Sandwich City

Sandwich City

Our fave sando sup spots in Raleigh

If you thought sandwiches were the most boring lunch op since sliced bread, well, think again. Raleigh’s got sando sanctuaries in droves—boasting all kinds of hot and cold flavor-filled selects piled high with housemade ingredients on freshly baked bread to boot. Think spicy buffalo chicken-stuffed numbers, turkey melts, your go-to ham and cheeses, and even vegan options feat. a rainbow of veggies. In short, your lunch break just leveled up. Here, the sandos you should be noshing on right now.

(ish) delicatessen
What to order: Reuben
Good ish: found. “Weird sandwiches from weird people” is the MO at this hole-in-the-wall sandwich haven helmed by former Poole’s partner Matt Fern (also a Level 2 certified sommelier!) and boasting Jewish, Italian and Southern influences. Insider intel: Brekkie also slaps. 702 N. Person St., @ish_delicatessen

Union Special
What to order: Grown-up grilled cheese
Every sando is ~special~ when featuring Union’s top-notch housebaked bread feat. flour sourced from Graham-based Lindley Mills. Take a sammy scroll on Insta for almost-daily specials—and be sure to grab a pastry for the road, trust us. 2409 Crabtree Blvd., Ste. 102, @unionspecialbread

Southern Craft Sandwiches
What to order: Steak and cheese
You beefin’? Southern Craft Butchers’ since-revamped full-scale sandwich oasis features the same local beef its longtime fans know and love—making the meat lovers sandos the obvious go-to. So go ham… or beef, chicken, bacon or turkey (!). 8460 Honeycutt Road, Ste. 116, southerncraftsandwiches.com

Eastcut
What to order: Chicken Parm
Welcome to sandwich utopia! Born from the New Jersey- and Bronx-bred owners’ nostalgia of the delis and sandos of their youth, this Raleigh Iron Works lunchtime mecca boasts traditions from all over the East Coast—alongside craft beer, cider and wine. Pro tip: Always add a side of the housemade mozz sticks. 1101 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Ste. 126, @eastcutsandwich

Alimentari at Left Bank
What to order: Tomato jam tigelle
They’ve got the meats! … A collab between Mothers & Sons Trattoria chef/owner Josh DeCarolis and Left Bank Butchery, the Transfer Co. Food Hall outpost not only boasts large sandwiches and tigelles (aka Italian sliders), but doubles as a whole animal butchery feat. fresh sausages, bacon and the like. And don’t sleep on the fresh pasta. 500 E. Davie St., @alimentari_at_left_bank

The Panini Co.
What to order: Raleigh Rooster
Get pressed at this slice of heaven inspired by the restaurant industry’s post-pandemic resilience feat. a pentad of gourmet paninis repping Raleigh. From the chicken-pesto Rooster to the Oak City Hamboree and Carolina Caprese,  every bite is made with love—NTM the gourmet charcuterie and those fresh local chocolate-covered strawberries. Morgan Street Food Hall, @thepaninico

Five Outside

Five Outside

Where to sip, sup, shop and more outside Raleigh this month

Peck & Plume
CARY
New nest: found. Birds of a feather flock together for a feast at this mod Downtown Cary dining room situated inside The Mayton, offering Southern comfort fare in a chic atmosphere. Whether patrons want to “peck” on plates with friends or celebrate with a big dinner, this nosh spot has the chops—esp. with that fab new patio. Waddle this way… peckandplume.com

Hoppy House Taproom + Hangout Place
MORRISVILLE
Don’t worry, be hoppy. Drink, relax, repeat is the MO at this self-pour taproom/hangout hub that’s bringing communities together via booze and good food—NTM a relaxing vibe that begs you to pop a squat after a long day. And it’s not hard to feel welcome at the table when you’re fillin’ up on slices of  ’za, downing a plate of wings and sipping on some of the finest local drinks in town (beer! wine! cocktails!). Hoppy days! morrisvillebeer.com

