15 hole-in-the-wall sandwich spots you should have tried by now

When it comes to sandwiches, you don't need to go to a fancy restaurant to find the best. Great sandwiches often exist outside the bounds of expensive meals and 500-seat dining rooms. Sometimes, the best of the best are found right where you aren't looking. We're here to help — we've cultivated a list of hole-in-the-wall sandwich places that need to be on your radar ASAP.

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Nathan’s Deli
581 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-962-3354; nathansdelidetroit.com
Nathan’s serves deli sandwiches, roll-up sandwiches, specialty sandwiches, and more. It also offers catering and vegetarian options.
Photo via Nathan’s Deli / Facebook

Nathan’s Deli

581 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-962-3354; nathansdelidetroit.com
Nathan’s serves deli sandwiches, roll-up sandwiches, specialty sandwiches, and more. It also offers catering and vegetarian options.

Photo via Nathan’s Deli / Facebook
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El Rey de las Arepas
7701 McGraw Ave., Detroit; 313-307-2210
If you’ve never had a homemade Venezuelan arepa, this is the place to go. An arepa is a sandwich made with ground maize dough, and meats and veggies in between.
Photo via GoogleMaps

El Rey de las Arepas

7701 McGraw Ave., Detroit; 313-307-2210
If you’ve never had a homemade Venezuelan arepa, this is the place to go. An arepa is a sandwich made with ground maize dough, and meats and veggies in between.

Photo via GoogleMaps
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Hydrangea Kitchen
371 Fisher Rd., Grosse Pointe; 313-469-9970; hydrangeakitchengp.com
Easy to pass, but hard to forget, Hydrangea Kitchen offers a comfortable, kitschy environment and meals made fresh on the spot. Get a classic sandwich, like the Philly cheesesteak, or get something new, like the brie butter apple. Or, if you’re looking for a treat, try the Caesar sandwich with grilled parmesan cheese. Also, any sandwich can be made into a wrap! 
Photo via Hydrangea Kitchen / Facebook

Hydrangea Kitchen

371 Fisher Rd., Grosse Pointe; 313-469-9970; hydrangeakitchengp.com
Easy to pass, but hard to forget, Hydrangea Kitchen offers a comfortable, kitschy environment and meals made fresh on the spot. Get a classic sandwich, like the Philly cheesesteak, or get something new, like the brie butter apple. Or, if you’re looking for a treat, try the Caesar sandwich with grilled parmesan cheese. Also, any sandwich can be made into a wrap!

Photo via Hydrangea Kitchen / Facebook
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Gonella’s
295 Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-3500, 10021 Telegraph Rd., Redford Charter Twp.; 313-535-7827; gonellas.com
Gonella’s is Detroit’s original Italian deli. It has been serving food for over 75 years, and recently opened a Redford location. It specializes in Italian meats and a large selection of sides and toppings.
Photo via Gonellas Foods / Facebook

Gonella’s

295 Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-3500, 10021 Telegraph Rd., Redford Charter Twp.; 313-535-7827; gonellas.com
Gonella’s is Detroit’s original Italian deli. It has been serving food for over 75 years, and recently opened a Redford location. It specializes in Italian meats and a large selection of sides and toppings.

Photo via Gonellas Foods / Facebook
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Peepo’s Subs and Shawarma
10890 Beech Daly Rd., Taylor; 313-299-9992; peepossubs.com
This quick, yet quality restaurant specializes in sub sandwiches and Middle Eastern sandwiches and shawarmas. Customers also love its house-made smoothies and its spicier "Africano" menu.
Photo via GoogleMaps

Peepo’s Subs and Shawarma

10890 Beech Daly Rd., Taylor; 313-299-9992; peepossubs.com
This quick, yet quality restaurant specializes in sub sandwiches and Middle Eastern sandwiches and shawarmas. Customers also love its house-made smoothies and its spicier "Africano" menu.

Photo via GoogleMaps
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Hygrade Deli
3640 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6620; hygradedeli.com
This old-school restaurant is known for its huge corned beef sandwiches. In addition to that, Batman vs. Superman and The Pickle Recipe were filmed there.
Photo via Hygrade Deli / Facebook

Hygrade Deli

3640 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6620; hygradedeli.com
This old-school restaurant is known for its huge corned beef sandwiches. In addition to that, Batman vs. Superman and The Pickle Recipe were filmed there.

Photo via Hygrade Deli / Facebook
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Mike’s Famous Ham Place
3700 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6922; mikesfamoushamplace.food-places.com
Mike’s has been serving different variations of ham for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for decades. Menu items include ham and egg sandwiches, ham melts, and more.
Photo via Mike’s Famous Ham Place / Facebook

Mike’s Famous Ham Place

3700 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6922; mikesfamoushamplace.food-places.com
Mike’s has been serving different variations of ham for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for decades. Menu items include ham and egg sandwiches, ham melts, and more.

