Mangia Fresca - Italian Eatery

Happened to be out and about and I had heard good things about their Breaded Steak Sandwich and with the state of this Italian sandwich in Chicago I had to give it a try. They opened about 3 months ago and it is a nice, contemporary place with and additional dining room to the north. The owner seemed nice enough with a good relationship with the employees.




Breaded Steak Sandwich



The sandwich was very good! A bit of crispy edges and the sauce had not turned the breading to mush. The red and yellow peppers were sweet, the sauce was a bit on the sweet side too and the bread fresh. Big too, as I took home half for My Bride to try.

Talking with the owner he also remembers the old Ricobene's and how good their sandwiches used to be. He also mentioned that you can order the breaded steak 'well done' to give the breading a bit more temper.

Nicely done. I am eager to give a few of their other sammy's a try.

Mangia Fresca - Italian Eatery
2556 S Archer Ave, Chicago
(312) 225-7100

Right next to the Orange Line Halsted stop

Menu

Panther in the Den wrote:The sandwich was very good! A bit of crispy edges and the sauce had not turned the breading to mush. The red and yellow peppers were sweet, the sauce was a bit on the sweet side too and the bread fresh. Big too, as I took home half for My Bride to try.

PitD,

Looks edible for a Chicago style breaded steak sandwich, lot of cheese, but that is easily quartered. I swore off breaded steak for good, but crispy edges, or crispy anything for that matter, call to me.

Nice pictures, interesting post.

Enjoy,
Gary

a bump here sense they have just won the Bridgeports Got Beef competition recently.

Iva gotten food form here on only 2 occasions. Both times was just OK. Nothing great and nothing bad either, but damn are they over priced! At least in my eyes. Ive never had a breaded steak here or an IB so i will be heading there soon to sample.

Wondering if anyone else here has any input on the Archer Ave Bridgeport spot

Italian Breaded Steak sandwiches are like politics, religion and sex – everyone has their own idea about what is good and where to find the best version.

Was introduced to the Italian Breaded Steak Sandwich at Sarah’s (closed); then migrated to La Milanese (closed); and now will gladly drive from Evanston to the Halsted Street stop on the Orange Line to satisfy my need – for the sandwich, not the other things. The kitchen crew is no longer staffed by grandmothers in black dresses, but the taste is great – a generous portion of mystery-meat in good breading, smothered in a surprisingly good gravy and topped with peppers that still have some firmness. The giardinera is excellent and you can lick up the flavor by asking for their spicy marinara to replace the regular gravy. The operating rumor is that MF is run by the son of the gentleman who owned La Milanese; is true, that explains why this version hits my sweet spot.

Wear old clothes; ask for a knife and fork; don’t eat this just before an appointment with your dentist; and never order this on a first date. If possible, schedule a nap to follow the meal.

Heard good things about the pizza (wood fired) and meatballs over by here.