The Hunt for the Best Italian Sandwich in Oklahoma City

What started as an innocent post has quickly turned into my obsession. If you aren’t following my journey on TikTok, I’ll give you a little background info here.

I posted this photo of what my husband and I ordered at a local restaurant, Hobby’s Hoagies. It’s one of our fave sub shops in Oklahoma City. They have a big menu, everything we’ve ordered slaps, it’s affordable, and most importantly, they serve water ice which is a Philadelphia delicacy and my fave summer treat.

Someone commented that Hobby’s Hoagies was “ok at best” which is not a shared opinion of mine, but people are free to have and express whatever opinions they believe. All good, right?

WRONG. This person then went on to tell me OKC doesn’t have a good Italian deli, that I was better off making an Italian sub myself, AND that the closest he has found is at Jersey Mike’s 😱 So clearly we aren’t meant to take this man seriously.

Jersey Mike’s might be decent (TBH I haven’t had it in several years) but I refuse to believe that there are NO good Italian delis that serve bomb a$$ subs. In a big ol’ metro like OKC?? False.

So my pettiness took over and now it’s my mission to find the best Italian sandwich in Oklahoma City.

This list will continue to grow as I try new restaurants, so keep checking back to see updates or follow me on TikTok where I post my reviews more frequently.

Here’s my list so far. Feel free to let me know if I should add your favorite local sub shop to the list!

PS. Krells has a 😬 emoji next to it because it’s in Yukon and let’s be real, I don’t want to go to Yukon. Don’t ask me to go to Midwest City either.

I will eventually go because I’ve heard this place is great!

Let’s get into it.

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Hobby’s Hoagies

The sandwich that started it all…I actually had their Philly Cheesesteak on the day in question but that’s not the point.

Bread: soft. Pepper relish: tangy with a kick. Meat-to-bread ratio: on lock. Hobby’s Hoagies is what I picture in Brooklyn or Philadelphia. Served at a bodega or a small family-run deli. The founder of Hobby’s Hoagies was an East Coast man, so that actually adds up in my book.

Their Italian is exactly what you want it to be. Homemade bread, homemade pepper relish, the perfect amount of each ingredient.

⭐ Rating 4.5/5

Vignola’s Italian Kitchen

This restaurant is located in the Edmond Railyard, a cafeteria-style space with multiple restaurants under one roof with communal seating.

I first want to just say the staff was so amazing. They were super friendly, helped make suggestions, told us about the menu and what was made in-house, and checked on us multiple times. I was really impressed.

While Vignola’s is not the type of fancy Italian restaurant where you have a waiter who grates fresh parmesan over your plate, the presentation of the food was still of that quality.

The Italian cold cut sandwich was SO delicious. They ask you if you want it on soft or hard bread – I opted for soft but would have eaten the crustier bread too. They had a green vinaigrette on it that just SET. IT. OFF.

⭐ Rating 4.2/5

Harvey Bakery

If you’re a local, you KNOW about Harvey Bakery. This place is ✅ cute ✅ delicious ✅ has coffee ✅ in a cool part of town ✅ did I mention cute? ✅ pastries galore

Harvey doesn’t have a “traditional” Italian cold cut sandwich, but what they do have is ✨ The Giovanni ✨ which is basically a fancy Italian sandwich.

It’s served on focaccia and has fresh mozzarella which makes it extra fancy. The dressing was the perfect amount. Enough to get a taste in each bite, but not too much that it’s dripping and making a mess.

The only reason it’s rated lower than the others is it was a bit pricier for the size. It was smaller than the other two I’ve tried and about the same price, but for a more gourmet sandwich, totally worth it!

⭐ Rating 4/5

Cafe 7

Cafe 7 (to me) is an OKC staple. It’s a great place to bring a larger group because they have a wide variety of options, the prices are pretty great, and they do a lot of catering (and even have an event space you can rent).

The food is always consistent. And whether you are craving a big ass salad, a nice slice of pizza, some homemade pasta, or a tasty sandwich, they GOTCHU.

Cafe 7 is also owned by an Italian family, so I was excited to try their Italian sandwich in my search for the best Italian sandwich in OKC.

This sandwich was simple and closer aligned to the true Italian deli style I am after. It featured salami, ham, banana peppers, lettuce, tomato, house-made Italian dressing, and melted provolone on a fresh toasted hoagie. Talk about classic.

I enjoyed this sandwich for its perfect balance of ingredients (though I would have DRENCHED it in the yummy Italian dressing). The size of the sandwich was perfect and the price has been the best value so far.

⭐ Rating 4/5

Mediterranean Imports

If you don’t know about Mediterranean Imports, you’re missing out. It’s a deli with foods from all around the world, so if you love cooking worldly cuisines, this is where you can go to get obscure ingredients.

They also have a ton of less-obscure things at really great prices. Coffee, spices, produce, meats and cheeses, etc.

OK now onto the restaurant side of this business. Like most delis, Medi Imports serves sandwiches, soups, and salads, PLUS a ton of Mediterranean food options like falafel, gyros, and BAKLAVA OMG THE BAKLAVA. Go get that baklava it will change your dang life.

Focus! The sandwich! This sandwich is exactly what I’ve been after. Crispy French baguette ✅ perfect meat-to-lettuce ratio ✅ THICC slices of cheese ✅ dressing that could kill ✅ not super expensive ✅

I just really have no notes. Go try it. You won’t be disappointed.

⭐ Rating 4.7/5