In East Durham, Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery bakes bread daily for its Northeastern-style deli sandwiches, including chopped cheese, Philly cheesesteaks, Italian heros, roast pork with broccoli rabe – you get the idea. Expect a line spilling onto the sidewalk until the sandwiches sell out each day. While you wait, browse the curated selection of Italian grocery items, natural wines and to-go packages of the shop’s focaccia and loaves.
This has been hands down the BEST sandwich I’ve ever had. Had the chicken cutlet about 6 weeks ago, and it was amazing. Since then, I’ve tried to get the same sandwich 2 other times, but have failed in this endeavor. For context, Ideals is only opened from 12PM to 3PM on Saturday’s, and without fail, at the hour and a half mark of them opening THEY ALWAYS RUN OUT OF BREAD. I’m no operational mastermind, but you’d think the solution would be to order more bread… I’m rating this place 3/5 for the simple fact that you can only get a sandwich for the first half of it being opened. I’ll add the remaining 2 stars one you can serve me a sandwich past 2pm :)
If you’re lucky to be one of the 14 people to get a sandwich on any given weekend, I’d say it’s well worth the wait!
Mr Franco
Mar 23, 2025
5
Long line, worth the wait. Sadly they ran out of chicken cutlets. Italiano and turkey sandwiches were awesome! I'll be back for the chicken cutlets!
Zachary Zhu
Mar 5, 2025
5
As a self professed sandwich hater, I feel like the bar for me to pay for and enjoy a sandwich is pretty high. And let me be the first to say: Ideal’s sandwich certainly does not disappoint. After waiting in line for a solid 15 minutes on a Saturday afternoon (fear not for the line passes quickly), I finally got a bite of the chicken cutlet + broccoli rabe sandwich. Super juicy chicken and the rabe provided a nice touch of vegetables as well. Savory, melt in your mouth cheesy, crunchy - this is everything you ever and then some. These are huge sandwiches and yet I still found myself demolishing the entire thing in one setting. Do note that seating is rather limited and exclusively outdoors, but it is well worth the wait!
Katherine Adams
Mar 1, 2025
5
Ideal’s has the best sandwiches in the entire Triangle, possibly even in North Carolina. We’ve tried the chopped cheese, uncle primo’s chicken cutlet, and the fried eggplant with ricotta. All of these sandwiches are delicious and made with high quality ingredients. The bread is also fantastic - recommend upgrading to the focaccia if that is an option. The homemade chips and cookies are also amazing. This is a destination spot that my family always asks to visit when they come into town. My recommendation for first timers is to get there early and get in line before they open. There will be a line down the block by noon. Highly recommend this spot and will continue to support them. 10/10!
Kuroi G
Jan 30, 2025
5
The best sandwich! Omg i would come back to durham again just to have it. Might get one to go for my trip back home. Great portions, friendly staff, quick service despite the many customers at lunch rush.
Maggie Danielian
Jan 10, 2025
5
Ideal’s Deli is for real serving up filling, wholesome, tasty masterpieces!
💯🌟🥖
Super grateful for these quality sandwiches created for absolute enjoyment.
The Italiano was perfect!
Crispy bread holds the Italian meats lovingly. The sesame seeds add a beautiful nuttiness that brings out the flavor of the provolone. Crispy lettuce, pickled pepperoncinis, & giardiniera adds that pop of freshness. 🤩🇮🇹
Uncle primo’s chicken cutlet on heavenly focaccia is a flavorful, comforting sandwich.
The arugula gives a subtle peppery layer & pairs well with the delicate salty prosciutto. Add the roasted red peppers if you like em. ☺️♥️
And hey! Don’t sleep on those chocolate chip cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt 🍪 😍
YUMMY!
Isabella Castineyra
Dec 30, 2024
5
I've got nothing but good things to say. Open from 12-3 or until supplies run out. The chopped cheese is unbelievable. I highly recommend. There's a few picnic tables outside to eat but it's a great to go spot as well, and there will be leftovers for the next day! The pic has a chopped cheese and Uncle Primos chicken cutlet. Both are 10s!
Aaman Mengis
Dec 29, 2024
5
I’ve been to many sandwich places in my life. Out of the hundreds, maybe thousands, this is the best one. It’s not one of the best sandwich places; it is the best one.
When I’m in town i get one on the way in and then for the airport too. The flavors, the textures, the portion sizes. All absolutely perfect.
This is the ideal sandwich shop.
