Let’s be real: We’ve never met a sandwich we didn’t like.

In fact, our personal nutritional pyramid is made up of 65% sandwich and/or sandwich material and condiments. No, but really. Like, if we had a final meal — be it death row, apocalypse, or another four years of Trump (we’d prefer the death row/apocalypse, please) — it would be a sandwich from one of these 30 essential metro Detroit sandwich shops. Would we choose a pastrami and rye from one of the area’s beloved and classic Jewish delicatessens? Or a Moroccan-spiced chicken sandwich? What about some sort of breakfast-on-a-bagel situation? Well, hopefully, we have some time before we have to select a final meal but for now, we don’t have to pick just one. Follow your heart, dreams, and hunger pangs. And grab some antacid while you’re at it!

Chef Greg’s Soul “N” the Wall 10009 Curtis St., Detroit; 313-861-0331; facebook.com/chef-gregs-soul-n-the-wall Chef Greg’s is known for its signature sandwich, the Boogaloo — a Detroit-style sloppy joe. The newly revived business also offers other Boogaloo Wonderland sandwiches such as Steak Boogaloo, Veggie Boogaloo, and more. Photo by Tom Perkins
Ernie’s Market 8500 Capital St., Oak Park; 248-541-9703; erniessandwichshop.com Ernie’s is known for its large, unique sandwiches — and for Ernie, a shopkeep with a propensity for saying, “Baby!” You can put a number of toppings on them, and choose from a wide variety of sides. The local business has been serving the community for years. Photo via Ernie’s Market / Facebook
Stateside Deli 653 S. Adams Rd., Birmingham; 248-550-0455; statesidedeli.com You can’t go wrong with a restaurant that has an entire section of its menu dedicated to “Deli Delights.” This classic Birmingham restaurant and deli offers authentic deli classics, like corned beef and pastrami and their award-winning reuben. Photo via Stateside Deli & Restaurant/Facebook
Hygrade Deli 3640 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6620; hygradedeli.com This old-school restaurant is known for its huge corned beef sandwiches. In addition to that, Batman vs. Superman and The Pickle Recipe were filmed there. Photo via Hygrade Deli / Facebook
Rocco’s Italian Deli 3627 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3033; roccosdetroit.com The new-ish Italian deli on the block, Rocco’s is a contender for one of the best damn sandwiches in town, offering a small selection of sandwiches, like the Il Rocco (hot soppressata, mortadella, fontino, romaine, spicy red pepper relish, and garlic-lemon aioli) or the breast chicken parm. They’ve got veggie-friendly options, too, as well as salads, take-and-bake pasta dishes, and the occasional cannoli. Photo via Rocco’s Detroit/Facebook
Bucharest Grill Multiple locations; bucharestgrill.com We’re not going to get into the wrap vs. sandwich debate when it comes to this classic and casual Middle-Eastern chain. For us, the shawarma qualifies as a sandwich which is why Bucharest Grill gets a nod on this list. Photo via Bucharest Grill/ Facebook
Mike’s Famous Ham Place 3700 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6922; mikesfamoushamplace.food-places.com Mike’s has been serving different variations of ham for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for decades. Menu items include ham and egg sandwiches, ham melts, and more. Photo via Mike’s Famous Ham Place / Facebook
Ember’s Deli 3598 W. Maple Rd., Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-1033;embersdeli1.com Since 1969, this family-owned and operated deli and restaurant combines traditional deli favorites as well as a whole delicious mess of smoked and roasted meats, as well as soups, salads, and breakfast. Photo via Ember’s Deli and Restaurant/Facebook
The Turkey Grill 8290 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-872-4624; theturkeygrill.com The Turkey Grill offers Southern sandwiches and dishes, and serves everything in large portions. It also features daily specials. Photo via Turkey Grill / Facebook
Dimo’s Deli and Donuts 2030 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; 734-662-7944; dimosdelianddonuts.com If you’re craving a sandwich and a doughnut (or four), Dimo’s is the place to go. Some include variations of corned beef, pastrami, salami, ham, and many more. Photo via Dimo’s Deli & Donuts / Facebook
