Tasty, quick and budget-friendly there are just a few reasons why sandwiches are such a popular lunchtime snack. If you live in Portland or are just visiting, Oregon’s foodie capital is packed full of cool places to buy sandwiches and sub shops.
From 100% plant-based and gluten-free options to a hearty classic style, here are the best places to buy sandwiches in Portland, Oregon (in no particular order)…
1. Charlie’s Deli and Delivery – a popular centrally located sandwich shop with takeaway, catering, sit down and delivery options
There are meat classics here but vegetarian options too, like the grilled cheese sandwich that one customer raved was the best they’d ever eaten — high praise indeed.
The turkey and Genoa salami gets lots of raves, too, and Charlie’s will do half sandwich orders if you don’t have a big enough appetite for these massive lunches.
They offer catering, takeaway, sit down and delivery options. Hours are daily from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 until 2 p.m.
- 22 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
2. DC Vegetarian – a very popular 100% vegan spot where you can buy hot subs and delicious sandwiches to takeaway
Calling itself the “champagne of sandwich websites” gives this place a lot to live up to, and DC scores with customers who come back frequently for the subs, the cocktails, the beer, and – oh yes! — the fabulous food.
Just about any classic you love is here at DC in a vegetarian version, like clubhouses and “chicken” salad combos.
House specials at DC Vegetarian include the War Eagle Sandwich, and the Cajun chicken po boy, one that earns real praise from diners.
Open for takeout or delivery, dine-in daily from 9:30 until 8, Sunday 9:30 until 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays. Located on SE Division Street.
- 5026 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97206
3. Lardo – a one of a kind sandwich eatery that serves creative food
Located on SW Washington Street, this sandwich eatery offers plenty of unique takes on classic favorites. Customers rave about the pulled pork, piled high on a variety of bread.
The meatball sandwich is also a hit with Portland customers and visitors alike, and so is the tuna melt that comes with different sides – chips and salad, to name but two.
Happy hour is daily from 3 until 6 p.m., and this location opens at 11 a.m. and stays open until 10 p.m.
- 1212 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214 and 1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
4. Vtopia All Vegan Restaurant and Cheese Shop – a much-loved vegan shop that uses cashew-based cheeses and also has gluten-free options
The name says it all – the food is vegan and, so say the customers, worth waiting for a table or buying food to take home.
The grilled cheese sandwich, Cesar salad with “bacon” and the mac n’ cheese are all favorites with Portland residents, Vtopia All Vegan Restaurant also has gluten-free options as well. Located on SW Jefferson, this spot is open daily from noon to 8 p.m.
- 1628 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201
5. Huber’s Cafe – an American eatery with a clubby bar which offers delicious sandwiches and an upbeat atmosphere
This is a famous location in Portland, as it was founded in 1879 and the vaulted ceilings and high windows are a city landmark. Much more than sandwiches are on the menu, including roast pork, roast turkey and even filet mignon.
Afterwards, have a Spanish coffee to finish off a filling and delightful meal.
Though it isn’t cheap, you get your money’s worth at Huber’s. Opens Monday to Sunday at 11:30, and stays open most days until 11. On Sunday, it opens at 4 p.m. until 11 p.m., and on Thursdays, it closed at 9 p.m. A full bar is also on offer.
- 411 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
6. Devil’s Dill Sandwich Shop – a late-night gourmet sandwich shop which serves veggie and gluten-free options
ocated on Hawthorne Blvd., this unique spot offers take out and delivery but no dine in service right now, although picnic tables are out front for sitting at and enjoying your meal on a nice day.
Devil’s offers pulled pork with their own special barbecue sauce, and another sandwich stuffed with bacon, kale and avocado on gluten-free bread, if that’s your preference.
There are plenty of other creative sandwiches on offer, too. Sides include soup, salad or chips, or German potato salad. Vegetarians will find lots of choices here, including grilled cheese that earns lots of thumbs up online.
This shop opens at noon on weekends and stays open until 1 a.m., while Monday to Wednesday it opens at noon until 11 p.m. Closed on Thursdays.
- 1711 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
7. Ditto Food Truck – 100% vegan food truck that offers tasty grilled sandwiches
You’ll find this truck on NE Weidler Street, and they offer not only subs but also some Korean dishes. The “Lilith” gets tons of thumbs up (a nod to the character on the 1990s hit TV show “Frasier,” perhaps?) and it’s filled with vegan favorites like fresh greens, lime and avocado, dense in a big bun.
