Five best sandwichs in the USA

According to a survey by MSNBC these are the top 5 in the country

#1- Muffuletta @ Central Grocery in NO @ $11.95

#2- Pastrami on Rye at Katz in NY @14.45

#3- Cheesesteak @ Vesuvion in Philly @ $11.00

#4- Maine Lobster Roll @ Sams Chowder House in California (can you
imagine) @$19.95

#5- Frenchy's Fantasy @ Perry's in Chi Town --$9.95

Anyone got a comment ?? I think roadfood is expensive these days and Maine Lobster Rolls on the Left Coast is stretching it a little !!!!

Obviously, this person has never eaten at Red's Eats in Maine for their lobster roll!

Probably another flawed survey with a some imbalance. Anyone know how it was conducted?

They missed my beloved deep fried breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. Shows how much they know.

I've never heard of Vesuvion in Philly.

I've no idea what a "Frenchy's Fantasy" is but I doubt it could be better than an Italian beef/Sausage combo from Al's, or Mr. Beef.

Probably votes tallied from the 'great unwashed' who vote Domino's as Best Pizza

Kevin

Here are my top 5 or 6 or more----all for $5 or less

A great BLT in any diner in the USA (extra mayo please)

Liverwurst on rye with a few slices of raw onion with mustard--in any deli
in any city

The All-American Italian Hero in any Eye-tralion deli or sandwich shop

Corned Beef on Rye, with a half sour pickle and cole slaw on the side, in
any Jewish Deli===lean on the corned beef please.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato over the sink in my kitchen/with a beer

Cream cheese and jelly in my mom's kitchen/with a glass of milk

The world Famous French Dip-perooney in lots of pubs

Roast beef sandwich at Arby's or Roy Rogers

A sliced tomato (right off the vine) sandwich on white with nothing
but butter and salt in a lot of backyards in August and September.

No yuppy stuff--good old Roadfood every time.

I think the place in Philly is called Vesuvio, without an N at the end.

A friend told me their cheesesteak made the list, but here is how it's described on their menu:

"Cheesesteak Blt Club sautéed filet mignon, caramelized onions, provolone and jalapeno aioli"

It's nothing like a traditional cheesesteak if one is to go be that description. I've yet to eat at this place. Maybe I'll try it out at some point to see if the sandwich lives up to the hype.

I'm glad to see the Katz's pastrami sandwich made it.

Anyone have a link to the survey or know when it was taken? I tried Googling for it but haven't had any luck.

I belive it's being covered all this week on the Today Show.
Al Roker did a slot today on the muffuletta and doing another one tommorow.
This segment may be available online. Chow Jim

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20778329/

This is from the MSNBC site. Looks like its a segment from the Today show

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

Obviously, this person has never eaten at Red's Eats in Maine for their lobster roll!

Couldn't agree more! Wiscasset, Maine has the market cornered for the best lobster roll.

Vesuvio's is a good restaurant but the cheese steak is some yuppie version. I'm a traditionalist.

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

Obviously, this person has never eaten at Red's Eats in Maine for their lobster roll!

I second that opinion!

Corned beef on rye has to be somewhere on the list, spicy deli mustard, and a kosher dill pickle.

So does the BLT with fresh tomato on toasted wheat bread, mayo please, no Miracle Whip.

My preference would include also

A cold meatloaf sandwich, with chili sauce and sliced Vidalia onion on good crusty white.

A Italian hoagie with ham, hard salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, banana peppers, and Italian dressing on a hoagie roll.

Roast turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing on white.

And, of course, the Pork Tenderloin, with pickle, onion, mustard, ketchup, salt and pepper.

Yawn.

I'm tired of all these "best' surveys, that try to distill the flavors and essences of hundreds of thousands, or perhaps more than a million restaurants and sandwich shops across the country. It's one thing to name the best five economy cars, for example, out of a couple dozen or so; but the best five sandwiches? Putting aside the subjectibility of taste for a moment, did anyone actually try all the candidates? And, if it is a mere survey, was there any rigor applied? of course not. I guarantee no one tried the sausage/pepper/onion with marinara from Bellhop's in Hazleton.

Worthless filler, that's all it is. Pointless.

I like the ancient mariner's list, he had me all the way up to the Arby's and Roy's; I had an Arby's for lunch Saturday. It was... edible. I could understand someone liking it, but I couldn't understand placing it on any list of even personal top five!

