Capriotti's Sandwich Shops - anything similar?

I crave the sandwiches we get at Capriotti's when in Las vegas.
They are the best-ultimate sandwiches ever.
Does anyone here share in this passion?
I am looking for any sandwich place here on Chicago that comes close to the delights served
there.

I'm not familiar with Capriotti's. What makes them the "best-ultimate sandwiches ever"?

Do you ever get to Vegas? Pennsylvania? Delaware?
You have to try it yourself to see if you agree.
Words are....insufficient.

jilter wrote:Do you ever get to Vegas? Pennsylvania? Delaware?
You have to try it yourself to see if you agree.
Words are....insufficient.

For those of us who do not get to Vegas, Pennsylvania or Delaware why don't you give it the ol' college try.

jilter wrote:Do you ever get to Vegas? Pennsylvania? Delaware?
You have to try it yourself to see if you agree.
Words are....insufficient.

I have, in fact, been to all three places. I still have no idea what you're talking about. Paint us a pretty word picture, I'm sure you can do it.

Edited to reflect the fact that I know Vegas is not a state (at least in the geographical sense).

So you want something similar to an item that the vast majority of have no knowledge of, yet you won't tell us what it is.

If you're holding your breath, for your own safety, please exhale.

I think the OP is talking about this: http://www.capriottis.com/

Photos can be deceiving - but what comes to mind once I looked at the webpage is: Quiznos.

Either Nemo's or Fontano's appear to be a few steps up from there.

Hot Dogs only on the East Coast, don't people east them West of the Mississippi?

jilter wrote:They are the best-ultimate sandwiches ever.

Just don't tell that to the Teamsters at NBC (for you 30 Rock fans)!

Is there anything that compares to Dr. Redbird's Medicinal Inn?

For all of you Midwestern smart asses who have never hear of Capriotti's, but wish to denigrate it anyway, it started decades ago as a small, family owned sub shop in downtown Wilmington, DE. The sandwiches are excellent. Fresh torpedo rolls with a chewy texture, great quality meats and cheeses, hot and sweet peppers that are dramatically different than the giardinera that are served in Chicago. The Italian is my personal favorite. I have searched for a similar sub locally for over 20 years and have yet to find it. If someone who has actually been to Capriotti's knows of such a place (to echo the OP's request), please do tell.

FrankP wrote:For all of you Midwestern smart asses who have never hear of Capriotti's, but wish to denigrate it anyway, it started decades ago as a small, family owned sub shop in downtown Wilmington, DE. The sandwiches are excellent. Fresh torpedo rolls with a chewy texture, great quality meats and cheeses, hot and sweet peppers that are dramatically different than the giardinera that are served in Chicago. The Italian is my personal favorite. I have searched for a similar sub locally for over 20 years and have yet to find it. If someone who has actually been to Capriotti's knows of such a place (to echo the OP's request), please do tell.

well, when a poster asks for places that compare favorably to his/ her favorite, then refuses to describe anything about that favorite, Midwestern smartass replies seem almost mandatory

FrankP wrote:For all of you Midwestern smart asses who have never hear of Capriotti's, but wish to denigrate it anyway, it started decades ago as a small, family owned sub shop in downtown Wilmington, DE. The sandwiches are excellent. Fresh torpedo rolls with a chewy texture, great quality meats and cheeses, hot and sweet peppers that are dramatically different than the giardinera that are served in Chicago. The Italian is my personal favorite. I have searched for a similar sub locally for over 20 years and have yet to find it. If someone who has actually been to Capriotti's knows of such a place (to echo the OP's request), please do tell.

If the OP had written something like that, he/she probably would have gotten better responses.

However, this is still not enough information. For example, what's in the Italian and how does it differ from subs found here? How is it different/better from, say, a Fontano's? What makes the giardiniera "dramatically different"? People on this forum are more than willing to help, but since practically none of us seems to have eaten at Capriotti's, a proper answer to the question can hardly be expected.

