Nothing compares to the simple, weight-in-your-hands satisfaction of being handed a sandwich from your favorite local shop. The humble sandwich counter occupies a special space in American food culture, whether you’re ordering a towering pastrami stack, or a classic Italian sub. You might be making that midday trip to obliterate the hunger that’s been building throughout the morning, or on the prowl for that late-night, “I’ll have it with everything” sub. We all have our go-to sammie that gives us a comfort that can be difficult to explain. While you don’t have to go very far to find a spot that will serve up a sandwich, there’s something unique about ordering one from a shop that’s also rich in history.
We’re talking about the one that opened its doors before the turn of the 20th century, survived multiple wars, or was the very first one in the city. These shops are more than just a place to grab a bite to eat. They are, in many cases, a key part of the community, where locals who once ordered sandwiches as kids are now taking their own, passing down family traditions and favorite orders to the next generation.
There are plenty of iconic sandwich shops across the U.S. that are steeped in history. While we won’t get into the debate on which was the first “official” one, you’ll still find the doors open at some of these oldest sandwich shops across the country.
Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain: Scottsboro, AL
Tucked away in the heart of Scottsboro, Alabama, you’ll find a sandwich shop that is considered a living relic of American culinary history. Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain, located just off East Laurel Street, dates all the way back to 1869. While it’s one of the coolest, old-school soda fountains in the U.S. — and the oldest in Alabama — some believe it’s even more significant, calling it the state’s oldest business as a whole. While operations may have evolved to keep up as the decades have rolled by, the interior style has not. When you walk into the sandwich shop, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time…