All Our Favorite Sandwiches in Honolulu

 

Where plate lunches reign over the midday meal rotation, sandwiches seem to be the underdogs. Not all members of the team have a favorite sandwich, but those who do stand behind them. From the bread (or other vehicle) of choice to fillings, we’ve assembled a carefully curated roundup of our favorite handheld meals around town. And in case you’re wondering if a burger is a sandwich, the answer is yes—but we’ve got a separate list for them here.

 

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SEE ALSO: My 8 Favorite Sandwiches on O‘ahu

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Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies

My pick is Andy’s Smoked Ahi Melt ($11,45). It’s been my favorite for decades, and it’s the only thing I like from any restaurant that comes between two slices of bread. —Aaron Yoshino, HONOLULU photographer

 

2904 E. Mānoa Road, Mānoa, andyssandwiches.com

 

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SEE ALSO: Where Time Stands Still: Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies

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Le’s Banh Mi

If there’s one sandwich I cannot live without, it’s Chi Lam and Minh Tuan Le’s banh mi. The one with crispy roasted pork belly ($16), to be precise. It’s a study in texture and dimension: The lengths to which Lam and Le go to produce this extraordinary sandwich are unrivaled. It starts with chubby loaves of banh mi, Vietnamese baguettes, notorious for their cloud-like airiness and propensity to massacre the roof of your mouth, baked fresh daily. Fresh mayo, crisp pickles and herbs and succulent cubes of roast pork with crispy-crackling skin are layered in. I always want two because the separation anxiety that overcomes me when I finish the first one is too much to bear. —Thomas Obungen, HONOLULU special projects editor

 

No matter how many times I go, I always look forward to returning to Le’s. The Combo 1 ($16 for your choice of Saigon Special or Roast Pork banh mi plus a Vietnamese iced coffee) is my go-to. I always choose the Saigon Special, which has headcheese and pâté. It’s the most balanced banh mi I’ve ever had: crispy, crackly bread that pillows the filling; a rich, velvety pâté; crunchy pickled radish and carrots for brightness; and jalapeños for heat. The sandwich is surprisingly filling considering its size, and I wash it all down with the bold, sweet coffee. —Andrea Lee, HONOLULU digital editor

 

808 Sheridan St. Suite 306B, Ala Moana, @les_banhmi

 

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Sprout Sandwich Shop

I’m not a big sandwich person, so there’s actually only one sammy that I crave, but it is REALLY fantastic. The Duke ($15) is Sprout’s kick-ass spin on a club sandwich. First of all, it’s mega-sized—one half and I’m stuffed. You can get it toasted or untoasted on ciabatta, gluten-free or multi-grain bread (my fave). It comes loaded with hand-cut slices of juicy, oven-roasted turkey, thick pieces of perfectly crisped bacon (never floppy or rubbery), a pile of tender Maui butter lettuce shreds and slices of fresh tomato. And, to kick everything up a notch, Sprout adds in slivers of pickled red onions that perfectly balance the savory flavors with a one-two punch of tangy and sweet. —Brie Thalmann, managing style editor, HONOLULU

 

1154 Koko Head Ave., Kaimukī, sproutsandwichshop.com, @sproutwich

 

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Bocconcino

Donato Loperfido takes a slab of crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside schiacciata, slices it in half and layers thin whispers of mortadella on one side. The other he slathers with pistachio crema, crushed pistachios, house-made creamy stracciatella cheese and lashings of Dragotto olive oil. The Bolognese sandwich ($21) is so simple, but I love how the symphony of ingredients becomes a harmonious blend between two halves of bread. —TO

 

978 Kawaiaha‘o St., Kaka‘ako, @bocconcinohawaii

 

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Little G Café

A few years back, my boyfriend, his brother and I ended up at Little G Café after a hike, tired, hot and hungry. We ordered two sandwiches, specials that day at the pizzeria. They were massive—the three of us got through one and two-thirds—and unforgettable.

 

Sandwiches made it onto Little G’s permanent menu last year, satisfying our cravings at last. Of the ones I’ve tried, the Italian combo hero ($20) stands out the most. The house-made sesame bread is packed with Italian meats (usually sopressata, Genoa salami, prosciutto and/or mortadella), making up more than half the filling, alongside layers of mozzarella, roasted red peppers, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and sun-dried tomatoes. This sandwich is difficult and messy and so gratifying. It will probably knock you out with its flavors and immensity. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. —AL

 

808 Center 2nd floor, 808 Sheridan St., Ala Moana, littlegcafe.com, @littlegcafe

 

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Eighty Chicken Sandwiches

Most of the week, Adam Wade is a stay-at-home dad. On weekends, he slings fried chicken sandwiches ($17) from a trailer in Kahuku. And once he sells his eightieth sandwich, often around 2 p.m., he’s done for the day. With just one menu item, Wade zeroes in on perfection. I prefer mine un-spiced, but spicy is an option. And the fries, thrice fried, are some of the best on the island. —TO

