Rae's Sandwich Shoppe

The service was superb with friendly staff, the sandwiches (Southern Belle - slow-roasted turkey with cranberry dressing) were fantastic and very large portions, & the brownie was ohmygosh-better-than-grandma's! Plenty of comfortable space in this diner. We'd never had cracked pepper sea salt chips, which were great too. We will definitely be back!

Great lunch spot! Rueben is great and so is potato salad. If it’s your first time, they may even give you a sample of a brownie! Staff is super friendly and fun. 10/10 recommend!

I wasn’t a huge fan of the jerk chicken, but was definitely well made! This place is packed during lunch so make sure to have some time for the line

1st time in Nashville and found Rae’s. Sandwiches are delicious, Rae and the staff here were amazing and welcoming. It does get very busy but so worth the food and atmosphere. Try the brownies! Amazing!

This was honesty the best sandwich I’ve had in the last 10 years, if not my whole life. I’m not exaggerating. I had the Rueben because they suggested it and I will never forget it. I wished I lived in Nashville only for this sandwich place and the lovely man that works there. Potato salad was also 10/10 highly recommend.

Love this place, the Reuben is fantastic and the sandwiches are made how they should be. Takes a little extra time but it is worth it.

I recently visited RAE'S for the first time, and when I arrived, I was greeted by Fred and his daughter, who were incredibly polite and customer-focused. Despite the long line, I was impressed by Fred's friendly and personable demeanor when I reached the counter. As he made my sandwich, he shared a bit of the shop's backstory, and we ended up laughing and having a great conversation. Before leaving, I overheard a customer asking Fred, "Are you working hard or hardly working?" to which he responded, "Neither, just a little busy but happy nonetheless." I found his response to be a perfect reflection of the positive vibe in the sandwich shop. I'll definitely be returning, and I'm planning to bring my family along next time. Thank you, Fred!

This place is amazing. I can’t decide if I like the brownie, the food, or the people the most. Everything was A+. The food is reasonably priced, made to order and amazing. The people here are incredible. They’re all smiles and love what they do. This is a gem of Nashville.

I remember watching movies or shows a little kid and a main character would walk into a deli with the clerk asking them "the usual?" and getting their perfect sandwich every time. Well, Rae's is the place that makes that happen for everyone. It is a hole in the while lunch deli just north of Nashville's nightlife hotspot broadway. The owner of the store is incredibly nice and remembers most everyone's name. If it's your first time coming, he always gives out samples of homemade brownies (super yummy) and takes some time to get to know you! Although nothing is remarkable of the decor, the people in it make it feel like home. On to the food. Rae's speciality is their Reuben and holy moly do they deliver. The bread is flakey and moist. The mean is tender and juicy. And the homemade thousand island dressing is tangy and robust. I have grown up in Nashville and can tell you straight up, this is the best place to get a sandwich walking distance to broadway. There's no other delis nearby that can compare. If you're a local or just stopping by, Rae's is a must try for everyone. Rae if you're reading this, you are the man!

It's a locals kind of place, that's friendly to visitors. The menu is on the chalkboard, be ready to order because they'll ask you what you want to order pretty quickly. The guy behind the counter will take orders two or three people deep, in an attempt to make it more efficient, but doesn't work well. After ordering, it took 12 minutes to get my sandwich. Kind of a long wait if you're in a rush. The sandwiches are decent size, and you can get half if you want, but I don't know what the price is.

The Italian Romeo is BOMB! Even though it has chicken on it, the slight hint of sweetness and the Italian seasoning on the chicken, it kind of reminds me of a meatball sandwich in the way it tastes. Ordering it again today!

One of my favorite spots downtown! I've eaten at Rae's pretty regularly for the past 7 years and counting, it's really THAT GOOD! The sandwiches are always on point...fresh ingredients, made to order! 99% of the time I order the Reuben. They have daily specials; my favorite is the beer cheese soup! It has a spicy kick, so beware if you don't like spicy food. Rae's is a family run business with very friendly service! Keep in mind that it's a popular lunch spot for downtown workers, so going during peak lunch time means there will be a line. The dining room has several small tables for dine in, or they can pack your food up to go.

