Break Bread

The 19 Best Sandwich Shops to Try in Portland

"This westside sandwich shop comes from fine dining alumni of the Michael Mina restaurant group, but don’t expect anything too pretentious here. Turkey fans adore Break Bread’s variations on the classic, whether it’s the Chubby Puggy with bacon jam and garlic aioli, or the Jimmy Pesto with pesto aioli and roasted red peppers. Smoked ham sandwiches are also winners here, in particular the Corleone with honey-roasted almonds." - Alex Frane

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Portland’s Pearl District - Eater Portland

"With its giant mural of Mt. Hood and no-frills seating area, Break Bread is a neo-classic corner spot for great sandwiches in the Pearl. Upon entry, a sharp scent of vinegar and pickled things hits the nose, a hint at what’s to come. The Chubby Puggy, with three layers of sauces including garlic aioli and bacon jam, is a hit, as is the Stein’s, a roast chicken number topped with tomato pesto and a ranch that will convert any hater to a fan." - Maya MacEvoy, Thom Hilton

jeffrey geiger

Google

I’m a huge turkey fan and got a #1. It was one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a long time. The bread was soft inside and crispy outside. Perfect ratio of ingredients. The flavors were savory and delicious. I am so excited to come back to Portland just to try the “Someone on the blazers.” And on top of everything; the staff is the absolute sweetest. Go. Now!

Yuliya N

Google

Amazing sandwiches every time!! Crispy bread, delicious combos, and super quick. It’s a lot more cost effective to select one of their curated sandwiches than building your own. I’ve tried their gluten free bread before and it was so good that I had to double check with them that it was indeed gluten free 😃

E. M.

Google

Minimalist operation that knows how to make a sandwich! Bacon jam was a lil too sweet for my tastes. Outstanding bread. Loved reading that they provide insurance/benefits for what seemed like a tight-knit crew. Supporting small & local businesses that are doing good things is always worth it.

Minajerie (Mina)

Google

Food is delicious. The bacon jam is both lightly sweet and lightly spicy. Pairs really well with the turkey, ham, and avocado sandwich. I got there about 11:50am for lunch with no line. Large crowd came in right at 12 noon. Atmosphere only 4 because it's just an open floorplan with 4 tables pushed against the wall. More of a grab and go than a stay and eat place.

abi angarica

Google

Best sandwiches I’ve ever had!! Perfect flavor and the bread is to die for!! Simply loved! I had the #1 and the husband had the CAR and they were both equally delicious 🤤

Marc Braun

Google

Sandwich was great, service was okay enough and interior was so-so. There were a few tables to sit, but not sure what aesthetic they were going for. Looked half-finished to be honest. BBQ chicken sandwich on sourdough was awesome, and that's what counts.

Myrah Rafiah Beverly

Google

Heard about this place through my enthusiastic coworkers. Had an amazing VLT! The veggie bacon tasted great and the sandwich is a great blend of crunchy and soft. I also love the addition of the avocado. Worth the price point.

charlie hascall

Google

Fantastic sandwich! One of the best we’ve had in a loooong time! Be aware at lunch it gets busy!

Mia H.

Yelp

I was having an ITCH for a sandwich and after seeing this spot on Tiktok, I had to try it. The inside of the shop is spacious, but there is limited seating (only 2-3 tables with only 2 seats each). It is much better spot for to-go. I thought it was so creative the way they had their menu painted on a giant space on the wall, and it was so done so well and separated by meats. They have a variety of sandwiches and salads, but my favorite part is how they offer full and half portions! As someone who has a smaller appetite, often times a full sandwich is too much for me. My boyfriend and I ordered a BLT salad and two half portions of the Stein and the Strami. The portions were PERFECT, meat was plentiful, and the bread was amazing. Loved how they paired each of the ingredients in each sandwich and the salad was light and refreshing. I would love to come back here to try some of their other sandwiches!

Alex W.

Yelp

Atmosphere: Take-out only when I went. You ordered at the counter and they brought it out Food:Eh sandwich was average tbh. Just didn't really come together all that well. Would rather get a hoagie somewhere Price: Little expensive for a sandwich IMO Service: Service was fine Parking: Street parking

Christine N.

