The Best Sandwiches in Austin, TX

Austin has a extensive sandwich scene — here are some of the top-tier spots and iconic sammies you should try. If you tell me your neighborhood (or what kind of sandwich you like — BBQ, banh mi, deli, etc.), I can narrow things further.

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Banh Mi Pho Phong Luu

The bánh mì at Pho Phong Luu is arguably the best in Austin, period. Even back at their old North Lamar location, it had already cemented its reputation, and the current version lives up to the hype. Their special Vietnamese sandwich comes stacked with pork ham, pig’s head paste, pâté, butter, carrot, cucumber, and cilantro — a perfect balance of rich and fresh.

They don’t bake their bread in-house (they once used H-E-B loaves), but the current baguette is warm, crusty, and ideal for holding everything together. The pâté used to be more generously smeared, so I’d recommend asking for extra. With the buttery spread, creamy pâté, and thick layers of meat, this bánh mì is the real deal. It might just be the best in Austin — and it’s definitely my personal favorite.

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Philly Cheese Steak RnB Steak and Fries

R&B’s Steak and Fries is arguably serving the best Philly cheesesteak in Austin, period. You can customize with different meats and cheeses, but the must-order is the classic with provolone loaded with fresh jalapeños, onions, peppers, and mushrooms.

The bread is the real deal — 10-inch Amoroso rolls imported — soft, chewy, and perfect for soaking up all that flavor. The meat is thinly shingled, the cheese melts beautifully, and every bite just works. We also tried the American cheese version (and yes, they’ve got Cheez Whiz too), but the provolone was hands-down the winner.

I’ve sampled plenty of cheesesteaks around town, and this one easily takes the crown. Well-made, authentic, and incredibly satisfying.

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Italian Sub at Homeslice

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.

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Grilled Cheese at Spread & Co

Spread & Co., once located downtown, has reopened in a smaller space on Manor Road, now focusing mainly on breakfast and lunch. While they’re no longer centered around cheese plates, the menu leans into sandwiches. The grilled cheese—stacked with 5-year aged cheddar, gruyere, and raclette melted down with their house onion jam on sourdough—was outstanding, easily one of the best in Austin.

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Chicken Bacon Ranch Sub at Deep End Subs

I’ve mentioned Deep End Subs before as one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in Austin, period. The one you have to get here is the Chicken Bacon Ranch Sub — fried chicken, perfectly crisp bacon, ranch, lettuce, and tomato all on super soft challah bread.

The balance is what makes this sandwich. You get the crunch from the bacon, the freshness from the lettuce and tomato, and the pillowy bread that ties it all together. It seems simple since the ingredients are right in the name, but the flavors go way harder than you’d expect. The ranch spread especially deserves a callout — it’s creamy, tangy, and just really good.

This is definitely one of those sandwiches that proves simple can be next-level when it’s done right.

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Ebi Sando at Choo Sando

Choo Sando is known for all their really delicious Japanese sandos, but my personal favorite has to be the Ebi Sando. It’s minced shrimp mixed with fillings, panko-breaded, and deep-fried into this crispy croquette that’s just so satisfying. Pair that with their house-made aioli, and it’s an instant win.

They actually source their milk bread from a specific baker, and you can taste the difference. That soft, pillowy bread with the crunchy ebi croquette and creamy aioli is just the perfect combo.

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Smash Burger at Bill Oyster Bar

Bill’s Oyster makes one of my favorite burgers in Austin. For the longest time, it was my top pick, and honestly, it still might be. This smash burger is a blend of brisket and short rib, topped with a thin slice of tomato, their special sauce, American cheese, and served with fries.

During their everyday happy hour from 3 to 5:30, you can get this burger for just $10, which is a steal. The patty crisps up nicely but stays juicy enough that you still get that rich, meaty flavor — the brisket and short rib combo really makes a difference. The melty cheese complements it perfectly, and the Martin’s potato roll they use is lightly grilled on both sides for that perfect toasted bun.

Overall, it’s a really solid burger that pairs perfectly with their fries and is a must-try if you’re in Austin.

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Harry's Perfect Reuben at Little Deli

This is probably my favorite pastrami sandwich in Austin. The Harry’s Perfect Pastrami Sandwich at Little Deli is the real winner. Everyone raves about their Italian sub, but this is the sandwich you need to get.

You get your choice of top-round pastrami or turkey, heaping coleslaw, and Thousand Island dressing on griddled rye bread. Each bite is perfect — the crunch from the coleslaw, the salty pastrami, and the creamy dressing all balance beautifully on the rye.

This is truly a sandwich to behold, and I highly recommend it.

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Burger at Casino el Camino

Everyone knows about Casino El Camino, the famous bar on 6th Street. The burger you need to try here is the Amarillo Burger on the jalapeño cheddar bun. This one comes loaded with roasted serrano chilies, jalapeño jack cheese, and cilantro mayo, all on a thick, juicy patty.

We’re talking three-quarters of a pound of charbroiled Angus beef, handmade and cooked to medium. That means the second you bite or squeeze it, all those juices hit you. The bun is a little different — a bit firmer than most — but with a burger this juicy, it actually works perfectly. Add the spicy jalapeños, melty jack cheese, and creamy cilantro mayo, and it’s no wonder people can’t stop raving about this burger.

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Crunchy Chicken Sandwich Local Foods

Out of all the sandwiches on this list, this is probably the one I eat the most. I like to play pickleball at Urban Pickleball, and nearby there’s Local Foods, originally from Houston, I believe. We always get their Crunchy Chicken Sandwich. You might think “crunchy” means fried, but it’s actually an oven-roasted chicken breast with a nutty crumble made from crushed chips that give it that perfect crunch, plus tomato, house pickles, romaine, provolone, and buttermilk ranch, all on a buttery, well-toasted pretzel bun.

The sandwich works so well because the salty, buttery pretzel bun melts into the tender chicken, and the crunch from the chips plays perfectly with the tomato, provolone, and creamy ranch. Honestly, it’s my favorite sandwich in Austin. You get it with a side of chips and kale salad, and it’s one of the best meals in town in my opinion. And while it probably isn’t “healthy,” skipping fried chicken likely saves a ton of calories anyway.

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Knuckle Sandwich at Knuckle Sandwich

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.

Overall, it’s a great sandwich.

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Barbacoa Breakfast Sandwich at David Doughies

Being in Austin, it can be really hard to find a solid bagel sandwich. The one you need to try is David Doughies’ Egg Sandy, which I recommend getting on their Chipotle Cheddar bagel for an extra $1.

We go with the beef barbacoa — tender, flavorful, and packed with depth — plus his ZhuG salsa verde, a perfectly creamy, pureed verde sauce that might be one of the best salsas in Austin. Add scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese, and you get a breakfast sandwich that’s rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The smoky, spicy notes from the jalapeño cheddar bagel play beautifully with the tender barbacoa and the rich verde sauce.

It’s honestly one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Austin.

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