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Best Sandwiches Spots In Los Angeles

sandwich
(Credit: Shutterstock)

(Credit: Shutterstock)
A practical invention originally used as a way of making meat portable, the sandwich has evolved into one of America's most standard lunchtime options. From specialty meats, cheeses, unique toppings, and creative flavor combinations, sandwiches can be the highlight of any mealtime cuisine. Check out our picks for the best sandwiches in Los Angeles.

Wexler's Deli - the-reuben - Verified
(credit: Wexler's Deli)

Wexler's Deli
Grand Central Market
317 South Broadway Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-2378
www.wexlersdeli.com

When a deli cures it's own meat, you know it's legit. Grand Central Market's Wexler's Deli offers a ton of tasty sandwiches with pastrami in most. Dreamed up by Micah Wexler, formerly of Mezze on La Cienega Blvd., the pastrami sandwich here achieves what it set out to be: a classic version with that needed old-school Jewish deli twist. Make sure to order the O.G. (Original Gangster) or the MacArthur Park (add cheese), as either way you'll be biting into thick, hand-cut and hormone free Colorado beef that's spent its fair share of time on the smoker. To give it its signature taste, the meat is coated with pepper and other spices to add more flavor. Pick potato salad or their delicious coleslaw as a side and you have a recipe for the best sandwiches in all of LA.

Bay Cities
(credit: yelp/Roland L.)

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-8279
www.baycitiesitaliandeli.com

Fresh ingredients, friendly service, and homemade, authentic Italian specialties have been the norm at Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery since 1925. The Godmother Sandwich is the specialty of choice. Filled with Genoa salami, mortadella cappacola, Ham, and prosciutto, provolone cheese, and topped with "The Works" (mustard, mayonaise, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, homemade Italian dressing, and pickled peppers), this sandwich might be the absolute best in LA. Bay Cities is closed on Mondays, and lines can be pretty crazy for their tasty sandwiches, so plan ahead. Utilize their online ordering system and you'll be on your way in a flash.

grilled cheese clementine
(credit: Shelley Boyle)

Clementine
1751 Ensley Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 552-1080
www.clementineonline.com

Just across the street from the Century City Mall is Clementine's chill eatery offering baked goods, salads, and of course, sandwiches. With the option to sub the bread for gluten free bread, it's a favorite among Angelenos too. The 'Smoked Turkey' sandwich is always a good option. Although items are always changing here seasonally, you can be sure that whatever they decide to change the ingredients to, the taste will remain as high quality and as tasty as before. Other options include a rare roast beef sandwich, but beware the house-roasted top round beef can be a bit rare. With horseradish mustard dressing and marinated onions, it is quite delicious.

simplethings sandwiches
(credit: Sarina V./Yelp)

Simplethings
8310 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 592-3390
www.simplethingsrestaurant.com

Sure Simplethings is known around LA for their tasty mini pies like their banana cream pie or the coconut cream pie, but their sandwiches are pretty great too. In fact, between their 4 locations now (West Hollywood, Burbank, Santa Monica, and in the Westwood Village), patrons love to snack on sandwiches like the "breakfast sandwich" with breakfast potatoes, an over easy egg, bacon, swiss, and chipotle aioli on a michetti roll, as well as the "Cubano," with roasted pork, roasted ham, dill pickles, swiss cheese, dijon mustard, and garlic aioli on apressed ciabatta roll and many others. The 'Thanksgiving' sandwich is always a fan-favorite too. Yes, you guessed it. Add roast turkey, cranberry chutney, stuffing and gravy, and you've got the perfect Thanksgiving sandwich. Veggie options are available as well. Whether you order the items mentioned above or others like the pulled chicken or pork philly, you really can't go wrong. End your meal with one of their pies and you'll find yourself visiting here quite often.


Canter's Deli
419 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 651-2030
www.cantersdeli.com

Situated in the city's Fairfax District, this 24-hour deli is the ideal place for late nite food, or during the day for a delicious sandwich. Favorites include their corned beef sandwich, a reuben, grilled cheese, and many more. You are more than likely to find a fellow traveler among Canter's denizens and can check out a band or have a drink in the Kibbitz Room if you get there before last call and we've never left the Kibbitz Room in the right state of mind, just sayin'. There's also an adjacent take-out bakery in case you want to grab and go.

mendocino farms BLT sandwich
(credit: Hugo C./Yelp)

Mendocino Farms
175 S. Fairfax Ave., Suite B
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 934-4261
www.mendocinofarms.com

If you think you've had the best sandwiches around, you've never been to Mendocino Farms. This spot, with locations around the city, offers delicious options for even the pickiest of orderers. Among the favorite sandwiches are their "Not So Fried" chicken sandwich with shaved, roasted free range chicken rolled in Mendo's krispies with herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes, pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta. It comes with a side of chipotle BBQ sauce or mustard pickle remoulade. Or, try their Kurobuta Pork Belly
Banh Mi, the chef's take on the popular Vietnamese sandwich, with caramelized Kurobuta pork belly, housemade pickled daikon & carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, jalapenos, and chili aioli on a panini-pressed ciabatta. They also offer great seasonal items, too.

