One sandwich counter on this list names more than 20 sandwiches after rock and roll legends.
One tribute piles prosciutto, burrata, and walnut pesto onto ciabatta. I love that someone looked at a menu and thought, why not make it a playlist?
Another shop’s story starts with a Swedish store founded in 1898. Its German-born owner bought that store in 1972 and added German foods to the shelves.
It still smokes bacon over hickory and grills sausages outside on Saturdays.
Across Kansas, lunch counters stack house-smoked pastrami, fry bologna, and pour soup into homemade bread bowls.
A few share space with butcher cases, bakeries, and even a bank. I can’t think of a better reason to plan a road trip around sandwiches.
Ten delis, ten personalities, and plenty of reasons to skip the drive-thru. Sundays might get tricky, since several close that day.
Which one would you hit first?
1. La Fetta Delicatessen
Rock and roll fans, your lunch has a soundtrack. This Italian-style deli names more than 20 sandwiches after music legends.
The Red Hot Chili Pepper stacks turkey, hot soppressata, sharp white cheddar, basil, pepperoncini, and piquillo peppers.
The Sublime goes big with prosciutto, burrata, walnut pesto, spicy garlic aioli, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula.
Each sandwich lands on soft ciabatta from Farm to Market. The sauces are made in-house, which explains why the flavors hit so hard.
Italian deli fans will spot familiar favorites like salamis, finocchiona, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze. Marinated onions add a tangy bite that keeps the layers interesting.
Not in a bread mood? Any sandwich can be turned into a salad, so you still get your favorite combo.
Portions run generous here. A single sandwich can easily stretch into two meals, so pace yourself.
Shelves stock Boar’s Head cured meats, imported cheeses, and imported pantry staples. You can build a charcuterie spread at home after lunch.
Ordering happens at the counter, and there’s outdoor seating too. It’s also a solid pick for solo diners who want a quick, filling break.
The Overland Park shop is closed Sundays. Plan your sandwich cravings for Monday through Saturday.
Address: 14363 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66223
2. Cinnamon’s Deli
Soup in a bowl you can eat is a fine idea. Cinnamon’s Deli in Wichita has been serving soups in homemade bread bowls since 1986.
This family-owned spot runs on recipes passed down through generations. The family’s cooking experience stretches back more than 60 years.
Sandwich names are half the fun. Angel on a Haystack piles smoked turkey, cheddar, sprouts, tomato, and honey mustard together.
Want something bolder? One stack pairs corned beef, bacon, and Swiss on rye with raspberry mustard and horseradish.
Classic fans can stick with a Reuben, a club, or a B.L.T. Cranky Turkey and Turkey Avocado Cream Cheese give turkey lovers more options.
The sandwiches come big and fresh. The soup selection is large, so bread bowl combos can change with your mood.
The dining room offers a large seating area for groups. Service is counter style and moves fast, which suits a busy workday.
Bringing the kids? A kids’ menu and high chairs make family lunches easier.
Cookies sit on the dessert side of the menu. A drive-through also helps when your lunch break is short.
Hours start at 11 AM daily and run into the evening. Friday and Saturday stretch until 10 PM for late cravings.
Address: 209 S West St, Wichita, KS 67213
3. Auntie Em’s Deli & Bakery
Fried bologna on a lunch menu is a sign you’re in good hands.
Auntie Em’s Deli & Bakery in Lawrence keeps this old-school favorite on its sandwich lineup.
The name might make you think of a certain Kansas farm girl and her dog. The food, though, is all about homemade comfort.
Reubens are made in-house here. So is the potato salad, a side that pairs nicely with almost any sandwich.
Save room, because this is a bakery too. Carrot cake is the dessert to know about.
Ingredients lean local, which gives the menu a hometown feel. Sandwiches come in generous sizes, so a light appetite may want to share a side.
Coffee is on hand if you need an afternoon boost. Healthy options sit alongside the comfort food for lighter days.
Kids are welcome here too. It’s also popular for solo lunches, so grabbing a table alone feels perfectly normal.
The shop opens at 10 AM on weekdays and closes Sundays. Closing times shift through the week, from 4 PM early on to 6 PM on Thursday and Friday.
