Mouthwatering Sandwiches in Chicago

Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company

★★★★☆ 4.1 (3116)

"**highly recommend making a reservation, seats fill up quick and calendar availability is up to 30 days+/- in advance****CASH ONLY**Shoutout to Germando for keeping in touch with me throughout the day (our 830pm reservation turned to a 1030pm + the last party of the night to dine-in l o l) and Sharon for the A++ service (heh thanks for flipping my bowl back so I could re-shoot a video)!Menu is focused on pizza , salads, and their famous pot pie so it's limited variety (i.e. didn't find spaghetti anywhere) Yelper Bonnie C. (hey love!) and I opt for the half pound Pizza Pot Pie, it can also be made vegetarian too (Sharon asked if meats and mushrooms were OK) It was a very cool video moment haha they make , making the pot , look so easy!The pot pie was constructed with a pizza dough bowl, red sauce, whole mushrooms, then a thick cheese layer to top it off It was good , essentially a fancier deconstructed Chicago Deep dish pizza in the shape of a dome / bowl hahaDefinitely recommend to try this at least once, a Chicago staple indeed!"

Hopleaf Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (2327) • $$

"I love Hopleaf! This is such a reliable spot. I live quite close and this is a spot I can come to for any reason, a drink, a bite to eat, a celebration, a date - you name it. All servers and bartenders are working hard and are usually quite slammed- I've never been here on a "slow" day, they're always busy, and it's easy to understand why. Their extensive selection of beverages has something unique for everyone. Food favorites include the mussels, Brussel sprouts, and CB&J sandwich. I've been here many times and will continue to come back."

Johnnie's Beef

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1796) • $

"Cash only. I think I forgot to mention that in other reviews. When people say "neighborhood gem" this is the standard I assume will be met. Johnnie's is the original "spot."I'm living in Nevada now and pretty much whenever I see a place that advertises Chicago Italian Beef, I give them a play. Some are tasty almost none can pass (there's one place in Henderson...that's for another review--it's all about the hot peppers.)The ice, the beef, the rolls, the fries-- oh yes oh yes...the fries.I was scrolling through my drafts and realized I hadn't posted this one... so what you are feeling is my wistful nostalgia. My heart !!I'll drop in one last time when I go to pick up and move my parents later this year. Then my memories will become the thing of myth and legend. Enjoy!"

Ricobene's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (1235) • $$

"We were in Chicago for a business trip, and this joint was recommended by our colleague who is a Chi-Towner. He said, Ricobene's is a South Side staple and a far cry from fine dining, but amazing at the same time. We had just completed a long trade show and needed some substance. My coworker ordered a slice of the deep-dish pizza, which she enjoyed. We were a little caught off guard by the crust which had a cornbread taste, but it was delicious, crunchy and not too soggy.I went with the HIGHLY RECOMMENDED breaded steak sandwich. It was super unhealthy, and super delicious, all at the same time (see picture). The show stealer were the fries, which taste fresh and had the perfect amount of grease, which we all loved.If you just want to grab something quick and you are NOT on a diet, this is your spot. The inside is very family friendly; we were amazed that it was so busy at 9pm on a Tuesday. They have a lot of family portraits hung throughout which was neat to see. Did I mention, they also serve beer.Parking across the street under the overpass also added to the ambience/experience. It is akin to somewhere the mob might bring someone before whacking them.This is a great local spot, I will be back!"

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs

★★★★★ 4.5 (889)

"Sandwiches are always tasty. Tofu can sell out by late afternoon, so have a backup plan."

Panes Bread Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (860)

"Cute little bread cafe, but nothing out of this world! We stopped in panes for a snack between trains. My friend ordered a chicken sandwich and found it to be pretty flavorless- she had to add a ton of salt. I ordered a tea and they just handed me a basket of teabags to choose from- just your classic diner teas. My friend also had a coffee, they only offer drip. It was a really cute space and the server was so friendly! It's a good place to have a little toast or some tea, but definitely not super memorable."

RL Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (962) • $$

"I had been wanting to try this place for quite some time; however I was really underwhelmed by the ambiance. The decor was beautiful, but it was very brightly lit and loud inside to give off touristy vibes. People were clearly stopping in from out of town and shopping along Michigan ave, so I guess I should have expected this vs a more romantic atmosphere. Service was still great though.We had a couple of drinks, including some delicious glasses of wine with our seafood tower. The seafood was very fresh and excellent quality, which I would expect for the price. Because of the atmosphere though we decided to have our entree elsewhere. Next time I'll have to see if the patio is better for my taste!"

