Customers Swear The Deli Meats At These 10 Illinois Sandwich Shops Are A Cut Above The Rest
One Illinois deli has been slicing corned beef cafeteria-style since 1942, and it still hands you a tray. Another shop has been building Italian subs since 1937.
That’s older than sliced bread’s big boom in most kitchens.
I love that these counters didn’t chase trends. They stuck with house-cured meats, navel pastrami sold by the pound, and baguettes baked right on site.
A few even started as grocery stores before sandwiches took over.
The list stretches from Chicago’s busy blocks to Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield. Some spots are old-school Jewish delis.
Others are Italian markets where the meat case does half the talking.
So here’s my question. When a sandwich is stacked this high, do you eat it with your hands or surrender and grab a fork?
I honestly can’t decide, and I’m happy to keep testing.
1. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen
Grab a tray, because this Chicago legend still runs cafeteria-style after more than eighty years. The family behind it started serving in 1942 and moved to this Near West Side spot in 1964.
Corned beef and pastrami are the stars here, sliced thick and piled onto rye. The sandwiches are big enough that sharing with a kid may help stretch lunch.
The menu goes well beyond sandwiches, too. You’ll find potato pancakes, matzo ball soup, liver and onions, pepper steak, and babka French toast.
That variety makes it handy for families with picky eaters. One person can grab a Reuben while someone else picks a turkey sandwich or a plate of breakfast.
The room carries a vintage, nostalgic feel that suits the food. Think less polish and more history, with hot and cold entrees lined up for you to point at.
Breakfast and lunch draw the crowds, and afternoons tend to be busiest. Early evenings on weekdays are often calmer if you want a quieter tray run.
A free on-site lot is a real perk this close to downtown. It’s closed Mondays, and Sunday hours run shorter, so check ahead before you drive in.
Address: 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607
2. J.P. Graziano Grocery
Since 1937, this corner of Randolph Street has been feeding Chicago Italian goods. Back then the Fulton Market area looked very different, but the subs kept rolling.
Today it’s a market and sandwich shop with a serious reputation for cold cuts. Mortadella, prosciutto, and capicola show up on subs built on bread that’s crunchy outside and soft within.
Heat seekers should know the Italian and the Spicy get plenty of love. The Mr. G with hot peppers is another favorite that keeps people coming back.
The dressings deserve their own shout-out. They tie the meats together and keep each bite from feeling dry.
Save room for a cannoli, which many call among the best in Chicago. Kids who aren’t into spicy subs may happily trade lunch for one.
Hours are a bit unusual, so plan carefully. Lunch runs Tuesday through Saturday, with evening hours added late in the week, and it’s closed Sunday and Monday.
Weekday afternoons tend to get busy, while Friday nights are often quieter. On-site and paid street parking are both options, but check ahead before heading over.
Address: 901 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
3. Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen
Bagels and pastrami share the spotlight at this long-standing kosher bakery and deli in Skokie. It’s the kind of stop where breakfast and lunch blur together happily.
The deli case is the main event. Corned beef, pastrami, brisket, and smoked fish get piled high on sandwiches and are also sold by the pound.
Want a name to remember? Zeide’s Favorite Heartburn sits on the menu next to The Looney Tuna, so the humor is baked right in.
The lox bagel is a big draw, layered and creamy with plenty of fish. Knishes and potato pancakes round out the classics.
Don’t skip the pickles, which earn steady praise. The bakery side adds treats that make an easy bribe for kids in the back seat.
The layout can feel a little tight, and figuring out where to order takes a moment. Ask the staff and you’ll get pointed to the right counter.
Weekends get busy, especially Sunday mornings. Free lot and street parking help, and curbside pickup is available if you’d rather skip the line entirely.
Hours end midafternoon on some days, so check ahead.
Address: 4905 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60077
4. Burt’s Deli
A sandwich called the Yummy tells you exactly how seriously this shop takes its job. It stacks hot corned beef and pastrami with cheese, horseradish, and mustard on rye.
Burt’s is a small, old-school deli in a Libertyville strip center. The setting is no-frills, and that’s part of the charm.
Corned beef is the headliner here. It’s served hot, lean, and tender, on fresh rye that holds up to the pile.
Seasoning gets plenty of attention too. The pastrami and corned beef arrive stacked high, the way a classic deli sandwich should be.
Keep it simple if you’re new. A pastrami on rye with mustard is a smart first order, and horseradish adds a kick for brave eaters.
The hours are short, so timing matters. It’s open Monday through Saturday from morning until early afternoon and closed Sunday.
That makes it a natural lunch stop on a Lake County day trip. A free parking lot makes the in-and-out easy with kids.
There’s no delivery, so you’ll need to dine in or carry out. Check ahead before driving up from Chicago.
Address: 114 Greentree Ctr, Libertyville, IL 60048
5. DeLishka Sandwiches & Bites
Paris meets the North Shore at this Glenview counter, where ham and butter on a baguette gets top billing. The menu calls it the Jambon-Beurre, also known as the Classic Parisian.
The baguettes are baked in-house, and that crust is a big reason the sandwiches stand out. It’s crispy enough to crackle without fighting your teeth.
Italian deli meats and imported specialties fill the case. Pair them with the cheese selection and you get layers of flavor in a fairly simple sandwich.
The Duck Duck Goose is a fun pick for curious eaters. A Caprese gives vegetarians a solid option too.
