The Six-Sandwich Chicago Crawl

Chicago has more signature sandwiches than almost any city in America. Eating all six in a day is a terrible idea. Here's how to do it anyway.

Ground rules: split everything with a friend, drink water, and wear pants with some give. You'll want a car or a lot of patience with the CTA; these spots are spread out.

1. Italian sub — late morning, West Loop

J.P. Graziano Grocery, 901 W Randolph St. Start gently, with cured meats and provolone on crusty bread from a family Italian grocery that's been on Randolph for generations. It's the "lightest" stop on this list, which tells you everything about this list.

2. Italian beef — lunch, Little Italy

Al's #1 Italian Beef, 1079 W Taylor St. A short drive southwest. Order a beef, hot, dipped, and eat it standing at the counter. If you want a second opinion, Carm's is a block away. (Purists will tell you to drive to Johnnie's in Elmwood Park instead. They're not wrong; it's just farther.)

3. Maxwell Street Polish — early afternoon, Union Ave

Express Grill, 1260 S Union Ave. Five minutes from Taylor Street. Polish with grilled onions and mustard, fries in the bag. Take a walk afterward. You'll need it.

4. Breaded steak — mid-afternoon, Bridgeport

Ricobene's, 252 W 26th St. Head south to the home of the breaded steak: a fried cutlet the size of a dinner plate, in red gravy, on French bread. Order the regular size. Seriously, the regular.

5. Gym Shoe — late afternoon, South Side

Southtown Sub, 112 E 71st St. Corned beef, roast beef and gyro meat with gyro sauce on a sub roll. Takeout only, so eat it in the parking lot. You've earned a sit-down, but you won't get one here.

6. Jibarito — dinner, North Side

Borinquen Lounge, 3811 N Western Ave. The long drive north is your digestion break. End where the jibarito began: steak and garlic mayo between two fried green plantains. Technically there's no bread involved, so it's practically a salad.

The shortcut

Only have a lunch break? Do stops 2 and 3. Al's and Express Grill are about five minutes apart, and between them you'll have eaten two of Chicago's most famous sandwiches before your 1:30.

Find all six sandwiches, and more places to eat each one, in our Subs section.