Mordi e Vai in the Mercato di Testaccio in Rome sells Sergio Esposito's slow-braised allesso di scottona (beef shoulder) sandwich for €5, the city's defining.
Try: Roman braised-meat sandwich
Tip: Closed Sunday all day. The allesso di scottona with chicory is 5 euros; queue forms 12:30 onward.
Stefano Callegari's Trapizzino in Rome sells the namesake pocket of pizza bianca stuffed with Roman braised meats for €5 each, with the pollo alla cacciatora.
Try: Trapizzino (pizza pocket with Roman braise)
Tip: Open 12:00-24:00 daily. Two trapizzini for lunch run €10; cash and card.
Arcangelo Dandini's Supplizio in Rome's Centro Storico is the specialist suppli counter at €3 each. Two suppli and a glass of wine runs under €10 for a quick.
Try: Suppli al telefono
Tip: Open Tue-Sun 12:00-22:00; closed Monday. Cash and card Cash is faster than card.
Pinsere in Rome's Castro Pretorio district is the pinsa Romana counter, serving the ancient crisp flatbread topped with mortadella, mozzarella or simple.
Try: Pinsa Romana (ancient Roman flatbread)
Tip: Closed Sat and Sun. The lunch crowd peaks 13:00-14:00; cash and card.
Enoteca Corsi in Rome's Centro Storico has been a working-day lunch trattoria with retail wine shelves since 1937. At Via del Gesu 87. Booking recommended.
Try: Roman trattoria lunch with house wine
Tip: Cash only. Open lunch only; no dinner; closed Sunday. The 12:30 seating is the busiest.