Readers' Choice 2026
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Best Sandwich Shop: MEAN Sandwich
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
Fresh mint on a corned beef sandwich tells you everything you need to know about MEAN Sandwich. It’s playful, creative, and not particularly interested in doing things the expected way. The Ballard shop’s namesake layers thick-cut griddled corned beef with house- made yellow mustard, pickled red cabbage, and mint. There’s also a Hama Hama oyster po’boy, a fitting addition from owner Dan Crookston, who worked for the Hood Canal oyster farm before taking over the shop. Every sandwich arrives with Skins & Ins, the shop’s deep-fried potatoes finished with salt and pepper, which have become nearly as much a part of the MEAN experience as what comes between the bread. Recently, MEAN Sandwich opened a second location, in the Food Hall in Bellevue’s Lincoln Square South.
Runner Up: Tat’s Deli
About Readers' Choice 2026
Once a year, we turn the tables and ask our readers about their favorite local spots. The neighborhood café with the best coffee, the restaurant you book for every special occasion, and where you send out-of-town guests for top-tier cocktails. Seattleites have opinions, and they shared them with us. This year, we received more votes than ever before, with some familiar favorites returning and plenty of new names making the list.
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