Is a hot dog a sandwich? Who cares—we’re starving.

consider 17 place on map

What is a sandwich , exactly ? For most , breadis undoubtedly part of the equation . But as far as what goes in between those slices , the possibilities are truly endless . And thesandwich expert here in Chicagocontinue to reimagine what those possibilities are . All over the urban center you ’ll find a diverse excerpt of bangin ’ combinations , fromsaucy classicslike the almightyItalian Beefstuffed into crusty loaves , to more eccentric takes likejuicy Steak Subslayered with French fries and earth-ball mayo . So ditch the forks , roll up your sleeve , and solve all yourwork - from - domicile woeswith help from these 17 biz - change Chicago sandwich shops .

TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop

After several pop - up venture , chef Becca Grothe has perfected her sandwich wizardry at this recently opened brick and mortar in Avondale . Everything on the menu is top notch , even the sides . TriBecca’s — Try Becca ’s , get it?—adds divine guidance from Groth ’s hometown of Galesburg , Illinois , while her husband Cam Waron adds a bit of sweetness to the menu via his ownTuber Doughnuts . The shop ’s nine sandwiches are thoughtfully curated , build using ingredient sourced from area farm , bakeries , and markets . The Roasted C.A.M. is yourvegetarian go - to , a pile of with cultivated carrot , apples , portobello mushroom cloud , fontina cheeseflower , and basil garlic sauce on chewy ciabatta , while The Cubano , one of Groth ’s first brilliant creations , comes with local porc , ham , cheese , and kettle of fish , with a smear of chipotle aioli and mustard butter , all hugged by warm grill ciabatta . How to order : terminate by for riposte divine service .

Red Light Chicken

This takeout - only Lincoln Square newcomer has been receiving nothing but extolment since its first appearance last month . And what they lack in size of it — they take over the tardy - great Devil Dawgs 350 - square - foot flagship — they more than make up for with their fried wimp mastery . The card is refreshingly straightforward , with only four items : The Fried Chicken Sandwich , where you may prefer between plain , hot , love , or hot and honey plus mess , mayo , and cheeseflower , a six - piece chicken nugget box , shoe train or truffle fries , and soda soda water . How to order : Stop by for counter service .

J.T.’s Genuine Sandwich Shop

When you ’re looking for a meal that ’s both square and seasoned with Chicago panache , chef - owner Chris Cunningham of JT ’s Genius Sandwiches has you covered . Try their epical Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich , where a nice piece of tenderized crispy porc loin arrive plopped on a buttery , mustard- and mayo - covered bun , sprinkled with veteran pelf crumbs , and stacked with lettuce , red onion , and a dill pickle . Another showstopper is the Steak & Potato Sub , pack with char - grilled skirt steak , chimichurri , Gallic nipper , earthnut mayo , and nutty Manchego cheese . And if you ’re a sauce fan , take dress up your selection with a douse of Calabrian chilli vegetable oil , Dijonaise , orange chipotle vinaigrette , and more . How to regularise : block by for counter service or club takeout viaToast .

Big Kids

Everything about Big Kids is cobwebby fun . From their bright and colorful ‘ XC - invigorate interior decoration to their brash , boundary - push , and downright bonkers menu items . Take the Original Shiddy Burg , depict as “ break patty , American chz , shreddy letty & shiddy sauce , ” or the Veg Schnitzel Dip Sammich , a raft of a vegetarian option packed with a deep-fried Quorn meatless cutlet , roast veggie salad , Dijon mustard , caper mayo , and sauerkraut on a French roll and answer with a “ side of gold rush to for dippin ’ . ” There ’s also a full cake and a host of canny cocktail onsite . Needless to say , if you ’re look to give both your roof of the mouth and your mood a lift , this is the spot . How to order : Stop by for first come , first served seating .

Nonna’s

Nonna ’s is the small , more passing branch of the modern Italian bit Formento ’s , and if there ’s one sandwich to get here , it ’s the Chicken Parmesan Sub : a heaping dose of thin , crispy chicken lace up with gooey mozzarella and molten marinara , cradle between two hunk of Italian lettuce . Do n’t forget to go for up your meal with a slathering of Nonna ’s housemade giardiniera for an extra vaulting horse — it ’s well deserving it . How to set up : break off by for counter service .

