Sandwich Bar Ideas

Host an interactive food party with a make-your-own sandwich buffet where guests can choose from a variety of breads, fillings and condiments. It’s an easy and delicious way to entertain at home or for a potluck party. And it’s such a hit with guests!

This is ideal for a garden party or casual gathering on the patio for spring and summer. Take it tailgating in the fall, or set it up indoors for winter. It’s a year round food buffet idea!

The idea is that variety is the spice of life! So go ahead and invite a few friends over to build their own sandwiches. You can serve wine or an iced tea bar and celebrate every day.

How to Set It Up

You can add as little or as much of each category to your sandwich bar. However, I suggest you offer at least 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 4 toppings, 3 condiments, and 3 breads.

Account for ¼ pound of meat per person.

Estimate 2 slices of cheese per person.

Pile the bread in a napkin-lined basket or crate so it looks full and abundant.

Sandwich Buffet Display

Whether it’s outdoors or in, use a stable hard surface for the buffet table. Drape a large quilted throw or other fabric over the top to soften the edges and define different areas.

Using wood crates is a great way to add height to a bar or food table, plus it reinforces the rustic theme.

Make an interesting sandwich board with meats and cheese on one large platter, and complimentary ingredients on another. That way guests can make their chooses as they see each category displayed together.

Guests are encouraged to build their own sandwiches with an array of choices from the sandwich platter. I created trays of fillings and toppings in a similar fashion as a charcuterie board. It makes for a beautiful and interesting presentation of the meats, cheeses, sauces, and toppings. See a full printable shopping list of items at the bottom.

Treat the space just as you would any buffet, by placing the food to one side and the drinks on the other.

Build-Your-Own-Sandwich Ingredients

You can follow a specific concept such as an Italian theme with salami, capicola, mortadella, mozzarella and Italian bread.

Or you can offer a range of flavors and choices to suit lots of tastes.

Meat

Grab thin sliced deli meat from the refrigerator section or the deli counter.

• Smoked turkey
• Ham (honey ham, baked ham or smoked ham)
• Italian salami 
• Capicola
• Mortadella
• Bacon

Cheese

Use pre-sliced cheese so it’s already the perfect size and thickness. 

• Cheddar
• Smoked cheddar
• Swiss
• Mozzarella
• Gouda or smoked gouda

Condiments 

• Yellow mustard
• Course grain mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Horseradish spread
• Prepared pesto

Toppings

PARTY TIP: These veggie toppings can also be used to make a vegetarian sandwich. Just pile them on with hummus for protein, or condiments of choice.

Breads

Provide several bread types including tortillas for wraps, party rolls for mini sandwiches, and sourdough slices for classic style. A variety of breads allows guests to make subs, wraps, hoagies, or grinders.

• Party rolls
• Soft tortilla wraps
• Sourdough bread slices
• French or Italian loaves (minis if you can find it)
• Ciabatta rolls
• Biscuits can add a fun Southern twist for ham and cheese

Extras

• Pickle spears
• Stuffed olives
• Fresh basil
• Edible flowers to decorate the boards

What to Serve With Sandwiches

• Soup. Have a soup and sandwich theme luncheon for a ladies group or for a football game day party. Choose one or two soup recipes to pair with it.
• Chili. Make a crockpot full of hearty southwest style chili or creamy chicken chili to go along with the buffet.
• Salad. If you want a lighter accompaniment, add a fresh green salad on the side.
• Potato salad. my favorite potato salad with eggs and bacon is a classic side dish.
• Pasta salad. This creamy pasta salad has tons of texture and flavor.
• Chips. Introduce your guests to these restaurant style kettle chips with balsamic and blue cheese.

How to Display Chips at a Party

There’s no shame in serving a big bowl of potato chips for a casual party, but how about trying one of these cute ideas to elevate the look.

• Serve individual bags of potato chips, popcorn, corn chips or other crunchy snack. Use mini clothespins to attach the bags in a hanging display from a wire frame, or hanging twine.
  • Twine can be hung horizontally between two points (like a banner) or vertically (from a dowel rod). Simply attach the bags to the twine with a clothespin.
• You can place small bags in a wire or wicker basket. Just set them up in rows for a neat look.

More Food Bar Ideas

Here are some more fun make-your-own food buffets to incorporate into your party ideas.

• Soup bar
• Chili bar
• Bagel bar
• Hot dog bar
• Salad bar

Don’t forget dessert; set up a banana splits bar, or a mixed berry build-your-own shortcakes bar.

Shopping List

Now that you know the details of my DIY sandwich bar, you can host your own party and entertain in style with my handy shopping guide.