You don't need to look far to find a great sandwich in the USA. We've rounded up the best sandwich joints in every state, spanning the range from old-school delis still whipping up traditional favorites to quirky, modern joints putting innovative ingredients to work.

This modern joint on the outskirts of Birmingham focuses on serving fresh, carefully sourced ingredients that are transformed into tasty dishes. Aside from salads, there's an excellent selection of paninis that includes a choice of soup, salad, or mac 'n' cheese too. A favorite is the brisket panini (pictured) stuffed with caramelized onions and white barbecue sauce.

Straightforward deli sandwiches served up in homely surrounds are this popular shop's specialty. You'll find all the classics at Sara's, from a French dip to a meatball sub, or you can opt to make your own, with ingredients from Genoa salami and roast beef to sauerkraut and avocado. Opt for The Keefer and you'll get Cajun turkey breast, buffalo chicken, and bacon layered with Pepper Jack cheese, honey mustard, and Cajun remoulade on a flaky croissant.

Hip and colorful, Zookz serves toasted sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dessert. Egyptian-born Carole Meyer was inspired by a sandwich-making method of her grandmother's, resulting in a rounded shape with crispy edges – and they've been going down a treat. The sandwiches are numbered, and No. 33 (pictured), a breakfast sammie with poached eggs, feta, and spinach, is a menu highlight. No. 55, with peanut butter, Nutella, roasted almonds, and banana, is well worth a try too.

Owner and chef Todd (TJ) has 25 years of experience under his belt – and it's put to good use whipping up creative sandwiches in laid-back surrounds at TJ's Sandwich Shop. The Vie de France hoagies – soft rolls doused in Parmesan-garlic butter and laden with fresh ingredients – steal the show. Get your teeth around the Italian Stallion (pictured) with grilled prosciutto ham, Genoa salami, Asiago cheese, mozzarella, and fig jelly. Or, for something lighter but equally tasty, try the Maui Waui: grilled pineapple and chicken on sourdough.

This LA spot oozes cool, with one location in a shipping container in the city's Frogtown neighborhood, and another in a former processing plant in Chinatown. The shop has won fans with its quirky specials and signature menu, on which the sandwiches are named after radio hosts. Sink your teeth into delights such as the Ira Glass – veggies, garlic aioli, and Tillamook Cheddar on rye – or specials such as burrata and heirloom tomato on grandma's ciabatta (pictured).

Gates Deli & Grog can be found in Denver, Colorado, serving up a wide and creative array of sandwiches and burritos. Gates Deli expands beyond sandwiches with its selection of salads, tacos, wings, and impressive nacho trays. The BBQ Carnitas Nachos, for example, feature 12-hour slow braised pork alongside a generous serving of cheese and ranch sauce that's perfect for sharing. Operating from inside Platt Park Brewing Company, reviews say the sandwiches make the perfect Colorado meal when paired with one of Platt Park’s IPAs.

Meat & Co. is not your average sandwich shop. The ever-changing menu is, according to the pair of local restaurateurs who dreamt it up, "motivated by innovation and whimsy" – and that's evident from the joint's imaginative takes on old-school staples. Proper Villain, a crispy chicken cutlet with Kewpie mayo, bitter broccoli, mozzarella, and blistered peppers (pictured), is a crowd-pleaser, as is the Haute Tuna Melt, which uses Sicilian tuna and fine American cheese.

Michael Ioannoni's Italian roots inspired him to open an easy-going sandwich shop, Ioannoni's Specialty Sandwiches – and it has enjoyed plenty of acclaim ever since. The Italian-inspired submarine sandwiches will please carnivores, with options of roast beef, tender pork, and meatballs. The Chicken Parmesan, a golden chicken cutlet paired with provolone cheese and red sauces, is always a winner.

This spot in DC’s Dupont Circle area may be small, but it turns out some of the most belly-busting sandwiches around. The family-run joint, spearheaded by chef Jonathan Taub, is well-loved for its monstrous hoagies, which range from beef brisket soaked in veal jus to eggplant Parmesan. A perennial favorite is the Italian hoagie with cured meats, including Genoa salami and pepperoni, plus aged provolone, veggies, and a punchy relish. 

