Welcome to Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide ~ Illinois! Here you’ll find some of the best sandwiches in Illinois, as recommended by Panini Happy readers and other local sandwich fans.
To learn more about this guide and browse sandwiches in other regions, return to the Main Guide.
A. Al Capone @ The Algonquin Sub Shop
105 Filip Street, Algonquin
B. Cemita Atomica @ Cemitas Puebla
3619 West North Avenue, Chicago
Sesame seed bread layered with avocado, breaded butterfly pork chop, chile guajillo marinated butterfly pork chop and jamon, adobo chipotle peppers, fresh Oaxacan cheese and papalo
C. Grilled Cheese @ Sprout
1417 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago
D. Corned Beef Sandwich @ Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli
1141 S. Jefferson Street, Chicago
E. Lemongrass tofu banh mi @ Nhu Lan Bakery
2612 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago
F. Italian Beef Sandwich @ Mr Beef On Orleans
666 North Orleans Street, Chicago
G. Italian Beef @ Al’s No 1 Italian Beef
1079 West Taylor Street, Chicago
H. Italian Beef @ Portillo’s
100 West Ontario St., Chicago
“Make sure you get it ‘hot & wet’, hot = spicy giardiniera, wet = the bread is dipped in jus. Soooo good.” – Vicki
I. Pulled Pork Sandwich @ Smokin Woody’s
4160 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
J. Spanish Serrano Ham + Manchego Cheese @ Hannah’s Bretzel
180 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
With shaved fennel and a spiced fig chutney on organic bretzel baguette
K. Cubano @ Cafecito
26 East Congress Parkway, Chicago
Roasted pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, mustard
L. The Sun Also Rises @ Bourgeois Pig Cafe
738 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago
Sundried tomato bread, fresh homemade hummus, oven roasted turkey, fresh tomatoes, Swiss cheese, red onions & alfalfa sprouts
M. Brisket Sandwich @ Smoque BBQ
3800 North Pulaski Road, Chicago
N. Italian Sub @ Bari
1120 W Grand Ave, Chicago
O. Pibil Torta @ Xoco
449 N Clark, Chicago
Wood-roasted suckling pig with achiote, black beans, pickled onion, habanero salsa
P. Italian Beef Sandwich @ Johnnie’s Beef
7500 West North Avenue, Elmwood Park
“Kind of a run down place, but such classic food!” – Bethany
Q. The Italian Sub @ Alpine Food Shop LLC
7538 West North Avenue, Elmwood Park
R. Italian Sandwich @ Peppo’s Great Sub Sandwiches
10303 South Roberts Road, Palos Hills
“The ingredients are standard for an Italian sandwich. What makes it amazing, however, are the freshly baked Italian bread and the ‘GUTS’, or a mixture of onions, tomatoes, pickles, and seasonings all chopped fine and mixed into some kind of oil base. Delicious!” – Victoria
Don’t see your favorite listed? Please feel free to nominate it in the comments. To learn more about this guide and browse sandwiches in other regions, return to the Main Guide.