I went on a 3 month long mission to find my favorite sandwich in Des Moines. See results
South Union
This used to be my go-to back in the days, when it was located across the street from Mr. Filet…..oh I miss Mr. Filet. I got the Hot Italian, and it was as good as I remember. Solid meat and great bread. I don’t normally get mayo on my sandwich but I think it was necessary on this sandwich. Presentation was a little janky. The regular size is big enough to fill you up.
91/100
Ham, roast beef, capicola, turkey, pepperoni, mozzarella, lettuce, mayo on focaccia
B&B
A LOT of choices at B&B but I wanted to stick with the basics. I ordered a Zach’s Killer. Bread was fresh and it has a lot of meat. It was a solid sandwich, but nothing I would seek out. Everyone was very friendly and I’d like to try out some of their other options in the future.
86/100
spicy cappicola, hard salami, italian roast beef, sandwich pepperoni, provolone, mozzarella, pepper cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet and banana peppers and tuscan italian dressing on an italian hoagie roll.
Taste of Italy
Non-Profit ½. This place was a lot like B&B. Very friendly staff and solid sandwich. Not sure I would drive across town for one.
86/100
capicola, hard salami, turkey, roast beef, prosciutto, fontina,
Palmers
I eat here all the time, so I’ve basically had every sandwich they make. The Cowboy is probably my favorite, but I thought it would be better to rate the Beef Eater. The meat is very good, the ciabatta bun was average, and the cream cheese adds a little to the sandwich. Pretty solid sandwich
87/100
Roast beef, pastrami, cream cheese on ciabatta, steamed.
Graziano Brothers
Knuckle sandwich. Meat was good, bread was just ok. Just a touch of spice, which I liked.
88/100
Coppa, Hot Soppressata, Pepperoni, Hot Pepper Cheese, Sliced Pepperoncini, Italian Dressing
Manhattan Deli
The Louie-Looking back, it’s probably not fair to compare this sandwich with the others, it’s covered in marinara sauce, how could it be bad. Bread uninspiring, the rest of the sandwich, amazeballs.
93/100
Capicola, Pepperoni, Hot Pepper Cheese, Roast Beef, Provolone, Manhattan Seasoning, Parmesan and made-in-Des Moines Mama Rosa's Red Sauce, Mayo, Onion & Green Pepper.
Maccabee's Deli.
Pastrami on Rye. Meat was the best I ever had. Next time I'd try a different bread, which was soft but boring.
95/100
Pastrami
Maccabee's Deli. Part 2
After that first one, I had to go back and try another. This one was also amazing. Great meat(salami), deli mustard, and I liked the bread better.
92/100
Salami
Overall thoughts/discoveries.
All of these places were all-stars in my eyes, and I plan on visiting them all again in the future.
It’s hard for me to find bread better than the focaccia that I had at South Union.
In the end, I think there are two co-MVP’s. Manhattan and Maccabee's are the two places in the metro that had my favorite sandwiches.
South Union
This used to be my go-to back in the days, when it was located across the street from Mr. Filet…..oh I miss Mr. Filet. I got the Hot Italian, and it was as good as I remember. Solid meat and great bread. I don’t normally get mayo on my sandwich but I think it was necessary on this sandwich. Presentation was a little janky. The regular size is big enough to fill you up.
91/100
Ham, roast beef, capicola, turkey, pepperoni, mozzarella, lettuce, mayo on focaccia
B&B
A LOT of choices at B&B but I wanted to stick with the basics. I ordered a Zach’s Killer. Bread was fresh and it has a lot of meat. It was a solid sandwich, but nothing I would seek out. Everyone was very friendly and I’d like to try out some of their other options in the future.
86/100
spicy cappicola, hard salami, italian roast beef, sandwich pepperoni, provolone, mozzarella, pepper cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet and banana peppers and tuscan italian dressing on an italian hoagie roll.
Taste of Italy
Non-Profit ½. This place was a lot like B&B. Very friendly staff and solid sandwich. Not sure I would drive across town for one.
86/100
capicola, hard salami, turkey, roast beef, prosciutto, fontina,
Palmers
I eat here all the time, so I’ve basically had every sandwich they make. The Cowboy is probably my favorite, but I thought it would be better to rate the Beef Eater. The meat is very good, the ciabatta bun was average, and the cream cheese adds a little to the sandwich. Pretty solid sandwich
87/100
Roast beef, pastrami, cream cheese on ciabatta, steamed.
Graziano Brothers
Knuckle sandwich. Meat was good, bread was just ok. Just a touch of spice, which I liked.
88/100
Coppa, Hot Soppressata, Pepperoni, Hot Pepper Cheese, Sliced Pepperoncini, Italian Dressing
Manhattan Deli
The Louie-Looking back, it’s probably not fair to compare this sandwich with the others, it’s covered in marinara sauce, how could it be bad. Bread uninspiring, the rest of the sandwich, amazeballs.
93/100
Capicola, Pepperoni, Hot Pepper Cheese, Roast Beef, Provolone, Manhattan Seasoning, Parmesan and made-in-Des Moines Mama Rosa's Red Sauce, Mayo, Onion & Green Pepper.
Maccabee's Deli.
Pastrami on Rye. Meat was the best I ever had. Next time I'd try a different bread, which was soft but boring.
95/100
Pastrami
Maccabee's Deli. Part 2
After that first one, I had to go back and try another. This one was also amazing. Great meat(salami), deli mustard, and I liked the bread better.
92/100
Salami
Overall thoughts/discoveries.
All of these places were all-stars in my eyes, and I plan on visiting them all again in the future.
It’s hard for me to find bread better than the focaccia that I had at South Union.
In the end, I think there are two co-MVP’s. Manhattan and Maccabee's are the two places in the metro that had my favorite sandwiches.
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