24 best sandwiches in Charlotte
Note: I’m a lover of Which Wich, Potbelly, Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s and Publix — but I didn’t include them in this list because their headquarters are outside of Charlotte.
I also didn’t include BBQ sandwiches, burgers, lobster rolls or gyros – as it confuses the list. You get it.
BLT — Local Loaf
It’s greasy and unhealthy, but the mixture of their bacon (maybe the best bacon I’ve had in Charlotte) and the fried green tomatoes provides a unique taste.
Sandwich ingredients: Signature white pimento cheese, house smoked maple bacon, local fried green tomatoes, popcorn shoots, on sourdough. $9
Kinda Fried Turkey — Pinky’s
You normally go to Pinky’s for the burgers, but you’ve got to mix it up.
Sandwich ingredients: Herb coated turkey breast on a big bun, topped with melted provolone, bacon, basil, tomato & garlic-parmesan spread. $7.25
Rotisserie Turkey Breast — Reid’s Fine Foods
Beautiful, simple sandwich.
Sandwich ingredients: House roasted turkey breast, arugula, tomato, muenster, Green Goddess on sourdough. $8.99
French Onion Grilled Cheese – Papi Queso
Papi Queso is the #1 grilled cheese destination in Charlotte. And don’t forget, this popular food truck will have a stall at the upcoming Tompkins Hall.
Sandwich ingredients: Beefy wine-braised onions, poblanos, American, provolone. $8.
Chicken Torta — Rhino Market
Sandwich Ingredients: Pulled chicken, avocado, provolone, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise on ciabatta. $7.99
Croque-Monsieur — La Belle Helene
Sandwich Ingredients: Toasted Parisian ham and cheese sandwich with mornay sauce, $14. Add a fried egg on top for another $2.
Chicken Salad — Rooster’s
Other tasty Rooster’s sandwiches include their grilled country ham and cheese with pickles, pastrami and swiss on rye, grilled chicken wrap and shrimp roll.
Spicy Turkey — Common Market South End
The new Common Market South End has 29 signature lunch sandwich options. The spicy turkey is their #1 most popular sandwich for a reason.
Sandwich ingredients: Turkey, red bell pepper, red onion, banana peppers, pepperjack and spicy brown mustard. $7
Bull Rider — Tasty Bowl
Rice bowls and subs.
Sandwich ingredients: Steak, jalapeños, onions, mushrooms, pepperjack with a chipotle BBQ.
Sammie the Chicken — Kre8 Gastropub at Wooden Robot
If you’re looking for a less healthy option while sipping a Good Morning Vietnam at Wooden Robot, start with the He’s Having Beer Cheese and then order their Bosshog Mac & Cheese Eggrolls.
Sandwich ingredients: Pan seared chicken, bacon jam, avocado, kale & sunflower pesto, arugula, ranch. $11
Harvest Chicken Salad Sandwich — The Mayobird
When you feature 16 different chicken salads like Mayobird does, it generally means you have a chicken salad obsession — and you can taste it with their #1 chicken salad, Harvest.
Sandwich ingredients: Chicken salad with apples, grapes, and pecans. Sandwich comes with tomatoes, onion and lettuce. $7.25 for the sandwich or $8.95 for the combo (get the broccoli salad with bacon as your side).
Fried Chicken Sandwich — King’s Kitchen
Other tasty King’s Kitchen sandwiches include their fried bologna sandwich, copain country panini, and oyster po’boy.
Sandwich ingredients: Buttermilk battered chicken breast, honey mustard slaw, Duke’s mayonnaise, house pickles, grilled potato bun
Italian Stallion – NoDa Bodega
Simple, pressed sandwich from the top sandwich shop in NoDa.
Sandwich ingredients: Prosciutto, finocchiona, coppa, fresh mozzarella, basil and peppadew relish on a baguette. $8
Reuben — Growlers Pourhouse
If you’re a Reuben person, the marble rye mixed with the dressing and slaw will make your mouth dance.
Sandwich ingredients: Corned beef (or turkey), sriracha Russian dressing, swiss, purple slaw & juniper berry sauerkraut on marble rye. $9
Lemongrass Grilled Pork Banh Mi (#6 on their menu) — Le’s Sandwiches
Huge fan of this mom and pop shop serving traditional, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches for 13+ years in the Asian Corner Mall. The #6 is their most popular sandwich.
Sandwich ingredients: Grilled pork, sliced jalapeños, cilantro, pickled carrots, cucumber and daikon (type of radish) served on banh mi bread (like a baguette). $4.25
Crispy Chicken Sandwich — Hello, Sailor
Start with the hushpuppies ($3.99) which are served with a yuzu kosha-honey butter. Also skip the beer and order the cocktails — go with their Subterranean Spritz.
Sandwich ingredients: Chicken, lettuce, pickles mayonnaise served with choice of fries, house salad, coleslaw or watermelon pastor. $10.99
Chicken Torta – Sav Way
With over 20 different types of tortas, Sav Way is an authentic sandwich-lovers paradise. Foodies love it there. Local food journalist and friend of the Agenda Kathleen Purvis argues that Sav Way’s $9 Chorizo Torta may be the #1 sandwich in Charlotte.
Sandwich ingredients: This football-sized torta on fresh bread is stuffed with chicken, avocado, cheese, jalapeños, onions, lettuce and mayonnaise. $7.50
Turkey Sandwich — Laurel Market
You can’t go wrong with any Laurel Market sandwich (they do a huge business), but their simple turkey sandwich (#4 on their menu) is the correct order. Watch out, the chipotle spread has a little kick to it. Not too much, but it’s there.
Sandwich ingredients: Turkey, bacon, pepperjack, tomato, lettuce, chipotle spread on your choice on the bread (I’d go wheat). $6.95
Pressed TCB (Turkey Cordon Bleu) — Sandwich Max
Owner Max Nicholson, sandwich freak and friend of the Agenda, told me that sandwiches run in his blood: “It’s a family business. My parents were in the sandwich business. All of my brothers had stores too.”
Sandwich ingredients: Swiss, turkey, ham, bacon, with mayonnaise on a fresh sub roll. $5.25 small, $8.50 large
Alligator Po Boy — Po Boy’s Seafood Market
Their most popular po boy sandwiches are the fried catfish filet ($6.95), fried shrimp ($6.95) and alligator ($9.95). Go with the traditional po boy sauce. Po Boy’s low country boil plates are also popular. 10 shrimp will run you $8.95 and twenty are $17.49. The plates include red potatoes, corn on the cob and andouille sausage.
Jambon et Fromage — Amelie’s
Good luck pronouncing it, :). It’ll make you feel like you’re on the streets of Paris.
Sandwich ingredients: Ham and your choice of cheese on a baguette.
Cheesesteak – Clover Joe’s
There are no tables inside Clover Joe’s – it’s a grab and go spot. Up on the wall are Clover Joe’s famous favorites. Fries cost an extra $2 and drinks cost $1.
Sandwich ingredients: Steak, cheese, peppers and onions served on 8″ toasted Italian bread.
Rueben – Alexander Michael’s
Neighborhood restaurants don’t get any better than Al Mike’s. Grab a booth and cozy up with friends or lover(s).
Sandwich ingredients: “4th ward style” with corned beef, kraut, dijon mustard, 1000 island & swiss cheese on grilled rye bread. Not too big, not too small.
Turkey Sandwich – RiRa’s Sandwich Bar
Paradise for blue shirt bankers, this Uptown hotspot serves up carved turkey on freshly baked rolls.
Sandwich ingredients: Fresh turkey, your choice of toppings.