Catering is available for office lunches and gatherings. Free parking makes a quick stop on Wakarusa Drive simple.
Address: 2311 Wakarusa Dr, Lawrence, KS 66047
4. Sandwich Bowl
Since 2012, a little Lawrence shop has kept its focus simple.
Premium meats and cheeses from Boar’s Head anchor the menu at Sandwich Bowl. Hot sandwiches run from a classic BLT to the Big Dipper.
The name alone makes you want to grab extra napkins.
Soup is a big deal here. The soup menu rotates weekly, and homestyle recipes keep things comforting.
Desserts are homemade too. Stock changes, so the shop’s Facebook page posts which treats are ready each day.
Daily specials show up on that page as well. Checking it before you go is a smart move.
Plant-based eaters get real choices. The menu includes full vegan and vegetarian options, not just a sad side salad.
A Breakfast Burger also appears on the menu. That’s a fun twist for anyone who likes morning flavors at lunch.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs. College students and groups fit right in too.
Hours matter here, since the shop closes Sunday and Monday. Tuesday runs 11 AM to 3 PM, while Wednesday through Saturday stretch to 8 PM.
Unlike many counters, this one accepts reservations. That’s handy if you’re bringing a crowd.
Address: 4821 W 6th St K, Lawrence, KS 66049
5. Angelo’s Deli & Market
Great lunch stops can show up right along a highway.
Angelo’s Deli & Market sits on US-160 in Columbus, a small town in southeast Kansas.
Columbus has around 3,000 residents. That small-town setting makes a full deli and market feel like a lucky find.
Signature sandwiches lead the menu. You can go hot or cold, depending on the weather or your mood.
The bread is part of the appeal. Sandwiches arrive on unique slices that set them apart from a basic sub roll.
Meat portions are generous. Nobody here seems interested in a skimpy layer of turkey.
Cheese lovers, pay attention. Specialty cheeses are a big part of what this deli and market offers.
Because it’s a market too, you can browse meats and cheeses beyond lunch. That makes it easy to build your own sandwiches at home later.
Service moves fast, which is great on a tight schedule. It’s a quick-visit kind of place, built for getting fed and back on the road.
The deli is listed as operating throughout the week, including Sundays. Published hours vary between directories, so check directly before making a long drive, especially for an early morning or Sunday visit.
Dine in or take your order to go. Free parking keeps the stop easy.
Address: 9057 US-160, Columbus, KS 66725
6. Werner’s Specialty Foods LTD
Few lunch spots can trace their family tree back to 1898. This one’s roots go to Swanson’s, a Swedish store in Kansas City, Missouri.
German-born Werner Wohlert bought Swanson’s in 1972 and moved the business. He added German foods, and handmade sausages have been sold in Mission since 1973.
Scandinavian specialty foods still share the shelves with German favorites. It’s a fun nod to the store’s Swedish beginnings.
Werner’s Specialty Foods LTD smokes its own bacon, pork chops, turkey, and sausages over hickory. That’s serious dedication for a neighborhood deli.
Deli sandwiches include Reuben and pastrami options. Weekday lunch specials, Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 1 PM, feature rotating grilled sausages.
Saturdays are the main event. From 11 AM to 2:30 PM, sausages hit the grill outside, including German brats, knockwurst, smoked Polish, and andouille.
Grab German potato salad or Fleischsalat on the side. Imported cookies plus gluten-free imported bread and noodles fill the shelves too.
Dogs are allowed inside, a rare perk for a deli. There’s no restroom, though, so plan accordingly.
Hours are short on Monday, from 10 AM to 2 PM. The shop closes Sundays.
Need food for a party? Custom meat and cheese trays make hosting much easier.
Address: 5736 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS 66202
7. Karma Bakery And Deli
Cupcakes and sandwiches in one stop sounds like a lunch break with a happy ending.
Karma Bakery and Deli in Leavenworth makes that combo its whole personality.
On the savory side, artisan sandwiches come on top-notch bread. A chicken salad wrap and pizza also appear on the menu.
Soups join the lineup, including a poblano soup. Pair one with a sandwich for a filling midday meal.