Theory

★★★★☆ 4.1 (951) • $$

"First time here as my coworker suggested this bar after the Bears game to continue having a few more drinks and watch other Sunday football games. The place was packed, and we were told they were in a transition between people closing out once the Bears game was over and other people coming *from* the game. Everyone we encountered from the host and hostesses to our server were actually really friendly and took great care of us. They have a million TVs in here so you'll never an issue watching any game here. The only reason I took a star off is because our food was very meh! The chips and queso dip didn't do much for me, and the wings themselves were not that great. They weren't awful, and did the job... but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back and eat them again. Maybe other food is actually good here though! Would definitely come back to try other food while drinking here!"

Fry the Coop

★★★★☆ 4.2 (846) • $$

"Helenia is amazing. amazing customer service and amazing in all ways. thank you so much Helenia for understanding and helping my family and I this afternoon. she deserves a million. we will be back for sure because of Helenia's welcoming and compassionate heart."

3rd Coast Fish Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (1016) • $$

"We were in the mood for seafood, and it was girls' night, so we wanted somewhere cute and easy. Plenty of options to select from and shareable! We sat outside, and aside from the mosquitoes, we enjoyed our experience. The server was friendly and attentive, a sweet girls' girl. To our surprise, we made it just in time for happy hour! The Crab Bisque had good flavors, but it was not what any of us expected and it had a lot of vegetables. The Ceviche was light, Fried Calamari was extra crispy, and Crispy Fish was breaded on thick- all fine. However, we were thrown off ketchup was the sauce they served with the Calamari. As an entree, we shared the Hot Mess- the portion was enough for the 4 of us, and we liked the Cajun seasoning. Overall, I'd consider stopping in if I was in the neighborhood again."

J.P. Graziano Grocery

★★★★★ 4.6 (684)

"Why 4 stars? Because this hit the spot after a long commute. --- --- ---Specifically, that long commute originated in Texas. When I knew I was coming to Chicago, I reached out to a local trusted source for a lunch recommendation. She gave me two top choices - this was one of them and I painstakingly went back and forth trying to decide which place to choose, before ultimately going with JP Graziano. I'm happy with my choice. I ordered a classic Italian sub and it was exactly what I would have expected it to be. High quality cold cuts, plenty of Chicago accents, and the bonus of lemon soda available in the fridge. Of course, I grabbed some salt and vinegar chips too, because that's a requirement.Thanks for the nice "Welcome to Chicago" meal, JPGG!"

90 Miles Cuban Café

★★★★☆ 4 (860) • $$

"Cuban food is becoming much more common. It has some well established places that have been around here that many people don't know. 90 Miles is one of the established places, and has a couple locations, with this one in Roscoe Village. Get some super good authentic food. There's stuff for either meat eaters or vegetarians beyond just the Cuban sandwich, which is the thing most people are familiar with. A lot of good sounding stuff to get. It's among the most authentic Cuban restaurants around here. The atmosphere features authentic music playing and even makes it feel like you're in Havana or somewhere over there. Cute little place of which only a few people can hardly fit in. Shit tons of Cuban classics on the menu. It's about $12 for an entree. Prices have increased up a bit from what these were. A few pretty good vegetarian choices. I like the Veggie Sandwich. Make this vegan by ordering without Swiss. Comes with black beans, mixed vegetables, and portobello mushrooms. The seasoning is hot enough without being so spicy. Has another location in Logan Square which is just as good. It's about the exact same menu. The best is whichever one is the closest of these."

Ba Le Sandwich

★★★★☆ 3.9 (894)

"The food here is excellent, despite it being packed, still received my food in a timely manner. Since I'm not from here, ordered a lot to go, and all sandwiches i ordered was still quite delicious when i got back.Ordered a few of the speicals, along with the roast pork and crispy chicken. my friend wanted the cod, but they were out of cod.The restaurant itself has a sleek and clean design. there's no confusion here as to where to go to order and where to pick up. The restaurant also serves as a little grocery store as well, selling various types of Vietnamese sandwich meats.If I'm ever back in these parts of Chicago I would definitely come back and get a decent amount of sandwiches for the road."

