Subs

Grand Avenue bakery open since 1970 whose bread supplies many of the city's delis. Its own counter turns that bread into salami, capicola and provolone subs with hot giardiniera.

Family-owned Italian grocery with 50+ years on North Avenue, making its own sausage and pasta. The Capri sub gets a house vinaigrette. Bring cash.

Small family-run northwest suburban deli that made Yelp's 2025 list of the top 100 U.S. sandwich shops. Fresh-baked bread; the meatballs and cannoli are worth it too.

Large family-run Italian market and deli in DuPage County building hefty subs on crusty rolls, with imported groceries on the shelves.

Edison Park deli and grocery known for big, well-priced subs piled with assertive Italian meats on chewy bread. Closed Mondays.

Friendly Logan Square counter with Cuban roots where the owner greets regulars by name. Jibaritos with fillings from classic steak to ropa vieja.

Old-fashioned Belmont Avenue deli (unrelated to the Harlem Nottoli) that makes its own sausage and builds subs to order. Open Wednesday to Saturday only.

Family-run Harlem Avenue import shop making subs to order from its cured-meat case on D'Amato's bread. Try the spicy Diavolo too.

Old-school German-style butcher that cures its own cold cuts, and the sub counter turns them into an Italian critics rank among the city's best. Order ahead; there's usually a line.

Uptown corner grocery with a busy deli counter. Italian and Sicilian subs on chunky, airy bread with salty cured meats and roasted peppers.

Norwood Park Italian market whose counter loads its cold-cut subs with meat and dresses them generously. Call ahead to skip the line.

West Side sub shop in North Austin pointed to for the Gym Shoe: lots of meat on fresh bread without being a total mess.