One Tennessee deli will steam your hoagie until it’s soft enough to eat with a spoon, if you ask. That is a real option on the menu, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
The same shop has been steaming sandwiches since 1976. Another deli on this list stacks a full pound of pastrami on one sandwich. A third fries up mortadella and gives the sandwich a name that looks like a dollar sign.
None of these places depend on fancy decor or big speeches. They put the effort into the bread, the meat, and the sauce. Several smoke or roast meats in-house.
One slices meat and cheese right in the shop before steaming your order.
I love that kind of focus. So the real question is simple. How far would you drive for a sandwich made by people who clearly care this much about lunch?
1. Mitchell Delicatessen
Plenty of delis buy bacon, but this East Nashville shop goes with Benton’s, the famous smoky Tennessee bacon. That single choice tells you how seriously the kitchen treats a sandwich.
Many of the meats here are cured or smoked in-house, including sausages and roast beef. So that roast beef sandwich carries work that started long before your lunch break.
The deli builds fresh artisan sandwiches with a big focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. It’s the kind of place where the story behind the meat actually matters.
Got a vegetarian or vegan in your crew? Good news, because the menu includes options made with locally produced seitan and tofu.
Nobody has to settle for a sad side salad while the rest of the table feasts. That small detail makes group road trips a lot more peaceful.
Early birds get a real bonus here, since the doors open at 8 AM. A hot breakfast bar means you can roll in before lunch and still eat well.
Lunch fans have more to explore beyond the bread. A daily house-made soup and fresh salads round out the menu nicely.
The kitchen wraps up at 4 PM, so plan your drive with that clock in mind. Showing up hungry at 4:15 is a lesson you only need to learn once.
Feeding an office or throwing a party? Catering is available, which lets you bring those house-smoked meats straight to your own table.
Nashville gets loads of attention for hot chicken, and that’s fair. Still, this deli makes a strong case that the humble sandwich deserves a spot on your Music City eating plan too.
Address: 1306 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
2. Rae’s Sandwich Shoppe
Downtown Nashville workers have been grabbing lunch here since 2002, which is a long run for a sandwich counter. Any shop that lasts that long in a busy city center is clearly doing something right.
The hours are short and sweet, running 11 AM to 2 PM on weekdays. Think of it as a lunch window, not an all-day hangout, and plan accordingly.
Hot sandwiches arrive on a toasted New Orleans-style baguette. That crackly bread is a big deal, because it holds up to fillings without turning soggy.
Cold deli sandwiches come on wheat bread or a baguette, so you get to pick your team. Either way, the sandwiches are made to order.
The Reuben is one of the popular picks, and it’s hard to argue with a classic. Another favorite goes by Abi’s Honey Sriracha Chicken, which sounds sweet, spicy, and dangerously snackable.
Sides keep things simple and satisfying. You can choose pasta salad, potato salad, or Dirty’s chips to go with your sandwich.
Save a little room, because the dessert list leans homemade. Banana pudding and brownies are on the lineup, and both feel like a proper Southern finish.
Garden salads come with homemade dressings, and daily soups rotate in too. That gives lighter eaters a solid option without feeling left out.
The shop is local and family-owned, with a laid-back Southern feel and a comfortable dine-in area. It’s a nice break from the louder side of downtown.
One tip before you go: the shop sometimes closes for short breaks, like a fall break in October. A quick check of their social pages can save you a hungry walk.
Address: 501 Union Street, Nashville, TN 37219
3. Tennessee Jed’s Craft Sandwiches
Yelp named this Gatlinburg shop the number six sandwich spot in the entire United States in October 2024. In a mountain town packed with pancake houses, that’s a serious flex.
The secret isn’t flashy, either. The kitchen slow cooks and house-roasts its own meats, then pairs them with homemade sauces.
That patience shows up across the menu. You’ll find a Reuben, a Cubano, a Classic BBQ, and a Turkey Bacon Ranch.
