17 of Birmingham’s Most Epic Deli Sandwiches
Birmingham's food scene never disappoints, and lately, we're marveling at the options local eateries are serving up between slices of bread! How many of these epic sandwich orders have you tried? Image: Facebook / Paramount BHAM
Birmingham’s food scene has something for every craving, with beloved Southern staples, award-worthy dining, and a growing roster of food trucks. But today, we’re focusing on one of our favorite ways to eat: sandwiches piled high with mouthwatering fillings and tucked between two slices of bread. Add these epic sandwich orders to your must-try list!
Pastrami | Smiley Brothers
Neighborhood: Pelham
More Info: smileybrothersfoods.com
Hubba, hubba. For pastrami lovers, this is it. Worth the short drive to Pelham, the Smiley Brothers pastrami sandwich features Wagyu beef pastrami, Swiss cheese, pickles, deli mustard, and marbled rye bread. The one pictured here is made with double meat, one of the many add-ons available for Smiley Brothers sandwiches. Other decadent add-ons include double cheese, bacon, and pimento cheese.
The Brooklyn | New York Butcher Shoppe
Neighborhoods: Cahaba Heights & Greystone
More Info: nybutcher.com
New York Butcher Shoppe has locations in Cahaba Heights and Greystone, offering up prime cuts of meat, various wines, and prepared foods. But today, we pay homage to their sandwich menu. As you might imagine, their lineup is a carnivore’s dream. Pictured below is The Brooklyn, stacked with layers of prosciutto, capicola, Genoa salami, provolone cheese, and a choice of toppings.
Brisket Panini | Brick & Tin
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Mountain Brook & Cahaba Heights
More Info: brickandtin.com
At all Brick & Tin locations, you can find this monster of a brisket sandwich layered with caramelized onions, white barbecue sauce, and, of course, plenty of braised beef brisket — all between two toasted slices of pain de mie flatbread. Served with a cup of their seasonal soup selections, it doesn’t get much better.
The Fritz | The Garage
Neighborhood: Southside
More Info: Facebook
Served at The Garage, a bar located in an architectural salvage shop courtyard on the southside of Birmingham, this famously HUGE sandwich has a fanbase all its own, and for obvious reasons. Buckle up.
The Fritz comes with roast beef, turkey, ham, pastrami, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and more than its fair share of condiments. Its official menu description is “A sandwich with everything but the kitchen sink or marbles” — and that’s about right. So deliciously right. SB TIP: The Garage is cash-only, so come prepared!
Helen’s Bologna Sandwich | Helen
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: helenbham.com
A bad boy of a sandwich featuring bologna, this one from Helen is a decidedly elevated take on the fried bologna sandwiches of our childhoods. This one is layered up with shaved smoked bologna à la plancha (a cooking method responsible for those beautiful sear marks), pool hall slaw, mustard, mayo, and pickles — all served on a house-made Hawaiian bun.
Mr. P’s Homemade Italian Sausage | Mr. P’s Deli
Neighborhood: Hoover
More Info: mrpdeli.com
This handsome hoagie features Pilleteri’s homemade Italian sausage, thinly sliced and layered generously, then topped with mozzarella cheese and Pilleteri’s BBQ sauce — all presented on a white hoagie bun. If you find that you’re a fan of Pilleteri’s Italian sausage, you can order it by the pound. You can even order Italian sausage-stuffed pork chops!
The John Gotti | T-Bone’s Cheesesteaks and Hoagies
Neighborhood: Bluff Park
More Info: tbonescheesesteaks.com
T-Bone’s is known for its authentic Philly-style sandwiches, so it’s a prime spot when you’re craving a little protein. Pictured here is the John Gotti hoagie, topped with copious amounts of honey-roasted turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions, basil, oregano, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a layer of pickled peppers. (You’ll notice some other familiar names on the T-Bone’s menu: Vito Corleone, Tony Soprano, and Carlo Gambino, to name a few … )
The Muffuletta | Diplomat Deli
Neighborhood: Vestavia Hills
More Info: diplomatdeli.com
Diplomat Deli has an extensive menu of sandwich options, but one quintessential Southern favorite we can’t go without is the Muffuletta. It’s a classic combination of salami, ham, pastrami, Swiss cheese, provolone cheese, mustard, and olive salad on French bread.
At Diplomat, you can order a 1/4 Muffuletta, a 1/2 Muffuletta, or a whole Muffuletta to feed a crowd. (We hear their French onion soup — served only on the weekends — is fabulous, too!)
