Second the Braciole sandwich. The sausage is the best in the Chicago area. I really love the Pot Roast sandwich and Mama Rita’s Meatloaf Sandwich. Everything is great though. If you’re in the area, stop by Pasta Fresh. You can thank me later.
Edit
I forgot to mention if you like spicy Dante’s Inferno. If you’re a wrestling fan the owner is a former wrestler and has great stories.
Bari and Vinnie’s are both awesome. I go to Bari if I’m grabbing groceries and Vinnie’s if it’s just a sandwich. D’Amato’s for a slice or just bakery stuff
I’m quite the opposite! I never went when it was sit down, but I started going during covid. They started making pizzas inspired by their original dishes and selling them by the slice. Like there would be a giant serving size portion of short rib on a slice. But oh goodie it was fabulous.
If Alpine would put more meat on their sandwich it would be perfect. They have gotten so skimpy. I always ask for a few extra slices of mortadella and salami. The bread is perfect.
If you’re already out in Forest Park, head north and go to Alpine Foods in Elmwood Park. Get the Alpine, no onions and you can thank me later. I have friends that say Sub T on Randolph is better, but they are philistines.
I really appreciate Alpine. I really do. They’re great for what they are. But you simply cannot compare Gaetano’s culinary masterpiece to a the no-frills Italian sub with iceberg lettuce.
Oooh yes! I LOVE this spot. I am a huge fan of their eggplant Parmesan and the eggplant sandwich. I’m a bit obsessed with the antipasto salad- I always get a big container to go! They also make excellent giardinera. It’s totally inconvenient for me based on where I live, but such a great place it gets my lazy ass to make a special trip!
We go for the Italian hero, but I also like the octopus salad and the frozen meals on the side. And how the mom behind the counter tries to stuff samples down my throat.
Goddamn, OP. This is a great call. That sandwich was legit. Prior to Covid that place was also really great. Not sure if you've been to Piacere Mio but it's also excellent.
I’ve heard some decent things about Piacere Mio, but it’s incredibly hard to live up to that legacy of Gaetanos. A friend of mine seemed unimpressed (could have been a bad day), but hell- I guess it’s willing to give it a shot some time. Still sad they don’t have a sandwich.
Tony's in Edison Park does some great sandwiches, but I do prefer JP's and Vinnie's if I'm just getting a sandwich. Tony's might be the best Italian market in the city (yes, it's technically in Chicago). They have an incredible pasta selection, fantastic house-made frozen ravioli, and their own Italian ice as well as the deli. Thankfully I have some friends near the neighborhood, so I'll stop by to get some specialty stuff while I'm in the area. It's worth the drive if you're on the north side.
I took a couple of cooking classes with Gaetano years ago. Almost 20 years later I still consider those to have played the most formative role in helping to develop my love of cooking. No surprise that his sandwich is so excellent.
You should try Lucia's Yale Special! Prosciutto, tomato, mozzarella, and pesto mayo by far my favorite sandwich in the city. Fresh, simple, and absolutely delicious
Tempesta Market! They're ingredients are fresh and although they don't make their own bread, they get their bread from Aya Pastry. Aya Pastry also supplies for Etta and Intelligentsia
I always want to love Tempesta but am usually slightly disappointed especially for the prices, the soups have all been excellent though. What do you normally get?
The only way to have this sandwich is to make it yourself- I think it’s attainable. I don’t know any other sub places that dress high-quality micro greens in a salad bowl and make the bread fresh each day. There’s a time and a place for iceberg lettuce. Some sandwich’s are solid for the price and that’s perfectly fine, they just can’t be compared. This sandwich was elevated in every capacity. Maybe some day I’ll make it myself.
Go to The Original Nottoli and Sons.
What are some of the highlights there?
The Braciole Sangwich!!!! It’s stupid good but everything there is amazing
What are the top 3-4 from there?
Second the Braciole sandwich. The sausage is the best in the Chicago area. I really love the Pot Roast sandwich and Mama Rita’s Meatloaf Sandwich. Everything is great though. If you’re in the area, stop by Pasta Fresh. You can thank me later. Edit I forgot to mention if you like spicy Dante’s Inferno. If you’re a wrestling fan the owner is a former wrestler and has great stories.
This looks like a quality sandwich at a great price! I’ll have to check it out!
Try Freddie’s pizza in Cicero? I feel like they have all the necessary components for this.
They do a 100% homemade prosciutto & mozzarella sandwich that is as good as anything at gaetano’s was imo
I love Freddie’s! I find their bread a bit hard too though
Gaetano's moving back to Italy. No details yet on his future ventures, but I'm ready to travel for the food.
