A major highlight of the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards - aside from the delicious, high-energy event itself - is the opportunity to learn about the notable Fort Worth restaurants nominated in each category. And then make a plan to do some tasty "field research" yourself. This year's wildcard category - Best Sandwich - allows for just that.

These sandwich shops range from new hotspots to Fort Worth institutions that are decades old. (One is approaching its 100th anniversary.) Many bake their own bread, slice and simmer their own meat, and even whisk up their own dressings. All seem to carry on a tradition of some sort, whether it's making sandwiches just like a long-lost relative once did, or following traditional methods of their homeland.

One will be named Best Sandwich at this year's CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. The annual tasting event and awards ceremony will take place Thursday, April 30 at Social Space (205 S. Calhoun St.) and will feature bites and beverages from many of the nominees in a social, sip-and-stroll atmosphere.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available ($65 for general admission and $99 for VIP, which includes early access, a dedicated bar, and more perks). Tickets will go up after April 6, so don't delay.

Read more about all the nominees in our special editorial series and then snag your tickets to see who wins.

Here are the 10 nominees for Best Sandwich:

B&B Butchers
The upscale Texas steakhouse at The Shops at Clearfork has an alter ego as a butcher shop, with an order-at-the-counter deli located next door, complete with red checkered tablecloth seating. It’s where a menu of 16 sandwiches draws diners for favorites like the classic Reuben; truffle chicken salad; and Italian special with ham, salami, capicola, mortadella, provolone, and balsamic vinaigrette. A handful of the butcher shop’s greatest hits are also available on the B&B steakhouse lunch menu, served with potato chips. But one steakhouse exclusive is the hot and crusty French dip, made with sliced prime rib, creamy horseradish, and au jus.

Bella Gente Focaccia Gourmet
Since opening last spring in a corner spot of the Tower in downtown Fort Worth (575 Taylor St.), Bella Gente has built a following of downtowners who flock for focaccia. There are nearly a dozen crave-worthy sandwich offerings on the light and airy house-made Italian flatbread, from chicken and cheesesteak to Caprese; grilled veggies with chickpea cream; and yellowfin tuna with mozzarella and tomato. Bella Gente also serves pastas, soups, salads, and unique desserts like ricotta and pistachio cake.

Big Guys Bodega
This family-owned, halal deli in Euless (1001 E. Harwood Rd.) has been serving up authentic New York-style cold and hot sandwiches since last May, drawing social media influencers and diners from all over DFW who are hungry for a taste of NYC street food. The wide-ranging lineup includes cheesesteaks; Reuben pastrami; chicken masala; pesto paninis; and roast beef and turkey subs and clubs. Sandwiches come served on brioche buns, hoagies, or sourdough. They also do loaded fries, smashburgers, and creative milkshakes. Owners Hanif Islam and Saad Sheikh also own the neighboring Big Guys Chicken & Rice, which also has a location in Dallas' Deep Ellum.

Carshon's Deli
With roots dating back to 1928, Carshon’s Deli is one of Fort Worth’s oldest and most cherished restaurants, considered a bucket list destination by many (and one of the only restaurants in town that's still cash-only). While it’s changed locations a couple times during its nearly century-old history, the current location at 3133 Cleburne Rd. has drawn regulars since the early 1970s. Longtime favorite sandwiches include the iconic Rachel – a corned beef and turkey melt with Swiss, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on rye. There’s also the Rebecca, piled with pastrami and smoked turkey, slathered with cream cheese, and layered on egg bread. Other sandwiches can be customized with everything from egg salad and chopped liver to bologna and peppered beef.

Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs
Originating in Arizona as the ultimate destination to cure the munchies in 1998, the cannabis-themed sandwich chain opened its Fort Worth location (1217 8^th Ave.) in 2022. Franchise owner Eddie White followed up with locations in Arlington (504 E. Abram St.) and Mansfield (2301 E. Broad St.), each serving signature “toasted” subs in 30 different options. Customer faves include the Panama Red (grilled chicken, marinara, double provolone), Kali Mist (spicy club), White Widow (chicken bacon ranch), and Magic Mushroom (teriyaki mushrooms, pineapple, pepper jack cheese, veggies, spring mix). The menu also stacks fun munchies like Doritos nachos, Krispy bars, pretzel nuggets, and garlic cheese bread.

Dino's Subs
Lawrence Dino opened his namesake sub shop in Arlington (2221 S. Collins St.) in 1980, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who founded Dino’s Bar & Grill in New Jersey in 1918. Today Dino’s daughter Jade keeps the Dino’s legacy alive, serving more than two dozen subs on white or wheat bread in half or whole sizes. Customers (including lots of UTA students) know to order by number, with popular choices including #26 (hot roast beef and cheddar), #11 (the Big D with ham, peppered beef, salami, bologna, pepperoni, capocollo, and cheese), and #16 (tuna). Pastas, potato salad and macaroni salad, beer by the pitcher, and desserts like New York-style cheesecake round out the menu.

Dino's Subs in Arlington.Photo courtesy of Dino's Subs

Galligaskin's Restaurant & Catering
One can’t mention sandwiches in Fort Worth without noting Galligaskin’s, the sub shop at 5817 Camp Bowie Blvd. that’s been in business for more than 50 years. Inspired by Boston-style subs doused with seasoned Italian dressing, the sandwich mainstay is noted for baking its own breads, slicing its own meats and cheeses, and making everything from scratch, from the marinara sauce for its popular meatball subs to the egg salad, broccoli cheese soup, chili, and even the ranch dressing.

Lola's Cuban Food Restaurant & Bar
For some, the idea of the perfect sandwich comes in the form of a Cuban sandwich. Hot pressed on Cuban white bread with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and yellow mustard, the classic number in authentic form is hard to find in Fort Worth – except at Lola’s. The Cuban-owned, food truck-turned-restaurant opened its brick-and-mortar location in Cityview Centre in 2023 (4608 Bryant Irvin Rd.), attracting diners hungry for Cuban flavors. The menu includes a handful of sandwiches, including what some call the best Cubano this side of Miami. The menu also includes soups, entrees, yellow rice, plantains, and mojitos to wash it all down.

The Sour Boule
Opened by Utah native and self-taught baker Alexis Misner in 2023 in the former Busy B’s Bakery space, The Sour Boule quickly built a reputation for top-notch sourdough bread, even offering how-to classes on the often-complicated sourdough starter. It wasn’t long before Misner moved the business into a larger space next door (3801 Southwest Blvd.), taking over the former Edelweiss German restaurant location. There, she and her husband, Lance, began marinating and brining their own lunch meat in-house. The result is more than a dozen mouthwatering sandwiches made with the freshest of ingredients, including the signature Sour Boule, layered with oven-roasted chicken, American cheese, pickled slaw, and tomatoes. Another fan favorite is The One with Cranberry made with turkey, sprouts, cranberry, and cream cheese.

Turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce at Sour Boule. fortworth.culturemap.com

Weinberger's Deli
Texans can get an authentic taste of Chicago thanks to this downtown Grapevine sandwich shop (601 S. Main St.) that originated in the Windy City in 1952. Owner Dan Weinberger opened the deli in 2002 and it’s attracted locals and out-of-towners for a long list of professionally crafted sandwiches ever since. Customers rave about the authenticity of the Chicago-style specialties, from the hot pastrami sandwiches to the cheesesteaks. But the sandwich lineup goes on and on with Cuban sandwiches, gyros, club sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and even meatloaf sandwiches, lobster rolls, and banh mi sandwiches. Regulars know their favorites, so be ready to order at the counter or step aside.

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The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Fort Worth by Maker's Mark, NXT LVL Event, and more to be announced. A portion of the proceeds benefits Fort Worth Food and Wine Foundation.