Pastoral and Cipollina: Two Chicago Sandwich Shops Worth Seeking Out

August 5, 2009 3:41 pm

Pastoral and Cipollina: Two Chicago Sandwich Shops Worth Seeking Out

When it comes to gourmet sandwiches, Chicago is not a city that usually comes to mind. When they put something between two slabs of bread in Chicago, it's usually extremely manly, like a hot dog or Italian beef. But on a recent visit, two locals showed me that when it comes to sandwiches, Chicago ain't no amateur.

I already knew Pastoral Cheese and Wine Shop had a fantastic selection of local cheeses. What I didn't know until last weekend is that they're making one of the best pâté sandwiches around— and I'm not someone who's usually in love with pâté The bread is crispy and light. The pâté and gruy ère cheese are fresh and richly flavorful. The mustard is spread thinly and the cornichons are crunchy. The beauty of the Sandwich Campagne, and of all Pastoral's sandwiches for that matter, is in their simplicity. The sandwiches only have a handful of ingredients but each are of the highest quality. They pay attention to the important details others often overlook, like using high-quality artisan bread. Pastoral's version of a Caprese (smoked mozzarella, tomatoes and basil-fennel pesto) will make you realize how many other places get this sandwich completely wrong. In preparation for my next visit, I'm already craving the Bocadillo De La Mancha (Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, field greens, Membrillo) and The Parisian (Madrange ham, Fromager d'Affinois cheese, tomato, field greens). Pastoral's location in the Loop is within walking distance to Millennium Park. Grab a sandwich or a whole picnic at Pastoral before a free concert—there's no better way to spend a summer day.

Proscuitto, arugula, pea shoot pesto and ricotta salata cheese. Need I say more? Cipollina is a small Italian sandwich and coffee shop with a creative and ever-changing sandwich menu. The sandwich I ordered was liberally filled with prosciutto and I was impressed by the addition of ricotta salata, a versatile cheese rarely used in sandwiches. I bought the sandwich on the way to the airport and almost felt guilty eating it while the guy seated next to me crunched on a small bag of dry airline pretzels. If prosciutto isn't your thing, try Cipollina's Whitefish or Porchetta sandwich. The bread Cipollina uses tends to be a little flavorless and heavy, the only downside of an otherwise satisfying sammy.

Pastoral (Lakeview)
2945 North Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
773.472.4781

Pastoral (Loop)
53 East Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60601
312.658.1250

Cipollina
1543 N. Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
773.227.6300

—Jennifer Meier