Some sandwiches earn a quiet loyalty, the kind where regulars give directions but skip the part about how good it really is. Across South Carolina, tucked into strip malls, beach plazas, and downtown corners, sit sandwich shops piling roast beef high enough to make a lunch break feel like an event.
Eight of them stand out for the way they stack, slice, and season their beef, and locals keep coming back with good reason. Some sit steps from the ocean, others hide in college towns and old brick blocks.
Each one has its own personality, its own signature build, and its own crowd of people who would rather not share the secret. Keep reading, because these are the spots worth the drive.
1. Legend Deli, Charleston, SC
Downtown Charleston is packed with restaurants competing for attention, yet a compact sandwich shop at 41-A George St has quietly built a reputation for elevated takes on the classics. Legend Deli works with local suppliers like Limehouse Produce and Normandy Farm Bakery, which shows up in the freshness of every build.
The roast beef here gets serious respect, folded into steamed bagel sammies that regulars rank among the best on the peninsula. That is a bold claim in a city known worldwide for its dining, and the fans stand behind it.
Open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, it draws College of Charleston students, downtown office crowds, and solo lunchers looking for a quick bite. The vibe stays casual and friendly, with counter service, catering, and boxed lunches for groups.
Parking downtown can be tricky, so plan for a garage or metered street spot. Once you settle in, the sandwiches make the search worthwhile.
2. Andy’s Deli, Columbia, SC
Old-school charm anchors this Columbia favorite at 2005 Greene St, where hoagies and reubens come out the way they should. The signature move here is the Andy’s Special, a stacked build of roast beef, turkey, Swiss cheese, and bacon served with a pickle, chips, and a side of dipping sauce.
People describe that sandwich as loaded, and the roast beef leans generous without skimping on flavor. The corned beef gets attention too, sliced lean and stacked neatly on the bread.
Hours run Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM, with later Friday and Saturday service until 7 PM, and the shop closes Sundays. It gets busy around Tuesday mornings and weekend afternoons, so timing your visit helps.
Free parking, friendly service, and free wi-fi round out the experience. For anyone in downtown Columbia craving something hearty, the drive over pays off.
3. Harry’s Hoagie Shoppe, Greenville, SC
Jersey-style attitude found a home in Greenville at 1700 E North St, where a bright little shop turns out hoagies, cheesesteaks, and Italian dishes with real conviction. The meats are sliced in house and piled onto authentic seeded bread, with some cold cuts imported straight from Italy.
Roast beef fans have plenty to love here. The classic roast beef hoagie earns high praise, tender and layered on a fresh sesame bun, sometimes dressed up with balsamic caramelized onions that add depth to every bite.
Seating stays tight with room for just a few inside plus a handful of outdoor tables, so a wait is common, especially on Saturday afternoons. Beer and wine are on the menu alongside a full vegetarian lineup.
Hours shift through the week, opening at 11 AM daily with varying close times, so check before you go. The trendy, cozy atmosphere draws college students, groups, and out-of-towners alike.
4. NY Deli, Myrtle Beach, SC
New York transplants and hungry locals both find their fix at this bustling Myrtle Beach deli on 3901 Dick Pond Rd, where the subs come stacked with Boar’s Head meats and the menu is named after Yankees players. The star of the show is the Ruth, a hero packed with roast beef, turkey, ham, Swiss, and American cheese.
Portions run enormous. The sandwiches overflow with high-quality meat, cheese, vegetables, and sauces, all served fresh and hot on wonderfully fresh bread at prices that feel more than reasonable.
The setup keeps things simple with in-store shopping, pickup, dine-in, and takeout, plus free parking to make the stop easy. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM, closed Sundays.
Plan for a quick visit rather than a lingering meal. The reward is a sub big enough to power the rest of your beach day.
5. Monster Subs N Grub, Spartanburg, SC
Big appetites meet their match in Spartanburg at 8039 Warren H Abernathy Hwy, where the name says it all. Monster Subs N Grub piles generous portions of quality meat and fresh produce onto soft bread, and the roster of subs reads like a lineup of heavy hitters.
One standout combines roast beef, turkey, jalapeño bacon, chipotle mayo, and cheddar cheese, all loaded into a hoagie bun with just the right amount of kick. The Spartanburg sub goes even bigger, earning its monster reputation with sheer meat volume.
Beyond the subs, the menu covers salads, sides like potato mac salad and coleslaw, and a full vegetarian selection, so groups with mixed tastes are covered. There is a kids’ menu and high chairs too, making it easy for families.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM, with plenty of parking on hand. The casual, quiet setting keeps the focus right where it belongs.
6. Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop, Port Royal, SC
Loyalty runs deep at this Port Royal institution on 1415 Ribaut Rd, where the sandwiches have stayed true for decades even as the coastal town around it changed. Hearty builds land on homemade bread inside humble, compact quarters that come with a bit of porch seating out front.
The roast beef pulls people in from far beyond the neighborhood, with some driving over from Savannah just to grab one. Served juicy and flavorful, it works whether you order it as a straightforward sandwich or a French dip.
Regulars have been coming since the 1980s, and the consistency is a big part of the draw. The turkey and pastrami hold their own too, sliced thin and lean with good flavor.
Hours run Monday through Friday 10:30 AM to 8 PM and Saturday until 6 PM, closed Sundays. Afternoons get busy, so an off-peak stop means less of a wait and free parking to boot.
7. Jay Bird’s Deli & Diner, Rock Hill, SC
Comfort food and fair prices carry the day at this Rock Hill diner tucked into 4859 Old York Rd, where the menu roams from fried bologna to shrimp po’boys. Among all those options, the sandwiches are what keep the lunch crowd loyal.
The Deli Dipper gets the strongest recommendations, built with roast beef and pastrami that both come through excellent. Meat arrives well seasoned, and hot builds get plenty of gravy, onions, mushrooms, and peppers piled on.
Value is a real part of the appeal here, with a sandwich, drink, fries, and a side of ranch landing around ten dollars. Feeding a table of five stays affordable, and the orders come out right.
Open every day from 11 AM to 9 PM with table service, it works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Loaded tots, burgers, and great coffee round out one of the better casual stops in town.
8. Stu’s Surf Side, Hilton Head Island, SC
Beach days on Hilton Head Island call for a sandwich that can keep up, and this casual spot in Coligny Plaza at 1 N Forest Beach Dr delivers exactly that. Hot and cold subs, soups, and comfort fare share a menu built for people fresh off the sand.
The roast beef sub, listed as the #9, earns steady praise for its great flavor, soft bread, and portions that hit just right. It comes big, and a half order can fill most people up while a full size at a fair price feeds a serious appetite.
Outdoor seating makes it easy to linger, and dogs are welcome on the patio. The service moves fast, which matters when the beach is calling you back.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5:30 PM, closed Sundays, with free parking nearby. Tourists and locals both make it a go-to lunch stop on the island.
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