The Pass

My wife and I are always on the lookout for great sandwiches, and this place definitely delivered. We tried their two specials—the “Such a Nice Italian Boy” and the “Italian Girl.” They were $17 each, but that’s very standard in Charleston these days. The difference is most spots don’t live up to the hype, and the food often feels way overrated for the price. Not here. These sandwiches were absolutely packed with super fresh, high-quality ingredients, and tasted like the real deal. Tony Soprano would be ordering that Gabagool from here. Totally worth it. We’ll definitely be back.

The Pass 📍207 St Phillip St The pass is not your average neighborhood sandwich shop. This place is rolling out fresh ingredients and I'm here to tell you it's LEGIT! I got the “Such a Nice Italian Boy” The burrata on a sandwich is pure genius. Every bite is a glimpse of Chef Anthony Marini's fine dining roots. I can't wait to try more. Also the @drinkfizza Blood Orange kombucha was amazing. Highly Recommend you stop in for a to go sandwich or enjoy the comfortable sitting area.

Get The Bear sandwich and don’t ask questions!! So good. We also had the good little Italian boy which was also good, but the bear was amazing. The names of the Sammie’s are hilarious and the vibes are great. Can’t wait to go back!

Amazing food! Huge fan of the Italian Girl sandwich as well as the pesto salad and Antipasti. I always end up saving half of any sandwich I get because they are so big! Staff is very friendly. Highly recommend for sandwiches downtown. They are my favorite in the downtown area out of all of the sandwich shops or delis. Try them out. You won’t regret it.

If you're looking for as close as you can get to a panino off the streets of Italy (but in Charleston), The Pass is your best bet. Its a pretty tiny shop with limited seating, but the sandwiches are the STAR of the show. We split the Focaccia del Capo and I'll be dreaming about that sandwich for months to come.

The sandwiches were so delicious and very big! They have gluten-free bread too, which is super nice and I saw a vegetarian option. Although it is a bit small, it is definitely worth going if you love sandwiches.

One of my favorite things about traveling a lot for work is finding good places to eat everywhere I go. Bonus points for a place I wanna come back to when I return to a city. This place absolutely fits that description! Great portions, friendly staff, and amazing sandwiches. Well worth the visit!

Ordered takeout for two sandwiches, the Italian girl and the Italian boy! Really good sandwiches - super filling, great flavor. $17 each. The only thing to note is that both sandwiches (both halves of each) had a horizontal toothpick in them. Usually they’re vertical to keep the sandwich together but a couple bites into the sandwich, bit right into the toothpick. Feels extremely dangerous.

The Italian girl was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Ingredients were so fresh

Where to start for this small but intimate Italian sandwich shop in downtown Charleston. You walk in and suddenly feel at home, like you've been there too many times to count but you won't stop coming back. You're handed a menu to look at as if deciding which sandwich to conquer is a quick decision. As a first time guest, but long time lurker on their Instagram feed, I asked the recommendation on which two sandwiches to get from the lady at the register. She steered me in the right direction as the Yes, We Finally Watched "The Bear" was an incredible sandwich. Lightly toasted but perfectly crunchy sesame seed roll in a way that isn't going to cut your mouth when you eat it. Crunching into your first bite, you'll notice the roast beef, and house roasted balsamic onions almost spilling out of the sandwich. As with most and sandwich, the fresh mozzarella is the perfect addition to an already flavorful sandwich. Also included is the house-made pepper shooter aioli, and EVOO. We opted for takeout but ended up sitting in the small dining room area as we scoured the walls looking at all of the art, local signage and other aesthetically pleasing wall art. As we were enjoying our meal, the owner/head chef came over himself and checked in to see how we were doing. I understand the price might deter some customers (~$17 for a sandwich) but the sandwiches are pretty huge, the ingredients are fresh and the flavor is immaculate. Already planning on coming back & one of the best sandwiches in the area hands down. Photos below don't do it justice as I barely got these two before digging in.

Best sandwiches ever!!! I went twice in one week. The Italian girl with turkey was amazing. It's a walk up and order small sandwich shop off the beaten trail. Service was great.

Really good sandwhiches - their bread is always fresh and homemade! Service is efficient and the ambiance is a small cute sandwhich coffee shop vibe. I'll definitely be back.

Visiting Charleston for the first time and we needed somewhere close for lunch. We got the V Card. Holy moly. I can't wait for lunch time tomorrow

Best sandwiches! STUFFED with meat they are very filling. A little bit over priced for a sandwich but the taste made up for it.

After drooling over their instagram posts on the daily, I finally made a point to try The Pass. I was downtown for a meeting and had to head back home, but wanted to pick up something new for lunch to take with me. I called and placed an order for the Such a Nice Italian Boy and headed that way. By the time I parked and walked in, my sandwich was ready so I was in and out in a flash. I should have stuck around to see their sides and other offerings, but I was in a rush. I must say that while I like an Italian sandwich from time to time, it's not usually my go to sandwich. That being said, I knew it was a crowd favorite so I wanted to start there. Whether you're a fan or not, this sandwich is a must try. All the flavors work perfectly together and I could eat a pound of that mortadella with pistachio by itself. I can't wait to try more of the menu... especially some of those breakfast sandwiches I've seen. If you're looking for a quick sandwich for dine in (tiny place but there are a few tables) or to go, definitely place an order by phone, online, or in person at The Pass.

Got the Italian boy and the special sandwich of the day Both VERY good Definitely will be going back soon.... Service/ quality amazing! Sandwich's shareable and Very filling. Next time I'll definitely try something different.

So freaking good omg. So glad I started working within walking distance! I've had a couple of their sandwiches but the Italian boy is by far my favorite. It's so delicious and filling that it usually lasts me two meals. Unfortunately there was a car accident a few weeks ago but they're still open and making the most out of a terrible situation. I would highly recommend coming here

Do not sleep on this place. Absolutely charming and delicious. "The Boy" had so much flavor and is as big as your face. You will not be disappointed! Don't sleep on the cacio e pepe reads like an Italian grilled cheese but the truffle honey drizzled on top is EVERYTHING! We enjoyed our lunch with a bottle of Lilu savigne blanc from a local winery. RUN DO NOT WALK!! Literally considering popping back down here from ohio in a couple weeks when the open up for a 5 course tasting menu for dinner service.

First time trying out this sandwich shop. Online order was fast and easy. Our sandwiches were: Italian boy, Americano, and the Bear. The hype is true! All three sandwiches were packed with meat and delicious. The Bear was so perfect in my opinion. The toasted sesame bread provided such a unique taste. Can't wait to try the other sandwiches.

Great Little spot, dining room is closed but carry out window is open. Super Fresh Ingredients l, fresh bread and the sandwiches are huge. Ate mine over two meals. Highly recommended and will return during future visits

Finally made it here after strolling to downtown farmer's market. We snagged a spot on the street nearby - no dedicated parking lot but street parking is usually easy in the area. The inside space is very tasteful and gives Italian vibes. It's an order at the counter spot with fairly limited seating but seemed like folks moved through fairly quickly. They do have one big community table and some bar seats. We snagged the Focaccia del capo sandwich and the Everyday BS. The focaccia was the best of the two. The everyday was solid but slightly eggy for our lunch (would get it for breakfast for sure). They have a small collection of canned and bottled soda/kombucha as well as alcoholic choices. The Carolina kettle chips are some of our favorite and we always love to see a shop that has them. The staff were friendly and helpful answering questions. We'll be back!

This place is DELICIOUS. I need to come back to try each panini. The ingredients are all fresh and everyone was so friendly, including the owner! I especially liked the option of having Yuengling, which I would have ordered if I wasn't on my lunch break!

First time at The Pass this week. Staff was super friendly on arrival and helpful in making my sandwich choice. Cool setup (under renovation so everything other than counter was blocked off). Bread was very fresh and the sandwich had really interesting flavors. My one area for improvement was that the roast chicken was a little dried out when it came out of the oven after warming. I'd make the chunks of chicken a little smaller and have them in a little olive oil (or the aioli that was used as a delicious spread). Definitely looking forward to coming back post-renovating.

Called in a to go order and they said it would be ready in 10 minutes. Was in and out quickly. While the ingredients of my sandwich were fresh, I did find it dry. Would be open to trying something else there in the future!

The Pass is an upscale, NY "feely" deli shop. We live two blocks away and are always eager to try our newest local neighborhood QSR. Immediately when you walk in, The Pass lets you know that they take sandwiches seriously. And yes, we ALSO take sandwiches seriously. Further, we always a appreciate some pop culture menu references (similar to Moe's) that'll grab your attention and amuse. Yes, The Pass' price point is high; you're paying for quality. Sandwiches often reflect their price point, $10, $20, etc. The Pass does a great job (better than others downtown) of delivering "what you get" at their price point. We both had the Americano and enjoyed the hell out of this tasty sandwich. LOTS of flavors happening here. While we were warned against extra mustard, we felt the mustard well complimented the peppers and pickles. Texture and finish are 100, exactly what you'd expect from this caliber of sandwich shop. We'd love to see The Pass offer at least one other bread selection, tuna, (which they undoubtedly would crush), and a hot/pressed sandwich option/selection. We look forward to our next Sunday stroll, late lunch, and serious sandwich.

