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Best Sandwiches in Phoenix (2026)

Best Sandwiches in Phoenix: 1. Sandwich Masterz · 2. Philly's Famous - Chandler · 3. Forefathers Gourmet Cheesesteaks & Fries · 4. Knuckle Sandwiches · 5. Panini Bread and Grill. Addresses, prices and what to order.

Britt Vance
By Britt Vance Guides Editor · Updated September 2026 · How the score is built
Best Sandwiches in Phoenix (2026)

The Valley's sandwich scene runs from old-school East Valley delis to Tempe cheesesteak counters to a Chandler shop that imports the Philly tradition with serious conviction. These twelve spots, spread across Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, and Goodyear, cover the range: quick lunch, weekend brunch, and everything in between. Insider Scores are calculated from verified customer data; no restaurant pays to be listed.

1 Sandwich Masterz Yelp

Sandwich Masterz

Sandwiches · Goodyear · $$
8.0

Goodyear's go-to lunch counter runs generous portions at prices that make weekday takeout easy. The vegan-friendly menu is broader than most strip-mall sandwich spots, and the classic club and gourmet grilled cheese are the straightforward anchors. Service is quick and the room is clean. Ingredient quality is honest rather than exceptional, but the consistency and value keep the lunch crowd coming back to this West Valley staple.

What to orderClassic Club SandwichGourmet Grilled CheeseHouse-Made Pastrami Reuben Call Directions +Read the review

Goodyear's Workhorse Sandwich Counter Earns Its Regulars

Classic Club Sandwich

The club runs turkey, bacon, and layered deli proteins across a triple-decker format, the straightforward anchor of the Goodyear lunch trade here.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

The grilled cheese takes the simplest sandwich format and treats it as a serious menu item, a reliable order for those skipping the meat.

House-Made Pastrami Reuben

House-made pastrami sets this Reuben apart from standard deli fare, the preparation detail that makes it the most distinctive build on the sandwich menu.

Sandwich Masterz operates as a straightforward, counter-service lunch room in Goodyear, the kind of West Valley spot that builds its reputation on portion size, price, and reliability rather than on spectacle. The menu anchors on three classics: a Classic Club Sandwich, a Gourmet Grilled Cheese, and a House-Made Pastrami Reuben. The Reuben signals a kitchen that is at least attempting the fundamentals correctly; house-made pastrami in a moderately priced sandwich room is not a given in the West Valley. The grilled cheese moves in a similar direction, pushing past the baseline with a gourmet framing that the operation appears to take seriously. The Club holds the center of the menu as the accessible, repeatable option that keeps the lunch crowd cycling through.

Ingredients read as functional rather than exceptional, which is consistent with the price point and the positioning. This is a room where the value proposition carries more weight than any single ingredient sourcing story. The operation runs fast and clean, which matters in a lunch-focused room where the midday window is short. What distinguishes this from the generic sandwich-shop category is a notably broad vegan menu, making it one of the more inclusive options in Goodyear for tables with mixed dietary needs. Side selections add to the flexibility.

Service is friendly and present, if informal. The room draws a consistent local lunch following, which in a West Valley suburb is its own form of endorsement: sprawl means the competition is real, and regulars in Goodyear are not obligated to return. Moderately priced and family-friendly, Sandwich Masterz functions as a reliable neighborhood anchor rather than a destination, and it fills that role without pretension.

Map showing Sandwich Masterz© OpenStreetMap
HoursMon - Thu: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri - Sat: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PMSun: Closed
Address380 N Estrella Pkwy
Insider tip

The House-Made Pastrami Reuben is the clearest test of the kitchen's range; order it alongside a side to round out the meal. The vegan menu is extensive enough to make this a practical choice for groups with mixed dietary needs.

2 Philly's Famous - Chandler Yelp

Philly's Famous - Chandler

Sandwiches · Chandler · $$
8.0

The classic cheesesteak is the move at this Chandler shop, and the red sauce on the side is worth adding. The Italian hoagie and roast pork sandwich round out a short, focused menu that skews hearty. Everything arrives hot and fresh, and the staff runs a genuinely friendly front-of-house. For East Valley cheesesteak cravings, this is the reliable call before you even think about driving further.