Yelp

Break Bread offers a range of sandwiches that are perfect for a quick bite. During my visit, I ordered the Chubby Puggy on dutch crunch, filled with turkey, bacon jam, tomato, iceberg lettuce, puggy sauce, and garlic aioli. While the sandwich was decent and had a nice combination of flavors, it fell a bit short in terms of substance. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it didn't quite reach the level of amazingness I was hoping for. However, I like the option to order half a sandwich, which is perfect for those with smaller appetites or looking to try multiple varieties. I highly recommend grabbing a sandwich here and taking a stroll over to Tom McCall Waterfront Park. There's nothing quite like enjoying a tasty meal while taking in the scenic views by the waterfront. Food: 3/5 Service: 4/5

Eden C.

Yelp

A great sandwich option with their own variations! Their full sandwich size has a better price per size, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try two half sized sandwiches. I got the cubby puggy. Their puggy sauce is ranch based with hints of avocado. I wish I also tried the #1 which has the bread sauce, a ranch based tangy sauce. Instead, I got the Italian one, a classic. Both sandwiches were awesome and held up nicely until the next day. I asked if they could use a clean washed knife for the gluten free bread and they were super accommodating. The oven to toast the bread is shared and NOT dedicated so I recommend skipping the toast if your gluten free allergy is severe.

Chelsea P.

Yelp

Amazing gluten free sandwiches. Wish they would please allow the goat cheese as I cannot eat cow cheese. Bit not picky to not allow it since they have it for salads. Friends and family say they love the Dutch crunch.

Zach K.

Yelp

Had the Blazers sandwich today. Most people will love it, but the bacon jam was far too sweet and ruined it for me. PB&J level sweet. Other than that it was a well executed sandwich. I do wish their menu described the Puggy sauce, Dame sauce, and bacon jam. I probably would have made a different choice if it had.

Gia M.

Yelp

Creative sandwiches and toppings. I tried the "Someone on the Blazers". I really liked the Bacon jam and Dame sauce. I was really disappointed with the bread. I ordered the Dutch bread and it tasted like it was a day old....A little tough. I have been ordering my sandwiches at Baker's Mark, which also offers the Dutch crunch bread. The bread at Baker's Mark is way better. They add more meat to their sandwiches, as well as better quality meat. However, I do like that Break Bread has a bigger selection of sandwiches. As well as offering to make your own sandwich too. However, in my opinion, Bakers Mark makes the best sandwiches in town! If you do try the Baker's Mark, make sure you get "the works" with your choice of sandwich! It's the best!

Ploy N.

Yelp

So excited that they reopened! I've had their sandwiches before and their duct crunch bread keeps bringing you back. Tried the full size CAR this time and it's as fresh and tasty as always. They do such a good job keeping the balance between bread and filling. The chicken salad with ranch was super creamy. On top of that you got a solid layer of avocado and some crispy onions for crunch. I'll be working through their menu for sure.

Andrew R.

Yelp

This is a solid sandwich spot, with some fun and unique menu items. When I went, the indoor area wasn't open, which was a bit of a bummer since there wasn't any outdoor seating either. I had the Jimmy Pesto and enjoyed it. The pesto was delicious, and the bread was so soft and fresh tasting. My only minor complaint was that there wasn't much meat, especially at the ends of the sandwich.

Allison M.

Yelp

Listen to the reviews. This place is amazing. I'm absolutely addicted. The sandwiches are nice and thick and they have Dutch crunch rolls. I would eat here everyday if my wallet allowed. I love that there are two lines for the window. On the right is the normal line where you place in person orders. Left side is where you can go if you're picking up an online order.

Cindy G.

Yelp

I have tried literally every sandwich on their regular menu. Chubby puffy, bahn mi, and the VLT are definite standouts. Recommend the Dutch Crunch bread. Order ahead and pick up to avoid the lines. The Pearl District location is now closed.

Emily H.

Yelp

Came here for lunch today, the place was mostly empty. We spent $94 on 5 sandwiches and 3 bags of chips which was a steep price. We let the workers know we would be sitting right outside at the provided tables. They couldn't be bothered to let us know when our sandwiches were done and they were just left sitting on the counter top as we continued to wait. Food just okay, service not so much. Won't be returning.

Erin A.

Yelp

They did partially refund me for the order which I do appreciate. And it is still the best sandwich shop in Portland IMO.

Emily A.

Yelp

Visited 10/20/23. Omg cannot say enough good things about these sandwiches. The second my friend and I saw a line down the street we knew these sandwiches were going to be good. I got the #1 (turkey, avocado, jack cheese, bread sauce, caramelized onions, mixed greens, tomato) and my friend got the Fresh Prince (avocado, cucumber, crispy onions, pickled jalapeños, coleslaw, ranch, and herb aioli). I paid 50 cents extra for the sourdough bread. Although there was a line, it wasn't a huge wait and wow was it worth it. Everything was so fresh and they make many of the things in house as well which adds a lot of freshness. Would definitely recommend.