Enriqueta's is the ultimate purveyor of Florida's famed Cuban sandwich. This veteran Miami shop offers a classic take on the sammie with perfect proportions of thinly sliced ham, roast pork, cheese, pickles, mustard, and mayo between panini-style bread. The beloved shop is famous for its hearty steak sandwich too. Jose Luis Pla, the shop's founder, sadly passed away in September 2019. 

This Atlanta venue screams industrial chic, with its hanging lights, wooden booths and leather-stool-lined bar. But it's not a case of style over substance at Victory Sandwich Bar, whose menu is full of imaginative combos. Innovative options include the spicy Tea Bird – which sees chicken paired with ghost Pepper Jack cheese and sweet tea mayo – and Hambo (pictured): prosciutto, mozzarella, and apple. You can wash your sandwiches down with an ice-cold beer or "spiked" soda too.

Regional produce and wholesome ingredients are the USP of this healthy Honolulu joint. Sprout's sandwiches are piled high with leafy greens and Hawaiian veg, such as Waialua sprouts and juicy local tomatoes. Top choices include the Fonz, a pastrami, prosciutto, and salami offering with olive tapenade and Maui butter; and Keiki, a banana creation with almond or peanut butter and Hawaiian honey.

With a rotating selection of totally bonkers creations, Meltz takes grilled cheese sandwiches to the next level (and then some). The rotating menu has some pretty mouthwatering choices, from a pork belly banh mi grilled cheese to a take on a Reuben. For a special treat, try CC Poutine with white Cheddar, braised beef short rib, deep fried cheese curds, beer-battered French fries, roasted shallots, and mushroom gravy. Who can resist?

Forget seeking out the best Italian beef sandwich, a Chicago staple, and head straight for Publican Quality Meats. The small but perfectly formed menu draws in customers with an ever-changing line-up of sandwiches. If on the menu, the Parm #2 is a top choice, with fried sage in a brioche bun, but you won't go wrong with Parm 3.0 (on the menu now) either. A juicy fried chicken thigh is piled high with marinara sauce, basil, and mozzarella on a sesame roll.

Bringing a taste of Pennsylvania to the Midwest, Hoagies and Hops is the vision of a husband-and-wife duo who moved from the Keystone State in 2007. Meat-packed hoagies keep the crowds flowing in, with traditional or chicken cheesesteaks, and inventions such as the Always Sunny (pictured) with bacon bits, turkey, muenster cheese, horseradish mayo, and peppers. Time your visit for Whiz Wednesday and you'll get $2 off all nine-inch cheesesteaks.

Maid-Rite's original location is credited with the invention of the Tavern sandwich – ground beef topped with onions and pickles in a steamed white bun. The joint has now burgeoned into an established Mid-Western chain, but you can go back to where it all began, in Muscatine in 1926. On top of the traditional option, you can try a pork tenderloin, Iowa's staple sandwich, or pair your original Maid-Rite with blue cheese, jalapeños, or melted Cheddar cheese sauce.

This old-school shop has been open since 1932 and has become something of a local institution. Full of comforting classics, Old Mill Tasty Shop's menu has changed little over the years: tuck into the seafood crab salad sandwich, served open-face on egg bread, or try the hot turkey pastrami with Monterey Jack cheese and tangy Dijon mustard on rye. On top of its long list of sandwiches, the shop boasts an original soda fountain, which usually draws in the crowds too.

This much-loved sandwich shop in Lexington boasts impressive reviews – and rightly so. Not only does this bakery café offer an incredible selection of all-day breakfast and lunch sandwiches (as well as tacos, salads, and baked goods), DV8 Kitchen also operates as a second chance employment opportunity for people in the early stages of substance abuse recovery. If you've trouble picking just one sandwich, go for the customer-favorite orange marmalade chicken and you won't be left disappointed. 

NOLA has plenty of spots to get a great po' boy, but Domilise’s Po-Boy and Bar's informal shop stands out from the rest. Soft white bread is crammed with mouth-watering fillings such as shrimp, catfish, oysters, and barbecue beef. Hot smoked sausage and turkey and ham make an appearance on the menu too. Founded as a bar in 1918, the po' boy house has had plenty of time to perfect these sumptuous recipes.

Now in a trio of New England venues (with locations in Boston, MA and Portsmouth, NH too), Bennett's Sandwich Shop began in the pretty seaside town of Kennebunk. Open during the summer season, the Kennebunk shop makes the most of Maine's seafood, with the star of the show being the fresh lobster rolls (pictured). Lobster meat (knuckle and claw) plucked straight from Maine waters is piled onto lettuce and white bread.

A pit beef sandwich is a Baltimore must-eat and this is one of the best places to gorge on one. Gloriously messy, the offering at Chaps Pit Beef (now with four locations in the state) is a round roll crammed with tender beef and doused in horseradish mayo. If you fancy something else, the Pork BBQ rivals the pit beef for flavor, while the fish option is lighter and fresher, seeing a generous hunk of fried cod slipped between white bread.

Cutty's has been on the scene for a little under a decade, but it hasn't had any problem grabbing local attention, especially since hosting foodie TV personality Guy Fieri. The teeny-tiny shop's flavor-packed menu features creations like Beef 1000 (pictured) – brioche packed with slow-roasted beef, crispy shallots, sharp Cheddar, and Thousand Island dressing. Special mention goes to family-run joint Sam La Grassa's too. 

The reputation of this Ann Arbor deli precedes it, and it lays on an impressive number of sandwiches without compromising on quality. There are seven corned beef options alone, from #13 Sherman's Sure Choice (pictured), with Emmental cheese, crunchy coleslaw, and Russian dressing, to #81 Oswald's Mile High, with corned beef and yellow mustard on double-baked Jewish rye bread. Veggies aren't forgotten either: opt for #75 Leo's Friendly Lion with avocado, green chilies, and Muenster cheese.

"Be greedy" is the motto of this Vietnamese sandwich shop, whose banh mi packs a true flavor punch. Bringing traditional Vietnamese baguettes to Minneapolis, the folks at Lu's Sandwiches use an exciting band of ingredients including pork pâté, daikon, and cilantro. Sample the shredded chicken option cooked in Vietnamese five spice, or the tofu in kicking curry sauce.

The sandwiches at Monster Subs and Sandwiches are, by their own admission, "overstuffed". Bigger is better is the enduring ethos of this shop, with fillings practically bursting from your choice of sub, marble rye, or a kaiser roll. Try Monster's gargantuan New Yorker, complete with roast beef, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and a coating of Dijon mustard, or opt for the Rachel, piled up with pastrami and also topped with slaw and Swiss.

This casual spot fancies itself as having "St. Louis’ finest po' boys and muffulettas" and given the shop's popularity, this may well be true. The original roast beef po' boy is the jewel in Blues City Deli's crown, with hot roast beef, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and mayo. The 7th Street Sicilian – Genoa salami, cappicola, pepperoni, and provolone with veg and Italian vinegar oil – is another tasty pick.

Meeting Missoula's sandwich needs for over a decade, Tagliare Delicatessen keeps things simple with a relatively small menu packed full of carefully selected ingredients. The bread, sourced from a local bakery, is fired daily, and filled with such delights as prosciutto, provolone, and fig and walnut chutney (making up menu favorite, Kiss). Megadeath wins out though: feast on ham, finocchiona, hot sopressata, and more, finished with smoked mozzarella and coleslaw.

Situated in Omaha, Nebraska, Star Deli serves a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods. With its very own gallery space, showcasing local artists, the deli is heavily involved with the local community and events, popping up and selling sandwiches at festivals, fundraisers, and other events in the local area. On the menu, you’ll find the classics, such as the BLT, alongside more creative combinations, such as the Peach N’Pork, which features pork loin, peach and bacon jam, caribe peppers, and slices of fresh peach.

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In true Vegas style, the sandwiches at this Sin City venue are larger than life. Goodwich describes its towering creations as "stacked-rite", and its traditional sammies are indeed kicked up a gear. Choose from signatures such as the Reuben-ish, a classic Reuben with fennel sauerkraut, or the sweet Fluff N' Nut with burnt house fluff, Nutella, and crunchy nuts.

