13 Stellar Sandwiches to Try, Part One

Sure you can make a sandwich at home, but are you going to bake your own bread or roast your own beef? Or wash and leaf your own lettuce?

Complicated sandwiches are filled with layers of components that require care, but they are oh so worth it. Even if someone else makes the sandwich for you, it’s affordable.

Here’s our first list of stellar sandwiches in Tucson to put on your radar.

Pilgrim at 4th Avenue Delicatessen

425 N. Fourth Ave.

Don’t wait until after Thanksgiving to eat turkey sandwiches. Around this time of year, 4th Ave Deli brings out their Pilgrim sandwich for a limited amount of time. Eat it as much as you can while you can.

Keep up with 4th Avenue Delicatessen on Facebook.

Smoked Beet Sandwich at 5 Points Market & Restaurant

756 S. Stone Ave.

Smoked Beet Sandwich at 5 Points Market & Restaurant (Credit: Jackie Tran)

The Smoked Beet Sandwich features a generous pile of sliced smoked beets with local pecan cheese, jalapeño cabbage slaw, and house-made organic ciabatta for a remarkable vegan sandwich.

For more information, call (520) 623-3888 or visit 5pointstucson.com.

Arizona Strong Man at the Bagel Joint

7315 N. Oracle Rd. Ste. 105

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We thought your feed needed this. You’re welcome. (And happy 3 year anniversary to The Bagel Joint). #tucsonfoodie

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For a hefty protein-heavy breakfast, order the Arizona Strong Man. The combination of eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheese on the fresh house-made bagel will keep your belly full for hours.

Keep up with the Bagel Joint on Facebook.

Johnny Cubano at Johnny Gibson’s Downtown Market

11 S. Sixth Ave.

Johnny Cubano and Gunslinger Burger at Johnny Gibson’s Downtown Market (Credit: Chelsey Wade)

The Johnny Cubano features ham, shredded pork shoulder, pickles, roasted jalapeños, spicy dijonnaise, and Swiss cheese. Enjoy it with their sweet potato fries.

For more information, visit gibsonsmarket.com.

Carnitas Torta at Maico Restaurant Mexican Food

835 E. 22nd St.

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Lunchtime bliss. Carnitas Torta at Maico Restaurant Mexican Food (E 22nd Street). #tucsonfoodie #carnitas #torta #southsidetucson

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For some reason, tortas haven’t really caught on in Tucson yet. But don’t miss out. At Maico, enjoy the Mexican sandwich with crispy, succulent carnitas.

Keep up with Maico on Facebook.

Tailored Tony at Renee’s Organic Oven

7065 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

The Tailored Tony at Renee’s Organic Oven (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Renee dresses up the sloppy Joe into the Tailored Tony, using local organic San Rafael Valley grass-fed beef, marinara, roasted red peppers, basil, and provolone on their organic focaccia. It’s served with your choice of a Tossed or Caesar Salad.

Fun fact — it was one of two dishes Guy Fieri ate when he visited.

For more information, call (520) 886-0484 or visit reneesorganicoven.com.

The Ultimate Roma at Roma Imports

627 S. Vine Ave.

Ultimate Roma sandwich at Roma Imports (Credit: Jackie Tran)

The Ultimate Roma features a blend of capocolla, Genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, giardiniera, roasted red peppers, lettuce, tomato, and balsamic vinaigrette.

But that’s not even its final form — Matt’s Special features all of the above with the addition of fresh mozzarella and prosciutto.

For more information, visit romaimports.com.

‘The Famous’ Italian Grinder at Sausage Deli

754 E. Grant Rd.

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Always choose the Mac Salad and Jalapeño Chips as your sides when at The Sausage Deli. @sausagedeliaz #tucsonfoodie

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The Omar gets all the love, but don’t miss out on the ‘The Famous’ Italian Grinder with Genoa salami, pastrami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, bell pepper, onions, pepperoncini peppers, oregano, and Italian dressing.

For more information, visit sausagedeli.com.

Whatever floats your boat at Sausage Shop Meat Market and Deli

1015 W. Prince Rd. Ste. 141

Pastrami & Swiss at The Sausage Shop (Credit: Adam Lehrman)

With house-made sausages and cured meats, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the Sausage Shop’s dozens of sandwiches. Just choose the one with the most appealing meat for you.

They’re also one of the best places to shop for meats to make your own sandwich.

Keep up with Sausage Shop Meat Market and Deli.

Cochinita Pibil Torta at Seis Kitchen

130 S. Avenida del Convento Ste. 100 • 1765 E. River Rd. Ste. 131

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@seiskitchen is one of the few places in Tucson to find cochinita pibil, a Yucatán specialty. Here it is on a torta at their new Joesler Village location. #tucsonfoodie #tucson #food #cochinitapibil #torta #avocado #? #calabacitas #tucsonfoodie

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Cochinita Pibil — a slow-roasted pork dish marinated in citrus and vibrant red achiote — tops the torta with pickled red onion, cilantro, smashed black beans, avocado, Roma tomato, queso Oaxaca, and Seis-Style chipotle crema.

For more information, visit seiskitchen.com.

Gormogon at Serial Grillers

5737 E. Speedway Blvd. • 1970 W. River Rd. Ste. 100 • 7585 S. Houghton Rd.

While most of Serial Grillers’ sandwiches will fit in your mouth reasonably, the Gormogon features a tower made of a double order of ribeye, grilled onions, hot cherry peppers, sweet peppers, bacon, six slices of white American cheese, fries, and onion rings.

For more information, visit serialgrillersaz.com.

Caprese Sandwich at Time Market

444 E. University Blvd.

Caprese Sandwich at Time Market (Credit: Jackie Tran)

If you appreciate artisanal crusty bread, Time Market is easily one of the best options. The humble Caprese Sandwich features the outstanding house-baked baguette, arugula pesto, tomato, house-made mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic, and basil.

The Fried Chicken Sandwich features exceptionally juicy chicken breast — order it “Tucson HOT” style for a quarter extra.

For more information, visit timemarket.xyz.

Banh Mi Dac Biet at Vina Vietnamese Street Food

4230 N. Oracle Rd.

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This is what you should do for dinner. And yep, we know… sandwich day two. But, tbh everything is better in a bread. #tucsonfoodie at Vina Vietnamese on Oracle.

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Thanks to French colonization in Vietnam, the world now has the gift of the Vietnamese sandwich.

The Banh Mi Dac Biet features chicken pate, steamed red pork, Vietnamese ham, head cheese, cilantro, carrots, daikon, and jalapeños.

Keep up with Vina Vietnamese Street Food on Facebook.