nshef wrote:Lucia's Deli
Alpine Subs (maybe)
Fontano's....

nshef -

Alpine does not do meatball sammiches. (I didn't think they did, so I just called them and confirmed.) I think they were just an "aside tie-in" with the recs for Lucia's deli's meatball sammiches.

cc salty is correct on J&Cs
also one of best italian beefs in chicago
especially now that claudette is there full time since giving up catering

I've had the meatballs at Bombacigno's J & C Restaurant on pasta and as a sandwich; they're good . . . definitely more home-made than institutionally-produced/packaged. My recollection is that they use bread from D'Amato - which is a plus. About the restaurant's Italian beef sandwich: a dozen or more LTHers visited a year or so ago specifically to try the Italian beef - and it came up short, very short as I recall. I don't recommend someone travel to the restaurant just to get one. Claudette or no Claudette - I've seen no difference in the operation or the food quality - it remains the same whichever. I've been thinking about where to have lunch today and maybe Bombacigno's J & C Restaurant will be the choice, though the one drawback is the higher pricing of the menu.

I had the Bari meatball sub for the first time today, and although I enjoyed it, it fell short of my ideal. I'm starting to believe that the perfect meatball sandwich can only be made at home.

To me, a perfect meatball is study in contrasts. The Bari meatball lacks the tang of soured milk, which balances the richness of the veal/pork/beef mixture. I think meatballs are best made with a panade of bread and yogurt or buttermilk rather than breadcrumbs.

I also prefer pan-fried meatballs that are brown and crusty. The Bari meatballs are soft and moist throughout.

I can also vouch for the meatball sandwich at GNR winner Freddy's in Cicero. In fact it was noted in the award post. I wouldn't do a ball-a-thon without including it.

1600 S. 61st Avenue (one block west of Austin on 16th)
Cicero

CASH ONLY, CLOSED SUNDAY

nshef wrote: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

I'd be interested in knowing which meatballs are pure beef, as I'd like to avoid veal and pork.

You have to try the meatballs from Ambrosino's in Shorewood, they are homemade and are pure all beef. They are excellent as a sandwich or with some pasta, I compare them to the meatballs from Freddy's in Cicero!!

Their on Route 59 in the strip mall across from Target!

http://shorewood.ambrosinos.com/

The best meatball I've eaten is located at Sandwich Works on Touhy, east of Cicero. It's a new place with great sandwiches too! Homemade stuff that is really tasty!! Check it out!

In my humble opinion, Manginos (29 N. Wacker, in the loop) makes the best meatball sub. It is truly somethin' special. I get it with Mozz and the hot pepper giardinere....amazing.

http://www.lunchintheloop.com/show_menu.asp?num=22

Had a great meatball sandwich from Pequods the other day. Usually we just get the pizza but had a taste for a meatball sandwich. Did it carry out and it was perfect when we got home. Came open face on garlic bread covered with melted mozzarella. Highly recommend!

flgal wrote:The best meatball I've eaten is located at Sandwich Works on Touhy, east of Cicero. It's a new place with great sandwiches too! Homemade stuff that is really tasty!! Check it out!

I'll second that! Had one today. Delicious!

My friend sven, who now lives in Wisconsin, ate a meatball sandwich at Bombacigno's J & C Restaurant at least twice a week for ten years and still misses it. Beef is one of the best now that Claudette is back from her catering gig. i'll meet anyone for lunch there. have offered to do so with two of those who said they found beef "wanting" two years ago. they liked that foie gras burger from the "neighborhood restaurant" that does $200 per person truffle dinners just kidding guys!

The best meatball sandwich I have found is at Station House Subs in Algonquin, IL. They put 4 to 5 meatballs on every sandwich then cover it with Provolone cheese and run it through a toaster, all this on a garlic roll.

wbehrens wrote: The best meatball sandwich I have found is at Station House Subs in Algonquin, IL. They put 4 to 5 meatballs on every sandwich then cover it with Provolone cheese and run it through a toaster, all this on a garlic roll.

Is that similar to Quizno's?

wbehrens wrote: The best meatball sandwich I have found is at Station House Subs in Algonquin, IL. They put 4 to 5 meatballs on every sandwich then cover it with Provolone cheese and run it through a toaster, all this on a garlic roll.

That's a bold statement.