Yeah, the Ancient Mariner had me agreeing up to Arby's and Roy Rogers. Then he must have had a brain fart.

The mariner had me until Arby's or Roy's also- and the tomato from the garden has to have mayo and salt & pepper- no butter- and the cream cheese could be on moist gooey date bread- no jelly needed.
otherwise that's my list too

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

According to a survey by MSNBC these are the top 5 in the country

#1- Muffuletta @ Central Grocery in NO @ $11.95

#2- Pastrami on Rye at Katz in NY @14.45

#3- Cheesesteak @ Vesuvion in Philly @ $11.00

#4- Maine Lobster Roll @ Sams Chowder House in California (can you
imagine) @$19.95

#5- Frenchy's Fantasy @ Perry's in Chi Town --$9.95

Anyone got a comment ?? I think roadfood is expensive these days and Maine Lobster Rolls on the Left Coast is stretching it a little !!!!

I'm curious. It's been a long time for me but, nowadays, just how much does a good lobster roll sandwich cost in one of those "hallowed halls" of Maine's eponymous lobster shacks?

These days, I'm a bit provincial to be proclaiming the five best sandwiches in America. I'd like to have a crack at listing the five best in middle Tennessee, though.
a) fried hot fish at Kingfish
b) Grilled pimiento cheese W/ bacon at Henpark Market.
c) Corregio's 10k lira sandwich off of south 12th.
d) Burger on French bread at the place on Elliston.
e) My fifth choice breaks the geography chains...I'm going for the Limburger and onion at Baumgartners in Monroe, Wisconsin.

The best 5 sandwiches I can recall are.........

Number 1. Shrimp salad on rye from Brook's luncheonette on the ground floor of the Empire State Building. Fifth Ave. side at 33rd street. Not sure if it's still there. Anyone know?
Number 2. Pastrami on rye from Katz's deli.
Number 3. Yes, the Muffuletta from Central Grocery, New Orleans.
Number 4. My late mom's BLT.
Number 5. A good grilled cheese with tomato from any diner East of the Mississippi.
And, if I may take a liberty.........
Number 5-1/2. Liverwurst and American cheese with German mustard on a "hard roll" with a sour pickle from Schaller & Webber on East 86th. Street in NYC.
Don't forget the Yoo Hoo to wash it down.

quote:

O

A sliced tomato (right off the vine) sandwich on white with nothing
but butter and salt in a lot of backyards in August and September.

No yuppy stuff--good old Roadfood every time.

One of my all time favorites but you forgot fresh ground black pepper!
David O.

twinwillow-
I paid $16.00 at Red's Eats for a lobster roll three weeks ago.

My top five include:
1. Philly wit'
2. B.L.T. at home with extra (real)mayo
3. Fried Bologna
4. Meatball Sub with Provolone
5. Sausage Grinder with peppers and onions



David O.

In St. Louis I grew up on a St. Paul sandwich which was found at any chinese take out storefront....it is an egg foo young patty between two slices of plain ole white bread. Its wrapped in paper and you'd best keep it on as a sleeve for the whole thing becomes one gooey, d-lish mess. Anyone else ever have one?

I will be in NYC next month for a school trip. Katz's is on the itinerary. Can't wait!

1) BLT definately!! with a nice juicy tomato
2) Stubborn Swede which is a swedish meatball sandwich made by crown bakery in Worcester
3) #9 Steak bomb with cheese/onions/peppers/mushrooms at D'Angelos
4) Reuben sandwich on either dark rye or pumpernickel.
5)leftover turkey- sandwich with cranberries and dressing.

OK, youse guys, I give up. Arby's and Roy Rogers are off the list.
I have an excuse though, I haven't been inside either in years. They
used to be good, so I stand corrected--I will even go stand in the
corner with a dunce cap on.

But I must say y'all have reminded me of 3 of my all time favorites.
The old memory ain't what it used to be, if it ever was in the first place.

After eliminating the two roast beef joints I will add these from your lists---

--A great big delicious Sausage and Pepper from the Italian Hero Shop---absolutely a must

--The cold meatloaf from my refrigerator) (or yours)with ketchup-- how could I forget that ??

--and The Sat after Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce
---fantastic while watching college football with the fireplace blazing away.
Life is good sometimes.

