If you've spent any time in Delaware beach Facebook groups, you already know this debate never dies: where do you get the best cheesesteak or sub at the shore? The same names keep coming up — and for good reason. Delaware's beach towns have a quietly impressive collection of locally owned sandwich shops that have been perfecting the craft for decades.
Every restaurant on this list is independently owned. No chains, no franchises, no corporate oversight — just the spots that Delaware locals are fiercely loyal to, from Rehoboth Avenue all the way down to Dagsboro and Broadkill Beach.
Rehoboth Beach
Louie's Pizza — Home of the Grinder
If you've been coming to Rehoboth Beach for any length of time, you already know Louie's. Founded in 1974 by Lazaros "Louie" Gouvas — a Greek immigrant who learned the trade working at his uncle's luncheonette right next door — Louie's has been a Rehoboth institution for over 50 years. It's now run by the third generation of the Gouvas family, and nothing about the formula has changed. The bread comes from Liscio's Italian Bakery daily. The Idaho potatoes are hand-cut and fried in 100% peanut oil. And the grinder — their signature move, where a loaded sub goes through the pizza oven until the bread crisps and the cheese melts into something transcendent — is the reason people plan their beach trips around a visit. Get the cheesesteak grinder. Order the fries well done. Eat on the boardwalk if you can get a bench.
Casapulla's Subs
The Casapulla name has been synonymous with Delaware subs since 1956, when Italian immigrant Luigi Casapulla opened a small neighborhood deli in Elsmere. The Rehoboth Beach location has been run by his granddaughter Paula LaPenta and her husband Mike since 1984 — meaning this particular spot has four decades of muscle memory behind every sandwich. The Old School Italian is their calling card: sweet soppressata, sharp provolone, hot capicola, and prosciutto on a freshly baked roll. The cheesesteak sets its own standard — thinly sliced steak, salt and pepper, grilled to order. Simple, but done right every time.
Tiki Jac's Street Eats & Brews
Brothers Chris and Anthony Jacona opened Tiki Jac's in early 2023 in the former Nicola Pizza space on Rehoboth Avenue, and the cheesesteak has become the thing people can't stop talking about. They use quality shaved ribeye, Cooper Sharp American cheese, and a fresh Liscio's Bakery long roll. The two-story space has a dedicated takeout window, live music, great views of the avenue, and late hours — open until midnight or 1am daily — making it one of the more versatile stops on this list. Come for the cheesesteak, stay for the Bronx or the Philly Special Steak Sandwich if you want to compare notes.
Russo's by the Sea
One of the newer arrivals on this list, Russo's by the Sea opened in the Tanger Seaside Outlets in 2025. Owner Douglas Endlich relocated from Pennsylvania to the Frankford area a few years back, noticed a real gap in the market for authentic Italian imports and quality hoagies, and built something worth the stop. The Italian market is stocked with goods imported directly from Italy, and the food side delivers artisan hoagies, cheesesteaks, paninis, and classic Italian subs, plus gelato and an espresso bar. If you're already heading to the outlets, make this your lunch.
Henlopen Pizza Kitchen
Henlopen Pizza Kitchen has developed a loyal following for its cheesesteaks, and the Wednesday special — a $10 cheesesteak piled high on a Liscio's Philly-style seeded roll — has become one of the better-known deals at the beach. It's the kind of place that flies under the radar compared to the bigger names on Rehoboth Avenue, but locals who know, know. Worth a stop any day of the week, but especially on Wednesdays.
Eat Pazzo
Eat Pazzo — long known to regulars as Frank and Louie's Italian Specialties — is the kind of place that makes people feel like they've found a secret. It's an Italian specialty shop on Baltimore Avenue with serious sandwiches: house-roasted meats, chicken cutlets, cheesesteaks, and Italian specialties made with ingredients you won't find at the average sub shop. The insider tip that circulates in every Delaware beach group: call ahead to place your order. This is not a fast-food operation — it's a craft shop, and the wait is worth it.
Dewey Beach
Nick's Philadelphia Cheese Steaks
Nick's has been a fixture in Dewey Beach for years, and it earns its name. This is a no-frills cheesesteak and sub shop that understands what the sandwich is supposed to be: quality ribeye, the right roll, and enough restraint not to overthink it. They also do gyros that locals say are some of the best around, and the combination of cheesesteaks, subs, and Greek specialties has made Nick's the kind of place people build their beach days around. One block from the water, open daily.
Worth the Drive
The best cheesesteaks and subs at the Delaware beaches aren't all on Rehoboth Avenue. Some of the most beloved spots require a short detour — and every one of these is worth it.
Longneck Deli
Longneck Deli has carved out a devoted following by bringing a taste of DELCO (Delaware County, Pennsylvania) to Sussex County. Fresh rolls delivered daily, famous 18-inch hoagies, cheesesteaks that hold up against anything you'll find at the main beach towns, meatball subs, fried pierogies, and pork roll. It's independently owned and operates with the kind of specificity and pride that only happens when someone really cares about the product. The drive from Rehoboth is under 20 minutes. Go hungry.
Pete's Steak Shop
Pete's Steak Shop is the kind of place that gets written about in the Lewes Chamber of Commerce directory and still feels like a local secret. The story starts in 1974, when Pete and Marika Vasilikos — Greek immigrants — opened a luncheonette in downtown Wilmington and built a loyal following over nearly two decades. Their sons Frank and Michael grew up behind the counter, learned the cheesesteak recipe, and eventually brought the family legacy to coastal Delaware. One location only, by design. The ribeye is premium, the portions are generous, and the pizza has its own following. A must-visit for anyone serious about the sandwich.
Porto Pizza & Grill
Porto's sits in downtown Dagsboro — about 20 minutes west of the beach — and has been a regional favorite for years. The Cape Gazette once called their cheesesteak "particularly good — go hungry, it's a biggie," and that assessment has held up. Porto's is the kind of place that earns the #1 restaurant ranking in its town not because of hype, but because of consistent, generous food and genuinely friendly service. Breakfast is served too, which makes it an easy stop on the way to or from the coast. Casual atmosphere, real food, great prices.
The Broadkill Store
This one requires the most commitment — and delivers accordingly. The Broadkill Store sits at the end of Broadkill Road, right at the edge of Broadkill Beach in Milton. It's a classic beach store: bait, ice, beach gear, homemade donuts on weekends, sticky buns on Tuesdays, and a deli counter that punches well above its weight. Their cheesesteak is made with ribeye and comes loaded — reviewers have called it better than spots in the main beach towns. The seasonal nature of the store makes it feel like a discovery. If you're exploring the quieter side of the Delaware coast, make this your stop. Note: The Broadkill Store is seasonal — confirm they're open before making the trip.
One More Thing
If you want the classic Rehoboth experience, start with Louie's grinder or Casapulla's Italian. If you want the cheesesteak conversation of the summer, Tiki Jac's is where that's happening right now. If you're willing to drive even a little, Longneck Deli, Pete's, Porto's, and the Broadkill Store will all reward the effort.
Hungry for more? Browse our full list of locally owned pizza and sub shops in Delaware, or explore the Sussex County dining guide for more independently owned spots across the coast.
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