24 hole-in-the-wall Tampa Bay sandwich spots you should've tried by now

Cass St. Deli

1331 W. Cass St., Tampa
Tampa’s first and only New York-style Jewish deli. The deli is serving up signature dogs, corn beef sandwiches and more five days a week, Wed-Fri. from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Photo of the fried bologna sandwich via Ray Roa

Boozy Pig

3255 W. Cypress St., Tampa
Boozy Pig is part butchery, part restaurant. The south Tampa joint showcases customizable cuts alongside sandwiches, bacons, and sausages on demand.

Photo via Boozy Pig/Facebook

King of the Coop

6607 N. Florida Ave., Seminole Heights
Best known for its Nashville Hot Chicken, King of the Coop is becoming a Tampa foodie’s staple. Besides that, other offerings include fried catfish and a few popular faves from Soul Food Street Kitchen (which King of the Coop's chef ran at Tampa Armature Works)— one of which is the jalapeño-cheddar hush puppies with pimento cheese, creamed collard greens and mac 'n’ cheese.

Photo via King of the Coop/Facebook

Bodega on Central

1120 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
This Latin street food joint serves its hot pressed Cubans, fresh juices and more from a boxy little building on Central. Bodega’s come-as-you-are atmosphere and high-quality fare have made this hole in the wall a Tampa Bay favorite.

Photo via Bodega on Central/Facebook

Brocato’s Sandwich Shop

5021 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa
This family eatery specializes in large sandwiches and Cuban food. Other sandwich offerings include Palomilla steak, roast beef, Italian sub, chicken Parmesan and meatball. The restaurant also offers a variety of soups and salads, black beans and rice, deviled crabs, chicken and yellow rice dinners, empanadas (meat pies) and guava and apple pastries.

Photo via Google Maps

Cafe Hey

1540 N. Franklin St., Tampa
After shutting down last year for renovations, Cafe Hey sent many into panic. But the classic cafe has since reopened and added a new draft bar where you can get your regular or sample Collective Arts Brewing’s Canadian-based brew. They still offer their popular Cuban sandwiches alongside other fan favorites.

Photo via Cafe Hey/Facebook

El Cap

3500 4th St. N., St. Petersburg
This local joint is most well-known for its budget burgers, but the line on its sign touting “fine sandwiches” isn’t a lie. Popular options include the “Homer Ham Sandwich” and “Triple-play Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato sandwich.”

Photo via El Cap/Facebook

Saigon Deli

3858 W. Waters Ave., Tampa
You'll find some of the quick and tasty standards of the Vietnamese dinner table, including some damn fine pho, capable stir-fries, bun salads, and a plethora of pre-packaged puddings and desserts. No matter what they come in for, though, everyone leaves with at least one banh mi.

Photo via Saigon Deli/ Facebook

Biff Burger

3939 49th St. N., St. Petersburg
Not only is this hole-in-the-wall spot’s fries crispy with just the right amount of grease, they’re also cheap, cheap, cheap. There are burgers out the wazoo, and you can be sure they'll make 'em just the way you want. Calories may be high, but prices are always low.

Photo via Biff Burger/Facebook

Mazzaro’s Italian Market

2909 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg
Mazzaro’s is a local Italian market in St. Pete offering coffee, pastries, wine and, most importantly, sandwiches. The menu features 26 options, and is everything Publix wishes it could be.

Photo via Mazzaro’s Italian Market/Website

Chubby’s Super Subs & Pizza

5023 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa
Offering good cheesesteaks without the grunge, Chubby's sports a nice version of the Philadelphia favorite, along with pasta dishes and pizza, and even wine by the glass. The joint’s sandwich selection is made up of grilled and cold options. Guests can go big with the Steak Bomb (its specialty) or keep it simple with ham and cheese.

Photo via Chubby’s Super Subs/ Facebook

Brooklyn South

1437 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Brooklyn South is a specialty food store focused on imported and domestic cheeses and charcuterie. The locally-owned joint also offers specialty sandwiches like rosemary ham, mango turkey, and a “Breuben,” or corned beef with gruyere cheese, a special mayo, and Sabrett sauerkraut.

Dead Bob’s

6717 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
A locally-owned sports bar located on the beach end of Central, unpretentious with an outdoor bar and good eats. The “sammich bits” section of its menu includes everything from gyro wraps to turkey sandwiches. Look for the new South Tampa location to open in the near future.

Photo via Dead Bob’s/Facebook

Moxie’s

Multiple locations
Not just another cafe and deli downtown, Moxie's has an espresso bar menu to rival Starbucks, as well as a large menu consisting of breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, and wraps with many options available on crusty Cuban bread.

Photo via Moxie’s/Facebook

Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop

2002 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa
Next to a car shop, you may not expect much from this hole-in-the-wall, but its Cubans and hot bar are next level. Guests can stop in early for breakfast sandwiches, or opt for something simpler, like turkey or ham and cheese.

Photo via Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop/Facebook

Riverside Seafood

6501 N. 40th St., Tampa
In addition to the multitude of fish and chip options, guests can choose from six sandwiches including a straight “fish sub.” The good news is, all the sandwiches come with two slices of bread, according to its menu.

Photo via Riverside Seafood/Google Maps

Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop

9000 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop’s focus is fresh ingredients. According to its website, the shop’s bread is delivered daily and the owners roast their own beef and turkey. The dressings and baked goods are house-made, and its menu features location-named specials like “The Seminole,” and “Ham-A-Tampa.”

Photo via Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop/Facebook

Sunday’s Delicatessen

1930 E 7th Ave., Ybor City
The outpost of Chef David Sunday, who closed his fine-dining restaurant across the street and opened up this temple to all things deli, including huge sandwiches, homemade desserts and breakfast served all day.

Photo via Sunday’s Delicatessen/Facebook

Swann Ave. Market

1021 W. Swann Ave., Tampa
Locally owned with a grand craft beer and wine selection, the deli makes classic sandwiches like Cubans and Reubens, as well as custom orders. Swann Avenue carries cigars, too.

Photo via Swann Ave. Market/Facebook

West Tampa Sandwich Shop

3904 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa
When former President Barack Obama visited, he tried a Cuban with honey (now named “Obama Sandwich”). Though a classic Cuban is this shop’s specialty, guests can also expect a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Keep your ear open to hear what some of the local politicians and politicos are talking about, too.

Photo via Google Maps