We shared one of their best selling sandwiches - it might have been called an italian boy, but I'm unsure. It was pretty amazing to eat a sandwich with a burrata cheese inside! No problems there! The bread was a little dry for me. this is a two person sandwich, but still expensive at that. It cost almost $20 dollars.

Yes. It's a small space, but they turn orders around quickly. Service was very friendly and they even checked on us in the middle of our meal despite the casual atmosphere! We ordered the LBC (basically a lox bagel sandwich) and Vito Lost His V-Card (marinated artichokes, giardiniera, and white bean spread). Both were delicious. The vibe is very casual - we sat at a communal table which felt a tad cramped, but the space isn't too loud or crowded. We'll definitely be back and greatly appreciate the couple of vegetarian options!

It's all just so good! I haven't had a good sandwich or hoagie since I left South Jersey. This place -oh my God- incredible.

I was running across town and needed to grab a quick bite. I had a salad, it was super tasty but wish it had a little crunch. Dad had the Americano and it was a solid choice for a turkey lover.

We stopped by this morning for a quick sandwich before the lunch rush. We didn't have to wait and we even grabbed a seat. The cashier told us we had to get the Italian boy, so we did. The sandwich came up quick and looked phenomenal. We chowed down and absolutely loved it. The bread was nice and soft rather than overly crusty. The meats and cheese were generous and perfectly proportioned. It was a well executed sandwich. Zero complaints. Awesome spot with fast and friendly service. Highly recommended.

Such a nice Italian boy... the sandwich my dreams are made of. Thank you for a nice start to our trip to Charleston. Loaded with freshly sliced Italian meats like sopressata and mortadella (laced with pistachios), Burrata, Calabrian chili relish, arugula and soft homemade bread makes this sandwich top notch. Absolutely one of the best Italians I've ever had. Already planning our next trip back!

Wow these sandwiches will surpass your expectations, no doubt. I had high expectations, bit into the sandwich, and looked at my friend with huge eyes shocked at how great even the first bite was. We had the Italian Girl and The Bear. Trust me, you need these sandwiches.

The place looked like a cool sandwich shop so I had to try. Unfortunately, the sandwich I had was dry but had good flavor. They have all sorts of options and other sandwiches looked better. You can tell they have passion for what they do. Next time I am going to get the italian boy. Looked good. 4 stars

I visited The Pass for lunch during a weekday. The space is small and cozy but was enough space to sit and hang out if needed. I ordered the "such a nice italian boy" which packs a lot of meats (mortadella and spresatta) and a big chunk of Burrata. It was a good lunch item and I enjoyed it, I kind of wished I could have saved half or shared with someone because it was a large portion for sure. It is a ver nice Italian sandwich shop and I am glad It opened in the neighborhood.

You will NOT be disappointed! Walk, don't run! Cute, small market/cafe in town. Ordered many of the Such A Nice Italian Boy - Mortadella (with Pistachio), Hot & Sweet Soppresata, Burrata, Greens, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Housemade Italian Vinaigrette, Sharp Provolone, Pickled Calabrian Chili Relish on Ciabatta. Also tried the chicken salad which was extremely refreshing but also very flavorful. You can request any sandwich be a salad, as well, which is great. Although the menu is small, everything is crafted so well. The plus, the staff may just be even more incredible than the food. Also, they deliver through a few various apps which is great when on a time crunch or unable to go in person.

The best Italian sandwich in Charleston! Hopefully they get a dining room! Fast friendly service.

The sandwiches are pricey but worth every penny. The Italian girl is my favorite and HUGE! Will be back again and again. The service is slow but you cannot rush perfection!

