Two kinds of subs. One city.

Ask a watch collector about "the Sub" and they'll tell you about the Rolex Submariner, the dive watch that's been the most recognizable wristwatch in the world since 1953.

Ask anyone in Chicago about a sub and they'll point you to the nearest beef stand.

Subs and Subs is for both of them. It's a directory of every place in Chicagoland where you can buy a Submariner, and the best places in the city to eat a sandwich. Usually not on the same day. Sometimes on the same day.

What's inside

Submariners. Every Official Rolex Retailer in Chicagoland, plus the pre-owned and vintage dealers worth knowing, with the models they carry, hours, and whether you can walk in.

Subs. Chicago's signature sandwiches and where to get the best of each: Italian beef, the Italian sub, the jibarito, breaded steak, the gym shoe and the Maxwell Street Polish, plus the chef-driven shops doing their own thing.

Why pair them?

Honestly, because it made us laugh. But there's something to it. A great Submariner and a great Italian beef are both Chicago kinds of luxury: classic, built to last, unchanged for decades because they got it right the first time. One you wear for thirty years. The other you eat over the sink in four minutes. Both are worth seeking out.

Ground rules

• Listings are picked on merit. Nobody pays to be here.
• Stock, hours and prices change. Call ahead, especially for watches.
• Know a spot we're missing? Submit it.

Subs and Subs is an independent guide. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Rolex SA or any retailer listed. Rolex and Submariner are trademarks of Rolex SA.