14 Illinois Sandwiches You Have To Try That Are Purely Chicago
Chicago is a city that knows its sandwiches, and some creations are so iconic they feel like they could only exist here.
From Italian beef dripping with jus to classic hot dogs tucked in fresh buns, each bite carries the city’s character.
Local delis and hidden gems perfect these recipes, layering flavor, texture, and tradition into meals that become lifelong favorites.
The aroma of seasoned meats, fresh bread, and zesty toppings fills neighborhoods and sparks cravings across town.
In Illinois, and especially Chicago, a sandwich isn’t just lunch; it’s a culinary landmark, a taste of the city, and a must-try experience for anyone who loves bold, authentic flavor.
1. Breaded Steak Sandwich — Ricobene’s — 252 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60616
Forget everything you know about steak sandwiches because this Bridgeport legend rewrites the rules entirely.
Ricobene’s pounds out thin slices of beef, coats them in Italian breading, and fries them until they’re golden and crispy.
The result gets piled onto fresh bread with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and sweet peppers that balance the savory crunch perfectly.
Founded in 1946, this family-run spot still operates in a modest brick building that looks like it hasn’t changed in decades.
The no-frills interior features simple booths and a counter where locals have been ordering the same sandwich for over seventy years.
Beyond the signature breaded steak, their Italian beef and pizza puffs also draw serious crowds.
Located at 252 W 26th St in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, Ricobene’s remains a true South Side institution where tradition tastes better than innovation ever could.
2. Big Baby — Nicky’s The Real McCoy — 5801 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60629
Nothing about this sandwich is subtle, and that’s exactly the point.
Nicky’s piles corned beef, pastrami, turkey, salami, and cheese onto a massive roll that could easily feed two hungry people.
Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and their secret sauce tie everything together without letting any single flavor dominate the party.
This Southwest Side deli operates out of a cheerful corner building painted in bright colors that match the energetic vibe inside.
Opened in the early 2000s, the spot quickly became a neighborhood favorite for anyone craving overstuffed sandwiches that don’t mess around.
Their Italian beef and hot dogs also earn plenty of praise, but the Big Baby remains the undisputed champion.
You’ll find Nicky’s The Real McCoy at 5801 S Kedzie Ave in Chicago, where portion sizes matter more than pretension and every sandwich comes with serious attitude.
3. Corned Beef Sandwich — Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen — 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607
Since 1942, politicians, cops, and hungry Chicagoans have lined up at this South Loop institution for one simple reason.
Manny’s hand-carves their corned beef fresh throughout the day, stacking thick, juicy slices onto rye bread with just mustard and maybe a pickle on the side.
The meat stays tender and flavorful because they never rush the curing process, letting time and tradition do the heavy lifting.
The cafeteria-style setup features vintage signage and worn tables that tell decades of stories about who sat where.
Photos of famous customers cover the walls, from mayors to movie stars who couldn’t resist the pull of perfectly prepared deli meat.
Beyond corned beef, their potato latkes and matzo ball soup keep customers coming back for comfort food done right.
Located at 1141 S Jefferson St, Manny’s proves that some recipes don’t need updating when they’re already perfect.
4. Mr. G — J.P. Graziano Grocery — 901 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Walking into this West Loop gem feels like stepping into your Italian grandmother’s kitchen, if she happened to run a seriously impressive deli.
The Mr. G stacks mortadella, hot capicola, prosciutto, and provolone with olive tapenade and hot giardiniera on their house-baked focaccia that’s soft inside with a perfectly crispy crust.
Every ingredient gets sourced with care, and you can taste the difference in each bite that balances spicy, salty, and savory notes.
Operating since 1937, the grocery maintains its vintage tile floors and wooden shelves stocked with imported Italian goods.
The narrow space gets crowded during lunch rushes, but nobody seems to mind waiting for sandwiches this good.
Their oil-packed tuna and Italian sausage sandwiches also deserve attention from serious sandwich lovers.
Find J.P. Graziano at 901 W Randolph St, where four generations have proved that quality beats quantity every single time.
5. The Dante — Tempesta Market — 1372 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Artisan salumi meets modern Chicago at this West Town market that takes cured meats as seriously as any Italian nonna.
The Dante features house-made spicy sopressata, finocchiona, and mortadella with aged provolone, calabrian chili aioli, and arugula on a crusty roll that holds up to all that flavor.