Sam-itches (as my mother-in-law, who was from Brooklyn, would say) are great
comfort food-----and Long Live Comfort !!!!!! Ole !!!!

quote:

Originally posted by twinwillow
Number 1. Shrimp salad on rye from Brook's luncheonette on the ground floor of the Empire State Building. Fifth Ave. side at 33rd street. Not sure if it's still there. Anyone know?

Long, long gone.

quote:

Originally posted by Poverty Pete

These days, I'm a bit provincial to be proclaiming the five best sandwiches in America. I'd like to have a crack at listing the five best in middle Tennessee, though.
a) fried hot fish at Kingfish
b) Grilled pimiento cheese W/ bacon at Henpark Market.
c) Corregio's 10k lira sandwich off of south 12th.
d) Burger on French bread at Rotier's on Elliston Place.
e) Pork barbecue sandwich at Martin's in Nolensville.

Fixed that for ya Pete...

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Rushmore Jr.

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

Obviously, this person has never eaten at Red's Eats in Maine for their lobster roll!

I second that opinion!

Third it. Best sandwich I've ever had.

I grew up in St. Louis and on a unique sandwich called a St. Paul. It was at every storefront chinese take out joint and consisted of an egg foo young patty between 2 slices of plain white bread. It was wrapped in paper and had a spoonful of gravy ooozing out....it was messy, but D-Lish.

I've eaten dinner at Vesuvio. Good pasta. Great deserts. Never saw sandwich.

1. BLT - anywhere (will also give grilled cheese w/ tomato and bacon equal time)
2. BBQ Shrimp Po Boy - Acadiana
3. Italian Sub - anywhere
4. grilled peanut butter - ala home
5. Turkey Melt - K's NY Deli - formally Krupin's.

I make no promises on the pricing anywhere. Burgers get a catagory of their own from me.

No particular order, just as they come to mind:

1. Lobster roll -- Red's, Wiscasset, ME.

2. Razzano's Special, Razzano Imported Food, Glen Cove, N.Y. -- Razzano's is an Italian deli -- the Special is basically whatever you want it to be -- you work with the person behind the counter to design your own sandwich (mine = Italian bread, tomatoes, salt, pepper, lettuce, onions, prosciutto, mortadella, Genoa salami, prosciuttini [peppered ham], pepperoni, maybe a little bit of roasted red peppers -- I add olive oil, red wine vinegar and oregano when I get home)

3. Gyro -- Greek Festival (May), Frederick, MD.

4. Bobbie -- Capriotti's, Newark, DE.

5. Pastrami and corned beef on rye with cole slaw and Russian dressing -- Ben's, Greenvale, N.Y.

My top 5 all in Chicago:

1) MANNY's (carved Beef sandwich) Nothing compares

2) LAMILANSE (Breaded Steak) sadly they went out of business

3) FONTANO's ( Italian Subs, may fav ... the "Blockbuster)

4) BOSTON's Beef (Italian Beef Sangwich, that's right if it is Italian it's a sangwich)

5) Anything from SUBWAY (just kidding, I just wanted to see who was really reading this post)

Gotta love an Oyster Po'Boy sitting on a rock watching the Mississippi roll by. Tomorrow it will be Central Grocery for a muffuletta, same rock. A Maine lobster roll (no mayo, or salad type) is right up there as well as a real Philly cheese steak. A current homemade favorite is seared duck breast in balsamic, toss in fresh sliced beets, cook til al dente. Serve on crusty country bread with chopped walnuts and some fresh crumbled bleu cheese....oh, yeah! Today I sauteed some chicken breast tenders in butter and olive oil, added some curry and garam masala....cool and rough chop with scallions, celery, a Honey Crisp Apple, toss very lightly with mayo. Chill and serve on a toasted English muffin....Hey, I think I'll go have another one!

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

OK, youse guys, I give up. Arby's and Roy Rogers are off the list.
I have an excuse though, I haven't been inside either in years. They
used to be good, so I stand corrected--I will even go stand in the
corner with a dunce cap on.

But I must say y'all have reminded me of 3 of my all time favorites.
The old memory ain't what it used to be, if it ever was in the first place.

After eliminating the two roast beef joints I will add these from your lists---

--A great big delicious Sausage and Pepper from the Italian Hero Shop---absolutely a must

--The cold meatloaf from my refrigerator) (or yours)with ketchup-- how could I forget that ??

--and The Sat after Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce
---fantastic while watching college football with the fireplace blazing away.
Life is good sometimes.

