By Matthew Odam

Updated May 10, 2018

Sandwiches have long played a role in my personal history. They were the first food I learned to prepare, and I did so with love and excitement, taking orders with pen and pad for my family and childhood friends like a short-order cook.

When I traveled abroad in college and was confronted with foreign foods in places like Russia (and even England), I would look for at sandwich spot until I could get my bearings and dive into more serious culinary exploration. I’ll always appreciate you being there for me, Sandwich Land in Moscow.

Sandwiches can offer all the complexity and joy of an entire meal in one package. Savory, sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami flavors all find expression. The textures and sensations range from lush and meaty to crunchy and fresh.

Austin may not have the storied deli culture of New York or the tradition and myriad po’boy options of New Orleans, but as the city’s grown, so have our sandwich choices. You just have to know where to look, and you can find great representations of Italian hoagies, Vietnamese bánh mì, downhome Texas meatloaf sandwiches and everything in between.

This list of my 27 favorites (it’s my lucky number and my list, so I’ll make up the numerical rules) doesn’t include hamburgers or barbecue sandwiches (those get their own lists), or hot dogs (not a sandwich).

Of course, I haven’t eaten every sandwich in the city and might have even forgotten one of my own old favorites. If you know of a sandwich I might have overlooked or need to try, email me at modam@statesman.com.