The best sandwiches in Los Angeles

What is it? Sandwich shop by day, neighborhood bistro by night, this Echo Park darling from a Chi Spacca alum is slinging sandwiches you won't find anywhere else.

Why we love it: You'd be right to assume that any sandwich place in Echo Park is going to have at least one or two vegetarian options on its menu. But you might be surprised to find that one of these sandwiches would change the way you thought about its meat-centric cousin. We're talking about the French dip, or rather, the mushroom dip. In it: comté, caramelized and pickled onion, methi, aioli, and perfectly sautéed mushrooms (obvi). Like all its other sandos, Henrietta's shining star-wich comes on Clark Street ciabatta, baked daily. And in proper dip fashion, it's served alongside mushroom jus. Double-dipping is highly encouraged. Yes, this is an exalted sandwich, but by no means should the vegetarian overlook the grilled broccolini with housemade romesco and dates panini that's crunchy, zesty and sweet all at once. For the meatheads, Henrietta's also packing a turkey porchetta with bread and butter fennel; a rendition of the Italian (The Shredder) with spicy capicola, Comté, and dill pickle; and a thiiick Mary's chicken Milanese with radicchio, Caesar aioli, caciocavallo, and parmesan.

Time Out tip: Those gigante beans you spy in the cold case? Get 'em. And also the asparagus and avocado "salad" with quinoa, radish, tahini, sesame, and flax-ginger dressing.

Address: 343 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Mon, Thu–Sun 11:30am-9:30pm

What is it? A sister-run wine, cheese, and charcuterie shop that uses its world-class sourcing to quietly churn out some of the finest sandwiches in Santa Monica.

Why we love it: Available only for walk-in orders from noon to 3pm, Tuesday through Sunday, the seasonal creations incorporate produce from the famous nearby Santa Monica Farmers’ Market, plus sliced bread from Bub and Grandma’s and baguettes from Clark Street Bakery. Enjoy evergreen standouts like the Hot Girl Salami and the Talk to Me Goose (mortadella, aged cheese, hot pepper relish, pepperoncinis, shaved onions and dill pickle) year-round.

Time Out tip: In the summer, we look forward to the Venice Cowgirl, which is currently featuring peaches, apricot-habanero jam, basil, and luscious Cowgirl Creamery triple-cream cheese to create the perfect sweet, peppery sandwich.

Address: 828 Pico Blvd Suite 2, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 11-4pm

What is it? An L.A. institution and James Beard-winning Jewish deli has been going strong since 1947. 

Why we love it: Langer’s always hits the spot thanks to hot, hand-cut pastrami from recipes that’ve been passed down for generations. There are plenty of other deli classics here, too, but the #19 is in and of itself a local icon, and is easily one of the most quintessential sandwiches in the city: hot pastrami with Swiss, slaw and Russian-style dressing on rye, stacked and thick and juicy. Settle into a booth and enjoy the time warp feeling the dining room evokes. 

Time Out tip: Accompany said #19 with either a matzo ball or chicken noodle soup.  

Address: 704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am-4pm 

What is it? The sandwiches at this Glassell Park new-school deli have compelled carb-loving Angelenos to turn up in droves, and once you try one, you'll understand why.

What is it: For years, this wholesale bakery has laid the groundwork for many of L.A.'s best sandwiches, so it comes as no surprise that Bub and Grandma's new-school Glassell Park deli crafts even better ones in-house—  simple egg and cheese, only served before 11am; a creamy tuna salad on a warm yellow brioche; and an all-around excellent rotating sandwich selection.

Time Out tip: Ask about the off-menu muffaletta, packed full of olives, cold cuts and cheese. And know that the wait for a table can be punishing, even on weekdays—come early or be ready to linger.

Address: 3507 N Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Opening hours: Mon 8am-3pm, 5-10pm; Tue-Sat 8am-3pm; Sun 8am-3pm, 5-10pm 

What is it? A popular South L.A. food truck where massive rolls of telera—the traditional Mexican torta roll—rule the day.

Why we love it: The most popular sandwich here is the torta Cubano, a meaty mix of ham, milanesa (breaded beef cutlet), chorizo, scrambled egg, hot dogs, pork leg, and a few kinds of cheese (including head cheese), plus avocado, jalapeños and tomato. Plan accordingly: the truck opens most days after 4pm. Regardless of which Mexico City-style sandwich you get, however, the cheese manages to melt from the freshly cooked meat, melding the entire sandwich together into a wondrous smorgasbord of texture and flavor.

