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A fried chicken sandwich with salad on a white plate.
Lake and Irving’s famous fried chicken sandwich.
Lake & Irving

14 Epic Twin Cities Sandwiches

Standout fried chicken sandwiches, banh mi, and Cubanos around the metro

by Justine Jones and Eater Staff Updated
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Lake and Irving’s famous fried chicken sandwich.
| Lake & Irving
by Justine Jones and Eater Staff Updated

The Twin Cities may not have a single most iconic sandwich in the way that New Orleans has po’ boys, Philly has cheesesteaks, and Chicago has Italian beef, but we make up for this with impressive variety: tender roast beef sandwiches topped with grated horseradish, banh mi stuffed with pate and sweet grilled pork, heroes on sesame-seed loaves, etc. Here are some unshakeable sandwich classics around Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Note that these restaurants are listed geographically.

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El Cubano

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El Cubano’s namesake Cubano is hard to beat — it’s heaped with tender roast pork and salty ham, rounded out with all the best briny, creamy, and tangy flavors that mustard, mayo, and raw onion can offer. Even better, it’s served with crispy yuca fries.

870 Dodd Rd, St Paul, MN 55118
(651) 227-1510
(651) 227-1510

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iPho by Saigon

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iPho by Saigon may be best known for its namesake pho, laced with anise and served in bathtub-like 10-pound bowls. But the restaurant also serves some of the best banh mi in the Cities. Smeared with yolk-yellow mayo and fatty pate, layered with pork loaf or grilled meatballs, these banh mi barely leave room for the requisite pickled veggies and cilantro.

704 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 225-8751
(651) 225-8751

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Maverick's Real Roast Beef

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Don’t be surprised to see a line running out the door at Mavericks, which is tucked into a Roseville strip mall. The roast beef is cooked a little on the rare side, making for an especially tender bite. Add horseradish to the au jus for extra kick, or dress these sandwiches with spiced mustards and mayos at the condiment bar.

1746 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 488-1788
(651) 488-1788
A roast beef sandwich next to onion rings on a table.
Maverick’s famous roast beef sandwich.
Maverick’s Real Roast Beef

St Paul Cheese Shop

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St. Paul Cheese Shop, tucked into a little Grand Avenue storefront, has one of the Cities’ most robust sandwich menus. The fennel salami is dressed with finocchiona and garlic confit; the prosciutto di parma, spread with a rich double-cream brie and olive oil, offers a true boulangerie experience.

1573 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 698-3391
(651) 698-3391
Two sandwich halves stacked on top of one another.
St. Paul Cheese Shop
St. Paul Cheese Shop

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Mario's

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Mario’s dubs its sandwiches “heroes” (as opposed to hoagies or subs) — stuffed with mortadella, salami, and soppressata, they’re brought to new heights by chef Evan Vranian’s house-baked sesame seed loaves. Order Oreo zeppole doughnuts for dessert.

232 Cleveland Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 207-5252
(651) 207-5252
A sub sandwich of sesame bread stuffed with meat, peppers, onions, and shredded lettuce.
Chef Evan Vranian’s sesame loaves are house-baked.
Mario’s

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Cecil's

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Cecil’s, the Twin Cities’ oldest Jewish deli, serves a whole array of hot sandwiches: Try the Sasha, made with hot brisket pastrami and the “bird sauce” the deli has been making in-house for 40 years. Cecil’s also has one of the best Reubens in the Cities.

651 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116
(651) 698-0334
(651) 698-0334

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Manny's Tortas

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Chef Manny Gonzalez first opened Manny’s Tortas in Mercado Central in 1999. Now, he and his sister Victoria run the Midtown Global Market location together, where they serve an impressive selection of tortas. The Cubana is hard to beat — or try the Manny’s Special, which is layered with sizzling steak and veggies, then topped with ham and molten cheese.

920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 870-3930
(612) 870-3930

Lu's Sandwiches

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Lu’s banh mi are expertly balanced in their crusty/chewy and pickled/roasted ratios. The baguettes crackle beautifully, and the zippy vegetables balance the savory meats. Options like the Special Ham, made with Vietnamese meatloaf and pork belly, or the pork meatballs (marinated Shanghai-style) are great bets.

2624 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 587-2694
(612) 587-2694
A banh mi sandwich on a wooden table with flowers and yellow chairs in the background.
An unbeatable banh mi from Lu’s.
Justine Jones

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Clancey's Meats & Fish

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Clancey’s tender roast beef sandwiches, served on a rustic baguette with sinus-clearing horseradish mustard, roasted sweet peppers, and baby Swiss, are some of the best in town. Grab one at the new, expanded location on Grand Avenue.

