One of the best sandwich shops on Cape Cod makes its own burrata and stracciatella right on site. Cheese that fresh, tucked inside a sandwich, feels almost unfair to the rest of us.
That detail sent me down a very hungry rabbit hole. I found a roast beef counter serving the same specialty since 1975.
I found a shop that bakes its own bread every single morning.
Massachusetts takes lunch more seriously than I ever expected. Some of these spots only open on weekdays.
One hands you lunch through a drive-through window, and another sits in a town that is literally named Sandwich.
I love that a simple meal between two slices of bread can say so much about a place. So which one would you hit first?
Sam LaGrassa’s
Weekend sandwich cravings won’t get you far here, because this downtown Boston legend serves lunch only on weekdays. Plan your Monday through Friday around it, and you’ll understand why office workers guard their lunch breaks.
The family-run shop has built its name on specialty sandwiches stacked high with serious meat. Pastrami is the headliner, and you can choose your mood.
The Pastrami Traveler and the fiery Pastrami Diablo sit right next to a Pastrami and Corned Beef Combo for the truly hungry.
Classic deli fans have plenty to cheer about too. The Reuben and the Cuban sandwich both earn steady praise, especially for their mustard.
Roast beef also shows up cooked rare, which is exactly how beef lovers like it.
Got a chilly afternoon on your hands? Clam chowder makes a smart sidekick when the weather turns gray.
A scoop of coleslaw adds a crunchy, cool balance to all that rich pastrami.
Service runs at the counter, so you order, grab your food, and go. Expect a line at peak times, and know that reservations aren’t part of the deal.
Street parking downtown is tough, so walking or taking the T makes more sense.
Address: 44 Province St, Boston, MA 02108
Regatta Deli
Worcester calls them grinders, and this family-owned deli treats that word with real respect. Hot or cold, these Italian subs are built to fill you up and then some.
The shop’s namesake Regatta sandwich is the one to know. It’s known for being filling, tasty, and a strong value for its size.
You can grab a ready-to-go Regatta grinder when you’re in a rush. Prefer something custom?
They’ll make your order fresh.
The steak and cheese also gets plenty of love for its enormous portions. Think of it as lunch and maybe a little bit of dinner too.
Pack some patience, and maybe a second napkin.
Homemade sides and desserts round out the menu. That means your sub doesn’t have to travel alone.
Picking a sweet treat for later feels like a fine reward for finishing a giant grinder.
Here’s a key tip before you go: this is a takeout spot with no dine-in seating and no restroom. Plan to eat in your car, at your desk, or at a nearby park.
Free street parking makes the stop quick and easy.
The deli opens early at 7 AM, Monday through Saturday. Sundays are closed, so plan your grinder run accordingly.
Address: 28 Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01604
Nick’s Famous Roast Beef
Since 1975, one counter in Beverly has focused on a North Shore obsession: the hot roast beef sandwich. That’s more than five decades of serving this local favorite, and the practice shows.
The beef is sliced paper-thin and cooked to a tender medium-rare. It lands on a buttered onion roll with a barbecue sauce that’s tricky to describe.
Honestly, that mystery is part of the fun. You just have to taste it.
North Shore roast beef is a true Massachusetts specialty. If you’ve never tried this style, this is a classic place to start.
It’s simple, messy, and seriously satisfying.
Not feeling beef today? The menu also offers pastrami, hamburgers, and mozzarella sticks.
Those options make it easy to bring a group with different cravings.
Families should feel right at home. High chairs are available, and the casual counter-service setup keeps things relaxed.
There’s indoor seating, too, so you can enjoy your meal inside.
Hours run from 10 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week, making it a convenient choice for lunch or an early dinner. Parking is usually plentiful, which is a nice bonus near the coast.
Address: 139 Dodge St, Beverly, MA 01915
ACK Gioia
Fresh burrata and stracciatella made right on site? That alone makes this Brewster cafe worth a detour off Route 6.
Cheese this fresh changes what a sandwich can be.
This Italian cafe and cheese shop builds gourmet sandwiches on bread baked in-house every morning. The sandwiches are generous in size, and the house cheeses steal the spotlight.
Mozzarella lovers, you’ve found your Cape Cod home base.
Beyond lunch, the shop sells food to go like cheese and pasta. You can also order customized charcuterie and cheese spreads.
They’re perfect for a beach picnic or a family gathering back at the rental.
Coffee here earns strong praise, so consider a cup with your meal. Breakfast is on the menu too, which helps early risers.
The service moves fast, and the mood stays casual.
Dogs can join you outside, and there’s outdoor seating for sunny days. Kids get their own menu as well.
Parking is usually easy, a rare treat on the Cape during summer.
Timing matters here, though. The shop is closed Monday through Wednesday.
It opens Thursday and Friday at 10 AM and earlier on weekends.
Address: 302 Underpass Rd, Brewster, MA 02631
Cutty’s
Once a month, a sandwich shop in Brookline throws a party for fried chicken. It’s called Super Cluckin’ Sunday, and the chicken sandwiches tend to sell out fast.
The rest of the time, this busy breakfast and lunch counter builds sandwiches from locally sourced ingredients. Much of what goes inside is made in-house.
That care shows up in small touches, like handmade jams.
The Roast Beef 1000 is the star. It stacks slow-roasted beef, crispy shallots, Thousand Island dressing, and sharp cheddar on black pepper brioche.
Ham Dijon is another solid pick for lunch.
