SUPER SANDWICH
Born of convenience, sandwiches have long served the hungry and on-the-go by being both tasty and portable. Easily the most popular lunchtime meal worldwide, they come in endless shapes and sizes. Here are five sandwich shops we like best.

1. CHACARERO CHILEAN CUISINE
   426 Washington St., 617-542-0392. Closed weekends. Folks line up down the block for the traditional Chilean chacareros at this walk-up lunch counter in Downtown Crossing. The enormous sandwiches are made with grilled steak or chicken, green beans, tomatoes, cheese, avocado spread and seasoning.
    
2. ARTU
   6 Prince St., North End, 617-742-4336. This small North End eatery serves tasty and inexpensive sandwiches with the freshest Italian ingredients. Our favorite is the primavera, made with tomato, basil and buffalo mozzarella.
    
3. HI-RISE BREAD CO.
   208 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 617-876-8766. A little off-the-beaten-path, Julia Child’s favorite bakery is worth the trip for its long and eclectic list of sandwiches, all made with its fresh baked breads.
    
4. PARISH CAFE
   361 Boylston St., 617-247-4777. Parish lets you choose from a list of gourmet sandwich creations from the city’s top chefs, including Locke-Ober chef Jacky Robert’s Fish and Chips Butty and Chris Schlesinger’s self-titled creation: ham, cheese and mango chutney on warmed banana nut bread.
    
5. FLOUR BAKERY AND CAFE
   1595 Washington St., 617-267-4300. Nestled in the uber-hip South End, Flour’s short but sweet lunch menu benefits from its fresh baked breads and ingredients like roasted lamb and applewood smoked bacon.
   
   —Christine Celli