From classic to crafted creations, Andrew Coppolino takes a look at local sandwich options

Everyone loves a good sandwich and they are a mainstay food, from school lunches and street-meat snacks to higher-end affairs featured lobster and foie gras.

While it isn't possible to list all of the top sandwiches we can find on offer in and around Waterloo region here are 11 examples for you to sample this summer. (Note: Please check with individual venues for sandwich availability and hours of operation.)

Here's to great sandwich eating!

Veal parm ("The Love") at Nostra Cucina, Kitchener

This tender, lightly breaded veal is matched only by its delicious tomato sauce and Provolone. The "sweet loaded" is sweet roasted peppers, sautéed mushrooms and sweet red onion; the "hot loaded" includes hot peppers. This sandwich is a provincial champion.

Po'Boys at Lancaster Smokehouse, Kitchener 

There's a troupe of Po'Boys, the classic New Orleans sandwich of the 1930s, at the Lanc. It makes up its own menu category and includes shrimp and hot dog versions. They all come with the Louisiana staple sauce, Cajun mayo Remoulade.

Cowgirl at Yeti Café, Kitchener

It's a multi-grain bagel loaded with avocado, cheddar, bacon and tomato with garlic aioli. When it's a Pregnant Cowgirl, there's an egg on top. There are several vegan options at this funky and fun café, too.

Bifana at Malasada World, Cambridge 

A great Portuguese sandwich that features slightly tart wine, garlic and pimento paste-marinated and sautéed pieces of pork loin served on a hefty Portuguese "papo seco" bun. Grab a Portuguese hand-stretched "malasada" donut while you're at it.

Banh mi at Givral Deli, Kitchener

A take-away steal at about $5, the crisp baguette is slathered in spicy mayo and stuffed with meat, pickled carrots, cilantro and cucumber. Vinah Nguyen has been making this favourite Vietnamese sandwich in Kitchener's east end for more than 15 years.

Pork belly banh mi at Bao Sandwich Bar, Waterloo

Enjoy the five-spice seasoned pork belly with garlic mayo, pickled daikon and cucumbers stuffed into a baguette. This sandwich haven is a small and hidden subterranean shop making excellent bao and banh mi sandwiches near Wilfrid Laurier University.

Beef on Weck at B at TheMuseum, Kitchener

A massive sandwich 16 weeks in the making: Montreal-style smoked meat is brined and cured and seasoned and smoked. It's sliced onto a potato-scallion bun topped with Maldon sea salt and caraway seeds. A local interpretation of a Buffalo, N.Y., classic.

Tosta Mista at Nova Era, Kitchener 

A pretty simple pressed ham and Havarti cheese sandwich made with crisped Portuguese bread. It's rich and filling for $5. A classic sandwich of this charming and beautiful Iberian country. Enjoy a pastel de nata custard tart too.

Lobster club at Sole Restaurant, Waterloo

Call it surf and turf in this upper end sandwich that combines Atlantic lobster meat and pancetta with Brie, avocado, lemon aioli on a brioche bun along with apple and celery root slaw. Get a table at Sole's lovely sheltered patio if you can.

Meatball sandwich at Famoso Pizza, Waterloo 

There are meatball sandwiches at virtually all sub joints, but Famoso offers theirs (small or large) in a setting that's a step removed from fast-food. The balls are a blend of beef, pork, veal and ricotta surrounded by deep, rich tomato "gravy" and Provolone. The baguette is soft but with some heft and slight crunch.

Tuna sandwich and potato chips at Elevenses Cafe, Kitchener 

This is a cafeteria classic but elevated to a truly delicious standard. The tuna is mixed simply with mayo and parsley but really comes to life with a dash of lemon. The lettuce is fresh and crisp and the tomato tastes like tomato. Served on a good quality seven-grain sandwich bread.

• Read more from CBC Kitchener-Waterloo food columnist Andrew Coppolino