Sandwiches have kind of become a piece of my identity in the 20 years that I’ve been living a career driven by food.
Twelve years ago, I started a holiday celebrating sandwiches with my friends (Sandwich Week). I started a podcast shortly after (Sandwich Talk).
I am currently planning a Sandwich Festival set to take place on September 1st at Eastern Market (Detroit Sandwich Party). I definitely have an endless obsession with finding the best sandwiches ever that I sometimes talk about on social channels.
While there are hundreds of sandwiches that I’ve fallen in love with throughout my life, I’ve compiled a list of some of the ones I am currently feeling a constant craving for within our immediate region of Metro Detroit.
I know I haven’t had all the greatest sandwiches yet, so if I’m missing some big ones, I’m sure I’ll get word from anyone who is equally as obsessed with the greatest compact food, of which every culture has a version.
The Meatball Sandwich at Capri Bakery in Dearborn
Known for their Italian bakery style pizza and being the home of the pepperoni roll, this place has been a staple for so many Dearborn natives and visitors of the region. Lesser known are the Italian sausage sandwich and the meatball sandwich, the latter being something that I’ve never experienced otherwise.
With the option of three or four meatballs (I think you already know what to order), you get a pepperoni roll style soft bread jammed with massive meatballs, a special meat sauce and melty cheese. It’s simple, and that’s all it ever needs to be.
The Turkey add prosciutto at Ventimiglia’s in Sterling Heights
Every East-sider has staple Italian sandwich favorites, however the one that will always be mentioned in conversation is Ventimiglia’s. A true Italian market, you are smacked across the face with smells and stimulated with such intense visuals of Italian prepared foods, fresh pastas, a full deli counter, and groceries that are rarely seen in any standard grocer. However, the thing that keeps me driving all the way to this destination is the sandwich.
While there are several options of sandwich including the eggplant, the Italian, and chicken cutlet, the one I’ve now ordered more than the rest is the turkey (add prosciutto). With fresh veg, adding hot peppers, and having the choice between a hard and soft roll, I found the Italian sandwich that makes me feel most satisfied in Metro Detroit when the craving for said sandwich hits (which it does often).
The Breakfast Sandwiches at Mitsos in Detroit
Honestly, trying to decide which sandwich is my most craved at Mitsos has been the hardest part of writing this for me. That being said, since I work in Eastern Market, I am around Mitsos so often in the morning, and simply seeing the open sign makes me need just a few bites to keep me going throughout the day.
Between their traditional Greek, the absolutely incredible veggie sandwich, and even the soup, the menu is so full of truly flavorful and filling items.
Off to the right of the menu, you’ll find the breakfast sandwich section with the option of egg and cheese (with or without sausage), the Greek breakfast (egg, lamb, feta, tomato, and onion), or the veggie, all of which are handed to you in a fresh, pillowy pita made in-house. The melty cheese, fresh ingredients, and blast of heavy flavor with every bite always makes me want to order another one immediately after, even though I’m already full.
The Choripan at Puma in Detroit
The newest sandwich to hit the Detroit dining scene is from Puma, an Argentine, fire-driven restaurant opened across from James Beard nominated restaurant Barda, by the same owners. Its key is in its simplicity. Phenomenal bread pressed into fresh homemade sausage and placed firmly onto a grate over fire.
With chimichurri brushed on top, a bite by bite masterpiece is complete. However, adding cheese and any of their other topping options allows all cravings to simmer and calm until your next meal is absolutely needed.
The Ham Sandwich at Mike’s Famous Ham in Detroit
An absolute staple for Detroit’s long standing workforce has been Mike’s Famous Ham. In Detroit, we have Coneys and Ham Shops instead of diners, both of which can have the most simple menu with just the items needed to qualify as either, or a larger diner style menu including breakfast all day favorites. Mike’s is the most simple version of the Ham Shop still around today.
With four items on the menu, the one sandwich, aptly named the Ham Sandwich is an onion roll stacked with ham, cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard. The dedication Mike himself has had to continue doing things the same way for the last 40+ years is evident in every meal and experience at this old school, diner-style shop.
