Sam LaGrassa's
Sandwich shop · Downtown ·
Family-run shop for huge, acclaimed sandwiches, lunch only
Family-run shop for huge, acclaimed sandwiches, lunch only
"A beloved family-owned Downtown Boston sandwich shop since 1968, this spot has been dishing out piping hot lunches from a menu of more than 50 sandwiches and is best known for its pastrami. The Pastrami Diablo is pricey ($29.95) but otherworldly, with pastrami slathered in chipotle mayo and barbecue sauce, plus jack cheese and applewood-smoked bacon on a roll—regulars even split it to defray the cost. It’s Thanksgiving any day with the Gobbler ($23.95), a grilled tortilla wrap stuffed with turkey, cranberry sauce, sausage stuffing, spinach, chipotle mayo, and pepperjack cheese, and the chicken sandwiches are unsung heroes, especially the mammoth chicken cutlet Parmigiana ($23.95) with two cutlets smothered in marinara and melted mozzarella. Sandwiches start at $20 and can quickly exceed $30; it’s a really good sandwich, but I wouldn’t be inclined to splurge more than once or twice a year—if you have a corporate credit card, now’s the time to use it. This isn’t only for meat-lovers: there are a few vegetarian sandwiches and a savory vegan wrap with vegan mozzarella, caramelized onions, and roasted veggies, plus gluten-free wraps available for just about any sandwich. If you need to grab something quick, the takeout counter is the move, and the team can turn a decadent sandwich around in minutes." - Celina Colby
"It wouldn’t be a Boston sandwich map without Sam LaGrassa’s. The downtown restaurant’s menu is vast — like, 50 sandwiches vast — but the move at LaGrassa’s is the splurge-y (with good reason) pastrami. Opt for the devilishly delicious pastrami diablo, which pairs its famous dry-cured and smoked pastrami with barbeque sauce, chipotle mayo, applewood-smoked bacon, jack cheese and hot cherry peppers. The sauces and piled-high meats blend together between a classic round roll for a spicy-fatty-savory mashup." - Nathan Tavares
"Sam LaGrassa’s claims to be home to “the world’s number one sandwiches.” We checked with the UN, and it turns out that ranking culturally important sandwiches isn’t something they do, so we can’t completely verify that. But what we can tell you, is that the giant pastrami travelers sandwich on pumpernickel is pretty close to perfect. This old school deli is only open for lunch and it gets very, very busy, but you can order ahead and you should, because eating these meaty sandwiches on the Common is close to an ideal Boston lunch experience." - dan secatore
"Family-owned and operated since 1968, this self-proclaimed "number one sandwich shop in the world" prides itself on its piled-high pastrami sandwiches. Sam LaGrassa's does brisk weekday lunch business for the Downtown Crossing crowd. Late mayor Tom Menino had been known to say that it serves "the best deli sandwiches in town." - Erika Adams, Katie Chudy
"This is the go-to option for huge sandwiches in Downtown Crossing. Sam LaGrassa’s serves loaded hoagies and sandwiches with pickles, with an array of classic options like pastrami on rye and chicken cutlet parmigiana." - Erika Adams, Dana Hatic