Steak Sandwich
El Cubanito
2555 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60639 (Logan Square)
Alberto and Laritza Ramos have it locked down. Moved to the States in ’07. Opened the postage stamp size, 400 sq. ft. El Cubanito six months later, and now churn out 400+ Cubano sandwiches/day—in addition to the totals from the other 6 sandwiches on the menu. Skills. It needs to be mentioned that the husband and wife duo are also infectiously nice and gracious hosts. Located on the 2500 block of Pulaski in the Avondale/Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago, El Cubanito is so small, you’ll probably pass it a few times before you convince yourself that the tiny joint with all the cars in the parking lot is probably it.
Oaxacan Pork
Panes Bread Cafe
3002 N Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657 (Lakeview)
Panes is a Mexican sandwich café that kinda flies under the radar. I say that because I lived within a mile of the place and learned about it years after the fact (big up to Hector for the introduction). They’ve got “regular” type sandwiches that I’ve never tried (BLTs, Clubs, etc.) and other sandwiches with names and flavors that are more inline with Mexican street food. The Pollo Diablo is pretty good, but the Oaxacan Pork is where it’s at. Properly proportioned in a way that you get all the sweet and savory flavors from the caramelized onions, roasted red pepper, spicy mayo and tender pork loin all in one spectacular bite. Panes (pronounced pa-ness with a short a), also makes their own bread daily, which adds to the freshness and quality of the sandwich. The bread used in the Oaxacan is like a French type grain bread. Nice, crunchy exterior and chewy soft interior. Sandwich also comes with chips. It can take a long time to get your food; although, I do get impatient because I know the feeling of eating it will be like cracking open a piñata and finding dozens of Oaxacan Pork sandwiches. If you’re confused, that feeling is joy.
Details
• grain French bread
• pork loin
• caramelized onions
• roasted red peppers
• spicy mayo
Note: Names have been changed to help preserve anonymity.