What to orderClassic CheesesteakItalian HoagieRoast Pork Sandwich Call Directions +Read the review

East Valley Cheesesteak Worth the Drive

Classic Cheesesteak

The namesake cheesesteak is the anchor order here, the reason the room exists in Chandler.

Italian Hoagie

The Italian hoagie represents the cold-sandwich side of the menu, stacked and built in the Philadelphia tradition.

Roast Pork Sandwich

The roast pork sandwich carries red sauce that regulars treat as essential to the build, not optional.

Chandler does not have an obvious claim to Philadelphia's sandwich tradition, but Philly's Famous makes its case straight through the food. The Classic Cheesesteak is the anchor order: the kitchen sends it out hot and fresh, and the red sauce deserves attention as an add-on rather than an afterthought. Those who have ordered the sandwich plain and then tried the sauce on the side tend not to repeat that mistake. The Italian Hoagie and Roast Pork Sandwich round out a menu that stays focused, which matters more than variety in this format.

A short, focused menu executed consistently beats a sprawling one executed unevenly, and this room leans into that trade-off. The Roast Pork Sandwich, less common in the Valley than any variation on carne asada, holds its own as a reason to make the trip from the south end of the metro. The operation runs with genuine warmth on the counter-service side. Staff interactions register as a selling point in their own right, not merely background to the food.

Families with kids land here without friction, and the casual format keeps the pace up without feeling rushed. Moderately priced for Chandler's lunch corridor, Philly's Famous sits in the strip-mall-and-suburban-arterial category the Valley does well: no scenery, no pretense, a kitchen that gets the execution right. For the stretch of the East Valley between the 101 and the 202, this is the room for a Philadelphia-style sandwich done with consistency and enough personality to stand apart from the chain alternatives filling the surrounding blocks.

Map showing Philly's Famous - Chandler© OpenStreetMap
HoursMon - Sat: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PMSun: Closed
Address1250 N Alma School Rd
Insider tip

Order the Classic Cheesesteak and ask for the red sauce on the side before deciding, then add it. The Roast Pork Sandwich is the sleeper order for anyone coming back a second time.

3 Forefathers Gourmet Cheesesteaks & Fries Yelp

Forefathers Gourmet Cheesesteaks & Fries

Sandwiches · Tempe · $$
6.6

Forefathers earns credibility from transplants who grew up near Philadelphia, and the wiz wit is reportedly consistent visit to visit. The hand-cut fries and house-made chocolate chip cookies make it easy to turn a cheesesteak run into a full afternoon. Located in Tempe, the room stays popular and fills fast at lunch. The pepper selection gets specific callouts, which tells you the kitchen pays attention to the right details.

What to orderClassic Philly CheesesteakHand-Cut FriesChocolate Chip Cookies Call Directions Scored from the full review record 8707 S Priest Dr · (480) 763-1776
4 Knuckle Sandwiches Yelp

Knuckle Sandwiches

Sandwiches · Mesa · $$
6.2

The fried bologna sandwich at this Mesa counter has earned genuine enthusiasm from regulars who grew up with that kind of old-school deli cooking. The pastrami on rye comes out toasted with a pickle, and the Philly cheesesteak gets strong marks as well. No-frills counter service, friendly ownership, and a straightforward menu make Knuckle Sandwiches one of Mesa's most dependable spots for a hearty weekday lunch.

What to orderLoaded Pastrami SandwichBreakfast BurritoClub Supreme Call Directions Scored from the full review record 1140 N Higley Rd · (480) 630-4132
5 Panini Bread and Grill Yelp

Panini Bread and Grill

Sandwiches · Glendale · $
8.0

The ranchero panini is the order at this Glendale neighborhood spot, made fresh and carrying enough personality to earn return trips. Kettle chips on the side, attentive counter staff, and dollar-sign-one pricing put it firmly in the everyday-lunch category. Presentation gets noticed here, which is unusual at this price point. A low-key room that delivers better than its strip-mall footprint suggests.

What to orderTurkey Club PaniniBreakfast BurritoChicken Caesar Salad Call Directions +Read the review

Glendale's Straightforward Panini Counter Done Right

Turkey Club Panini

The Turkey Club Panini is the anchor of the sandwich menu, a pressed-bread order that draws the room's repeat visitors back to the counter.

