The Best Sandwiches in San Jose to Try in 2024!
San Jose offers a wide variety of delicious sandwiches, from the classic deli sandwiches at La Villa Delicatessen, which has been serving quality meats and cheeses since 1968, to the freshly baked artisan sandwiches at Freshly Baked Eatery, which uses high-quality ingredients. If you’re looking for a hearty, overstuffed sandwich, head to Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop, known for its generous portions like the French Dip with roast beef and melty Swiss. And for a taste of Vietnamese-style banh mi sandwiches, stuffed with ingredients like lemongrass pork, check out Banh Mi Oven. Check out some of the best sandwiches in San Jose!
Zanotto’s
Zanotto’s is a locally owned grocery chain that has a stellar deli counter. You can build your own sandwich with their variety of bread, meats and cheese. Each sandwich is handmade but the quality of the meats makes the sandwiches a way better choice than Subway or Togo’s.
Zanottos also has a selection of premade paninis and baguette sandwiches that can be heated up and purchased. We recommend grabbing the Brown Bag Combo which includes a sandwich, a side of one of their deli salads, a cookie, and a soft drink. Because it’s a grocery store, Zanotto’s has a variety of beverages and desserts.
Zanottos has a personable staff and the location in Willow Glen has a large parking lot for visitors.
Address: 1421 Foxworthy Ave San Jose, CA 95118
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches is a casual counter-serve chain with sandwiches using a legendary “dirty sauce” & freshly baked bread. They have a huge menu with over 800 sandwiches, including options for meat lovers, vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten sensitivities.
Some of their most popular sandwiches include the “Dirty Ike” (roast beef, turkey, ham, and Swiss cheese with Ike’s secret sauce), the “Meat Tornado” (pastrami, roast beef, corned beef, and salami), and the “Ike’s Veggie” (avocado, cucumber, sprouts, tomato, and hummus).
Ike’s is part of a very busy shopping center so there is parking nearby. Make sure to join the rewards club for discounts!
Address: 91 Curtner Ave Suite 20, San Jose, CA 95125
Mr. Pickles
Mr. Pickles is one of the best sandwich spots in South San Jose. Meat lovers will love their large roast beef and pastrami sandwich here and they also have a garlic oil that sounds strange but it’s great for dipping your sandwich in! Our favorite sandwich is the “Listen Linda” which has turkey breast, bacon, swiss, avocado + “The Works” on their Dutch crunch bread which they bake on-site.
Mr. Pickles has a friendly staff and each sandwich comes with a freshly baked cookie which was a sweet surprise. The shop is clean and there are tables indoors and outdoors making it a great place for a quick bite. There is a variety of drinks and a good selection of chips.
This particular location is attached to a large parking lot so parking isn’t an issue. Make sure to join their rewards club for discounts!
Address: 6005 Snell Ave San Jose, CA 95123
Freshly Baked
Freshly Baked Eatery is a long-running cash-only lunchtime sourdough eatery offering hot & cold sandwiches on housemade bread in downtown San Jose. They have a variety of sandwiches on their menu, including classics like the Turkey, Roast Beef, and Country Ham and Turkey, as well as more unique options like the Pastrami and Turkey and the Country Ham and Roast Beef. They also have a selection of cheeses, salads, and soups.
Freshly Baked is worth the hassle of parking because they bake their sourdough bread. Their bread competes with any bakery in San Francisco producing sourdough.
As for parking, there are a few options in the area. There is a metered parking lot on the corner of 3rd and San Carlos streets, as well as street parking on 3rd Street and the surrounding streets. There is also a parking garage at the San Jose Tech Museum, which is a short walk from Freshly Baked Eatery.
Address: 152 N 3rd St Ste 101 San Jose, CA 95112
La Villa
San Jose’s iconic Italian deli has mouthwatering sandwiches. This deli is well known and famous for its fresh, handmade ravioli and sandwiches. It’s very small and intimate, with a nice selection of authentic and imported Italian goods and a hot bar and deli counter filled with lots of appetizing food. Try the Chris Combo which has ham, capicola, genoa salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pepperoncini.
The “Death” Sandwich is a triple meatball, double provolone, grilled onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Make sure you try any one of their toasted sandwiches because of the combo of fresh ingredients and fresh mozzarella.
There is a small parking lot that is dedicated to La Villa patrons but it’s often filled which leaves street parking. The shop is too small for tables but in the warmer months, La Villa will set up a tent for people to eat outdoors.
Address:1319 Lincoln Ave San Jose, CA 95125
Egghead Sando Cafe
Egghead Sando Cafe is the ultimate destination in San Jose for the tastiest breakfast sandwich. Located in South San Jose near Moonbeans, a popular coffee shop in San Jose, Egghead Sando Cafe is a casual restaurant known for selling breakfast sandwiches with fluffy eggs and a variety of breakfast meats.
Here are some of the items they sell:
- Breakfast sandwiches: These include the B.E.C. (bacon, egg, and cheddar), the Hawaiian Morning (spam, egg, and cheese), and the Ultimate Sando (three eggs, sausage, avocado, and caramel onion).
- Specialty sandwiches: These include The Chic (fried chicken, egg, and house sauce) and The Eggy (poached egg on potato puree with bacon and chives).
- Sides: They have tater tots, breakfast potatoes, and fruit cups.
As for parking, there is a parking lot in front of the store, as well as street parking on the surrounding streets.
Address: 6201 Santa Teresa Blvd San Jose, CA 95119
Banh Mi Oven
Banh Mi Oven is the go-to place for the best banh mi sandwiches in San Jose and a local favorite amongst the nearby community. A banh mi is a sandwich consisting of a baguette (traditionally baked with both rice and wheat flour) filled with a variety of ingredients, typically including meat, pickled vegetables, and chili peppers.
The sandwiches at Banh Mi Oven have inventive flavor combinations and are large and fairly affordable since they start at $10. This location is unique in that you order at the self-serve kiosk but then you bring your receipt up to the cashier to get your meal.
The ingredients and breads taste fresh and they seem to have their system down since the wait for a bahn mi isn’t too long. Banh Mi Oven also sells drinks, snacks, chips, and desserts.
Address: 1210 Story Rd San Jose, CA 95122
Tacos El Comps Taqueria
The tortas at Tacos El Compa are really good. A torta is a Mexican sandwich made with a crusty roll filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables. The most common fillings include milanesa (thinly sliced, breaded steak), pierna (adobo-marinated pork), carnitas (braised pork), and jamón (ham). Tortas can also be filled with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, and salsa.
Tacos El Compa Taqueria has some of the best tacos in San Jose AND one of the best torta sandwiches in San Jose. Their torta cubana is made with ham, pork, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, and mayo. It is served on a toasted roll.
This is a really popular spot and while the parking lot is large, the seating area inside isn’t. Most patrons get their orders to go!
Address: 1321 Blossom Hill Rd San Jose, CA 95118
