rlguffman wrote:Eastern Style Pizza on Dempster in Skokie used to have a great meatball "grinder" on garlic bread. I don't live in the neighborhood anymore, but I think I heard they are either under new management or not in business anymore. Is anyone familiar with it?

Eastern Style Pizza is now Larsa's

stevez wrote:

rlguffman wrote:Eastern Style Pizza on Dempster in Skokie used to have a great meatball "grinder" on garlic bread. I don't live in the neighborhood anymore, but I think I heard they are either under new management or not in business anymore. Is anyone familiar with it?

Eastern Style Pizza is now Larsa's

Eastern Style Pizza still exists on Touhy, just west of Francisco, as it has for at least the past twenty-five years.

They still serve their meatball grinder which I regularly consumed as a kid growing up in that area. I had one as recently as a few weeks ago, and it remains excellent.

Best,
Michael

Well this is a great thread....thanks to the OP for getting this going. I'm going to one of three placed today for my meatball sandwich but will probably hit all three in the next few weeks. Potbelly's, Mangino's, or Ricobenne's. I haven't seen Ricobenne's mentioned on here...any thoughts?

There is a love/hate thing with Ricobene's. Let us know what you think.

eatchicago wrote:

stevez wrote:

rlguffman wrote:Eastern Style Pizza on Dempster in Skokie used to have a great meatball "grinder" on garlic bread. I don't live in the neighborhood anymore, but I think I heard they are either under new management or not in business anymore. Is anyone familiar with it?

Eastern Style Pizza is now Larsa's

Eastern Style Pizza still exists on Touhy, just west of Francisco, as it has for at least the past twenty-five years.

They still serve their meatball grinder which I regularly consumed as a kid growing up in that area. I had one as recently as a few weeks ago, and it remains excellent.

Best,
Michael

Actually Larsa's is in the former La Rosa's location, but thanks for the info on Eastern Style's relocation. I will definitely check it out.

rlguffman wrote:thanks for the info on Eastern Style's relocation. I will
definitely check it out.

No problem, but it's not a relocation. I believe it's the original location (although I'm not sure, Touhy and Dempster both existed in tandem for a long time). The same guys who were there 20 years ago are still behind the counter.

eatchicago wrote:

rlguffman wrote:thanks for the info on Eastern Style's relocation. I will
definitely check it out.

No problem, but it's not a relocation. I believe it's the original location (although I'm not sure, Touhy and Dempster both existed in tandem for a long time). The same guys who were there 20 years ago are still behind the counter.

Back in the early eighties Eastern Style Pizza used to be in the bowling alley behind the Golf Mill theaters in Niles. I used to bowl there and had many a grinder.

Fran's Beef in Chicago on 21st and Blue Island: This little shack has excellent homemade meatballs.
Rosario's on 86th and Pulaski: This Mom & Pop store is great for lunch--the meatballs are VERY good. The place is for sale, so get 'em before they are gone for sure.

PizzaHolic67,

What else do you like at Fran's? I work close by, and could use an overall review, although your enthusiam for the meatball sandwich is reason enough to stop by.

PizzaHolic67 wrote:Fran's Beef in Chicago on 21st and Blue Island: This little shack has excellent homemade meatballs.

I live nearby, so I'm curious too. Anything else worth trying there?

stewed coot wrote:PizzaHolic67,

What else do you like at Fran's? I work close by, and could use an overall review, although your enthusiam for the meatball sandwich is reason enough to stop by.

Here's my 3 month reply, sorry....
I get their beef or meatball. Their burgers and dogs and other fare are decent/standard----typical "Nicky's type" stuff.

The various Pizano's pizza joints do a decent meatball sandwich. I agree that the meatball sub from Bari's is not up to the level of their other sandwiches, I found the meatballs too mushy and seemed steamed rather than pan fried. I am a big fan of Bari's otherwise, but not the meatball (or Italian sausage sandwich either). I often go by Costello's on Lincoln, I may try that someday.
Thanks to all for their suggestions, a good meatball sandwich is a little piece of heaven.

Any of the Fontano's Subs locations make a good meatball sando.

I opened this thread specificially to comment on Lucias, only to find it being the first place recommended! I went to school on the east coast and its hard to compare a solid NE Meatball sandwich/grinder but the most appealing Ive had in Chicago is easily Lucias. Bread is perfect, meatballs are tasty. With a cup of Pasta Faggiole on the side...can't go wrong.

2Utah2 is right: Fontano's does make a very good meatball sub. It's relatively inexpensive ($4.95 for an 8-inch). Provolone costs an additional $.50 and giardiniera is $.35. If you ask for a small amount of hot giardiniera, which includes olives, that's exactly what you get. Other subs shops (Tore's comes to mind) seem to ladle on the giardinera, and the spicy mixture overwhelms the ensemble.

The meat was of good quality and the sauce flavorful. I could have done with a little less grease; otherwise, I was perfectly satisfied.

I arrived at the Loop location at 11:30, and I'm glad I did: fifteen minutes later, the place was rammed.

