Food & Wine Ranks the 13 Best Sandwich Shops in the U.S—Only One Midwest Spot Made the List, And It’s in Chicago

Since 1937, this iconic shop has been serving sandwiches, and Food & Wine recently ranked it the best No. 3. in the country.

Tori Levy – Staff Writer •
September 19, 2025

Source/J.P. Graziano

Chicago’s culinary scene offers a variety of gems, but nothing captivates Chicagoans quite like a sandwich from J.P. Graziano’s.

This iconic establishment—beloved by Chicagoans—has recently been ranked No. 3 on the Food & Wine list of the best sandwich shops nationwide.

Whatever the reason, Chicagoans stand by it, longingly watching the assembly line at J.P. Graziano’s layer, douse, and fold the sub with precision.

Since 1937, this iconic shop has served sandwiches; however, thanks to the fourth-generation owner who has revitalized this decades-old classic, the shop attracts customers at all hours. The shop has even become a Lollapalooza after-party venue and a favorite for midnight fashion pop-ups.

Here’s a list of Food & Wine’s favorite sandwich spots: Ideal’s (Durham, North Carolina) Bodega Park (Los Angeles) J.P. Graziano’s (Chicago) Paesano’s (Philadelphia) Mean Sandwich (Seattle) Sunny 7 Annie’s (New York City) Middle Child (Philadelphia) Sanguich (Miami) Bill’s Sandwich Palace (Nashville) The Boy’s Deli (San Francisco) The Modern Butcher (Danvers, Massachusetts) Turkey and the Wolf (New Orleans) An Xuyen Bakery (Portland, Oregon)