I have been betrayed by too many sandwiches that looked impressive and tasted mostly like bread. So when a shop actually gets the balance right, I remember it.
Iowa has several spots that take lunch far more seriously than the average counter does. The bread matters, the fillings show up properly, and nobody seems interested in sending you away with a sad little stack wrapped in paper.
Which shops still build a sandwich like they mean it? These 13 Iowa favorites have earned loyal crowds, repeat visits, and more than a few detours during lunch hour.
1. Hansen’s Manhattan Deli, Des Moines
There is a reason the regulars at Hansen’s Manhattan Deli have been coming back for years, and it has everything to do with consistency…