If you’re craving comfort food, look no further than classic roast beef sandwiches. From pot-roast-style beef in the Midwest to roast beef po’boys on the Gulf Coast, there are regional variations and famous renditions to explore across the United States. Critics and reviewers have praised a variety of drool-worthy roast beef sandwiches, each with its own unique twist.
Defonte’s in Brooklyn, New York, is a must-visit for a hot roast beef sandwich featuring shaved rare roast beef, melty mozzarella, and fried eggplant slices. Jerry’s Roast Beef in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, offers exceptional hand-carved roast beef piled high on Kaiser rolls, served with cheese and au jus. Kelly’s Roast Beef in Revere, Massachusetts, is famous for its Surf and Turf option, combining a lobster roll with a thinly sliced roast beef sandwich on a grilled seeded roll.
In Chicago, Mr. Beef on Orleans is known for its Italian beef sandwich, seasoned with Italian spices and dipped in au jus for maximum flavor. Pioneer Pit Beef in Baltimore offers pit beef sandwiches cooked to your preferred doneness and topped with a variety of sauces and toppings. Ray’s Place in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, serves up a classic roast beef sandwich with cheese in a laid-back atmosphere perfect for enjoying a satisfying meal.
Whether you’re a roast beef aficionado or looking to try something new, these eateries have something special to offer for every sandwich lover.
Here are some great sandwich options to try:
1. Sill’s Cafe in Layton, Utah offers a hot beef sandwich that is tender and juicy. For an extra kick, add some cheese and homemade horseradish mustard.
2. Parkway Bakery & Tavern in New Orleans serves a delicious hot roast beef poor boy sandwich, packed with flavor and soaked in gravy. Don’t forget to dress it up with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo.
3. HoneyHole Sandwiches in Seattle has been serving up unique sandwiches for over 20 years. Try “The Gooch” made with roasted tri-tip beef, sharp cheddar cheese, red onions, and horseradish mayo on a crusty baguette.
4. Zel’s Roast Beef in Hammond, Indiana offers a classic roast beef sandwich served on a roll, along with chili cheese fries and a milkshake.
5. Liza’s Kitchen in Panama City, Florida serves a Southern twist on roast beef sandwiches by adding pimento cheese on fresh herbed focaccia bread.
6. Fat Guy’s Fresh Deli in Meridian, Idaho features the Bleu Bronco sandwich with shaved roast beef, blue cheese, bacon, and pesto mayo on a golden brown bun.
7. Barn’rds Restaurant in Wichita, Kansas believes in providing good, healthy food at an affordable price. Try their roast beef sandwich for a satisfying meal.
Everything is prepared from scratch at these restaurants, with a focus on super-lean roast beef that is thinly sliced and served on a sturdy bun. Complement your meal with a cup of homemade soup, such as hearty vegetable or cream of potato. Here are some recommendations for must-try sandwiches at different eateries:
1. Sign of the Beefcarver in Royal Oak, Michigan:
Specialty: Roast beef sandwich
Established in 1957, Sign of the Beefcarver operates like a cafeteria line where you can watch the roast beef being thinly carved right in front of you. The sandwich is generously drenched in a flavorful, au jus-like gravy that saturates the bread. Don’t miss out on the mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious gravy.
2. Bump’s Family Restaurant in Glencoe, Minnesota:
Specialty: Hot beef commercial
Bump’s serves a unique sandwich known as the hot beef commercial, a regional favorite in parts of Minnesota and the Dakotas. The sandwich features roasted beef nestled between bread slices, accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy. Bump’s version includes pot-roast-style beef, homemade mashed potatoes, and plenty of gravy, making it a comforting and satisfying dish.
3. E.A.R.L. in Honolulu:
Specialty: French dip
E.A.R.L., short for “Eat A Real Lunch,” is a popular sandwich shop known for its creative offerings. The French dip at E.A.R.L. features freshly roasted and sliced beef, roasted garlic mayo, green chimichurri, fennel onion marmalade, and pepper jack cheese. For a different flavor experience, try the beer-braised brisket sandwich with roasted poblano peppers and horseradish mayo.
4. Philippe The Original in Los Angeles:
Specialty: Beef dip
Known for its French dip sandwich, Philippe The Original is a historic L.A. eatery that offers a simple yet delicious creation. The beef dip consists of roasted beef on French bread, dipped in savory beef au jus. You can choose your level of juiciness by opting for a single dip, double dip, or “wet” sandwich. Accompany your meal with hot mustard to balance the richness of the au jus.
5. Carbone’s Market in Torrington, Connecticut:
Specialty: Roast beef grinder
Carbone’s Market, an Italian deli and grocer established in 1945, is renowned for its massive grinders. The roast beef grinder features shaved pink beef topped with cheese, tomatoes, seasonings, oil, and vinegar. Add roasted peppers for extra flavor, and enjoy the generous portions stuffed inside freshly baked bread.
6. Schwabl’s in Buffalo, New York:
Specialty: Roast beef sandwich on kummelweck
Schwabl’s offers the classic Buffalo favorite, beef on weck, served on a kummelweck roll with caraway and coarse salt. The roast beef
Hand-carved and served in half-pound portions on a kummelweck roll, the traditional sides at this location include pickled beets and a vinegar-based German potato salad specked with mustard seeds.