Photo via Mike’s Famous Ham Place / Facebook
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Stadium Deli
1956 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor; 734-662-2885
For years, Stadium Deli has been serving U of M’s community. It is known for its different variations of stromboli. It also serve wine to go with the sandwiches.
Photo via GoogleMaps

Stadium Deli

1956 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor; 734-662-2885
For years, Stadium Deli has been serving U of M’s community. It is known for its different variations of stromboli. It also serve wine to go with the sandwiches.

Photo via GoogleMaps
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Ernie’s Market
8500 Capital St., Oak Park; 248-541-9703; erniessandwichshop.com
Ernie’s is known for its large, unique sandwiches. You can put a number of toppings on them, and choose from a wide variety of sides. The local business has been serving the community for years.
Photo via Ernie’s Market / Facebook

Ernie’s Market

8500 Capital St., Oak Park; 248-541-9703; erniessandwichshop.com
Ernie’s is known for its large, unique sandwiches. You can put a number of toppings on them, and choose from a wide variety of sides. The local business has been serving the community for years.

Photo via Ernie’s Market / Facebook
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Chef Greg’s Soul “N” the Wall
10009 Curtis St., Detroit; 313-861-0331
Chef Greg’s is known for its signature sandwich, the Boogaloo — a Detroit-style sloppy joe. The newly revived business also offers other Boogaloo Wonderland sandwiches such as Steak Boogaloo, Veggie Boogaloo, and more.
Photo via GoogleMaps

Chef Greg’s Soul “N” the Wall

10009 Curtis St., Detroit; 313-861-0331
Chef Greg’s is known for its signature sandwich, the Boogaloo — a Detroit-style sloppy joe. The newly revived business also offers other Boogaloo Wonderland sandwiches such as Steak Boogaloo, Veggie Boogaloo, and more.

Photo via GoogleMaps
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The Turkey Grill
8290 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-872-4624; theturkeygrill.com
The Turkey Grill offers Southern sandwiches and dishes, and serves everything in large portions. It also features daily specials.
Photo via Turkey Grill / Facebook

The Turkey Grill

8290 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-872-4624; theturkeygrill.com
The Turkey Grill offers Southern sandwiches and dishes, and serves everything in large portions. It also features daily specials.

Photo via Turkey Grill / Facebook
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Al’s Famous Deli
32906 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-549-3663; breadbasketdelis.com
Since the 1960s, owner Al Winker has been serving large corned beef sandwiches. Yes, it is true that it sells over 12 tons of corned beef every week.
Photo via GoogleMaps

Al’s Famous Deli

32906 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-549-3663; breadbasketdelis.com
Since the 1960s, owner Al Winker has been serving large corned beef sandwiches. Yes, it is true that it sells over 12 tons of corned beef every week.

Photo via GoogleMaps
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Dan & Vi’s Pizza Deli
5951 Chene St., Detroit; 313-924-6077
This family-owned business is known for being able to customize its sandwiches and pizza. Some of its specialty sandwiches include the Bad Ass Bully, the Chene Street, and the Vi.
Photo via Dan & Vi’s Pizza Deli / Facebook

Dan & Vi’s Pizza Deli

5951 Chene St., Detroit; 313-924-6077
This family-owned business is known for being able to customize its sandwiches and pizza. Some of its specialty sandwiches include the Bad Ass Bully, the Chene Street, and the Vi.

Photo via Dan & Vi’s Pizza Deli / Facebook
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Dimo’s Deli and Donuts
2030 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; 734-662-7944; dimosdelianddonuts.com
If you’re craving a sandwich and a donut (or four), Dimo’s is the place to go. Some include variations of corned beef, pastrami, salami, ham, and many more.
Photo via Dimo’s Deli & Donuts / Facebook

Dimo’s Deli and Donuts

2030 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor; 734-662-7944; dimosdelianddonuts.com
If you’re craving a sandwich and a donut (or four), Dimo’s is the place to go. Some include variations of corned beef, pastrami, salami, ham, and many more.

Photo via Dimo’s Deli & Donuts / Facebook
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Louie’s Ham and Corned Beef
3570 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313-831-1800
Located in Eastern Market, visitors can eat hole-in-the-wall sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Louie’s is ham and corned beef oriented, but it also serves other variations of dishes.
Photo via Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef / Facebook

Louie’s Ham and Corned Beef

3570 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313-831-1800
Located in Eastern Market, visitors can eat hole-in-the-wall sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Louie’s is ham and corned beef oriented, but it also serves other variations of dishes.

Photo via Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef / Facebook
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