With a sandwich shop downstairs and a fully-fledged sports bar upstairs, The Nashua Garden has plenty going for it. Those after a quick bite for lunch won't be disappointed, as the sizeable menu ranges from meaty creations to nourishing veggie options. Meat lovers should try the Green Monster, with roast beef, pepper turkey, and dill havarti cheese, while veggies can sample The Spaceman with red pepper hummus and plenty of vegetables.

This sandwich shop has been running since 1946, and Atlantic City locals are pretty fond of it. Founded by an Atlantic City tailor in the wake of the Second World War, the White House Sub Shop has welcomed a string of showbiz heavyweights in its time: Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles have all stopped here for their hoagie fix. Order the White House Special (pictured): a two-foot-long white sub stuffed with deli meats such as salami and capocollo, and finished with provolone cheese.

It's not unusual to see a line at this Uptown joint, focused on epicurean sandwiches made fresh with organic produce every day. Relish's menu makes good use of hatch chiles (the green chili that New Mexico is famed for), with crowds snapping up the Albuquerque Turkey: toasted sourdough heavy with roasted turkey, havarti cheese, chipotle mayo, and the kicking green chili. The double-decker Reuben (pictured) is another top choice: it's a traditional Reuben with an extra wedge of marbled rye.

New York is definitely a city for sandwich lovers, so narrowing it down to one is almost impossible. Cutlets in Midtown is not much to look at, but the sandwich offering is simply superb. An updated version of a traditional deli, Cutlets focuses on classics reinvented with quality ingredients. Top choice here is definitely the signature Number One (pictured) – chicken cutlet with thick-cut bacon and white Cheddar, smothered in Cutlets' special sauce. Notable mentions go out to two New York icons: Parisi Bakery and Katz's Deli.

Normally a favorite among the students at the nearby University of North Carolina, Merritt's Store & Grill specializes in BLTs and other classic sandwiches. A stand-out that gets the most praise is the single BLT (pictured). With quality ingredients and perfectly balanced flavors, customers praise Merritt's Grill's perfect ratio of bacon, lettuce and tomato, all hugged by crispy toasted white bread.

Customers can't help but keep coming back for the imaginative specials at this Minot spot. The lengthy menu at Magic City Hoagies' features hot, cold, or pressed hoagies up to 12 inches long. The Tangy Porky is a wake-up call, its roasted pork and salty bacon lifted with honey mustard, horseradish, and crispy jalapeños. The Knockout special (pictured) makes a regular appearance too: Pepper Jack cheese is melted over roast beef and pastrami with crispy onions and zingy mustard.

This established spot in Cincinnati whips up all the classics in its pocket-sized shop. You can't go wrong with J & W Sandwich Shoppe's Little Italy: a 16-inch sub roll lined with salami, ham, capacolla, oozing provolone cheese, and softened vegetables. For a warming treat, go for the steak hoagie hot sandwich, with Swiss, American, or provolone cheese.

This cool sandwich bar focuses on two things – hot melts and cold beer. Locals are fans of this relaxed joint too, and come back time after time for its grilled cheese sandwiches. The menu standout is the Macaroni Pony (pictured), the Mule's signature. Jalapeño cornbread is stuffed full of chipotle barbecue pulled pork, three-cheese mac 'n' cheese, and pickles, then toasted to perfection.

Effortlessly cool, this Portland joint (with two locations in the city and one in Las Vegas, NV) began as a food truck – but the great reception convinced chef and owner Rick Gencarelli that it was time to set up shop. Lardo celebrates its self-described "gonzo approach", with an eclectic menu. There's a pork meatball banh mi with Sriracha mayo and plenty of coriander, and the Pho’Rench Dip, which comes with shaved steak, hoisin sauce, sambal mayo, and pho broth.

Cheesesteaks are obligatory at all Philly sandwich shops, but this venue takes the humble classic to new heights. "Farm to take out" is Stockyard Sandwich Co.'s mantra. Its reimagined cheesesteak features braised beef that falls apart to the touch, homemade 'whiz' cheese, onions, and mushrooms in a pillowy baguette. Other delicious bites include a salmon burger in a potato bun with roasted tomato mayo, and a mouthwatering banh mi.

This venue has been running since 1963, so you're sure to get a mean sandwich. The Sandwich Hut is best known for its "hut-made" meatballs, which you can have served with red sauce and gooey provolone cheese on an oven-toasted roll (add grilled peppers and onions for extra deliciousness). If you fancy a deli-style option, you've the choice of oodles of cured meats, plus smoked mozzarella, house-made sweet pickles, and more.