Time Out tip: Any sandwich here is a messy affair, so maybe wait for the fifth date to bring someone you’re trying to impress with your culinary prowess here. 

Address: 1098 E 41st St, Los Angeles, CA 90011

Opening hours: Mon 3-10:30pm; Thu-Sun 3-10:30pm

What is it? A breezy, all-day Santa Monica café where high-quality Italian imports land in a charming, string-lit patio for one of the best Tuscan-style focaccia sandwich experiences in town.

Why we love it: Down the street from the ever-popular Bread Head (and with a second location in The Grove), Sogno Toscano quietly slings hyper-authentic schiacciate built on airy focaccia from Culver City’s Bianca Bakery and stuffed with the finest charcuterie and cheese possible. The price tag reflects that premium quality—sandwiches start at $26, with a wagyu pastrami combo hitting $35—but given their massive size (one sandwich and a salad easily makes a meal for two), you’re getting your money’s worth. The absolute standout is the Tuscan tuna, loaded with yellowfin tuna conserva, lemon aioli, cornichons, and bright O’vesuvio tomatoes. That said, you can’t go wrong with any of the plethora of prosciutto di Parma, prosciutto cotto, or silky mortadella and stracciatella options. Cap off your meal with a masterfully executed cappuccino that’s among the best you'll find outside of Italy.

Time Out tip: Ask your server about the special schiacciate of the week. If you're dropping by for a weekday lunch (Monday through Thursday until 4pm), you can score a $29 combo that pairs half a sandwich with a soup or salad (I recommend the artichoke arugula). 

Address: 1512 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11am–10pm; Fri 11am–11pm; Sat, Sun 9am–10pm

What is it? A quintessential, perpetually packed Venice mainstay that operates as an artisanal bakery and high-end deli hybrid. 

Why we love it: There are endless reasons why this spot has firmly cemented its place on every food lover's L.A. hitlist. Exhibit A: the epic brisket butcher sandwich, which gloriously packs a heaping portion of tender, smoked brisket inside an equally glorious house-baked baguette (one of the best in town), served alongside a rich natural jus for dipping. Exhibit B: a majestic croque madame built on sourdough with house-cured ham, oozing with velvety mornay sauce and a perfectly runny yolk that satisfies any craving for pure decadence. Exhibit C: a tuna conserva, also on sourdough, layered with olive tapenade, sprouts, pickled cucumbers and roasted peppers that will ruin most other conserva sandwiches. We could keep going, but we’ll leave you with this: you can also build your own custom fish or meat sandwich with any of their freshly baked breads or bagels, excellent spreads (I love the scallion labneh), and house-smoked and cured meats and fish (opt for the beet gravlax when it's available). 

Time Out tip: Paté lovers beware… while the banh mi Americano sounds dreamy, it features too thick of a slab of paté to be entirely palatable (in my humble Spanish opinion). Instead, opt for the pâté baguette, which perfectly balances the rich spread with sharp mustard, pickled red onion, and peppery arugula.

Address: 320 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Opening hours: Daily 7am–4pm

What is it? Jordan Snyder and Alex Williams's artisanal sandwich shop is an indispensable lunchtime destination along Montana Avenue—and while the square footage might be limited, the ample flavors and attention to detail make Bread Head a worthwhile daytime dining destination.

Why we love it: The beautiful, impossibly crackly focaccia crust and high-quality ingredients make every bit of difference here. Made fresh daily, each focaccia slice's golden, buttery half combines with high-quality meats, luscious cheeses and a mélange of flavorful spreads. While the Combo Grinder (Bread Head's take on a classic Italian sub) is an obvious choice, their vegetarian option with fresh ovoline mozzarella, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, pickled red onion, and za’atar spread gives all their meaty sammies a run for their money. 

Time Out tip: If you’re not a cold sandwich type, Bread Head’s got you covered with their daily sandwich special, which features hot classics every day of the week. E.g., meatball parmesan Mondays; pork and broccoli rabe Tuesdays; Cuban sandwich Wednesdays; reuben Thursdays; and sausage and pepper Fridays.

Address: 1518 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Daily 11am-7pm

What is it? An iconic, historic downtown institution (in business since 1908) that claims to have invented the legendary French dip sandwich, slinging traditional beef, lamb, pork, or turkey fillings on fresh rolls.