Sam-itches (as my mother-in-law, who was from Brooklyn, would say) are great
comfort food-----and Long Live Comfort !!!!!! Ole !!!!

Ok, I know I did 5-1/2 but, I have to add one more. Like Ancient Mariner, that cold leftover meatloaf sandwich with ketchup. Especially at midnight!

quote:

Originally posted by Pigiron

quote:

Originally posted by twinwillow
Number 1. Shrimp salad on rye from Brook's luncheonette on the ground floor of the Empire State Building. Fifth Ave. side at 33rd street. Not sure if it's still there. Anyone know?

Long, long gone.

How sad.

One more-please? Just one more? A BBQ chopped brisket on a bun with sauce and raw onion from (the original)
Sonny Bryan's BBQ in Dallas. And, a Dr. Pepper.

Assuming we aren't counting burgers and bbq, here is my top five:

1) Lobster Roll - Red's Eats in Maine
2) Roasted Pork Italian with Broccoli Rabe - Tony Luke's in Philly
3) Beef on Weck - Schwabl's in Buffalo
4) Turkey Devonshire - Union Grill in Pittsburgh
5) Breakfast Sammich' - Waldorf A' Story in Wyoming


It was tough not to include a Philly cheesesteak, an Italian Beef from Chicago or a Cuban from Florida, but I could only choose five.
I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot some really good ones, too.

Five favorites that come to mind:

Double-decker PB&J with bananas at Good Dog Bar in Philly
Pastrami on rye at Katz's
Corned beef on rye at Famous Fourth Street Deli in Philly
Cheesesteak from Steve's Prince of Steaks
Roast Pork Italiano from Tony Luke's

My list, excluding cheeseburgers (which would be a whole other, much longer list), would have to be, in no particular order:
1. Chopped chicken liver on rye at Shapiro's in Indianapolis. Rich, slightly oniony chopped chicken livers spread about 3" thick on soft tangy rye. 1/2 a sandwich will do it!
2. My dad's cheddar and garden tomato sandwich. Being British, he puts butter on all sandwiches, and it keeps the tomato from dissolving the bread.
3. The muffaletta from Central Grocery. No others have come close to that glorious olivey mess.
4. A turkey or roast beef manhattan from any reputable diner. The mashed potatoes don't even have to be real, as long as they aren't gluey and the gravy's good. A good manhattan is all about the gravy.
5. A peanut butter and nanner sandwich, perferably on squishy white bread, eaten in view of Graceland or while listening to Elvis. Putting it in one of those panini things takes it to a whole other level. So does Nutella, but that's really gilding the lily, so to speak.

quote:

Originally posted by jettababs


4. A turkey or roast beef manhattan from any reputable diner. The mashed potatoes don't even have to be real, as long as they aren't gluey and the gravy's good. A good manhattan is all about the gravy.

Is that what I've always known as a Hot Open Turkey or Hot Open Roast Beef Sandwich?

quote:

Originally posted by MacTAC

quote:

Originally posted by jettababs


4. A turkey or roast beef manhattan from any reputable diner. The mashed potatoes don't even have to be real, as long as they aren't gluey and the gravy's good. A good manhattan is all about the gravy.

Is that what I've always known as a Hot Open Turkey or Hot Open Roast Beef Sandwich?

Ive always known them to be called, hot open...

Been to Central Grocery and Katz's....How can you go wrong in either case. But, to select a lobster roll from a place in California? How is that possible? I don't get it.

Never got to Red's because the line was so long. But we had lobster rolls in Lincolnville and the Wells area..Wonderful. Maine is underrated for their restaurants.

1) A great Philly Cheese Steak (Where it was born Philly)
2) A massive Italian Grinder with the oil and vinegar dripping in any NE city with a good cold one.
3) What about loaded pulled pork BBQ sandwich from a roadside smoking pit & another 16 oz.
4) A Blackened Po'Boy (Shrimp-n-Oysters or Crawfish-n-Shrimp) fully dressed & another cold one or two on any N.O. street corner
5) A spicy Italian sausage with onions/peppers grilled in a Red wine/olive oil base with a little tomato sauce & provolone cheese over the top on a crusty roll.

I'd add the lobster roll looks great but never had one (DO you drink wine with it?). I can only go on what I know.
I forgot a plump kielbasa or brauts & sauerkraut with a good layer of mustard & a cold one!
Will this ever end?

They omitted my favorite sandwich. An Italian Hot Dog, preferably from Jimmy Buff's or Tommy's in North Jersey.