Ally S.

Yelp

Highlights/Lowlights 1. Easy online ordering available 2. Gluten-Free options 3. Great sandwiches! Placed a pick up order for 7 today online. It was quick and easy and our entire order was ready for pick up in about 20 minutes. There are a variety of sandwiches (including vegetarian options) as well as salads. The spot is just a cute little pick up window and they have a line to place orders and a separate line to pick up orders (makes it very efficient!). I had the Turkey pesto sub on gluten-free bread and it was AWESOME! It's so rare to be able to truly have a gluten-free sub sandwich. 10/10 recommend!

Michelle H.

Yelp

Definitely a superb sandwich shop! It's busy, so definitely order ahead. It's the fresh bread and ingredients that make it above par. There are places to sit indoors and out, but I recommend taking it to the waterfront to eat. They do offer a gluten free baguette. It was a bit sweet for my palate, but I am grateful for the choice.

John B.

Yelp

Excellent sandwiches.. I went with the Jimmy Pesto and was delighted.. Good service and nice area

Aria F.

Yelp

On an afternoon stroll we walked past this place and decided to try somewhere new --- and Break Bread definitely exceeded expectations! We ordered a take-away sandwich with Bacon jam... and now it is one of the most memorable sandwiches I've ever experienced. The ambiance was adorably decorated with wall art, the service was prompt, the price was reasonable for the deliciousness we had. I would love to come back and try more of their unique flavor combinations.

Spencer G.

Yelp

A friend told me and this place and I've see it all over IG. It truly lives up to the hype. Friendly staff and amazing sandwiches. 10/10 would recommend.

Mike D.

Yelp

This place has a nice attitude ... friendly people . But ... they have their so called chicken and turkey Sandwiches that are mixed with weak bbq sauce - Horrific ! If you don't know how to order here , you will make the same mistake I did . I might Try this place again .. some day ... maybe

Charles B.

Yelp

Love the Dutch crunch bread! Sandwich had a good meat to veggie proportion without skimping on either. Ordered online for pick up, and sandwich was ready right about the estimated time (25 min). Definitely will be back!

Teresa B.

Yelp

Seriously some of the best sandwiches my family has had! We're New Yorkers, so we are picky about bagels and delis. Plus, my dad is a chef and super critical about other people's foods and he even sang its praises! My cousin even texted me that he dad told her about the delicious sandwiches I had bought for their arrival. I had to pick my parents up from the airport at night and knew they'd be hungry. I called around to see if any of the top-rated PDX sandwich shops trusted that their breads could withstand the 5 hours until their arrival. The team member that answered the phone listed off the ones she thought would survive as long as I omitted the tomatoes. I got the Jimmy Pesto, Chubby Puggy, Stein's, C.A.R, and the Goods. All were still delicious and not soggy when they arrived. And even better, there were leftovers because they are a decent size and when they ate them two days later at their picnic and they said they still weren't soggy! I was impressed. The bread isn't a stale block or anything, just well made! The only one I didn't steal a bite of was the Chubby Puggy. My husband took that one to work. He wished there was a little more bacon jam, but said it was a good sandwich. My mom and I aren't particular fans of pastrami, but the Goods was so good! They have definitely reopened the pastrami menu possibilities in my book. This will definitely be my new sandwich go-to, especially for adventures (picnics, beach, hiking, etc.).

Gabi K.

Yelp

I've been on the hunt for the best sandwiches in the Portland/Beaverton area and unfortunately, this place did not quite deliver. A good sandwich (to me) is supposed to be packed with meats and the additional ingredients should all come together to create a delicious bite. A good sandwich should also always have good sauce/aioli/condiments. That absolutely makes or breaks a sandwich and this place does their sauces and aiolis really well! They are house made and complimented the sandwich. They only have a window at the door to order. There is no indoor/outdoor seating. The goods: The bread was soft and toasty but the bread to meat ratio was wayyy too much. There was barely meat. Felt like I was eating bread with aioli and pickles. This therefore make the sandwich too expensive for what you get. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Andrew M.

Yelp

What a gem! -- seriously I wasn't knowing what to expect but when I got there, the service first off was amazing. I was squinting in the back at an old chalkboard menu and they showed me there was a menu to the side. I then asked which would be preferred the C.A.R. or BBQ Sandwich, and steered me in the perfect direction. There's also some seats to the side to enjoy downtown Portland while "breaking bread" -- don't forget to get the Dutch crunch bread for an extra $.50. Totally worth it!!!

