Need a brunch fix during the week? Lula Cafe is your place, as it offers a daily brunch menu that Jeff Mauro adores. Plus, its signature “Royale” sandwich changes every week — and has for the past 10 years. For a sweet finish, indulge in Lula’s bread pudding French toast with malted whipped cream.
On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Troy Johnson celebrates his love of a Wisconsin favorite with none other than beer-battered fried cheese curds. Also try the Old Fashioned House Burger. Made from local beef, it’s topped with fried onion, bacon, cheddar cheese, garlic sauce and a soft-cooked egg.
Jim's Original features the one-and-only Polish Sausage Sandwich that has been a Chicago favorite since 1941. But on Sandwich King, Jeff tried another favorite: the Pork Chop Sandwich. Unlike a typical pork chop sandwich, Jim's opts for leaving the bone in for a juicy, flavorful bite.
Retro fanatics have their fill at Angel Food Bakery. Owner Stephanie Samuels has been bringing back old-school bakery favorites with treats like whoopie pies, homemade Twinkies and Thin Mints. Sandwich King Jeff Mauro thinks Angel's ultimate sweet sandwich is the chocolate-dipped s'more.
Showcasing artisan cheese, bread and wine in all their high-quality, earthly glory, Pastoral Artisan Cheese is a Chicago specialty shop with four locations. It views artisan sandwiches as a lovely way to pair flavors, so when the Sandwich King stopped by, he went for the Sinfully Healthy Sandwich.
Jam quickly became Jeff Mauro's go-to brunch spot, not only because the chef is named Jeffrey Mauro, but also because he’s a fan of the breakfast sandwiches and other morning staples. The menu is loaded with creative twists on brunch classics, like Malted Custard French Toast. This popular dish is topped with a macerated cherry puree laced with pink peppercorns for a floral note.
At Jimmy's Place, everything is made in-house from scratch daily using family recipes for authentic Chicago-Italian food. Jeff Mauro went to this popular restaurant searching for the secret to its delicious bone-in Chicken Vesuvio to create an inspired Chicken Vesuvio Sandwich.
When visiting Saigon Sisters, the "crown jewel" is the Hen House banh mi sandwich. With strips of caramelized chicken stuffed inside a French baguette, it was named one of the best by Chicago magazine. Sandwich King Jeff Mauro agrees. Want more? The pork belly steamed buns are a must-try.
Russell's Barbecue in Elmwood Park has served barbecue to loyal Chicagoans since 1930. It has loads of history behind it. In fact, Jeff Mauro's love affair with barbecue pork began here years ago. Douse everything on your plate — from ribs to beef to fries — in Russell's barbecue sauce.
Jeff Mauro went to Peoria Packing Butcher for the freshest possible pork tenderloin for his schnitzel sandwich. Peoria Packing Limited launched in 1990 to provide Chicago grocery stores with local meat, and in 1993 the retail shop opened to sell high-quality meat to the public at wholesale prices.
At this sandwich shop that Jeff Mauro calls a "no-frills diner," they've been serving meals such as the corned beef sandwich the same way for 80 years. If it's a Tuesday or Saturday, don't leave without ordering the signature short rib smothered in gravy and served on a bun.
Feeling lucky? At Lucky’s Sandwich Company, you’ll always strike it rich with the “tallest sandwiches in town,” says Jeff Mauro. More than 20 supersized sandwich options are available. Jeff’s choice? The Pollo Loco that’s legendary for stacking fresh-cut french fries atop Cajun-spiced chicken.
Make restaurant favorites at home with copycat recipes from FN Magazine.
Let Guy take you on a coast-to-coast tour Friday at 9|8c.