Why we love it: Whether or not you buy the origin story, there’s no denying the eatery slings an exemplary sandwich. Savvy customers make their way across the sawdust-covered floor to select a traditional lamb, beef or turkey filling. Round out your tray with classic sides like coleslaw, macaroni salad, or a pickled egg.

Time Out tip: Always ask your server to "double-dip" the bread for maximum flavor, and proceed with caution when applying the famously sinus-clearing house mustard. 

Address: 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm 

What is it? The city’s longest-running Italian deli—founded 100 years ago, though its Santa Monica outpost opened in the ‘70s—is pumping out freshly baked bread every half hour.  

Why we love it: The Godmother at Bay Cities is one of those dishes that you have to try before you can really call yourself an Angeleno. Piled high with salami, mortadella, prosciutto, coppa, ham, provolone cheese, mild or spicy peppers and served on freshly baked, housemade bread, it's a sandwich that draws lines almost every hour of the day. There is a shortcut, though: order from Bay Cities' website and pick up your colossal sandwich instead. Inside, a gourmet market offers Italian specialty foods, like fresh pasta, olive oil and cheeses. But really, you're going to come here and not get a sandwich? Fuggeddaboudit.

Time Out tip: To round out your meal, order a cold pasta salad or two from the cold case.

Address: 1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 9am-6pm

What is it? Don't let the name fool you—this gourmet sandwich counter hidden in the back of an exceptional neighborhood wine and spirits shop churns out high-end, Italian countryside-style sandwiches on your choice of pillowy ciabatta or a crispy baguette.

Why we love it: A tight, curated menu of just seven options manages to deliver across the entire sandwich spectrum. High-end highlights include the sopressata salami with manchego and sundried tomato spread, but the true MVP is the homemade tuna salad sandwich with Emmental cheese, which sells out every single day (unless it's Coachella weekend). Our take on the bread debate? Opt for the shatteringly crisp baguette over the denser ciabatta without hesitation. Properly topped off with EVOO and balsamic, and served with a little side of salt-cured olives and crunchy cornichons, these builds leave just one question: need we say more?

Time Out tip: Call ahead to place your order. It's the only foolproof way to beat the inevitable lunch line and guarantee yourself that coveted tuna sandwich before it sells out.

Address: 223 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am–5pm 

What is it? A legendary, old-school Pasadena Italian deli run by an octogenarian master who serves exactly one thing: a single, no-frills $7 specialty known simply as “the Sandwich.”

Why we love it: It’s remarkably simple, and simply perfect. There’s absolutely no room for pickles or peppers to muck up the meaty simplicity here; instead, you get paper-thin slices of mortadella, capocollo, and salami topped with provolone and a perfect olive oil drizzle on a homemade crackly roll.

Time Out tip: Don’t even try to ask for modifications or substitutions. Grab your wrapped sandwich straight from the counter, bring cash, and consider picking up some imported pasta from the grocery shelves while you're there.

Address: 918 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

Opening hours: Daily 9am-5:30pm

What is it? Chef-owner Mikael Choukroun’s exceptional Italian sandwich shop at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue specializes in the ultra-trendy Tuscan flatbread sandwiches known as schiacciata. 

Why we love it: Very few of the city's current focaccia-style spots match Mamie's level of consistency and daily excellence. The bread is baked fresh in-house daily, with piping-hot new loaves sliding out of the oven every two hours to support top-tier fillings that range from classic cured guanciale and mortadella to rich tuna conserva. Our absolute favorite build is the Viale Di Parma—a masterclass in flavor balance combining Prosciutto di Parma, fig jam, creamy gorgonzola, baby arugula, and chopped pistachios.

Time Out tip: These hefty sandwiches run in the $17 to $27 range, but they are easily massive enough to split between two people. Just be prepared to navigate a fairly tricky parking situation when making the pit stop. 

Address: 7900 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Opening hours: Daily 11am-5pm 

What is it? A family-run Chinatown staple spanning generations, slinging excellent hot and cold old-school Italian subs for over 60 years.

Why we love it: You can still get the same textbook combination of mortadella, salami, capicola, and provolone that originally put them on the map, alongside a host of generously portioned hot options filled with meatballs, sausage, or a mean eggplant parm. Our top recommendation is the spicy Italian cold cut, which adds the perfect amount of hot peppers to the mix.