Alexa M.

Yelp

I am obsessed with this place. I come here for lunch more than what I would like to admit. I've had their BBQ at Rihanna's which is quite tasty, but the one that keeps me coming back for more is The Italian One with pepperoncini's added... ooof 10/10.

R S.

Yelp

Amazing sandwich! I got the #1 Turkey sandwich on Sourdough with the bread sauce in the side. I'm definitely coming back for this sandwich when I'm back in Portland.

Kelly M.

Yelp

Great go to lunch spot. I love that they have really good GF bread. I'm sad it's not by work anymore.

Kayla M.

Yelp

One of the best sub shops in Portland. Unique flavors and combinations. My favorite thing on the menu is the chubby puggy. A must stop for us when we are in the area!

Rebecca S.

Yelp

The bread was good and crunchy but wow, would it hurt you to spare some meat on your sandwiches? For this reason, we will not be returning. The Baker's Mark is our comparison. An ample amount of meat to bread ratio. So sorry Break Bread, we wanted this to be a good rating considering the Puggy Sauce is great. You have to add more meat to the game for us to return.

Emma C.

Yelp

Little hole in the wall is absolutely amazing! Service was great and everyone was so nice. The sandwiches are even better! I highly recommend and cannot wait to come back and try a different kind. Sandwiches were very filling.

Ashley R.

Yelp

The best gluten free sandwich I've ever had - and I've tried SO many! The bread is so good I honestly wondered if I got the wrong bread.

Ryan H.

Yelp

We used Break Bread for a "catered" lunch for a work group and the service was amazing, super helpful getting the order set up and ready on time. The sandwiches are SO good we got a wide variety of meat and veggie options and they were all very flavorful and the bread is delicious! We'll definitely recommend this place to friends and co-workers! Thank you!!!

Linda M.

Yelp

Ohhhhhh my gosh. Stopped here today after my haircut and I'll definitely be back. I had the Jimmy Pesto and it's my new favorite sandwich. I could make it at home but, who are we kidding? I won't. The pesto and roasted red peppers are made in-house and are mouthwatering. The turkey to pesto to roasted pepper ratio is spot on, and they aren't stingy! And they have a nice selection of drinks (still/sparkling waters, a few sodas, and maybe kombucha I think?), and ALL the Kettle Chips flavors. I just finished my lunch sandwich and am seriously considering returning for dinner. The one change I'd make? Not wearing a white shirt!

Mary B.

Yelp

Definitely a must if you love freshly homemade creative sandwiches. No seating at all and a sometimes a 10 to 20 min wait after ordering but SO worth the wait. The bread is freshly baked and all the ingredients are farm to table. The produce tastes like they were picked that morning. The staff are all friendly and want to make sure that you're going to love your sandwich.

K. C.

Yelp

Adding to those who were totally underwhelmed by the sandwiches here. I tried the Chubby Puggy and my husband had I Try To Be Vegetarian. Both of us thought the sandwiches were just ok and we won't be back. They were lacking in flavor and substance. I liked but didn't love the Dutch Crunch bread. If you want to try a really good sandwich, cross the river and go to Snappy's. I've only been there a couple of times so far but those are sandwiches that actually stopped me in my tracks and I was like "that's sooooooo good". (Tried the 4 pointer and the veggie, both are fantastic)

Collin W.

Yelp

One of the best sandwiches I've ever had by a distance , amazing bread , amazing flavor , a must try in my opinion

Jessica K.

Yelp

Fantastic sandwiches and pretty good customer service! I like that you can order ahead as well. It helps with the long line that's usually there!

Jan F.

Yelp

Turkey Sandwich, mostly bread, very little meat, had to look hard for the cheese. Charged me .50 for generic dill pickle slices -maybe three?? Stand-alone sandwich - no chips, no drink $14.50. Don't plan on returning.

Marilyn N.

Yelp

Stopped by here on a Saturday and there was a short line. I ordered a Jimmy pesto on the dutch crunch bread. There were some seats and tables available outside of the shop and it's also a close walk to the waterfront. It didn't take too long for my order to be ready. The full-size sandwich is pretty big and can be shared between two people! I ate half and saved the other half for later. IT WAS DELICIOUS. The combination of the turkey with all the fixings and pesto was so tasty! The bread had just the right crunch and it didn't feel like it was cutting the roof of my mouth. If you're looking for a solid sandwich to satisfy your cravings, this is the place.

Ada M.

Yelp

I love this place. This is a great sandwich place. I love that they have many vegetarian options. The sandwiches are so delicious and flavorful and taste very fresh. They give big amounts as well.

Cindy I.

Yelp

In the end at least the sandwich was very good. Nice to have the option for Dutch crunch bread. The ordering process needs some help. We tried to do the online ordering while driving over. It seemed good allowing us to put in a special custom sandwich for myself as I like simple sandwiches. Working well till we put in the credit card and hit order. Then it just spins and spins. So got to the store and went in and were told oh we turned off the online ordering off. Well that's not cool it still took our card looking like it worked. The next challenge was ordering my simple sandwich. We could do it online but in person it was a struggle to get a half sandwich with meat and cheese that didn't cost more than a full sandwich with everything on it. Really does that make sense? Took some pushing back that why should we pay more for a lot less and all are made right there in front of you. Multiple conversations to the guy in the back and finally got it worked out. Again in the end the sandwiches were good but a lot of pain and now worry about our credit card. When they turn back on online ordering will it place our order???

Joel M.

Yelp

Oof, I had this once before and it was fine but got a BBQ sandwich from them today and started not feeling so great about a half hour later so I don't think I'll be coming here again. And gotta tell you, not a fun situation to be in while you're at work!

Bryan D.

Yelp

I had the "Better than Chipotle." So good!! It literally embarrassed all the other sandwiches I have had. Great people. Great spot!

Stephanie E.

Yelp

This is a to go location only but you'll always find a little line here and for a good reason. I can only speak to the Dutch crunch rolls but this place is easily one of my favorite sandwich locations.

Paul D.

Yelp

Great sandwich! I just wish they would let you in the store to order it, and maybe even eat it too. The location was clearly built with enough room for customers to enter and/or for a small amount of dining in, but they exclude customers and make you order from a window on the sidewalk, like at the height of Covid. I'd love to know the reasons for this. I enjoyed my sandwich, but because they provide no seating I ate it standing up on a ledge down the block.

Alycia H.

Yelp

Best sandwich in town!! However I haven't tried every sandwich shop, it's just that good! The sandwiches are loaded with fresh ingredients and packed with flavor! I love this place! Can't go wrong with any of their sandwiches. I've tried the Bahn Yu which was delicious, it had a bit of a spicy kick but nothing you can't handle. And I have also tried the #1 which is a simply and next level classic. Pictured in my post is a build your own sandwich and just look at the layers of fresh ingredients! My bread of choice is the French bread. This place makes hearty sandwiches that will satisfy any flavor craving and keep you nice and full. Definitely give it a try!

Alli O.

Yelp

My husband and I have been here twice now, and each time we're amazed with how good the sandwiches are here! They always seem busy but they're pretty efficient and they keep the flow going smoothly. Honestly I think even if they did take a little while for the food I wouldn't care because I know the sandwich would be so worth the wait! The employees have been really nice both times we've been there too. They make sure to pack the sandwich up with a ton of meat and toppings. Their menu is full of different creative sandwiches, and they have different bread options as well. The price isn't bad if you take into consideration the quality of the products they use and the fact that the meat/toppings are end to end on the roll. We got their August special to split this time, if you happen to go while it's still available I highly recommend it! (And look at how packed that sandwich is!)

Lanny L.

Yelp

Ordered the Someone On The Blazers sandwich on French bread for lunch last week. Ordered online and was quoted a 15 min wait. It was ready when I got there + the staff member was super friendly. The sandwich was quite literally the one of the tastiest sandwiches I've ever had in my life? It was savory with a slight kick and the bacon jam brought the perfect amount of sweetness to the mix. Didn't see an option for the order to be on Dutch Crunch when I placed my order online but I'll definitely be back to try the other options.

Josh M.

Yelp

I'm actually disappointed that I only get to Portland once a year to visit my brother now that I've found this joint. Don't get me wrong, PDX has plenty of really delicious food, you can't go hungry, especially in the Pearl. That being said, I am a sandwich guy and this take out only spot is so worth the wait. They have two lines so you can pick up orders or place new ones, and while there were 5-6 people waiting when I walked up, it maybe took 10 minutes to get my sando. I got the "Someone on the Blazers" and it was incredible. Really good, everything was so fresh, but the Dame sauce is the winner. Little sweet, little spicy, all amazing. You really need to check these folks out.

The 19 Best Sandwich Shops to Try in Portland

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Portland’s Pearl District - Eater Portland