To compile this list, we wondered which San Carlos sandwiches we’d preserve for posterity. Which stacked creations, artisanal breads, and perfectly toasted masterpieces shout San Carlos most clearly? Some answers—the classic Italian sub, gourmet grilled cheese, California veggie—feel inevitable. Others tap into a local nostalgia only understood by those who’ve debated deli supremacy at the farmers’ market. Ranking San Carlos in 18 sandwiches is ambitious, but we embraced the challenge.
The Sandwich Spot
$ | (650) 394-4770 | WEBSITE
Ordering a Dutch crunch sandwich is how we introduce newcomers to San Carlos and convince skeptical foodies that simple ingredients can create magic. If it’s a legendary sandwich moment you’re after, there’s no spot better than The Sandwich Spot counter. For first-timers, be prepared for cheerful chatter about the daily sourdough and a lot of pointing at the menu board. Don’t be surprised. Everyone’s genuinely happy (just over-sandwiched).
Avocado Toast
$ | (650) 343-3844 | WEBSITE
You can find avocado toast on almost every brunch menu in town. But Avocado Toast makes the best one in San Mateo. Maybe even the Bay Area. The scrambled eggs are perfectly cooked, and so is the sourdough. But the fresh avocado is what you really taste. Regulars flock to the small indoor space, but we’re partial to the outdoor seating area, which is nicer and feels more spacious.
Erik’s DeliCafé
$ | (650) 364-1717 | WEBSITE
When it comes to sandwich shops in San Carlos, Erik’s DeliCafé is mandatory, especially if you’re looking for a turkey sandwich with cheddar so perfectly toasted it crackles with each bite. A lot of places around San Carlos will be happy to serve you a soggy, lackluster sandwich, but Erik’s consistently churns out meals that are fresh and delectable with more efficiency than a well-oiled assembly line.
Woodside Deli
$ | (650) 701-6736 | WEBSITE
Woodside Deli earns the metaphorical sandwich crown for being the best deli in San Carlos. And it’s also responsible for the best Godmother sandwich. The entire construction of the hefty sandwich is layered with zesty pepperoncinis, artichoke hearts, and premium meats. The most remarkable thing, though, is that it costs less than a fancy coffee and pastry combo, which is both glorious and a refreshing reminder of how genuine value still exists.
Taza Deli & Cafe
$ | (650) 257-3576 | WEBSITE
Grabbing one of these loaded sandwiches is as essential to every San Carlos regular as finding that perfect parking spot downtown. And yes, they are worth the trip—especially since you can order a scoop of gelato while you’re waiting. Devour the Overload immediately at one of their cozy tables, and take the Dutch crunch home for later. We promise it’ll hold up until your next craving hits.
Broadway Sandwich Market
$ | (650) 362-3310 | WEBSITE
You can think of a sandwich as a portable meal. And while there are lots of places to grab one, Broadway Sandwich Market is our favorite. There’s a bit of a rivalry between them and other sandwich shops in San Carlos, but we’re on Broadway’s side. Not only did Broadway Sandwich Market put the fresh sourdough sandwich on the map in town, but they embraced the Middle Eastern tradition of adding delicious hummus and special sauces to it.
Leonardo’s Deli Cafe
$ | (650) 697-9779 | WEBSITE
This Raider sandwich has been to more lunch breaks, office meetings, park picnics, beach outings, road trips, and family gatherings than most San Carlos sandwich shops. It’s truly a classic Bay Area lunchtime staple. Generously stacked chicken is perfectly layered with fresh produce, flavorful tomatoes, and that signature garlic sauce. No craving, hunger pang, or midday slump is too small for ordering one.
La Matcha Cafe
$ | (650) 231-8060 | WEBSITE
This spot remains a hidden gem for a very good reason: mochi muffins. And if you’re ordering anything else from their dessert case, you’re not ordering right. These chewy treats are baked fresh daily, and served straight from this cozy San Carlos cafe, where they’ve been celebrating simple pleasures for years—and tolering our cravings for the chicken pesto sandwich all the while.
Little Lucca
$ | (650) 697-8389 | WEBSITE
Step into Little Lucca and tell the counter staff: “Chipotle bird on Dutch Crunch, please.” Moments later, you’ll receive a paper-wrapped parcel holding a sandwich so massive it barely fits in your hands. Unlike most deli sandwiches around San Carlos, which are modest, Little Lucca’s are thick and overflowing—almost like they were stuffed with twice the usual fillings. The Dutch Crunch bread crackles with each bite, and the garlic spread seeps into every layer.
