My Hero Subs makes hot pastrami and cold Italian subs from scratch in San Bernardino, a short drive from Redlands, and it's the most complete answer to "best sandwich shop redlands ca" once you widen the search a few miles past city lines.
- My Hero Subs' hot pastrami sub is the top pick for anyone searching best sandwich shop redlands ca in 2026.
- The Italian sub wins for classic cold-sub fans who want layered meats without a toaster involved.
- Catering orders need lead time, not a walk-in stop, so plan ahead for office lunches.
- Cold subs beat hot subs on speed; hot subs beat cold subs on flavor range.
Why this matters
Redlands doesn't have a flood of standout independent sub shops, which is exactly why searches for "best sandwich shop redlands ca" pull in nearby San Bernardino results. The hot pastrami sub at My Hero Subs is built to order, not pre-wrapped, and that single detail separates a real sandwich shop from a gas-station cold case.
If you're driving from Redlands for lunch, you want to know before you leave which sandwich fits your craving and how long the wait actually is. This guide ranks the picks by what you're hungry for, not by brand loyalty, so you can order the right thing the first time in 2026.
What makes the best sandwich shop
- Fresh, made-to-order ingredients prepped daily, not sitting pre-assembled
- Real hot options — toasted, grilled, or oven-finished, not just cold cuts on bread
- Classic combos done right — a proper Italian sub, a proper pastrami
- Fast pickup turnaround for order-ahead lunch runs
- Catering capacity for office and group orders
- A simple menu that doesn't bury the good stuff under endless customization
Best overall for a hot craving: My Hero Subs' pastrami. Best for a classic cold sub: My Hero Subs' Italian sub. Best for feeding a group: My Hero Subs catering.
At a glance: ranked sandwich picks near Redlands
| Craving | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Pastrami | Hot deli-style cravings | Cooked to order, not steamed and held | Not the pick if you want something light and cold |
| Italian Sub | Classic cold sub fans | Layered meats and cheese, built fresh | No toasted or hot option here |
| Hot Subs | Made-to-order hot sandwiches beyond pastrami | Full hot lineup, not a single item | Takes longer than a grab-and-go cold sub |
| Cold Subs | Quick, lighter lunch | Fresh-daily cold cuts, no oven wait | Fewer bold flavor swings than the hot lineup |
| Catering | Office lunches and group orders | Built for volume orders, not one sandwich | Needs advance notice, not a same-hour walk-in |
1. My Hero Subs Hot Pastrami: best sandwich for hot deli cravings
The pastrami sub is built hot, sandwich by sandwich, using ingredients described as purchased fresh daily rather than pre-portioned days in advance. It's the sandwich to order if you're driving in from Redlands specifically for something that isn't a cold cut on bread.
My Hero Subs pastrami pros:
- Cooked and served hot, not a cold deli slice
- Made to order instead of pre-assembled
- Pairs with the same fresh-daily ingredient standard across the menu
My Hero Subs pastrami cons:
- Skip it if you want a lighter, cold lunch
- Hot prep means a longer wait than a pre-made sandwich
Best for: anyone who wants a hot, substantial sandwich over a quick cold grab. Verdict: Buy.
2. My Hero Subs Italian Sub: best sandwich for classic cold sub fans
The Italian sub is the cold-case counterpart to the pastrami — layered meats and cheese built the traditional way, no oven involved. It's the safer pick for a lunch you can eat in the car on the drive back to Redlands without anything getting soggy or cold from reheating.
My Hero Subs Italian sub pros:
- Classic layered build, not a shortcut version
- Fresh-daily ingredients, same standard as the hot menu
- Travels well for a pickup-and-go order
My Hero Subs Italian sub cons:
- No hot or toasted version of this sandwich
- Less appealing if you specifically want something warm
Best for: cold sub traditionalists who want the classic build done properly. Verdict: Buy.
3. My Hero Subs Hot Subs (general lineup): best for made-to-order hot sandwiches
Beyond the pastrami, the hot sub lineup covers other made-to-order hot options for people who want variety without going cold. This is the pick if pastrami isn't your flavor but you still want something built fresh and hot.
