Sandwiches

The sandwiches are the food of the world. Across nations and oceans, socioeconomic strata and centuries, sandwiches are a big equalizer. Irrespective of who you are and where you come from, odds are you’ve got a beloved sandwich. So that’s the dream fast food joint. Luckily for all of us, we still live in an age of high sandwich greatness in the U.S., a moment when every state has done its best to guarantee that there can be excellent bread bombs anywhere and from everyone. Delis has been a cultural hub. Bodegas are on the same stage as sit-down restaurants. Chains are gone, gourmet. And the chefs have given up fine dining in favor of making beautiful sandwich masterpieces that pay attention to every aspect. What a time to be alive — even if life with the living could be affected by so many sandwiches.

Below, you’ll find locations that reflect the diversity of American sandwiches, from old-school delis to high-end tables, trend-setting foreign taste ambassadors, and all in between. Every place is doing something special. The one thing they’ve got in common? For now, they’re the best burger joints in America.