FrankP wrote:For all of you Midwestern smart asses who have never hear of Capriotti's, but wish to denigrate it anyway, it started decades ago as a small, family owned sub shop in downtown Wilmington, DE. The sandwiches are excellent. Fresh torpedo rolls with a chewy texture, great quality meats and cheeses, hot and sweet peppers that are dramatically different than the giardinera that are served in Chicago. The Italian is my personal favorite. I have searched for a similar sub locally for over 20 years and have yet to find it. If someone who has actually been to Capriotti's knows of such a place (to echo the OP's request), please do tell.

Frank,

If he would have described, or followed up, as you did the responses would have been markedly different. Just saying something in Vegas is the best-ultimate does not cut it, unless one is talking about Siegfried and Roy.

Enjoy,
Gary

I took the orignal post meaning it was directed at those who are possibly on this forum AND are already familiar with the place ..apparently one person (Frank P) was ..

FrankP wrote:For all of you Midwestern smart asses who have never hear of Capriotti's, but wish to denigrate it anyway, it started decades ago as a small, family owned sub shop in downtown Wilmington, DE. The sandwiches are excellent. Fresh torpedo rolls with a chewy texture, great quality meats and cheeses, hot and sweet peppers that are dramatically different than the giardinera that are served in Chicago. The Italian is my personal favorite. I have searched for a similar sub locally for over 20 years and have yet to find it. If someone who has actually been to Capriotti's knows of such a place (to echo the OP's request), please do tell.

Are you an East Coast smartass, or a Chicago-transplant-from-the-East-Coast smartass? Have you tried the subs at Da Riv? I've never been, but I did try the "Will Special" at the LTH 5th Anniversary event and was a big fan...it's one thing off the top of my head that I can think of that sounds similar to the Italian at Capriotti's. Also, the various Italian sandwiches at J.P. Graziano might somewhat satisfy your craving...I think they're pretty damn good (especially after I take them home & doctor them up with olive oil & vinegar, but only because I like-a da juice )

However, Capriotti's looks like it has quite a wide variety of sandwiches...I can't think of any place around here that would have all that. I'm guessing it would require going to a different places to find all the various items.

Khaopaat wrote:Have you tried the subs at Da Riv? I've never been, but I did try the "Will Special" at the LTH 5th Anniversary event and was a big fan...it's one thing off the top of my head that I can think of that sounds similar to the Italian at Capriotti's. Also, the various Italian sandwiches at J.P. Graziano might somewhat satisfy your craving...I think they're pretty damn good (especially after I take them home & doctor them up with olive oil & vinegar, but only because I like-a da juice )

FrankP is on record and part of a discussion regarding sandwiches (with yours truly) starting here: viewtopic.php?p=108109#p108109

Although the OP could have been a little more helpful regarding what exactly he's looking for, there is plenty of prior discussion on this board about how there is not quite a perfect replication of an East Coast Italian-style grocer sub in Chicago, mainly because the bread is different here.

In terms of the wide variety, the place that comes to mind most immediately is Jerry's.

http://www.jerryssandwiches.com/

JERRY'S WEST LOOP
1045 W. Madison Street, Chicago IL 60607
312.563.1008 /563.1009 fax / email (no email orders)
Mon-Fri 10:30am - 7:00pm / Sat-Sun until 5:00pm
Delivery 7 Days ($15 minimum), 11:00am-3:00pm

JERRY'S WICKER PARK
1938 W. Division Street, Chicago IL 60622
773.235.1006 /235.1007 fax / email (no email orders)
Sun-Wed 11:00am - 12:00am / Thu-Sat 11:00am - 2:00am
Delivery 7 Days ($15 minimum), 11:00am-9:00pm

Frank's obviously from the First State. No one from Philly tries to include northern DE in Philly-style sandwich discussions. Now, beer is a different story. Philly seems to embrace DE and call Dogfish Head its own.

Jeff (born in Philly, but that's about it) B

To the OP -- Philly's Best is probably your best bet. But sandwiches are essentially local, so don't expect perfection.

Yes, I'm from Delaware, and probably a smart ass. I've had Italian subs from all of the places mentioned, and while I enjoyed them, they are different from what I have in mind. Hot peppers are diced hot cherry peppers. Sweet peppers are pickled red and green bell peppers.

