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Fried Green Tomato Po' Boy at Glass Onion

20 Epic Charleston Sandwiches To Devour Immediately

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by Erin Perkins Updated Oct 12, 2016, 7:10am EDT

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Fried Green Tomato Po' Boy at Glass Onion

| Robert Donovan

by Erin Perkins Updated Oct 12, 2016, 7:10am EDT

Hungry? Need carbs plus meat (or maybe a vegetable)? Sandwiches are the king of lunch, so skip the sad desk salad and go with what feels good. From a super fancy lobster rolls to a spicy banh mi to meaty monstrosities, Charleston offers a range of sandwiches to satisfy every palate. Here are our picks for the can't-miss selections around town.

Note: Map points are listed in geographical order and are not ranked. Did we miss your favorite spot? Show it some love in the comments, send us an email, or start a forum thread in its honor.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Boxcar Betty's

1922 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407

(843) 225-7470

Visit Website

Shortly after Boxcar Betty's opened the doors, it was crowned the king of Lowcountry chicken sandwiches. This West Ashley stop brings fried poultry to a new level of good. Sample the Boxcar with pimiento cheese, peach slaw, pickles, and spicy mayo.

Also Featured in:

7 Essential Spots for To-Go Fried Chicken in Charleston

2. The Glass Onion

1219 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407

(843) 225-1717

Visit Website

With the right care and a practiced hand, classics can sometimes be combined to make something greater than the sum of their parts. Case in point: the Fried Green Tomato Po Boy with Pimento Cheese from West Ashley's Southern food stalwart The Glass Onion. The menu item is as simple as fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese, but as writer Timmons Pettigrew says, it's a "hearty, meatless, yet soul-affirming option."

Also Featured in:

3. goat.sheep.cow.

106 Church St
Charleston, SC 29401

With an endless supply of ingredients, it's only natural that this little cheese shop would get into the sandwich game. Down on Church Street, goat.sheep.cow. utilizes what they have on hand to produce a small amount of highly covetable handheld lunches every day. One of their favorites to assemble is prosciutto cotto, Big John's Cajun cheddar, Lusty Monk whole grain mustard, Vermont Creamery cultured butter and cucumber slices on an EVO semolina baguette.

Open in Google Maps

4. Queen Street Grocery

133 Queen St
Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 723-4121

Visit Website

This storied Harleston Village corner shop offers pressed paninis any time of the day. The Tenacious Turkey with a secret honey basil sauce is their most popular staple, while the Happy Houdini with Virginia ham comes in a close second.

Also Featured in:

5. 167 Raw

289 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

It's almost as if the lobster roll didn't exist in Charleston until 167 Raw opened its doors. This luscious sandwich features feature large chunks of ocean-fresh lobster tossed in a light aioli, sprinkled with chives, and placed on a buttery Butcher & Bee bun.

Also Featured in:

6. Ted's Butcherblock

334 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 577-0094

Visit Website

Ted's Butcherblock knows meat, and Ted's definitely knows bacon. Stop by this East Bay shop for the BLT of the month. The featured pork changes each month, so you can be a bacon expert by the end of the year.

Also Featured in:

7. Persimmon Cafe

226 Calhoun St
Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 937-5399

Visit Website

The couple that opened this tiny soup and sandwich shop is redefining the meaning of convenience food. Get your fix of sophisticated comfort with an Adult Grilled Cheese with gouda, prosciutto, green apple, and cheddar.

Also Featured in:

8. Pink Bellies

73 St Philip St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Food truck Pink Bellies can usually be found on the corner of St. Philip and Calhoun Streets. While there, order the pulled pork banh mi. This sandwich full of pork, blueberry jam, pickled onions, mayo, cilantro, and jalapeños — and it's only $5.

Also Featured in:

9. Closed For Business

453 King St
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 853-8466

Visit Website

Most food aficionados who visit beer joint Closed for Business probably sample the notorious Pork Slap sandwich. The menu item is a piggy pile of pulled pork, fried pork cutlet, green tomato pickles, Swiss cheese, and a house sauce. Food GPS writer Joshua Lurie once called it "downright pornographic."

Also Featured in:

10. Dave's Carry Out

47 Morris St
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 577-7943

Dave's Carry Out is famous for their fish, but the pork chop sandwich (fried, on a single slice of white bread) is something of a legend itself.

Open in Google Maps

11. Smoke BBQ

487 King St
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 805-5050

Visit Website

Smoke BBQ is known for its "elevated" sandwiches. For the Beef & Chedda, chef Roland Feldman pickles the jalapeños with a special blend of spices, smokes the brisket out back, sources buns from Brown's Court, and uses a reduction of Funkmaster Brett IPA from Revelry Brewing in his cheddar ale sauce.

