These Illinois Sandwich Counters Locals Guard Like Family Traditions
Illinois is a state that knows how to pile meat high, slather on the right condiments, and serve up sandwiches that make your taste buds sing the national anthem.
From Chicago’s bustling streets to cozy suburban corners, these sandwich counters have been feeding generations with recipes passed down like treasured heirlooms.
Locals don’t just eat at these spots, they defend them with the same passion reserved for deep-dish pizza debates and Cubs versus Sox arguments.
Get ready to discover the sandwich joints that have earned their place in Illinois food folklore.
1. Mr. Beef – Chicago
Walk into Mr. Beef and you’ll immediately understand why this place has been a Chicago institution since the late 1970s. The aroma of slow-roasted beef hits you like a delicious freight train, and the no-nonsense counter service reminds you that this isn’t about fancy tablecloths—it’s about serious sandwich craftsmanship.
Located at 666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654, this River North gem has served everyone from construction workers to locals and visitors alike craving an authentic Italian beef experience.
The magic happens when thinly sliced, perfectly seasoned beef gets piled onto fresh Italian bread that’s been dipped in flavorful au jus until it reaches that ideal soggy-but-still-structurally-sound consistency. You can order it “dry” if you’re timid, but locals know the “wet” or “dipped” versions are where the real flavor adventure begins.
The giardiniera adds a spicy, tangy kick that cuts through the richness like a culinary high-five.
What sets Mr. Beef apart isn’t just the quality—it’s the attitude. The staff moves with practiced efficiency, calling out orders and assembling sandwiches with the precision of seasoned artists.
There’s no pretension here, just honest food made by people who genuinely care about getting it right. Families have been coming here for decades, introducing each new generation to what a proper Italian beef should taste like.
The walls tell stories of Chicago’s history, and the steady stream of regulars proves that some traditions never go out of style.
2. Johnnie’s Beef – Elmwood Park
Since 1961, Johnnie’s Beef has been slinging sandwiches that make grown adults plan their entire week around lunch. Situated at 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707, this legendary spot draws crowds who don’t mind waiting in line because they know what’s waiting at the end.
The outdoor ordering window and picnic table setup give it a summer festival vibe year-round, though winter warriors brave the cold because good beef waits for no season.
Johnnie’s takes the Italian beef game seriously, cooking their meat to tender perfection and slicing it so thin you could practically read through it. The gravy—never call it just “au jus” here—is rich, savory, and absolutely essential to the experience.
When they ask how you want it, saying “juicy” means you’re ready to commit to eating over the table while juice drips gloriously down your arms.
But here’s the insider secret: try the combo. This magnificent creation adds Italian sausage to your beef sandwich, creating a flavor bomb that’ll have you questioning every sandwich decision you’ve made before this moment.
The sweet peppers balance perfectly with spicy giardiniera, and the bread somehow holds everything together despite physics suggesting otherwise.
Regulars have their own ordering shorthand, and staff members remember faces even after years apart. That’s the beauty of Johnnie’s—it’s not just about feeding people, it’s about being part of a community ritual that spans generations.
3. J.P. Graziano Grocery – Chicago
Stepping into J.P. Graziano Grocery feels like traveling back to 1937 when this family-owned gem first opened its doors.
Located at 901 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, right in the heart of the West Loop, this place has survived decades of dramatic change in Chicago’s food scene, along with every food trend that’s come and gone since. The wooden floors creak with history, and shelves stocked with imported Italian goods create an atmosphere that Instagram could never adequately capture.
The sandwiches here aren’t just meals—they’re edible love letters to Italian-American heritage. Using a mix of imported and high-quality domestic olive oils, aged cheeses, and meats sliced fresh from the deli counter, each sandwich gets assembled with the care usually reserved for wedding cakes.
The Mr. G is their signature masterpiece, loaded with mortadella, hot capicola, aged provolone, and their secret family recipe giardiniera that’s been perfected over decades.
What makes J.P. Graziano special is the attention to detail that only comes from genuine passion.
The bread comes from local bakeries they’ve partnered with for years, ensuring that perfect ratio of crusty exterior to soft interior. They hand-mix their spreads daily, and the vegetables are prepped fresh each morning before the first customer walks through the door.
