Must-Try Combos You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s be honest—most of us stick to the same sandwich combinations we’ve known for years. Ham and cheese. BLT. Chicken salad. They’re safe, familiar, and dependable. But what if we told you some of the best flavor combinations aren’t the ones you’ve had a hundred times, but the ones you’ve never even imagined?

At our deli, we live to experiment. We believe the sandwich is the perfect canvas for culinary creativity. By mixing bold flavors, surprising textures, and contrasting temperatures, we’ve created combinations that not only work but wow. Some are inspired by global cuisines, others by nostalgic comfort foods, but all of them have one thing in common: they’re unexpectedly delicious.

If you’re ready to break out of the lunchbox mold and try something new, here are 5 must-try sandwich combos you probably didn’t know you needed… until now.

1. Spicy Fried Chicken + Sweet Pickles + Honey Butter Biscuit

Flavor Profile: 🔥 Spicy | 🍯 Sweet | 🧈 Buttery | 🥒 Tangy

Imagine biting into a crispy, golden-fried piece of chicken—juicy on the inside, with a fiery kick on the outside. Now add the tangy crunch of sweet pickles and sandwich it all between a warm, flaky honey butter biscuit. The result? Pure flavor bliss.

The biscuit adds a rich, tender base that’s slightly sweet and buttery. The chicken brings the heat, while the pickles cut through with brightness and crunch. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you stop mid-bite just to appreciate how well it works.

Why it works:
This combo thrives on contrast. Heat meets sweet, crunch meets soft, and sharpness meets richness—all in perfect harmony. It’s Southern comfort food with a bold twist, and once you try it, you’ll crave it again and again.

2. Roasted Turkey + Cranberry Sauce + Brie on Ciabatta

Flavor Profile: 🦃 Savory | 🧀 Creamy | 🍒 Tart | 🥖 Rustic

Thanksgiving leftovers? Think again. This sandwich brings holiday magic into everyday life. We start with slices of slow-roasted turkey—tender, juicy, and lightly seasoned. Then comes the cranberry sauce: tangy, slightly sweet, and bursting with berry flavor. Finally, we add a generous layer of creamy, melty brie and serve it all on rustic ciabatta.

The ciabatta provides a chewy, hearty texture with just the right amount of crust. The brie melts into the turkey, creating a rich, buttery layer that’s balanced by the acidity of the cranberry.

Why it works:
This sandwich strikes the perfect balance between savory, sweet, and creamy. It’s luxurious without being heavy, and nostalgic without being boring. Ideal for lunch, but indulgent enough for dinner.

3. Roasted Veggies + Goat Cheese + Basil Pesto on Multigrain

Flavor Profile: 🥬 Earthy | 🧄 Herby | 🧀 Tangy | 🌾 Nutty

Don’t underestimate the power of a great vegetarian sandwich. This one is layered with depth and flavor at every bite. Roasted zucchini, red bell peppers, and eggplant deliver a satisfying, smoky sweetness. The goat cheese adds a creamy tang, while our homemade basil pesto offers a fresh, garlicky punch. All of this goodness is served on nutty, fiber-rich multigrain bread.

This is not a side dish between bread—it’s a full, flavorful, and fulfilling meal. The textures play together beautifully: tender roasted veggies, crumbly cheese, and the slight crunch of multigrain.

Why it works:
Goat cheese and roasted vegetables are a classic Mediterranean-inspired duo. The pesto ties everything together with a bright herbal note, making this sandwich both hearty and refreshing. Perfect for a meatless day that doesn’t sacrifice satisfaction.

4. Pastrami + Caramelized Onions + Dijon Mustard on Rye

Flavor Profile: 🍖 Smoky | 🧅 Sweet | 🌶 Sharp | 🍞 Earthy

This isn’t your average deli sandwich. We start with thick, juicy slices of smoky pastrami, spiced and slow-cooked to perfection. Next, we pile on golden caramelized onions that have been slow-sautéed until sweet and jammy. A swipe of sharp Dijon mustard provides a zesty kick, all stacked between slices of traditional rye bread.

The rye adds a peppery depth and a firm bite that holds up to the richness of the filling. It’s an old-school combo with new-school boldness.

Why it works:
The sweet onions soften the smoky intensity of the pastrami, while the Dijon cuts through the richness with just enough acidity. It’s a sandwich that tells a story—robust, balanced, and deeply satisfying.

Conclusion

Great sandwiches don’t just happen, they’re carefully crafted with flavor harmony in mind. The best ones often surprise you, combining ingredients you wouldn’t expect but instantly fall in love with. These five must-try combinations are proof that stepping outside your flavor comfort zone can lead to some of the most delicious discoveries.

Whether you’re a meat lover, vegetarian, spice chaser, or sweet-savory seeker, there’s something in this list that speaks to your taste buds. Better yet, these combos serve as a reminder that creativity is key, especially between two slices of bread.

Hungry yet? Come visit us and try one of these unexpected masterpieces—or build your own with our help. Who knows? Your new favorite combo might be the one you’ve never considered.

After all, the best bites are often the ones you didn’t see coming.