The Best Italian Subs in Austin (including Rankings!)

This is my comprehensive guide to the best Italian subs in Austin, Texas. I’ve scoured Reddit and Instagram to find the top spots, using a standard for Italian subs that’s most similar to what I’ve experienced in New York. Personally, I prefer my Italian subs without mayo, sticking to a traditional approach of just salt, vinegar, and olive oil.

That said, many Austin spots prefer mayo, and some either don’t offer the option to remove it or serve it by default. In this guide, you’ll see a mix—some with mayo, some without—and I’ll highlight the ones that stick to the more traditional style.

Here is a map of all the places we tried, All subs we consumed fresh on the spots for the most accurate review

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1. Home Slice Italian Sub

We need to talk about Home Slice’s Italian sub—arguably the most famous sandwich in Austin. It’s all over Reddit, Instagram, and local food chats, and as an Austinite, you’ve probably had their pizza on South Congress, but have you ever tried their sub?

The Italian assorted comes with ham, dry salami, capicola, Genoa salami, and provolone, all stacked inside their toasted, house-baked Italian sesame roll. It’s topped with thinly shredded lettuce (aka “shredduce”), red onion, tomato, provolone, oil + vinegar, and yes…mayo (because Austin loves putting mayo on Italian subs). I’ve tried it both ways, and honestly, I prefer it without the mayo, but either way, it works.

Pricing-wise, it’s $12 for a half and $22 for a full 12-inch, which is hefty but not outrageous given today’s economy. You can also add cherry peppers for an extra dollar.

What makes this sub iconic? The warm, crunchy sesame bread, the generous stack of meats, and the refreshing balance from the shredduce and vinaigrette. It’s everything you want in an Italian sub: meaty, tangy, crisp, and deeply satisfying.

Personally, it’s probably my favorite Italian sub in Austin. Between the two locations, I’ve found the North Loop spot more consistent than South Congress. A full-size is easily shareable—either between four friends or two very hungry adults.

Here is their Website

2. Hoody's

Hoody’s is a sandwich shop located in Round Rock, Texas, and many people told me they have the best Italian sub in the Austin area. Naturally, I had to make the drive to try it out.

The sub you’ll want is the Special Italian, stacked with salami, provolone, capicola, prosciuttino, and deluxe ham—all sourced from Boar’s Head. They also offer a plain Italian, but I recommend the Special. You can order a small for a casual lunch or a large if you’re planning to share.

What makes Hoody’s unique is the way they layer the meat on top of the veggies and hot peppers, giving the sandwich almost a rolled appearance. The bread is soft (not toasted, at least during my visit), and the shredded lettuce with peppers adds a nice crunch. The flavor is solid, though the roll-style build means you don’t always get that thick, meaty bite with every mouthful.

That said, I actually prefer their Philly cheesesteak when I visit, but the Italian sub is still absolutely worth trying if you’re in the area. Just a heads up—there’s no mayo here, only the traditional salt, vinegar, and pepper.

Here is their Website

3. Loud Mouth

One of the newer spots on this list is Loudmouth, which recently opened in the old Rosedale Café space in East Austin. Their Italian sammy comes with spicy capicola, salami, pistachio mortadella, provolone, giardiniera, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Dijon-aise—priced at $18, making it one of the pricier (and smaller) Italian subs in town.

At first, I was skeptical. The sandwich comes on an Italian roll that isn’t what I’d call “traditional” sub bread, but surprisingly—it worked. It’s not stacked to the brim like Home Slice, but it still has a satisfying bite. Flavor-wise, I’d compare it to Handsome Dan’s, but the giardiniera and Dijon-aise give it a little extra edge that bumps it higher for me.

Overall, I can see why people rave about this one, and I’d definitely come back. In fact, I preferred the Italian sub over their pizza, and their tiramisu was excellent too. Some say it rivals Home Slice—but in my book, it doesn’t quite take the crown.

Here is their Website

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4. Baldinucci

Baldinucci, located in West Austin, is best known for their Roman-style pizzas, but their Italian sub is worth trying as well. Their Italian Hero comes with salami, spicy soppressata, mortadella, provolone cheese, romaine lettuce, roasted red peppers, red onions, all on a house-made Italian roll with a vinegar dressing.

What stood out was the option to order no mayo, giving it a more traditional touch. The sandwich itself is solid—the bread is slightly crispy and thinner, which is typical for traditional Italian subs. The roasted peppers and the olive oil-vinegar dressing added great flavor, while the cheese felt a bit thick for my taste. Overall, it has a nice balance and bite, making it a strong option if you’re not in the mood for pizza. I’d rank this Italian sub around my top three to four in Austin.

Here is their Website

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5. Little Deli

Little Deli is a fan favorite, often mentioned when it comes to pizza and Italian subs. Located in the charming Crestview neighborhood, it’s a popular spot for locals. We tried their gourmet Italian sub with no mayo—thinly sliced prosciutto di Parma, smoked ham, spicy capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onions, dressed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Italian spices, all on wheat bread. At the time, a full-size was $18.50, though prices have likely increased.

Having tried it in the past with mayo, I can confidently say no mayo is the way to go. The prosciutto adds the perfect touch of saltiness, but overall, I felt the sandwich lacked enough meat compared to some of the other Italian subs I’ve tried. I also wanted bolder flavor from the red peppers. The bread was solid, but the sandwich just left me wishing for more meat and more punch in the flavors.

Overall, Little Deli is a solid choice, but I’d personally rank some of the other spots slightly higher.

Here is their Website

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6. Handsome Dans

Handsome Dan’s just opened this year and quickly made waves for offering a $12 sandwich with chips—a rarity in Austin with today’s inflation.