The current generation of the Graziano family continues to run the business, and they treat every sandwich like it’s feeding their own family. The lunch rush brings office workers, construction crews, and food pilgrims who’ve heard the legends and need to taste the truth for themselves.
4. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen – Chicago
Manny’s has been a Chicago treasure since 1942, serving corned beef sandwiches that could make a vegetarian reconsider their life choices. Found at 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607, on the city’s Near West Side, this cafeteria-style deli operates with old-school efficiency that would put modern fast-casual chains to shame.
The line moves steadily, but don’t rush, watching the counter workers carve massive hunks of meat is part of the entertainment.
Corned beef here gets piled so high it defies gravity, stacked between slices of fresh rye bread that somehow supports the weight without crumbling. The meat is tender, peppery, and perfectly pink throughout, showing the careful brining and cooking process that separates amateur delis from legendary ones.
Add a smear of spicy mustard, maybe some pickles on the side, and you’ve got a sandwich that explains why people drive from Indiana just for lunch.
Manny’s isn’t trying to be trendy or hip—it’s too busy being authentic. The fluorescent lighting, the plastic trays, the no-frills seating—everything about this place screams “we’re here for the food, not the ambiance.” Politicians, celebrities, and regular folks all stand in the same line, united by their appreciation for sandwiches done right.
The matzo ball soup deserves its own fan club, and the potato pancakes make excellent side dishes.
What really sets Manny’s apart is consistency. You can visit once a year or once a week, and your sandwich will taste exactly as you remembered—maybe even better than memory suggested.
5. Alpine Food Shop – Elmwood Park & Westchester
Alpine Food Shop operates two locations—7538 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707 and 10712 W 31st St, Westchester, IL 60154—because one spot couldn’t contain the demand for their exceptional sandwiches. Family-owned and operated, this place understands that great food comes from treating customers like extended relatives you actually like.
The moment you walk in, someone greets you by name if you’re a regular, or makes you feel like one if it’s your first visit.
Their Italian sub is the stuff of suburban legend, featuring layers of premium meats and cheeses arranged with architectural precision. Capicola, mortadella, salami, and provolone stack beautifully, while fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions add crunch and brightness.
The real secret weapon is their house dressing—a tangy, herb-infused oil and vinegar blend that soaks into the bread just enough to enhance without overwhelming.
While Alpine is best known for its traditional Italian offerings, occasional specials highlight the kitchen’s versatility without straying from its roots.
The chicken cutlet sandwich features perfectly breaded, golden-fried chicken that stays juicy inside, topped with fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers. Every component tastes like someone actually cared about its quality.
The shops maintain that neighborhood feel where everyone knows everyone, yet they handle lunch rushes with impressive organization. Though online ordering is available, many loyal customers still prefer calling or ordering in person because chatting with the staff is part of the experience.
Both locations maintain identical quality standards, so you’re guaranteed excellence regardless of which one you visit.
6. Epic Deli – McHenry
Epic Deli lives up to its name with sandwiches that justify the drive to McHenry, Illinois. Located at 4119 W Elm St, McHenry, IL 60050, this spot has become a destination for sandwich enthusiasts throughout the northern suburbs and beyond.
The name might sound like marketing hype, but one bite proves it’s actually accurate description. Owners here decided that if they were going to open a deli, they’d make everything with care and emphasize scratch-made elements wherever possible.
Their menu reads like a greatest hits compilation of sandwich styles from around the world, but everything gets the Epic treatment. The Reuben features house-prepared corned beef, topped with tangy sauerkraut and creamy Russian dressing on marble rye sourced fresh from trusted local bakeries.
The Rachel variation swaps pastrami for corned beef and coleslaw for sauerkraut, creating a lighter but equally satisfying experience.
What makes Epic Deli special is their willingness to experiment while respecting tradition. They’ll create custom sandwiches based on your preferences, and the staff genuinely enjoys helping customers discover new flavor combinations.
The bread selection alone offers enough variety to keep regulars trying new things for months. Sourdough, ciabatta, pretzel rolls, and multiple types of rye all come from local bakeries they’ve carefully vetted.
Despite being in a smaller town, Epic Deli maintains quality standards that rival Chicago’s best delis. The community has embraced this place as their own, and weekends bring crowds that prove good food creates its own destination appeal.