I ate here today for two reasons: Super short walk from my hotel. Such positive reviews about the people that run it. They didn't have the rueben today or the tenderloin but I got a steak and bleu anyways and they subbed in roast beef. It was great. The most unexpectedly good part was the bread. Delish! The couple working (Likely the owners) were indeed lovable and kind. I totally get it now:)

I had the Rae's Hot Brown - it's highly highly recommended. The bread was cooked perfectly and the sandwich had the perfect amount of spice and deliciousness. Also, try the brownie...so good!

Great friendly service! Good, quality food! And the first-timer brownie was amazing!!

Amazing - went here for the brownies and they are excellent and delectable. My prior favorites were from my sisters' place "the farm" in CA. While they are a bit different style, they are as good and close by - my new favorite!!!!!! The red beans and rice are also excellent (tho Isaaca - I am adding a bit of Tabasco I highly recommend this spot and frankly would just go back because Isaaca and Fred are good people but the food is great

The food is excellent! The service is outstanding and they are so pleasant and welcoming! The line is always long but sooo worth it! Highly recommend

Got the Monte Cristo & she did not disappoint. Daily specials, brownie sample for first time guests & a great atmosphere. Y'all check this place out! I will be returning before I leave town!

Watch your socks when you eat here because they are highly susceptible to be blown off. Got the Beastie Boy sandwich and it was 10/10. Staff and service is incredible. Cannot recommend it enough

This place is fantastic!! Freddie is the nicest guy and his sandwiches are top shelf!

I live right down the road and it's hard not to go every day! Service is great. there's an older gentleman who makes sure your order is as you requested exactly. Great southern hospitality. A++. Highly recommend the "Rae's Hot brown" sandwich with a side of ranch

If you are price conscious this is Not the place for you. There is nothing special to justify the price. The sandwich size is medium at best I would call it small. The meat was cooked well there just isn't much of it. The toaster was too long, they need to take it about 30 seconds sooner. Not a bad sandwich just not worth the price. 23 dollars for a 6 inch sandwich a 12 oz can of mnt dew and small bag of Costco chips.

The people serving us were absolutely lovely. They were so helpful and gave us samples of the brownies. Let me tell you: the brownie is a MUST TRY! If I lived in Nashville, I would come in time and time again.

Came in for a hot brown right before closing, then came back the next day for a brownie, both worth it. Tip: leave a cash tip.

My husband and sons consider themselves sandwich connoisseurs and they loved this place. Even I, a non-sandwich connoisseur, loved this place. I ordered the new Abi's sandwich, which was a little spicy for my sensitive white-lady tastebuds, but it was so good I ate it anyway. My eight-year-old would like to add, "this place is so good. It's better than Jersey Mike's, Publix, and Subway and no other sandwich can beat this place". The brownies are divine, better than your Grandma's brownies. The service is outstanding and this place is clean and well kept. We'll be sure to come back the next time we're in town.

Must come here if your from out of town or live here! The most amazing staff, so friendly and such a wonderful energy. The sandwhiches are amazing as well. So happy we were able to stop in on our trip, definitely will be back if I'm ever in town.

Amazing service the food was delicious and freshly made. I loved everything but I recommend the angus po boy!

Great alternative to your chain type sandwich shops. I ordered the Sub Club toasted. It was very good with fresh tasting condiments. The sandwich was large enough I would have been full by eating half of it. Great customer service and minimal wait time while your sandwich is prepared fresh. I'll be back to try other menu items!!!

Beef and cheddar was soo good. They also gave me a complementary brownie which was also great!

Had my first Rae's sandwich and decided to try their banana pudding as well. Both exceeded my expectation and will definitely make it a go to lunch place downtown.

An amazing spot to go to for sandwiches. You'll always be greeted with a friendly smile and end up with a great lunch. The picture shows their Italian Princess and it's my first time ordering it. The sandwich is cut in half to fit into the container. The chicken is seasoned well and I'm a fan of mushrooms and they did not hold back. :) If you're looking for a good sandwich shop downtown during lunch Mon-Fri, I highly recommend going to Rae's. Also their brownies and cookies are worth the cheat.