3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 926-0222
(612) 926-0222
Two hands place shaved beef, lettuce and cheese on a baguette. A bottle of olive oil is visible in the background.
Clancey’s famous beef.
Clancey’s Meats & Fish

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

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Lake & Irving’s popular fried chicken sandwich is served on white toast for lunch and dinner (get it as chicken and waffles for brunch). Buttermilk-dipped and served with duroc bacon and sriracha aioli, ghost pepper jack cheese kicks it up a notch.

1513 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 354-2453
(612) 354-2453
A fried chicken sandwich with salad on a white plate.
Lake & Iriving’s famous fried chicken sandwich.
Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

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Sammy’s Avenue Eatery

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Sammy’s Avenue Eatery is a mainstay of Broadway Avenue. Stop by for a turkey bacon club, a chicken teriyaki sandwich, or a chicken salad sandwich. For a quick, hearty breakfast, the ham and egg sandwich on Texas toast has a gooey, irresistible layer of cheese.

1101 W Broadway Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 767-6278
(612) 767-6278
Two subs with bacon, turkey, provolone, lettuce and tomato in buns on a a green and white checkered paper.
Subs from Sammy’s Avenue Eatery
Sammy’s Avenue Eatery

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Mayslack's

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Minneapolis-born Polish pro wrestler Stan Mayslack and his wife Ann “Butch” Mayslack opened Mayslack’s in 1955. While Stan whipped up garlic roast beef sandwiches in the kitchen, Butch ran the till. The pair hosted many a rowdy polka night. These days, Mayslack’s hosts plenty of live bands (and plays polka on the jukebox) and is still serving its famous slow-roasted beef sandwiches, heaped with banana peppers and onions and served au jus.

1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-9862
(612) 789-9862

Also featured in:

Marty's Deli

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Marty’s Deli set up shop in Northeast Minneapolis in January. The best part — besides the sunny new digs — is that owner Martha Polacek added a customizable breakfast sandwich to the menu. Served on her airy, golden focaccia, these sandwiches pair a neat egg patty with thick slices of Peterson bacon, a sausage patty, braised greens, or even hash browns. The real clincher is the combination of garlic aioli and sharp American cheese, which meld into one gooey, creamy bite.

400 NE Lowry Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
A sausage and egg breakfast sandwich next to a hash brown patty in a basket with orange and white checkered paper.
Marty’s breakfast sandwich with hashbrowns.
Marty’s Deli

Also featured in:

Mi-Sant Banh Mi Co.

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Located in an old KFC building in Brooklyn Park, Mi-Sant Banh Mi Co. is among a number of Vietnamese restaurants on a national level shifting toward a fast-casual style. Grab a bulgogi banh mi, stuffed with beef and kimchi, through the drive-thru window. Don’t forget to add a coconut croissant.

8540 Edinburgh Centre Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
(763) 355-5947
(763) 355-5947

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El Cubano

870 Dodd Rd, St Paul, MN 55118

El Cubano’s namesake Cubano is hard to beat — it’s heaped with tender roast pork and salty ham, rounded out with all the best briny, creamy, and tangy flavors that mustard, mayo, and raw onion can offer. Even better, it’s served with crispy yuca fries.

870 Dodd Rd, St Paul, MN 55118
(651) 227-1510
(651) 227-1510

iPho by Saigon

704 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

iPho by Saigon may be best known for its namesake pho, laced with anise and served in bathtub-like 10-pound bowls. But the restaurant also serves some of the best banh mi in the Cities. Smeared with yolk-yellow mayo and fatty pate, layered with pork loaf or grilled meatballs, these banh mi barely leave room for the requisite pickled veggies and cilantro.

704 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 225-8751
(651) 225-8751

Maverick's Real Roast Beef

1746 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

Don’t be surprised to see a line running out the door at Mavericks, which is tucked into a Roseville strip mall. The roast beef is cooked a little on the rare side, making for an especially tender bite. Add horseradish to the au jus for extra kick, or dress these sandwiches with spiced mustards and mayos at the condiment bar.

1746 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 488-1788
(651) 488-1788
A roast beef sandwich next to onion rings on a table.
Maverick’s famous roast beef sandwich.
Maverick’s Real Roast Beef

St Paul Cheese Shop

1573 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

St. Paul Cheese Shop, tucked into a little Grand Avenue storefront, has one of the Cities’ most robust sandwich menus. The fennel salami is dressed with finocchiona and garlic confit; the prosciutto di parma, spread with a rich double-cream brie and olive oil, offers a true boulangerie experience.

1573 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 698-3391
(651) 698-3391
Two sandwich halves stacked on top of one another.
St. Paul Cheese Shop
St. Paul Cheese Shop

Mario's

232 Cleveland Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104

Mario’s dubs its sandwiches “heroes” (as opposed to hoagies or subs) — stuffed with mortadella, salami, and soppressata, they’re brought to new heights by chef Evan Vranian’s house-baked sesame seed loaves. Order Oreo zeppole doughnuts for dessert.