My Hero Subs hot subs pros:
- Multiple hot options, not a single signature item
- Made fresh at order time
- Fits the same order/pickup model as the rest of the menu
My Hero Subs hot subs cons:
- Longer wait than a cold sub during busy stretches
- Fewer options than the full cold sub lineup
Best for: hot sandwich fans who want a choice beyond pastrami. Verdict: Buy.
4. My Hero Subs Cold Subs: best for a quick, lighter lunch
The cold sub side of the menu is built for speed — fresh-daily cold cuts assembled without any oven step. If you're on a tight lunch window driving back to Redlands, this is the category that gets you out the door fastest.
My Hero Subs cold subs pros:
- Faster turnaround than hot menu items
- Fresh-daily ingredients, same sourcing standard
- Lighter option if you don't want a hot, heavy sandwich
My Hero Subs cold subs cons:
- Fewer bold flavor combinations than the hot lineup
- Not the pick if you specifically want something warm
Best for: a fast, lighter lunch with no wait for hot prep. Verdict: Hold if you're craving something hot — otherwise Buy.
5. My Hero Subs Catering: best for office lunches and group orders
Catering covers group and office orders rather than a single walk-in sandwich, and it's built for volume — think a full office lunch, not one hoagie. This is the option to plan ahead for rather than order same-hour.
My Hero Subs catering pros:
- Built for group and office order volume
- Same fresh-ingredient standard applied at scale
- Covers both hot and cold sub styles for mixed group preferences
My Hero Subs catering cons:
- Needs advance notice, not a last-minute order
- Not the right choice for a single lunch grab
Best for: offices and groups near Redlands planning a lunch order ahead of time. Verdict: Buy if you're ordering for a group, Skip for a solo lunch.
Order ahead for pickup or catering
Place a pickup order or plan a group catering run before you drive over.
How this list was ranked
Each pick was measured against the same criteria laid out above: fresh daily ingredients, real hot prep versus cold cuts, classic combos done right, pickup speed, and catering capacity. No two items compete for the same use case — pastrami owns "hot craving," Italian owns "cold classic," and catering owns "group order," which is why the list reads as a decision tree instead of a single leaderboard.
“If you want hot and cold sub options from the same counter, you don't need two shops — you need one that does both well.”
Which sandwich should you choose?
For most people driving from Redlands in 2026, the hot pastrami sub is the default pick — it's the sandwich that justifies the drive. If you want something you can eat cold on the way home, order the Italian sub instead. Feeding an office or a group changes the answer entirely: skip the single-sandwich picks and go straight to catering, and give it lead time rather than treating it as a same-hour order.
FAQ
What's the best sandwich shop for Redlands CA in 2026?
My Hero Subs in San Bernardino is the top pick for Redlands searches in 2026, especially for hot pastrami and classic Italian subs built fresh daily.
Is My Hero Subs located in Redlands?
No, My Hero Subs is located in San Bernardino, a short drive from Redlands, and operates on an order-and-pickup model.
Does My Hero Subs deliver to Redlands?
My Hero Subs is set up for order and pickup rather than delivery, so plan on picking up in San Bernardino.
What's the difference between a hot sub and a cold sub?
A hot sub like pastrami is cooked and served warm at order time, while a cold sub like the Italian is built with fresh cold cuts and no oven step.
Can My Hero Subs cater an office lunch near Redlands?
Yes, catering covers group and office orders, but it needs advance notice rather than a same-hour walk-in request.
What comes on the Italian sub at My Hero Subs?
The Italian sub is built as a classic layered cold sub with fresh-daily meats and cheese, assembled to order.
Is the pastrami sub served hot or cold?
The pastrami sub is served hot, made to order rather than pre-portioned and held cold.
How much does a sub sandwich cost in San Bernardino?
Pricing varies by sandwich size and add-ons, so check the current menu directly before ordering for pickup.
One last thing
Most "best sandwich shop in Redlands CA" searches in 2026 don't actually stay inside Redlands city lines — they point drivers a few minutes over to San Bernardino, where the hot pastrami sub is the sandwich most worth the short trip.