Smoked Chicken Salad is another option worth a look. For a simpler craving, a grilled ham and cheese covers the comfort-food side of things.
Salads, sides, and desserts fill out the lineup. Soups appear when available, so treat them like a happy surprise.
The original shop sits in Baskins Square on the Parkway. It currently runs daily from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with breakfast served until 11 AM.
Outdoor patio seating at the downtown spot is a real perk after a morning of hiking. Eating a roasted-meat sandwich with mountain air around you just feels right.
Breakfast is served at the downtown Parkway location until 11 AM. The location at 450 Brookside Village Way is currently listed as Tennessee Jed’s Catering and Craft Sandwich Shop and does not advertise those breakfast hours.
Having two spots means you can plan around your day in the Smokies. Grab breakfast on the way out and a hefty sandwich on the way back.
Gatlinburg crowds can be intense during busy seasons, so a little timing goes a long way. Either way, this is the kind of lunch that makes a vacation photo album hungry.
Address: 631 Parkway, Suite A8, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (321 Jed’s: 450 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738)
4. Front Street Deli
Comebacks are fun, and this downtown Memphis deli pulled one off when it reopened in 2024. Sometimes a city just needs its sandwich counter back.
Don’t expect a menu full of wild experiments. The focus here is classic deli fare, and that’s exactly the point.
Sandwiches are built on quality bread with familiar, comforting combinations. It’s the food version of your favorite old song coming on the radio.
Classic subs anchor the menu, which makes ordering easy. A variety of sides lets you round out the meal without overthinking it.
The setup has a walk-up counter that brings a classic New York deli feel to Front Street. You order, you grab, and you get on with your happy day.
Outdoor seating gives you another choice on nice afternoons. Downtown Memphis is great for people-watching, so a sidewalk sandwich makes sense.
Strong ratings and a steady flow of regulars suggest the revival worked. Clearly, plenty of people were ready for straightforward sandwiches done well.
This spot pairs nicely with a day exploring the riverfront and downtown. A quick, filling lunch keeps you moving without draining your afternoon.
Simple places can be tricky, because there’s nowhere to hide. When the menu leans on classics, the bread and fillings have to carry the whole show.
That’s what makes a deli like this worth the trip. Memphis is famous for barbecue, but a great sub deserves its own moment in the spotlight.
So next time you’re downtown, skip the guessing game. Walk up, order something familiar, and let a classic do its job.
Address: 77 S Front St, Memphis, TN
5. Hard Times Deli
Any deli that names a fried mortadella sandwich G$ clearly has a sense of humor. Luckily, this Memphis newcomer backs up the jokes with seriously hearty food.
The shop opened in 2025 and quickly picked up attention. By early 2026, it was already earning mentions in local food coverage.
The menu stays simple, with fresh-made hot and cold sandwiches built from premium ingredients. Salads and catering are part of the plan too.
Now, about those sandwich names. The SSS Chopped Cheese and the Turkey Bacon Ranch are noted as popular choices.
Cheesesteak fans should look for the Phil-Lenny Cheesesteak. The Buffalo Chicken Caesar brings a spicy twist to a salad classic in sandwich form.
Craving something meatless? Eggplant Parm sits on the menu, ready to win over anyone who thinks vegetables can’t be hearty.
Then there’s The Fin, a house-smoked yellowfin tuna salad. Smoking your own tuna is a bold move for a small deli, and it’s a fun change from canned.
Meat & Potatoes might be the cleverest idea here. It stacks roast beef and Swiss with potato stix, so the crunch comes built right in.
You’ll also find a Spicy Italian and a Chopped Greek. That’s a lot of variety from a menu that still feels easy to read.
Newer spots can be hit or miss, but this one built buzz fast for a reason. If you’re cruising through Memphis, it’s an easy detour for lunch with a little attitude.