Fontano's
20 E. Jackson

I had an excellent meatball sandwich at Jerry's on Madison today. It's not a regular offering, a special for just today but it was terrific, spicy, the right consistency with a tasty marinara sauce on a more than adequate chewy italian roll. Best meatball sandwich I've had in a while.I am generally not a huge Jerry's fan, too many choices and weird combinations.Usually I just order a roast beef on Italian bread with mayo and lettuce and tomato.They're pricey, but there just around the corner from my work. And today was a pleasantly surprising home run.

My two favorites (both mentioned already) are Bambacigno's and Fontano's.

Both offer other great options - Bambacigno's being more pasta and Fontano's being all sammiches.

trpt2345 wrote:I had an excellent meatball sandwich at Jerry's on Madison today...Best meatball sandwich I've had in a while.I am generally not a huge Jerry's fan...They're pricey, but there just around the corner from my work.

Hi. Could you please forward a more specific business name and/or address for Jerry's? Searching for "Jerry's" in the loop just isn't cutting it for me. Thanks in advance.

titus wong wrote:Hi. Could you please forward a more specific business name and/or address for Jerry's? Searching for "Jerry's" in the loop just isn't cutting it for me. Thanks in advance.

Jerry's Sandwiches
www.jerryssandwiches.com
1045 W Madison St
(312) 563-1008

The meatball sub from Sandwich Works on Touhy is an especially fine example of the genre, with rich, moist meatballs nestling under a mantle of thinly-sliced provolone in a simple yet hearty tomato sauce. The bun is lightly toasted and nicely crusty.

I inquired and learned that beef (and only beef) is combined with breadcrumbs, garlic, onions, and spices before being shaped and pan-fried. To me, this method is far superior to stewing them in sauce.

As others have noted, the classic, American-style potato salad is well seasoned and neither too acidic nor too sweet.

The owner and the counterman were genial and remained so even when the only other diner in the joint tried to pull a dine-'n'-dash. After expressing disappointment ("This sucks"), he climbed out of his oversized SUV and plunked down the cash.

While I can't guarantee you'll get as interesting a floor show as I had, I assure you that they make a fine sandwich there.

Standard disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the place.

Sandwich Works
4718 W. Touhy
Lincolnwood IL
847-676-4000

Big fan of Mangino's meatball sandwich. Brown Sack does a great meatball sand as well.

Mangino's
29 N Wacker Dr
Chicago
(312) 443-8485

The Brown Sack
3706 W Armitage
Chicago
(773) 661-0675

Addresses added by admin

I gave the meatball sandwich at Mangino's a shot at lunch today - against my better judgment -- I was pleasantly surprised. Moist, flavorful meatballs, tangy provolone, and good quality giardinara (including green olives). I even liked the marinara, applied sparingly. I would never have tried this sandwich if not for ab's recommendation. The only other hot item I have tried from Mangino's is their italian beef sandwich, which was a combo of zero flavor and wrinkly beef - yuck. The sandwich was so bad I didn't even remember that the giardinara was good.

rober wrote:I gave the meatball sandwich at Mangino's a shot at lunch today - against my better judgment -- I was pleasantly surprised. Moist, flavorful meatballs, tangy provolone, and good quality giardinara (including green olives). I even liked the marinara, applied sparingly. I would never have tried this sandwich if not for ab's recommendation. The only other hot item I have tried from Mangino's is their italian beef sandwich, which was a combo of zero flavor and wrinkly beef - yuck. The sandwich was so bad I didn't even remember that the giardinara was good.

Yes, their Italian Beef is the worst thing on the menu - they really shouldn't even have it. Their Roast Beef Sandwich is 10x better (w/ prov and giardinera).

Italian Beef is one of those things I don't order unless I'm at an Italian Beef joint. Had too many bad ones at random sandwich shops/delis.

viaChgo wrote:The best meatball sandwich I've had thus far in Chicago is at Bari Foods. Hands down. Their Italian sub isn't too shabby either and has been well-documented here.

Bari Foods
1120 W. Grand

I agree, it's quite tasty.

If you're ever in the far north suburbs, I would say The Silo has one of the best meatball sandwiches I've had.

The Silo
625 Rockland Road (Rt. 176)
Lake Bluff, IL

Bump for more delicious Meatball Sandwiches, preferably in the Western Suburbs....

I myself haven't had one in a while, so I'd have to get one again to remind myself how they are, but my father liked the meatball sandwich from Portillo's (which I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread). I've gotten it at the Portillo's in Vernon Hills several times in the past, and I see now that it's listed not on the Portillo's menu but on the cohabiting Bernelli's menu.

I have had the Portillos/Barnellis Meatball sub, and it's pretty good. Anybody near Naperville/Plainfield/Aurora should swing by Fontanos. One of the best in the area in my opinion.

http://www.fontanosnaperville.com/
1767 West Ogden Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540

I really like the Meatball Sub on Artisan Baguette at Labriola cafe in Oak Brook.

http://labriolacafe.com/

My favorite was at the recently closed Brando's in Berwyn. Fortunately, he has taken up the recently opened (and now newly signed, for easy finding!) Bubba's Place on Ogden & Ridgeland. Had the BAM (beef/meatball combo) last night and it continues to impress.

thanks for the reminder Re; Bubbas Place, gotta get back for one soon:

9" BAM (Beef and Meatball) hot, no cheese: 4 meatballs buried under a tender mound of IB. Reminded me of Orig. Mr. Beef in Homer.: