Best meatball sandwich in Chicago?

I did a search and didn't find much about meatball sandwiches, or even meatballs in general. Considering my love for meatball sandwiches, I find that quite discouraging.

What I also find discouraging is the lack of good meatball sandwiches I've had in this city. I've had the whole list of fast food examples--Subway, Quizno's, Potbelly, Chicago's Pizza, etc. I've also had quite a few of the small fast food place sandwiches and I've been disappointed. Surprisingly, and disappointingly, the most consistently decent meatball sandwich I've had is from Potbelly.

Any suggestions?

Lucia's Deli on North (between Ashland and Damen) has a rather nice one. Fresh (if otherwise unremarkable) bread, moist and tender meatballs, nice sauce, melted provolone and hot and/or sweet peppers if that's your thing. I particularly appreciate that it isn't a tomato sauce sandwich garnished with a little meat. It isn't anything jaw-dropping, but it's quite good and wackyloads better than anything you listed.

Lucia's Deli
1825 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-292-9700

I eat the lucia meatball semi-regularly, thanks to Dom to introducing it to me. It's a solid sandwich, even if it's not great.

My coworkers really love the regular subs there, which I don't understand at all. Apparently Lucia's is somehow affiliated with Alpine on North Ave in Elmwood Park(?), which would explain why my coworkers love them and why I can't stand them.

gleam wrote:I eat the lucia meatball semi-regularly, thanks to Dom to introducing it to me. It's a solid sandwich, even if it's not great.

My coworkers really love the regular subs there, which I don't understand at all. Apparently Lucia's is somehow affiliated with Alpine on North Ave in Elmwood Park(?), which would explain why my coworkers love them and why I can't stand them.

Can't take credit, there... I believe that was Erik's idea, not mine.

I agree about the cold cut sandwiches, though. Prosciutto and pesto mayonnaise do not belong together.

Freddie's on 16th St. in Cicero makes a mean meatball sandwich.

Don't know about pesto with prosciutto, but the Italian sub at Alpine is among the best in the city.

Try Fontano's @ 1258 W. Polk although I rarely order it because if I want meat in that neighborhood, I generally go to Al's or have an all Italian with everything there.

nshef wrote: Surprisingly, and disappointingly, the most consistently decent meatball sandwich I've had is from Potbelly.

I have to admit, Potbelly's meatball sandwich is a guilty pleasure.

It's really not bad.

Tore's at the triangle of Western, Elston & Diversey has one of the best meatball sandwiches in the city. Topped with a bit of their giardinara, it's really good.

Panozzo's meatball sandwich was one of the better street-fair (Bash on Wabash) items I've had this year.

If they can match it (with perhaps the extra umph of the fresh made version), you should be satisfied, particularly at only $5.50 a shot.

Panozzo's
1303 S. Michigan
http://www.panozzositalianmarket.com/

Though its been many years since I've had one, I have to agree with stevez about that meatball sub at that Tore's.

More in my neck of the woods, I enjoy the meatball sub at Nottoli and Sons on Belmont.

-ramon

The best meatball sandwich I've had thus far in Chicago is at Bari Foods. Hands down. Their Italian sub isn't too shabby either and has been well-documented here.

Bari Foods
1120 W. Grand

ok first of all Alpine makes great Italian Subs.
Love the Meatball Sandwich at Mickeys in Hillside/Bellwood? on Manhiem just south of Washington.
And I am a Melrose Park Italian, if that makes a difference.
Joey B

Do I smell a Ball - A -Thon?
Umm, I guess "Meatball - A - Thon" would be a better name.

Seriously though, I'd chime in, but Tore's was mentioned.

Side note: This thread has mentioned some of my absolute fav go to joints in Chicago (land.) I've posted before about staunch my love of:
Tore's beef sammich, and wicked hot giardiniera,
Alpine subs (grew up on Alpine)
Fontano's (been WAAAAAY too long since my last one)

Bombacigno's J & C Restaurant, makes a very authentic homemade meatball that is served up lovely in a sandwich or alone with a side of their cold pasta salad. A great hidden gem in the West Loop. If you're downtown give them a try sometime. They certainly top potbelly's.