The Mixed Shawarma Sandwich at Hamido in East Dearborn
How could this list not include a shawarma sandwich, considering Metro Detroit is home to the largest Arab population outside of the Middle East? That being said, after eating many, many different shawarma sandwiches in the area, this is the one I keep ordering any time I’m even close to the area. It’s the flavor of the mixed meat and chicken (yes, beef is called ‘meat’ when you order it), along with the thick garlic, fresh veg, and crispy pressed bread wrapped around to make a symphony of Lebanese flavors and textures that leaves me drooling while typing these exact words.
Banh Mi at New Saigon Market in Madison Heights
The small market on John R road in Madison Heights has a plethora of Southeast Asian groceries, but more importantly for me while I’m driving through, is the menu of fresh banh mi. This family run store opened a small counter off to the side, dedicated to making sandwiches with the best homemade banh mi rolls I’ve ever had.
With four options, you’ll probably need to try the traditional first, containing braised pork, ham, and pork head cheese with mayonnaise and a pate spread. The other three options are grilled pork, grilled chicken, and fried fish patty. Each of these sandwiches are stacked with pickled daikon and carrot, and the freshest cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeño. To top it all off, these sandwiches are only $5 each, making it perfect for an affordable on-the-go lunch. With that price, maybe you’ll want all four in one sitting.
Mudgie’s Jerk (shawarma style) at Mudgie’s in Detroit
This is definitely an off-menu trick, but I order it almost every time. Even if I want another sandwich, I’ll get this one to go. Mudgie’s is a now legendary home for sandwiches located in the oldest neighborhood in Detroit, Corktown.
Founded by Greg Mudge, and continued by his team and family after his untimely passing during Covid, Mudgie’s sports a ridiculous amount of sandwich creations from the mind of Greg himself over the years. One that I’ve found to be so comforting has been the jerk sandwich, in a wrap, add pickles (the Mudgie’s Shawarma Sandwich). It’s not normal, but it brings me so much joy in every spiced, savory bite.
Just like the establishment, every sandwich at Mudgie’s is made with the love that Greg himself put into every aspect of this home.
Gonella’s Special at The Original Gonella’s in Detroit
At the legendary Italian sandwich shop of Gonella’s (there are now a few locations), the play for most people is to go in, get a pop, a bag of chips, order a sandwich by layer (10 meat, 2 cheese for example), a deli snack and cannoli for the road. However, since high school, I’ve always ordered according to weight with a variety of their meat options sliced to order.
My order is the hot capicola, prosciutto, hot soppressata, Swiss, on a soft roll with lettuce and onion, swimming in both red and white dressings. It’s not the usual sandwich people will order, but it’s so oily, meaty, and massive that it knocks me out for the whole afternoon. A well deserved nap later, and I find myself looking for the remnants of the sandwich for just one more bite.
Matt and Mo’s Beef in Hazel Park
Chicago is home to the Italian beef sandwich. In my childhood trips to Chicago, I learned of this hot beef sandwich with hot peppers and cheese and the “jus” dressed on top. In my later years, I learned to order the beef, hot, and swimming.
Upon every trip to Chicago I needed this sandwich and I’m happy to say that Chicago natives have brought it to our backyard! You can get (dare I say), a better beef than any other beef spot I’ve tried in Chicago by a family that is so full of the passion to create their favorite sandwich for their friends. Coupled with ice cream and many other food and dessert selections, Matt and Mo’s has become an institution for those that know. If you don’t know, now you do.
Compiling this list was so difficult. I love sandwiches. I love the way everybody loves sandwiches. So, I have to make sure to toss out some honorable mentions:
- Rocco’s: Anything they have is amazing
- Balkan House: Doner Kebab
- Boostan: Spicy Cream Chop
- Miller’s Bar: Tuna Melt
- Ladder 4 Wine Bar: Any sandwich on their bar menu
- What the Dill: Sandwiches on a pickle instead of bread (enough said)
- La Pecora Nera: The Italian Reuben
- Mongers’ Provisions: Grilled Cheese
- Detroit 75 Kitchen: Po’ Boy
- Iggy’s Eggys: Breakfast Sandwich
- Chef Greg’s Soul in the Wall: Boogaloo
- Al Basha Subs: Chicken Special, sub garlic sauce for mayo
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