Oakland sandwich shops to visit

Being on the go often means bringing food to go. Still, grabbing a quick bite doesn’t have to mean giving up quality. Oh, the endless dreamy concoctions that can make their way in between two slices of bread; where once simply stood PB&J during your childhood has artisanally evolved into so much more. These days, even grilled cheese can ooze with fancy flair.

Hot, cold, meat-filled or vegan, tasty (and often times towering) sandwiches will stir up envy from those weighed down by utensils when they see you bringing back a sammie on BART. Don’t underestimate the grandeur of the sack lunch at the following BARTable Oakland sandwich slingers assembling classic and inventive combos.

Owner Ike Shehadeh has made his name famous with this eponymous local chain of hefty sub sandwiches garnering lines on both sides of the Bay Bridge.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

19th St. Oakland

At Analog, sandwiches and handles of beer are accompanied by a jukebox and Nintendo for those of us nostalgic for pre-iPhone things.

Analog

12th St. Oakland City Center

The offshoot of Wood Tavern next door, Southie keeps it real with its ever-popular sandwich known simply as The Balls sporting Neiman Ranch beef-pork meatballs dripping in Italian sauce.

Southie

Rockridge (Oakland)

No surprise, The Lunch Box is especially popular during the weekday lunch hour when Uptown workers come out in droves.

The Lunch Box

19th St. Oakland

by Linda Koffman

Linda Koffman is an SF-based freelance writer and editor. Also a beginner gardener by day/performing songwriter by night, she feels grateful to live a life of extremes balancing plenty of contemplative silence with rocking out in a band. When not writing, she keeps her hands busy (and dirty) with old guitar strings and soil, and enjoys engaging with the Bay Area’s diverse environmental and cultural beauty. She loves puns to a fault and shamelessly laughs at her own jokes.