Corner Street Yaki
DURHAM
Send noods. … There’s a new kid on the corner of the Durham Food Hall in the form of this bun in a million Asian eatery offering an array of Eastern menu items—think dumplings, ramen, rice bowls and stuffed buns. From the same team that brought you Everything Bagels and Napoli (also both located in the food hall), this friendly melting pot of Asian flavors boasts fare “fueled by passion, made with love.” Trust us, udon’t wanna miss it. @corneryaki

Adorn Home Furnishings 
FUQUAY-VARINA
Established in 2021, this family-owned furniture shop swears off those basic cookie-cutter household items in favor of curated collections for an abode that’s both unique and stylish—whether it’s your work-from-home space, outdoor oasis or the guest room. Behind the biz, find NC-bred owners Benjamin and Samantha Lundy, who made the foray to Fuquay with their 3-year-old twin tots to be closer to their fam—and have been on a journey to help patrons populate their homes with cute pieces ever since. Couch you later! ncadorn.com

Zin Yoga Studio & Wine Lounge
GARNER
Bend it, stretch it, then sip it via the perfect balance of yoga + wine (!). Classes are offered every day of the week—best followed by a glass (or two) of vino and a charcuterie board inside the light-strewn industrial-esque interior, or out on the patio for an alfresco affair. Or, skip the yoga altogether and swing by for live music or a wine tasting. Yoga and wine under one roof? Namaste—yes, please. zinyogawine.com

10 Great Sandwiches in Raleigh

10 Great Sandwiches in Raleigh

WEB EXCLUSIVE The standard sandwich lunch can get really repetitive and boring when that’s the only thing you pack for the office every day (trust us, we know). For National Sandwich Day, we encourage you to spice things up and add some excitement to your lunch hour with some unique and tasty sandwich options around Raleigh. Read on for the most delicious excuses to try something new—satisfaction guaranteed.

The Raleigh Times

14 E. Hargett St.

The Raleigh Times is best known for their craft and Belgian beer and rooftop patio in the heart of downtown Raleigh, not to mention their news-worthy sandwich lineup, including this Bangin’ Shrimp Po-Boy.

Wilson’s Eatery

1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road

Wilson’s Eatery offers a variety of sandwiches, flatbreads and salads made with locally sourced ingredients. Carry out or dine-in in a laidback warehouse space or on their patio alongside the beer garden shared by their partner Lynwood Brewing Concern.

Benchwarmers Bagels

500 E. Davie St.

Located inside of Transfer Co. Food Hall, Benchwarmers offers breakfast sandwiches on their freshly baked bagels, and, yes, they do taste as good as they look.

Mookie’s New York Deli

1010 Tryon Village Drive, Cary

For an authentic New York Deli-style experience, hop on over to Mookie’s in Cary. We recommend the Reuben, and for any vegetarians, they offer a version made with roasted Fox Farm mushrooms.

Neomonde Mediterranean

3817 Beryl Road

Switch up your usual with a chicken, beef or lamb shawarma from this Lebanese café right off of Hillsborough Street.

Sola Coffee Café

7705 Lead Mine Road

If you ever find yourself in North Raleigh, you have to swing by Sola and grab one of their lunch or breakfast sandwiches. We recommend the Sola Turkey on Boulted Bread Sourdough—add avocado if you’re feeling wild.

Whiskey Kitchen

201 W. Martin St.

Whiskey Kitchen is known for their whiskey, craft cocktails and inventive Southern fare, but this fried chicken sandwich threatens to steal the show. Enjoy on their spacious patio in the heart of downtown.

Southern Craft Sandwiches

8460 Honeycutt Road

Located in Lafayette Village, this butchery-turned-sandwich shop serves local, grass-fed beef on their hot and cold sandwiches.

Beasley’s Chicken & Honey

237 S. Wilmington St.

Beasley’s is best known for their fried chicken on waffles, sandwiches or by the piece. Try their classic chicken sandwich with special sauce or their chicken biscuit with pickled green tomato.

Union Special Bread

2409 Crabtree Blvd.

Union Special Bread has made a name for itself since opening in 2019 as an all-day bakery and café. Using locally sourced ingredients when they can’t make them from scratch, they serve breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with a variety of delectable sandwich options.