Order crave-worthy sandwiches at these delis and grocery stores in the Des Moines metro
Whether you want a giant mouthful of bread and meat on a hoagie, a toasted adult grilled cheese, an Italian favorite with some heat, or a classic like a Reuben, Des Moines has its share of go-to restaurants, delis and grocery stores for sandwiches. Here, a look at seven of the solid standbys across the metro that really specialize in sandwiches.
B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli
This south side deli and grocery store, known for its killer deli, originally opened in 1922 by the Brooks family — Archie and his brother John. While the burgers and the breaded pork tenderloins are exceptional here, go for one of the so-called Killer Sandwiches. In the 1980s, the deli started, offering sandwiches, and earned its Killer Sandwiches nickname when a worker came in and requested a Killer Sandwich. A legend was born. Your best option is the famous Dad’s Killer sandwich with its stack of roast beef, turkey breast, smoked ham, corned beef, pepper cheese, Swiss cheese, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, Kosher pickles, mustard, Miracle Whip, and Tuscan Italian dressing on a soft Italian hoagie roll. It comes in at one pound, five ounces.
Location: 2001 SE Sixth St., Des Moines
Contact: 515-243-7607 or bbgrocerymeatdeli.com
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More: Looking for a great breaded pork tenderloin sandwich? We have a list of the tops in Iowa.
Graziano Brothers
Typically, a knuckle sandwich refers to a punch in the mouth, and at Graziano Brothers, the actual sandwich actually is just that. This Italian grocery store on the southside of Des Moines is probably best known for its blends of Italian sausages, but in the back next to the butcher case sits the deli. Customers pass by shelves of Gino’s tomato sauces, dry pastas, fresh breads and jars of peppers and capers to get to the deli, where sandwiches range from the Luigi, named for co-founder Luigi Graziano — who opened the store with his brother Francesco in 1912, with mortadella, sharp provolone, and pesto mayo — as well as the Badabing with a combination of Italian turkey, salami, mortadella, roasted peppers, provolone, and sundried tomato spread. But perhaps the best-known sandwich is the Knuckle with coppa, hot soppressata, pepperoni, hot pepper cheese, sliced pepperoncinis, and Italian dressing, all on a hoagie roll.
Location: 1601 S. Union St., Des Moines
Contact: 515-244-7103 or grazianobrothers.com
Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More: Where to find great coffee shops in the Des Moines area
Hansen’s Manhattan Deli
Hansen's Manhattan Deli on Ingersoll Avenue has been a Des Moines staple for 41 years, and for good reason. Dig into sandwiches with generous amounts of meat of all kinds, from homemade Italian sausage with the perfect, mild spice in the Thursday special the Ultimate Grinder, to lots of salami in the warm sub sandwich the Bambino. Enjoy vegetarian options, hoagies and classic deli sides including macaroni and potato salad. You can dine inside the modest deli and take note of the numerous Seinfeld or New York-themed wall décor, or take it to go. There is parking available for customers behind the deli off 37th street in Des Moines.
Location: 3705 Ingersoll Ave. in Des Moines
Contact: 515-274-1208 or hansensmanhattandeli.com
Hours: Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
More: Love a good burger? Here's where to find some of the best in the Des Moines metro
Maccabee’s Kosher Deli
Expect friendly service and Jewish cuisine at this kosher deli near Waveland Café in Des Moines. The deli, operated under the supervision of Rabbi Yossi Jacobson, offers build-your-own sandwich with options such as pastrami, roast beef, corned beef, smoked turkey, salami and more, or try a specialty sandwich like Zaidy’s Feast, which boasts 1/3 pound of turkey and salami with your choice of condiments and rye, challah or focaccia bread. Add to your meal with matzah ball soup and sides such as potato latkes and pasta salad, or treat yourself to some dessert — you can’t go wrong with rugelach, the flaky pastry with fruit or a chocolate filing that’s about as sweet as Mexican sweet bread. Essentially, light enough to enjoy at any time of the day. Dine inside the no-frills deli that also sells various Jewish products or take your food to go.
Location: 1150 Polk Blvd. in Des Moines
Contact: maccabeeskosherdeli.com or 515-277-1718
Hours: Open Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday closed. Tuesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday closed.
More: Want in on a secret? Here's where to find hidden speakeasy bars in Des Moines
Palmer’s Deli & Market
Carol and Gayle Palmer opened their first Palmer’s Deli & Market in Urbandale in 1989 and went on to open locations in West Des Moines, Ingersoll Avenue and downtown Des Moines. This full deli starts with a queue for ordering sandwiches and that then snakes along through soups including Wisconsin cheese and Italian meatball, salads, and deli favorites such as new potato salad and crunchy cabbage Waldorf. Try the Reuben, a classic deli option with corned beef, pastrami or turkey, as well as sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye and toasted, or the Beef Eater with steamed roast beef and pastrami with cream cheese on ciabatta. Request a pickle on the side for a garlicy accompaniment. Always add a Magic Bar or Scotcheroo to your order.
Locations: 4949 Westown Pkwy. #180, West Des Moines; 2843 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines; 3719 86th St., Urbandale; and 655 Walnut St., 219, Des Moines
Contact: palmersdeliandmarket.com
Hours: Vary by location
More: 21 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A
Pickerman’s Soup & Sandwich
When in West Des Moines, stop by Pickerman’s for sandwiches such as the popular That's Italian with roasted bell peppers with melted provolone cheese on top of prosciutto, cured salami and Black Forest ham with Italian dressing, or the Ultimate Pastrami sandwich stacked with 12 ounces of pastrami on marble rye. Add a cup of ham and bean or cheeseburger cheddar soup on the side or grab a potato salad for your to-go order.
Location: 6750 Westown Pkwy., West Des Moines
Contact: pickermansdeli.com or 515-440-1856
Hours: Open from 9:230 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
South Union Bread Café
Before anything else, George Formaro is a baker, plying his flours and yeasts into loaves of bread. In 1996, he started baking his bread and selling his sandwiches at South Union Bread Café in downtown Des Moines, sandwiched between his Italian restaurant Centro and the Temple. The Union comes with capicola, salami, pepperoni, and provolone, with sautéed bell pepper and onion toasted on flatbread, while the hot cheese melt is a grown up grilled cheese with pepper jack cheese, Swiss cheese, and mozzarella with banana pepper rings on focaccia.
Location: 1007 Locust St., Des Moines
Contact: southunionbreadcafe.com
Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More: The 10 essential Italian restaurants in the Des Moines metro
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: The best places to order a sandwich at Des Moines delis, grocery stores