Looking for a hidden gem in Charleston? Want a selfie with the chef? Sandwich suggestion? Wine pairing for your meal? -- You'll get all that and more at this cute little restaurant that'll make you feel like part of the family! This quaint little shop sits on the corner of St. Phillip and Spring in the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. I would definitely consider this a "mom and pop" shop, but on an advanced/elevated level -- the quality, service and presentation just sets the bar above the rest! Ok folks... what you've been waiting for: THE FOOD REVIEW! And boy, am I happy to give it to you! - CACIO e PEPE: This warm sandwich is made with Daily Cheeses, Farm Butter, Fresh Cracked Black Pepper toasted on Sourdough and Drizzled Truffle Honey with an option to add a meat of your liking. I decided to prosciutto to mine and it was worth the add! This sandwich was toasted to perfection and more delectable than I was expecting, as that truffle honey really pushes the flavor over the edge! -HOMEMADE DILL PICKLES: I'm a sucker for pickles, especially homemade ones! The are cut in "chip" form, sliced on the thicker side and the perfect in between of crunchy and soft... that in combination with the flavor, makes it that pickle that you want for a side, as you don't want to lose the flavor in a sandwich, but also wouldn't be upset if it ended up on a sandwich! -WINE: They have a great selection of natural wines here. So don't expect your "go tos" that you're used to at the grocery store or chain restaurants. These wines are hand selected with care and they will make sure you're selecting the right one for your tastebuds at the time, or better yet the perfect pairing for your meal! I went with a Rose... unfortunately I don't have a picture of it, but it paired well and was exactly what I was wanting! I decided to dine in when I came and I'm glad I did! There was a lot of "in and out" business, but the staff working (including Anthony) came to check on me, make sure I was enjoying my meal and see if there was anything else I needed. That personal touch is what is missing with most restaurants these days and I'm so glad to see another one landed in a Charleston! Although their main hours are Wednesday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm, they are open some evenings for an upscale experience known as the "Chef's Table." From what Anthony explained, it's the intimate multi-course dinner party you've always wanted to host, but you don't have to lift a finger and get to 100% enjoy -- no risk and ALL REWARD! This experience is only enjoyed by reservation and books up FAST! Like the second new reservations open, they're off the market! I'm hopeful I'll get to join in on this part of the restaurant sooner than later! Dining in or taking out, they value all their customers, cook to perfection and make sure you walk away with a smile and full belly that'll be sure to bring you back!

What a unique place! I saw an instagram post of the sandwich called "such a nice Italian boy" and knew I had to try the sandwich for myself. I love that they offer such high quality ingredients and sandwich ideas. The sandwich was fantastic: really flavorful and it included such a large variety of ingredients. I will say it was pretty spicy, so if that's not your thing I would order something else off the menu. Street parking was easy to find, but be warned, there is only one table for inside dining. I would recommend taking your sandwich to the park for a picnic! I love the concept and the execution of this restaurant and am excited to return and try other menu items!

Wow! I love a good sandwich, but these sandwiches are amazing! Love the cute decor inside. Love the pour your on wine station! And of course, Chef is always entertaining to watch when sitting at the bar seating! Can't wait to get through the whole menu! Great spot!

Been wanting to try this sandwich shop for awhile and finally made it there yesterday. Very disappointed. Got the Italian Boy. The bread was not fresh, two small slices of meat and a dollop of cheese. Not much taste, needed something to give it a little oomph. For $17 I didn't expect to leave hungry and I'm not a big eater.

The sandwich (Italian Boy) could be split into 2 meals. The sandwich was very tasty , a heaping portion, but also pricey (see receipt) Corner location so parking might be tricky. The staff was very helpful & patient with it being my first time visiting. Will definitely return with others During week they close at 4pm, weekend has different times .... Call to verify.

This is it! If you want a sandwich come to The Pass hand made sandwiches right on the spot this is a monster sandwich I have to go back and try every sandwich they offer. There was a huge line when I got there but somehow it went down quickly because of the fast service I have to give it to the chef he has created something that's contagious Such a nice Italian boy that sandwich is amazing as you can see in the picture.

The best sandwiches ever. Please get the Italian boy, you will not regret it. That sauce belongs on everything. Alleluia.

Amazing sandwiches. We got Italian Girl, Italian Boy, Fig, and the American. Our family favorite was Italian Girl!

The Pass is my favorite local sandwich spot. Their ingredients are fresh and the sandwiches are made with love. They do a great Charcuterie takeout if you need a last minute charcuterie option like I did one day. They have almost daily specials that are fantastic. The one year anniversary special with the prosciutto and truffle was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. They have a loyalty rewards program which is awesome. I got the All Day BS - 2 Egg (Parmesan Frittata), Prosciutto di Parma, Mozzarella, Roasted Tomatoes, Spicy Smoked Taleggio Mayo on Toasted Ciabatta and subbed out the tomato for lettuce. There's a small chefs counter for seating or some tables and chairs. They also sell cold drinks, fun snacks, and wine. It's a CHS staple and it's only been there a year. Online ordering is available as well as calling ahead for takeout.