Also Featured in:

Life-Saving Charleston Late Night Food

12. Artisan Meat Share

33 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

There's an abundance of menu choices at Artisan Meat Share, so it's difficult to pick a single stack. However, the Italian, full of house-cured meats, Auricchio provolone, shaved lettuce, onion, tomato, pepper rings, and a special sub sauces seems to be the most popular. For parties, you can order one of these meaty monsters big enough to feed eight people.

Also Featured in:

13. Bon Banh Mi

162 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 414-7320

Visit Website

If your tastes run a bit more Vietnamese, then this Spring Street shop has the sandwich and Sriracha for you. You can pick your fillings from red curry beef to five-spice tofu to accompany the traditional banh mi condiments.

Open in Google Maps

14. Butcher & Bee

1085 Morrison Dr
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 619-0202

Visit Website

Vegetarians rejoice, because non-meat sandwiches don't have to be a greasy portabella smeared with aioli. At Butcher & Bee, the vegetarian sandwich is exalted with a barbecued pulled squash option that rivals its porky cousin.

Also Featured in:

15. Leon's Oyster Shop

698 King St
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 531-6500

Visit Website

Leon's Oyster Shop might be one of the few restaurants where "Can I buy you a fish sandwich?" is a handsome proposition. Whether fried or grilled, this stack is finished with Duke's mayo and hot sauce — it's everything a fast food fish sandwich isn't.

Also Featured in:

16. Tattooed Moose

1137 Morrison Dr
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 277-2990

Visit Website

The famous triple-decker duck sandwich at Tattooed Moose practically needs no introduction. Duck confit, apple-smoked bacon, hickory-smoked cheddar, garlic aioli and red onion all get stuffed between two slices of Hawaiian bread.

Also Featured in:

17. Roadside Seafood

807 Folly Rd
Charleston, SC 29412

(843) 754-5890

Visit Website

If you're craving a taste of the ocean, stop by family-owner Roadside Cafe for the Split Decision. This creation is half shrimp po' boy and half oyster po' boy, with lettuce, tomatoes, and "BAM" sauce served on a fresh baked hoagie roll.

Also Featured in:

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18. The Park Cafe

730 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 410-1070

Visit Website

The pork loin hoagie at sunny spot The Park Cafe has a loyal following. Succulent pork topped with crunchy rapini, a drizzle of olive oil and lemon, and triple creme makes this sandwich one to remember.

Also Featured in:

19. Spero

Visit Website

Funky cafe Spero is better known for its small plates, but don't overlook the sandwich section. Try the lamb barbacoa stack with lemon pickled jalapeños, mayonnaise, North Carolina barbecue sauce, and queso fresco or the fried chicken sandwich that is said to be one of the best in the Lowcountry.

Also Featured in:

7 Essential Spots for To-Go Fried Chicken in Charleston

20. Lewis BBQ

464 N Nassau St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Can't decide which smoked treat to order at Lewis Barbecue? Get them all on the El Sancho sandwich — it's a stack of pulled pork or chopped beef with hot guts sausage and pickled red onion. You're going to need a nap.

Also Featured in:

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1. Boxcar Betty's

1922 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

Shortly after Boxcar Betty's opened the doors, it was crowned the king of Lowcountry chicken sandwiches. This West Ashley stop brings fried poultry to a new level of good. Sample the Boxcar with pimiento cheese, peach slaw, pickles, and spicy mayo.

1922 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407

Visit Website

2. The Glass Onion

1219 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

With the right care and a practiced hand, classics can sometimes be combined to make something greater than the sum of their parts. Case in point: the Fried Green Tomato Po Boy with Pimento Cheese from West Ashley's Southern food stalwart The Glass Onion. The menu item is as simple as fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese, but as writer Timmons Pettigrew says, it's a "hearty, meatless, yet soul-affirming option."

1219 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407

Visit Website

3. goat.sheep.cow.

106 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401

With an endless supply of ingredients, it's only natural that this little cheese shop would get into the sandwich game. Down on Church Street, goat.sheep.cow. utilizes what they have on hand to produce a small amount of highly covetable handheld lunches every day. One of their favorites to assemble is prosciutto cotto, Big John's Cajun cheddar, Lusty Monk whole grain mustard, Vermont Creamery cultured butter and cucumber slices on an EVO semolina baguette.

106 Church St
Charleston, SC 29401

Open in Google Maps

4. Queen Street Grocery

133 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401

This storied Harleston Village corner shop offers pressed paninis any time of the day. The Tenacious Turkey with a secret honey basil sauce is their most popular staple, while the Happy Houdini with Virginia ham comes in a close second.