Breakfast Burrito

The Breakfast Burrito sits at the intersection of the morning program and the grill's made-to-order approach, a practical reason to arrive early.

Chicken Caesar Salad

The Chicken Caesar Salad gives the menu a lighter lane without stepping away from the kitchen's focus on fresh preparation and clean flavors.

Panini Bread and Grill operates as an inexpensive, counter-service sandwich spot in Glendale, the kind of room the West Valley does well and rarely gets credit for. The menu is focused: pressed paninis, breakfast burritos, and composed salads, with no pretense about what the kitchen is doing. That restraint is the point. The Turkey Club Panini anchors the menu in familiar territory, executed with attention to freshness and presentation that shows up consistently across the record. The Chicken Caesar Salad rounds out the lighter end of the menu for the midday crowd.

The Breakfast Burrito signals that the kitchen opens early and handles morning business with the same care. The ranchero panini, while not the headliner on paper, earns strong repeat attention; it reads as the sleeper order, freshly made and served with kettle chips that hold up as a side rather than an afterthought. Counter service here runs efficiently. The person taking orders is described as helpful and engaged, which matters in a room where the counter exchange is the whole of the hospitality. Presentation gets noted alongside flavor, a pairing that speaks to a kitchen that does not treat inexpensive as an excuse for careless plating.

The room draws families and regulars who return on the strength of a prior visit, the clearest signal of a neighborhood operation earning its place. At this price point in the West Valley, that combination of execution and service is not a given. Glendale's dining landscape skews toward chain corridors and entertainment-district options near Westgate; a scratch-level sandwich counter that keeps its standards consistent stands apart from that pattern.

Map showing Panini Bread and Grill© OpenStreetMap
HoursMon - Thu: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PMSat: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PMSun: Closed
Address3510 W Bell Rd
Insider tip

The ranchero panini is the move, not the menu's top-billed item. Order it with the kettle chips; the combination holds better than the default sides at comparable spots.

6 Ike's Love & Sandwiches Yelp

Ike's Love & Sandwiches

Sandwiches · Tempe South · $$
5.6

Ike's brings its California-chain menu to Tempe with a Dutch crunch bread program that gets specific praise. The sandwich list runs long, and the 'Going Home for Thanksgiving' and 'Love Triangle' are among the signatures worth studying before you get to the counter. The wait can stack up, and regulars know to arrive with a plan. Late-night hours expand the window beyond the standard lunch rush.

What to orderItalian Night ClubLove TriangleGoing Home for Thanksgiving Call Directions Scored from the full review record 7420 S Rural Rd · (480) 610-6750
7 Sidewinder Subs Yelp

Sidewinder Subs

Sandwiches · Gilbert · $
6.4

Gilbert's Sidewinder Subs draws a consistent line, which should tell you something about the East Valley sub options. The Italian sub is the anchor, and fresh-baked cookies near the end of your meal are a genuine small-room touch. Daily specials rotate and are worth checking. For a quick, no-nonsense sandwich in the Heritage District area, Sidewinder is the neighborhood call over anything chain-adjacent.

What to orderItalian SubTurkey Avocado WrapCobb Salad Call Directions Scored from the full review record 1455 W Elliott Rd · (480) 633-7827
8 The Melt Yelp

The Melt

Sandwiches · Phoenix · $$
6.8

The crispy chicken sandwich gets the loudest endorsement at this Phoenix counter-service room, and the truffle grilled cheese is the elevated-comfort option for when you want something slightly more interesting than standard. Fast service and a clean modern space make it work for a quick lunch. The menu stays focused, the staff is efficient, and the execution reads as reliable across the board.

What to orderTruffle Grilled CheeseClassic Burger with FriesCrispy Chicken Sandwich Call Directions Scored from the full review record 12650 N Tatum Blvd · (480) 660-9370
9 The Sandwich Spot Yelp

The Sandwich Spot

Sandwiches · Phoenix · $$
6.9

The Sandwich Spot in Phoenix handles allergy accommodations without the usual friction, which earns real goodwill from that crowd. Fillings are high quality for the price, takeout orders are typically ready fast, and the house potato salad is a regular callout. The only gap is fountain drinks, which matters to some. Walk-in friendly, good value, and the kind of neighborhood lunch counter that handles a regular rotation without wearing out.

