The 5 Best Sandwich Shops in Michigan, Voted By Michiganders

Few debates get Michiganders going like sandwiches. I asked my audience to name the best sandwich shop in the state, tallied the votes from my socials, and here is the top five. These are the counters people drive across town for.

1. Folgarelli’s, Traverse City

Folgarelli’s Market & Wine Shop has operated at 424 W Front St. in Traverse City since 1978, when Boniface “Fox” Folgarelli and his wife Marge brought his Detroit Italian-market background up north. It’s now in its third generation of family ownership. The deli counter runs more than 30 named sandwiches, including The Godfather, The Mobster, and the number one Italian, backed by a specialty market of over 100 cheeses, imported meats, wine, and craft beer.

See Folgarelli’s in the Michigan-made directory

2. Star Deli, Southfield

Star Deli has served Metro Detroit as a carryout-only Jewish deli since 1973, when Sid Neuman acquired the small 12 Mile Road counter and built it into one of the highest-volume carryout-only Jewish delis in the country. The shop cooks its own corned beef, pastrami, tongue, and roast beef and is known for towering sandwiches on rye, including the Corned Beef Special with coleslaw and Swiss and the Reuben. Open 8 AM to 7 PM daily.

See Star Deli in the Michigan-made directory

3. Steve’s Deli, Bloomfield Hills

Steve’s Deli opened in 1993 in Bloomfield Plaza at Telegraph and Maple, named for owner Steve Hurwitz. It’s a Jewish-style deli with a scratch kitchen, known for its award-winning chicken and matzo ball soup, stacked corned beef sandwiches, short ribs served daily, and fresh roasted turkey. It has appeared in the Zagat dining guide and been named Best Deli in local polls.

See Steve’s Deli in the Michigan-made directory

4. Village Cheese Shanty, Leland

The Village Cheese Shanty has been a fixture in Leland’s historic Fishtown for over 45 years, serving made-to-order sandwiches on in-house pretzel bread, honey-wheat pita, and baguettes. The shop carries more than 60 imported cheeses plus local cherry products, and signatures include the North Shore, piled with turkey, bacon, Swiss, and homemade herb mayo. Open seasonally April through October at 199 W River St.

See Village Cheese Shanty in the Michigan-made directory

5. Mudgies, Detroit

Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop was founded in 2008 by Greg Mudge in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood at 1411 Brooklyn St, and the block outside is now named Greg Mudge St. It pairs stacked sandwiches made with house-smoked and house-roasted meats with a wine shop and seasonal cocktails. The shop has been named Metro Times Best Deli in Wayne County every year from 2010 to 2024 and Detroit Free Press 2022 Restaurant of the Year Classic.

See Mudgies in the Michigan-made directory

Got a sandwich shop that should have made the list? Make your case in the comments. And if you own a Michigan deli or sandwich counter, apply for a free spotlight. New votes run weekly, so follow along to weigh in on the next one.

Author: Dave