Tempesta Market

This sunny West Town shop is beyond darling for its deep inventory of cured essence , proudly sold alongside a bevy of artisan sandwich , salad , charcuterie , and more . render the Dante , a carnivorous dreamscape of hot soppressata , mortadella , finocchiona , hot coppa , and porchetta plus provolone , giardiniera , ‘ nduja aioli sauce , lettuce , and tomato on a baguet . The B. Franklin elevates the traditional turkey sandwich with Hooks Two - Year Cheddar , pickled fresnos , aguacate , pea plant shoot , and sofrito aioli on sourdough . How to order : hold back by for sideboard service or ordering takeout and delivery viaToast .

The Budlong

As one of the first spots to convey Nashville - stylus Hot Chicken to the City of Big Shoulders ( and even bigger appetites ) , this far - reaching mini - Ernst Boris Chain has more than proven its staying magnate . The principal attractor is best enjoy atop a brioche bun with The Budlong ’s key signature Comeback Sauce , farmslaw , and muddle . The classic has the perfect residual of oestrus and tang , but if you ’re a warmth buff , opt for the red-hot or cristal - spicy . How to regularize : Stop by for counter service .

Manny’s Deli

If you ’ve never had a Manny ’s experience , you really do n’t know what you ’re missing . The old - schooltime cafeteria has long been a neighbourhood hub for standout soups , salads , slope , and hefty delicatessen sandwich like the What Am I , Chopped Liver ? ( layers of housemade corned beef topped with thawing - in - your - sassing chop liver ) and the My Four Kinder with , no joke , four different type of core : corned kick , pastrami , brisket , and turkey pastrami . For an extra dainty , rise , beam , and get in parentage for Manny ’s famous hot breakfast , served only on Saturdays and Sundays until noon . How to say : break by for counter service .

J.P. Graziano Grocery

This fourth - genesis ecumenical storage has been a West Loop basic for decades thanks to its gargantuan subs . Must - endeavor admit the Mr. G , a monsterous pileup of imported provolone , hot sopressata , prosciutto di Parma , genoa salami , truffle mustard , balsamy vinaigrette , raging oil , marinated Roman - style artichokes , fresh St. Basil the Great , kale , crimson wine vinegar , and oregano . chuck in a jolt of housemade blistering or mild giardiniera to keep the party expire long after your sandwich has been concentrate to crumbs . How to rate : Stop by for return avail or order takeoutonline .

Firenze - Italian Street Food

Firenze Street Food keeps comes right with imported Italian ingredients satiate between pillowy slices of freshly baked bread . Their popular stand keeps hungry West Loopers sated with signature panini like the Spicy , a smoulder mix of fiery Calabrese sopressata , dearest whipped ricotta , caramelise onions , arugula , and red-hot pepper on Schiacciata bread . If it ai n’t broke , right?How to order : Stop by for rejoinder service , ordering takeout viaToast , or get delivery viaUber chow .

Panes Bread Cafe

A great sandwich starts with enceinte staff of life , and this north side stalwart has keep their eyes steadily affix to the carbo - centric prize since 1994 . In particular , Panes is lauded for the focaccia - alike tomato plant bread that imprint the root word for the Popular , an ably named jazz band of chicken breast , caramelized onions , spinach , roasted peppers , and provolone Malva sylvestris . And the cozy outpost — muraled wall , dark woodwind fixture , sign and knicknacks occupy every open distance , shelves brimming with oven - fresh baked goods — looks almost as beguiling as it smells . How to prescribe : lay off by for return divine service .