Big Ange's Eatery

★★★★★ 4.5 (644) • $$

"What a great place! Everyone is so friendly and the food is amazing. I had a pulled pork sandwich that came with a huge portion of pulled pork on it. The boardwalk style fries were addictive, and the vanilla milkshake was really delicious. Seating could be limited but didn't have to wait for a table on a Saturday. Everyone seems very considerate. Really happy to find a great bbq place close to home."

Iguana Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (767) • $$

"Stopped here for some drinks and apps. These were delicious apps. We didn't get full meals so I can't speak to this but if they put this much into their apps the main course must be awesome. Inside was so cool. I loved the art work on the walls and the set up. Would be a great place for a date. Unfortunately I was with a coworker. But I felt the pressure to fall in love with him, or at least go back to his place."

Jim's Original

★★★★☆ 4.2 (726)

"It is this easy.When you land in Chicago + you are hungry ....head to Jims. It is our tradition and I highly recommend that it be yours too.Why - because you can smell the sautéed onions as you drive up. It is one of the best sausages around for its price. Because if you want to be just like a local, it is just what you do. EXCELLENT street food and always a fun experience that is now a tradition for my hubby and I when we arrive in Chicago."

Bourgeois Pig Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (982) • $$

"Phenomenal sandwiches and ambiance!!I came here on a Saturday mid morning with wonderful recommendations about the food. I was a little sad to hear that they were sold out of their breakfast panini and also gluten free bread, which was surprising for only 10am on a Saturday (maybe there's an early morning rush?). I ordered the Great Gatsby which seems to be the popular option and for good reason! This sandwich was phenomenal!! The focaccia is so fresh and even had herbs mixed into the greens. The sauce on the sandwich was also awesome. The sandwich was about $15. I love their porch area with the string lights and the music was such a cute chill vibe. I will absolutely be back! Great lil lunch spot in Lincoln park."

La Fournette

★★★★☆ 4.4 (614) • $

"Super cute and affordable french bakery!! There was a line when we went at 10am on a Saturday but it moved quickly. There is a free macaron with yelp check in so make sure to do that - they have tons of macaron flavors to choose from. I ended up buying a pumpkin beignet which was SO GOOD and very unique .. I wish a bakery near me in NYC sold this bc I'd buy so many. Also got a hot chocolate which was solid. Would def come here again!"

D'amato's Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.4 (559)

"Buon cibo. Buon vino. Buon amici Finally got to taste the famous @damatosbakeryandsubs with my favorite collaborator @cassidyeatscarbs! We got the chicken Caesar salad sub, tomato focaccia, cheese pizza that wasn't pictured as well as their delicious Italian cookies! We were so excited to be able to have lunch here and luckily we missed the crazy rush of customers that came after us! The sandwich was yummy we wish the bread was a tad softer but overall it was nothing to complain about too much and the focaccia was sooooooooo soft and delicious honestly my favorite thing on their menu! And the dessert is always going to be another yummy part of our experience! The ambiance was crazy busy which is only the best sign ever for a place! We definitely want to go back and try it again with a different selection of menu items but the service was wonderful and so helpful when we told them that we had never been there before!:))) totally worth the hype, check this place out the next time you're around!"

The Warbler

★★★★☆ 4.4 (516) • $$

"Very much loved my time here and can't wait to come back! Came here for a ladies night dinner with my friends :) Crispy fried artichokes- yes. Actually, just go right ahead and order two of them because they are that good. Kale salad, deliciously balanced with sweet fruits, vinagrettes, and nut butter. Pastas- it was hard to pick because they all sounded so good. Buccatini was basic but delicious. Agnolotti was great too. I'd really like to try the mac and cheese or fusilli next time.Bacon and date flatbread was okay. I'd try the mushroom next time.Finished off with a carrot cake- very yum.The ambiance was beautiful and it was too cold to go outside, which was shortly followed by a storm, though there is covered patio. The dining room became quite full and there was a screaming crying toddler and the parents just kept slowly sipping their wine and eating their food as if the baby's shrill screeches were not impacting anybody else around them. This has nothing to do with The Warbler's staff, but it is a comment that the dining room can be quite loud inside, so maybe not the best place for a quiet intimate dinner or first date."