For now, the hours are Monday 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
There’s even a patio where you can sit and enjoy your meal as soon as it’s dished out. Convenient and delicious!
- 1027 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
8. The Baker’s Mark – a great Portland sandwich bakery where you can buy freshly made hot and cold sub sandwiches
Bread is baked on these premises, so it’s served warm pretty much right out of the oven. Customers enjoy the Dutch crunch roll as an alternative when ordering the Godfather Sub (lots of Italian meats) the tuna salad and beet melt or the hot pastrami, piled up to fill to overflowing on that freshly baked bread.
Hungry yet? Head to their location on NW 10th Avenue and grab some takeout – your only option right now.
Hours are limited right now, Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., so go early, get some food and head back to the office for a bite of pure sandwich heaven.
- 1126 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
9. Better Half Restaurant – a cool sit-down restaurant that caters for all tastes with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options
Right now this spot is offering limited hours only, Tuesday, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. But the vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are worth the effort of getting to the Better Half as soon as it opens.
There are meat options like the Italian, jammed with salami and other Italian goodies. Or try the spicy pork sandwich, or the roasted broccoli if you’re tastes are lean green. The Better Half is located on North Freemont Street.
- 25 N Fremont St, Portland, OR 97227
10. Sammich PDX – a superb artisanal sandwiches sandwich shop that uses local ingredients and house-smoked meats
Located on East Burnside Street, and open daily (except Friday) from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., this spot serves up artisanal versions of classic sandwiches, using all fresh ingredients.
They like using cheeky names for their dishes, like the Zombie fries, and the Porkstrami – just imagine how delicious and thick that sandwich is.
Cold sandwiches include the Albacore – tuna salad with fresh greens, and the Wrigley salad. There are also daily sandwich specials offered. Holiday hours vary, so be sure to check before heading out.
- 2137 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
11. Best Baguette – an awesome bakery that specializes in Vietnamese sandwiches
East meets west at this funky spot on SE Powell Blvd., where you’ll find something as simple and delicious as pate’ on a fresh baguette, or a pork roll done Saigon style.
Customers rave about the French version of a ham and cheese, and the Vietnamese tacos and breakfast sandwiches. A big menu for big appetites. Open daily from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.
- 8308 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97266
12. Guero – a popular eatery where you will find traditional Mexican sandwiches
If you don’t think of Mexico when craving a sandwich, you haven’t been to Guero when visiting Portland. A cold beer along with any of several Mexican sandwiches on offer get raves online, but the Carnitas, tortas and tacos win big praise, too – try the bacon, lettuce or other pork fillings, along with avocado.
Located on NE 28th Avenue, Guero is open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
- 200 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
13. The Sub Factory – a well-known and one of the best sandwich shop that serves a great variety of choices
This popular spot is closed on Thursday and Sunday, but other days you can get your sub fix from 9:30 until 5:30 p.m. (Hours will be extended when the pandemic is over.)
The turkey breast sub, and the three-cheese sub are big hits with Portland customers. Or try the “trucker,” the Factory version of a big roast beef sub. Located on SE Foster Road.
- 10139 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97266
14. Bunk Bar Water – the perfect spot for sandwich fans where you can try hand-crafted sandwiches
Whether you sit down for your sandwich or get it to take home, the fare at Bunk Bar will no doubt delight.
Happy hour is daily from 3 until 6 p.m, so head out for a low cost cocktail, then order a Bunk Cubano, a mushroom and mozzarella melt, or a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.
Get a pitcher of cold beer to accompany your food, and play some pinball while you’re there. Bunk Bar is a great family destination, as they offer a kid’s menu with the usual treats like burgers and mac n’ cheese, in kid-appropriate portions.
Located in the Water Avenue Commerce Center.
- 1028 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
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Born and raised in Brazil, Gaby has always had a taste for the intriguing, the off-beat and the far flung. After travelling around most of South America, living in Spain and Italy and then moving to England, her feet have stayed continually twitchy. Studying for a degree in Spanish translation and then learning five more languages only poured more fuel onto her travelling ardor.
Gaby likes nothing better than discovering new destinations and meeting the locals, tasting the cuisine and hearing about the local stories. Her other indulgences include French cinema, boxing, photography, colourful manicures and soaking up the rays on a sun-infused beach. She counts Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cornwall as her most favourite places in the world.