Washington runs on coffee and salmon, but a good roast beef sandwich has a quieter fan club that stretches across the whole state. From a 24-hour butcher counter in Spokane to a tiny lunch shop in Olympia, these spots stack thin-sliced beef in ways people keep talking about long after the last bite.
Some dunk it in au jus, some pile on gorgonzola and pickled onions, and some simply slice the meat right in front of you. Save this list for your next road trip, because each stop gives you a different reason to pull over and order the beef.
1. Zozo’s Sandwich House, Spokane, WA
Gorgonzola on roast beef sounds like a bold move, and at Zozo’s it pays off. The roast beef sandwich here comes with roasted red peppers, gorgonzola cheese, pickled red onion, and arugula, all pulled together with a cherry pepper aioli.
The shop sits at 2501 N Monroe St in Spokane and leans into scratch-made cooking. Beyond the roast beef, the menu runs from an Italian Beef and Zozo’s Cheesesteak to The Hammie Sammie, Philly Tots, and Filthy Fries.
Homemade soup and rotating specials give regulars a reason to check back often.
I like this stop for a late breakfast or early lunch, since it opens at 8 AM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM on Sunday, closing at 3 PM every day. Seating is available inside and out, and dogs are welcome on the patio.
Plan around the busier stretches on Monday and Saturday afternoons. Ordering happens at the counter, there are no reservations, and parking is usually easy to find.
2. Sonnenberg’s Market & Deli, Spokane, WA
Midnight roast beef craving in Spokane? Sonnenberg’s is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which makes it one of the most flexible sandwich stops in the state.
This is an old-school butcher shop first, with locally sourced beef, specialty cuts, steaks, and sausages filling the cases. That meat-counter background shows up in the deli, where sandwiches are made to order with fresh meat and produce.
The sandwiches are big and priced kindly, and the roast beef is a steady favorite. There is also a hot food counter for anyone who wants more than a sandwich.
Keep in mind that it is takeout only, with no dine-in seating. You will find it at 1528 E Sprague Ave, and Monday night tends to be the quietest time to swing through.
3. Otherside Market & Deli, Seattle, WA
Dip lovers, this is your Seattle stop. Otherside Market & Deli serves a roast beef sandwich with au jus on toasted bread that turns crisp on the outside, filled with a generous balance of meat and cheese.
From the outside, it looks like a simple neighborhood grocery on Eastlake Avenue. Inside, the deli counter is the real draw, and it has built a reputation for high-quality sandwiches.
The location at 2210 Eastlake Ave E makes it handy for anyone near Lake Union. Hours run 8 AM to 8 PM every day, so dinner works just as well as lunch.
Sunday and Thursday mornings are usually calm. Weekend afternoons and Sunday evenings get busier.
4. Salt & Pepper Deli Market, Seattle, WA
South Lake Union office workers have a lunch secret on Westlake Avenue. Salt & Pepper Deli Market makes sandwiches to order, and the plain roast beef arrives far bigger than you might expect.
A roast beef sandwich has run around $13.99, and the portion size makes that price easier to accept. Other favorites include the turkey, the ham, and the New Yorker.
The shop doubles as a market with an eclectic mix of specialty snacks and drinks. Service is quick, waits are short, and the space is kept clean.
Weekday hours stretch from 8 AM to 10 PM, while Saturday runs noon to 10 PM and Sunday noon to 6 PM. Parking is paid street parking, so walking over from nearby offices is the easy choice.
5. Hoagie’s Sub Deli, Tacoma, WA
Family-owned delis have a way of making first-timers feel like regulars. At Hoagie’s Sub Deli on Bridgeport Way SW, the owners are known for walking newcomers through the menu.
Their suggestion often lands on the French dip. The roast beef on that sub ranks among the best in the area, and it is the reason this shop earned a spot here.
The rest of the menu sticks to fresh, well-built subs with touches like crisp bacon and crisp lettuce. There is even a Smoky Mountain Peppered Oastrami for anyone skipping meat.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and the shop is closed on weekends. A free parking lot, dine-in seating, and solid air conditioning make it an easy weekday lunch.
6. The Lucky Lunchbox, Olympia, WA
Capitol Boulevard is a busy road, and it would be easy to drive right past this tiny deli. That would be a mistake for anyone who appreciates a classic sandwich with a few smart twists.
The Lucky Lunchbox keeps things familiar but carefully seasoned. Roast beef, turkey truffle, and generous brisket sandwiches, served hot or cold, all start with fresh bread.
Soups round out the menu, and there are full vegan and vegetarian options too. Kids get their own menu, which helps with family lunch runs.
I would save this one for a weekday lunch near the Capitol. It opens at 8 AM, closes at 4 PM Monday through Friday and 2 PM on Saturday, and stays closed on Sunday, with free parking nearby.
7. SubShop of Yakima, Yakima, WA
Watching your meat get sliced right in front of you is a small thing that makes a big difference. At SubShop of Yakima, that is simply how sandwiches get made.
This locally owned shop on N 2nd Street in downtown Yakima offers a wide spread of subs and soups. Fresh, soft bread holds plenty of meat and toppings, and the roast beef has a loyal following.
Value is part of the appeal here. You get quality meats and lots of options without a big bill, and cookies are there for dessert.
The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Seating includes an outdoor area where dogs are allowed, and parking is free.
8. The Sandwich Odyssey, Bellingham, WA
Real meat, not pressed deli slices, is the promise at The Sandwich Odyssey. That commitment is clear in the hot roast beef, which is tender, full of flavor, and paired with an excellent au jus.
The shop on Cornwall Avenue specializes in hot sandwiches and fresh daily soups. The Philly Stack and the Meatloaf Sandwich are other standouts.
Prices stay fair, with a two-sandwich and drink combo landing around $20. Service is fast, which keeps the lunch rush moving.
Hours run 11 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Free Wi-Fi, a kids’ menu, and outdoor seating make it easy to linger, and mornings are the quietest window.
From Bellingham all the way to Spokane, each of these shops proves a roast beef sandwich can be simple and still unforgettable. Pick the one closest to you, or plan a road trip to try them all.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.