Today was my first visit, I always see people in there bc I work nearby but I've never had the chance to go. There was a crowd of people, but they greeted me and took my order right away. They were SO pleasant and helpful!! I haven't even gotten my sandwich yet, they're still making it, but I'll be coming back simply for the superb customer service!! Now that I've eaten my turkey pot roast sandwich and shrimp bisque.. oh my goodness!! Delicious!! I even got a brownie for being a first time customer!! Service was fast and friendly, I will definitely be coming back! Yum!!!

Googled best places to stop for lunch and this popped up . Did not disappoint !! Excellent fresh sandwiches and great friendly staff!!

Five stars for a terrific made-to-order sandwich. It's not quite a deli, but it's definitely five steps up from any Subway or Quizno's you'll ever have. I opted for the "Hot Brown" which was a smoked turkey sandwich, topped with bacon tomato and a creamy cheesy sauce. Very peppery, but very tasty. Good sized sandwich, it was excellent. This place gets busy and there can be a line, but it's totally worth it. Some seating inside.

This place was so lovely! The food was amazing. The two gentlemen who were working up front were so warm and sweet in the middle of a lunch rush. I was an out of town visitor, but this would be a regular lunch spot if I lived there for sure! Next time I'm back I'll be sure to try more delicious sandwiches and sides :)

The first thing that hits you when you walk in, is the southern hospitality. I immediately saw the man taking orders and finishing the sandwiches greeting many patrons by name. If he didn't know your name, he called you "baby." They have an efficient system where the guy takes your order and relays it to the person that assembles the sandwiches, then you move to the other guy at the register that takes your money. There was a long line when I came in, but it moved quickly and efficiently. I ordered the wicked chicken sandwich, which had a little kick to it. It wasn't very elaborate, but it was still tasty. I really liked the side of macaroni salad that I got, as well as the chunky, delicious brownie for dessert. It seems to be a big hit with the people that work downtown, so their lunch hour will be the busiest if you're in a hurry.

I have found myself downtown more often lately for work. I wanted something good to eat. So I checked Yelp and found Rae's very close by. I went in at an unordinary time. it was well after the lunch crowd had been through. I ordered the Reuben. I could tell each order is made from scratch. They use cast iron skillets. The staff are very personable. My wait was not long at all. The sandwich was delicious. The bread was soft and fresh on the inside and the crust was wonderful. I will return often! The guy will ask if you want a pickle and I suggest yes!

Whatchu gonna have, baby? As soon as you hear that, you know you are in the right place. That would be Fred behind the counter taking care of each customer like they were kin. Get in line, check the menu or just ask for something good and they will hook you up. I noticed the lines every day when attending the Americana Music Fest at the Sheraton, and had to check it out. Daily specials ROCK! all their Po Boys can't go wrong, the corn beef Reuben was awesome, if a little light, for a worker bee sandwich place its hard to beat all they offer here. Quick friendly service and good prices too. Check them out you won't be sorry...Say hi to Fred for me too.

Just a short walk from my hotel I found this gem. It seems to be a local favorite; it's very busy during weekday lunch hour. Sandwiches are served hot on a delicious toasted bun. The service is excellent. Luckily I got in before the rush but even when the line was long it moved quickly. I had the Rae's Monte Christo that comes with a spicy cheese sauce. As tasty as it comes! Highly recommended.

Got in just before noon and the line was...at the door on a Thursday. Plenty of amazing options on the board, make sure you look at the specials for the day because I missed that, but. it. did. not. matter. I had Rae's Reuben and it was absolutely glorious. $7.50 after tax so your standard lunch price in downtown Nashville. Love the bread, and getting pickles with it was a good idea. The texture and juiciness of the corned beef was perfect, although I wish there was more of it than the sauerkraut. Either way...awesome place to get food! Looked like there was plenty of space to sit, but I had it to go. They accept Apple Pay and Google Wallet now, too.

Best beef sandwich evvverrrr! My wack friend said it's the best thing she ate our whole trip. The atmosphere was definitely work lunch vibes but the staff was super nice and helpful and the sandwich combos were super good. Beastie girl was a favorite of our group but people also liked that you could customize. Chip and drink selection was limited but if you're going the sandwich will fill you up a lot! Great spot for a great lunch!

