The sandwich: the original on-the-go meal, one that you’ll find no shortage of when visiting Orlando today. Whether you’re bouncing between theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, or looking for a quick bite before attending one of the area’s many shows, noshing at one of Orlando’s best sandwich shops is a no-brainer. Below, we celebrate the sandwich shops that reign supreme in the Orlando area.
A note before we begin: This article covers lesser-known sandwich joints, but a very special mention goes out to The Earl of Sandwich in Disney Springs. If you’re reading this, you probably already know how awesome their subs are, and you should make sure to stop there on your next visit to Walt Disney World.
1) Pom Pom’s Tea House & Sandwicheria
Sandwicheria is not a word in the English dictionary, making it an appropriate moniker for this offbeat sandwich spot. It’s a tiny tea shop that marches to the beat of its own drum, a fact that is highly celebrated by locals in the know. Regional art garnishes every wall in the restaurant, each piece for sale by the artist. The tea menu is extensive (we’re talking 40 options or more) and thoughtful in its range, from a small pot of steeped rooibos to tall glasses of mocha milk tea. The sandwiches, however, are where Pom Pom’s shines. Try the “Fu Man Chu” with pulled pork and ginger-cranberry chutney, or “The Billy Chang,” a smoked brisket sandwich with blue cheese and strawberry jelly. It’s hard to pinpoint a direction or theme at Pom Pom’s, but to think too hard about it betrays the intended narrative: whimsical, delicious food and a rollicking good time. 67 N. Bumby Ave., (407) 894-0865
2) Yellow Dog Eats
Take a house built at the turn of the 20th century and inject its heart with the spirit of 1967, the summer of love. Colossal personality courses through this establishment’s veins. Amateur graffiti graces nearly every bit of the restaurant’s interior. Of course, there is a VW van eternally parked on the premises. Why yes, those are chickens running around your ankles as you dine. It all makes sense in the Yellow Dog universe. The sandwiches, as well, defy explanation. Consider the “What the Fig?,” which features a mountain of pulled pork, fried onions and a jalapeño-fig sauce, or the “Pigs with Benefits,” starring the aforementioned pulled pork, blue cheese, Cointreau mayonnaise and buffalo sauce. Yellow Dog Eats also offers lighter vegan options. 1236 Hempel Ave., (407) 296-0609
3) Banh Mi Nha Trang
The goal of this article is to introduce you to fun, off-the-beaten-path eateries. They’re small and quirky, but you couldn’t consider many of them “hole-in-the-wall” establishments. That mantle is solely reserved for Banh Mi Nha Trang. Located where North Mills intersects with East Colonial, a sort of Vietnamese estuary for the growing Southeast Asian presence on the Mills 50 strip, this shop is buried in an outdoor mall of small Viet businesses that are located just off the highway. The sandwiches here are exactly what you’re craving. The house-made Viet-French baguettes are delightfully crispy, the đồ chua has a proper quick pickle crunch and the pâté is perfectly pungent. Tip: if you walk in and don’t see the proprietor, be patient. She’s probably in the back making sandwiches. 1216 E Colonial Dr. #9, (407) 346-4549
4) Beefy King
Iggy Pop once proclaimed “I’m looking for American Valhalla.” Someone should probably point him in the direction of Beefy King. While other restaurants on this list may appear unassuming, Beefy King’s façade proclaims its dominance over all other sandwiches with unabashed swagger. A holdover from a bygone era, this establishment has been serving steamed roast beef sandwiches and tater tots since the late 1960s. They offer other menu items, but don’t overthink it: Roast beef sandwich. Tater tots. Cold soda. Game over. 424 N Bumby Ave, (407) 894-2241
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