Thanksgiving is the day that truly kicks off the holiday season in America. Families gather like migrating birds, drifting into kitchens to cook a huge meal, watch football, and yes, occasionally debate topics no one remembers agreeing to discuss. I don't want to wander into the family drama part of the season, though. My heart is drawn to the laziness of it all. A soft, delicious laziness, the kind Ohio has perfected, where slowing down becomes its own sport and leftovers practically beg to be admired.
Leftovers feel lazy to me, and the weekend after Thanksgiving feels like the laziest weekend of all: stacked containers, plastic wrap clinging to bowls, everything just waiting to be repurposed. The Thanksgiving sandwich might be the laziest of those leftovers. You take already-cooked turkey, swipe on some mayo, pile in stuffing, spoon on cranberry sauce, press it between two slices of bread, and if you grew up quoting Friends, you probably add the famous "moist maker" in the middle like some kind of deli architect.
Anyone can build this sandwich at home. Anyone can open the fridge, throw ingredients together, and call it genius. Yet one Ohio restaurant decided to out-lazy the rest of us by doing all the work for you-and doing it so well that it beats the real meal. If you want the peak version of Thanksgiving in sandwich form, head to Capriotti's Sandwich Shop in Canfield, Ohio.
Capriotti's may be a chain, but this chain speaks sandwich like it's the family language. The Canfield location feels especially dialed in, as if the crew there wakes up thinking about turkey ratios and stuffing density. And if you're reading this from outside Ohio, the good news is you might find a Capriotti's near you, meaning this masterpiece of holiday flavor isn't reserved for Buckeye State residents alone.
Let's talk about the star of the show: the Hot Bobbie. This is Capriotti's Thanksgiving sandwich, turned all the way up without slipping into gimmick territory. You get grilled slow-roasted turkey layered with cranberry sauce, handmade stuffing, and mayo. Order a side of gravy for dipping, and you've essentially unlocked a cheat code for happiness. The sandwich comes in Mini, Small, Medium, and Large, though the Medium already feels like the point where you make eye contact with your future self and whisper, "Take a breath. You can do this."
The menu stretches far beyond Thanksgiving, too, because Capriotti's doesn't believe in limiting your cravings to one holiday theme. Their Chicken Cheesesteak deserves a moment in the spotlight… especially for someone like me, who's on a lifelong mission to find the best one in the country. Capriotti's version brings 25 percent more thinly sliced grilled chicken, provolone, mushrooms, and onions, with optional hot or sweet peppers. Every bite feels like a pep talk for your taste buds.
For red-meat lovers, the American Wagyu Cheesesteak raises the stakes with prime-grade beef from Snake River Farms. It's rich, tender, and packed with flavor, the kind of sandwich that reminds you why cheesesteaks became famous in the first place.
Vegetarians don't get left behind either. The Plant-Based Cole Turkey satisfies with sliced plant-based turkey, coleslaw, provolone, Russian dressing, and mayo. It's a thoughtful, filling sandwich that doesn't feel like a compromise.
Capriotti's rounds out the experience with sides like Naked Fries, Capastrami Fries, coleslaw, and cheesesteak fries: fries that show up with the confidence of someone who has studied abroad. Desserts include cookies and a brookie, that glorious cookie-brownie hybrid you can't pretend you don't want. Leaving without something sweet feels like walking past a fireworks display with your eyes closed. They even offer a $9.99 Mini Sub Duo with chips, drink, and cookie; a dependable little trio that never lets your stomach down.
Canfield itself adds a layer of charm to the visit. The area sits just minutes from Mill Creek Park, where you can wander past waterfalls and sandstone ledges shaped by centuries of wind and water, the kind of scenery that makes you pause without being asked. A quick twenty-minute drive brings you to the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, home to pieces that invite you to slow your pace and let your brain stretch a little. Locals sometimes call the region the "Valley," a name that matches its comfortable, tucked-in spirit.
A visit to Ohio deserves more than a quick drive-through, especially when a sandwich like the Hot Bobbie waits for you. Take a day, explore the park, see some art, then head to Capriotti's in Canfield and reward yourself for embracing the charm of lazy leftovers. The holiday season may start with turkey, but your best bite might come between two slices of bread right here in Ohio.
