14 Sandwiches That Are Worth the Wait

Some sandwiches take a little longer to track down or make, but every bite proves they’re worth every minute. These 14 are the culinary reward for your patience.

Brisket Sandwich

Slow-smoked Texas brisket, sliced and stacked high on a soft bun. Waiting in line for barbecue is practically a sport. Try Brisket Sandwich

Lobster Roll

Fresh lobster meat, mayo, and a toasted bun. You’ll gladly wait for a taste of Maine’s summer. Get the Lobster Roll

Pastrami Burger

Thick pastrami and melty cheese piled on a beef patty. Utah’s grill masters know how to build suspense. Try Pastrami Burger

Muffuletta Sandwich

Layers of cured meats, cheese, and olive salad marinate for hours—every minute is worth it. Try Muffuletta

Crab Cake Sandwich

Maryland blue crab, formed by hand, fried to order. Good things come to those who wait. Get Crab Cake Sandwich

French Dip Sandwich

Slow-roasted beef, toasted baguette, hot au jus. Dip, wait, repeat. Make French Dip

Pit Beef

Baltimore’s charcoal-grilled beef, sliced thin and piled onto a Kaiser roll. The line is always long, but the payoff is big. Try Pit Beef

Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Indiana’s giant, breaded pork tenderloin, hanging off the edges of the bun. This is fair food, leveled up. Get Pork Tenderloin

Hot Brown Sandwich

Turkey, bacon, tomato, and a bubbling cheese sauce, all broiled to perfection. Worth every second under the broiler. Try Hot Brown

Beef on Weck

Roast beef carved to order, nestled on a kummelweck roll with a swipe of horseradish. The Buffalo waitlist is always justified. Try Beef on Weck

North Shore Beef

Massachusetts-style: rare roast beef, onion roll, James River BBQsauce, cheese, and mayo. Locals know it’s worth a detour. Get North Shore Beef

Shrimp Po Boy

Fresh-fried shrimp loaded into a French roll with lettuce, tomato, and spicy remoulade. A line down the block isn’t unusual. Get the Po Boy

Roast Pork Sandwich

Slow-roasted pork, sharp provolone, garlicky greens. Philly’s under-the-radar classic. Try Roast Pork

Pastrami Burger

Pastrami, Swiss, and grilled onions on rye, grilled until crisp. New York deli lines are a rite of passage. Try Pastrami Burger