Jefe wrote:soak that thing in hot nduja oil!

~Eyes get wide~
Looks for car keys
Realizes Tempesta is not open at the moment
Checks web site for time they open!

Tempesta Market
1372 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
312-929-2551
http://tempestamarket.com/

I'd like to nominate the "Secret Sandwich" from Danke at Revival Food Hall.

Secret Sandwich
Duck Liver Mousse, Pork Belly, Emmental Cheese,
Smoked Pickled Onion, Whole Grain Mustard
on House Baguette (bread here is amazing)

For TWDK (I just made up that acronym, FIO), this joint is from the folks at Table, Donkey, & Stick - who also have a fantastic bread program. The baguettes are baked fresh daily in the pizza ovens a la Union pizzeria...

The sandwich was previously a "secret" family meal they prepared at TDS..

(pic from insta - I will now take my own pic as i dream of this sandwich)

rubbbqco wrote:I'd like to nominate the "Secret Sandwich" from Danke at Revival Food Hall.

Great sandwich!

I guess if I'm nominating for realsies, you can't f*ck with the combo at Johnnie's.
And in the same breath have to rep beef with hot mix at Pop's (127th St.)

JPG has to be in the mix, I'm pretty partial to their rendition of the Will, but classic Ital & Mr. G close competitors.

One sandwich I eat more than most is the Pepito at Tortas Frontera.

And new school nods to this here Secret Sandwich and aforementioned Dante.

Ok I'll play. Pretty confident that if you asked everyone to gather a list of their five favorite sandwiches in the city no two would be the same. I consider Chicago one of the world's great sandwich cities with the likes of Philadelphia, Montreal, Porto, Hoi An, and Miami. I'm sure there's plenty more worthy spots but those are the cities that I've been to or am going to that have an insane sandwich culture. I spent the last week thinking about my top 5. Some were named as soon as I started thinking while a couple others took a few days to arrive in my mind. Without further ado.

Combo at Johnnie's Beef (sweet/hot) - I decided this past summer that my funeral just will be a procession of cars down North avenue to Johnnie's Beef where everyone will eat combos and lemon ices.

Shish Kebab Sandwich at Mr. D's - You better believe what I consider to be the best fries in the city are part of the sandwich. They do come with it. The key sandwich ingredient in my mind is the spoonful of beef gravy that goes on the bread. Ask for extra.

Italian Sub at J.P Graziano's - It's between this Chicago classic and a neighborhood deli in Philly for where I've found the best cold cut sandwich in America. Unfortunately bc of the location (I'm rarely over there) this is the one I get to enjoy the least. But when I do get to go it's always perfection.

#1 at Nhu Lan Bakery - In what's something of a rarity I actually prefer the newer location to the older one. Man that #1 is one of the freshest sandwiches in the city Everything about it is perfect from the hearty Viet deli meats to the crisp vegetables and the bread that's so crispy your finger and thumb prints become indented in it.

Steak Sandwich with Cheese at Bia's Cafe Marianao - It doesn't get the love of Italian Beef or Jibarito do but the Cuban steak sandwich is a signature Chicago sandwich. Logan Square to be exact. Lot's of spots makes these and while the original is gone this newer spot from the founders nephew is even better than the original in terms of the sandwich itself. The secret being the mojo sauce.

Note: This is in no order in particular. The best is the most recent one I enjoyed. Happy Holidaze.

Best sandwich I've eaten in a long time is the carne asada pambazo @ El Habanero. Reminds me of a Mexican Al's.

Jazzfood wrote:Best sandwich I've eaten in a long time is the carne asada pambazo @ El Habanero. Reminds me of a Mexican Al's.

Yes!


Asada Pambazo @ El Habanero

El Habanero
3300 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-9225

=R=

A sandwich that always makes me happy is the Cubana Torta at Frontera Fresco attached to Macy's in Old Orchard. From Rick's menu: Smoked pork loin, bacon, artisan Jack cheese, black beans, cilantro, crema, chipotle mustard, chipotle chile, avocado. It is served on a grilled pannini type bread.
.

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Jazzfood wrote:Best sandwich I've eaten in a long time is the carne asada pambazo @ El Habanero. Reminds me of a Mexican Al's.

Yes!


Asada Pambazo @ El Habanero

El Habanero
3300 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-9225

=R=

At the proprietor’s recommendation, I tried the al pastor pambazo. It’s even better than the carne asada iteration.

ronnie_suburban wrote:Could it be the Dante at Tempesta Market?


The Dante
Hot Soppressata, Mortadella, Finnochinoa, Hot Coppa, Porchetta, Provolone, Giardiniera, ‘Nduja Aioli, Lettuce, and Tomato (I generally nix the tomato) on a Baguette

Tempesta Market
1372 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 929-2551

=R=

Oh my goodness, that is absolutely going to be my early lunch when I'm finally back in the office this Friday after a month on the road.

ld111134 wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Jazzfood wrote:Best sandwich I've eaten in a long time is the carne asada pambazo @ El Habanero. Reminds me of a Mexican Al's.

