The Official GOAT List: Ranking the Greatest Deli Sandwiches of All Time
GoatWars fans rank Philly Cheesesteak the greatest of all time among Deli Sandwiches, with a 63.2% Goatscore.
Chasing the crown: #2 Italian Sub (59.6%), #3 Reuben (57.8%).
This isn’t about fancy sandwiches. This is about what you actually order when you’re standing at a deli counter and the line is moving.
The Greatest Deli Sandwiches of All Time list is built on real decisions—Italian Sub vs Reuben, Turkey vs Ham & Cheese, Cheesesteak vs Meatball Sub. No explanations needed. You already know these. You’ve ordered them. You’ve probably argued about them without realizing it.
Some of these are safe picks. Some are chaos. The Italian Sub crowd thinks it does everything better. Reuben fans will tell you nothing else even comes close. Then you’ve got the wildcards—French Dip, Tuna Salad, Chicken Salad—the ones people either defend hard or avoid completely.
There’s no “correct” answer here. Just preferences people feel way too strongly about.
So what’s actually the best deli sandwich? Start making picks and see where you land.
All Time ranks by all-time win rate across every head-to-head battle. Latest ranks by latest fan sentiment, updated as new battles are voted on.
GOAT List FAQs
Who is the greatest of all time among Deli Sandwiches?
GoatWars fans rank Philly Cheesesteak the greatest of all time among Deli Sandwiches, with a 63.2% Goatscore.
How is the GOAT List calculated?
The GOAT List ranks every contender in Deli Sandwiches by Goatscore: the percentage of head-to-head GoatWars battles they have won, as voted by fans.
How many votes is this ranking based on?
This GOAT List is based on 2,228 fan votes in head-to-head battles, as of April 23, 2026.
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