I decided to swing by The Pass while staying at the Hyatt and the food is incredible! I got the basanagol and medagon and was pleasantly surprised at how big the portions are and how great the food was for the price and a welcoming staff is always nice! A winner! Will definitely try more of their food before I leave!

Probably deserves 3.5. The Italian boy is a good but not great sandwich. The mortadella is very good. The ciabatta is mid. The use of bitter mixed greens is a mistake with the other acidic flavors. I do like the heat of the peppers. The burrata is somewhat lost in it all. The chicken sandwich did well to add the peppers, but the rotisserie chicken was very dry.

A truly excellent sandwich shop in a very cool area! I had the pleasure of having the Italian boy (first time I've said that sentence, but not the last!). For me, the quality of ingredients is what warrants a 5 star review here. You're getting a killer sandwich, whatever you order. I am a fan of the aesthetic too and I love to check out the sauces and other culinary options they have for sale. It's the only place I can find Zab's hot sauce in town so that makes me happy. It can get busy on weekends and busy times, so plan ahead, it's not a large space either. My ideal Pass Experience is to grab a sandwich to go on a nice, slow (read: not many tourists) day and eat in White Point Garden and enjoy the history, beauty, and culinary delight of Charleston.

Staff does not wear gloves. I had heard about this and it was validated by the owner and on their IG. You can't walk out without spending $20 on meat and cheese between bread.

If you want a GOOD sandwich- this is the place to be. From bread, to meat, to cheese, to veggies, to the spread, all the flavors were incredible. I ordered the "Such a Nice Italian Boy" and NICE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. This bad boy was huge and so tasty. The bread was so perfect in taste and texture. The mozzarella was so good and complimented the meats so well. The veggies inside were dressed in something tasty and the spread on the bottom piece of bread was so flavorful. I fell in love at first bite. The staff was nice and I didn't have to wait too long for my order. Their dining room is closed and the shop itself is very small. You can get wine, seltzers, coffee, and beer here too. Overall, excellent sandwich if I ever had one. I will be back to try the Cacio e pepe with proscutio for sure!

Food was good, and the staff was friendly, but the sandwich workers did not have gloves on. The older guy who I assume was the owner also started making sandwiches without gloves. Then an employee scratched her back.. and kept cooking. Gross! Also the bagels are coming from a Kirkland (Costco) bag. For an upscale sandwich place where I paid about $42 for two sandwiches and two coffees... I expected more than that. You could at least try to hide it to make customers think they're getting something fresher and local.

Gotta give 5 stars for The Pass, I try a different sandwich every time I go and they are all great. Good quality and good portions. Definitely one of the superior sandwich spots in charleston in my opinion. Thanks.

DELICIOUS! Great spot with wonderful service and even better food. Can't recommend enough - the homemade pickles are 10/10. Had the Nice Italian Boy and Cacio e Pepe (add prosciutto!!) Will most definitely be back :)

Paninis with very fresh bread and other ingredients. I tried the vegan one which had eggplant and roasted red peppers and more with some type of spread on it. It was quite delicious. This is a very small restaurant, so if you aren't planning on to-go, seating is limited.

Tried to online order for a few weeks because I love a good deli sandwich - the online ordering hasn't been working for several weeks. I go to call and they are closed. I really would love to try the sandwich - esp the Italian girl one, which seems to sell out often... but I can't catch a break with their unavailability. Let me know when a good time to order it is and I'll come in!

had trouble finding a good artisan deli once we moved to Charleston. Charleston obviously has great sandwich shops, but none of them have the authentic and Italian-inspired flavors that you would find in NYC. Thankfully, Anthony opened up The Pass and it has been our favorite spot ever since. Every Sunday, my wife and I order the Cacio e Pepe (add prosciutto!) and the Such a Nice Italian Boy and love every single bite. Anthony has an eye for detail and makes sure every single sandwich is made perfectly. Each sandwich comes with a unique variety of flavors and is consistently delicious every time you order. Also, did I mention that The Pass has a wide selection of wines? Some of our favorite organic wines are sold here and we love pairing it with our sandwiches. All in all, we are so grateful that Anthony started The Pass and that we are still able to enjoy the artisan deli experience that we initially discovered in NYC.