Weekend Sammies | Son of a Butcher
Neighborhood: Lakeview District
More Info: thesonofabutcher.com
The deli sandwiches at Son of a Butcher are lunches worth planning your week around. While favorite staples like the French-inspired Jambon Beurre, a classic New Orleans Muffuletta, an Italian stacked with cured meats and provolone, and a chicken bacon ranch wrap rotate through the weekday lineup — which changes monthly — Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for creative specials that keep you eager to come back.
One day may bring sliced pork loin with bright citrus slaw and honey mustard on brioche, and the next a brisket piled high with crispy onion rings, barbecue sauce, Dijon, and pickles. Our advice is to arrive hungry — you never know what delicious creation will be waiting.
The Club | Otey’s Tavern
Neighborhoods: Mountain Brook & Homewood
More Info: oteystavern.com
Bacon lovers, lean in! This exact order just might be your new go-to. The three-layer club sandwich at Otey’s Tavern is a tried-and-true combination of turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar cheese, mayo, lettuce, and tomato.
And if you’re really hungry, ask for an order of Ben’s Cheesy Fries on the side — they’re loaded with melted cheddar, mozzarella, and crumbled bacon, and served with buttermilk ranch for good measure. Drooling yet?
Roast Beef Sandwich | Ampersandwich
Neighborhood: Avondale
More Info: eatatampersandwich.com
Ampersandwich serves a variety of deli sandwiches, both classic and specialty. One such specialty sandwich is the roast beef, loaded to the gills with roast beef, Swiss cheese, pickled onion, arugula, horseradish mayo, and a side of beef jus. Quite the mouthful (pun intended).
Mac Melt | MELT
Neighborhoods: Mountain Brook & Hoover
More Info: ilovemelt.com
While MELT is known around Birmingham for its delicious sandwiches, many of them topped with creatively prepared proteins, we’d be remiss not to mention at least one meat-free option. When you’re in the market for something seriously cheesy, order the Mac Melt. It’s two pieces of Texas toast loaded with house-made macaroni and cheese — one of their original offerings!
Momma’s Love | Momma Goldberg’s Deli
Neighborhood: Homewood
More Info: moommagoldbergs.com
If you spent any time in Auburn, chances are Momma Goldberg’s Deli holds a special place in your heart. Thankfully, Birmingham got its own taste of the beloved sandwich shop years ago, making it easy to satisfy those cravings closer to home.
The must-order? Momma’s Love, a signature sandwich layered with roast beef, ham, smoked turkey, Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, brown mustard, and Momma’s signature sauce on a seeded bun before it’s steamed to warm, melty perfection. It’s a sandwich that has inspired decades of loyal fans, and one bite is all it takes to understand why.
PBLT | The Electric
Neighborhood: Bluff Park & Avondale
More Info: theelectricbar.com
At The Electric, the PBLT takes the classic BLT to the next level with a generous layer of pimento cheese, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato, and a swipe of garlic mayo tucked between slices of soft white bread. It’s a simple combination with a seriously delicious upgrade.
Duck Banh Mi | Porch
Neighborhood: Crestline
More Info: porchmb.com
If you’re looking to switch up your usual sandwich order, Porch’s Duck Banh Mi is a must-try. This creative take on the Vietnamese classic features tender duck confit layered with cucumber, jalapeño, pickled carrot-onion slaw, cilantro, and ponzu aioli — all tucked into a toasted hoagie. The result is a delicious balance of bright and zesty flavors that makes this a sandwich you’ll be thinking about long after the last bite.
El Cubano | Urban Cookhouse
Neighborhoods: Crestline, Downtown, Homewood, Hoover & The Summit
More Info: urbancookhouse.com
Craving a sandwich with a little more personality? The El Cubano at Urban Cookhouse delivers. Their take on the Cuban classic combines chipotle-braised pork, grilled ham, provolone, house-made pickles, and mustard before it’s grilled on white bread until warm and golden. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the classic or trying one for the first time, this is one sandwich that deserves a spot in your lunch rotation.
The Three Hander | Paramount
Neighborhoods: Downtown & Homewood
More Info: paramountbirmingham.com
Leave it to Paramount to turn a sandwich into a full-on experience. The Three Hander layers Niman Ranch corned beef with fries, tomato, jalapeños, creamy slaw, dijonaise, and mozzarella on sourdough, creating a tasty mashup of textures and flavors in every bite. While there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Paramount, this over-the-top sandwich may just be the one that earns a return trip.
Hope you’re hungry, BHAM!
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Paige Townley
Paige Townley is a Birmingham native with a soft spot for good stories, interesting people, and beautifully made things. When she's not writing about places that inspire or people who shine, she's likely spending time with her family, planning her next adventure, or cheering on the Crimson Tide.