What to orderItalian SubTurkey Avocado ClubChicken Caesar Salad Call Directions Scored from the full review record 1219 E Glendale Ave · (602) 603-1515
10 Duck And Decanter Yelp

Duck And Decanter

Sandwiches · Phoenix · $$
6.1

Duck and Decanter runs counter service with a room that skews upscale for the format: the roasted turkey and brie sandwich, a charcuterie board, and a wine program make it work equally well for a business lunch or a solo afternoon stop. Indoor and outdoor seating, fast friendly service, and a central Phoenix location give it range. The sandwich quality is legitimate, and the overall package is well above the typical grab-and-go.

What to orderRoasted Turkey and Brie SandwichMediterranean SaladCharcuterie and Cheese Board Call Directions Scored from the full review record 1651 E Camelback Rd · (602) 274-5429
11 NY Slicers Deli Yelp

NY Slicers Deli

Sandwiches · Phoenix · $
6.5

The pastrami on rye and Italian cold cut sub anchor this small Phoenix deli that runs a few tables and some bar seating near Sky Harbor. It is compact and unassuming, which is exactly the New York deli format it is going for. Prices are low and the sandwiches are genuinely solid. A good call for airport-adjacent lunch, though confirm your order specifics at the counter to avoid mix-ups on add-ons.

What to orderPastrami on RyeItalian Cold Cut SubChef Salad Call Directions Scored from the full review record 835 N 43rd Ave · (602) 442-8000
12 U.S. Egg Brunch & Cocktails Yelp

U.S. Egg Brunch & Cocktails

Sandwiches · Tempe · $$
5.2

U.S. Egg in Tempe is primarily a brunch room, and the breakfast sandwich and eggs Benedict variations are the reasons to show up on a weekend morning. The location reopened after a closure for electrical repairs, and the regulars came straight back. Service can feel overstaffed on busy mornings, and the core menu skews traditional rather than ambitious. Solid, consistent weekend brunch for the Tempe crowd, cocktails included.

What to orderEggs Benedict VariationsChicken and WafflesBreakfast Sandwich Call Directions Scored from the full review record 131 E Baseline Rd · (480) 831-0070

Frequently asked

How does Top of Phoenix choose the best sandwiches near me?
Every restaurant on this list is ranked using the Insider Score, a calculated rating based on verified customer data. No restaurant pays to be listed or to move up the rankings. We cover the full Valley, so 'near me' depends on your city: this guide includes spots in Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, and Goodyear.
Which sandwich spots on this list are the best value?
Sandwich Masterz in Goodyear, Sidewinder Subs in Gilbert, Panini Bread and Grill in Glendale, and NY Slicers Deli in Phoenix all carry a single-dollar-sign price rating, meaning you are looking at budget-friendly lunches. Philly's Famous in Chandler and Knuckle Sandwiches in Mesa are also priced at the lower end of the two-dollar-sign range.
Which spot is best for a Philly cheesesteak in the Valley?
Forefathers Gourmet Cheesesteaks and Fries in Tempe and Philly's Famous in Chandler are the two most credible options on this list. Forefathers gets consistent praise from transplants who grew up near Philadelphia. Philly's Famous earns marks for hot, fresh execution and a friendly room. Both are counter-service and walk-in friendly.
Are any of these sandwich restaurants good for weekend brunch?
U.S. Egg Brunch and Cocktails in Tempe is the clear brunch pick, with eggs Benedict variations, a breakfast sandwich, and cocktails. Knuckle Sandwiches in Mesa also covers brunch territory. The Insider Score for each spot reflects verified customer data, and no restaurant on this list has paid for placement.
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The data first, then the verdict

We start with the review record, not a press release. Every room here is a real kitchen with a strong rating across a meaningful number of reviews, ranked on our 10-point Insider Score. We weight consistency over time and the rooms locals return to, not the ones tourists pass through once. The list updates as the data does. How we work →

About the writer
Britt Vance
Guides Editor

Britt builds the best-of lists one dish at a time, working neighborhood by neighborhood across Phoenix until each ranking points somewhere specific. Her guides start with the review record and end with an order you can place tonight.

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