Savvy Picks
Sandwiches
Fifteen South Coast sandwich counters locals send friends to, from a Funk Zone deli with four shops to an Italian grocery's salami sandwich and a tri-tip stand up San Marcos Pass, with what to order.
- 15 picks
- 22 locations
- 3 towns
- Updated November 4, 2026
Tri-tip turns up on six of these menus. The rest runs from Italian grocery counters to a donut shop's breakfast sandwiches. Here are fifteen, in order of how often they were recommended, each checked against its own menu. Several close by mid-afternoon, so go at lunch.
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South Coast Deli
The most-recommended sandwich in town.
A local deli with four shops, using its own basil mayo and horseradish sauce.
OrderDip Your Tip, house-roasted tri-tip with Swiss and horseradish on an Italian roll with au jus, or The Robert Emmet, ham and provolone with pepperoncini and Italian vinaigrette.
TipOrder ahead for pickup online. The Italian 3-Way is $15.95, and there's a Sammie of the Week for $13.95.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on southcoastdeli.com (opens in a new tab)
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Three Pickles
The Goodland Club, three locations.
A lunch deli with three shops, stacked club sandwiches and a hot cheesesteak.
OrderThe Goodland Club, turkey, crispy capicola and avocado on wheat ($14.50), or the Gaucho, a hot cheese steak ($14.50).
TipLunch only, roughly 10:30 to 3. Hot sandwiches take about 10 minutes. Gluten-free bread is $1.50 extra.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on threepickles.com (opens in a new tab)
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Tino's Italian Grocery
The Super Deluxe, $14.
An Italian grocery with a sandwich counter: Molinari salami, copa, galantina and two cheeses, built three ways.
OrderThe Super Deluxe ($14), which adds lettuce, tomato and pepperoncini to the Regular ($10.50).
TipOpen Monday to Saturday 9 to 5, closed Sunday. You can preorder the Super Deluxe by phone or order online.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on tinositaliangrocery.com (opens in a new tab)
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Shalhoob's
A butcher's tri-tip sandwich.
A family meat business with sandwiches at its Funk Zone patio and its Magnolia restaurant. The butcher counter itself sells raw meat only.
OrderThe tri-tip sandwich on garlic bread ($19) or the Prime Rib French Dip ($22).
TipThe fried chicken and pulled pork sandwiches are $16. Magnolia opens at 10 on weekends.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on shalhoob.com (opens in a new tab)
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Country Meat Market
The Tristrami: tri-tip plus pastrami.
A Goleta meat market with a deli counter that grills and presses its sandwiches.
OrderThe Tristrami, half tri-tip and half pastrami with grilled onions and provolone ($15.50), or the Pork Belly Cuban ($15).
TipThe deli is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 to 3 only. Order ahead online for pickup.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on countrycateringcompany.com (opens in a new tab)
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Panino
Number 12 with pesto and pine nuts.
A long numbered menu of sandwiches on focaccia, baguette, wheat or sourdough, open seven days.
OrderNo. 12, roast chicken with pesto, feta and pine nuts ($14.95), or No. 28, Cotswold cheddar and tomato ($15.50).
TipHalf a sandwich with a salad or soup is $14.95. No. 12 contains nuts. Its site also lists a Montecito shop at 1014 Coast Village Rd.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on eatpanino.com (opens in a new tab)
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Norton's Pastrami & Deli
A downtown pastrami deli.
Pastrami sandwiches on rye and sourdough, Monday to Saturday, 10 to 4.
OrderThe Pastrami Reuben on rye, or Mom's P L T, crispy pastrami with chipotle mayo on sourdough.
TipGluten-free bread available. Its site doesn't post prices.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on nortonsdeli.com (opens in a new tab)
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Hook & Press Donuts
Breakfast sandwiches on biscuits.
A donut shop with a morning menu of breakfast sandwiches on brioche and house buttermilk biscuits.
OrderThe G.O.A.T., fried egg, goat cheese mousse and bourbon bacon jam on a biscuit ($14), or the Bacon, Egg + Cheese ($13).
TipBreakfast sandwiches are 8 to 1 only. You can swap the bun for a donut on the Bacon, Egg + Cheese.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on hookandpressdonuts.com (opens in a new tab)
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Cold Spring Tavern
Weekend tri-tip up the pass.
A tavern up San Marcos Pass. On weekends an outdoor stand grills tri-tip over oak.
OrderThe Original Cold Spring Tri-Tip on a bolillo roll with barbecue, apple horseradish or salsa ($20 in the tavern).
TipThe outdoor tri-tip stand runs weekends and holidays from 10:30. No reservations; seating is first come.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on coldspringtavern.com (opens in a new tab)
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Bossie's Kitchen
Fried chicken on house bread.
A Milpas Street kitchen that bakes the bread for every sandwich.
OrderThe Korean Fried Chicken sandwich, gochujang-glazed with sesame slaw ($17.50, spicy), or the Pork Belly Sandwich ($17.50).
TipClosed Monday and Tuesday. Last orders 15 minutes before closing.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on bossieskitchen.com (opens in a new tab)
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Honor Bar
Ding's Crispy Chicken Sandwich.
A small Coast Village Road dining room open daily 11 to 9.
OrderDing's Crispy Chicken Sandwich, buttermilk fried chicken with baby Swiss and spicy slaw ($24).
TipWalk-ins only, with parties of two preferred. Cards only, no cash, and there's a dress code: no gym clothes or flip-flops.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on honorbar.com (opens in a new tab)
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Olio Bottega
Hot panini on house-baked focaccia.
An Italian counter on West Victoria Street where every sandwich is a panino on olive oil focaccia baked in house.
OrderHi Maria!, hot porchetta with provola and roasted peppers, or Bocca di Rosa, mortadella with pistachio cream and stracciatella.
TipLunch only: Tuesday to Sunday, 11 to 4. For something richer, the Tartufato is prosciutto, stracchino and truffle cream.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on oliobottega.com (opens in a new tab)
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Mission City Sandwich Shop
Chips on the sandwich.
A Mesa sandwich counter that puts potato chips inside some of its sandwiches.
OrderKeep Santa Barbara Country, BBQ tri-tip with chipotle mayo and escabeche (from $14.25), or the VooDoo Tuna Po' Mofo (from $13.75).
TipOrder pickup online. Several sandwiches have nuts; the menu flags them.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on toast.app (opens in a new tab)
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Savoy Cafe & Deli
An Italian sub downtown.
A downtown cafe and deli with sandwiches and hot plates, closed Sunday.
OrderThe Italian Sub with fig balsamic greens ($14.50), or the Gibraltar, turkey, bacon and house-roasted beef ($14.95).
TipCall ahead for to-go orders, (805) 962-6611. Build your own sandwich for $12.50.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on thesavoycafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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Harry's Plaza Cafe
French dips and a tuna grill.
An upper State Street classic open for lunch through late, with sandwiches served with fries, salad or coleslaw.
OrderA roast beef French dip ($24.95) or the Tuna Grill ($16.95).
TipOpen until midnight Friday and Saturday, and from 9 on weekends for breakfast.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on harrysplazacafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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