Ideal's Sandwich and Grocery
Sandwich shop · Durham ·
Northeastern-style deli sandwiches on fresh baked bread
Northeastern-style deli sandwiches on fresh baked bread
"In down-to-earth Durham I join loyalists who line up before noon at Ideal's, where owners Ian Bracken and Paul Chirico channel Northeast sub obsession with Southern touches like Duke’s Mayo and summer tomatoes; the housemade bread — sesame hoagie or rosemary focaccia — is a pride-and-joy, and while the shop keeps a steadfast hot-and-cold lineup, I always trust whatever special is running that week, from a saucy chicken cacciatore sandwich to an over-the-top Turducken (cured, confited, breaded, then fried duck)." - Kayleigh Ruller
"Ideal's Sandwich Shop in east Durham puts broccoli rabe in basically everything. It’s smashed into the signature chicken cutlet sandwich and Philly roast pork alike, both of which make for an excellent quick lunch. Ideal's also has some grocery staples, including pasta, fresh-baked bread, and a few rotating take-and-bake dinner options, perfect for a night you’re rushing off to a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The space is so small there’s hardly room to wait in line, let alone sit and enjoy, so definitely plan on taking everything to go." - eric ginsburg
"Arrive well before Ideal’s opens in Durham to avoid a sellout (it happens often) Ideal’s has become a Triangle destination with its fresh hoagie rolls and focaccia bread. From the Italiano to the fried eggplant and ricotta, Ideal’s sandwiches are smothered in toppings like basic mayo, Calabrian chili oil, and roasted red peppers. A full sandwich runs around $15, and half sizes are also available." - Catherine Currin
"Since opening in East Durham, Ideal’s has had lines out the door for its Northeastern deli-style sandwiches like the Harlem chopped cheese (ground beef, onions, provolone, cherry peppers, chop sauce), Philly roast pork (broccoli rabe, provolone, roasted garlic mayo), and a classic Italian sub. All sandwiches are served on daily baked bread — when the bread runs out, so do the sandwiches. Half of the shop is taken up by a small, mostly Italian grocery offering frozen meals, pasta, fresh local veggies, wine, and more. Ideal’s joins a growing East Durham restaurant scene that includes food trucks, Rofhiwa coffee and bookshop, Bull City Sweet Shoppe, and more restaurants and bars to come in 2023." - Matt Lardie
"Ideal's Sandwich Shop in east Durham puts broccoli rabe in basically everything. It’s smashed into the signature chicken cutlet sandwich and Philly roast pork alike, both of which make for an excellent quick lunch. Ideal's also has some grocery staples, including pasta, fresh-baked bread, and a few rotating take-and-bake dinner options, perfect for a night you’re rushing off to a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The space is so small there’s hardly room to wait in line, let alone sit and enjoy, so definitely plan on taking everything to go." - Eric Ginsburg
