Best Hero/Sub Sandwiches in MSP (Not Counting Subway and other chains)

[MarkG]

can you get a high quality sandwich from a non chain place. like what you can find in NY and NJ

[KAJohnson328]

I second Clancey's, AWESOME sandwiches, served on very crusty bread though so it's a bit of a jaw workout. Broders has a great Italian sub too, which Ive been told is very authentic, but I'm not from the east coast so I don't have anything to compare it to.

[Db Cooper]

Have you tried Nelson's Cheese Factory at Como and Snelling near the fairgrounds? I've had some awfully good subs from them over the years. I don't know if they are comparable to a NY/NJ hero/sub/grinder, but I think you'll enjoy it.

[soupkitten]

really? i had a terrible meal there and vowed never to return. otoh i didn't have a sub, i had pasta! what am i missing?

[foreverhungry]

A lot of I know really enjoy Nelson's, but personally, I'm not a big fan of their sandwiches. I don't know if it's just the style in which they put the sandwiches together, or the quality of the cold cuts, but I've never thought of them as anything special. But clearly a lot of folks like them. I don't think they're in the same sub/hero style that the OP is looking for, though.

[kevin47]

I think Nelson's sandwiches are awfully pedestrian. Nice people, but I don't enjoy their food at all.

[splatgirl]

Clancey's Meat and Fish in Linden Hills. The roast beef with everything. It's the best sandwich I've ever had. Ever.

[foreverhungry]

The OP is not looking for a roast beef sandwich. The OP is looking for a hero/sub.

FWIW - I've had a couple sandwiches at Clancey's, and thought they were the most overpriced sandwiches I've had considering what I got. I've no problem paying $10 - $12 for a sandwich, but I expect more in terms of both quality and quantity ay that price point.

[splatgirl]

And the OP is not looking for your opinion on price, either.

a "high quality sandwich from a non-chain place", with many more HOUSE MADE meats to choose from beyond roast beef.

[The Chowhound Team]

Hey, folks, let's assume that the OP is open to a broad range of opinions on sandwich related topics. And even if they aren't, threads on Chowhound are viewed by many more people than just the original poster, so great tips on where to eat are always welcome.

[buenosds]

Broders makes a nice hoagie. Also, I have to say Jersey Mikes makes the best hoagies around, even though it is a chain...and I am from jersey.

[steve0315]

Having lived on th East Coast for 10 years, I second Jersey Mike's! Tastes like Philly to me. I know it's a chain, but Ithink it beats the locals.

[GutGrease]

Huh, I didn't know that Jersey Mike's had moved to Minnesota. I used to frequent that place A LOT when I worked in Memphis. It was the healthiest lunch spot you could find in a town known for ribs, backyard burgers, and deep-fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches! I'll have to try the St. Anthony location soon. Looks like it's by Hannay's Marine

[Michael Florey]

The Italian subs at Buon Giorno are excellent. Not as good as the best in NY, but pretty satisfying.

[ibew292]

My memory may be bad but I thought the subs a Buon Giorno Express before it closed were better than Buon Giorno.

[turtlebella]

Yes, I agree.

Buon Giorno Express' chicken parm sub was the closest thing I could find 'round here to a Connecticut chicken parm grinder. Don't know how that compares to NY/NJ. I'm still sad sad that they closed. They had darn good tiramisu too. Ah well...

Perhaps I will give the subs at Buon Giorno a try one of these days.

[foreverhungry]

To be honest, I'm a bigger fan of the sandwiches as Buon Giorno Lilydale than the old Buon Giorno that closed. I don't think the Lilydale one has subs like of the same style the OP is talking about, but their sandwiches, particularly their prosciutto sandwich, are darned good.

[foreverhungry]

My 2 recommendations are Brianno's in Eagan (Cliff Road and Hwy 77), and Delmonico's Italian Foods in NE Minneapolis, a couple blocks off of Broadway. I do not like Cossetta's version (though haven't had it in a couple of years).

Neither are a replicate of "what you can find in NY and NJ" - I'm born and raised in Jersey, and have been looking for a quality sub since moving here a decade ago. But IMO, these 2 places come the closest, and are darned good, which is better than a poke in the eye.

[stymie]

Bread is the key, get a baguette at Rustica and add whatever. simple ham and butter is great. The Euro style butter they sell at the bakery puts it over the top. Sausage and pepper at Cosettas is pretty tasty, or their Cosetta special (pre-pc aka the Hot Dago)

[The Dairy Queen]

Which places have you tried, MarkG, and what did you think of them compared to your East Coast ideal?

~TDQ

[BigE]

This will lead to either:

A) A single post full of links to previous threads, or;
B) Pandora's box being opened.

Either way, I can't provide much input because, frankly, there is no deli/sandwich shop in MSP that I love. It seems like one of the real missing links in this area. I like Cecil's in St. Paul, but I have to duck and cover when I say so. You'll probably get recommendations for Be'wiched, but I've never been, so I can't comment.