay find themselves craving these distinctive little squares—proof that sometimes the simplest foods create the strongest memories.
Potbelly’s “The Wreck” Submarine
Though not Ohio-born, Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s signature creation—”The Wreck”—has earned honorary citizenship through its massive popularity across the state. This submarine masterpiece piles salami, roast beef, turkey, and ham with Swiss cheese into a toasted, warm Italian roll.
The sandwich gets its distinctive character from Potbelly’s old-school toasting ovens that crisp the outside while keeping the inside soft and warm. Add the standard toppings of mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and Italian seasoning, and you’ve got a perfectly balanced handful.
Ohio college campuses and business districts keep these shops bustling at lunchtime. The sandwich’s name supposedly comes from its resemblance to a train wreck of meats—a delicious disaster that somehow works perfectly together and has become a reliable go-to for Buckeye State sandwich lovers.
Marlow’s Cheesesteaks
Philadelphia may claim the cheesesteak, but Marlow’s has brought this iconic sandwich to Ohio with enough authentic flavor to silence even the most critical East Coast transplants. Their version features thinly-sliced ribeye steak grilled with onions, then blanketed with melted provolone or the signature cheese whiz on a fresh Amoroso roll.
The magic is in the technique—the meat is never overcooked, maintaining its juiciness while developing those delicious caramelized edges on the flat-top grill. Each sandwich is made to order, with options to customize with peppers, mushrooms, or extra cheese.
What started as a single location has expanded across Ohio as locals discovered this perfect comfort food. The sandwich hits that sweet spot between hearty and handheld, making it an instant classic in the state’s fast-food landscape.
The Bobbie Thanksgiving Sandwich
Thanksgiving dinner between two slices of bread—that’s the genius concept behind The Bobbie, a sandwich that’s captured Ohio’s heart despite its Delaware origins. This holiday-inspired creation combines roast turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo on a soft roll for a year-round taste of November’s greatest feast.
The sandwich achieves perfect balance between sweet and savory, moist and crunchy. The cranberry sauce provides just enough tangy sweetness to complement the savory turkey and herbaceous stuffing, while mayo adds a creamy richness that brings everything together.
While originally from Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, various Ohio delis and sandwich shops have created their own versions of this comfort food classic. For many Ohioans, this sandwich offers holiday nostalgia without the family drama—a taste of Thanksgiving whenever the craving strikes.
Express Deli’s Classic Reuben
While not strictly fast food, Express Deli in Brook Park serves up their legendary Reuben with such efficiency it deserves mention among Ohio’s greatest quick-service sandwiches. This masterpiece of Jewish-American deli tradition features hand-sliced corned beef piled impossibly high, topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on grilled rye bread.
The magic happens in the balance—tangy kraut cutting through rich meat, melty cheese binding everything together, and that distinctive caraway-seeded rye providing the perfect foundation. Each bite delivers the perfect combination of flavors and textures.
Family-owned for decades, Express Deli maintains quality where chains cut corners. The sandwich represents Ohio’s appreciation for authentic ethnic food traditions adapted to local tastes—a melting pot approach that defines the state’s best food offerings.
