Maciel's Plant Butcher Named Best Sandwich Shop in California

The vegan-only Highland Park eatery was ranked fifth-best in the U.S. for its creative plant-based sandwiches.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:55pm

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Maciel's Plant Butcher, a vegan sandwich shop in Highland Park, Los Angeles, has been named the best sandwich shop in California and fifth-best in the U.S. according to a recent ranking by Only In Your State. The shop, which crafts its own vegan meats and cheeses, has won over both vegans and non-vegans with its bold, satisfying, and creative sandwich offerings.

Why it matters

This recognition for a vegan-only sandwich shop highlights the growing popularity and acceptance of plant-based cuisine, even in traditionally meat-centric categories like sandwiches. Maciel's success shows that innovative, flavor-forward vegan options can compete with and even outshine traditional meat-based offerings.

The details

Maciel's Plant Butcher uses house-made vegan meats like soy steak, chorizo, chicken salad, tofu turkey, and tempeh burgers to fill its sandwiches. Traditional cured meats like salami and pastrami are made from seitan. The shop's creative flavor pairings and thoughtful approach to vegan ingredients have won over both vegan and non-vegan customers, with menu items like the Messy Biscuit, Santa Fe, and Reuben sandwich receiving rave reviews.

  • Maciel's Plant Butcher was recently named the best sandwich shop in California and fifth-best in the U.S. by Only In Your State.

The players

Maciel's Plant Butcher

A vegan sandwich shop located in Highland Park, Los Angeles that crafts its own plant-based meats and cheeses.

Only In Your State

A website that recently conducted a nationwide search to uncover the 50 best sandwich shops in America, ranking Maciel's Plant Butcher as the top shop in California and fifth-best overall.

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The takeaway

Maciel's Plant Butcher's recognition as the best sandwich shop in California and a top-5 shop nationwide demonstrates the growing mainstream appeal of creative, flavor-forward vegan cuisine. Even non-vegans are being won over by the shop's innovative plant-based offerings, proving that meatless sandwiches can be just as crave-worthy as their traditional counterparts.