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Lunch gets stuck in a rut faster than any other meal of the day, so this week I'm breaking the cycle with five sandwich shop favorites you can build at home. A retro Kmart deli sub, Pittsburgh's legendary Turkey Devonshire, Buc-ee's smoked brisket, Whataburger's honey BBQ chicken strip sandwich, and the grilled cheese that made Starbucks cool — pack one for lunch or build a whole sandwich bar for dinner.

🥪 The Retro Deli Classic

​Kmart Sub Sandwich — Ham, salami, bologna, cheese, lettuce, and tomato piled onto a soft roll, exactly the way the Kmart deli counter used to build it. This is nostalgia you can actually eat — simple, stacked high, and gone in about four bites.

🦃 The Pittsburgh Legend

​Turkey Devonshire Sandwich — Open-faced turkey, crispy bacon, fresh tomato, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce broiled until golden — this is Pittsburgh's most famous sandwich, and it eats more like a hot dinner than a quick lunch. Fork and knife required, no apologies.

🔥 The Texas Smokehouse Favorite

​Buc-ee's Brisket Sandwich — Tender smoked brisket piled onto a soft bun, the sandwich that turns a gas station stop into a destination. Make a batch of brisket over the weekend and this sandwich is what Monday's leftovers become.

💬 What Sandwich Should I Crack Next?

Every sandwich shop has a menu item people ask about — tell me yours in the CopyKat Community. Request a recipe, share what you packed for lunch this week, or ask questions as you build your own version. Join the CopyKat Community — your request could be the next recipe on the site.

🍯 The Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Icon

​Whataburger Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich — Crispy chicken tenders, melted Monterey Jack, and honey BBQ sauce stacked on Texas toast — sweet, crunchy, and exactly the sandwich you want when a burger feels like too much and a salad feels like too little.

🧀 The Grilled Cheese That Made Coffee Shops Cool

​Starbucks Grilled Cheese Sandwich — Sourdough, mozzarella, white cheddar, and garlic Parmesan butter griddled until golden and melty — this is grilled cheese with a coffee-shop upgrade. Pair it with soup or eat it standing over the stove; both are correct.

🎒 In the Kitchen for Sandwich Night

Three things that make packing (or plating) these sandwiches easier.

💧 Owala FreeSip Water Bottle — Sandwich week is lunch week, and a bottle that actually keeps up with you — hot or cold, on the go — is the unsung hero of a packed lunch. Toss it in the bag next to whichever sandwich you made, and you're set for the day.

📦 Reusable Storage Bags — Wrap the Kmart sub or pack the Whataburger chicken strips for tomorrow's lunch without a pile of foil and plastic wrap. These keep sandwiches fresh and your fridge a lot less cluttered.

🧊 Insulated Carrier — Taking sandwiches to a picnic, a pool day, or someone else's kitchen table? This keeps everything at the right temperature from your counter to theirs, no soggy bread by lunchtime.

🥪 Lunch Just Got a Whole Lot Better

A retro deli sub, Pittsburgh's favorite hot sandwich, Texas brisket, honey BBQ chicken strips, and a coffee-shop grilled cheese — that's five ways to never eat a boring lunch again. Pick one for today and save the rest for the week ahead.