Related: Best Philly Cheesesteaks In Los Angeles

joans on third
(credit: Roland L./Yelp)

Joan's On Third
8350 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-2285
www.joansonthird.com

While Joan's on Third offers a huge menu of items to choose from, their sandwiches continue to be a hit day after day. One of the favorites is the short rib sandwich with melted jack cheese and sweet red onions on country white bread. But, if you're in the mood for something else, certainly try their grilled cheese on pain de mie, as well as the lobster roll served with crispy potato sticks and the pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw on a rustic roll. The sandwich menu here is quite extensive though, so it can be overwhelming for newbies. Anything you order is guaranteed to be great though, so try one out, and you wont be disappointed!

Fat Sal's Deli
(credit: Christian M./Yelp)

Fat Sal's Deli
Westwood
972 Gayley Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-5070
www.fatsalsdeli.com

If you are looking for a taste of NYC in LA, head to Fat Sal's. With late night hours (typically open until 3am), fresh ingredients, and some LA star power (co-owned by Jerry Ferrara of Entourage), you can find yourself a tasty sandwich here most any time of day. The Fat Texas BBQ is an extremely hearty crowd favorite. It comes with BBQ Pastrami Brisket, Chicken Fingers, Mozzarella Sticks, Bacon, Grilled Onions, Melted Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese, Fries, Mayo, and Honey BBQ on a Garlic Hero.

HealthyCA
(credit: Marisela E./Yelp)

HealthyCA
4724 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 505-1035
www.healthyca.us

Quite the opposite of Fat Sal's at HealthCA, their focus is on serving only tasty food that is conducive to good health. The Venetian is filled with Grilled Chicken Breast, Tofu Pesto, Provolone, Roasted Peppers, Purple Onions, and Lettuce, while the Real McCoy boasts Eggplant, Roasted Peppers, Vegan Pesto, Oven Dried Tomatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella, Avocado, Purple Onions, and Lettuce. All sandwiches come with your choice of side salad and are served on either a wheat wrap, ciabatta, wheat ciabatta, or multi-grain wheat bread. Sadly though, they still don't offer a gluten-free bread option.

langers2
(credit: Langers)

Langer's Deli
704 South Alvarado
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 483-8050
www.langersdeli.com

Since 1947, Langer's has served up more than 6 million pounds of pastrami. With this much experience under its belt, there is little doubt that they have their recipe down to a science. The most popular sandwich, #19, is filled with Hot Pastrami, Cole Slaw, Russian Dressing and a slice of Swiss cheese, all served on baked rye bread. The rye gets its extra crispy crunch from being twice baked, the perfect complement to the juicy goodness inside. Snag this legendary sandwich every day until 4pm, excluding Sundays.

Attari
(credit: Bahar R./Yelp)

Attari Sandwich Shop
1388 Westwood Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 441-5488
www.atarisandwiches.info

This tiny cafe serves up some of Westwood's most sought after Persian food, and the crowds waiting in line for their specialties will verify the quality of this eatery. The tender tongue sandwich is a favorite of many locals, and the vegetarian kuku, filled with greens, parsley, pungent pickels, lettuce, and tomato make it another great option.

HyMart
(credit: Lihn F.)

Hy Mart Sandwiches
4795 Vineland Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 506-7264

This family owned restaurant serves up tasty sandwiches in a casual, relaxed setting. The Gyro Gone Wild is a delightfully delicious combination of numerous Middle Eastern sandwiches, all wrapped together in one. From lamb and tzatziki, to falafel and hummus (with a topping of avocado, jalepenos, and olives, this gyro is one of LA's best. Call ahead and place your order in advance to avoid the crowds.

Larchmont Village Wine Spirits & Cheese
(credit: Lisa W./Yelp)

Larchmont Village Wine Spirits & Cheese
223 N Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 856-8699
www.larchmontvillagewine.com

One of the best small wine retailers in Los Angeles, Larchmont Village Wine Spirits & Cheese also happens to make an exceptional sandwich. The key to their tasty concoctions is nearly unanimous; fans come back lunch after lunch to enjoy their freshly made baguettes and ciabatta breads, made every morning at Larchmont Village (arrive early, they sometimes run out of bread and won't use any substitute!). The Imported Italian Prosciutto is simply served with Fresh Mozzarella, Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Balsamic Vinegar, but the taste is nothing short of spectacular.

Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.

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