7. Sultan’s Market – Chicago
Sultan’s Market brings Middle Eastern sandwich excellence to 2057 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, offering a delicious departure from Italian beef while maintaining that same commitment to quality. This family-run spot has been serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine since the late 1990s, introducing countless Chicagoans to flavors that have now become neighborhood staples.
The casual atmosphere and reasonable prices make it perfect for both quick lunches and leisurely meals with friends.
The falafel sandwich here sets the gold standard—crispy on the outside, fluffy and herb-filled on the inside, tucked into fresh pita with tahini sauce, hummus, and crisp vegetables. Each falafel ball gets fried to order, ensuring maximum crunchiness and flavor.
The chicken shawarma offers another outstanding option, with marinated meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie until the edges get slightly crispy while the interior stays juicy and tender.
Sultan’s also serves up impressive kafta sandwiches featuring seasoned ground beef and lamb patties grilled to smoky perfection. The spice blend is complex without being overwhelming, allowing the quality of the meat to shine through.
Fresh vegetables, pickles, and generous amounts of tahini sauce complete each sandwich, creating balanced bites that satisfy without feeling heavy.
A small selection of pantry items and spices is available for purchase, and staff members happily offer cooking tips and recipe suggestions, treating customers like students eager to learn rather than just transactions.
The vegetarian and vegan options here are so good that meat-lovers order them regularly, proving that great flavor transcends dietary categories.
8. Bari Foods – Chicago
Bari Foods has been an Italian marketplace and sandwich destination since the early 20th century, making it one of Chicago’s oldest continuously operating food businesses. Located at 1120 W Grand Ave #1, Chicago, IL 60642, this place survived world wars, economic depressions, and dramatic neighborhood changes while never compromising on quality.
Walking through the door feels like visiting a relative’s house where you know you’ll be fed well and sent home with leftovers.
The sandwiches at Bari showcase a mix of imported Italian ingredients and carefully selected domestic products alongside locally sourced produce and bread. Their prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich sounds simple, but simplicity reveals quality, paper-thin prosciutto, creamy fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar on crusty bread.
Each component shines because there’s nowhere for mediocre ingredients to hide. The combination tastes like a summer afternoon in Tuscany, even during Chicago’s brutal winters.
Beyond sandwiches, Bari functions as a full Italian grocery where you can buy the same cheeses, oils, and pastas they use in their food preparation. This transparency builds trust, they’re literally selling you the ingredients they use themselves.
The knowledgeable staff draws on deep familiarity with Italian food traditions, helping customers navigate regional specialties and ingredient differences.
Lunch crowds include everyone from nearby office workers to longtime neighborhood regulars. The sandwich counter moves efficiently even during rushes, with workers who’ve perfected their craft through years of repetition.
9. Conte Di Savoia – Chicago
Conte Di Savoia has been serving Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood since the mid-20th century from their location at 1438 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607. This European-style market and deli transports customers straight to Milan with its selection of imported goods, fresh pasta, and sandwich offerings that respect Old World traditions while embracing Chicago’s sandwich culture.
The name translates to “Count of Savoy,” and the regal quality of their food lives up to that aristocratic title.
Their sandwiches feature ingredients you won’t find at typical delis—think speck, bresaola, and mortadella sourced from respected producers, often tied to specific Italian regions. The porchetta sandwich deserves special mention, featuring slow-roasted pork seasoned with rosemary, fennel, and garlic until the meat becomes impossibly tender while the outside develops a savory crust.
Served on fresh focaccia with just a touch of arugula and olive oil, it’s sophisticated comfort food that satisfies on multiple levels.
Conte Di Savoia also excels at vegetarian options, creating sandwiches with grilled vegetables, aged cheeses, and spreads that prove meatless doesn’t mean flavorless. The eggplant and mozzarella sandwich features vegetables grilled until smoky and sweet, layered with creamy cheese and basil pesto that’s made fresh in-house.
Every bite offers complex flavors that develop as you chew, revealing new notes and textures.
The market atmosphere encourages browsing, and staff members treat food education as part of their mission. They’ll slice samples of cheese, explain the differences between prosciutto varieties, and suggest drinks pairings like you’re old friends planning a dinner party together.
This approach has built fierce customer loyalty spanning generations.