Earned the name RAE's for me (Really Awesome Eats). Staff was kind, quick, and efficient, all the things needed for a quick bite. Delicatessen feel with room to eat in and chill if desired. I had the Abi's Honey Sirachi Chicken and NE Clam Chowder. Sandwich was delicious with a great balance of heat and sweet. The chowder was not your typical as it was loaded with corn and potatoes, definitely a nice change. I'll be back

I'm convinced that Rae's is hands-down the best sandwich shop in downtown Nashville. Since it's about a block away from my office I go at least once a week and it has yet to disappoint. The line gets pretty long around noon but the staff does a great job getting you through in a relatively short amount of time. They are also incredibly friendly, with Fred's "whatchu gonna have, baby?" line that is a staple at Rae's. Southern hospitality abounds. I have tried several of the specials (they rotate daily) and the shrimp po boy and BBQ pulled pork definitely stand out. However, the best sandwich BY FAR, in my opinion, is the BLACK & BLEU. I somewhat enjoy Bleu cheese in general but there is something about this sandwich that puts all others to shame. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place! Just get there early, it's not open very long!

Great customer service ever better food. The trio makes each customer feel special by remembering the customers names, past orders, and even customizations.

Try the Rae's Hot sandwich with turkey and cheese sauce. Super delicious and flavorful. The fresh baguette was a great compliment to it!

Excellent sandwich! I ordered the turkey/Swiss on wheat and loved it. Service was quick and friendly. Gets busy, so try to arrive by 11:45am or wait in line, but it moves fast

Rae's is a southern style sandwich shop. They do things their own way here. So, first off, when you see a line, that doesn't mean you find a place that is less busy, that means you wait your turn. The food here takes a bit of time. Say ten minutes for a sandwich after you order. Be prepared for what you want to order. That saves everyone else some precious minutes. However, if you are not sure what to get, be civil and ask those in line around you. We should communicate more and feel as part of the community. Anyhow, I like going on Tuesdays. That is when they have the shrimp po-boy. They feature different sandwiches on different days. They have their core stock menu of about a dozen or more sandwiches with daily specials. They are friendly and to the point. This place does great business during the weekly business lunch rush. Be prepared to have a backup sandwich in mind. Because Rae's makes amazing sandwiches, sometimes they run out of them. I have had a few of the veggie, steak and shrimp sandwiches and have NEVER been disappointed. They have a counter space of about two dozen hot sauces. That just gets me fired-up! Someone have a fire extinguisher? There are many tables, and they fill up quick. But, that is one of the great aspects of a busy hot spot. You want southern style sandwiches made with southern charm and no-nonsense, then go to Rae's and experience a lost art.

Yes, yes, yes!!!! The Angus Po' Boy is ah-maaaa-zing!!!!! The people working there were awesome! This is definitely one of the best sandwiches I have EVER eaten!!! A+++

Oooo, so tasty! My daughter and I stopped by yesterday. Well, she visited. I circled downtown until she was ready to be picked up with our carry-out. Parking in downtown Nashville leaves a lot to be desired. My daughter ordered a rueben, said it the best ever. She loved that the guy at the counter knew what all the "regulars" usually ordered. I had the beastie girl...mmmm! Everything on the menu sounds great and we vowed to visit until we tried everything.

Awesome little spot! You can tell the people who work there enjoy what they do. Very friendly and they made up a great Cuban sandwich!

When I started working downtown, I heard from more than a few people that there weren't really any great places to eat within walking distance from our office. There was a Subway and some middle of the road Mexican food, but not much else. Unless the food trucks came to visit us. Then all bets are off. Regardless, I started riding a new bus route and was walking up Union (had never had to come this way before) when I saw the sign for Rae's in the window. So I did some research and, of course, found all the good reviews. And only a few blocks from my office! I knew I had to check it out so I walked over shortly after 11 on a Friday. Despite the fact that they had only been open for 10 minutes, there was already a line of people waiting. I checked out the menu online ahead of time so I knew what I wanted upon entering. I opted for the Italian Romeo with a side salad. Although the brownies and cookies looked super tempting, I didn't get any. I know, I know. But there will be a time in the near future when I try at least one of them. ANYWAY. I walked back up the hill to my office to devour my sandwich and oh man, is it good. I think the bread is what makes the sandwich so good. It's soft, but crusty on the outside and super fresh tasting. And they make everything to order, so you know it hasn't been sitting around for a while. On a side note, definitely get the pickles when he asks. I can guarantee that this will not be my last time visiting Rae's and definitely would recommend that anyone working downtown go check them out. Just try to stay away.