Mudgie’s Deli and Bar 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com Perhaps one of the most essential places to grab a sandwich in Detroit, Mudgie’s Deli and Bar has a sandwich for every mood and persuasion. You want poultry? There’s a menu for that. How about a vegan reuben? Does the term “multi-meat” get you going? Maybe a $60 sandwich called the F’getaboutit, which features 2 lbs of corned beef, swiss cheese, coleslaw or kraut, yellow mustard or thousand island, on a 2 lb loaf of sourdough or rye, is what the doctor ordered? OK — so your heart doc probably would advise against the latter offering, but Mudgie’s makes everything from scratch and uses quality meats and ingredients. Oh, they serve alcohol, too. Photo via Mudgie’s Detroit/Facebook
Zingerman’s Delicatessen 422 Detroit St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3354; zingermansdeli..com You can’t spell “essential” without Ann Arbor’s beloved Zingerman’s Delicatessen. Well, OK, we’re not great at spelling, but we know how to eat the incredible selection of sandwiches offered by this James Beard Award recognized deli. Photo via Zingerman’s Deli/Facebook
Stage Deli 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield; 248-855-6622; thestagedeli.com Opened in 1962, Stage Deli is a must-taste spot for anyone who fancies a classic deli sammy. Their signature warm seedless rye is what makes Stage Deli sandwiches so special. Take the West Side Story, which has hot corned beef or pastrami, coleslaw, and Russian dressing or the Hamilton, which has hot roasted brisket, lettuce, tomato, Russian dressing, and horseradish. Photo via Stage Deli/Facebook
Dan & Vi’s Pizza Deli 5951 Chene St., Detroit; 313-924-6077 This family-owned business is known for being able to customize its sandwiches and pizza. Some of its specialty sandwiches include the Bad Ass Bully, the Chene Street, and the Vi. Photo via Dan & Vi’s Pizza Deli / Facebook
Spread Deli + Coffee 4215 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-782-4946; spreaddetroit.com Care for some caffeine with your loaded AF sandwich? Spread Deli in Midtown has only been open for a couple of years but recently moved into bigger digs to accommodate their many sandwich offerings. They’ve recently extended their hours to include late night bites. Photo via Spread Deli + Coffee/Facebook
Hydrangea Kitchen 371 Fisher Rd., Grosse Pointe; 313-469-9970; hydrangeakitchengp.com Easy to pass, but hard to forget, Hydrangea Kitchen offers a comfortable, kitschy environment and meals made fresh on the spot. Get a classic sandwich, like the Philly cheesesteak, or get something new, like the brie butter apple. Or, if you’re looking for a treat, try the Caesar sandwich with grilled parmesan cheese. Also, any sandwich can be made into a wrap! Photo via Hydrangea Kitchen / Facebook
Nathan’s Deli 581 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-962-3354; nathansdelidetroit.com Nathan’s serves deli sandwiches, roll-up sandwiches, specialty sandwiches, and more. It also offers catering and vegetarian options. Photo via Nathan’s Deli / Facebook
Al’s Famous Deli 32906 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-549-3663; breadbasketdelis.com Since the 1960s, owner Al Winker has been serving large corned beef sandwiches. Yes, it is true that Al’s sells over 12 tons of corned beef every week. Photo via GoogleMaps
Balkan House 2028 Caniff St., Hamtramck; 313-262-6234 | 314 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-268-4920; thebalkanhouse.com Hamtramck’s Balkan House made waves locally thanks to its döner kebabs — the gyro pocket sandwiches that are Turkish in origin, but popular in Europe. Balkan House expanded to Ferndale in 2019. Photo by Tom Perkins
Peepo’s Subs and Shawarma 10890 Beech Daly Rd., Taylor; 313-299-9992; peepossubs.com This quick, yet quality restaurant specializes in sub sandwiches and Middle Eastern sandwiches and shawarmas. Customers also love its house-made smoothies and its spicier “Africano” menu. Photo via GoogleMaps
