This Historic Oakbrook Terrace Deli Piles Its Italian Beef And Sausage Combos High For Longtime Regulars

Tucked along Butterfield Road in Oakbrook Terrace, Frankie’s Deli has been feeding hungry regulars real Italian sandwiches for decades. Some folks have been coming here for over 40 years, drawn by hearty subs, homemade sausage, and a deli case stuffed with cheeses, sauces, and Italian treats.

With a 4.7-star rating from more than 1,500 reviews, it has become one of the most talked-about Italian spots in the Chicagoland suburbs. If you love good food that fills you up without draining your wallet, this stop is worth the drive.

A Suburban Home for City-Style Italian Sandwiches

Drive out to 17W626 Butterfield Rd in Oakbrook Terrace and you will find a deli that carries the spirit of the old Chicago neighborhood shops into the western suburbs. Frankie’s Deli sits in a spot that is easy to reach, with plenty of parking waiting for you when you arrive.

One visitor who grew up around the classic city delis noted that Frankie’s feels a bit more modern, almost like a bigger, cleaner version of the old-school corner shop. Even so, the sandwiches stay true to tradition with generous portions, quality meats, and good bread.

What makes it stand out is how it blends that time-honored Italian deli craft with a bright, welcoming space. You get the flavors that longtime Italian families in Chicago swear by, but with the ease of a suburban stop.

For families and day-trippers looking for a meal that feels special without feeling fancy, it hits the mark.

Decades of Loyal Regulars

Loyalty runs deep at this deli. One customer shared that he has been enjoying Frankie’s sub sandwiches for over 40 years, a stretch of time that says more than any advertisement ever could.

Stories like that are common here. Another regular mentioned learning about the place from a neighbor and now keeping a menu at home, slowly crossing off items as they work their way through everything on the list.

That kind of steady, repeat crowd is a strong sign for anyone deciding whether a place is worth the trip. When people keep coming back year after year, it usually means the food and the welcome are consistent.

Frankie’s has clearly earned a place in the routines of families across the area, and newcomers often become regulars after just a visit or two.

Italian Beef and Sausage Combos That Regulars Rave About

Ask around and the Italian beef and sausage come up again and again. Regulars point to the Italian beef as a personal favorite, calling it part of the authentic Chicago-style deli experience they keep chasing.

The Italian sausage gets its own moment too. One visitor described the sausage served on schiacciata, a Tuscan flatbread that is a little less fluffy than focaccia, packed with flavor and paired with tart rapini for a nice contrast of texture and saltiness.

Homemade Italian sausage is also sold to take home, and shoppers say it is wonderful for cooking your own Italian dishes. Between the beef, the sausage, and the option to combine them into a hearty sandwich, this is the corner of the menu that keeps loyal fans loyal.

If you are the type who likes your sandwich piled high and full of flavor, start here.

The Signature Frankie Special

Every great deli has a sandwich that carries its name, and here it is the Frankie Special. Fans do not hold back about it.

One recent visitor said they ordered several sandwiches but the clear winner of the day was the Frankie Special.

Another put it even more simply, saying they tried the Frankie’s Special and were left floating because it was that good. When a house sandwich earns that kind of reaction, it is usually worth trying on your first visit.

Not everyone is bowled over by every version, and a few say the special was fine but did not blow them away. Taste can be personal, especially with a loaded sandwich.

Still, the number of people singling it out as the highlight of their meal makes it an easy recommendation for anyone wanting to see what Frankie’s is really about.

Meatball Subs and Hot Sandwiches Worth Ordering

Warm, saucy, and satisfying, the meatball sub is one of the most mentioned items at Frankie’s, showing up in dozens of reviews. One diner described the meatballs as super soft and meaty with great spices, all tucked into a hearty French roll with marinara and cheese that held up well to the generous portion.

The hot pork sandwich also earns loud praise. A longtime customer called the hot pork phenomenal, ranking it among the best things they had tried during recent visits.

Opinions on the meatball are not unanimous. A couple of regulars felt it could use a bit more seasoning, saying they have had better versions elsewhere.

That kind of honest range is normal at a busy deli, and most people still walk away happy. If you like your lunch hot and hearty, the meatball and hot pork sandwiches are strong picks.