Their classic Italian comes with salami, mortadella, hot capicola, aged provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and house-made Italian dressing on a sesame-seeded Italian roll. Like many Austin spots, they also add mayo (which I’m not a fan of on Italian subs), but that’s become the local norm.

What made this sandwich stand out was the stacked meat—each bite delivered that satisfying, meaty depth you want from a proper Italian sub. The bread wasn’t exactly the traditional style, but it still worked. The balance of flavors was spot on: flavorful, hearty, and well-seasoned.

While it’s not the most authentic Italian sub, I’d still call it one of the most enjoyable I’ve had in Austin. Definitely worth trying if you’re in the area—I’d happily order it again.

Here is their Website

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7. Deep End Subs

Recently featured on Infactuation’s “Best Subs in Austin” list, Deep End Subs serves their Italian sub in a single ($11) or double ($20) portion. It comes loaded with salami, pepperoni, provolone, parmesan, pepper relish, lettuce, pickles, mayo, spicy mustard, and cowboy vinaigrette on a brioche roll.

Flavor-wise, this one leaned more toward a pizza pocket vibe than a traditional Italian sub. The heavy use of pepperoni really dominated the profile, making it the standout (for better or worse). Out of all the subs on this list, it’s also the only one that relies on just two meats.

I originally got the mayo on the side, but adding it actually helped cut through the saltiness of the pepperoni and brought better balance. The pickles were an interesting touch, though definitely non-traditional.

Overall, it’s a tasty sandwich and a fun take, but not what I’d call a classic Italian. If you’re checking out Deep End, I’d honestly recommend trying some of their other subs, which I found even better.

Here is their Website

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8. Tucci's

The next sandwich on my list is one that’s very popular and highly talked about on Reddit: Tucci’s Southside Subs. Originally tied to a Delaware sub chain before going independent, they’ve built up a loyal following here in Austin.

I ordered their Gourmet Italian Sub, which comes loaded with prosciutto, deluxe ham, capicola, Genoa salami, hot sweet peppers, provolone, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, and their house-made garlic mayo (though I requested mine without mayo). The bread is sourced from New World Bakery, and you can choose between a half sub or a massive 14-inch full-size. At $12 for a half or $21 for a full, the portion-to-price ratio is impressive.

Like Hoody’s, they layer the meats on top of the veggies, giving the sandwich that stacked, rolled look. While I thought the bread here was decent, I personally prefer the bread at Hoody’s or other spots I’ve tried. Flavor-wise, it reminded me of a standard cold-cut sub shop—solid, but not on the same level as what you’d find at a true Italian grocery deli in New York.

One thing to note: my sub leaned a little on the moist side, likely from the vinegar and toppings, and it didn’t quite hit that perfect balance I was hoping for. Still, for the size and value, it’s easy to see why Tucci’s is beloved by locals.

Here is their Website

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Unique Mentions: 

Knuckle Sandwich – Food Truck (Two Locations)

Knuckle Sandwich has quickly become one of Austin’s most talked-about “Italian subs,” even though the owners don’t market it as one. Their Knuckle Sandwich runs $22 for a 12-inch, largely due to the premium ingredients they use, including meats from Olympia Provisions (capicola, salami, mortadella) and bread from Abby Jane Bake Shop (at least at the time of my review).

What sets it apart is the creative twist: instead of cheese, they use a parmesan crisp, which adds a sharp crunch. It’s layered with Mama Lil’s peppers, shredded lettuce (“shreddus”), onion, amba, aioli, and za’atar vinaigrette. The result is a fusion-style sandwich with Italian elements but elevated Mediterranean flavors.

I really enjoyed the bite—the higher quality bread, salty meats, and parm crisp balance beautifully. The aioli is a welcome alternative to mayo, and the sandwich feels thoughtful in its construction. That said, it’s not as filling as some of the meatier, traditional subs on this list, and I’ve noticed occasional inconsistencies, with some versions leaning a bit too sour.

Overall, it’s a great sandwich, but not one I’d classify as a traditional Italian sub. Think of it as Austin’s elevated, experimental take on the genre.

Here is their Website

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Italian Subs I need to Re-review

Allday – Goo Mah Italian Sub

Allday’s Italian sub, the Goo Mah ($15), comes with mortadella, soppressata, Calabrian mayo, and Allday relish on a house-made seeded roll.

On my visit, I found this one really tough to eat. The sesame roll was overly dense, making up nearly 40% of the sandwich, and the fillings weren’t stacked well — the meats slipped out of the edges. The cheese and mayo didn’t quite mesh, leaving the whole thing feeling unbalanced.

That said, I’ve seen people I trust rank the Goo Mah among their favorites, so I plan to revisit and give it another shot. But as of now, it doesn’t sit high on my list of Italian subs in Austin.

Here is their Website

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Pizzeria Grata

Pizzeria Grata is another South Austin spot I stopped by to try, and I ordered their Big Dom, an Italian sub stacked with prosciutto, Genoa salami, capicola, ham, prosciuttotini, provolone, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles, Italian oil, spices, and mayo.

Overall, this one missed the mark for me. The pickles in the Italian sub threw off the balance, and I wasn’t a fan of the bread—it had a shiny baguette-style crust with a dry, overly bready interior. The chopped onions also didn’t work for me flavor-wise, and the whole sandwich just didn’t quite come together.

That said, while I wasn’t impressed with the Italian sub, their Philly cheesesteak completely surprised me—it might just be my favorite cheesesteak in South Austin.

Here is their Website

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Pedroso’s – Italian Sub

When Pedroso’s was still a food truck, they offered an Italian sub that I reviewed at the time. Since then, they’ve modified the recipe and changed it up quite a bit. Because of that, I don’t feel like my original review reflects what they’re serving now.

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I will continue to update this guide as I review more!

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