Yes!


Asada Pambazo @ El Habanero

El Habanero
3300 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-9225

=R=

At the proprietor’s recommendation, I tried the al pastor pambazo. It’s even better than the carne asada iteration.

On my way down to the Bears game yesterday, I stopped by for an al pastor pambazo sandwich, whoa boy that is a good sandwich!!

As a few others have said, after reading this thread, I went and had this on Saturday.

I can't overstate how delicious the sandwich is, but also, get some extra napkins! It's as delicious as it is messy for your hands!

Stellar, though. I will return for sure.

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Jazzfood wrote:Best sandwich I've eaten in a long time is the carne asada pambazo @ El Habanero. Reminds me of a Mexican Al's.

Yes!


Asada Pambazo @ El Habanero

El Habanero
3300 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-9225

=R=

Great thread. Thank you all for reminding me of some classics and getting me excited to try new ones on the list.

Off the top of my head (and all hearty winter options), I'd add:

- Prime Rib sandwich at the rosticceria at Eataly. Hefty price tag, but a thing of beauty and big enough for two meals

- Jive Turkey sandwich at Toons. Great balance, hard to find a turkey-centric sandwich this good

- Medianoche at Señor Pan. I generally prefer the medianoche bread over the standard Cubano. Skip he mayo and this is my fave but a lot of places do it well. Man do I miss Con Sabor Cubano on Lawrence.

- Schnitzel Sandwich at Resi's. Simple and perfectly done.

- Classic Meatball Sub at any number of old school Italian restaurants or delis. Feel free to guide me to the best.

Santander wrote:A "Hans's Favorite" sandwich at the University Market (57th street and Kimbark in Hyde Park), featuring:

- Medici butter croissant, just baked
- liberal smears of Honeycup mustard
- Boar's Head Westphalian ham, cured hard with ribbons of rich fat
- fresh red tomato
- perfectly green and crunchy iceberg lettuce
- Boar's Head Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese*

Bumping this because I was trying to think of a contender in the Hyde Park area and realized I had been turned on to this excellent sandwich by this very thread many years ago. University Market is long gone but this sandwich is still available at both Medici locations (the bakery/deli and the sit-down restaurants), and it is excellent. Their fresh mozzarella and tomato on ciabatta has been my go-to for years.

(I will not clutter this thread with extensive discussion of non-Chicagoland sandwiches, but I have to share with LTH that I had a coppa and mozzarella sandwich at the vaunted Salumi in Seattle over the weekend, and I think it might be the single best sandwich I've ever had.)

ndgbucktown wrote:(I will not clutter this thread with extensive discussion of non-Chicagoland sandwiches, but I have to share with LTH that I had a coppa and mozzarella sandwich at the vaunted Salumi in Seattle over the weekend, and I think it might be the single best sandwich I've ever had.)

Why not start a thread on Beyond Chicagoland for people to add-to as they travel around the world.

Regards,
Cathy2

Chicken Schnitzel sandwich from Olga's Deli, RIP

Bayless must be doing something right -- There's a couple posts above me that list his concoctions as among the best, and I'll also nominate his torta ahogada: a soup/sandwich combo that's really hard to beat.

But honestly, so long as the giardinera is good, most Italian Beefs beat everything else hands down (I will not explore whether hot dogs are sandwiches, but a Beef certainly is).

Another memorable: I don't know if Al's Deli in Evanston still serves it, but I have fond memories of their Roast Beef Croissant, that included a nice (jarlsberg?) swiss and bearnaise sauce.

alessio20 wrote:- Classic Meatball Sub at any number of old school Italian restaurants or delis. Feel free to guide me to the best.

Most certainly not old school, but I really enjoyed the meatball sub at Nonna’s (attached to Formento’s). Tender meatballs, good sauce, excellent bread. (They also put giardiniera on it, which does nothing for me in this context.) $10 and easily feeds two.

I’m having a hard time coming up with great sandwiches that haven’t been mentioned yet... mostly because Publican Quality Meats — which I firmly believe makes some of the best sandwiches in town — changes its menu on a regular basis.

ndgbucktown wrote:

Santander wrote:A "Hans's Favorite" sandwich at the University Market (57th street and Kimbark in Hyde Park), featuring:

- Medici butter croissant, just baked
- liberal smears of Honeycup mustard
- Boar's Head Westphalian ham, cured hard with ribbons of rich fat
- fresh red tomato
- perfectly green and crunchy iceberg lettuce
- Boar's Head Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese*

Bumping this because I was trying to think of a contender in the Hyde Park area and realized I had been turned on to this excellent sandwich by this very thread many years ago. University Market is long gone but this sandwich is still available at both Medici locations (the bakery/deli and the sit-down restaurants), and it is excellent. Their fresh mozzarella and tomato on ciabatta has been my go-to for years.

(I will not clutter this thread with extensive discussion of non-Chicagoland sandwiches, but I have to share with LTH that I had a coppa and mozzarella sandwich at the vaunted Salumi in Seattle over the weekend, and I think it might be the single best sandwich I've ever had.)

