Celebrity Sandwiches

Load up on pickles and a mile-high "Woody Allen" at the Carnegie Deli. An authentic New York experience -- one this director is famous for capturing in his films -- wouldn't be complete without pastrami and corned beef on rye at a legendary Jewish deli. This sandwich is so outrageously large, the tiny actor/director wouldn't even make a dent, but maybe you can. The Manhattan eatery is as celebrated for its towering sandwiches as the stars in the autographed photos that cover its walls. Carnegie Deli 854 Seventh Ave. New York, NY carnegiedeli.com

This Manhattan landmark deli has been serving overstuffed sandwiches forever, occasionally rotating the names of their most popular items according to Hollywood's "it" actors and actresses. Most recently, Academy Award winner Tim Robbins created his own sandwich, piled high with corned beef, turkey, pastrami, roast beef, and Swiss cheese. That tall order, now on the menu, sounds about right for the 6-foot, 4.5-inch Robbins, who was raised in the Big Apple. Stage Deli 834 Seventh Ave. New York, NY 212-245-7850 stagedeli.com

On a visit to his childhood stomping ground, Brooklyn boy Scott Baio was more than disappointed that he wasn't among the celebrity-named sandwiches on his hometown deli's board. After some lobbying, the 154th sandwich, "The Scott Baio," loaded with prosciutto di Parma, house-made mozzarella, hot sopressata, and basil, is now one of the Italian-American heroes offered at this neighborhood eatery. Lioni Italian Heroes 7803 15th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 718-232-1166

Which leading lady is hotter: Salma Hayek or Keira Knightley? At Hot Doug's, the encased-meat emporium in Chicago, "The Salma," an impressive Andouillle sausage, is three times as spicy as "The Keira," a fiery dog that still packs a punch. While neither of these bombshell actresses has yet to sample the dogs, regular customers -- ahem, fans -- make them two of the most winning menu items. Hot Doug's 3324 North California Ave. Chicago, IL 773-279-9550 hotdougs.com

New Hampshire sure is a long way from Hollywood. In fact, no menu-starring celebs have actually been to Celebrity Sandwich. The Portsmouth shop nonetheless pays homage to television hosts like David Letterman and big-screen idols like Meryl Streep with more than 130 celeb-named creations. We're willing to bet that any A-lister (or, heck, D-lister) could walk out with their name on the menu board and challenge Spike Lee for the top-selling-sandwich spot. Celebrity Sandwich 171 Islington St. Portsmouth, NH 603-433-7009 celebritysandwich.com

Sure, you'd expect to run into big names at an L.A. eatery, but further up the coast in Redwood City, CA, a star-studded lunch can be found, too. At Heimerhaus Deli, you can sink your teeth into one of many delicious celebrity-named sandwiches, from a Hugh Hefner to a Michael Caine. A sandwich big enough to share with all his girlfriends, "The Hef" is piled high with ham, turkey, chutney, and lots of pepper jack cheese. Of course, it is served on a "bun-ny." Heimerhaus 601 Main St. Redwood City, CA 650-366-7957 heimerhaus.com

Stars from yesterday and today gather at Flashback Diner in Hallandale Beach, FL -- on their menu, anyway. Order a Celebrity Club and spend lunch with stars from Elton John -- chicken, Swiss, and bacon with barbecue sauce -- to Spielberg -- a triple-decker corned beef, pastrami, and Swiss -- to Marilyn Monroe -- a Thanksgiving-style turkey sandwich. Iconic stars like Humphrey Bogart and Rita Hayworth will rest peacefully knowing the hearty sandwiches that feed customers round the clock are worthy of their legendary names. Flashback Diner 220 South Federal Hwy. Hallandale Beach, FL 954-454-8300 theflashbackdiner.com