The 7 top spots for sandwiches in Des Moines, according to local foodies

Local foodies helped us curate a list of the best spots for sandwiches in Des Moines, Iowa. 

When you want to find the best restaurants in any given city, it’s best to forgo Google and travel apps and head to another resource instead: the local foodies. In our quest to find the best sandwiches in Des Moines, we did just that.

After asking around, a handful of locals helped us come up with this list of tried and true sandwich spots in the Des Moines metro. Get ready to make some room in your schedule (and your stomach!) to try out these tasty eats!

1. Palmer’s Deli & Market

2843 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

(515)-274-4004

Hands down, this spot got the most votes from people we know. More than several of them told us Palmer’s is the spot to grab a sandwich in the Des Moines area as their sandwiches are, and I quote, “fire,” “one of my favorite sandwiches of all time,” and “chef’s kiss” delicious.

Try their chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, or go with The Marshall, which features roast turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and 1000 Island on marble rye bread. The Cowboy, which features roast beef, red onion, cheddar and pepperjack cheese, and western dressing on marble rye, is another local favorite. There’s also a tuna sandwich, veggie sandwich, salads, soups and so much more. And Palmer’s gets bonus points for serving up delicious brownies, too. 

2. Hansen’s Manhattan Deli

3705 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

(515) 274-1208

Our sources also tell us you can go ahead and order anything and everything at Hansen’s Manhattan Deli and you won’t be disappointed. Their Truly Delicious sandwich—which is Italian beef, turkey, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper rings, and mayo on a hoagie bun, served warm—is aptly named.

This deli has been serving up sandwiches in the same Des Moines spot since 1982, so they know their sandwich-making stuff. Whether it’s a new hoagie, such as The Hula Girl (capicola, ham, pepperoni, hard salami, cheddar & pepperjack cheese, jalapeños, mayo, Buckwee’s Magnificent Mustard, homemade pineapple salsa and Manhattan seasoning) or The Blue Bird (blueberry bread, cream cheese, sliced deli turkey, green pepper, lettuce, Swiss cheese, Buckwee’s Magnificent Mustard, coleslaw & mayo), hoagies or other sandwiches served warm, they promise their sandwiches are “worth the schlep.” 

3. Maccabee’s Kosher Deli

1150 Polk Blvd., Des Moines

(515) 277- 1718

As the state’s only kosher deli, Maccabee’s is the place to pop into for the authentic Jewish deli experience. You might go in for a sandwich and come out with new friends, as the deli fosters community connection and has a welcoming atmosphere.

Make sure to try the hot beef pastrami on rye, but don’t miss out on their wide range of traditional kosher deli fare, including corned beef sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and more. Order up the Maccabee, which features a half-pound of their famous corned beef and roast beef, served piping hot. For something a little more unique, try the Koslow, a hot, flaky potato knish next to 1/3 pound of steamed salami.

Treat yourself to some baklava or some black-and-white cookies as a sweet ending to a delicious sandwich experience. 

4. Graziano Brothers

1601 South Union St., Des Moines

(515) 244-7103

With a name like Graziano, you had better know how to serve up a tasty sandwich, right? This stalwart of the Southside of Des Moines has been serving up popular Italian eats since opening in 1912. Also a grocery store, Graziano Brothers is famous for their Italian sausage but has started serving deli sandwiches (quite successfully) as well. And while it’s not something you’d usually order up from an opponent, you have to try the Knuckle Sandwich. It features coppa, hot soppressata, pepperoni, hot pepper cheese, sliced pepperoncini, and Italian dressing.

They have several other hot and cold sandwiches to choose from, including the Caprese Panini (fresh mozzarella, tomato, and pesto mayo), and the Badabing (Italian turkey, salami, mortadella, roasted pepper, provolone, and sundried tomato spread). You’ll feel fully transported to Italy with any bite. 

5. Cheese Bar DSM

2925 Ingersoll, Des Moines

(515) 277-7828

For a little something different in the sandwich department, stop by Cheese Bar DSM. Here you’ll find a surprising range of grilled cheeses to please your palate. Of course, they have a classic (made with three local artisanal cheeses), but they also get pretty creative with their cheese grilling game. You can order it up with corned beef, as a Cuban, or as the “Royal” which includes ham, bacon, mornay sauce, sunny-side-up egg, and a local cheese blend. We also had locals recommend the Pig & Fig sandwich, or the turkey and brie sandwich.

No matter what you order, you’ll be walking away full of cheesy goodness.

6. South Union Bread Company

1007 Locust St., Des Moines

(515) 248-1782

South Union Bread Company is known for its bread. In fact, several other restaurants serve their sandwiches on their bread. So it’s no surprise that a stop into their shop would be an opportunity to grab a delicious sandwich, too. They opened in 1996 and have been producing delicious loaves of bread ever since.

If you’re grabbing a sandwich, check out the daily special. We also recommend giving the Santa Fe Turkey (which includes spicy turkey, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and avocado served hot on focaccia), the California Club (turkey, bacon, mozzarella, guacamole, lettuce, and creamy parmesan dressing served hot on flatbread), or the Spicy Veggie Sub (cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, onion, lettuce, and spicy cream cheese served cold on 9-grain bread). One bite of their delicious bread, and you’ll be back for more.

7. B&B Grocery

2001 SE 6th St., Des Moines

(515) 243-7607

This is one killer of a sandwich shop! B&B Grocery’s deli sandwich department started because the butchers working at this southside neighborhood grocery store made themselves sandwiches while taking their lunch breaks.

Today, Dad’s Killer Sandwich is an homage to those original sandwich makers. It includes roast beef, turkey breast, smoked ham, corned beef, pepper cheese, Swiss cheese, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, kosher pickles, mustard, Miracle Whip, and Tuscan Italian dressing on an Italian hoagie roll.

If that’s not a mouthful, we don’t know what is. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.