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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chicago’s Very Own set up shop at Lyn-Lake last summer. Helmed by Richard Spencer, a Chicago native who moved to the Twin Cities 25 years ago, this spot serves both hot and cold Chicago-style hoagies, from hot Italian beef a la The Bear to an “original Chicago hoagie” stuffed with sliced Krakow sausage and cotto salami.

Westside Wine & Spirits | Market opened recently in St. Louis Park’s Texas Tonka Center, bringing new deli options to the west side of town. Even better than the impressive cheese selection are the sandwiches, which are named after notables of the suburb: Friedman (gouda and gruyere), Coen Bros (shaved ham on grilled marble rye), etc.