Sandwich shops are a terrible idea. Just ask every Tustin foodie who’s settled for soggy bread and limp lettuce, ever. It always starts out great – you’re craving lunch together, you debate toppings together, and you can devour them in the car together. Inevitably though, you’ll discover the perfect crusty baguette, sign with a local favorite, and end up at a hidden gem while your old standby is serving yesterday’s ciabatta.
Subway
$ | (714) 730-1845 | WEBSITE
Subway is absolutely a sandwich shop, but one full of great service, fantastic subs, and friendly people. It’s a great place to grab a quick lunch, but once you’re in there, there’s a patient and attentive staff, as well as employees like Maria who will keep you coming back with incredible service and attention to detail.
This is one of the only spots in Tustin where you’re not at risk of running into a messy or slow experience—everything is clean, ready on time, and made perfectly, especially the popular Cold Cut Sub.
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
$ | (949) 783-5391 | WEBSITE
When you’re grinding through a 9-to-5 that feels like a 9-to-9, grabbing lunch can seem like a luxury you don’t have time for. But at least there’s Ike’s. This Tustin spot feels like that quick getaway to a friend’s kitchen you’ve been postponing for weeks, with a chill vibe that’s perfect for unwinding over a sandwich any afternoon. The staff is genuinely nice—they remember your order after a couple visits and always get it right, even when the line stretches out the door.
You’ll want to eat your ‘We’re Just Friends’ or ‘John Wayne’ right away to catch that fresh taste, especially with that crave-able dirty sauce on the dutch crunch bread. Sure, the fillings might be a bit modest for the $12-$15 price tag, but the halal chicken option and the laid-back atmosphere, dotted with quirky artwork, make it worth the occasional wait. It’s the kind of place that turns a rushed bite into a little escape.
Mendocino Farms
$ | (714) 619-5075 | WEBSITE
Unlike most spots that just serve sandwiches, not everyone at Mendocino Farms is just grabbing a quick bite. This Whole Foods location is bright and bustling, with regulars enjoying their lunch at the tables near the windows, and people ordering healthy salads and actually chatting with the friendly staff behind the counter. You might spot someone from the nearby offices here, but they’re not the kind that’ll rush you through your meal.
They’re the kind you might end up sharing a table with when it gets crowded during the lunch rush.
THH Sandwiches
$ | (714) 731-1366 | WEBSITE
No food lover wants to drive far for a quick lunch, so finding a reliable spot close to home is always a win. THH Sandwiches is a casual Vietnamese joint in a quiet part of Tustin, with a simple storefront and fresh French bread that’s practically a meal on its own. Despite the bustling lunch crowd, this is a place filled with regulars who’ve been coming for years and probably won’t mind if you’re just discovering their amazing banh mi.
The egg rolls and spring rolls are generously portioned at about $5 each, and the boba drinks are refreshing without being overly sweet. It’s the kind of spot where you can grab a sandwich under $10 and feel like you’ve gotten away with something.
The Honey Baked Ham Company
$$$ | (714) 731-6616 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a bustling Tustin shopping center, The Honey Baked Ham Company is the perfect spot for when you need a reliable meal but don’t want the fuss of a full restaurant. The atmosphere is consistently festive, the ordering process is quick and easy online, and pickup runs smoothly even during the busiest holiday rushes. While the portions can sometimes feel a bit modest, the quality of the ham is always top-notch.
The friendly staff provide excellent customer service, creating a welcoming environment with their cheerful and patient demeanor. It’s the kind of place where the delicious samples and satisfying meals, like their classic ham and cheese sandwich, make you want to return again and again.
Board & Brew – Tustin
$ | (714) 389-1422 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a spot where the staff remembers your name and the vibe feels like your own living room, Board & Brew in Tustin is your answer. You’ll overhear regulars debating the merits of the Italian versus the Baja chicken, a conversation that feels genuinely comforting after too many meals at places where the servers just recite specials.
This place keeps things simple with wallet-friendly prices, so be prepared to order one of those generously portioned sandwiches everyone ends up raving about.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
$ | (714) 505-1515 | WEBSITE
This Tustin sandwich shop feels like a neighborhood hub filled with regulars and people who have been coming here since the location first opened. There are a bunch of simple tables, a few well-worn booths, and a counter area that smells like a mixture of fresh-baked rosemary bread and grilled chicken. We’ll admit that sounds kind of ordinary, but the welcoming atmosphere is what makes this place great.
After a couple of bites of that #13 Italian on Rosemary Parm bread with friendly staff like Hisiba remembering your order, you’ll forget all the stressful things that happened during your workday earlier.
Oscar’s Deli & Grill
$ | (714) 838-3378 | WEBSITE
Oscar’s Deli & Grill is the neighborhood deli everyone wishes was in their own neighborhood. Tucked away in Tustin, this is an unpretentious place to escape your usual routine with a breakfast burrito and mac salad. The sandwich and breakfast options are incredibly reasonable, and the fantastic roast beef sandwich means you won’t have to go elsewhere for a satisfying lunch when you get hungry midday.
Bread Basket
$ | (714) 259-9266 | WEBSITE
From the outside, this spot in Tustin looks like it could be any generic sandwich shop, but inside it feels like the living room of a very cozy, unrealistically welcoming home. A living room where you can tell Stephen what you like, and he’ll make sure you get something good. You might not expect to enjoy a place filled with people grabbing quick lunches, until you realize you haven’t had service this attentive since you can remember.
