13 Best Roast Beef Sandwiches In NYC

There's just something about a perfect roast beef sandwich. Maybe it's the bold flavors of slow-roasted beef, the fluffy rolls with a hint of sweetness, or just the nostalgia of a good, messy sandwich. When it comes to roast beef, much like any sandwich, there are different approaches. We have the old standbys that center around gravy, Italian-influenced sandwiches with fresh mozzarella, and even kosher, squished between two pieces of hearty rye.

A roast beef sandwich isn't hard to come by, but a good roast beef sandwich? That's a different story. What began as a means to power through leftovers, the roast beef sandwich has really come into its own identity. The modern-style sandwich, doused in gravy, is said to have been first conceived on the North Shore of Boston. A plethora of roast beef leftovers motivated the crew at Kelly's hot dog stand, to serve up sandwiches in 1951. Kelly's Roast Beef is now a Massachusetts staple and still lays claim to the sandwich's origin, but from there, roast beef sandwiches could be found everywhere. Today, there are endless mouth-watering variations, and New York City has several. That's the beauty of NYC — you can ask a dozen people about their favorite spot for a given dish and receive a dozen different answers. In this city, we all get to find our little favorites. No one has to agree with us on the best roast beef sandwiches the Big Apple has to offer, but we're sure they will.

This old-school sandwich spot tucked away in Red Hook, Brooklyn is as classic as classic gets. With a menu stretching across the entire side of the shop, there are enough options to keep you reading all afternoon. Although, when in doubt, go for the roast beef. Defonte's classic hero, simply named Hot Roast Beef includes the standard fresh mozzarella and natural jus, but there's something extra that puts it on the map: fried eggplant. The breaded addition adds just the right amount of crunch alongside soft, earthy eggplant notes that pair perfectly with the fresh roast beef.

Staying true to its Italian roots, Defonte's stuffs its iconic fried eggplant into a number of massive heroes on the menu. Some are conventionally Italian, while others are not. With the novelty size and unique flavors, it's no surprise Guy Fieri made a pit stop here on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," giving it a 10 out of 10 without skipping a beat. Typically, fried eggplant is reserved for veggie alternatives like eggplant Parmesan, but Defonte's thinks of it more as an addition to a meaty grinder, and it can make just about any sandwich better.

A common detour on the way to Coney Island, Roll N Roaster is an iconic sandwich spot with a 1970s aesthetic that isn't a shtick — it's authentic to the core. With over 50 years of top-notch service, Roll N Roaster is a neighborhood landmark. Its motto, "simply delicious," says it all. On a fresh, fluffy roll, thinly sliced roast beef is stacked high and drenched in gooey cheese that seeps onto the plate. The bigger the mess, the better. 

Unlike most of the other old-school counter-style sandwich joints, Roll N Roaster lets customers choose the temperature of their roast beef: rare, medium, or well done. The juicy sandwich is best washed down with Roll N Roaster's housemade Orangeade. While we would never advise going to this spot and not getting a roast beef sandwich, bargain hunters should take a look at the pizza menu as well. It might not be New York's best pizza, but it's pizza at its purest, and only $4.95.

Sarge's Diner and Delicatessen is one of the big apple's shining stars. Between the late night hours, leather booths, and framed history lining the walls, this place radiates comfort. The bright red awning almost reels you in, and the more than generous portions will keep you coming back. The deli has come head to head with Katz's Delicatessen over the decades, battling for the title of the best Jewish deli in the city. While Sarge's may make fewer headlines, locals know its worthy of competition. Luckily, everyone has their preferences, so we're spoiled for choice.

Sarge's Deli is another place known for its pastrami, which means other meaty menu items are often overlooked, one being roast beef sandwiches. Like all of Sarge's sandwiches, they're comically large. You can never go wrong with a good old roast beef sandwich, but Sarge's French Dip is arguably better than the standard. It's served alongside Sarge's spicy horseradish sauce, and, of course, extra au jus for dipping.

Panino Rustico is on the newer side, having opened its first location in Bensonhurst in 2011. But don't let the sandwich shops' youth fool you — its sandwiches are top dollar. As the name suggests, paninis are the team's forte, and that includes the signature roast beef. It's a mouth-watering grilled dream with layers of thinly sliced roast beef, mozzarella, and gravy. If there's any stomach room left, your meal can be topped off with a sweet crepe or a Tiramisu martini.

If hot sandwiches aren't your thing, there is a smaller section of the menu dedicated to wraps. The roast beef option is simple and wholesome, rolled with fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomato, and mayo. While the wrap is a fresh, delicious lunch option, Panino Rustico's hot-pressed sandwiches are really where it's at. Once you have experienced the roast beef panini, you'll understand why. It's clear Brooklyn agrees, as the panini cafe now has five locations with a sixth in the works.

This hip little grocery and sandwich spot may be trendy, but with good reason. While they have a handful of other locations and business endeavors today, the original Court Street Grocers, or CSG, is a reimagined corner store serving creative renditions of Italian favorites to Carroll Gardens. Its fandom is widespread, with celebs rocking Court Street Grocers merch and taking over headlines. Ordering from CSG's colorful menu can be overwhelming, so make it easy for yourself by ordering the Droopy sandwich without hesitation. It's packed with juicy roast beef, spicy horseradish mayo, arugula, and heaps of French's fried onions, piled high on a seeded hero roll from the one and only Caputo's Bake Shop.

If cheese is a must, there's also The Jawn which is overflowing with three different types of cheese, just-roasted beef, lettuce, onions, red wine vinaigrette, and CSG's very own hoagie spread. While waiting for the sandwich geniuses to prepare their masterpiece, customers can get a jump on their weekly grocery shopping. The shop's walls are lined with Italian gourmet goods that have been carefully curated both locally and throughout the country.

As one of the best restaurants in NYC, Minetta Tavern isn't what most would consider a go-to spot to snag a roast beef sandwich — but they would be highly mistaken. Of course, a Michelin star steakhouse would have top-of-the-line roast beef, but serving a notoriously sloppy sandwich on those white tablecloths? It's an understandable surprise, but Minetta Tavern has a slightly more laid-back brunch that has a French dip, otherwise known as a beef dip, on the small sandwich portion of its menu. The taste is out of this world. Purists may say that a French dip, a sandwich designed to be dunked into a broth, isn't a true roast beef sandwich, while others are in full support. Regardless of where you stand on the matter, it is one hundred percent worth a try.

Nothing like a meal with a view, and if it's not the intimate, old-world interiors at Minetta Tavern, it's some of the best people-watching New York has to offer. The fine-dining French bistro is known for its food, yes, but also for being a beloved hangout of A-listers for decades. As fun as a chance celebrity sighting can be, it pales in comparison to that flawless roast beef sandwich.