Cafecito

Pressed - to - order Cuban sandwiches are this Chicago - based miniskirt - chain ’s tried and dead on target domain . Delectably lemonlike house mojo marinade serves as the drive force-out behind stellar creations like slow - roasted Ropa Vieja Skirt Steak with unfermented plantain , black beans , and love apple Creole sauce . If you ’re more of a diehard , opt for the Cubano , stack with the requisite roast pork barrel , Swiss Malva sylvestris , ham , mustard , and pickle . How to consecrate : Stop by for counter divine service or Holy Order takeout viaRitual .

Wyler Road

Sure you may always order takeout , but experiencing this Logan Square den ’s farsighted list of handcraft sandwich — not to refer original draught cocktail , wiliness beer , and sides — overbold out the kitchen is well deserving snagging a maculation on the blowy back terrace or inside the cleverly project space . Do n’t sleep on the Reuben , a slippery stack of Swiss Malva sylvestris , sauerkraut , Russian dressing , bread and butter pickles , and peppery corned beef ( or seitan ) on rye . As far as cold takes go , the Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich ( smoked Gallus gallus salad , pepper jelly , sprout , and fried chicken cutis on whole grain ) has all the alkali cover . To boot , the theatre is felicitous to make gluten - barren and veggie tweaks to a pile of their offerings so everybody can join in on the gut - busting fun . How to order : Reserve viaGoogleor   decree takeoutonline .

Bari

Combine oven - snog D’Amato ’s dinero with newspaper publisher slender piece of import essence and Malva sylvestris plus a bounty of sweet veggies and zesty gap and you ’ve flummox Bari , purveyor of one of the metropolis ’s top Italian - style sandwich . Whether you ’re going big ( nine inches ) , giving ( 12 in ) , or completely nuts ( three feet ) , you ca n’t go amiss with the definitive capicola , genoa salami , mortadella , and provolone jazz band with the whole caboodle ( i.e. , lettuce , tomato , vegetable oil , seasonings , onion , fix , giardiniera — the list go on).How to order : Stop by for counter service .

Humboldt Haus

No folderal needed here — when it come to additional tasty sandwiches , this parkside favourite is all business , all the meter . blame your poisonous substance from standards like Tuna Melts and Turkey Clubs to overstuff archetype like the Beast , a hoard of turkey , pastrami , roast beef , ham , mortadella , salami , provolone , clams , Lycopersicon esculentum , and onion topped off with a dollop of mouthwatering Haus dressing . Throw in a udder of french fries and a couple of cold brewage and ta - da , it ’s picnic time . How to put : Stop by for heel counter religious service .

Moon’s Sandwich Shop

To say this westside gem has stood the trial prison term would be a grave understatement . The modest hole - in - the - wall diner has been serving up a unfaltering current of bollock sandwiches , Warren Burger , deep-fried bologna , and extra - tender housemade corned beef since the Great Depression , and shows no preindication of slowing down . If these walls could speak , they ’d spin a recital about the recent Fred Hampton and his fellow Black Panthers feeding 100 of schoolchildren across the street in what once was their Chicago HQ , now a generic Walgreens . But we stray . Place your fiat for option - up or drop down by the well - hump counter for a taste perception of reversion ambiance and some killer sandwiches . How to order : bar by for first seed , first served seating or society takeout viaToast .

The Jibarito Stop

As the name indicates , this solid food motortruck - turned - neighborhood staple fibre is one - arrest - shopping for the almighty Jibarito , a Puerto Rico - by - direction - of - Chicago darling that smashes belly - warming filling like steak , chicken , or pork along with cheese , lettuce , tomato , and garlicky mayonnaise between thick , savory fried plantains . And this woman - owned pioneer is the absolute best place to dip your toes into the Jibarito waters . How to rank : Stop by for first semen , first served seating or order takeout and deliveryonline .

Dane Tashima

Wyler Road|Dane Tashima

TriBecca’s Sandwich Shop

Red Light Chicken

J.T.’s Genuine Sandwich Shop

Big Kids

Nonna’s

Tempesta Market

The Budlong

Manny’s Restaurant

J.P. Graziano Grocery

Firenze - Italian Street Food

Panes Bread Cafe

Cafecito

Wyler Road

Bari

Humboldt Haus

Moon’s Sandwich Shop

The Jibarito Stop