I’d been hearing SO much about The Big Cheese in downtown Annapolis that I finally caved and made the trip, and Nomsters, this little gourmet sandwich shop lived up to the hype. It’s a tiny takeout deli and specialty market on Randall Street, right by City Dock, and the Annapolitan (their turkey, brie and Granny Smith apple sandwich) is the one you’ve gotta order.
There’s no seating inside, so I grabbed my sandwiches and ate them in my car like a total goblin, lol, but honestly that’s half the charm of a spot like this. Between the sandwiches, the wall of hot sauces, the wine, and more cheeses than I could count, I basically had to talk myself out of buying half the store. If you’re wandering around Annapolis and need a quick, really good lunch, put this gem on your list.
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What Makes The Big Cheese a Standout Shop
So what’s the deal with this place? The Big Cheese (officially The Big Cheese and Sammy’s Deli) is part sandwich counter, part gourmet grocery. They bill themselves as a gourmet cheese, deli, wine and beer shop, and that combo’s exactly what makes it worth a stop. You come for a made-to-order sandwich and leave with a fancy hot sauce, a wedge of cheese you’ve never heard of, and a bottle of wine for later.
They stock over 60 kinds of cheese along with crackers, olives, chips, sweets and more, so it’s the rare lunch spot that doubles as a place to grab a whole picnic or a last-minute hostess gift. It sits right in the historic district near City Dock, which makes it an easy stop whether you’re running errands or making a day of the waterfront.
What to Order at The Big Cheese
I only got two sandwiches this time (practicing restraint, believe it or not), but both told me what I needed to know. Quick heads up, the prices below are the cash prices listed on their menu, so paying by card might run you a touch more.
The Annapolitan ($11.50)
This was the winner, hands down. It’s oven roasted turkey with Granny Smith apples, brie and honey mustard on multigrain, and every SINGLE ingredient pulled its weight. It all just worked, and it’s the kind of sandwich that earns an immediate repeat order. It’s one of those sandwiches where the combo reads a little fancy on paper but just works the second you bite in. This one’s a must-order, and I’d get it again in a heartbeat.
Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato ($11)
I’ve got zero self control when it comes to fresh mozzarella and tomato, so I had to try theirs. It’s piled on a baguette with a mix of spices and oil, and it was solid, a classic done fine. That said, I probably wouldn’t order this exact one again. They’ve got a Mozzarella and Prosciutto version ($12) that sounded even better to me, and next time that’s the one I’m reaching for. If you love a caprese-style sandwich, go straight for the prosciutto one.
The Market Goodies (and What’s Next on My List)
Here’s where I nearly lost the plot. Beyond the sandwiches, The Big Cheese is stocked with a big wall of hot sauces (my personal weakness), plus wine, all those cheeses, chips and sweets. I wanted to take home a bunch of it and barely talked myself down. Their sandwich menu runs deep too, with a whole lineup of brie-forward options and a Sammy’s Favorites section full of fun named subs like the St. Mary’s Slugger, which regulars swear is the best-seller. One visit is not nearly enough to get through this place.
No Table? Just Eat in the Car
Real talk, there’s nowhere to sit and eat inside, it’s a grab-and-go setup. So I did what any reasonable person does and ate both sandwiches in my car in the parking lot, lol. Zero shame. If the weather’s nice, though, you’re a short walk from the water, so you could easily carry your sandwich down toward City Dock and eat with a view instead of staring at your steering wheel like I did.
The Vibe and Experience
The Big Cheese is a small, packed-to-the-rafters kind of shop, the sort of local spot where sandwiches are made to order and the shelves are crammed with things you want to take home. It’s takeout only, so it’s built for a quick lunch, a picnic run, or stocking up on cheese and wine before a get-together. Since it’s right in the historic district, it pairs perfectly with a day of wandering Annapolis. Grab breakfast by the water at Bread and Butter Kitchen first, then swing by here for your lunch and picnic supplies.
Good to Know
- 📍 47 Randall St, Annapolis, MD 21401, in the historic district near City Dock
- Hours: open daily 10am to 5pm, closed Tuesdays
- It’s takeout only, there’s no indoor seating
- Part sandwich shop, part gourmet market: 60-plus cheeses, wine, beer, hot sauces, snacks and sweets
- Menu prices are cash prices, so paying by card may cost a bit more
- Parking downtown is limited; the Gotts Court Garage is the nearest public garage
- You can order online through their website or delivery apps if you’d rather skip the trip
Is The Big Cheese Worth Visiting?
If you’re downtown and want a genuinely good sandwich plus a fun little market to poke around, The Big Cheese is an easy yes, and the Annapolitan alone is worth the stop. Just go in knowing it’s grab-and-go, not a sit-down meal. For my money, the fanciest sandwich in the DMV is still Soko Butcher up in Takoma Park, but for a quick, high-quality bite by the water, this Annapolis gem more than earns its spot.
Have you guys been to The Big Cheese yet?! Let me know your go-to order in the comments, Nomsters, and if there’s a downtown lunch spot I’m sleeping on, send it my way. If you want more ideas, I rounded up my must-try sandwich spots in Maryland too. Save this one for your next trip to the water.