Canale’s Grocery (10170 Raleigh-LaGrange E., Eads; 853-9490) is a favorite for the ham sandwich that’s dosed with Rendezvous’ dry rub and smoked by the proprietor. They’re open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m.-noon on Saturday. Why so early? Because they’ve got a good breakfast sandwich too.

Photo by Nikki Boertman

Fino’s (1853 Madison; 272-3466) is where we head when we’ve got a hankering for Italian cured meats on chewy bread (you can get soft bread if you ask for it) and lots of yummy peppers and olives. Go 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday.

Mantia’s(4856 Poplar; 762-8560) is also heavy on the olives and serves its signature pickles with sandwiches. Chicken salad and tuna salad are popular, there are untold meats and cheeses to choose from, or select the sandwich of the day. Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday.

Kwik-Chek (2013 Madison; 274-9293) is ground zero for the generous and creatively named sandwich around here. Where else are you going to find The Turk, The Greek, The Ninja and My Feta Smells Good? Hmm? Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

La Baguette (3088 Poplar; 458-0900) will not sell you anything with “ninja” in its name, but the tarragon in the chicken salad might make you want to fight a samurai if they try to take it away. Open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.