The Beat Cop’s Guide to Chicago’s 7 Best Italian Beef Sandwiches!

No.6—Tony’s Deli!

Tony’s Deli
6708 Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 631–0055
www.tonysdeliandsubs.com

Tony’s is an old Italian style grocery store. The deli counter in back makes great subs and even better beef. I love places like this, and in Chicago, some of the best Italian, Mexican, and Polish food is not found in restaurants, but in the back of ethnic grocery stores. The next time you’re driving past one of these places on your way to Dominick’s, stop in and check it out.

Tony’s make its beef right there in the store, and serves it up in three sizes. They will make it dry or wet, but the beef is always perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. I don’t think they make the bread there, but it’s always so fresh that it seems as if it was made about five minutes before you pick it up. The giardiniera is home-made and fantastic.

I will admit that when you get to this level of food tastiness, the smallest things can separate number 1 from number 7. Things like presentation, ambiance, and history come into play. The ambiance at Tony’s is striking. It seems to me (never having been to Italy) what a real Italian grocery is like. Also, I’ve never had bad food there, and I’ve lived in this neighborhood nearly two decades. Lastly, after you finish your sandwich, you can get homemade cannoli and anise cookies, which are fantastic.