A stylish spot in dreamy Charleston, Circe's Grotto prides itself on fresh produce and a great relationship with the local community. The venue is family-owned and run, and the menu is filled with nourishing ingredients. Turkey pops up in many of the sandwiches, coupled with avocado and honey mustard, or topped with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo for a year-round Thanksgiving treat. The roast beef sandwich, spread with Boursin cheese, is another must-try. 

This enduring little chain (with four locations, including Sioux Falls) pleases locals with its meat-focused menu and rock-solid reputation. Steak dominates the Pickle Barrel's offerings, with variations including Pepper Steak, with onions, green peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese. For something different, give the Downtown Chicken a go: the chicken comes smothered with Monterey Jack cheese and barbecue sauce or salsa.

Famous in Nashville for running out of food on its opening day back in 2008, chef David Mitchell's Mitchell Delicatessen has enjoyed continued success for more than a decade. Much of this success is thanks to the deli's popular sandwiches – namely its smoked BBQ beef brisket and Asian flank steak offerings. Filled with brisket and flank steak respectively, both sandwiches have earned high praise from customers.

Austin has no shortage of cool lunch spots, and the Otherside Deli is no exception. Known for its meaty creations, this hip sandwich joint has a menu filled with favorites, from its Reuben to its Meatball Parm. Don't miss the creative specials, either. Past offerings have included braised brisket on sourdough with Cheddar and horseradish sauce, and a banh mi with pastrami and chicken liver.

A cozy, counter-service shop, The Robin's Nest has become a Salt Lake City staple. Touted as a "year-round reason to be thankful", The Gobbler will not disappoint: a Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich, it sees succulent roast turkey breast, melting cheese, avocado, and homemade cranberry jelly tucked into a light ciabatta. The regular specials continue the creativity, offering new options every week.

The Stowe Sandwich Company in the picturesque town of Stowe was once known as The Kitchen – but its new name is fitting, since sandwiches are its bread and butter. Whether you're after something light and nourishing or something with extra oomph, you'll find it within these lemon-yellow walls. The Italian Grinder sees a generous layer of deli meat packed into a sub with provolone, while the sweet and spicy fried chicken is paired with sweet red chili sauce on a toasted kaiser roll.

Earl's prides itself on its homemade offerings, and customers love it too. They've been serving mouthwatering sandwiches in generous proportions since 2005, delighting punters with simple, yet delicious creations. Plump for turkey breast with cranberry relish on grilled multigrain bread, or pork loin, chipotle mayo, and French fries all cased in ciabatta. Veggies will love the breaded aubergine concoction too. 

This Capitol Hill spot has been serving sandwiches from lunch through to dinner since 1999 – and its popularity shows no sign of waning. Take a bite out of Chaka's Favorite: a demi baguette filled with turkey, dill havarti, peppers, and ranch dressing made in-house. Gluten-free bread is available, and there's an ample range of vegan and veggie options brimming with seasonal produce too.

This low-key spot in South Charleston brings a taste of Vietnam to West Virginia with its superb banh mis. Its Vietnamese baguettes, baked in-house, are packed with a choice of fillings (from Vietnamese pork ham and lemongrass beef to shredded pork and chicken), then topped with fresh vegetables and finished with a tangy garlic-chili sauce. The customers praise the pork meatball banh mi in particular.

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Local favorite Stalzy's Deli is one for home comforts, with an emphasis on Wisconsin produce in generous proportions. The sandwiches are packed full of everything from roast beef to pork schnitzel and even meatloaf, but top choices include Reuben, Rachel (pictured), and Brooklyn Breakfast with pastrami.

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Wyoming’s Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse is exactly as its name implies; a bookshop with a great food and coffee offering. Reviews state that the coffee shop serves the best coffee in town, and claim its atmosphere to be ‘second to none.’ Its bakery and sandwich offerings get switched up daily, and can often be found announced on Twitter, but particularly famed is the Bison Reuben sandwich. This is the perfect cozy spot to make yourself at home with coffee, a great sandwich, and your next favorite book.

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