Time Out tip: If you want a break from the classics, check out their newer Chicago-style Italian beef—a popular addition inspired by The Bear. Keep in mind that these massive hot sandwiches are heavy enough that you can easily share one with a friend.

Address: 1013 Alpine St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm 

What is it? Tucked away in a garden-patio oasis just south of UCLA, this delightful sandwich shop takes complex Persian cuisine and serves it in the middle of a simple American-style hoagie.

Why we love it: You’re mainly here for the rightfully famous beef tongue sandwich, which is braised until incredibly soft and wonderfully seasoned with spices and saffron. But the eggy, fragrant kuku sabzi or the koobideh—available with your choice of juicy minced chicken or beef and grilled basil—are easily just as good. Every option comes beautifully dressed with tomato, mayo, pickles, and a fresh lettuce-and-parsley mix that cuts through the rich proteins.

Time Out tip: If you are feeling adventurous, the braised lamb brain sandwich is a stellar foray into offal. Keep in mind that the small patio can get packed with passionate fans on major soccer match days, so order ahead if you're looking to grab your hoagie to go. 

Address: 1388 Westwood Blvd #101, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am-7pm

What is it? A no-frills, cash-only Rosemead staple serving up some of the absolute best, most affordable banh mi in Los Angeles on freshly baked French rolls and crispy, chewy baguettes.

Why we love it: The housemade bread makes every bit of difference here. It arrives nicely warmed, generously slathered with housemade pâté and mayonnaise, and skips the traditional cucumbers to pile on the fresh jalapeño slices and pickled vegetables—particularly on the banh mi dac biet (the classic cold cut trio). Plus, at around $6 a sandwich, the price truly can't be beat. While you’re paying cash at the counter, make it a full feast and pick up some of their summer rolls, banh beo (savory steamed tapioca rice cakes), or a few trays of Vietnamese sweets to take home.

Time Out tip: If you specifically crave chargrilled lemongrass pork, Banh Mi My Tho right across the street is the move. 

Address: 8968 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770

Opening hours: Daily 6am-5pm 

What is it? A chef-driven Koreatown café and natural wine market that specializes in delicious riffs on the city’s immigrant cuisines, all sandwiched between two slices of bread.

Why we love it: Made with Clark Street baguettes and housemade milkbread, Open Market’s gluten-anchored spins on Thai satay (the Olympic), Hainan chicken (the Alhambra) and Korean kimbap (the Kenmore) distill an array of second-generation foodways into an excellent lunch. The most popular item, however, is the Normandie, which draws inspiration from Phillipe’s famous French dip.

Time Out tip: A separate natural wine and market section stocks artisan goods like Awan ice cream, and best of all (at least for those not within walking distance), there are two hours of free validated parking in the underground lot just off Catalina.

Address: 3339 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun 8am-3pm 

What is it? A cheery, daytime-only Italian café in Silver Lake run by chef-owners Francesco Lucatorto and Francesca Pistorio, showcasing spectacular, Genovese-style focaccia sandwiches. 

Why we love it: While the neighborhood has plenty of great sandwich contenders, Ceci’s outshines them all thanks to crowdsourced recipes from Francesco and Francesca’s friends’ family traditions, including a decades-old one for a crackly, bright yellow focaccia. The flatbread comes stuffed with comforting fillings like meatballs, zucchini parm, or a delightfully tangy, plant-based caponata. But the absolute showstopper is the house special Il Mortazza—a one-in-a-million combination of imported mortadella, pickled eggplant, burrata, and arugula that hits every single flavor note of creamy, fatty, earthy, and acid all at once.

Time Out tip: Don't leave without hitting the nonna-approved pastry case, or grab one of their take-home pasta trays to make your weeknight dinner completely effortless.

Address: 2813, 2815 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Daily 8am-3pm 

What is it? Part of Highland Park’s new culinary guard, chef Jeff Strauss’s permanent pop-up hidden inside the Flask liquor store serves up a wildly delicious, deeply comforting lineup of one-of-a-kind sandwiches.

Why we love it: A chaotic mash-up of global ingredients like kimchi, ham, and manchego (the Kold Kim Cheezy) or chili crisp, Persian cucumber, and crispy shallots (the Hainan-Style Turkey Salad) fold beautifully into the shop’s signature creations. For something a little more classic, order the Jubano, which combines thin-sliced smoked pork shoulder with hand-cut pastrami, melted Comte cheese, pickle slices, mustard, and aioli; you’ll probably need to take a nap afterward, but these indulgent sandwiches make it all feel worth it.