232 Cleveland Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 207-5252
(651) 207-5252
A sub sandwich of sesame bread stuffed with meat, peppers, onions, and shredded lettuce.
Chef Evan Vranian’s sesame loaves are house-baked.
Mario’s

Cecil's

651 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116

Cecil’s, the Twin Cities’ oldest Jewish deli, serves a whole array of hot sandwiches: Try the Sasha, made with hot brisket pastrami and the “bird sauce” the deli has been making in-house for 40 years. Cecil’s also has one of the best Reubens in the Cities.

651 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116
(651) 698-0334
(651) 698-0334

Manny's Tortas

920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Chef Manny Gonzalez first opened Manny’s Tortas in Mercado Central in 1999. Now, he and his sister Victoria run the Midtown Global Market location together, where they serve an impressive selection of tortas. The Cubana is hard to beat — or try the Manny’s Special, which is layered with sizzling steak and veggies, then topped with ham and molten cheese.

920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 870-3930
(612) 870-3930

Lu's Sandwiches

2624 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Lu’s banh mi are expertly balanced in their crusty/chewy and pickled/roasted ratios. The baguettes crackle beautifully, and the zippy vegetables balance the savory meats. Options like the Special Ham, made with Vietnamese meatloaf and pork belly, or the pork meatballs (marinated Shanghai-style) are great bets.

2624 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 587-2694
(612) 587-2694
A banh mi sandwich on a wooden table with flowers and yellow chairs in the background.
An unbeatable banh mi from Lu’s.
Justine Jones

Clancey's Meats & Fish

3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Clancey’s tender roast beef sandwiches, served on a rustic baguette with sinus-clearing horseradish mustard, roasted sweet peppers, and baby Swiss, are some of the best in town. Grab one at the new, expanded location on Grand Avenue.

3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 926-0222
(612) 926-0222
Two hands place shaved beef, lettuce and cheese on a baguette. A bottle of olive oil is visible in the background.
Clancey’s famous beef.
Clancey’s Meats & Fish

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

1513 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Lake & Irving’s popular fried chicken sandwich is served on white toast for lunch and dinner (get it as chicken and waffles for brunch). Buttermilk-dipped and served with duroc bacon and sriracha aioli, ghost pepper jack cheese kicks it up a notch.

1513 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 354-2453
(612) 354-2453
A fried chicken sandwich with salad on a white plate.
Lake & Iriving’s famous fried chicken sandwich.
Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

Sammy’s Avenue Eatery

1101 W Broadway Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Sammy’s Avenue Eatery is a mainstay of Broadway Avenue. Stop by for a turkey bacon club, a chicken teriyaki sandwich, or a chicken salad sandwich. For a quick, hearty breakfast, the ham and egg sandwich on Texas toast has a gooey, irresistible layer of cheese.

1101 W Broadway Ave #1, Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 767-6278
(612) 767-6278
Two subs with bacon, turkey, provolone, lettuce and tomato in buns on a a green and white checkered paper.
Subs from Sammy’s Avenue Eatery
Sammy’s Avenue Eatery

Mayslack's

1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Minneapolis-born Polish pro wrestler Stan Mayslack and his wife Ann “Butch” Mayslack opened Mayslack’s in 1955. While Stan whipped up garlic roast beef sandwiches in the kitchen, Butch ran the till. The pair hosted many a rowdy polka night. These days, Mayslack’s hosts plenty of live bands (and plays polka on the jukebox) and is still serving its famous slow-roasted beef sandwiches, heaped with banana peppers and onions and served au jus.

1428 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-9862
(612) 789-9862

Marty's Deli

400 NE Lowry Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Marty’s Deli set up shop in Northeast Minneapolis in January. The best part — besides the sunny new digs — is that owner Martha Polacek added a customizable breakfast sandwich to the menu. Served on her airy, golden focaccia, these sandwiches pair a neat egg patty with thick slices of Peterson bacon, a sausage patty, braised greens, or even hash browns. The real clincher is the combination of garlic aioli and sharp American cheese, which meld into one gooey, creamy bite.

400 NE Lowry Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
A sausage and egg breakfast sandwich next to a hash brown patty in a basket with orange and white checkered paper.
Marty’s breakfast sandwich with hashbrowns.
Marty’s Deli

Mi-Sant Banh Mi Co.

8540 Edinburgh Centre Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

Located in an old KFC building in Brooklyn Park, Mi-Sant Banh Mi Co. is among a number of Vietnamese restaurants on a national level shifting toward a fast-casual style. Grab a bulgogi banh mi, stuffed with beef and kimchi, through the drive-thru window. Don’t forget to add a coconut croissant.

8540 Edinburgh Centre Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
(763) 355-5947
(763) 355-5947

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