26 best sandwiches in Charlotte

Do you consider yourself a sandwich person? Well, put down the Subway and go eat these 26 Charlotte-famous sandwiches.

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.

The Royal — Pasta and Provisions Wilmore

It’s not sloppy, but it’s not small. It’s not unhealthy, but it’s not healthy. It’s not odd tasting, but it’s not common. It’s just right. Note: You can make any a combo for an addition $3 which means you get a choice of side salad (kale, caprese) or cannellini bean or chips and a drink.

Sandwich Ingredients: Capicola, sausage patty, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil and vinegar with mayo on a fresh hoagie roll. $8

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

Chicken Finger Sub — Bisonte Pizza Co

It’s a Buffalo thing.

Sandwich ingredients: Chicken fingers tossed in buffalo sauce with lettuce and tomato topped with homemade blue cheese. $9.99

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

The Gobbler – Sandwich Club

Sandwich Club is an Uptown staple that literally has a line out the door on most days.

Sandwich ingredients: Rotisserie turkey, whole cranberry sauce, savory stuffing and mayo on rye. $7

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.

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.

Reuben – 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.

Happy sandwich eating!