Shop the market, but stay for a sandwich. This craft butcher in the Heights uses only the finest, locally-sourced ingredients in its sandwiches. Try the Korean chili chicken salad, a twist on the traditional sandwich layered with pickled celery, carrot and cilantro on a brioche bun, or the saucy meatball sub on a toasted hoagie roll and spiced with pickled hot peppers.

There is grilled cheese, and there is grilled cheese loaded down with barbacoa. El Topo elevates the irresistible childhood favorite with the addition of a hearty serving of meat layered in between melty cheese and served on thick Texas toast.

Hot Bagel Shop’s loaded deli sandwiches are prepared with a bagel and sweet or savory schmear of choice. The smoked salmon sandwich packs a salty bite, built with a generous portion of fish, sliced tomato, onions and capers, or opt to build-your-own with egg, sausage, turkey bacon, cheese and more.

Operating out of the same kitchen that houses chef Ryan LaChaine’s much-lauded Riel, Louie’s takes its inspiration from the chef’s Canadian and Ukranian heritage. Picture-perfect sandwiches await, including a B.L.T. on brioche, a pepper relish-topped Italian hoagie, and a fried fish filet with dill tartar sauce that makes the Filet ‘O Fish look like a chump. 

A Montrose fixture for more than 20 years, Paulie’s is known for its comforting bowls of freshly made pasta and shortbread cookies, but it also serves as a reliable destination for Italian sandwiches. Options include the tightly-packed ham and salami hoagie with provolone cheese, a meatless grilled portobello and goat cheese hoagie, and grilled paninis like the Giacomo with salami and roasted tomatoes, and the Principe with Italian sausage and mozzarella.

For the finest in Cajun country fare, visit this iconic eatery, which serves 8-inch po-boys on French baguettes. Fillings range from fried or grilled Gulf shrimp and Louisiana fried crawfish tails to boudin and spicy grilled smoked sausage link with BBQ sauce. For Texas-sized appetites, there is the traditional muffoletta — packed with a whole lotta Italian meat, cheese and Mandola’s savory olive mix.

Banh mi can be found on menus in Vietnamese cafés all over town, but Don Café in Chinatown nails it. The no-nonsense sandwich shop packs in BBQ pork between a buttered baguette, layers on the pickled carrot and crisp greens, and wraps it up tight — all for under $5.

Under the direction of Justin Yu, this buzzy Heights patio bar also boasts an enticing food menu, including some surprising sandwiches. The  “Party Melt” is a beef patty topped with crispy cheese and both caramelized and sliced red onions on toast, and during weekend brunch there is the one-of-a-kind spaghetti sandwich, built like it sounds, with a serving of burrata-topped spaghetti pasta slathered between two pieces of Texas toast.

Helmed by chef/owner Ben McPherson, BOH Pasta serves as the ghost kitchen for Porchetta & Sandwiches, serving Downtown diners by day. Located inside Bravery Chef Hall, hearty, meat-filled sandwiches like the signature porchetta, the chicken parm, and an Italian muffaletta await during lunch. 

The crunchy chicken sandwich at Local Foods is an under-the-radar Houston icon. Well-built with nut crumble, fresh tomato, creamy buttermilk ranch, and pickles between a pretzel bun, it’s a perfect lunch.

This historic Houston sandwich shop has been serving up po’boys since 1962, hence the name of the “Original Houston Po’boy” a classic cold sandwich made with ham, salami, provolone, and chow-chow relish. Find hot po’boys and gyros too, plus a whole muffuletta with ham, mortadella, and salami on New Orleans-style bread.

The lines form fast and often at Common Bond for fresh baked loaves of bread and baguettes, so it’s no surprise that this all-day café boasts some of the best bready sandwiches in town. The French dip stuffs shaved tri-tip steak, mushrooms and caramelized onions on flaky baguette and is finished off with gruyere cheese, Dijon horseradish cream and a side of au jus. There is also the tarragon chicken salad presented on a large, buttery croissant and the rich and creamy grilled cheese on sprouted sourdough.

This famed sandwich shop from San Francisco has quickly garnered a loyal Houston following with its location in the Heights, thanks in part to a well-rounded menu of toasty sandwiches, including plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and halal varieties. Try the Hollywould Houston cheesesteak, a sandwich exclusive to the city, loaded with brisket from Pinkerton’s BBQ.