133 Queen St
Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

5. 167 Raw

289 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

It's almost as if the lobster roll didn't exist in Charleston until 167 Raw opened its doors. This luscious sandwich features feature large chunks of ocean-fresh lobster tossed in a light aioli, sprinkled with chives, and placed on a buttery Butcher & Bee bun.

289 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

6. Ted's Butcherblock

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Ted's Butcherblock knows meat, and Ted's definitely knows bacon. Stop by this East Bay shop for the BLT of the month. The featured pork changes each month, so you can be a bacon expert by the end of the year.

334 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

7. Persimmon Cafe

226 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401

The couple that opened this tiny soup and sandwich shop is redefining the meaning of convenience food. Get your fix of sophisticated comfort with an Adult Grilled Cheese with gouda, prosciutto, green apple, and cheddar.

226 Calhoun St
Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

8. Pink Bellies

73 St Philip St, Charleston, SC 29403

Food truck Pink Bellies can usually be found on the corner of St. Philip and Calhoun Streets. While there, order the pulled pork banh mi. This sandwich full of pork, blueberry jam, pickled onions, mayo, cilantro, and jalapeños — and it's only $5.

73 St Philip St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

9. Closed For Business

453 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Most food aficionados who visit beer joint Closed for Business probably sample the notorious Pork Slap sandwich. The menu item is a piggy pile of pulled pork, fried pork cutlet, green tomato pickles, Swiss cheese, and a house sauce. Food GPS writer Joshua Lurie once called it "downright pornographic."

453 King St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

10. Dave's Carry Out

47 Morris St, Charleston, SC 29403

Dave's Carry Out is famous for their fish, but the pork chop sandwich (fried, on a single slice of white bread) is something of a legend itself.

47 Morris St
Charleston, SC 29403

Open in Google Maps

11. Smoke BBQ

487 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Smoke BBQ is known for its "elevated" sandwiches. For the Beef & Chedda, chef Roland Feldman pickles the jalapeños with a special blend of spices, smokes the brisket out back, sources buns from Brown's Court, and uses a reduction of Funkmaster Brett IPA from Revelry Brewing in his cheddar ale sauce.

487 King St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

12. Artisan Meat Share

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

There's an abundance of menu choices at Artisan Meat Share, so it's difficult to pick a single stack. However, the Italian, full of house-cured meats, Auricchio provolone, shaved lettuce, onion, tomato, pepper rings, and a special sub sauces seems to be the most popular. For parties, you can order one of these meaty monsters big enough to feed eight people.

33 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

13. Bon Banh Mi

162 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

If your tastes run a bit more Vietnamese, then this Spring Street shop has the sandwich and Sriracha for you. You can pick your fillings from red curry beef to five-spice tofu to accompany the traditional banh mi condiments.

162 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

14. Butcher & Bee

1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

Vegetarians rejoice, because non-meat sandwiches don't have to be a greasy portabella smeared with aioli. At Butcher & Bee, the vegetarian sandwich is exalted with a barbecued pulled squash option that rivals its porky cousin.

1085 Morrison Dr
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

15. Leon's Oyster Shop

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Leon's Oyster Shop might be one of the few restaurants where "Can I buy you a fish sandwich?" is a handsome proposition. Whether fried or grilled, this stack is finished with Duke's mayo and hot sauce — it's everything a fast food fish sandwich isn't.

698 King St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Related Maps

16. Tattooed Moose

1137 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

The famous triple-decker duck sandwich at Tattooed Moose practically needs no introduction. Duck confit, apple-smoked bacon, hickory-smoked cheddar, garlic aioli and red onion all get stuffed between two slices of Hawaiian bread.

1137 Morrison Dr
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

17. Roadside Seafood

807 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

If you're craving a taste of the ocean, stop by family-owner Roadside Cafe for the Split Decision. This creation is half shrimp po' boy and half oyster po' boy, with lettuce, tomatoes, and "BAM" sauce served on a fresh baked hoagie roll.

807 Folly Rd
Charleston, SC 29412

Visit Website

18. The Park Cafe

730 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

The pork loin hoagie at sunny spot The Park Cafe has a loyal following. Succulent pork topped with crunchy rapini, a drizzle of olive oil and lemon, and triple creme makes this sandwich one to remember.

730 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

19. Spero

Charleston, SC

Funky cafe Spero is better known for its small plates, but don't overlook the sandwich section. Try the lamb barbacoa stack with lemon pickled jalapeños, mayonnaise, North Carolina barbecue sauce, and queso fresco or the fried chicken sandwich that is said to be one of the best in the Lowcountry.

Visit Website

20. Lewis BBQ

464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403

Can't decide which smoked treat to order at Lewis Barbecue? Get them all on the El Sancho sandwich — it's a stack of pulled pork or chopped beef with hot guts sausage and pickled red onion. You're going to need a nap.

464 N Nassau St
Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Related Maps