Saffron De Twah 7636 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 586-359-6138; saffrondetwah.com Though this 2020 James Beard Award semi-finalist for best new restaurant has a lot more to offer than just sandwiches, its sandwiches are a standout offering. At Saffron De Twah, the Moroccan fried chicken sandwich, Moroccan Fried Fish Sandwich, and the Moroccan Smash Burger are among some favorite bites. Photo via Saffron De Twah / Facebook
Stadium Deli 1956 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor; 734-662-2885 For years, Stadium Deli has been serving U of M’s community, known for its different variations of Stromboli. It also serves wine, beer, and liquor because you don’t need football to tailgate. Photo via GoogleMaps
Que Huong 30820 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-588-0988; quehuongdetroit.com Pho might be Que Huong’s specialty but this Madison Heights strip mall spot has some of the city’s best banh mis, but they’re sort of a secret, as they’re not listed on the menu. But ask the server and you shall receive. The Vietnamese-French sandwiches are served on a big, crusty roll similar to a baguette. The barbecue pork banh mi is assembled with a sweet and acidic layer of pork, crunchy shredded carrots, sprigs of cilantro, slices of spicy jalapeño, and large slices of cucumber. Photo via Shutterstock.com
New York Bagel 23316 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-2580; newyorkbagel-detroit.com We’re not telling you what to do with your life but we think that life is better when sandwiches are made with bagels. That’s right. We’re talking about a Lox sandwich on a fresh-out-of-the-bagel-oven everything bagel. How about egg, cheese, and tomato on a rosemary and sea salt bagel? For 100 years, New York Bagel has slayed and sliced the boil-and-bake bagel game and for that we are grateful and hungry. Photo via GoogleMaps
Pickles and Rye 6724 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield; 248-737-3890; picklesandryedeli.com Since 2014, Pickles and Rye has offered multi-meat sandwiches, salads, soups all of which are made-in-house with locally-sourced ingredients. If multi-meat offends your vegetarian or vegan palate, there are plenty of deli favorites that can be made to order. Photo via Pickles and Rye/Facebook
Gonella’s 295 Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-3500 | 10021 Telegraph Rd., Redford Charter Twp.; 313-535-7827; gonellas.com Gonella’s is Detroit’s original Italian deli. It’s been serving food for over 75 years, and recently opened a Redford location. It specializes in Italian meats and a large selection of sides and toppings. Photo via Gonellas Foods / Facebook
Bread Basket Deli Various locations; breadbasketdelis..com Al Winkler launched his corned beef empire in 1967, resulting in the beloved Detroit deli chain, Bread Basket. With multiple locations throughout metro Detroit, Bread Basket specializes in and revolves around corned beef, which is cooked fresh every three hours. Bread Basket churns through 20,000 lbs weekly, the most of any one restaurant in the nation. Photo via
El Rey de las Arepas 7701 McGraw Ave., Detroit; 313-307-2210 If you’ve never had a homemade Venezuelan arepa, this is the place to go. An arepa is a sandwich made with ground maize dough and meats and veggies in between. Photo via El Rey de las Arepas/ Facebook
Iggy’s Eggies 34 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-986-1174; picklesandryedeli.com Do not doubt the power of the breakfast sandwich. Walk-up grab-and-go spot in Capitol Park, Iggy’s Eggies has the egg and bread situation on lock. Each sandwich comes with a “jammy-yolk egg, Iggy’s sauce, and choice of bread.” You can build your own or snag the Bodega, made with griddled lll-beef bologna, jammy-yolk egg, white cheddar, mayo and mustard on an onion kaiser roll. They also have hashbrowns, French toast sticks, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Photo by Devin Culham
Siegel’s Deli 3426 E. West Maple Rd., West Bloomfield Twp.; 248-926-9555; siegelsdeli.com If traditional Jewish delicatessen gets you verklempt, look no further than Siegel’s Deli in West Bloomfield, which offers homemade soups, salads, and huge deli sandwiches., including an entire menu selection of “overstuffed sandwiches.” They have non-overstuffed offerings, too, but we figure it’s best to go big or go home. Preferably go home with a sandwich. Photo via Siegel’s Deli/Facebook

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