Sam LaGrassa’s
About
Sam LaGrassa’s is one of the oldest sandwich shops in Downtown Crossing, a lunch spot known for big gourmet sandwiches and long lines at midday. Meats are prepared in-house and served fresh daily, sauces and dressings are made from scratch, and breads and rolls are baked to the shop’s own specifications. The best-seller is the Chipotle Pastrami, topped with coleslaw and pressed on a double-faced grill, and the menu also includes a New England clam chowder made with fresh clams.
Sam LaGrassa, who was born and raised in the North End, founded the business in 1968 with help from his wife and four children. It has since grown from a neighborhood lunch counter into one of the largest lunch operations in Boston, and Sam’s sons Rob and Richie are part of the business. Indoor seating is available, though arriving before the lunch rush is wise.
What to Know
- Corporate catering, delivery throughout Massachusetts and overnight shipping across the United States are available.
- Guy Fieri featured the shop on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and it appears in Boston Globe Magazine’s 2026 Best of the Best.
- Online orders earn Sammy Bucks rewards and can be picked up through an express line.
- Catering sandwiches come cut in half, with each half wrapped and labeled.
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