Nestled in a quirky shipping container in Frogtown, Wax Paper serves inventive, hearty sandwiches named after NPR hosts, delighting both carnivores and vegetarians alike.
"Frogtown's Wax Paper is best known for its stuffed NPR-themed sandwiches, but true Waxheads know you'll find a soft-serve machine in the back doing fun and colorful combos like chocolate swirled with orange and chili pineapple with matcha. Officially known as Close Encounters by Wax Paper, the on-site ice cream concept also includes caramel cookie sundaes, Dole whip mangonadas, and dipped cones in flavors like cherry and birthday cake." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"Wax Paper isn’t your standard sandwich spot. There is no deli case filled with cured meats or a mile-long menu of subs. Instead, you’ll find a quirky counter in a deserted warehouse in Frogtown (or Chinatown) that combines just-baked bread, fresh produce, and listener-supported public radio. Sandwiches come on loaves of Bub & Grandma’s and are named after NPR hosts like the Terry Gross, which is filled with roast turkey, green chili aioli, a jalapeño/radish slaw, and pepper jack cheese. We’re also big fans of the Steve Julian, which is Wax Paper’s version of a bánh mì. With its shredded pork, crunchy cucumbers, and miso aioli, this sandwich is a little spicy and completely fun." - brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins
"The Ira Glass, add turkey "I am a sucker for sprouts. If I see a sandwich with sprouts, I will be ordering it. Some people hate sprouts in a sandwich, but to me, it's such a unique flavor and adds really good texture. My favorite combo is sprouts and turkey, so add turkey onto this one. There’s a few things to say about this sandwich. It has a super beautiful cross section. That thing is a thick-ass sandwich, but the bread works really well and holds it all together. The flavor profile of it is super fresh. I'm also such a sharp cheddar fan. And I'm a sucker for any kind of aioli, but a garlic aioli… when it comes to cold cuts, that's definitely a go-to." - brennan carley
"This new outpost of Wax Paper is in a Chinatown arcade, and it’s just as good as the tiny original in Frogtown. They have some familiar classics, like the fully loaded Italian sub and the panzanella salad—but there’s also a whole bunch of new stuff worth checking out. Like a turkey sandwich with a bright slaw that involves clementines and serrano peppers, a roast beef sandwich with pickled beets and French onion sauce, or a ham sandwich topped with walnuts. The space is significantly bigger than the sedan-sized first version, so you can go with a group and grab one of the tables in the hallway outside, or go alone and sit at the bar." - Brett Keating
"Blocks away from the restaurant sits the shipping container that launched the team’s Wax Paper, which since its opening in 2015 has become a favorite takeout spot for inventive, quality sandwiches." - Jaya Saxena