To add a little illumination to this discussion, here's a picture of my ideal Italian Sub:

So sorry, computer issues.
How rude of me to post and not follow up.

"I took the original post meaning it was directed at those who are possibly on this forum AND are already familiar with the place .."
Thanks, Red BBQ! This is essentially what I was thinking. My mistake for being so sketchy.

No need for hostility, I was not trying to offend anyone, and for those of you who assumed I am a man, I am not.

Back to Capriotti's....

I am not an Italian sub person, but apparently around Chicago when you mention sub that is what people assume you mean.

What I crave is
The "Bobbie"
Homemade Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, and Mayo.
and
Cole Turkey
Homemade Turkey, Provolone Cheese, Russian Dressing, and Cole Slaw.
But I think it is their bread that is most memorable. It is soft, easy to bite into when indulging in a large sandwich. Every sub I try around Chicago has crusty hard bread that makes the sandwich fall apart on the first bite.


Finally, their web site quotes a new article in an industry trade paper that says they will expand into Chicago in the next 5 years, so apparently my patience will pay off eventually.

I will be more careful in posing a question on LTH again.

Sorry.

jilter wrote:What I crave is
The "Bobbie"
Homemade Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, and Mayo.
and
Cole Turkey
Homemade Turkey, Provolone Cheese, Russian Dressing, and Cole Slaw.
But I think it is their bread that is most memorable. It is soft, easy to bite into when indulging in a large sandwich. Every sub I try around Chicago has crusty hard bread that makes the sandwich fall apart on the first bite.

Have you visited Jerry's? Both of these sandwiches sound like something they would make.

Jerry's Sandwiches
1045 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 563-1008

1938 W. Division Street
Chicago IL 60622
(773) 235-1006

jilter wrote:What I crave is
The "Bobbie"
Homemade Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, and Mayo.

Lunch Rolls in the Loop makes a sandwich just like this, even on a soft, chewy roll instead of hard, crusty bread.

It's available as a lunch special one day a week (used to be Wednesday, but I think they switched up the days recently), $5 for a sandwich and a drink (regular price is $6.29 for sandwich only).

Lunch Rolls
112 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 551-0000

jilter wrote:What I crave is
The "Bobbie"
Homemade Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, and Mayo.

Perhaps I can get away with saying this since I am originally a New Yorker, and not a midwest smartass, but what is "homemade turkey." Let me assume house-sliced turkey or fresh cooked turkey - unless you have a turkey farm out back (and I gather that urban chicken raising is the new "in" thing).

Seriously, although it will be quite different, you might enjoy The Brown Sack, which might capture the same sandwich intensity.

The Brown Sack
3706 W Armitage Ave.
Chicago
IL 60647
(773) 661-0675

jilter wrote:
What I crave is
The "Bobbie"
Homemade Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, and Mayo.
and
Cole Turkey
Homemade Turkey, Provolone Cheese, Russian Dressing, and Cole Slaw.
But I think it is their bread that is most memorable. It is soft, easy to bite into when indulging in a large sandwich. Every sub I try around Chicago has crusty hard bread that makes the sandwich fall apart on the first bite.

I think the homemade turkey at Jaffa Bagel (3 locations in and surrounding the Loop) is excellent. You might want to give it a try, although nothing about Jaffa's bread sticks in my mind.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Appreciate it.

I think the homemade turkey at Jaffa Bagel (3 locations in and surrounding the Loop) is excellent.

I'm assuming you mean Jaffa Bakery? (6 locations in and around the Loop + 1 in Israel). They do fresh roasted whole turkeys everyday for sandwiches. The Thanksgiving smell hits you as soon as you open the door.

http://www.jaffabakery.com/menu.htm#lunch

spinynorman99 wrote:

I think the homemade turkey at Jaffa Bagel (3 locations in and surrounding the Loop) is excellent.

I'm assuming you mean Jaffa Bakery? (6 locations in and around the Loop + 1 in Israel). They do fresh roasted whole turkeys everyday for sandwiches. The Thanksgiving smell hits you as soon as you open the door.

http://www.jaffabakery.com/menu.htm#lunch

That's what I meant.