The Brunchery

★★★★☆ 3.7 (693) • $$

"The ambiance was great! When you walk in you immediately feel welcomed. I love the patio and indoor seating are. It's like it is all meshed together which gives it the new, modern, hip vibe. We had a large party, but we were well accommodated and received excellent service during our visit. We even had the chance to meet the owner. On to the food, we placed our drink order first. Once we received our drinks, we placed our food order. I had the steak, egg, and potato combo. I wasn't too impressed with the food. It was not seasoned. Everything I had was bland. Now I must say they give you a nice portion of food, so you are definitely going to get your money's worth. I will also say that the drinks weren't as good as well. I love that they have flights available; however, they were syrupy. It took away from the overall taste and flavor of the drink. I hope things with the food get a little better. I believe season will change the game for them."

Kopi A Travelers Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (601)

"My favorite cafe in Chicago. They stand on their taste in art, furniture, music, food, etc. Great smoked salmon, nice pastries, extensive and intriguing drink menu. Wait staff are smart and kind and do their own thing which suits me fine. No wi-fi or outlets so you are forced to live in your surroundings, which in this case is a welcome opportunity."

Mr. Beef

★★★★☆ 4 (568) • $$

"The excitement about not only the beef sandwich, but being the inspiration behind 'The Bear' is why I waited in line for 45 minutes. Y'all, you may have to wait a while, but it's worth it. Not being from Chicago made the experience even better. Once we stepped foot in the door it was just like a scene you'd see in The Bear. From the high intensity behind the counter to them slinging sandwiches left and right screaming at each other. It was truly the best sight to behold. This is it!Sweet Beef was superb and at such a great price that you can't beat."

Dengeos - Skokie

★★★★☆ 4.1 (533)

"This Dengeos is located on the southwest corner of Main & Oakton in Skokie. After eating sushi for the past 4 days I need to change up my diet (go figure). So what do I get a fish sandwich & cream of chicken soup. I have been to Dengeos before & they do have better than average selection of everything to fast foods & meals. The soup was a very small bowl about 2/3 of the size of Marianos small soup bowl. Besides the portion being minuscule it cost $4.99. Honestly the chicken wild @ Marianos is better. I had the fish sandwich once before it was delicious the first time, but this time the fish tasted like it was cooked and sat for awhile. I know the difference of fish right out of the fryer or if it's been sitting for awhile.I wasn't very satisfied w/the quality of their food this time. I know they can make it better."

Cafe Jumping Bean

★★★★☆ 4.4 (451) • $

"Heads up, if you come on a Sunday morning, the line will be to the door which you know is a good sign. This was my first time here and was overwhelmed with how large their menu is but I got their golden latte (which I think has butterscotch) and got it with less sugar since I read many reviews that their lattes are really sweet. It was super delicious and I tried my friends matcha and that was also delicious. There isn't much room to sit but would be a great WFH location."

Wake ‘n Bacon

★★★★☆ 4.1 (501) • $$

"I love an aesthetic and Instagrammable brunch spot, and even better if there's ube! Managed to make this a pit stop for brunch before our flight (back in Aug 2022) and I'm so glad we did. Make sure to make a reservation or you'll spend a long time waiting. I see other reviews say parking in the area is difficult, but we took an Uber so we didn't have any trouble. You scan a QR code, order and pay through the website, and then the staff brings out the food. I ordered the ube flapjacks with the purple haze drink, and my partner ordered the big bird burger. His chicken was so perfectly friend and tender, and the syrup had all the right sweet and savory balance! My pancakes had nice strong ube flavor to them and the eggs and bacon were a nice touch."

El Cubanito

★★★★★ 4.5 (405) • $

"The sandwiches and empanadas here are delicious! Great food, cute establishment with the front part of a Cuban classic car as part of their decor. They make their own sauces too which pair well with the sandwiches. The staff is friendly and the service is fast. Awesome place to go for lunch."

Monk's Pub

★★★★☆ 3.7 (549)

"Classic pub in the Loop. It even looks older because the outside is medieval. Monk's Pub is a popular gathering spot for downtown workers. Has the drinks and food you expect in a place like it. The prices also are about what you expect in a hip area though. Anyone looking for classic old pubs in Chicago has to come here. It's been here quite awhile, but with the old looking exterior it looks even longer. They have some kind of medieval theme. Just too bad they don't have old time prices. There's some pretty pricy stuff. Beer list is pretty big. Lots of local ones to choose from. It's about $9 for a basic cocktail. There's better ones that are even for expensive though. As for the food, pretty good, but expensive. There's typical pub fare like burgers and wings. Also they have a Beyond Burger. It's $16 and comes with a side. Good in spite of the price of course. The last time here the food came out fast and the atmosphere was good mostly. Gets pretty busy at lunch. It has plenty of workers from nearby coming in and when they get off. This is also one of the few places around here open on the weekends."

