THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s oldest sandwich shops

National Sandwich Month, celebrated each August, honors one of America’s most beloved and versatile meals. Jacksonville has long been recognized for its legacy sandwich shops and signature creations, including the Camel Rider, Steak-in-a-Sack and the Lubi. In celebration of the month, here’s a look at some of the city’s oldest continuously operating sandwich shops.

Blue Boy Sandwich Shop (1962) | 6512 Norwood Ave.

Blue Boy Sandwich Shop has been part of Jacksonville’s dining landscape for more than 60 years. The restaurant is best known for its oversized sandwiches, served on fresh-baked round or sub “loaf” bread. Italian immigrant Jerry Carrafa, who became known simply as “Blue Boy,” opened the first shop in 1962 on McDuff Avenue South in Lackawanna. The current location opened a couple of years later and was operated by Ruby C. Watkins.

The restaurant’s slogan, “One sandwich, one meal,” reflects the hearty portions that have kept customers coming back for generations.

Snak Shak (1968) | 3144 Lenox Ave.

Snak Shak, also located in Lackawanna, has been a community favorite since 1968. Founded by W.H. and Frances E. Carswell, this classic diner is celebrated for its hearty sandwiches, all-day breakfast and comforting lunches.

Desert Rider Sandwich Shop (1969) | 217 N. Hogan St.

In 1969, Larry Hazouri, uncle of Mayor Donna Deegan, opened the first Desert Rider Sandwich Shop on East Forsyth Street. Just two years later, he expanded to a second spot on West Bay Street.

Reflecting on those early days, Hazouri told the Jax Daily Record in 2003: “My old sign out in front had a palm tree and a camel, kind of a Middle Eastern type. Pita bread was kind of a novelty then. There wasn’t a lot of pita bread being sold Downtown in 1971.”

By the late ’70s, he’d opened a third Desert Rider location on Hogan Street. Today, that Hogan Street location is the last one standing. A true Downtown classic, the cozy counter-service spot is beloved for its breakfast bowls, signature “rider” sandwiches, homemade soups, fresh dressings, and the shop’s famous “Desert Rider sauce.”

Lubi’s (1969) | 11633 Beach Blvd.

Jacksonville’s sandwich scene also produced a distinctive creation: the Lubi. Today, it can only be found at the last remaining Lubi’s restaurant at 11633 Beach Blvd. The classic version is a steamed sub made with ground sirloin seasoned with secret spices, topped with onions, peppers and melted American cheese. Variations followed, with the mozzarella Lubi becoming the most popular.

The sandwich was the invention of LuLa Wallace, an Arab-American restaurateur who, with her husband Bill, opened the first Lubi’s in 1969. The name combined the first letters of their names. At the outset, the shop offered camel riders and other typical deli fare, but Wallace wanted to experiment. Inspired by a restaurant in Orlando that steamed its sandwiches, she introduced the concept in Jacksonville, creating what became the “Famous Lubi.”

The idea caught on. At its height, Lubi’s grew to five locations across the city, operated by Wallace and her children. Though Wallace passed away in 2014 and most of the restaurants have since closed, the Beach Boulevard shop continues to serve the signature sandwiches much as they have been for more than half a century.

All American Hot Dog & Sandwiches (1972) | 10365 Beach Blvd.

All American Hot Dog & Sandwiches has been a Jacksonville staple since 1972, when Nahida Salameh and her family opened it in the Southside Estates area. The 40-seat restaurant is known for its original cherry limeade and a menu featuring toasted-bun beef hot dogs, steak-in-a-sack pitas, camel riders and subs.

Owner Nader “Nate” Salameh says the business continues to reflect his father’s belief that every hot dog, an iconic American food — should be served “All American.”

The Sheik Sandwiches and Subs (1972) | 2708 N. Main St. (original location)

Sheik Sandwiches and Subs, one of Jacksonville’s largest Arab American-owned sandwich chains, is best known for its Steak-in-a-Sack, Camel Riders, and Cherry Limeade. The restaurant’s popularity has even drawn national attention, with The New York Times noting how its menu has become synonymous with Jacksonville’s dining scene.

The chain was founded in 1972, when brothers Samir “Sam” and Munir “Mike Senior” Salameh, along with their wives Suad “Sue” and Basima, opened the first location at 18th and Main in New Springfield. Today, the Sheik is going strong with eight locations across Northeast Florida.

Approaching 50 years in business

Several more of Jacksonville’s legacy sandwich shops also been in the business for decades, with 1980 bringing Goal Post Sandwich Shop, which opened on Herschel Street in Fairfax, and Junior’s Famous Sandwiches, launched by Romal “Junior” Abraham Kassees near the Jacksonville Zoo on North Main Street.

The 1980s added to the city’s sandwich landscape with the arrival of Larry’s Giant Subs and Russ-Doe’s Sandwich Shop in 1982, followed by Famous Sandwiches in 1986.