clock menu more-arrow no yes
More Maps

16 Iconic Houston Dishes To Try Before You Die

Where to Find the Best Hanukkah Eats in Houston

20 Essential Asiatown Restaurants

Mandola's Deli/Facebook

Epic Houston Sandwiches To Eat Before You Die

by Wes Griffin Updated
View as Map
by Wes Griffin Updated
Mandola's Deli/Facebook

Sandwiches are the cornerstone of many meals, breakfast lunch or otherwise. We've put together this list of Houston's most notable and iconic sandwiches, running the gamut from deli style at Kenny and Ziggy's, the Mexican torta at Tierra Tacos, and a kim chee grilled cheese creation at Pour Society. Let us know if there's something in the comments you'd like to see added!

Read More
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Nielsen's Delicatessen

Copy Link
4500 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX
(713) 963-8005
(713) 963-8005
Visit Website
This small, mostly to-go spot near the Galleria is about as old-school as it gets. That's what makes the chicken salad sandwich with just the right amount of mayo, the way to go.

Also Featured in:

2. Tacos Tierra Caliente

Copy Link
1919 West Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 584-9359
(713) 584-9359
Visit Website
Take a break from lengua tacos and give the Pastor torta a try. At only $5, it's an excellent value, and the juicy, flavorful pork makes an excellent filling.

Also Featured in:

3. Zabak's Mediterranean Cuisine

Copy Link
5901 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 977-7676
(713) 977-7676
Visit Website
Food writers across the city agree that Zabak's serves Houston's best falafel. It has the right balance of a crispy exterior that's still soft on the inside.

4. Kenny & Ziggy's Deli

Copy Link
2327 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-8883
(713) 871-8883
Visit Website
Any of the sandwiches that utilizes Kenny & Ziggy's house-cured corned beef could make this map, but we'll stick to the classic Reuben. It's enormous, and the combination of corned beef, Swiss and sauerkraut just works.

Also Featured in:

5. New York Bagels

Copy Link
9724 Hillcroft St.
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 723-8650
(713) 723-8650
Visit Website
At this coffee shop and diner, the bagel, which has been Houston's best for a couple generations, is more important the filling. That said, the lox box offers a very reasonably priced smoked salmon experience that, naturally, is a perfect fit with the bagel.

6. Antone's

Copy Link
2724 W TC Jester
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 686-4338
(713) 686-4338
Visit Website
The Antone's original po-boy that combines hard salami with the restaurant's signature chow-chow is mandatory on map like this one. Hopefully, it will be reinvigorated under its new management.

7. Cali Sandwiches

Copy Link
3030 Travis St. Suite A
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 526-0112
(713) 526-0112
Obviously, this map could have consisted of nothing but banh mi shops, and everyone has his or her favorite. We'll give Cali the nod for longevity, atmosphere and excellent bread.

8. Pappa Geno's Steak & Cheese

Copy Link
1801 Ella Blvd.
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 863-1222
(713) 863-1222
Visit Website
There are lots of Houston restaurants with cheesesteaks on the menu, but East coast transplants agree that Pappa Geno's is the best. There's Cheese Whiz, naturally, and the bread provides the right texture and support.

9. Niko Niko's

Copy Link
2520 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-4976
(713) 528-4976
Visit Website
Since 1977, Niko Niko's has served classic Greek fare to diners who happily line up at its counter. The delicious gyro is among the restaurant's hottest sellers and certainly deserves a place here.

Also Featured in:

10. Mandola's Deli

Copy Link
4105 Leeland St.
Houston, TX 77023
(713) 223-5186
(713) 223-5186
Visit Website
This East-side institution from one of Houston's premier restaurant families serves the city's most iconic meatball sub.

Also Featured in:

11. The Cajun Stop

Copy Link
2130 Jefferson St
Houston, Tx 77003
(713) 222-8333
(713) 222-8333
Visit Website
The surf and turf po-boy that combines savory roast beef with sweet, crispy fried shrimp means getting the best of both worlds.

12. Paulie's Restaurant

Copy Link
1834 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 807-7271
(713) 807-7271
Visit Website
Paulie's shrimp BLT with crispy bacon, fresh veggies and grilled shrimp makes for a satisfying twist on the classic sandwich. That the bread comes toasted on a panini press doesn't hurt either.

Also Featured in:

13. Picnic Box Lunches

Copy Link
1928 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-0201
(713) 524-0201
Visit Website
Picnic was one of the most popular responses to Friday's open thread. We'll suggest the pimento cheese sandwich, but there aren't any bad choices here.

14. Local Foods

Copy Link
2424 Dunstan
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 521-7800
(713) 521-7800
Visit Website
Check out the bestselling Crunchy Chicken sandwich (seared chopped chicken, nut “crumble” made with house-made Old Bay potato chips, provolone, buttermilk ranch, pickles, tomato, pretzel bun

Also Featured in:

15. The Pass and Provisions

Copy Link
807 Taft
Houston, Tx 77015
(713) 628-9020
(713) 628-9020
Visit Website
The sandwiches on the Provisions lunch menu all have a good start with the in-house baked bread. The sweetbread sandwich currently on the menu shows what makes this place so special.

