The Overstuffed Sandwiches From This Virginia Deli Are The Stuff of Dreams

Virginia Beach is known for its vibrant dining scene, offering a range of swanky seafood spots and hole-in-the-wall diners. Ask enough locals, though, and you'll quickly learn there's one place to go if you're looking for quality and quantity. That place is Clayton's Counter. To start, it's got a local feel that will make you feel like you're part of the community. But you're really here for the mouthwatering overstuffed sandwiches that are somehow also quite affordable. Have we piqued your interest yet?

Clayton's Counter first opened its doors in 2020, but Chef Ralph Clayton Anderson III was dreaming of such a place for many years before then. With thirty years of experience in the service industry, he decided to create a menu that would showcase his talents and passions for fresh and local ingredients, in-house smoked meats, and made-from-scratch food. The result? Some of the best foods -- and specifically, sandwiches -- you'll ever taste.

One of the philosophies at Clayton's is dedication to the community, which is apparent in just about everything they do. For just about every item on the menu, produce, meat, and ingredients are sourced locally. Some of these local vendors include Everling Coastal Farms, Coastal Cattle, Cartwright Family Farms, and Cromwell Produce.

On the menu, you'll find a range of snacks, soups, bowls, and sandwiches. The sandwiches are the most popular, and for an extra fee, come served with macaroni & cheese, fries, pork rinds, or chips. The real challenge is deciding which sandwich to order. One fan favorite is the award-winning Butter Burger, served with Hereford beef, compound butter, onions, American cheese, Clayton's sauce, and brioche. It's an instant classic.

Equally popular is the pastrami sandwich, crafted with vinegar slaw, Speedy's #44 mustard sauce, and Malbec BBQ. On any given day, there are about a dozen sandwiches to choose from, each crafted with the utmost care and each requiring two hands to hold. There are also seasonal specials to choose from.

As you can imagine, if you're a fan of mouthwatering deli sandwiches, there's really no wrong order at Clayton's. As one reviewer wrote, "If there was ever a time for a 10 star review, this is the place to get that."

Have you had the chance to stop by Clayton's Counter? What did you think of this Virginia Beach deli? Be sure to share this article with someone you'd love to visit with! For more information, head on over to the Clayton's Counter website. And, if you're looking for a place to stay in the area, check out these unique vacation rentals in Virginia Beach.