Indianapolis, INSandwiches

Shapiro's builds its corned beef sandwich around trimmed, brined brisket that stays balanced rather than overly salty or fatty. The meat needs little more than mustard and sturdy rye or pumpernickel, letting proportion and texture do the work. Cafeteria-style service and the original deli's historic murals make the stop feel distinctly Indianapolis. Keep the order simple and let the brisket carry it.

Goose The Market's Batali stacks hearty Italian meats, preserved tomatoes, provolone, and giardiniera into a signature hero inspired by owner Chris Eley's time exploring Chicago delis. The sharp, rich, and pickled layers intensify as they sit, though waiting to eat it is difficult. Order at the butcher counter, then browse the cases of steaks and house sausage while the sandwich is assembled.

Fat Dan's Deli gives the Reuben a Chicago-accented, smoke-heavy treatment. Thick slabs of smoked corned beef meet the familiar trimmings, while neon-green relish folds into the Thousand Island dressing for an extra tangy edge. The grease-stained menu and casual deli room suit the sandwich's excess. This is a two-handed order for diners who want smoke, richness, and crunch rather than restraint.

Love Handle builds a changing sandwich menu around combinations that sound playful but eat with real balance. Its pork belly pairs lightly charred, salty meat with house-made raspberry jam, blue cheese crumbles, and crisp radish sticks. The chef-counter feel on Mass Ave makes the room suited to watching those contrasts come together. Expect breakfast and brunch instincts translated into a layered, savory-sweet handheld.

Rock-Cola 50's Cafe serves stacked sandwiches and diner plates in a room filled with midcentury signs, booths, and memorabilia. The Brookville Road cafe leans fully into its retro setting without losing sight of generous, familiar food. Sandwiches, burgers, fries, and shakes fit the room naturally, making a visit feel like a neighborhood diner stop with a particularly vivid sense of time and place.