 

56-505 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, @eightychickensandwiches

 

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Babes Bakery

We live in a world of fancy sandwiches with artisan breads and the most elaborate fillings imaginable. But sometimes, all you want is a simple tuna melt ($12). That’s what Babes Bakery serves at its newish Kaimukī cafe, where you can sit and have a quiet lunch without fuss. From the photo above, you can see it’s not overstuffed or filled with anything that doesn’t belong in a classic tuna melt. There’s just a half inch-high dollop of tuna salad (with just the right amount of mayonnaise) with melted cheese on house-made sourdough. Then it’s grilled with a slightly crunchy char. My daughter and I recently shared one for a Saturday breakfast, and all I could think was, this is the good life. —Diane Seo, HONOLULU editorial director

 

3036 Wai‘alae Ave. Suite B4, Kaimukī, babesbakeryhawaii.com, @babes_bakery

 

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Anna Miller’s

There’s something about Anna Miller’s clubhouse sandwich that’s anchored deep in my nostalgic heart. Maybe it’s the setting. Or perhaps it’s the white toasted bread. It’s gotta be the frilly toothpicks, to be quite honest. When I think of a clubhouse sandwich—what I used to wish all sandwiches could be—this comes to mind. I think it’s one of my favorite sandos because it tastes like childhood dreams and it’s a double decker. —TO

 

98-115 Kaonohi St, ‘Aiea, annamillersrestaurant.com, @annamillershawaii

 

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Roti-Si

I came across Roti-Si’s porchetta sandwich ($18) at the Blaisdell Farmers Market. I was starving when I caught a glimpse of those large rolled pork roasts slowly turning in the oven. The “Signature” is made of big slices of porchetta, crispy bits of chopped pork skin, caramelized onions and cherry tomato confit, topped with fistfuls of arugula, drizzled with some chile oil, and held together in a perfect brutalist structure by thick slices of ciabatta. Hearty, not too greasy or oily, herbaceous, sweet, savory, with just the ideal amount of heat. —James Nakamura, HONOLULU creative director

 

Various farmers markets, @roti_si.hi

 

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The Valley Health Bar

A Makiki neighborhood gem, The Valley Health Bar serves up the kind of sandwich that feels like a small act of self-care—a reminder to eat with intention and fuel up the right way. The Waipi‘o Valley sandwich ($16.50) layers juicy turkey, spinach, tomato, sprouts and a bright, basil-y pesto aioli onto lightly toasted ciabatta that’s soft on the inside with just the right crunch. Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet-tangy pop, and I always add avocado for that creamy, satisfying finish. It even comes with a side of spinach and balsamic dressing. Named after one of Hawai‘i’s majestic valleys, it’s feel-good food for living your best life: light, flavorful and made to carry you through the day without the post-lunch crash.—Cody Kawamoto, creative director, Hawai‘i Home + Remodeling

 

725 Kīna‘u St., Makiki, thevalleyhealthbar.com, @thevalleyhealthbar

 

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Machete’s Mean Sandwiches

Turkey, lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumbers, avocado, provolone, wheat bread—Machete’s Mean Sandwiches turns this basic roster into a lunch that’s anything but boring. My go-to spot for a stacked sammy, Machete’s is known for its generous portions, but it’s the thoughtful sandwich execution that stands out. Thick, house-baked bread supports finely shredded and sliced meat, cheese and veggies, creating a satisfying mix of textures and balanced bites. My favorite “mean” turkey sandwich ($11.99, plus $1.99 for the avocado spread I absolutely must add on)—and everything on the menu—is always prepped just right. That’s what puts Machete’s a cut above. —Darlene Dela Cruz, editor, Hawai‘i Home + Remodeling

 

1694 Kalākaua Ave. #D, McCully; 99-115 ‘Aiea Heights Dr., Suite 250, ‘Aiea; machetesmeansandwiches.com, @machetesmeansandwiches

 

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Drip Studio

Texture. From my extensive research, that’s what makes a good sandwich a great one. The Crunch Time ($18) at Drip Studio delivers every bit of what its name promises. It starts with toasted Mille Fête sourdough, then continues with shredded lettuce, red onion, pepperoncini and crinkle-cut potato chips, each layer lifting an otherwise humble turkey sandwich into a crunchy echelon all its own. I should note that I have yet to mar the roof of my mouth. I’ve had this sandwich (with chips) a few times in the past couple of weeks, a newbie that lingers on the brain enough to belong on this list. —TO

 

1146 Fort Street Mall, Downtown, dripstudiohnl.com, @dripstudiohnl

 

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Read the rest of the series:

All Our Favorite Pizzas in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Burgers in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Matcha Drinks in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Shave Ices in Honolulu

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