Indiana knows its way around a good beef sandwich, and once you find a spot that gets it right, you tend to keep going back. From cafeteria-style delis in Indianapolis to Chicago-style beef counters up in the northwest corner of the state, this list rounds up eight places that regulars swear by.
Some pile the meat high on rye, others dunk it in au jus with hot peppers, but they all share one thing: a beef sandwich people plan their day around. Whether you are passing through on a road trip or you live down the street, these are the joints worth the stop.
Grab a napkin, because a proper roast beef sandwich is a wonderfully messy thing.
1. Shapiro’s Delicatessen, Indianapolis, IN
Cafeteria trays and towering sandwiches go hand in hand at this downtown Indianapolis institution on South Meridian Street. You slide along the line, point at what you want, and walk away with a plate that could easily feed two.
The Rare Roast Beef Sandwich is the reason it lands on this list, but the whole menu leans into big-portion, Kosher-style deli classics. Think pastrami on rye, corned beef, chopped liver, and a Nova lox platter for good measure.
If you still have room, the homemade desserts pull their weight too. Arlene’s carrot cake and black and white cookies are longtime favorites, and the deviled eggs make a solid side.
Open daily, with plenty of free parking across garages, lots, and street spots, it is an easy quick visit. Thursday and Friday afternoons get busy, so an early lunch or a quiet Monday morning is the smart play.
2. Zel’s Roast Beef, Hammond, IN
Old-fashioned milkshakes and a beef counter that has been around for years make this Hammond spot feel like a throwback. It runs like a fast-food joint, but the sandwiches punch well above that category.
The roast beef sandwich is the headliner, and it comes into its own with cheese and hot giardiniera peppers on top. Regulars also point to the Italian beef and the chili cheese Polish sausage as strong picks.
Chili cheese fries round out the order nicely, and prices sit comfortably in the ten to twenty dollar range. It is a no-table-service setup, so you order at the counter and grab a seat.
There is a kids’ menu, a free parking lot, and usually plenty of room to park. Open Monday through Saturday until 8 PM and Sundays until 7, it works just as well for a quick lunch as an easy dinner.
3. Pepino’s Restaurant, Schererville, IN
Some Northwest Indiana beef fans have followed this place across state lines, tracing its move from Calumet City into Indiana. That kind of loyalty tells you plenty before you even bite in.
Housemade sausages, pizza, pasta, and hefty subs fill out the menu, but the beef sandwiches are the calling card. They come huge, juicy, and generously loaded, often with enough left over for a second meal.
The combo deserves a shout too, pairing that beef with a mildly spicy sausage that has a nice char on it. Fans across the region put these sandwiches at the top of their list, and the prices stay in line with everyone else.
It is casual, cozy, and good for groups, with counter service, outdoor seating, and a drive-through. Closed Mondays, it runs Tuesday through Saturday from 11 to 8 and Sundays from noon to 8, with free parking and no reservations needed.
4. Buyamba Sandwich Company, Fort Wayne, IN
Good sandwiches and good intentions share the same counter at this Fort Wayne shop on Broadway. It is a casual eatery that supports charitable causes, so lunch here does a little extra.
The half-pound Roast Beef on Wheat is the standout for this list, built with quality meat and bread that holds up to the pile. If you want something hot, the Philly-style cheesesteak leans on a solid sear, good caramelized onions, and a generous cheese sauce.
Breakfast is part of the deal too, which is unusual for a sandwich spot. That means you can swing by early or make it a late-afternoon stop, since the doors stay open into the evening most days.
Prices stay friendly, service is quick, and there is curbside pickup, delivery, dine-in, and takeout. With a free lot and street parking, it is an easy grab whether you are working nearby or just cruising through downtown.
5. AJ’s – Burgers · Beef · Beer, West Lafayette, IN
Late-night hours make this West Lafayette spot a lifesaver near Purdue, with the kitchen running past midnight most nights. The Italian beef sandwich is packed with meat and has earned fans who moved here from Chicago and still consider it their new go-to.
Homemade sauces do a lot of the heavy lifting here, including a honey mustard and a pub sauce worth trying. The beef combo is a smart order if you want a little bit of everything, and the fries hold their own.
Beyond beef, the menu covers Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, chili cheese dogs, onion rings, and funnel cake fries for dessert. It is a counter-serve place with a casual, trendy feel that works for solo lunches or a group watching the game.
Delivery arrives hot, which is no small thing. Parking near campus can get tight, but the food and the hours make up for the hunt.
6. Tony’s Italian Deli and Bar, Dyer, IN
Part deli, part grocery, this Dyer spot on Sheffield Avenue makes its own sausage and stacks its subs with quality Italian meats. It is the kind of neighborhood counter where the owner knows the regulars by their usual order.
The Italian beef here has serious backers, with some folks ranking it above famous Chicago beef stands. Ask for Michael’s Favorite roast beef if you want a house specialty, or go classic with a dipped beef.
Portions run generous, from the meatball and Italian beef subs to the beef and sausage combo. Fresh meats, cheeses, and bread carry the whole lineup, and there are pastas and paninis if you want to branch out.
You can dine in, do in-store pickup, or get delivery, and there is a small bakery section too. It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 to 8 and closed Sundays, so plan your beef fix accordingly.
7. Fitzgerald’s Lunch House, Indianapolis, IN
Weekday lunch is the whole game at this Indianapolis lunch house on Otis Avenue, open Monday through Friday from 11 to 2 and closed weekends. That short window keeps things focused and the sandwiches sharp.
The roast beef sandwich gets a lift from a great horseradish spread, and the French dip version, cheekily called the Roast Beast, is a favorite for dippers. Named sandwiches like the Wilbur, the Rooster, and the Maurice give the menu real personality.
Do not skip the mac and cheese, which has a habit of pulling people back for seconds. The Cuban is another solid pick if you want to look past the beef for a minute.
It is a cozy, quiet, diner-style spot that is good for groups and has a full vegetarian menu too. With free parking, dine-in, and takeout, the only catch is remembering it closes early in the afternoon.
8. Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage, Dyer, IN
A second Dyer entry, and this one is all about the classic Chicago-style beef and sausage. The counter keeps the meat cooked and resting in au jus, so a sandwich comes together fast.
The Italian Beef Sandwich is the signature, and the Super Beef is the move when you want it stacked bigger. Add cheese and hot peppers to a nine-inch beef and you have got a proper handful.
Sides earn their keep here, especially the French fries and the onion rings. Prices land in the ten to twenty dollar range, which keeps it an easy repeat stop.
It is a casual, no-table-service counter with a drive-through, outdoor seating, and a kids’ menu. Open every day from 11 to 8, with free parking and quick service, it rounds out this list on a satisfyingly beefy note.
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