Time Out tip: When prompted if you’d like to make your Jubano spicy, the answer is f yes. 

Address: 5900 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Opening hours: Daily 11am-3pm 

What is it? A New Orleans-style deli and Southern market hidden in the heart of Chinatown, dedicated to importing Cajun delicacies and churning out some of the finest, most authentic po’boys this side of the Mississippi (or at least L.A.).

Why we love it: The po’boys—NOLA’s famed sandwiches that hold fried mollusks or crustaceans in a “dressed” remoulade-coated long bun—are the primary draw here, but Little Jewel serves a wide variety of deli goods, including an excellent muffaletta, as well as simpler ham, turkey, and sausage options.

Time Out tip: The portions here are famously massive, so come hungry or plan to split a sandwich with a friend. Before you head to the register, take time to browse the grocery shelves to stock up on hard-to-find Southern pantry staples, regional hot sauces, and authentic Louisiana chicory coffee.

Address: 207 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10:30am–3:30pm; Sat 12:15–8pm, 8:15–10:30pm; Sun 12:15–7pm, 7:15–10:30pm

What is it? A Highland Park vegan deli owned by chef Maciel Bañales Luna and her husband, Joe Egender, specializing in fully plant-based, housemade deli “meat” sandwiches and classic breakfast items.

Why we love it: The storefront offers fully plant-based takes on classics, including a delicious Italian cold-cut sandwich made with vegan cheese from Follow Your Heart. Before noon, there’s a delicious breakfast burrito and vanilla cinnamon French toast, and a small selection of desserts and sides (we recommend the chicharrones made with tofu skin).

Time Out tip: Don't leave empty-handed. Head to the cold case toward the back of the shop if you’re interested in bringing home a taste of Maciel’s.

Address: 5933 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8:30am-8:30pm

What is it? A family-run Mid-City storefront slinging deeply authentic, East Coast-style cheesesteaks, traditional slow-roasted pork sandos, and all-day breakfast staples that provide a true taste of Philadelphia.

Why we love it: They’re made with hoagie rolls flown in from Philly and can be modded out with your choice of Cheez Whiz, white American or provolone. But South Philly Experience doesn’t stop there: The slow-roasted pork sandwich (also available with broccoli rabe) and the saucy chicken parm will cure homesickness for any East Coast transplant. 

Time Out tip: The shop also stocks Taylor pork roll for the ultimate East Coast all-day breakfast sandwich, and offers local delivery as well. How’s that for a one-stop (sandwich) shop?

Address: 5408 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Opening hours: Tue 11am-8pm; Wed 11am-4pm; Thu-Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 11am-6pm

What is it? A beloved Van Nuys lunch staple specializing in absolutely gargantuan, perfectly constructed Puebla-style cemitas.

Why we love it: While you can easily find a decent version of these regional sandwiches at neighborhood taco trucks, Don Adrian’s creations punch well above their weight class. Every towering sandwich comes stuffed with ultra-ripe avocado, queso fresco, onions, salsa, and your choice of meat—all elevated by a generous layer of stretchy, pulled Oaxacan string cheese. First-timers should default to the thin, crispy milanesa lomo de puerco (pork loin) or the classic beef milanesa, but the menu also offers plenty of room to diversify with traditional options like queso de puerco (head cheese), pata de res (beef tendon) and cecina adobada (marinated steak).

Time Out tip: There are also a few tofu-based options for vegetarians and vegans.

Address: 14902 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91411

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 10am-7pm

What is it? A revivalist, new-school deli in West Adams serving exceptional, juicy pastrami sandwiches that live up to the legacy of the original Johnny’s Pastrami.

Why we love it: Though the new Johnny’s has added a few Jewish deli-inspired items, the juicy, flavorful pastrami sandwiches are still the main focus here. While you can continue to get the French dip-style version that uses thinly cut pastrami, the move here is the thick-cut pastrami served on Tartine marble rye, which can be further jazzed up with reuben toppings, mustard or coleslaw. 

Time Out tip: The sandwich makes for a satisfying meal, especially when paired with drinks from the bar next door, but it’s also a particularly great midnight snack, which is when Johnny’s closes. 

