Unearth The Voyage
Chicago’s suburbs hide some of the best sandwich shops you’ll ever visit. From old-school Italian beef stands to classic Jewish delis, these local legends have been feeding hungry neighbors for decades. Whether you’re craving a massive corned beef on rye or a perfectly dipped Italian beef, these spots deliver flavors that keep people coming back generation after generation.
1. Alpine Food Shop – Elmwood Park & Westchester
Walking into Alpine Food Shop feels like stepping back in time to when neighborhood delis ruled the sandwich world. This family-run spot has been crafting Italian subs the right way for years, piling quality meats and cheeses onto bread that arrives fresh every morning.
The Alpine Special is what regulars order without hesitation. Layers of capicola, mortadella, salami, and provolone get stacked high with crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and tangy peppers. The bread holds everything together without getting soggy, even after the oil and vinegar soak in.
With locations in both Elmwood Park and Westchester, you can grab one no matter which direction you’re heading. Check their official site for current hours before making the trip. Once you taste that first bite, you’ll understand why families have been making this a weekly tradition for generations.
2. Johnnie’s Beef – Elmwood Park
Few places earn legendary status in the beef game, but Johnnie’s has owned that title for decades. This Elmwood Park institution serves the kind of Italian beef that makes people drive miles out of their way, even on random Tuesday nights.
Order yours dipped if you want the full experience. The entire sandwich gets dunked in savory au jus until the bread soaks up every drop of flavor. Add hot peppers for a spicy kick that cuts through the richness. The beef itself is sliced thin and piled so high you’ll need extra napkins.
Open daily and staying late means you can satisfy cravings whenever they hit. The no-frills setup keeps the focus where it belongs on the food. Lines form during peak hours because word spreads fast about quality like this.
3. Freddy’s Pizza – Cicero
Freddy’s operates as both market and counter, which means you can grab groceries and an amazing hot sandwich in one stop. Located in Cicero, this spot flies under the radar for anyone not in the know, but locals treat it like a treasured secret.
The chicken parm sandwich arrives hot from the kitchen with breaded cutlets that stay crispy under a blanket of melted mozzarella. Tangy marinara sauce adds moisture without making the bread fall apart. Their Italian beef version rivals dedicated beef stands, which says a lot considering this is technically a pizza place.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, with Sundays off, so plan accordingly. The market atmosphere gives it a different vibe than typical sandwich shops. You might find yourself browsing Italian imports while waiting for your order to come up.
4. Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen – Skokie
Classic Jewish delis are becoming harder to find, which makes Kaufman’s in Skokie even more special. This place keeps traditions alive with hand-sliced meats piled so high you can barely fit the sandwich in your mouth.
Their corned beef gets brined and cooked in-house until it reaches that perfect tender texture. Pastrami comes out peppery and smoky, with edges that have just the right amount of char. Both arrive on fresh rye bread with nothing more than spicy brown mustard because great meat doesn’t need fancy toppings.
The portions are what older generations call generous, meaning you’ll probably have leftovers. Sour pickles on the side provide that essential crunch and tang. Check their website for current hours and the full address before heading over.
5. Augustino’s Rock & Roll Deli & Grill – Carol Stream
Music memorabilia covers every inch of wall space at Augustino’s, creating a rock shrine atmosphere while you eat. Located in Carol Stream, this deli combines two passions: great sandwiches and classic rock history.
Augie’s Italian stands as the house specialty, earning devoted fans who request it by name. Mortadella, capicola, salami, and provolone layer together with fresh vegetables and a house dressing that ties everything together. The bread comes from a local bakery and gets delivered daily to ensure maximum freshness.
Current menu options and hours are posted on their official site for easy planning. The rock-themed decor gives you something to look at while you wait, though service moves pretty quickly even during lunch rushes. Kids especially love spotting guitars and album covers hanging from the ceiling.
6. Rex Italian Foods – Norridge
Schiacciata sandwiches are what put Rex Italian Foods on the map for sandwich hunters. This Norridge market specializes in Italian imports and deli classics, but those pressed sandwiches steal the show every time.
The flat, rustic bread gets loaded with quality meats and cheese before going into a press that melts everything together. Each bite delivers warm, gooey goodness with crispy edges that provide textural contrast. Their Italian beef version offers a different take on the Chicago classic, and the deli counter stocks hard-to-find ingredients if you want to recreate anything at home.
Current hours are posted online so you can time your visit right. The market setting means you can browse authentic Italian products while your sandwich gets prepared. Regulars often leave with both lunch and ingredients for dinner.
7. Gnarly Knots – Lombard
Pretzel bread changes the entire sandwich game, and Gnarly Knots has mastered this specialty. After relocating from Winfield to Lombard, they expanded both hours and menu options, giving more people access to these creative combinations.
That soft, slightly salty pretzel bread provides a completely different foundation than regular rolls or sliced bread. Sandwiches stay together better, and the flavor adds an extra dimension to every bite. Pair yours with one of their soups for a combo that works perfectly on cold Chicago-area days.
The new Lombard location offers more seating and parking than the original spot. Menu creativity shines through with unexpected ingredient pairings that somehow work beautifully together. Check their current hours online since they’ve adjusted the schedule with the move to accommodate more customers throughout the week.
8. Babcock’s Grove House – Lombard
Everything at Babcock’s Grove House gets made from scratch, which you can taste in every bite. Located in Lombard, this spot takes time to do things right rather than cutting corners with pre-made ingredients.