Arthur Zak
Dec 19, 2024
5
Worth The hype. I tried the Italiano and the fried eggplant ricotta subs. Their homemade bread is really good (a little too heavy on sesame seeds for me though). Both sandwiches were huge and exactly what you'd want in a handcrafted sandwich. I got there when the line was JUST starting to inch out the doorway, and only waited maybe a total of 10-15 minutes before I had sandwiches in hand (weekday afternoon). Right after I got there though the line snaked down the block, so leave time to get your food. I'll definitely be coming back to try other sandwiches.
Amanda Page
Dec 19, 2024
5
I’ve had every sandwich on the menu. All equally delicious but the chopped cheese hits different. It’s the bread that’s good but it’s the cheese thats good and the meat and sauce thats good. It’s the best sandwich I’ve ever had.
Elizabeth Royall
Dec 2, 2024
5
Best sandwich I've had in the US. The chopped cheese is my go-to. It's so much better than a typical chopped cheese. Highly recommend getting there early. The line is always out the door!
Jonny Squillaci
Nov 24, 2024
5
The Chicken Cutlet Sandwich with Broccoli Rabe is absolutely delicious! This sandwich features a crispy, golden-brown chicken cutlet nestled between freshly baked bread, paired with the slightly bitter, garlicky punch of sautéed broccoli rabe. The provolone cheese balances and ties the sandwich together perfectly. Each bite feels hearty and satisfying!
It’s worth noting that Ideal’s is incredibly popular, and for good reason. Arriving early, I recommended strongly, as the line tends to build quickly. However, don’t let the crowd intimidate you. This is one of those spots where the wait is worth it. Your tastebuds will thank you!!!
Fatima Frumkin
Oct 20, 2024
5
Incredible sandwiches!! Fresh ingredients and fresh bread. There is a line out the door pretty much every time we come but it’s totally WORTH THE WAIT!! Our favorites are the chicken cutlet, Italian and chopped cheese
Jessie Meltsner
Oct 5, 2024
5
Worth the hype— and the wait! We arrived a bit after it opened and the line was quite long but it moved along. Plan on finding somewhere to eat as it is a true take out experience.
Our group got the chicken cutlet, the eggplant with broccoli rabe and the turkey and they were superior examples
Of Italian sandwiches— delicious homemade seeded bread and fresh, well seasoned ingredients. So good!
justin mcnamara
Sep 28, 2024
5
If you want a place that focuses on quality and knows who they are, Ideal's is that place.
We ordered the Chopped Cheese and Broccoli Rabe Pork sandwich. Both were delicious. Looking forward to going back!
Due to the limited hours and delicious sandwiches, the demand is high, so GET THERE EARLY! It's worth the wait.
Parth Patel
Sep 9, 2024
5
This place was overall great. Everything was fresh and you can see the guys making your sandwich while cutting fresh deli meats. I got the uncle primos chicken cutlet sandwich and the Harlem chopped cheese.
The chicken cutlet sandwich was amazing. There was a great flavor and the chicken was cooked perfectly along with melted mozzarella on top which made it taste outstanding. 11/10
The chopped cheese was alright. It wasn’t what I’m used to without the fresh lettuce tomato onion substituted for sautéed peppers. It was more like a Philly cheesesteak than a chopped cheese. The bread really carried the whole experience as it was amazingly fresh and warm. 7/10.
Jennifer Chen
Aug 18, 2024
5
Freaking best sandwiches ever!! Uncle primo sandwich is a must-try!!!!!! Fried eggplant ricotta is really good too! 🥪
Jonah Schwartz
Jul 5, 2024
5
I just learned about this place, had high hopes, and those were VASTLY exceeded. I have a new favorite place. Ideals is special. Fantastic hand made sandwiches. The vibe here is great too. Will definitely be returning to try other items.
Douglas Layer
Jun 13, 2024
5
This is just a 10. It's a Philly sandwich shop in Durham! Seeded hoagie rolls made and baked with King Arthur flour onsite! Philly Roast pork is on par with Philly Roast Pork. If they had long hots, it'd be the best I had. The sandwiches are large, the service is orderly. Don't worry about a "long line" they get through sammies quick! Will be back.
For people complaining about "service": it's an old school sandwich shop. You want the best? You show up, wait in line, and get the best. You want delivery or call ahead etc, you kick rocks and come in person to wait in line like the rest of us. The staff are pleasant and efficient. Just cause you aren't treated like a special snowflake should not impact a score.
Jacob
May 28, 2024
5
The Uncle Primo’s on focaccia is quite possibly the best sandwich I’ve ever had AND the serving size is massive. A decadent combination of one of the largest pan fried chicken cutlets you’ve ever had with prosciutto, aioli, tomatoes, and arugula makes it the ideal sandwich. The wait can be frustrating especially since they don’t answer their phone, but worth it every time
