My Favorite Sandwich Spot In Atlanta For A Bargain Meal

Victory Sandwich Bar is something of an institution in Atlanta. Yes, it's a bit too hip in a mid-2010s kind of way, but what do you expect from a slider spot that opened in 2011? There's a slushy machine, industrial styling, and the odd cocktail served in a mason jar. But here's the thing -– the sandwiches are really, really good. And affordable.

They're so good, in fact, that Bon Appétit once listed Victory's offerings as one of the "10 Sandwiches you must eat now" and declared the combo "the greatest meal deal in America." This was back in 2013, and prices have risen since, but you can still bag a sammy and chips for a little over $8 or a sandwich and a side for $10. The sandwiches themselves, which are better described as mini-subs than sliders, are $6 apiece. They're pretty small, but at that price, two won't break the bank. 

Personally, I usually order the cold scallion ramen and a slider, which is enough for lunch. If it's your first visit, though, your main problem will be wanting to try everything on the menu. Honestly, I can fault nothing, so this is probably a good idea. There's plenty of space at long tables in both the Inman Park and Decatur locations, so you could invite friends for a sandwich buffet. The other option? Just sit there all day, eating. The restaurants open their doors for late breakfast and don't close until midnight, with a subtle change in atmosphere from cafe to bar somewhere in the mid-afternoon.

Like many Atlanta restaurants, Victory plays with southern and international flavors. The Tea Bird features a sweet tea mayo with ghost pepper cheese and chicken; the Beeter's star ingredient is pastrami beets, which are paired with kimchi and spicy mayo. Non-sandwich options include mac and cheese with toasted breadcrumbs, smoked potato salad, and pimento cheese with bacon jam. The menu also features delicious takes on the banh mi and the Cuban sandwich, but I particularly love the Victory at Sea. This longstanding favorite combines white anchovies and lemon mayo — because, of course, Victory Sandwich Bar knew the best ways to use canned seafood before it was even cool.

Both Victory locations have a full bar with very good, creative cocktails. As it's chilled out and slightly divey (and I'm normally there for lunch), I tend to order from the bar's excellent selection of beers. Victory usually has a good non-alcoholic beer available, too. If it's your first visit, you should probably try the whiskey slushies. Yes, the slushy machine is a bit of a gimmick, but Atlanta does get very hot and humid, so why not?

If you're stumbling into Victory after a night out, you'll find a couple of extra menu items. At the Decatur location, there's a Chick-fil-A dupe, the Vic-fil-A, while Inman Park offers the McDonald's-inspired Vic Mac.

The Decatur Victory Sandwich bar is on Church Street, close to one of my favorite Atlanta craft beer breweries, Inner Voice. For those of you lucky enough to live or stay in a part of Atlanta that's connected to public transit, it's very accessible from the Decatur Square MARTA station. The first Victory location was in the thick of things in Inman Park, but the sandwich spot was forced to move in 2015 due to property development. This is hardly surprising in BeltLine-adjacent Atlanta, and Victory landed on its feet just up the street. The current location on Bernina Avenue NE has a huge amount of space, and the buzzy neighborhood is never short on foot traffic.

One of the reasons Victory is a staple for me is that it's almost always open. Although the operating times have been truncated a little over the years, the 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., seven-day-a-week schedule makes the sandwich spot the ultimate backup plan. Somewhere else too busy? Victory. Hungry after a couple of drinks? Victory works for that, too. The Decatur branch has similar hours but shutters on Mondays.

It's kind of surprising that a hip sandwich bar has managed to become the institution it is, but despite its inventive menu, Victory keeps things simple where it counts. It has fast, no-nonsense counter service, the menu doesn't change often, neither location accepts cash, and they don't like it when you mess around splitting checks (just Venmo it, dude). It's all very Atlanta, really. Inventive, delicious, playing by its own rules, and self-assured in its slightly over-the-top personal style.