Man. I had soooo many lunches with the turkey variant of this sandwich - I can't recall what it was called. So, so good. That mustard/croissant combo was legit.

New contender: the Cardiac at Herm's Palace, Skokie. Salami and pastrami crisped up on the griddle, brown mustard, grilled onions and pepper jack on an onion roll.

Luscious meats, onions, a little spice... Perfect.

Lot of great sandwiches, here's one I love.


Cafe Marie Jeanne
1001 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

My last Dante was swimming in aioli and it just threw the balance of the whole sandwich off. My last Secret Sandwich from Danke was better than I remembered. It's really that bread of theirs that's the secret hero. Good and crusty in a style that isn't easily found around town. I don't think it's a coincidence that a lot of the places being named here stay away from that sponge loaf stuff you see in many sandwich shops around here.

Oh, and if no one else is going to speak up for Au Cheval's bologna, I will. That sandwich gets down.

Roister's Bologna Sammy and Fried Chicken Sammy are both pretty tasty.....

Chico

My heart still beats true blue (cheese) for the roast beef and bleu cheese dressing on baguette from Al's Deli. Pictured here in all its glorious messiness in a photo by stevez.

EvA wrote:My heart still beats true blue (cheese) for the roast beef and bleu cheese dressing on baguette from Al's Deli. Pictured here in all its glorious messiness in a photo by stevez.

And now, here, too!


photo by stevez


photo by stevez

=R=

I don't post here often, but I frequently lurk. Anyway, I want to say thank you for the posters that recommended the Pambazo at El Habanero.

I had never heard of a pambazo until this thread. I had my first one today, and I went el pastor per the above recommendations. The waiter (I think he may have been the owner) asked me if I wanted pineapple with it. That's the first time that's ever happened to me. Either the pineapple is mixed with the El pastor, or it's not there at all (and a much lesser variety of pastor imo).

Anyway, the pineapple was there, and it was grilled (or roasted?) and not overpowering. Just a nice touch of sweetness. Anyway, this is a fantastic sandwich!

And even if you're not a fan of the flavors or ingredients; objectively speaking, I think it's the most beautiful sandwich I've ever seen.

Thanks again!

ndgbucktown wrote:

Santander wrote:
(I will not clutter this thread with extensive discussion of non-Chicagoland sandwiches, but I have to share with LTH that I had a coppa and mozzarella sandwich at the vaunted Salumi in Seattle over the weekend, and I think it might be the single best sandwich I've ever had.)

My man. I had the porchetta there once and it was out-of-this-world good but put me in a coma for hours.

Hit me up next time you're in the PacNW, pal!

The Turkey sandwich on sourdough at Tempesta (B. Franklin I think?) is really good. It's understated in comparison to the Dante (there's a time and place for all of these things obviously) but notably made me reconsider a lifelong lukewarmness towards smoked turkey as anything but a last resort.

I won't go so far as to call it the best sandwich in Chicago (what with Bari being down the street and all) but I will absolutely ride for its being the best Turkey Sandwich.

Another tangential best for me- I had a roast beef on rye from the counter at Stanley's Fruit and Vegetable market the other day. For $5 (1/4lb of any meat) to $7 (1/2lb) its an excellent fix a quick and cheap meal. Definitely the best sandwich I've had this year while standing on the sidewalk and watching heavy truck traffic. That is a vibe and I am for it.

If really pushing pedal towards the metal as far as bang for one's buck- one could ostensibly eat a 1/2lb of coppa or Bresaola on a bread of their choice for $7. I am not above that.

Just had the Dante for the first time and yeah that's gonna be tough to beat. Holy crap it's incredible

MunicipalTruckin wrote:The Turkey sandwich on sourdough at Tempesta (B. Franklin I think?) is really good. It's understated in comparison to the Dante (there's a time and place for all of these things obviously) but notably made me reconsider a lifelong lukewarmness towards smoked turkey as anything but a last resort.

I won't go so far as to call it the best sandwich in Chicago (what with Bari being down the street and all) but I will absolutely ride for its being the best Turkey Sandwich.

I would absolutely agree with this. It's great. By comparison, I'm not sure there's another turkey sandwich in town that's even worth paying for. It's certainly the best one I've ever had in a restaurant.

=R=

Sure the Mr. G at Graziano's is at the top of my list, but have you tried the porchetta on PQB ciabatta with their lemon caper aioli? I have never managed to have that sandwich in my car and not eat at least half before reaching my destination.

The fish sandwich aka "Superfish" at Superdawg is my favorite fish sandwich anywhere. I believe they use lard to fry their fries and I suspect they do for their fish too, it's always perfectly crisp and flavorful.

Johnnie's beef/sausage combo puts all others to shame, sadly it's far enough away that it's not in my regular rotation.

The Polo club at RL is one of the best club sandwiches I've ever had.

Jazzfood wrote:Best sandwich I've eaten in a long time is the carne asada pambazo @ El Habanero. Reminds me of a Mexican Al's.

I plan to get there to try this as soon as possible, it looks amazing.