The 5 Best Sandwiches In Los Angeles

So you’re stuck in L.A. traffic, your belly is rumbling and you’re craving a satisfying delicious sandwich. Well, here are 5 suggestions from THE FIRE WIRE that will have you thanking me.

Please note that this list is in no particular order and I’m sure that I missed a bunch of great places that you are free to add via a comment below.

I alleviated burgers and hot dogs; they will appear on future lists. Grab a napkin before reading this as you may drool…

1.) Philippe’s Original French Dip

Philippe’s “French Dipped Sandwich” ($6.75) is the specialty of the house and consists of either roast beef, roast pork, leg of lamb, turkey or ham served on a lightly textured, freshly baked French roll which has been dipped in the natural gravy of the roasts (First timers should start with the roast beef).  Singled dipped gets the top roll juicy, double dipped = top and bottom of the roll.

Swiss, American, Monterey Jack or Blue cheese may be added (I like the Swiss). To accompany your sandwich they offer a tart, tangy cole slaw, homemade potato and macaroni salads and large Kosher style, sour dill or sweet pickles. Try their homemade mustard which complements the sandwich to perfection. Remember, “it’s hot, but good.

Cash only, paper plates and communal tables with some booths.

Philippe the Original
1001 N Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-3781

2. The Oinkster’s Old Fashioned Chicken Salad Sandwich

You can’t go wrong at this place, everything is good. I recommend

The Oinkster’s old fashioned chicken salad sandwich ($6.75) contains pulled roast chicken, house made bread-and-butter pickles, topped with mayonnaise, tomato and onion on focaccia bread.

Also try the Oinkster Pastrami and the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich.

The Oinkster
2005 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 255-6465
Hollywood location coming soon!

3. Porto’s Cubano Sandwich & Ropa Vieja Sandwich

Porto’s has three locations that are always crowded but the lines move fast. Save room for the delicious baked goods.

This is a toss up between the Cubano Sandwich and the Ropa vieja sandwich.

The cubano ($4.85) features slices of slow roasted pork, savory ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, butter with a mustard and mayonnaise mix on crusty cuban bread served with a side of addictive plantain chips.

The Ropa vieja ($6.70) sandwich is loaded with traditional Cuban style shredded beef, bell peppers, onions, and tomato sauce on Cuban bread also served with plantain chips.Eat half, enjoy and dessert and then enjoy the other half as a midnight snack!

Porto’s Burbank
3614 West Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 846-9100

Porto’s Glendale
315 N Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 956-5996

Porto’s Downey
8233 Firestone Blvd.
Downey, CA 90241
(562) 862-8888

4. Mendicino Farms Philly Cheesesteak Pretzel Melt

Sophisticated wine country inspired ingredients composed with a fine dining approach to flavor pairing make Mendocino Farms the premier eco-artisan sandwich concept.

My pick is the Philly Cheesesteak Pretzel Melt…savor the homemade spice rubbed shaved roast beef with gooey smoked gouda fondue cheese, caramelized onions, spicy pickled peppers on a panini grilled Dolci Forno pretzel roll. THE BOMB!!!

Pair it with one of their hearty soups or delicious sides such as spicy Giardiniera potato salad, Drake Farm’s feta with basil pesto shells or almond Romesco shells with roasted peppers (YUM!)

Mendicino Farms
175 S. Fairfax Ave Suite B
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323)934-4261

Mendicino Farms
California Plaza
300 South Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 620-1114

Mendicino Farms
Citibank Building
444 S. Flower St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213)627-3262

Mendicino Farms
735. S. Figueroa Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213)430-9040

5. Bay Cities Italian Deli Godmother Sub

Since 1925, Bay Cities Italian Deli has specialized in homemade, authentic Italian specialties, like freshly baked pasta dishes and mouth watering sandwiches.

The meatball sub is great but if I had to pick only one sandwich, the I would go with the Godmother ($6.60 small / $8.80 large)! Mountains of Genoa salami, mortadella coppacola, ham, prosciutto, tangy provolone on Italian bread that is baked daily. If you ask for the works then it comes with mayo, mustard (yellow, honey or dijon), onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, Italian dressing and mild or hot pepper salad. I like mine with light mayo, all the veggies, oil and mild pepper salad…Delizioso!

Bay Cities Italian Deli
1517 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-8279