A Market Stocked With Italian Treasures

Beyond the sandwich counter sits a little market that turns a quick lunch into a full shopping trip. Shoppers describe walking into a space filled with just about every Italian ingredient you could need, from oils to sausages to spices.

The deli case is only the start. People pick up fresh lunch meats and cheeses, homemade Soppressata, Fontinella cheese, spinach ravioli, biscotti, and Italian cookies.

One customer even grabbed pasta, bread, and cookies in a single visit.

For the freezer, there are ready-made meals like lasagna and manicotti, plus soups and pasta sauces that fans call wonderful. You can also buy bottles of beer and wine to enjoy alongside your meal.

Whether you need ingredients for a homemade Italian dinner or a side dish for an event, this market makes it easy to stock up while you are already there.

Fresh Bread, Meats, and Cheeses at the Counter

Good sandwiches start with good ingredients, and the deli counter is where Frankie’s builds its reputation. Regulars talk about the freshest meats, cheeses, and bread, with rolls described as soft yet crusty in that satisfying way a proper Italian sub demands.

A transplant from the East Coast said they had tried many places searching for the subs they were used to, and Frankie’s finally delivered. That is high praise from someone with strong opinions about sandwiches.

Not every bite lands perfectly for everyone. A self-described lunch meat snob with decades of deli experience loved the Italian sub but wished the turkey quality was higher.

A few others found the bread chewier than they liked on certain visits. Tastes vary, but the counter’s core meats, cheeses, and breads keep most people coming back for more.

Sweet Endings and Cannoli

Save room, because the sweets here have their own following. Cannoli come up often enough to earn their own mention, joining a lineup of Italian cookies and crunchy biscotti that regulars adore.

One devoted visitor called the biscotti a real favorite, the kind of treat that makes a trip feel like a reward. Others load up on Italian cookies to bring home, turning dessert into a shareable part of the visit.

For anyone catering a gathering, the sweets reach another level. A customer who threw a big family celebration described cupcakes, birthday cake, and limoncello rounding out the spread, more than enough for everyone who attended.

Whether you grab a single cannoli on your way out or a boxful for the family, the dessert case is a happy way to finish.

A Welcoming Atmosphere You Can Smell From the Door

Some places make an impression before you even step inside. At Frankie’s, visitors say the smells hit you before you reach the door, pulling you into a space filled with Italian ingredients and, eventually, the deli where the good stuff begins.

The setting gets high marks too. People describe beautiful ambience, tidy landscaping, and a spotless, modern interior that feels warm and welcoming rather than stuffy.

Staff often make the difference. One customer who walks with a cane shared how workers carried their tray to a table, treating them with real kindness during a busy lunch rush.

Many say the team feels like family, always ready to answer questions or suggest ideas for a dinner or party. A handful of visitors have run into a less friendly cashier or felt pressure over tips, so experiences can vary, but warmth is the theme most people remember.

Catering for Celebrations Big and Small

When the occasion calls for a spread, Frankie’s steps up. One customer described catering a triple celebration for a surprise birthday, a 51st anniversary, and Father’s Day all at once, and called the whole experience a perfect ten.

The personalized menu for that event included lemon chicken, pasta salad, Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, fresh fruit and vegetable trays, plus wine, beer, and crafted cocktails. Desserts like limoncello, cupcakes, and birthday cake finished it off with plenty to go around.

What stood out most to that host was the value. He compared the quality to a five-star restaurant party but at a far friendlier price, and credited the team’s professionalism for pulling it off on short notice.

Staff are also happy to help everyday customers plan appetizers, dinners, and special-event menus. For a family gathering that should feel generous without a luxury bill, catering here is worth a call.

Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Visit

Getting to Frankie’s is simple. You will find it at 17W626 Butterfield Rd in Oakbrook Terrace, with plenty of parking so you can pull in and walk right up.

Give them a call at 630-627-7977 if you want to plan an order ahead.

The kitchen runs Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. That makes it easy to swing by for lunch, an early dinner, or weekend shopping.

Prices land in the friendly $10 to $20 range, which keeps a filling sandwich or a small haul of Italian goods within reach for most families. Regulars say the value is fair and the line moves quickly even during the busy lunch rush.

A quick tip from repeat visitors: know what you want before you reach the counter, though the staff are patient with questions if you need ideas.