As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many San Diegans are ready to enjoy the ultimate November treat: the Thanksgiving sandwich. Often considered the best part of the holiday, these sandwiches offer the perfect way to savor the flavors of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and all the trimmings - stacked between slices of bread. It doesn't have to be a Friends Moistmaker, with its gravy-soaked bread center, but these specials have become a nostalgic favorite for many, offering a satisfying way to relive the holiday meal long after the leftovers have been served.
Whether you're looking to grab a quick holiday-inspired lunch, indulge in a new twist on the traditional turkey dinner, or simply enjoy the convenience of Thanksgiving on the go, there's no shortage of delicious options to explore around America's Finest City. From locally owned sandwich shops to chains and popular cafes, here's a roundup of the best Thanksgiving-style handheld treats you can find in San Diego this month.
Whether you're looking to grab a quick holiday-inspired lunch, indulge in a new twist on the traditional turkey dinner, or simply enjoy the convenience of Thanksgiving on the go, there's no shortage of delicious options to explore around America's Finest City. From locally owned sandwich shops to chains and popular cafes, here's a roundup of the best Thanksgiving-style handheld treats you can find in San Diego this month.
Crossroads Deli (UTC) - Every November, this longstanding family deli brings back its popular Test Kitchen Thursday Special, "The Turk Diggler." The sandwich packs thick-sliced carver turkey, gooey American cheese, savory stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and a touch of aïoli on a toasty roll. Priced at $13, it’s only available on Thursdays - November 7, 14, and 21 - so grab it while you can.
Lit'l Pepper Gourmet (Kearny Mesa) - Back by popular demand, "The Gobbler" makes its appearance at this beloved 30-year-old deli. This crowd-pleaser is layered with roasted turkey breast, cranberry aioli, chorizo stuffing, and a hint of cranberry sauce, all nestled on a soft brioche bun. It’s a limited-time offer that’s perfect for a seasonal bite you’ll be dreaming about all year.
Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen (Carlsbad) - In addition to offering a Thanksgiving Family Feast meal that feeds up to six people, Tinleaf embraces T-Day all year with its Thanksgiving On A Bun sandwich, featuring warm hand-carved turkey, sage stuffing, cranberry relish, leaf lettuce and mayonnaise on a French roll. They also do a turkey pot pie.
Valley Farm Markets (Multiple Locations) - An East County institution since 1965, Valley Farm has expanded and now has a store in La Jolla and one about to open in Del Mar. In addition to all the grocery items and prepared meals one could ever need, the business also houses an onsite sandwich shop that makes a unique Thanksgiving handheld. The Gobbler includes oven roasted turkey breast, traditional stuffing, turkey jus, and cranberry chipotle aioli on toasted focaccia bread.
The Friendly (Multiple Locations) – Stay tuned to The Friendly’s Instagram page, their sole online presence, for the much-anticipated drop of their Thanksgiving sandwich. Last year’s Friendsgiving Special featured duck fat confit turkey, a mashed potato-sausage stuffing croquette, cranberry cream cheese, and a side of gravy for dipping.
Angry Pete's Pizza (Kearny Mesa) - The sole pizza option on this list, the CranBarry Sanders is named after the Detroit Lions legend and features smoked turkey, roasted yams, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, scallions on their Detroit-style crust.
Gaglione Brothers (Grantville) - Best known for Philly Cheesesteaks, Gaglione Brothers offers a Thanksgiving twist with “The Turk.” Available in 8-, 12-, or 18-inch subs, this hoagie is loaded with fresh-baked turkey, stuffing, cranberry, and mayo - a true holiday feast in every bite.
Mmm...Cakes (Chula Vista) - From Chula Vista native and TV chef Jose Barajas - known for his appearances on TLC's Next Great Baker, Food Network's Cake Wars, and Holiday Gingerbread Showdown - Mmm…Cakes offers a unique twist on the Thanksgiving handheld. Their Thanksgiving Danish features a savory pastry piled with turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a sprinkle of chives, served with a side salad for a dash of "health."
Mendocino Farms (Multiple Locations) - Los Angeles-based Mendocino Farms gives a flavorful spin with their "November to Remember" sandwich. This creation has roasted turkey, melted mozzarella, mushroom & turkey sausage stuffing, spicy cranberry chutney, romaine, and herb aioli, all served on cranberry walnut wheat bread - a hearty homage to Thanksgiving on the go.
Big Jim's Roast Beef & Subs (Pacific Beach) - Specializing in "Boston Beef" sandwiches and other East Coast favorites, Big Jim’s offers "The Gobbler" - a standout Thanksgiving special featuring turkey, a potato and stuffing croquette, green bean casserole gravy, crispy fried onions, and cranberry sauce on a rosemary brioche bun. It's Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich (or maybe a food coma waiting to happen).