Their schnitzel sandwich features a thin pork cutlet pounded flat, breaded, and fried until golden and crispy. The fried chicken version uses a similar technique but with juicy chicken breast that stays moist inside its crunchy coating. Both arrive on fresh buns with toppings that complement rather than overpower the meat.
The kitchen stays closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan your visit for Tuesday through Saturday. The from-scratch approach means you might wait a bit longer than fast food, but the quality difference is obvious. Check their social media for current hours before making the drive.
9. Frannie’s Beef & Catering – Schiller Park
Combining beef and sausage in one sandwich might seem like overkill until you try it at Frannie’s. Their Schiller Park flagship on River Road has been serving this perfect pairing to hungry customers who know that sometimes more really is more.
The beef gets sliced thin and piled high, while a grilled Italian sausage adds a different texture and flavor profile. Sweet or hot peppers finish things off, depending on your preference. The juice from both meats soaks into the bread, creating that messy, delicious experience true beef fans crave.
Beyond the combo, their full sandwich menu offers plenty of other options worth exploring. Hours are listed on their website for easy planning. The catering side of the business proves how much trust locals place in their food quality.
10. Maxwell’s Beef – Downers Grove
Neighborhood stands like Maxwell’s form the backbone of Chicago’s sandwich culture. This Downers Grove spot doesn’t try to be fancy or trendy; they just focus on making solid versions of the classics people actually want to eat.
Their Italian beef holds its own against more famous names, with tender meat and proper seasoning. The gyro comes loaded with meat shaved fresh off the rotating spit, topped with cool tzatziki sauce and crisp vegetables. Subs round out the menu for anyone not in the mood for beef or gyros.
Open daily with verified hours means you can count on them when cravings hit. The no-frills atmosphere keeps prices reasonable while maintaining quality. Locals appreciate having a reliable spot that doesn’t require driving into the city or waiting in long lines.
11. Swanson’s Deli – La Grange
House-roasted corned beef makes all the difference at Swanson’s Deli in La Grange. Rather than buying pre-cooked meat, they roast their own, which gives them complete control over flavor and texture.
The Reuben showcases this corned beef perfectly, layering it with tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and creamy Russian dressing between slices of grilled rye. Each component balances the others without any single flavor taking over. If Reubens aren’t your thing, the build-your-own option lets you create exactly what you’re craving.
Their La Grange location and full menu are available online for browsing before you visit. The deli counter also stocks quality meats and cheeses if you want to make sandwiches at home. Regulars often grab both a sandwich for lunch and supplies for the week ahead.
12. Burt’s Deli – Libertyville
Old-school counters like Burt’s in Libertyville remind you how sandwiches used to be made before chains took over. The approach here stays simple: quality meat sliced thick and piled so high you need to squish it down to take a bite.
Corned beef arrives tender and flavorful, while pastrami brings that signature peppery crust and smoky depth. Both get served on fresh rye with minimal interference because the meat quality speaks for itself. The counter setup lets you watch your sandwich being built, which adds to the nostalgic experience.
Current hours are posted for easy reference before making the trip north. Portions justify the price since you’ll likely have enough for a second meal. The no-nonsense atmosphere appeals to people tired of overpriced sandwiches with more style than substance.
13. Fausto’s Italian Kitchen – Arlington Heights
Italian delis that also function as full kitchens offer advantages regular sandwich shops can’t match. Fausto’s in Arlington Heights uses this setup to create pressed panini and subs that benefit from their kitchen capabilities.
The pressed panini come out hot with cheese melted perfectly throughout and bread that’s crispy on the outside but still soft inside. Traditional subs offer a different texture, with fresh bread that doesn’t get pressed but holds layers of Italian meats and toppings beautifully. The kitchen connection means ingredients stay fresh and preparation happens quickly.
Address and current hours are confirmed online for trip planning. The market side stocks specialty Italian products if you want to recreate their flavors at home. Many customers make it a regular stop for both prepared food and cooking ingredients throughout the week.
14. Sorelle Italian Market – Glenview
Newer spots like Sorelle prove that tradition and modern approaches can coexist beautifully. This all-day Italian market and cafe in Glenview opened recently but already earned a following for their schiacciata sandwiches and market offerings.
Those pressed sandwiches use authentic techniques and quality ingredients to create something that tastes like it came from a small Italian village. The flat bread gets crispy edges while staying soft in the middle, and the fillings showcase cured meats and cheeses imported specifically for their flavor profiles. The all-day hours give you flexibility to stop by whenever hunger strikes.
Glenview location hours are posted live online for current information. The market atmosphere invites browsing while you wait, with shelves full of pasta, olive oils, and other Italian specialties. It’s quickly becoming a destination for anyone serious about Italian food.
15. Once Upon a Bagel – Highland Park
Bagel bakeries that also run full delis create sandwich possibilities that regular shops can’t offer. Once Upon a Bagel in Highland Park bakes their bagels fresh daily, giving you the perfect foundation for hefty sandwiches that actually hold together.
The corned beef version piles tender meat onto a fresh bagel with just enough toppings to add flavor without overwhelming the main ingredient. Their lox option goes classic with cream cheese, tomatoes, red onions, and capers on whatever bagel variety you prefer. Both arrive big enough to share, though you probably won’t want to.
Hours and address are verified on their Highland Park website for easy reference. The bakery smell hits you the moment you walk in, making it hard to resist adding a few extra bagels to your order. Many families make weekend trips here a tradition.
