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Good sandwich options abound on menus throughout Arkansas, but this list focuses on the art of sandwich making, often starting with bread baked in-house or locally. A few of those highlighted are also delis, where you can buy prepared food or shop for staples, including meat and cheese. All of them are distinctive parts of their communities, giving personality to the neighborhoods and towns they inhabit.
Zelli’s Pasta | Springdale
A desire to fill a need for fresh pasta in the region turned into a full-blown retail shop with specialty food products sourced from small producers all over the world. That includes a sandwich operation in the “Zelli Deli.” Popular options include the Artichoke Spread with Mortadella with their house made artichoke spread, buffalo mozzarella, Italian mortadella and lettuce; the Zelli Italian with mortadella, Dodge City salami, capocollo, provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion and Calabrian chili mayo; or the Dodge City with Dodge City salami, buffalo mozzarella, roasted red peppers, lettuce and balsamic vinegar. Their bread is made locally.
809 E. Emma Ave., Unit D, Springdale
479-318-2193
Website
Hagarville Grocery & Deli | Hagarville
Hagarville Deli has created its own hashtag for its sandwiches. “We create one-of-a-kind sub-style #sammiches, deli sammiches and freshly sliced deli meats and cheeses,” the owners explain. They also offer plant-based options, and they have a toaster dedicated to their gluten-free bread. A recent weekend special was smoked ham, Swiss cheese, mayo, shredded lettuce, tomato and bacon with house-made ranch on a toasted pretzel bun. Their house-made pickles are popular “sammich” additions. A “Picklemmich” is turkey, bacon and Swiss on a toasted sub roll with house pickles and mayo, along with fresh dill. The location at the foothills of the Ozarks makes it a popular destination for hikers, bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
11925 Hwy 123, Hagarville
479-885-6330
Website
Cross Creek Sandwich Shop | Conway
A long-time downtown fixture in Conway, Cross Creek Sandwich Shop is located inside Jenifer’s Antiques, also a well-known destination. Although it changed ownership in 2022, the staples remain. Chief among them is the chicken salad sandwich with shredded chicken breast, grapes, celery and toasted pecans with mixed greens on white bread. The Apple Creek Club features smoked turkey, bacon, apple slices, cheddar and spinach with house-made honey Dijon spread on toasted wheat berry bread.
1003 Oak St., Conway
501-764-1811
Website
BMB Creations | Conway
Just around the corner sits a neighbor newer to downtown Conway, but no less beloved. Their Italian beef sandwich, served Chicago style, is served on their house-made baguette. It’s so special, it’s only served on Friday and Saturday. In addition, they offer a variety of panini sandwiches grilled on their sourdough bread. Their most popular version is the turkey bacon ranch, a mix of provolone and mozzarella, arugula, turkey, bacon and house-made ranch.
812 Chestnut St., Conway
501-314-1019
Website
KJ’s Market & Sandwich Shop | Judsonia
KJ’s Restaurant is beloved in White County for its daily hot plate lunches. It has a sister store across the street on Hwy 367 that offers its take-home meals, as well as a full sandwich menu. A recent special was smoked bologna with Arkansas tomatoes. The Market Club features ham, turkey, bacon, sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion, mayo, deli mustard, vinegar and oil, and salt and pepper on sourdough. A popular hot sandwich is the Turkey Chipotle Melt with smoked turkey, chipotle mayo, homemade strawberry jam and provolone on sourdough.
599 Hwy 367N, Judsonia
501-729-0525
Website
Midnight Oil Coffeehouse | Searcy
Although coffee is the star at this 25-year-old establishment in Searcy, sandwiches have always been a prominent feature. A recent special was the Lunchy BLT with bacon, arugula, tomato, avocado, pickled vegetables and mustard on house-made sourdough. Menus change seasonally, and current options include the Veggie and Hummus sandwich with hummus, dill cream cheese spread, tomato, cucumber, radish, red onion and red wine vinaigrette-tossed arugula on toasted house made sourdough; or the Chicken Caprese with locally smoked chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil pesto on toasted house made sourdough.
801 E Race Ave., Searcy
501-268-9104
Website
Wild Sweet William’s | Searcy
The lunch menu evolved from this destination pastry shop in Searcy, but now it also attracts a crowd. The sandwich special rotates weekly, and a recent feature was the Chicken Breast Shawarma with red cabbage, cucumber and tomato on pita with yogurt. Standard offerings include the Scarborough Fair chicken salad with lemon, herbs and fresh greens on house-made bread (five-grain, farm, focaccia or sourdough); or the Simple Turkey, which is roasted turkey, provolone, fresh greens, pickle and onion with honey mustard or house-made ranch on farm bread.
504 S. Main St., Searcy
501-593-5655
Website
Boulevard Bread | Little Rock
A visit to Boulevard Bread in The Heights in Little Rock makes you feel like you’ve been transported to a European village. Favorites include the balsamic chicken salad, which is roasted chicken with balsamic vinegar, currants, celery, red onion, fresh herbs and olive oil; and the P.L.T. panini with pancetta, organic field greens, tomato and aioli on a baguette. Another standard is the traditional pastrami, with Swiss cheese, organic field greens, tomato, red onion, pickle and Dijon mustard on rye sourdough. As the name suggests, the bread is the star here, but its deli case offers one of the best selections of meats and cheeses in the state.
Heights:
1920 N. Grant St., Little Rock
501-663-5951
SoMa:
1417 S. Main St., Little Rock
501-375-5100
Baptist Health:
9601 Baptist Health Dr., Little Rock
501-217-4025
H.A.M. (Hillcrest Area Market) | Little Rock
Tucked inside Hill Station in Hillcrest is a small deli and butcher shop. But H.A.M. is also known for its sandwiches that include its namesake, with ham, salami, mortadella, provolone, aioli, Dijon, mixed greens, tomato and onion. Or try The Georgie, their take on the French classic ham and butter on a baguette. If you get there early enough on Friday, you can score the Tri-Tip sandwich on a baguette.
2712 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock
501-474-2230
Website
The Utopia Deli | Little Rock
The Utopia Deli defies labels. It was just nominated as a finalist for URBANE magazine’s best food truck of 2025. It also happens to be 100% vegan. Its #1 seller is Cowboy Chik’n, which includes vegan bacon and grilled chicken with a smoky, sweet heat; lettuce, tomato and chives; and their signature buttermilk ranch on a garlic butter toasted hoagie roll. Other popular offerings include the Chik’n Club Sub, Philly Cheesesteak and Philly Fries.
801 S. Chester St., Little Rock
501-551-5944
Website
Bismarck Deli & Market | Bismarck
Their hoagie rolls are made in-house, and you can choose from one of their specialty sandwiches, such as the popular turkey club, Reuben or Philly cheese steak, or create your own. God’s Chicken Sandwich is fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, maple bacon and pepper jelly on a bun. They have meat and produce that is also available for purchase.
6454 Hwy 7, Bismarck
Website
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