This place is great! Very friendly and delicious food. I was at a conference looking for a sandwich and was not disappointed in this place. Its local and the staff working are very nice. I had the turkey sandwich and it was VERY peppery! Good but has a bite! Their brownie was delicious! You can't go wrong if you have a sweet tooth- this is a must. If I am ever in town for a conference this is a great place to eat!

They have great sandwiches, especially their hot sandwiches. I've tried their hot brown and honey sriracha. Both were delicious.

Very good sandwiches but not the best I've had. My favorite part of their sandwiches their toasted baguette bread. I tried Abi's Honey Siracha Chicken Sandwich which consisted of honey Siracha glaze, grilled chicken, pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato. Although I did enjoy it, I was still hoping for a bit more flavor. It may have been that the chicken wasn't seasoned well or I didn't really pick up the flavors of the pepper jack cheese. The pickles are tasty. The pasta salad which was pre-made was delicious. This place gets very busy and is quite popular in the downtown Nashville area but don't worry because the line moves fast. The service here is awesome and great people work here. If you are dining in the interior is very basic with no special ambience. It's a great lunch spot if you work in or are visiting downtown. I do think that this is one of the better sandwich shops in the area. Next time I go I will try the Cuban and Monte Cristo because I've heard those are excellent choices too.

Two sandwich shops sit across the street from one another, and they couldn't be more different, at least in regards to quality. One one side of 5th Avenue is Subway, with it's Jared-inspired subs heaped with pounds of imported vegetables and funky sauces. For $5 you can get a footlong Italian BMT. But, across 5th, nestled in-between a law firm and a sub-par Tex-Mex joint sits Rae's Gourmet. For all intents and purposes (i.e., eating) it's the only place on this corner that matters. I've been a fan of Rae's for years, but today I decided it had earned a glowing five-star review, complete with all the superlatives and accolades. I don't normally give out 5-star reviews, but Rae's deserves it. Its combination of quality, value, service, and friendliness, makes it a must-visit spot in downtown Nashville. Ask any of the 55,000 downtown employees what they're favorite downtown spots are, and you'll hear Rae's on almost every list. First off, they get all the basics right. Fresh bread, high quality meats and cheeses, and plenty of delicious combinations thereof. I'm a fan of the Angus Po-Boy, which is topped with "magic mushroom," cheese sauce, and tomato (you need a fork to eat it). Also, their take on a Reuben is legit. But even more impressively, they do daily specials, from crab cakes to beer cheese soup. And allow me to pause for a minute to praise this beer cheese soup. Spicy, cheesy, with a hint of lager, it is ri.dic.u.lous. I'm a little sick today, and I think the combo of hot, cheesy, beer-y goodness is nudging me towards healing (insert praise-hands emoji). When you walk into Rae's, you get asked to call your order out from the back of the line. If you've been there before, you get asked if you want what you got last time. If you're a regular, they list your usual choices and ask you to pick. By the time you pay, your food's ready. Yeah. They're that good. You feel just ever-so-slightly cared for in a way that makes you want to come back tomorrow. Don't know what you want? Ask for help. They'll get ya served up right. I've yet to meet a person who didn't like Rae's. If you are downtown and want to eat like locals eat, stop in at Rae's. It WILL NOT disappoint.

Great sandwiches and great service. This was a gem of a find in downtown Nashville. The decor was quaint and had that 'old time' feel. The service was fast considering how busy they are during lunchtime. The prices are very reasonable. I would recommend this establishment any day of the week!

Amazing food, amazing people. Great spot in downtown, if you're around for lunch you have to come by here. It's a little busy, but its worth it!