Subs

Small, long-running BYOB spot in Humboldt Park famous for rotisserie chicken, which also goes shredded into a well-regarded jibarito.

Busy, music-filled Hermosa restaurant and bar with a big Puerto Rican menu. The jibarito is stacked with skirt steak; cheese costs extra.

Family-run North Side hot dog spot with the giant fork-speared hot dog sign. Its char-grilled Vienna Polish shows up on critics' lists.

24-hour West Side walk-up window carrying on the old Maxwell Street market-stand style: Polish with griddled onions, mustard and fries, often with a pork chop sandwich.

No-frills Puerto Rican kitchen on the Humboldt Park and Logan Square border. People come for the thin-sliced steak jibarito with garlicky mayo.

Melrose Park bakery and deli making subs to order on its own bread, and just as known for thick, airy sfincione-style pizza by the slice.

Taylor Street Italian grocery that has kept its old character, building careful cold subs at the back deli counter. Browse the imported pantry while you wait.

Small Little Italy corner shop making oversized, inexpensive subs layered with prosciuttini, capocollo, provolone and giardiniera. A longtime UIC and medical-district favorite.

Elmwood Park deli whose namesake sub of imported salami, ham and provolone with garlicky oil has barely changed since 1955. Ask for the housemade hot giardiniera.

Pop-up turned Paseo Boricua storefront in 2025 that swaps burger buns for fried plantains around smashed patties. Breakfast versions too.

Bright sandwich bar and cafe across from Humboldt Park whose Italian, on crackly flatbread, ranks near the top of critics' lists. Full bar, open breakfast into evening.

Former Pilsen favorite that reopened in the Loop after a fire. Every jibarito comes full or half size, including a vegan version.