It's curious how this thread seems to be a motivation for people to create accounts on LTH and post for the first time. I would not have guessed that meatball sandwiches evoked as much passion from people relative to all the other subjects we discuss!

In any event, welcome, all and sundry!

fleurdesel wrote:I had the Bari meatball sub for the first time today, and although I enjoyed it, it fell short of my ideal. I'm starting to believe that the perfect meatball sandwich can only be made at home.

The best is made and eaten at home, I agree. That way you can really get into the sandwich, make a huge mess, and who's to see you or care?

At Bari Food, in the refrigerator case, you can buy red sauce and meatballs (you get two large ones), buy more meatballs from the deli, get some rolls from D'Amato, and go home, heat up, and assemble your own sandwiches and eat in total peace, with a sink and a roll of paper towels nearby!

Had a great meatball sandwich today at the Brown Sack. A lot of small meatballs, some sauce, alittle cheese, hot peppers, mushrooms and onions. Nice sandwich, which, along with a bowl of chicken dumpling, filled me up for the afternoon.

Please note that Tore's is closed for remodeling. No re-opening date was posted.

nshef wrote: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?

pilot error!!!!
Best meatball sandwich is in Oak Lawn at Frankie's on 95th street. To qualify ,the meatballs must contain romano cheese in the meat mixture plus a hint of garlic. Frankies sauce is on the sweet side which is preferable to sauces heavy on the tomatoe paste. Frankies also serves the sandwich on toasted french garlic bread ,on request.

Jazzfood wrote:Try Fontano's @ 1258 W. Polk

there's also a fontano's at 20 E Jackson (and google says something about 95th street, but i've never been to that one); they'd be my favorite of those in the loop proper.

their meatball sub is a little greasier than some, which is why i order mine with onions, hot peppers, and extra oil.

hanse_coloursmay wrote:their meatball sub is a little greasier than some, which is why i order mine with onions, hot peppers, and extra oil.

It's overly greasy, so you get extra oil? Why?

I work right near the Fontano's on Jackson in the Loop, and have the meatball sandwich a couple of times a month. With hot peppers. It is very good. I don't consider it deficient in any way. But I am trying to decide whether I consider it fabulous or not... It is an extremely competent meatball sandwich, but not one I would drive miles for. Maybe this is just because I work so close, and can get it any time, and usually eat it sitting at my desk (I take a huge wad of napkins, very messy, which if a meatball sandwich is not messy, it is not a good sandwich).

Cogito wrote:

hanse_coloursmay wrote:their meatball sub is a little greasier than some, which is why i order mine with onions, hot peppers, and extra oil.

It's overly greasy, so you get extra oil? Why?

it balances the tomato sauce well. it's not that theirs is overly greasy, it's that i find most meatballs (especially potbelly's dainty little things) to be dried out or steamed to death. i like 'em juicy and messy.

Just tried the Meatball Sub at Costello's this past weekend and it was quite good. Not something I would travel miles for, but very good. The spicy mac and cheese was also very good!!

Costello Sandwich
4647 N. Lincoln

Okay, after reading this thread, I had to go and try out Sandwich Works. The meatball sandwich is excellent. I would say that the bread is exactly right, and the meatballs are the model by which to judge all other meatballs-- meaty and delicious, and the perfect texture- breaking apart as you eat them, but not before, and not totally crumbling. (With Fontano's meatballs, I generally cut them in pieces before I start eating, because I find them a little firm.) But-- the tomato sauce at SW seems a little lacking in flavor. I like a very flavorful, very tomatoey sauce, with plenty of oregano, etc. I found the SW sauce a little bland. Excellent potato salad, and I will go back and try other sandwiches and will eat the meatballs again.

The meatball sandwich at Rosebud take out counter in the loop (Three First National building) at 70 W. Madison) is tasty.

Ramon wrote: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

Nottoli and Sons makes a great meatball sandwich as does MJ2 (fka Sonny's) in the Morningfield's Shopping Center on Devon in Park Ridge. MJ2 serves two huge torpedo shaped meatballs on good crusty bread. Provolone is optional.

Eastern Style Pizza on Dempster in Skokie used to have a great meatball "grinder" on garlic bread. I don't live in the neighborhood anymore, but I think I heard they are either under new management or not in business anymore. Is anyone familiar with it?