Ad Categories: Dining & Drinking

No condiments, no fuss, just saucy meatballs (from the owners’ 80-year-old family recipe) on a crunchy Upper Crust roll, provolone optional. Sure, this Italian-heavy stretch of Grand Avenue is paved with meatballs—but at lunch the line starts and ends here. $4.50. 1120 W. Grand Ave., 312-666-0730, bariitaliansubs.com Previous 15. Wild Boar Sloppy Joe Longman & … Read more

Drink to That The whole sassy crew at HotChocolate agrees there’s nothing finer than a chilled white with seafood, so look to a glass of crisp 2008 Koehler-Ruprecht pinot blanc ($15) to enhance the crab’s flavor. In these parts, crab cakes are always a gamble. Mindy Segal’s sandwich hits the jackpot with its perfectly round … Read more

Not the gooiest but definitely the kickiest grilled cheese around, thanks to the genius who thought to melt local heirloom pimientos right into the tangy cheddar. Chow-chow made with sautéed onions, cabbage, and peppers adds to the glow it leaves in your mouth. You’ll fall for the toasted marbled rye, too. $8. 5347 N. Clark … Read more

Pastrami is the bacon of deli meats—a succulent, salty guilty pleasure that’s rarely described as lean. Max’s must have a surgeon working in the kitchen because we’ve never seen pastrami this svelte and tender. And the juice from the warm meat soaks into the chewy rye bread. $11.95. 191 Skokie Valley Rd., Highland Park, 847-831-0600, … Read more

Drink to That “Our Lillet Rose martini [$12] is a great apéritif to begin any meal,” says bar manager Amie Autenrieth. “It’s clean and crisp, floral and fruity, but the Lillet gives it depth. We came up with it because not everyone wants brown spirits.” Photo: Travas Machel Any respectable diner offers this humblest of … Read more

When a boneless chicken breast is dripping with jus, somebody did something right. It’s crammed into a grilled sourdough roll from Biondillo Bakery along with mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and pesto ranch dressing. Damn right. $6. 241 N. York Rd., Elmhurst, 630-516-3354, rosaliasdeli.com Previous 39. The Hen House Saigon Sisters Next 41. The Marty Z&H … Read more

The craving can strike at any time, day or night. Here’s where to get your sandwich fix—both chic and cheap—regardless of what the clock says.

Pork belly, short rib, oyster, and more