The Bagel Restaurant & Deli

★★★★☆ 3.5 (613) • $$

"Great place for breakfast or lunch. The omelets and hash owns are terrific. Also great deli meats. The bagels aren't a highlight for me, though. Very attentive and friendly service."

Nellie's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (481) • $$

"Been wanting to try this place for years and I'm glad I finally was able to. Came for Sunday brunch and was seated immediately. Place is cozy and seating is limited. The buffet was set up in the back but ordering off the menu was also available if that's what you fancy... buffet was a little smaller than what I had imagined but we were informed they used to have an omelette station and they were currently looking for a new cook. It made no difference to me- because the food was itself was enough for me. My favs were the sweet plantain and egg casserole, the maduros, the arroz con gandules, and the chicharron con pollo... and and let's not forget about the coconut oatmeal!! Yum, yum, and yum! They also had regular breakfast items like French toast, bacon/sausage, potatoes, eggs, cereal, and some pastries- but I didn't go there to eat food I can make myself..."

Slim's

★★★★☆ 4.1 (426) • $

"Slim's is a great local, slightly above average, fast food option. They don't bother with those grey frozen burger patties found at many competitors. .. nothing but Creekstone Farms beef here! The prices reflect the fresh ingredients and upgrades like brioche buns. 3.39 overall. I tried to convince myself to generously round up considering the service and the never frozen burger patties, but. ..that wouldn't be fair to the other 4 star restaurants.I don't like their Chicken Strips, but they are popular. I find they lack seasoning and are chewy. Not worth a special trip, but absolutely check out if you live in the neighborhood. Open til 9pm."

11 Degrees North

★★★★★ 4.8 (305) • $

"Small business with a huge menu! :) I was a little discouraged they are only open for breakfast and lunch, but was blown away with the breakfast options when I was able to stop by over winter break! I absolutely loved everything about the Santa Monica arepa - The chive cream cheese is something special!! Service is a little slow because they are making everything from scratch, but they are up front about that and it's well worth the wait! Seating is pretty simple since it's counter service, but we found space for 6 people comfortably! Will definitely be back!"

Osteria del Pastaio

★★★★☆ 3.8 (481) • $$

"A solid find and the kitchen is open until 10:30! Located just off Michigan Ave near Fourth Presbyterian Church and The Four Seasons Hotel. FOOD Each item was bursting with flavor and very reasonably priced. Roasted rabbit tenderloin wrapped in crispy prosciutto- 5/5 Penne Arrabbiata with sausage - 3/5 *full of flavor and fresh short pasta though not a fave. I wouldn't be inclined to order it again. Sautéed Calamari with Shrimp - 4/5 Gnocchi short rib - 5/5 (gluten free option available) SERVICE Service was what you'd expect close to closing. AMBIANCE The chairs in the restaurant have seen better days almost every seat in the front of the restaurant have a clear view of who heads to and leaves from the bathroom. MISCELLANEOUS There's a 3% charge for using a credit card. We dined as walk ins at 10:20p on a Friday night and things were pretty quiet. In terms of occupancy, there were a couple of other diners who were wrapping up their meals while we were there."

Bluebird

★★★★☆ 4.2 (392) • $$

"There was some chatter online about a keto option. But alas yoerick it did not seem to be.I had the Mediterranean salad but without hummus ( yes I know sacrilege)It's kinda small My friend and I stayed for 2 hours.Seems that people nearby utilize the" to go" option. I was feeling keto but also had a Mac and cheese that was Delish.The gentleman working the counter seemed to be taking on many rolls . My friend and I had a nice conversation with him about the state of english football.Maybe extend the menu a bit"

Bird's Nest

★★★★☆ 3.7 (504) • $$

"Love it here! Our waitress was fast and we got our food quickly. My partner loves the hot buffalo wings and I cycle through the wraps. A fun atmosphere especially for sports and they have a lot of good deals! We also love their outdoor seating :)"