Tempesta cures their own meats in-house, which means freshness and quality you simply can’t find at chain sandwich shops.
The bright, industrial space showcases hanging salami and a open kitchen where you can watch your sandwich being assembled with precision.
Opened in 2014, the market combines old-world techniques with new-world energy in a neighborhood that appreciates both.
Their Lazio sandwich and rotating seasonal specials also attract devoted followers who plan lunch around Tempesta’s menu.
Located at 1372 W Grand Ave in Chicago, this spot proves that tradition and innovation can coexist deliciously on a single sandwich.
6. PQM Porchetta — Publican Quality Meats — 825 W Fulton Market St, Chicago, IL 60607
Celebrity chef Paul Kahan brings restaurant-quality technique to the sandwich counter at this Fulton Market butcher shop and cafe.
The PQM Porchetta showcases slow-roasted pork that’s been rolled with garlic, fennel, and herbs until the outside gets crispy while the inside stays juicy and tender.
They add salsa verde, pickled peppers, and arugula on a ciabatta roll that soaks up all those incredible juices without falling apart.
The sleek, modern space features communal tables, a butcher counter, and an open kitchen that smells like heaven from morning until closing.
Large windows flood the industrial-chic interior with natural light, making it feel both welcoming and sophisticated.
Their breakfast sandwiches and rotating lunch specials also showcase top-tier ingredients prepared with care.
You’ll find Publican Quality Meats at 825 W Fulton Market St, where butchery meets culinary artistry in every single bite they serve.
7. Smoked Salmon Sandwich — Calumet Fisheries — 3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617
Perched on the Calumet River since 1948, this weathered shack smokes fish the same way they did when Eisenhower was president.
Their salmon gets smoked over oak wood until it develops a deep, rich flavor that tastes nothing like the bland stuff from grocery stores.
The sandwich comes simple: smoked salmon on rye bread with onions, and that’s all it needs because the fish speaks for itself beautifully.
The tiny building looks like a strong wind could knock it over, with peeling paint and a hand-painted sign that’s become a South Side landmark.
Inside, the smoky aroma fills every corner while customers crowd around a small counter to place orders.
Their smoked shrimp and trout also draw seafood lovers from across the city.
Located at 3259 E 95th St in Chicago’s East Side neighborhood, Calumet Fisheries proves that the best food often comes from the most unexpected places.
8. Focaccia Sub — Bari Italian Subs — 1120 W Grand Ave #1, Chicago, IL 60642
Homemade focaccia changes everything about what a sub sandwich can be, and Bari figured that out before most places even tried.
Their signature sub layers mortadella, capicola, salami, and provolone with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and Italian dressing on pillowy focaccia they bake fresh daily. The bread stays soft and flavorful while still having enough structure to hold all those toppings without turning into a soggy mess halfway through.
The compact West Town shop features subway tile walls and a straightforward counter setup that keeps the focus on the food. Despite the simple decor, the quality of ingredients and attention to detail make every sandwich feel special.
Their meatball sub and Italian beef also earn serious respect from sandwich enthusiasts citywide. Find Bari Italian Subs at 1120 W Grand Ave in Chicago, where house-baked bread elevates the humble sub sandwich into something worth traveling across town to experience.
9. Big L — Fontano’s (on Michigan) — 332 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Downtown workers have been sneaking away from their desks for this monster sandwich since Fontano’s opened in the heart of the Loop.
The Big L packs turkey, ham, roast beef, salami, and cheese with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and their signature dressing onto a massive roll that barely fits in your hands.
Fresh ingredients and generous portions make this the kind of lunch that keeps you full until dinner without weighing you down.
The casual deli operates in a convenient Loop location with simple seating and quick service that respects busy schedules.
Despite the downtown address, prices stay reasonable and quality never gets sacrificed for speed.
Their Italian beef and various hot sandwiches also draw loyal customers who appreciate consistency.
Located at 332 S Michigan Ave in Chicago, Fontano’s proves that even in the bustling Loop, you can still find authentic neighborhood sandwich shop vibes and flavors worth returning for regularly.
10. Vinnie’s Special Signature Sandwich — Vinnie’s Sub Shop — 1204 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Generations of Italian sandwich-making wisdom get packed into every order at this family-run West Town favorite.
