Tony's Subs (Deerfield)

I was surprised to see no mention of Tony's Subs on Waukegan Rd in Deerfield, maybe I didnt search deep enough but I just recently was recommended this spot by an old friend and finally got the chance to try it earlier today and I am now left wishing it wasnt so damn far. Tonys serves really good subs that can fit any taste and their Italian beef derserves mention as one of the best around. The beef's bread is lightly toasted so some may call it a toasted sub with italian beef in it but either way this is one of the best sandwichs I have eaten all year and knew after the first bite that id be back. The beef was so damn good I couldnt allow myslef to leave without bringing a sandwich home so I also grabbed the house special called a "launcher" (It included something like salami, mortadella, ham, bologna, and myabe one other thing) and have to say it was one hell of a cold cut add all that goodness to the fact they serve some unique fries that are rather thin cooked in hot air and come without a speck of grease. This gem scores a perfect 10 in my book.

Grant Achatz (Alinea) may have Potbelly, but Gale Gand (Tru) loves Tony's

Tony's Submarine
1480 Waukegan Road
Deerfield, Il
847-940-7352

Da Beef wrote: Tonys serves really good subs that can fit any taste and their Italian beef derserves mention as one of the best around. The beef's bread is lightly toasted so some may call it a toasted sub with italian beef in it but either way this is one of the best sandwichs I have eaten all year and knew after the first bite that id be back.

That's interesting. Italian beef on a toasted bun. I'd have to defer to ddickson and his crew of beef tasters on previous Beef-a-thons, but this is not something I believe I've seen before...unless the beef was cold (which is very likely the case).

I have to respectfully disagree about Tony's, which I consider to be fair, at best. I love subs, and live only about a mile from Tony's but I rarely hit it. I think they're very good at quantity, as their subs are generous in portion but I think the meats and other ingredients they offer are pretty middle of the road. I will also give them points for freshness, as well. No doubt, they're turning the inventory regularly.

But when I compare Tony's subs to my other favorites (Fontano's, Riviera, deli counter at Caputo's, L'Appetito on Huron), they don't come close, quality-wise. I also think that Spiro's in Glenview turns out a better "Italian-style" sub than Tony's.

Last month, after a few years of pretty much avoiding Tony's, I felt like I needed to try it again. I will give them points for consistency, as the Launcher was exactly like the last one I'd had. But it just doesn't do it for me. The sandwich was stacked with slices of not-so-great meat that I just didn't care for and that, again, turned me off quickly. And I'm sorry to say that I thought the fries reminded me of the fries at Johnnie's, which are largely forgetable. The hand-cut fries served just up the road at Dear Franks tower above Tony's. I want to love this place but I'm just not feeling it.

Maybe I'll head back over there and give the italian beef a try. I must be missing something.

=R=

Dear Franks
843 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-6666

Spiro's Deli
1210 Waukegan Rd
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 729-6650

David Hammond wrote:That's interesting. Italian beef on a toasted bun. I'd have to defer to ddickson and his crew of beef tasters on previous Beef-a-thons, but this is not something I believe I've seen before...unless the beef was cold (which is very likely the case).

We actually did encounter one place with IB served on a toasted bun. The name of the place escapes me now, but it was a Pizza place we went to that was down the block from the bakery that sold the atomic cakes.

I've seen it offered on garlic bread more than once. That's a toasted bun, I guess.

I agree with Ronnie. I live nearby, and have maybe eaten there 3 or 4 times over the years. I prefer the sandwiches at Ferentinos, which is in the Sunset strip mall on Waukegan rd in Lake Forest. They are more pizza parlor style, usually being heated in the oven, but their Italian Beef is good (I am no expert), and their meatballs are excellent. I have to admit that I prefer Potbellys (Italian with marinara, toasted twice), to Tony's, but I like my sandwiches toasted.

-Will

You can add my name to the list of those who find Tony's "less than great" I have been there a half-dozen times over the years and their emphasis is on quantity over quality----Their sandwiches are very similar in taste to what you get at Hero's ( Addison & Western )

stevez wrote:

David Hammond wrote:That's interesting. Italian beef on a toasted bun. I'd have to defer to ddickson and his crew of beef tasters on previous Beef-a-thons, but this is not something I believe I've seen before...unless the beef was cold (which is very likely the case).

We actually did encounter one place with IB served on a toasted bun. The name of the place escapes me now, but it was a Pizza place we went to that was down the block from the bakery that sold the atomic cakes.

That would be Rosangela's (95th & California), half a mile east of Wolf's Bakery (95th & Kedzie). Instead of putting the beef on a toasted roll, I think Rosangela's assembles the sandwich then puts the whole thing in the pizza oven. In addition to toasting the bread, at least around the edges, it also toasts the beef (you might be able to see some crispy areas in the picture). Not a good idea.



In the roughly same neighborhood, Nicky's Grill & Yogurt Oasis (Western & 103rd) serves their beef on a toasted roll. Here's a very brief old report on Nicky's and a bunch of other south side beeferies. Very limited sample to be sure but I wonder if toasted beefs might be more common of the far southwest side?

I believe most pizza places around the city offer Italian beef sandwiches served on a toasted roll or garlic roll. I have enjoyed these at several places including Pat's, Pizanos, Jim & Petes and Spizzico. I order it with sweet peppers and mozzerella melted on top, they can also be ordered with red gravy. While I realize that putting cheese & red gravy on an Italian Beef is sacrilege, I don't consider this sandwich to be in the same category as a Beef from places like Johnnie's, Chickie's and Al's. It's a totally different animal. But then again I don't consider anything that has to be eaten with a knife and fork as Pizza.

The beef at Tony's is solid, but a little bit dinky in my opinion.

Couldn't agree more about the average quality of the meats.

Roast Beef & Turkey combo is my favorite cold sub and the best value for the money...instead of using half the amount of each meat they use a full sandwiches' worth of each one and it makes for a pretty big sandwich.

The hot air fries are good for what they are...a semi-healthy alternative to the standard deep-fried variety. Slather them in ketchup and they do the trick without the guilt (and if you're carrying out just heat in your home oven for 5 minutes to crisp 'em up).

Another nice aspect of Tony's is that they are one of few places in the area to still offer Slush's (unless they've stopped since I was in there 6 months ago).

Finally, I think the best way to eat a sub from Tony's is to let it sit out at room temp for 30-45 minutes before diving in.