Address: 655 Marshall Ave, Memphis, TN
6. Nixon’s Deli
Here’s a menu option you won’t see often: a hoagie so steamed you could eat it with a spoon. Knoxville’s Nixon’s Deli lets you pick that level, and honestly, respect.
Steaming isn’t a gimmick here. The deli has been steaming hoagies in Knoxville since 1976, which is nearly fifty years of practice.
The process is refreshingly hands-on. Meats and cheeses are sliced in the shop, and sandwiches are built to order before they hit the steamer.
You get to decide how far it goes. Choose lightly warmed if you like some structure, or go full spoon mode for maximum melt.
Steam does something special to a sandwich. The cheese softens, the bread turns tender, and the flavors blend together.
Pickles and pepperoncini come on the side. That tangy crunch is the perfect partner for a soft, steamy hoagie.
A quick location note will save you some confusion. The Kingston Pike shop closed in September 2026, and the deli is looking for a new Bearden home.
Two shops remain open for your hoagie needs. You can head to North Peters Road or Merchant Drive.
Having two spots across town makes the trip easier to fit into your day. Pick the one closer to your route and go.
Long-running local delis carry a special kind of charm in Tennessee. When a shop sticks with one smart idea for decades, it usually means people keep coming back for it.
Address: 230 N Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN (also 508 Merchant Drive, Knoxville, TN)
7. Gold’s Deli
Some business plans start with spreadsheets, but this one started with a sandwich craving. Owner George Kougias opened the deli because he couldn’t find a good cold sandwich in town.
That frustration turned into a true northeast-style deli in Columbia. It opened in the summer of 2024 and has already moved to a roomier home in the Columbia Arts District.
The menu goes big, and it isn’t shy about it. The Original piles on a full pound of pastrami with hot mustard.
Yes, a pound. You may want to clear your afternoon schedule, or at least loosen your belt.
The Italian hero brings four different meats to the party. There’s also a Reuben for anyone who wants the deli classic.
Abe’s Fave is a fun one to try. It layers turkey, ham, honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, and pickles with vinegar chips tucked right inside for crunch.
Cheesesteaks here are customizable, which is great if you’re picky. The Gold’s way adds cheddar, provolone, grilled onions, banana peppers, and mayo.
Got a sweet tooth? The deli serves house-made cookies from Kings Baking Co., a nice way to end a hefty lunch.
Hours run 11 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sundays are off, so don’t plan a weekend lunch around that day.
Catering is available too, which could make you the hero of the next office party. Bring a pound of pastrami to a meeting and watch the room cheer up fast.
Address: 1211 S Garden St, Columbia, TN 38401
8. Steamboat Sandwiches
Any sauce called Extra Hot Exciter deserves a little caution and a lot of curiosity. You’ll find it on the Hotter Steamboat at this Knoxville favorite on North Central Street.
Steamboat Sandwiches builds custom sandwiches to order on its own signature bread. That bread is the foundation, and the rest is up to your mood.
Creative ingredients set the tone here. If plain turkey on wheat feels like a snooze, this menu gives you room to play.
Spice lovers should try the Hotter Steamboat at least once. Just keep a drink close by, because the name suggests it isn’t kidding.
Speaking of drinks, the lemonade is freshly squeezed and hand-shaken. A tart, cold cup is exactly what a fiery sandwich needs.
Homemade desserts are on hand when you want something sweet. It’s a friendly way to cool things down after that Exciter sauce.
Seasonal specials keep things interesting through the year. Red Beans & Rice and Cactus Chili have both shown up on the menu.
Cactus Chili is not something you see every week in East Tennessee. It’s a fun reminder that this kitchen likes to color outside the lines.
Outdoor patio seating gives you space to enjoy lunch in the fresh air. On a nice day along Central Street, that makes the stop even better.
Hours run 10 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Saturday, so this is a daytime mission. Pair it with Nixon’s for a Knoxville sandwich tour, and your road trip suddenly has a delicious theme.
Address: 2423 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917
Share this story