Ed Walker’s Drive-In in Fort Smith, Arkansas, has been offering carhop service since 1943. Their standout item is the French dip sandwich, featuring slow-roasted, tender beef served with a cup of au jus for dipping. If you prefer, you can opt for the open-face hot beef sandwich with mashed potatoes.
Beefy King in Orlando, Florida, is a family-run counter-service restaurant established in 1968. Their roast beef sandwich, served on a kaiser roll, features steamed shaved meat that stays moist and juicy. Adding cheese to your sandwich will result in a deliciously gooey texture due to the steaming process.
At Blues City Deli in St. Louis, don’t miss out on Mike’s Spicy Beef n’ Cheddar sandwich. This po’boy-style creation includes thin-sliced hot roast beef, bacon, melted sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a creamy, smoky Delta sauce. Another popular option is the Big Tommy, which features roast beef on cheese garlic bread.
Maverick’s Real Roast Beef in Roseville, Minnesota, is renowned for its roast beef sandwiches. Hand-cut rare roast beef is the star here, served as a blank canvas for a variety of self-serve sauces, condiments, and toppings. Order your sandwich open-face for a generous serving of thick gravy, or try the beef and cheddar sandwich smothered in cheddar cheese sauce for a gooey delight.
In Cleveland, Barrister’s is famous for its corned beef but also offers a delectable Horsey Roast Beef sandwich. This deli-style creation features a mound of fresh and juicy roast beef, topped with provolone, lettuce, sliced tomato, and a creamy horseradish sauce on rye bread.
Tune Inn in Washington, D.C., known for its dive bar charm, offers Joe’s West Virginia Sandwich, its version of a roast beef delight. Named after the original owner, this sandwich features freshly roasted beef, American cheese, and a secret sauce grilled on rye bread.
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Beef on Weck: A classic dish from Buffalo, beef on weck can be found at Charlie the Butcher’s, a cozy spot known for its comfort food. The star of the show is the slow-roasted beef, which is expertly trimmed and carved for each sandwich. Served on fresh kummelweck rolls with horseradish and a pickle spear, this dish can also be ordered in a mini size for kids or as a snack.
Cold Spring Tavern, Santa Barbara, California: When visiting Santa Barbara, don’t miss the tri-tip sandwich at Cold Spring Tavern, where the meat is slow-cooked over a charcoal grill. Sliced thick and served with three sauces on the side, this rustic meal can be enjoyed in the historic former stagecoach stop.
Al’s Italian Beef, Chicago: A must-try at Al’s is the Italian beef sandwich, which the restaurant claims to have invented in 1938. The recipe remains unchanged and is regarded as one of the best in town. Be sure to try the combo sandwich, adding a grilled Italian sausage link to your beef.
The Station Cafe, San Antonio: For those who love beef and spicy food, The Station Cafe is the place to be. Their Pele’s Fire sandwich features hot roast beef on a homemade roll with a super-spicy ghost-pepper sauce. If that’s too much heat, opt for the garlic habanero aioli version or the Thai Fighter with a Thai-style curry sauce.
Dad’s Favorites Deli, Lexington, Kentucky: At Dad’s Favorites, try the Asiago pot roast sandwich made with shredded roasted beef on a crusty sub roll with Asiago cheese. Don’t miss the side of roasted red pepper sauce for dipping.
Al’s Big Dipper, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Enjoy a unique twist on the roast beef sandwich with the New Mexico roast beef at Al’s Big Dipper, featuring hand-sliced roast beef layered with roasted mild green chile, mayo, and cream cheese, pressed until hot and melted.
Dan & Jami’s Railway Bar and Grill, Council Bluffs, Iowa: A casual bar and grill known for its hot roast beef sandwich, which features roasted beef sandwiched between white bread, topped with mashed potatoes, and drenched in rich gravy.
Jon’s Roast Beef & Deli, Laconia, New Hampshire: Indulge in the Big Bear sandwich at Jon’s Roast Beef & Deli, a rustic roadside spot offering a hearty and satisfying meal.
If you’re craving a cozy cabin-like atmosphere, head over to Domilise’s Po-Boy and Bar in New Orleans. Their roast beef po’boy is a must-try, available hot or cold with your choice of three toppings from a variety of options like banana peppers, honey mustard, and cheese. For a hearty meal, go for The Big Bear, loaded with extra roast beef, sautéed mushrooms and onions, Swiss cheese, and creamy horseradish on an onion roll. At Hofbrau in Morro Bay, California, enjoy a picturesque view while indulging in their French dip sandwich made with tender roasted top round dipped in rich au jus. The Wheel Inn in Watertown, South Dakota, offers a comforting hot beef combination, featuring sliced roasted beef layered between fluffy white bread and topped with real mashed potatoes and savory beef gravy. In Blacksburg, Virginia, visit Abby’s Restaurant & Bar for their signature Abby’s Special roast beef sandwich, served with slow-roasted beef on a kaiser roll and a side of horseradish or barbecue sauce. Whether you prefer your sandwich hot or cold, Abby’s has you covered. Experience these delicious dishes and more by signing up for our free newsletters for additional restaurant guides and dining tips.