Vinnie’s Special stacks prosciutto, capicola, mortadella, sopressata, and provolone with roasted red peppers, olive tapenade, and balsamic vinaigrette on crusty bread that has the perfect chew.
The combination of premium cold cuts and carefully chosen toppings creates layers of flavor that build with each bite.
The cozy shop features vintage Italian posters and a friendly counter where staff treat regulars like family.
The intimate space fills up quickly during lunch rushes, but the warm atmosphere makes waiting feel less like a chore.
Their meatball sub and various vegetarian options also satisfy diverse tastes without compromising quality.
You’ll find Vinnie’s Sub Shop at 1204 W Grand Ave in Chicago, where old-school Italian deli traditions meet modern sandwich creativity in a neighborhood that knows good food when it tastes it.
11. Bánh Mì — Nhu Lan Bakery — 2612 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Chicago’s Vietnamese community built something special on the North Side, and this bakery represents decades of culinary tradition transported across oceans.
Nhu Lan’s bánh mì features your choice of grilled pork, chicken, or tofu with pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeños, and mayo on a perfectly crispy-chewy French baguette they bake in-house.
The contrast between savory protein, tangy pickles, fresh herbs, and crusty bread creates the kind of flavor balance that makes you understand why this sandwich conquered the world.
The modest bakery also sells Vietnamese pastries and sweets that draw customers from across the city.
Simple fluorescent lighting and basic seating keep things unpretentious while the food does all the talking.
Located at 2612 W Lawrence Ave in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, Nhu Lan proves that Chicago’s sandwich scene extends far beyond Italian beef and includes global flavors done with authentic skill and care.
12. Cubano — Cafecito (South Loop) — 26 E Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60605
Cuban sandwiches might have been born in Florida, but this South Loop cafe makes a version that holds its own against any you’ll find in Miami.
Cafecito’s Cubano layers slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread that gets pressed until the outside turns golden and crispy while the cheese melts perfectly.
The combination of textures and flavors hits all the right notes without any unnecessary additions trying to improve a classic.
The vibrant space features colorful murals and Cuban-inspired decor that brings tropical energy to downtown Chicago.
High ceilings and plenty of seating make it popular with students and downtown workers looking for quick, satisfying lunches.
Their empanadas and Cuban coffee also earn devoted fans who appreciate authentic flavors.
Find Cafecito at 26 E Congress Pkwy in Chicago’s South Loop, where Latin American flavors get the respect and attention they deserve in every pressed sandwich they serve.
13. Single Cheeseburger — Au Cheval — 800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Technically a burger, but this West Loop diner makes one so legendary that leaving it off any Chicago sandwich list would be criminal.
Au Cheval’s single cheeseburger features two thin patties cooked to crispy-edged perfection with American cheese, pickles, and dijonnaise on a soft potato bun that somehow stays together despite all the juicy goodness.
The optional fried egg on top adds richness that takes an already excellent burger into the stratosphere of sandwich greatness.
The moody, upscale diner features dark wood, vintage details, and a horseshoe-shaped bar that’s become one of Chicago’s most photographed restaurant interiors.
Expect long waits during peak hours because word got out years ago about how good this burger really is.
Their fried bologna sandwich and crispy hash browns also deserve attention from anyone who appreciates diner food done exceptionally well.
Located at 800 W Randolph St, Au Cheval proves that sometimes the best sandwich is just a really, really perfect burger.
14. Breakfast Sandwich — Kasama — 1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Michelin-starred Filipino cuisine meets Chicago breakfast culture at this Ukrainian Village spot that redefines what a morning sandwich can be.
Kasama’s breakfast sandwich features longanisa sausage, a perfectly fried egg, white American cheese, and banana ketchup on a soft milk bun that balances sweet and savory in ways you never expected.
The Filipino flavors bring something completely unique to Chicago’s sandwich scene while still feeling familiar and comforting.
The bright, modern space transforms from daytime bakery and cafe into an upscale tasting menu restaurant at night.
Clean lines, natural wood, and plenty of windows create an inviting atmosphere that matches the innovative food.
Their ube pandesal and various Filipino pastries also showcase chef-owners Tim Flores and Genie Kwon’s dedication to excellence.
You’ll find Kasama at 1001 N Winchester Ave in Chicago, where cultural fusion and culinary creativity produce sandwiches that taste like the future of Chicago’s food scene.