Longtime local shop was just named the best sandwich in Charlotte
When it comes to spectacular sandwiches, Charlotte is blessed with a bounty of selections.
From everyday BLTs to enormous creations piled high with meats, cheeses and toppings, it’s hard to find a food that can be crafted so many different ways. We put out a call to find the best sandwiches in town, and CharlotteFive readers came running with suggestions.
We began our poll with more than 35 sandwich shops that are go-to spots for a great bite to eat around the Charlotte area. Five rounds of voting later, we’ve crowned a winner and a finalist — and both are longtime staples sure to make you drool.
Here are the spots that came out on top:
Best sandwiches winner: Bedder Bedder & Moore
Location: 3501 S Tryon St A, Charlotte, NC 28217
Open in LoSo since 1994, Bedder Bedder & Moore is a spot known for delivering a good meal at a decent price. (And speaking of delivery, the restaurant has got that on lock — it even has its own drivers.)
Now, it’s taken the title of Charlotte’s top sandwich shop, too, winning the CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice Best Sandwich poll.
John and Debbie Thalmann started Bedder Bedder & Moore with previous locations back in 1991. When they retired, Lisa and Andrew Drayton stepped in and took over in Lower South End.
“My husband and I ... were both working for restaurant management, and then we got married and decided to, just like take the leap of faith,” co-owner Lisa Drayton said.
‘A good mixture of everything’ on the menu
While Bedder Bedder & Moore specializes in lunch catering, anyone can stop in and dig in to a club sandwich, a chicken salad melt or a Montford Special, which pairs roasted turkey and crispy bacon with melted Swiss and 1000 Island dressing on a freshly baked hoagie bun. They all take a turn as the go-to menu item to grab.
“Each day is different — it just depends on the customers walking through the door. You can say today is rosemary beef. Tomorrow it’ll be the Reuben. The next day, it’s a 46 turkey (the Montford Special),” Andrew Drayton said.
“We got a good mixture of everything. So there’s nothing really blowing up — everything is just moving. So that keeps us going,” he added.
Chips come alongside your sandwich, and there’s also an option to enjoy a complimentary cup of soup, a tradition that goes back to the restaurant’s beginnings.
“The soup is unbelievable — great soup,” customer Jimmy Bell told CharlotteFive.
“What it basically stands for is just thanking people for coming in and dining with us,” Lisa Drayton said.
Best sandwiches finalist: Sub One Hoagie House
Location: 516 N Graham St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Sub One Hoagie House has been a family-run uptown Charlotte restaurant since founder Richard Jones opened it in 1992. Now, his son, Derek, and nephew, Aaron, are helping him run the show as co-owners.
The years of experience they’ve poured in to crafting craveable — and affordable — hot and cold hoagies has paid off, leading the Charlotte’s Classic Eats spot to become the finalist in the CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice Best Sandwich poll.
“It’s been an honor to be included in the contest,” said Derek Jones, whose father’s background included corporate work as an accountant before he started his own CPA business. Eventually, that work led Richard Jones to invest in property — and open Sub One.
“We got a lot of support from the community that has really, really, really stepped up and made us proud, and hopefully we’ve made them proud by serving them for the last 34 years.”
“I’m thankful,” Richard Jones added.
‘Best in the city. No doubt about it’
Popular hot hoagies at the shop include the New Jersey steak hoagie and the chicken Parmesan, while cold hoagie options include all the classics: chicken salad, Italian, the American, a BLT and even seafood salad. Everything on the menu remains under $10.
With more than three decades under its belt, Sub One has a steady stream of customers coming back for more.
“I would say hundreds, easily. Probably thousands,” customer Patrick Jones told CharlotteFive when asked how many times he’s eaten there. “Definitely the best in the city. No doubt about it.”
“I know a lot of Charlotteans have their favorite spot. And we’re glad to be in the top two — great competition. Congratulations to all of the sandwich shops, to all the customers that have supported us over the last 34 years, everybody everywhere. Thank you so much,” Derek Jones said.
Best of Charlotte: Coffee Shop | Chicken Wings | Doughnuts | Burgers | Ice Cream | Brewery | Pizza | Sushi | Tacos | Food truck | Bar | Ramen | Brunch | Patio | Barbecue | Pie | Fried Chicken | Fries | Cookies | Steak | Bagels | Sports Bar | Indian
Alex Cason contributed reporting.
Uniquely Charlotte: Uniquely Charlotte is an Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride) of why we live in the Charlotte region.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