More in Maps

16. Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen

Copy Link
4526 Research Forest Dr Ste 100
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 203-5600
(281) 203-5600
Visit Website
Chef Austin Simmons delivers the all in-house Reuben - sauerkraut, Russian dressing, baby Swiss cheese, caraway seed rye bun. Worth the trip to the Woodlands.

17. Pour Society

Copy Link
947 Gessner Rd Ste B190
Houston, TX 77024
Chef Greg Lowry brings us the Kim Cheese sandwich - house made kim chee, pimento and redneck cheddar on Texas toast. Could be a sammy collab of the century.

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2021 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

1. Nielsen's Delicatessen

4500 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX
This small, mostly to-go spot near the Galleria is about as old-school as it gets. That's what makes the chicken salad sandwich with just the right amount of mayo, the way to go.
4500 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX
(713) 963-8005
Visit Website

2. Tacos Tierra Caliente

1919 West Alabama Street, Houston, TX 77098
Take a break from lengua tacos and give the Pastor torta a try. At only $5, it's an excellent value, and the juicy, flavorful pork makes an excellent filling.
1919 West Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 584-9359
Visit Website

3. Zabak's Mediterranean Cuisine

5901 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
Food writers across the city agree that Zabak's serves Houston's best falafel. It has the right balance of a crispy exterior that's still soft on the inside.
5901 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 977-7676
Visit Website

4. Kenny & Ziggy's Deli

2327 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
Any of the sandwiches that utilizes Kenny & Ziggy's house-cured corned beef could make this map, but we'll stick to the classic Reuben. It's enormous, and the combination of corned beef, Swiss and sauerkraut just works.
2327 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-8883
Visit Website

5. New York Bagels

9724 Hillcroft St., Houston, TX 77096
At this coffee shop and diner, the bagel, which has been Houston's best for a couple generations, is more important the filling. That said, the lox box offers a very reasonably priced smoked salmon experience that, naturally, is a perfect fit with the bagel.
9724 Hillcroft St.
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 723-8650
Visit Website

6. Antone's

2724 W TC Jester, Houston, TX 77018
The Antone's original po-boy that combines hard salami with the restaurant's signature chow-chow is mandatory on map like this one. Hopefully, it will be reinvigorated under its new management.
2724 W TC Jester
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 686-4338
Visit Website

7. Cali Sandwiches

3030 Travis St. Suite A, Houston, TX 77006
Obviously, this map could have consisted of nothing but banh mi shops, and everyone has his or her favorite. We'll give Cali the nod for longevity, atmosphere and excellent bread.
3030 Travis St. Suite A
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 526-0112

8. Pappa Geno's Steak & Cheese

1801 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX 77008
There are lots of Houston restaurants with cheesesteaks on the menu, but East coast transplants agree that Pappa Geno's is the best. There's Cheese Whiz, naturally, and the bread provides the right texture and support.
1801 Ella Blvd.
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 863-1222
Visit Website

9. Niko Niko's

2520 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006
Since 1977, Niko Niko's has served classic Greek fare to diners who happily line up at its counter. The delicious gyro is among the restaurant's hottest sellers and certainly deserves a place here.
2520 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-4976
Visit Website

10. Mandola's Deli

4105 Leeland St., Houston, TX 77023
This East-side institution from one of Houston's premier restaurant families serves the city's most iconic meatball sub.
4105 Leeland St.
Houston, TX 77023
(713) 223-5186
Visit Website

11. The Cajun Stop

2130 Jefferson St, Houston, Tx 77003
The surf and turf po-boy that combines savory roast beef with sweet, crispy fried shrimp means getting the best of both worlds.
2130 Jefferson St
Houston, Tx 77003
(713) 222-8333
Visit Website

12. Paulie's Restaurant

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
Paulie's shrimp BLT with crispy bacon, fresh veggies and grilled shrimp makes for a satisfying twist on the classic sandwich. That the bread comes toasted on a panini press doesn't hurt either.
1834 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 807-7271
Visit Website

13. Picnic Box Lunches

1928 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Picnic was one of the most popular responses to Friday's open thread. We'll suggest the pimento cheese sandwich, but there aren't any bad choices here.
1928 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-0201
Visit Website

14. Local Foods

2424 Dunstan, Houston, TX 77005
Check out the bestselling Crunchy Chicken sandwich (seared chopped chicken, nut “crumble” made with house-made Old Bay potato chips, provolone, buttermilk ranch, pickles, tomato, pretzel bun
2424 Dunstan
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 521-7800
Visit Website

15. The Pass and Provisions

807 Taft, Houston, Tx 77015
The sandwiches on the Provisions lunch menu all have a good start with the in-house baked bread. The sweetbread sandwich currently on the menu shows what makes this place so special.
807 Taft
Houston, Tx 77015
(713) 628-9020
Visit Website

Related Maps

16. Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen

4526 Research Forest Dr Ste 100, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Chef Austin Simmons delivers the all in-house Reuben - sauerkraut, Russian dressing, baby Swiss cheese, caraway seed rye bun. Worth the trip to the Woodlands.
4526 Research Forest Dr Ste 100
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 203-5600
Visit Website

17. Pour Society

947 Gessner Rd Ste B190, Houston, TX 77024
Chef Greg Lowry brings us the Kim Cheese sandwich - house made kim chee, pimento and redneck cheddar on Texas toast. Could be a sammy collab of the century.
947 Gessner Rd Ste B190
Houston, TX 77024

Related Maps