Vegetarians get real choices, not afterthoughts. The Rabe T.J. pairs broccoli rabe, provolone, fresh mozzarella, and house-made tomato jam.
The Pimento Grilled Cheese is a cheesy, comforting pick too.
Early birds should come for breakfast sandwiches, which earn praise for fluffy buns. Save room for a Taza Chocolate Chunk Cookie, too.
Soups also rotate through the menu.
Check the calendar before you go. Cutty’s is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday, except for those special chicken days.
Expect a wait at times, and parking nearby can be tricky.
Address: 280 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
Café Chew
Ordering a sandwich in a town called Sandwich just feels right. This counter-serve cafe on Cape Cod leans happily into that joke, and the food backs it up.
Portions are big here. The sandwiches are enormous, and the salad plates come piled high.
Paninis and grilled cheese both appear on the menu, along with soups and fresh salads.
The sandwich lineup is wide enough to please picky eaters. Vegetarian and vegan options are part of the menu too.
That makes this an easy pick for a group with mixed tastes.
Coffee drinkers should try a latte, and tea fans have a strong selection. The baked goods deserve attention as well.
A blueberry muffin makes a smart grab for the road.
The mood is casual, funky, and cheerful. There’s outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome outside.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu ready to go.
Friday afternoons and Saturdays get busy, so a short wait is common. Parking usually isn’t a problem.
Breakfast starts at 8 AM daily, which works well before a day of Cape exploring in Massachusetts.
Address: 4 Merchants Rd, Sandwich, MA 02563
Virgilio’s Bakery
Gloucester road trips have a tasty tradition attached: grabbing a sub here for the long ride home. This mom-and-pop Italian bakery makes that plan very easy.
The bread comes first, which makes sense for a bakery. Hot and cold deli sandwiches are built on soft, fresh loaves.
The Eggplant Special is a favorite, with tender eggplant, gooey fresh mozzarella, and roasted peppers.
Dessert might be the hardest choice of your day. Lobster tails filled with vanilla cream sit near cannoli and elephant ears.
Cookies are also part of the lineup.
The shop sells specialty Italian groceries too. That means you can stock your pantry while you wait for lunch.
Fresh bread to take home is a pretty great souvenir.
Plan to eat elsewhere, since there’s no indoor dining or restroom. Limited outdoor seating exists, but the harbor city offers plenty of spots for a picnic.
Takeout is the main move here.
Hours run from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Saturday. Saturday afternoons are the busiest time.
Mornings early in the week tend to be quieter, so time your visit if lines bug you.
Address: 29 Main St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Benedetti’s Deli, LLCC
Here’s a fun math problem: when a small sub is big enough to share, what does a large look like? This Haverhill shop answers that question every day.
The deli is known for generous signature subs and fresh bread. Fillings come piled high, and the ingredients taste fresh.
Friendly service adds to the appeal.
Value is a big part of the story. The subs are huge, yet prices stay reasonable.
You’ll likely walk out with leftovers, which is never a bad thing.
Need a break from bread? A chef salad is on the menu.
French fries make a classic side for those who want a full deli spread.
Families have options too, including a kids’ menu. Delivery and no-contact delivery are available.
Catering is offered if you want to feed a crowd.
Pay attention to the schedule before you head out. The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM.
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays are closed.
There’s no restroom, so plan ahead. Free parking makes pickup simple.
Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, while weekday mornings stay calmer.
Address: 350 Washington St, Haverhill, MA 01832
Good Eats To Go
A gourmet panini handed to you through a drive-through window? Western Massachusetts has exactly that, and it’s a game changer for busy lunch breaks.
This Southampton spot serves fresh, gourmet sandwiches and paninis without making you leave your car. You can also order at the counter if you’d rather stretch your legs.
Either way, lunch comes together fast.
The steak and cheese panini is a popular pick, served on fresh bread. Chicken bacon ranch shows up as a wrap, a crowd favorite with plenty of flavor.
Grilled cheese fans won’t be left out.
Sandwiches come paired with a classic bag of chips. It’s a simple, old-school touch that just works.
Keep an eye out for unique specials, which add some variety to your routine.
The food has a homemade feel, and service is friendly. Vegetarians have a full menu of choices.
Coffee is available too, along with dessert options.
Hours are short, so timing matters. The shop runs Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM, and Sundays are closed.
Free parking makes a sit-down stop just as easy as the drive-through.
Address: 15 College Hwy, Southampton, MA 01073
Bizalion’s Fine Food
A crusty French baguette in the Berkshires sounds like a happy accident. At this Great Barrington cafe and market, it’s the whole point.
Artisanal sandwiches are built on fresh baguettes, and the bread gets plenty of praise. These aren’t rushed sandwiches.
They take a little time, but the result is worth the short wait.
Soups make a fine partner for lunch, sometimes finished with a drizzle of infused olive oil. Salads are on the menu too.
Homemade desserts give you a sweet way to finish.
Shelves are stocked with imported gourmet goods. That makes this a fun place to browse while your order comes together.
Picking up a bottle of olive oil feels like a smart move.
The space is clean and contemporary, with a lovely seating area and outdoor tables. Dogs are welcome.
Kids get a menu and high chairs, so families can relax.
Coffee and tea both get high marks here. Vegan and vegetarian diners have plenty of options.
Parking is usually easy, with an on-site lot.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, it’s a sweet final stop on any Massachusetts sandwich tour.
Address: 684 S Main St, Great Barrington, MA 01230
