Here’s Where to Find the Best Sandwiches in Indy
Sandwiches are a serious game for me.
I don’t want them to be squishy. I don’t want soggy bread. I don’t want creepy meat or to be left with a huge mess after eating them.
I do want them to be loaded with flavor and thoughtfully created. I’m not interested in an afterthought! Bonus points for sandwiches that use local ingredients.
There’s an art to making a good sandwich, and, thankfully, there are a lot of places in Indianapolis that know how to make a great sandwich. Without further ado, here is where you can find the best sandwiches in the city.
Goose the Market: The Batali
Of course the Batali is on the list. It has to be. It’s perfect!
Goose the Market, the sister shop of Smoking Goose, a local butcher/sausage maker/salumi maker, crafts my favorite sandwich in the city: the Batali. It’s been named one of the best sandwiches in the United States by big national publications, and the hype is well-deserved. It’s about as close to pure local goodness as you can get. The sandwich starts with Goose’s coppa, soppressatta, and capocollo. Then they up the ante with provolone, mayo, arrabbiata, pickled onions, spicy giardiniera, romaine, and a swipe of mayo. It’s savory from the meat, rich from the mayo, and the onions and peppers break through with fresh, punchy flavor. Truly a perfect sandwich.
Goose the Market, 2503 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Turchetti’s Delicatessen: Pastrami
A butcher shop-turned-deli is always a good sign. You know they’re not messing around when it comes to quality, because they’re perfecting their meats themselves. Turchetti’s is no different. They’ve got all kinds of sandwiches on their menu, but the pastrami is the star of the show for me. The hot pastrami is loaded with kraut, special sauce, and Swiss cheese on marbled rye, and it’s a fatty, salty, delicious thing to eat. 10/10 recommend. (Plus, their lunch special makes this a super deal.)
Turchetti’s Delicatessen, 1110 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Joe’s Butcher Shop: BLT
Candied bacon. Do I need to say more?
Probably not, but I will anyway. Joe’s is a butcher shop, first and foremost, which means their meats are top-tier. They make their own bacon, so when I heard that they were candying it and putting it on a sandwich, I knew I had to have it. And this is truly one of the best BLTs I’ve had — especially when Indiana tomatoes are in season during the summer. Prepare for juicy, drippy tomato-ness and sweet-salty bacon-y goodness. Yes.
Pro tip: Eat this one in-shop. It’s best enjoyed immediately to avoid any potential soggy bread situations.
Joe’s Butcher Shop, 111 W Main St #110, Carmel, IN 46032
BLT with candied bacon from Joe’s Butcher Shop
The MEG from Leviathan Bakehouse
Leviathan Bakehouse: The MEG
This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about this sandwich; in fact, it was one of the best things I ate last year. I love Leviathan’s breads, so it’s no surprise that they make a darn good sandwich. If you like sandwiches with lots of condiments, the MEG is for you. It’s a muffuletta-inspired sandwich made with Smoking Goose (aka local) charcuterie, Fair Oaks (made in Indiana) asiago, homemade cherry-fennel giardiniera, habañero mayo, and fresh arugula on Leviathan’s made-fresh-daily focaccia bread.
Leviathan Bakehouse, 1101 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Sidedoor Bagel: The BECCY
Veering into breakfast sandwich territory, we’ve got the BECCY from Sidedoor Bagel. BECCY stands for bacon, egg, cream cheese, yo! Served on your choice of whatever fresh sourdough bagels Sidedoor has that day, this is the ideal start to any day. I recommend trying it on the cinnamon sugar sesame bagel for a delightful sweet/savory combination.
Sidedoor Bagel, 1103 E 10th St Unit A, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Subito: French Dip
A classic French dip sandwich — what more can you ask for? The process to make Subito’s dip starts three days before you eat it! Beef brisket is brined for 72 hours and then slowly roasted for 15 hours before it’s sliced (thin!). The meat is piled on grilled ciabatta with mayo and, of course, a side of au jus for your dipping pleasure.
Try the Poeta or Revelo too. You can’t go wrong with any of their sandwiches.
Subito, 34 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Tortas El Guero: Asada Torta
Tortas are in the name, so you know it’s going to be good. This sandwich spot is easy to miss — it’s tiny, and there isn’t much room inside to eat, so plan on taking your meal to go. The asada torta starts with marinated beef, plus avocado, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Of course, it’s served on a special telera roll, a torta trademark.
Tortas El Guero, 5698 S Brookville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46219
Fat Dan’s: Italian Beef
Fat Dan’s is a favorite of mine when I’m happy, sad, hungover, sober, tired, wired… it’s good all the time. When I’m craving an Italian beef sandwich but don’t want to make the drive to Chicago, this is where I head. They’re famous for a lot of things — the Dirty Tots, Old Style on tap, smoked meatloaf, smoked wings… but we’re here for the beef. Theirs is thinly sliced, and offered dipped, wet, or dry. Like any good Italian beef, it comes with giardianiera. I order mine dipped and ask for an extra side of au jus in case I decide I want to saturate my sandwich. Sometimes I go off-script and add provolone, too.
Fat Dan’s Deli, locations downtown (Mass Ave), SoBro, Carmel, Bloomington
The BECCY from Sidedoor Bagel (plus jalapeños!)
Italian Beef from Fat Dan’s
Don Juan V’s: Lomo Saltado
I’d never had a Peruvian sandwich before Don Juan V’s. But I’m so glad that I have now.
These are big, messy sandwiches that you might just have to eat with a fork and knife (I know, I know). Try the lomo saltado sandwich, which features tender sliced beef, sautéed onions, and tomatoes make up the bulk of this sandwich, with a little cilantro on top for freshness.
Don Juan V’s, 3720 E Raymond St, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Hoagies and Hops: Ribeye Cheesesteak
The only Philly-style sandwich shop in Indy is worth stopping at. Hoagies and Hops shares a space with Chilly Water Brewing, so this is a great place to sit down and enjoy a cold one while you chow down on a cheesesteak. The owner takes her sandwiches seriously — she even gets Liscio’s rolls shipped in from South Jersey. My order is the shaved ribeye cheesesteak wit(h fried onions) and whiz. Not in the mood for a cheesesteak? You can get classic cold hoagies here, too.
Hoagies and Hops, 4155 Boulevard Pl, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Gaucho’s Fire: Brazilian Steak Sandwich
The first time I had this sandwich, I almost couldn’t believe how good it was. It’s my go-to when I’m eating at The Garage. Thinly sliced steak, specifically picanha, is what makes this sandwich stand out. Super flavorful and tender, it’s the perfect accompaniment to the soft sandwich bread, provolone, mayo, tomatoes, and the special vinaigrette on top.
Gaucho’s Fire Express, 906 Carrollton Ave Suite 320, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Brazilian steak sandwich from Gaucho’s Fire
Prosciutto and pear sandwich from Nicole-Taylor’s
Nicole-Taylor’s: Seasonal Sandwich
Part deli and Italian specialty grocery, part restaurant, Nicole-Taylor’s is one of the most special spots in Indy. It’s a great place to grab some quick ready-made meals when you’re in a rush, but they’ve also got a great restaurant in the back. Order at the counter — I’ve never had a bad meal there — and take your pasta or sandwich to go, or eat in-house. Their menu changes with the seasons, so you never know what you’re going to find. They always have a veggie option, like their spring green goddess sandwich, or more classic Italian options like a mortadella + cheese or a prosciutto + pear sandwich.
Nicole-Taylor’s, 1134 E 54th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220