Frazier Farms (Multiple Locations) - This locally-owned independent grocery also serves delicious sandwiches from their onsite delis. The Thanksgiving Meal is piled with oven roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, melted mozzarella, and cranberry relish, all on fresh baked ciabatta.
The Gourmet Bagger Sandwich Shop (Loma Portal) - “The Turkey Day Any Day” is a year-round favorite at Gourmet Bagger. It’s got all the classics: fresh sliced turkey, mayo, herb stuffing, lettuce, and cranberries on an 8-inch French roll. It’s like Thanksgiving on-demand! Be sure to get it with a chocolate chip cookie, as this spot makes some of the best in town.
Ultreya Coffee (College Area) - The sole vegan version on this list, The Leftover Sandwich includes plant-based breakfast sausage, crispy hash brown, cheddar cheese, fried onion, seasoned cream cheese, cranberry jam, jalapeño crisps, and arugula on fresh toasted sourdough from Companion Bread House.
STP Bar-N-Grill (Clairemont) - Launched around the week prior to Thanksgiving, STP offers an open-faced turkey burger over a stuffing "bun" topped with orange cranberry sauce and fried sage, served with a side of sweet potato tots and maple butter. You may not be able to eat it with your hand, or maybe you can, don't let me set limitations.
Carnivore Sandwich (Little Italy) - A New York-style deli serving overstuffed sandwiches, Carnivore Deli's The Pilgrim Sandwich features oven roasted turkey piled high with provolone cheese, sage stuffing, cranberry sauce, all on cranberry-orange walnut bread - a festive blend of flavors for a filling feast.
Philadelphia Sandwich Company (Miramar) - This sandwich spot has been in operation since 1979 and serves some of the best cheesesteaks in town, but their Ultimate Leftover Sandwich is a prize for the Thanksgiving season. This hoagie includes turkey breast, homemade stuffing and gravy with American, provolone, or Swiss cheese and cranberry sauce drizzled over.
BFD (University Heights) - Big Front Door’s “T’ Day” sandwich is available year-round, making it easy to get a taste of Thanksgiving anytime. This sandwich stars house-smoked chicken breast, cranberry relish, candied bacon stuffing, and a drizzle of gravy, all on a torpedo roll. One bite, and you’ll be giving thanks.
Ike's Love and Sandwiches (Multiple Locations) - This Bay Area-based sandwich chain offers over 800 sandwiches combinations, but it's the Going Home For Thanksgiving (also called "Friendsgiving", which has stuffing) that is the go-to in November. The sandwich includes sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, havarti, sriracha, lettuce, tomato and onion, all stacked on Ike's famous Dutch Crunch bread - a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and spicy.
Pop Pie Co. (Multiple Locations) - Okay, it's not technically a sandwich, but it can be handheld if you're adventurous. This Turkey Day special is available all month long and is one of our favorite November traditions. This turkey pot pie is filled with shredded turkey breast, peas, carrots, yellow corn, pearl onions, creamy herb sauce, sea salt, and black pepper, all in a signature all-butter crust and served with a side of spiced cranberry sauce.
The Corner Mercantile & Eatery (La Jolla Shores) - This daytime bistro and grocery market serves an eclectic menu of breakfast items, soups, salads, coffee, flat breads, and sandwiches. Their Thanksgivng Sandwich includes sliced turkey, melted brie, cranberry sauce and arugula on toasted ciabatta bread. It’s a light yet flavorful way to indulge in Thanksgiving vibes by the shore.
Slater's 50/50 (Point Loma) - Known for its bacon-infused burgers, Slater’s serves up a Thanksgiving burger special in November. This creation has a juicy turkey patty topped with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, all with a side of fries. It’s Thanksgiving with a burger twist!
Earl of Sandwich (Santee) - Named after the originator of everyone's favorite midday meal, Earl of Sandwich’s "Holiday Turkey" offers sliced turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce on fresh-baked bread. It's a classic take on Thanksgiving flavors that never disappoints.
Sandwich Emporium (Clairemont) - This 50-year-old San Diego sandwich institution does it right for November. Their Thanksgiving 1777 includes premium roast turkey, cranberry sauce, and house recipe stuffing on a toasted roll, delivering nostalgia in every bite.
New Zealand Restaurant Group (Queenstown, Bare Back Grill, Raglan Public House, Dunedin) - San Diego's Kiwi restaurants are sited all over the city, but they each serve a similar menu and all roll it out for Thanksgiving. Their November Burger of the Month, which you can get for free if you sign up for their Burger Club, includes fresh sliced turkey, melty Brie cheese, stuffing, housemade jalapeño cranberry sauce and gravy on toasted bread.
How the hell is there not any Thanksgiving tacos or burritos in San Diego? Anyway, did we miss one of your favorite Thanksgiving-inspired specials? Let us know by emailing [email protected], and we’ll keep this list stuffed with the best holiday options!
Originally published on November 9, 2024.