Then comes the dangerous part. The bakery case holds gourmet cupcakes, chocolate bombs, petit fours, and macarons.
Cupcakes come with baked-in fillings, and triple chocolate is one of the flavors. Custom cakes are also available for birthdays and celebrations.
Need caffeine? Lattes and coffee are on the menu, and breakfast is served too.
The shop also sells fun merchandise. It’s an easy place to pick up a small gift while you grab lunch.
Downtown Leavenworth makes a nice setting for a midday stroll. Free street parking helps you get in and out quickly.
Hours vary across the week. Tuesday runs 10 AM to 4 PM, Wednesday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday starts at 8 AM.
The shop closes on Sunday and Monday. Plan your cupcake cravings around that schedule.
Address: 223 S 5th St, Leavenworth, KS 66048
8. Adrian’s Cafe
Lunch inside a bank might sound odd at first. Adrian’s Cafe in Lenexa pulls it off with fresh bread and specialty sandwiches.
The bread is baked fresh, and it’s the backbone of the menu. Meats get piled high, so these sandwiches have real heft.
A shop baking its own bread tends to make a strong first impression. Pair that bread with a cup of homemade soup for a solid midday reset.
Salads give you a lighter option on busy days. Desserts are a highlight too, so a sweet finish is tempting.
Large windows brighten the dining room. It’s a clean, casual space that works well for a solo lunch.
Bring your laptop if you need to work. The cafe is a popular pick for getting things done over coffee.
Speaking of coffee, it’s a standout here. Early risers can also stop by for breakfast.
Weekday doors open at 8 AM and close at 4 PM. Saturday hours run from 10 AM to 3 PM, and Sundays are closed.
Ordering is counter style with no table service. Catering and delivery are available if you’re feeding an office crew.
Free parking makes a quick lunch run easy. Kids are welcome too.
Address: 16201 W 95th St, Lenexa, KS 66219
9. Super Subs
A shop called Super Subs sets high expectations. This family-owned spot in South Hutchinson leans into quality and value.
Italian subs headline the menu. French dips, spicy Italian beefs, and pastrami on rye keep the hot sandwich crowd happy.
Club subs, classic deli sandwiches, and wraps fill out the board. Soups, salads, and sides make it easy to build a full lunch.
The shop promises friendly, timely service. That’s music to anyone working with a 30-minute lunch break.
South Hutchinson is a small town in Reno County, just south of Hutchinson. A neighborhood sub shop fits right into that hometown setting.
Seating is available if you want to eat there. Takeout works great if you’re heading back to the office or the road.
Families get high chairs for little ones. On-site parking is free, and there’s usually plenty of it.
Plan around the schedule. The shop is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM, with longer Friday and Saturday hours from 10 AM to 8 PM.
Monday and Sunday are closed. Those longer Friday and Saturday hours make it possible to stop by for dinner as well as lunch.
Being local and family-owned gives this shop a personal touch. It’s the kind of place that makes a regular lunch feel a little more super.
Address: 511 N Main St, South Hutchinson, KS 67505
10. Breit’s Stein & Deli
Some neighborhood delis earn their following one sandwich at a time.
At Breit’s Stein & Deli, the Reuben has been drawing loyal customers since 2002. You’ll find this corner pub in Kansas City, Kansas’ Strawberry Hill neighborhood.
Founders Bob and Linda Breitenstein transformed a long-vacant building into a welcoming local gathering place.
The signature Reuben stacks thinly sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing between slices of pressed marble rye.
That combination has earned plenty of attention around Kansas City. Want something different?
Bob’s Italian, pastrami, a turkey Reuben, and a muffuletta give sandwich lovers more choices. Add potato salad, coleslaw, or a giant pickle for a classic deli lunch.
The atmosphere stays casual, with a jukebox and the friendly feel of a neighborhood bar. New owners took over in 2023 while keeping the familiar spirit alive.
Here’s a timing tip. Doors open at 11 AM daily, but the kitchen closes at 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 6 PM on Sunday.
Grab a seat, settle in, and see why regulars keep returning.
Address: 412 N 5th St, Kansas City, KS 66101