Families will like the setup. It’s casual and quiet, kid-friendly, and service at the counter moves fast.
Coffee and desserts make it work for a morning stop or an afternoon break. Breakfast, lunch, and early dinner are all on the table during the week.
Parking is usually easy, with a free lot and street spots. Reservations aren’t taken, so just walk up and order.
Friday mornings and Saturday afternoons tend to be busiest. Weekend hours run shorter, so check ahead.
Address: 1819 Waukegan Rd, Glenview, IL 60025
6. Frankie’s Deli
Homemade meats are the quiet flex at this family-owned Italian deli in Oakbrook Terrace. The shop has been part of the DuPage County lunch scene since 1964.
It doubles as a market, so you can shop Italian groceries while your sub gets built. A butcher counter and homemade Italian sausage add to the draw.
The Italian Sub is the obvious starting point. Fans also order the meatball, the Reuben, pastrami, and an Italian Beef Panini.
Not everyone wants a hoagie, and that’s fine here. Turkey and bacon, Greek olive salad, and an antipasto tray offer other directions.
Homemade frozen soups are a handy grab for busy weeknights. Toss a few in the cart and dinner gets easier.
Seating is spacious, which helps when you’ve got a crew in tow. Counter service keeps things moving, and free Wi-Fi is available.
Free lot and street parking take the stress out of a quick visit. Weekday afternoons tend to be busiest, while evenings are usually calmer.
Hours stretch into the evening on weekdays and run shorter on weekends. Check ahead if you’re planning a Sunday stop.
Address: 17W626 Butterfield Rd, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
7. Schmaltz Delicatessen
Beef bacon called Schmacon? Yes, this Lisle deli went there, and the name alone earns a grin.
Schmaltz opened in 2004 as a counter-serve Jewish deli with a modern streak. Several meats are cooked in-house, including brisket and roast beef.
Pastrami is the reason many people make the trip. Navel pastrami is even sold by the pound, and it’s packed with flavor without tasting overseasoned.
The #5 with chopped liver is a classic order. Pair it with Mish Mosh soup or matzo ball soup for the full experience.
Bagels get serious attention too, with good chew and plenty of schmear. A hot lox bagel makes a strong breakfast case.
Kids who aren’t sold on pastrami can go for a Chicago Dog. Potato salad and modern salads help round out the table.
It opens early, at 7 most days, and wraps up midafternoon. Mondays are closed, so check ahead.
Weekends tend to be busiest. Curbside pickup and free on-site parking make the I-88 corridor stop simple for western suburb families.
Address: 3011 Ogden Ave, Lisle, IL 60532
8. Pottstown Meat and Deli
Butcher shops that make sandwiches have a built-in advantage, and Peoria’s Pottstown Meat and Deli proves it. Fresh-cut meats sit just steps from the sandwich counter.
The deli section is well stocked with lunch meats and cheeses sliced to order. Salads fill out the case for easy sides.
Sandwiches are made to order, and the kitchen doesn’t skimp on meat. Prices also tend to land on the friendly side, though they can change.
That combo makes it a smart stop for families heading through central Illinois. You can grab lunch and pick up meat for dinner in one trip.
Planning a party or a team gathering? Catering is available, which takes one big job off your list.
Curbside and in-store pickup help when the kids are asleep in the car. A free parking lot keeps the visit quick.
Saturday mornings and afternoons are usually the busiest time. Weekdays tend to be quieter, especially early in the week.
It’s open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Saturday hours end earlier, so check ahead before making the drive.
Address: 4217 W Southport Rd, Peoria, IL 61615
9. DiTullio’s Italian Market & Cafe
Rockford’s East State Street hides a sandwich that many locals call the best Italian sub in town. DiTullio’s builds it with imported cured meats and a house dressing people rave about.
The spot is part cafe, part Italian market. You can browse imported specialties while lunch is being made.
Panini are another strong suit, and they’re pressed with care. A veggie panini gives non-meat eaters a real option.
Here’s a twist for a sandwich shop: the coffee has a fan base. The mocha gets serious praise, so parents may want one for the road.
The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s family-friendly without feeling chaotic.
Desserts sit on the menu too. That sweet finish can help win over younger diners who just wanted fries.
Parking usually isn’t a problem, with a free lot and street spots. Reservations aren’t taken, and there’s no delivery.
It’s a lunch-focused stop, open late morning to midafternoon and closed Sunday. Check ahead, especially if you’re coming in from Chicago via I-90.
Address: 2207 E State St, Rockford, IL 61104
10. Head West Sub Stop
Sweet bread is the signature move at this Springfield sub shop, just blocks from the state capitol. It turns a regular sub into something you’ll remember on the drive home.
The deli slices come thick, and portions run large. Pastrami, roast beef, and deli ham all earn hearty praise.
Toasting is a popular choice. A toasted pastrami sub with a side of mac and cheese makes a filling lunch.
The meatball sub toasted on sweet bread is another favorite. Soups add comfort on chilly central Illinois days.
Families get plenty of perks here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and room for groups.
The menu also covers vegetarian and vegan eaters, with options like hummus. That flexibility makes a mixed-diet family lunch much easier.
Prices stay friendly for the amount of food. College students and locals both make it a regular stop.
It’s open Monday through Saturday, late morning through midafternoon, and closed Sunday. Free and paid parking are both nearby, but check ahead before a capitol trip.
Address: 530 E Capitol Ave, Springfield, IL 62701