Sandwiches sure are putting on airs, said Chicago magazine. Yes, this lunch-pail staple got its name from an English earl and has enjoyed some fine moments at ladies’ teas. But the transformation it’s undergoing in 21st-century Chicago might represent its “sharpest swerve yet” toward “the land of fine dining.” To get a handle on the phenomenon, we fanned out across the city to find the very best of today’s offerings. Here are our top three.
The BLT, at Old Oak Tap This “truly inspired” take on a classic comes with “snappy” applewood-smoked bacon, “fresh and peppery” arugula, and a cornmeal-jacketed fried green tomato. Even smeared with pimiento cheese, the grilled ciabatta “somehow stays crisp,” providing “three distinct layers of crunch.” 2109 W. Chicago Ave., (773) 772-0406
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