California is home to some of the most legendary sandwich spots in the country, and many of them have been quietly outshining fast food giants for decades. From French dip pioneers in Los Angeles to stuffed hoagies in the Bay Area, these local shops prove that real ingredients and real recipes always win.
If you think a chain sandwich is the best you can do, think again. These California gems are serving up something far more memorable.
Philippe The Original – Los Angeles, California
Since 1908, Philippe The Original has been the home of the French dip sandwich in Los Angeles. Legend has it that owner Philippe Mathieu accidentally dropped a roll into roasting pan drippings, and a customer loved it so much he came back for more.
The slow-roasted beef, lamb, or pork piled onto a freshly dipped roll is pure comfort food. Add a smear of their house hot mustard, and you have a sandwich that no chain could ever replicate.
Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant – Los Angeles, California
Ask any food critic about the best pastrami sandwich in America, and Langer’s Delicatessen in Los Angeles will almost always top the list. Open since 1947, this Westlake gem has perfected the art of hand-cut, steam-heated pastrami on double-baked rye bread…