Address: 4327 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-11pm

What is it? Located at the intersection of Broadway and Ord, this classic cash-only Chinatown staple splits its duties as a vibrant produce stall and an old-school Vietnamese sandwich shop, offering some of the most affordable, delicious banh mi in L.A. proper.

Why we love it: The sandwiches are sizable and only $5 a piece, with fillings such as grilled pork (sausage), chicken, pâté, or pork with skin, and they all involve cilantro, jalapeño, shredded carrot and pickled radish on a crusty French loaf. Make it a meal by adding a bottle of fresh, locally made soy milk or some fresh fruit, and you’ll still find yourself below $10. Just remember: This spot is cash-only.

Time Out tip: The Vietnamese sandwich shop and produce stall also offer inexpensive fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of colors to supplement their banh mi in a range of options.

Address: 314 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-6pm

What is it? Professional sandwich slinger Daniel Son’s Chinatown brick-and-mortar following a successful run at Smorgasburg L.A. 

Why we love it: Paired with excellent housemade milk bread, these Japanese-style sandwiches shine thanks to high-quality ingredients and a unique honey walnut shrimp katsu. If you’re in a rush, head to the konbini-inspired grab-and-go fridge, which stocks egg salad and dessert sandos tightly packed with seasonal fruit and whipped cream. 

Time Out tip: Katsu Sando stays open until 8pm, so you can also drop by here if you’re craving a handheld for dinner. Note that the San Gabriel location sadly shuttered its doors in March. 

Address: 736 N Broadway #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am-8pm

What is it? A San Fernando Valley deli institution with two bustling locations—Northridge and Westlake Village—that are consistently packed to the gills for what is easily the finest pastrami in the Valley, and some of the best in all of Los Angeles.

Why we love it: Choose between the standard pastrami, which is available on its own, and the cult favorite Black Pastrami Reuben, which seems to be what everyone orders here. Slices of the brined, smoked and steamed meat with extra seasoned edges are piled between a layer each of Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and two slices of grilled rye bread.

Time Out tip: Request extra-lean or even fatty meat if that's what you prefer in your pastrami, but one thing we love about Brent's pastrami is that it's flavorful and juicy without any residual grease.

Address: 19565 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA 91324

Opening hours: Daily 8am-8pm

What is it? A tiny Woodland Hills sandwich shop that has been beloved far and wide for four decades and counting, thanks to its encyclopedic menu of maximalist, overstuffed subs.

Why we love it: True to its name, the handhelds here are indeed super—stuffed with everything from the likes of pastrami, bacon, provolone, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, jalapeños and spicy mayo (the L.A. Street Pastrami) to lean roast beef, bacon, turkey, ham, provolone, cheddar, avocado, pickles, mild peppers and more (the Flying Dutchman). Having a sammie party? Dan’s has super party subs ranging from three to six feet (feeding 10-24 people, respectively, for $72 or $144). 

Time Out tip: The no-frills dining room gets packed during lunchtime, so if you’re in a hurry, it’s best to order ahead online or over the phone.

Address: 22446 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

What is it? A North Hollywood gem serving unique Armenian-influenced subs, salads and wraps. 

Why we love it: Classic sandwich fillings like egg salad, roast chicken and pastrami are given a twist with Armenian-influenced seasonings, sauces, pickles and peppers. Wholly original sandwiches like the ground turkey patty with basil (Kotlette), or shredded chicken with serrano chiles (Foreman's Special), are served—like the classics—on a fresh-baked Armenian soft roll.

Time Out tip: If it's your first time, we recommend the Ben's pastrami or the slightly spicy Kobi Dan, which comes in a pita wrap.

Address: 4795 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91602

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am-6pm; Sat 11am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm

What is it? Founded by owners Benjamin Sales and Goga Kehkejian, this viral Dutch crunch specialist has quickly expanded from its Melrose Avenue flagship to various locales ranging from Toluca Lake to El Segundo.

Why we love it: Unlike the vast majority of L.A. restaurants that blow up on TikTok, Ghost Sando Shop actually lives up to the hype. The secret lies in their extra-delicious housemade bread and excellent signature spreads. Every creation comes stuffed to the absolute brim with premium meats, whether you're opting for the classic Black Forest ham, Top Round pastrami, or chicken drenched Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ. 

Time Out tip: While they run a massive takeout and delivery operation, nothing beats the freshness of an in-person handheld. 

Address: 7801 Melrose Ave Unit 1 A, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Opening hours: Daily 8am-7pm