Not fair that Parisians are so famously skinny, with grilled cheese like this at their disposal—hefty with ham, oozy with Swiss and béchamel, a feast on crusty sourdough bread. With frites, bien sûr. $8. 1834 W. Montrose Ave., 773-334-5664, troquetchicago.com Previous 36. Duck Confit and Mozzarella First Slice Pie Café Next 38. Green Garbanzo Grahamwich
In a town that recently discovered the joys of lobster rolls, nobody does them better than Ryan McCaskey. He flies in fresh crustaceans from Maine daily, poaches them, sprinkles them with paprika and chives, and cradles them in buttery grilled rolls. From the Atlantic to your belly in 24 hours. $16. 1639 S. Wabash Ave., … Read more
Cut in quarters and stabbed with cellophaned toothpicks, this turkey club on whole-wheat toast gets everything right, especially the thick slices of juicy turkey. Love the red onion, and the smear of housemade cilantro mayo is brilliant. $11.50. 333 E. Benton Pl., 773-234-3449, eggysdiner.com Previous 17. Corned Beef Manny's Next 19. Falafel Old Jerusalem
Dawali’s filling shawarma escapes a common problem—the seasoned lamb-beef combo is in just the right proportion to the tahini sauce, greens, cucumbers, and pita bread. $6. Multiple locations, dawalikitchen.com Previous 21. Chicken Schnitzel Olga's Delicatessen Next 23. Toasted Pimiento Cheese Big Jone
La Pane might be known for pizza, but it offers a veggie panino with a punch. The power is in the piquant green pesto, made from peppers imported from Serbia, which is also delish on a freshly baked croissant. $5.99. 2954 W. Irving Park Rd., 773-539-5321, lapanechicago.com
Sometimes you come across a sandwich with a combination of fillings so wacky it works. For example, why would anyone put avocado, goat cheese, spiced almond butter, celery, and red onions on a baguette? We love it—whatever the reason. $7.52. Multiple locations, pastoralartisan.com Previous 24. Vegetarian Panino La Pane Next 26. Pastrami Max's Deli
This hulk—which stacks copious amounts of coleslaw and salty skin-on fries over layers of Italian deli meats and cold provolone on white—admits very few to the Clean Plate Club. $7.50. Multiple locations, luckysandwich.com Previous 26. Pastrami Max's Deli Next 28. Smoked Ham City Provisions
Each element of this highfalutin deli delight—smoky ham, pungent Gruyère, mayo studded with chunks of apple and onion, a robust oatmeal rosemary baguette—is special enough to squelch your remorse about dropping the big bucks on it. $12.95. 1818 W. Wilson Ave., 773-293-2489, cityprovisions.com Previous 27. The Fredo Lucky's Sandwich Co. Next 29. Jibarito Papa's Cache … Read more
“Truly inspired.”
Thought your bologna-eating days had retired with your lunchbox? Luscious house-cured mortadella dotted with black pepper, sliced thin, and piled into layers on a spongy brioche bun should put you right back in the game. No thermos necessary. $9. 800 W. Randolph St., 312-929-4580, aucheval.tumblr.com Previous 1. BLT Old Oak Tap Next 3. Woodland Mushroom … Read more