One of my all-time favorites (perhaps it is the environment) is the pimiento cheese sandwich served at the Master's in Augusta. Something about it makes it so special.

Suddenly in the middle of the night---well 405 AM -----I remembered that I forgot one of my favorites.

In the New York area every deli has a breakfast special---2 fried eggs on a hard roll,
salt and pepper and ketchup if you so desire. Add bacon, ham or cheese for a few cents
more. The eggs are fried "over hard" so the yolk doesn't run down onto your tie or best
suit. The sam-itch is accompanied by coffee and the whole deal costs 2.99 or thereabouts.

I have never been at a construction site (and I am on them a lot) where the guys aren't
chowing down these greasy, calorie filled but delicious morsels, or if I'm not on time
I find the remnants.

Another big seller in Nueva York is the cream cheese on a bagel breakfast. Real NY
bagels--plain, onion, poppy seed, cinnamon-raisin ---whatever--- with a smear.
Or to be hi-class add a slab of lox.

Two more sandwichs better than some of the honored five.

The Philly cheese steak from Vesuvion's sure did look good on the Today show. It is an upgraded upscale product and a tad bit expensive but it sure did look good.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by twinwillow

quote:

Originally posted by MacTAC

quote:

Originally posted by jettababs


4. A turkey or roast beef manhattan from any reputable diner. The mashed potatoes don't even have to be real, as long as they aren't gluey and the gravy's good. A good manhattan is all about the gravy.

Is that what I've always known as a Hot Open Turkey or Hot Open Roast Beef Sandwich?

Ive always known them to be called, hot open...

I've seen them that way, too, and there's the yummy variation, the Kentucky Hot Brown, which has bacon and tomatoes and a cheesy sauce instead of gravy. Most of the diners around here that serve them, though, call them manhattans. No idea why, and it does kind of conjure up a mental image of roast beef and gravy in a martini glass garnished with a cherry....

Oneiron339 has reminded me of one I forgot. The cheese pimiento sandwich, grilled with bacon and tomato from Henpeck Market near Nashville.

Saint Louis Top Five:

Chicken and Goat Cheese at The Pitted Olive
Peppered Pork at Iron Barley
BLT at Crown Candy
Mary's Special at Adriana's (well, any sandwich from Adriana's will do)
Cuban at La Tropicana

Big Kahuna, yes I've had Egg Foo Young. Pretty good, but the Fried Egg Sandwich at Iron Barley is much better.

Here are some great sandwiches for a lot cheaper than those prices.

1. The "Special" sub at Amighetti's in the Hill (the Italian neighborhood) in St. Louis - $3.57 (a very generosu "small") or $5.77 (large) worth of pure bliss.

2. The monstrous fish sandwich with a pound of fried whiting ($6) at Wholey's in Pittsburgh.

3. It's hard to beat a good falafel sandwich for $3 to $5.

4. A genuine Chicago-style Italian beef at $4 to $5.

Arby's!?! Roy Rogers!?! Puh-lease.

I grew up on the north shore of Massachusetts. A lot of greek immigrants have little Roast Beef Sandwich shops from Boston to NH(Nicks in Beverly, Supreme in Danvers, Land and Sea Peabody). They serve real roast beef (cooked in their own ovens) slice it thin and on a hamburger roll. Dress it with spicy sweet bbq and mayo. Oooff-ahh! Usually its medium rare and just real-not fake or processed.

I found the Italian beef sandwich to be nowhere near as good as a Chicago dog from Superdawg. Good stuff.

1. White House Special from The White House in Atlantic City, NJ.
2. Special Italian Hoagie from Sarcones in Philadelphia, PA.
3. Canters Delight from Canters Deli in Los Angeles/Las Vegas.
4. Cheesesteak from Papa Jakes in Manhattan Beach, CA.
5. Home made sandwich-pastrami and provolone on a buttered and grilled baguette, served with a dill pickle and some Doritos.

