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