Each year, people are always looking for the best “something,” best beer, best burger, best car wash… Now, while there are so many classic sandwiches out there, which diner or restaurant truly does them best in the Tri-States? It’s a question people attempt to answer each year, which sent me to a recent study from OnlyInYourState.com.
There are few foods as universally loved, or endlessly customizable, as the sandwich. Across the U.S., this simple concept has basically been elevated into an art form. From no-frills neighborhood delis and legacy counter spots to modern shops reinventing the classics, great sandwiches tell the story of the places, cultures, and people behind them. They reflect regional flavors, immigrant influences, and the kind of care that turns bread, meat, cheese, and condiments into something uniquely unforgettable. It seems a trip might be in order to try out these good eats, as I have never been to, let alone heard of them.
In Illinois, Chicago’s Johnnie’s Beef is an iconic stop, best known for its legendary Italian beef sandwich. Thinly sliced jus-soaked beef, piled onto a sturdy roll, and finished with sweet or hot peppers. It’s messy, bold, classic Chicago, and completely unforgettable. This is the kind of sandwich you plan a trip around, and one that defines the state’s sandwich culture…