I don't know about the USA but here are the best we have tried

RANK
NAME
LOCATION
RECOMMENDATION



1 Harold's Deli Edison, NJ or NY, NY Knish or Rye Rueben
2 *Tony Luke’s
Philadelphia, PA
Chicken, Veal or Pork –Italiano

3 *Johnny Hots
Philadelphia, PA
Hot Sausage, cheese, mustard

4 *Nicks Old Original
South Philly, PA
Any Roast Beef sandwich

5 John’s Roast Pork
Philadelphia, PA
Roast Pork

6 Callaway’s
Huntington Valley, PA
1/2lb BLT

7 Jimmy Johns State College, PA J.J. Gargantuan
8 Sandy’s Beef and Ale
Langhorne, PA
Roast Beef

9 Little Nicky’s
Philadelphia, PA
Any of the “Fat” sandwiches

10 McNally’s
Philadelphia, PA
Schmitter

11 McGowans Sea Isle City, NJ Junk Yard Dog (Originally from Pat Sandwiches from Sea Isle)
12 Uncle Bill's Country Market Levittown, PA Fried Liverwurst, onions, spicy mustard.

13 Meglio Newtown, PA Meatball Parm
14 Mineola Diner Mineola, NY Pastrami / Portugese Bakery Roll
15 Altomonte’s Italian Market
Warminster, PA
Any

16 Papa's Pizza Trevose, PA Sausage Parm with Mayo. (The Staywich)
17 Are U Hungry State College, PA Any of the "Fat" Sandwiches
18 Kelly's Revere, MA Roast Beef
19 Philly Style Levittown, PA Pork Roll and Cheese Pretzel
20 Ishkabibbles Philadelphia, PA Chicken Cheesesteak




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------






Tony Luke’s The buster is good also as just about anything is there as well. What makes a sandwich “Italiano” is the addition of broccoli rabe (pronounced rob) and garlic.


Johnny Hots – Open limited hours. Make sure you check their website before going down. If they are closed, just head down the street another 15 minutes and hit Tony Luke’s.


Nicks Old Original Roast Beef – 2149 South 20th St, Philadelphia, PA. Not open on Sundays.


Tony

please understand we don't consider cheesesteaks and hoagiesto be sandwiches around Philly. They are ... well, Cheesesteak and Hoagies . Kinda wierd I guess but that is why none of them are in my list above. I have completley seperate lists for those...

Tony

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

According to a survey by MSNBC these are the top 5 in the country

#1- Muffuletta @ Central Grocery in NO @ $11.95

#2- Pastrami on Rye at Katz in NY @14.45

#3- Cheesesteak @ Vesuvion in Philly @ $11.00

#4- Maine Lobster Roll @ Sams Chowder House in California (can you
imagine) @$19.95

#5- Frenchy's Fantasy @ Perry's in Chi Town --$9.95

Anyone got a comment ?? I think roadfood is expensive these days and Maine Lobster Rolls on the Left Coast is stretching it a little !!!!

Back to the original post, I know we all have our personal favorites, but these were the ones showcased on the Today show.
I didn't see all the segments caught the cheese steak one and it looked damn decient. I'd be very willing to try it.
Also seen the Lobster roll, not bad at all for the left coast. The thing that might have put this on the top was the roll. It looked like a traditional New england style roll but handcrafted out there. In fact that roll looked very good. A good lobster roll here will set you back anywhere from $12 to $16 so all things cosidered their price wasn't that far out of line. Product is mostly all the same no matter wether it's east coast or west coast, 90% of it comes frozen in a can, yes even the ones you get in Maine. Chow Jim

pittsburger at primanti brothers

corned beef or brisket(w/pot pancake) at mannys in chicago

disaster sandwich at sarkis grill evanston illinois

anything at poochies or herms skokie illinois

and a well done gyro at dengeos skokie

My favorites:

1. Pastrami at Katz's (nothing is even close)
2. Italian hero with fresh mozz from any reputable Italian deli (Mama's of Corona comes to mind)
3. Shwarma/Falafel combo from Moishe's
4. Pork/broccoli rabe/provolone from Tony Luke's, Philly
5. Lobster roll from Red's Eats (one of the few places that surpassed huge expectations)

quote:

Originally posted by Pigiron

My favorites:

1. Pastrami at Katz's (nothing is even close)
2. Italian hero with fresh mozz from any reputable Italian deli (Mama's of Corona comes to mind)
3. Shwarma/Falafel combo from Moishe's
4. Pork/broccoli rabe/provolone from Tony Luke's, Philly
5. Lobster roll from Red's Eats (one of the few places that surpassed huge expectations)

Have you ever tried the falafel at Mamoun's on McDougal Street?
It's been a decade and a half and it still rings in my memory. One of my friends who is a Persian Jew and knows his falafel says it's still the best.

www.mamounsfalafel.com/