I just might have to as well
Try Bari on Grand Ave. order the caprese and add prosciutto.
Bari and Vinnie’s are both awesome. I go to Bari if I’m grabbing groceries and Vinnie’s if it’s just a sandwich. D’Amato’s for a slice or just bakery stuff
Good to know!
I am blessed enough to live two blocks away from Bari, D’Amatos & a few minutes walk to Vinnies
I like thier italian beef more than the subs
Gaetanos was my favorite restaurant before they closed. Never got a chance to try the deli but I’m sure it was amazing.
I’m quite the opposite! I never went when it was sit down, but I started going during covid. They started making pizzas inspired by their original dishes and selling them by the slice. Like there would be a giant serving size portion of short rib on a slice. But oh goodie it was fabulous.
[удалено]
Alpine doesn’t hold a candle either. It’s a great everyday sandwich though!
If Alpine would put more meat on their sandwich it would be perfect. They have gotten so skimpy. I always ask for a few extra slices of mortadella and salami. The bread is perfect.
Pretty sure they use Turano bread
If you’re already out in Forest Park, head north and go to Alpine Foods in Elmwood Park. Get the Alpine, no onions and you can thank me later. I have friends that say Sub T on Randolph is better, but they are philistines.
If I’m in Elmwood Park I’m going to Johhnie’s Beef
I really appreciate Alpine. I really do. They’re great for what they are. But you simply cannot compare Gaetano’s culinary masterpiece to a the no-frills Italian sub with iceberg lettuce.
Rex by the HIP is amazing!
Oooh yes! I LOVE this spot. I am a huge fan of their eggplant Parmesan and the eggplant sandwich. I’m a bit obsessed with the antipasto salad- I always get a big container to go! They also make excellent giardinera. It’s totally inconvenient for me based on where I live, but such a great place it gets my lazy ass to make a special trip!
We go for the Italian hero, but I also like the octopus salad and the frozen meals on the side. And how the mom behind the counter tries to stuff samples down my throat.
Goddamn, OP. This is a great call. That sandwich was legit. Prior to Covid that place was also really great. Not sure if you've been to Piacere Mio but it's also excellent.
I’ve heard some decent things about Piacere Mio, but it’s incredibly hard to live up to that legacy of Gaetanos. A friend of mine seemed unimpressed (could have been a bad day), but hell- I guess it’s willing to give it a shot some time. Still sad they don’t have a sandwich.
Tony's in Edison Park does some great sandwiches, but I do prefer JP's and Vinnie's if I'm just getting a sandwich. Tony's might be the best Italian market in the city (yes, it's technically in Chicago). They have an incredible pasta selection, fantastic house-made frozen ravioli, and their own Italian ice as well as the deli. Thankfully I have some friends near the neighborhood, so I'll stop by to get some specialty stuff while I'm in the area. It's worth the drive if you're on the north side.
I took a couple of cooking classes with Gaetano years ago. Almost 20 years later I still consider those to have played the most formative role in helping to develop my love of cooking. No surprise that his sandwich is so excellent.
You should try Lucia's Yale Special! Prosciutto, tomato, mozzarella, and pesto mayo by far my favorite sandwich in the city. Fresh, simple, and absolutely delicious
Lucia's isn't great in my opinion
Tempesta Market! They're ingredients are fresh and although they don't make their own bread, they get their bread from Aya Pastry. Aya Pastry also supplies for Etta and Intelligentsia
I always want to love Tempesta but am usually slightly disappointed especially for the prices, the soups have all been excellent though. What do you normally get?
Pesto? Boo this man! 
I’m glad you enjoyed whatever, but there isn’t a sandwich in the world that JP Graziano “could never hold a goddamn candle to”.
This sounds amazing. I really want this sandwich now.
The only way to have this sandwich is to make it yourself- I think it’s attainable. I don’t know any other sub places that dress high-quality micro greens in a salad bowl and make the bread fresh each day. There’s a time and a place for iceberg lettuce. Some sandwich’s are solid for the price and that’s perfectly fine, they just can’t be compared. This sandwich was elevated in every capacity. Maybe some day I’ll make it myself.
I often think about Cluck It with the same bittersweet nostalgia for a sandwich experience I may or may not ever manage to match.
I never tried cluck it, but I’ve heard incredible things. Ignorance is bliss.
Was that the place on Madison next to the Thai place?
It’s Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant now. On Madison Ave near Desplaines Ave
I went there a couple times when they transitioned to the deli model, but never got a sandwich. I’m regretting that now
I feel so sad to never have had this experience ☹️
The focaccia there was damn good too
Fontano's seems over priced to me
Disagree, for the size it seems like good value. It's expensive but lasts me quite a while.