At around $15, it’s a steal that easily becomes two meals. The place hums with the energy of a classic Italian deli—fluorescent lights, quick-moving staff, and the scent of cured meats. Even during the lunch rush, when the line snakes out the door, the sandwiches arrive fresh and perfectly assembled. Grab one, find a spot in the large free parking lot, and prepare for a nostalgic, flavor-packed feast.
TOGO’S Sandwiches
$ | (650) 289-9778 | WEBSITE
TOGO’S may have started elsewhere, but no other sandwich shop fits the East Palo Alto vibe quite like this one. Its bright windows are a beacon for affordable lunch options, quick service, and a welcoming spot for anyone who’s ever craved a solid sandwich between errands. You can’t say you’ve fully experienced TOGO’S without trying one of their classic subs, piled high with fresh meats, cheeses, and crisp veggies. Is it gourmet? Not exactly. Is it satisfying? Absolutely.
Ike’s Lair of Redwood City
$ | (650) 365-2200 | WEBSITE
We once gathered 15 sandwich enthusiasts in a park to sample every Dutch crunch option we could find. Ike’s Lair came out on top, with its perfectly textured bread that looks like a golden honeycomb. They have a great vegetarian option, but the custom vegan creation is even better. It has the best balance of fresh vegetables and savory spreads that’s more satisfying than heavy.
Redwood City Sandwich
There’s an argument to be made that San Carlos’ favorite sandwich isn’t the classic deli sub, but the pizza with feta and garlic. And San Carlos’ best example of this standout pie is found at Redwood City Sandwich, which is also one of San Carlos’ best examples of a seafood-focused market. The oysters are fresh, the vegetables are crisp, and the hot food is the literal and figurative highlight that makes the visit worthwhile.
The Sandwich Monkey
$ | (650) 274-0264 | WEBSITE
San Carlos loves sandwiches. But many of the deli counters around town are just assembly lines. And while The Sandwich Monkey landed at the top spot on our sandwich power ranking, it is undeniably the most iconic sandwich shop in San Carlos. The safari sauce is a house secret with mixed-in herbs that give a unique tanginess. Go at lunch when the bread is fresh and soft.
Fresh y más
$ | (650) 444-7795 | WEBSITE
Reliable, consistent, and tucked away in Menlo Park, chances are Fresh y más has been there for you when you needed a satisfying lunch break from the office. The restaurant serves fresh, healthy sandwiches with generous portions at reasonable prices (most sandwiches run $12-$16). But when we find ourselves at this hidden gem, which is our go-to sandwich spot, the fresh steak and cheese sandwich with that special sauce always feels like the appropriate order.
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
$ | (650) 315-2099 | WEBSITE
We’re not here to settle the great sandwich debate. But not mentioning Ike’s Love & Sandwiches feels like a crime. The sandwiches are stacked and satisfying, like a perfectly balanced meal in freshly toasted bread. Our favorite is the savory/salty Paul Reuben’s. They’re made to order, so you might have to wait 10 minutes. But that just gives you an excuse to admire the casual, slightly worn décor while the friendly staff works their magic.
Mendocino Farms
$ | (650) 332-8300 | WEBSITE
We’ll give it to San Francisco—they have great sandwich spots. But they don’t have Mendocino Farms’ Happy Hippie. This is the kind of sandwich that could only exist in San Carlos. It comes packed with fresh avocado, quinoa salad, and other vibrant ingredients. You can find people grabbing these after grocery shopping in the convenient plaza, or heading to their cars in the ample parking lot with one in hand.
Luigi’s Sandwich Palace
$ | (650) 952-4633 | WEBSITE
There was a certain point in time when it felt like every sandwich shop in San Carlos was proudly advertising that its bread came from Luigi’s. The city’s sandwich scene is now bigger and better than ever, but a generous portion of Luigi’s fresh bread, with its crust crisp enough to hear a satisfying crunch, is still all over the industrial park. And folks continue to make detours and trade recommendations for a tuna sandwich.
Belmont Deli
$ | (650) 832-1136 | WEBSITE
Taking that first bite of the Naughty Italian from Belmont Deli is like unwrapping a sandwich from your favorite childhood deli—the one your dad would bring home on special Saturdays. That perfect combination of fresh meats, crisp vegetables, and just-right bread unleashes a flood of comfort.
And in San Carlos, which gets more polished with each new development, it’s so reassuring to walk into Belmont Deli and see a new generation of hungry locals at the counter, ordering the same artichoke sammie their parents loved twenty years ago.