Bombacigno's J & C Restaurant,
558 W. Van Buren Ave.
Chicago, IL 60607

I'm a fan of the meatball grinder on garlic bread at Phillie's Best. Been eating those for years.

nshef wrote:I've had the whole list of fast food examples--Subway, Quizno's, Potbelly, Chicago's Pizza, etc.

seebee wrote:Do I smell a Ball - A -Thon?

Excellent idea; meatball is one of my favorite sandwiches. There are lots of variables in a good MBS-- size and number of meatballs, meat-to-filler ratio, quality of the sauce, texture of the bread, etc.
Let's do it!

gleam wrote:I eat the lucia meatball semi-regularly, thanks to Dom to introducing it to me. It's a solid sandwich, even if it's not great.

My coworkers really love the regular subs there, which I don't understand at all. Apparently Lucia's is somehow affiliated with Alpine on North Ave in Elmwood Park(?), which would explain why my coworkers love them and why I can't stand them.

How are they related?

Depending on how loose your definition of "meatball sandwich" is, I really enjoy the "meatball" banh mi at Nhu Lan. It's really more of a Sloppy Joe, but I like it.

And it's cheap, too!

What's Nhu Lan?

Cogito wrote:What's Nhu Lan?

My bad: here you go.

The Food Diva wrote:

gleam wrote:I eat the lucia meatball semi-regularly, thanks to Dom to introducing it to me. It's a solid sandwich, even if it's not great.

My coworkers really love the regular subs there, which I don't understand at all. Apparently Lucia's is somehow affiliated with Alpine on North Ave in Elmwood Park(?), which would explain why my coworkers love them and why I can't stand them.

How are they related?

Apparently about 15 years ago Lucia (the owner) used to work at Alpine, about 15 years ago. She's happy to discuss it if she hears Alpine mentioned.

gleam wrote:I eat the lucia meatball semi-regularly, thanks to Dom to introducing it to me. It's a solid sandwich, even if it's not great.

My coworkers really love the regular subs there, which I don't understand at all. Apparently Lucia's is somehow affiliated with Alpine on North Ave in Elmwood Park(?), which would explain why my coworkers love them and why I can't stand them.

Ok Gleam. Gotta know. Not trying to start a riot, I'm really just curious. "Can't stand" seems a little strong. Please let me know what you don't like about them (Alpine subs.)

I find them to be made with much less care, competence, and quality than those at, say, Riviera Foods.

And I can't stand a mediocre or bad cold sandwich, the only ones worth eating are the excellent ones.

Sounds like I need to give Riviera a try (been on my list.) Thanks!

This thread prompted me to try Meatball from Roma's on Cicero. It's pretty good! I rarely get them because they can be inedibly messy. This wasn't. The Gonella bread was fresh and held up to the sauce. It ate like a sandwich, even after the trip home. I don't love Roma's Giardinera, so opted for cheese and sport peppers on the side that i tucked in, providing optimal pepper coverage on both sides. Not bad, for anywhere. Very good for being less than a mile from home.

I dig the ones at Sandwich Works on Touhy, east of Cicero. They're huge, and there is just the right amount of sauce; not too drippy, not dry. I wish I was eating it now! It also comes with a side and drink for $6.50.

Tried Philly's Best on Milwaukee's meatball sandwich on garlic bread this evening. While I enjoyed the chewy bread and garlicky sauce, the meatballs themselves were mushy and bland.

Wow, thanks for all the response. It looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me. I think I may embark upon my own, personal meatball-a-thon of sorts. Unfortunately, I can only visit the places which are within easy reach of the train/bus and won't take an inordinate amount of time to get to. That leaves these:

Lucia's Deli
Alpine Subs (maybe)
Fontano's
Tore's
Panozzo's
Nottoli & Sons
Bari Foods
Bombacigno's J & C Restaurant
Phillie's Best
Sandwich Works

That's quite a list. Additionally, I'll probably give the Nhu' Lan "sloppy joe" meatball sandwich a try sometime this week, seeing as how it's only a block away and I love their other Banh Mi sandwiches. I was always scared away from ordering a meatball sandwich there, but not anymore with that recommendation.

I might have to use this list as well. Let us know who the "winners" are.