Yesterday, the Great Dr. Zibbs asked a question about our favorite sandwiches. I tried to post this answer, but screwed up the HTML on the embedded links, and totally lost the whole FRAK'n thing. I've already talked about my personal BIG SANDWICH. [PIC]
So, here are some of my regionally favorite sandwiches:
So, here are some of my regionally favorite sandwiches:
Ricobene's King Sized Breaded Steak – This Chicago classic is like a heart attack on a roll. A thin bit of "steak" breaded and fried, folded into a big roll with "red gravy." You've gotta get the sweet peppers and the cheese. I've always wanted to see if they would wrap it around a couple of meat balls, to just make it INSANE! 
Avanti's Gondola – This is a true Central Illinois classic. Simple as the Illinois farmland. It's just a cold cut sandwich. It's cheap as hell for a monster sub. Ask anyone who's had one. The won't mention the meat. Or the cheese. They will talk about… THE BREAD.
The Belgian Village Inn's VandeReuben on Raison Bread – The Moline Monster. Oh, I'm sure you've had a Reuben before. Not on raison bread. And probably not on bread that's over 12 inches across. Most people split them with their dates. Don't be most people.
Those are the name sandwiches. But the one I really miss is the pork tenderloin sandwich. Hammered thin. Breaded. Deep fried. Put on a little hamburger bun with about 4 inches sticking out of the sides. Yellow mustard. Dill pickles. Raw onions. Go into in tavern in my area and you can find one. Just 150 miles away in Chicago? Nope. Ask for a pork tenderloin sandwich and you get a thick breaded bit of pork, open faced, with mashed potatoes and gravy poured on it. Abomination.
25 comments:
Twelve inches?! That is a BIG one, sir. I don't think I can fit it all in, but, dammit, I'll open wide and I'll try.
Hammered, you say? ;-)
Sweet. And no wonder they call Cora Pokey Place.
Fine, Zibbs. Blab it around. Go ahead. ;-)
Yes, the tender loins are hammered and pounded and pounded and hammered until the pork just can't take it any more. It is then breaded, for your pleasure, oiled up hot, and slid (oh God, it barely fits!) into your small, but perfectly fresh, firm buns.
Just remember to ALWAYS use your condiments.
:-)
Oh man! I miss the Ricobene's Breaded Steak. That would definitely be on my list of best sandwiches.
My husband would love this post. His favorite show right now is Man vs. Food.
Well, I was hungry until I read the comments...
Now I'm just trying not to throw up in my mouth a little bit.
I'm staying central illinois loyal and going with the horseshoe.
Representin' the 217 up in the hizzy.
I have no idea what just happened, but it could have been a seizure.
Oh my, I'm blushing, and thinking you and Cora should just hurry up and get a room!
Sass - That's a good one, but only local to me when I was at Mac. The one we ate together was fab.
Fancy - I have no idea what you are talking about. We're talking about sandwiches over here. In other news, there just may be a trip to Seattle in my near future. I would love to meet up with any bloggers in that area for a spot of tea.
Interesting... I was Googling "hot sandwich sex" and found your blog. I might stick around awhile.
Ah, how nice it is to be able to go into local restaurants and get the real tenderloin. I feel your pain, nobody outside of... oh... fifty miles of here know what a tenderloin is. But that is where the similarities end. I have been to Moline, but I sure am not going to eat a reuben. Nasty.
I think I should definitely start to read the comments before I make my own. v.v
*Will not be able to look at a tenderloin the same again*
Yeah, Fancy, I don't know what the heck you're talking about either. Nothing's wrong with sliding a big piece of hot meat between two firm buns. We're just talking about lunch over here. C'mon. Jeez.
As for you, Scope, tea in Seattle you say? No kidding. Wow. I don't know if you're aware or not, but I live in Seattle. I know! What are the odds?! What a coincidence! How freaking funny! Hey, I have an idea. How 'bout some sandwiches with that tea? That sounds yummy, huh? What do you say? You can bring the meat and I'll bring the buns. How does that sound?
I so totally came here to comment on the post, but after reading all the other comments, I cannot, for the life of me, remembered what the post was originally about.
Why is it getting so freaking hot in here? Why do all the comment sections have the heat turned up so high I have to start removing articles of clothing one by one???
It's the middle of the night, and I'm just now getting to read today's posts. I slapped my forehead at you guys' comments, and went "Ewww!" Now I'm going to go to bed because I don't know how much more of this I can handle. :)
Have fun at work this weekend; I'll be window shopping Lincoln Square and thinking of ...wait, nope, I won't be thinking of you. :P
Thanks to this post (not the comments)I'm salivating at 11:30 and considering going out to eat somewhere.
Although Avanti's, Gondola is awesome.......I must submit what I existed on in New York for 4 years....fresh Italian bread, fresh mozz, fresh tomoatoes, basi and plenty of prosciutto!!!!
All the comments about the comments? I'm confused. We're just talking about food. You people must have dirty minds or something.
And Sassy Britches, when you're out window shopping Lincoln Square on Saturday, we will probably be within YARDS of each other at some point. (I'm thinking of getting lunch there and catching a matinee at the Davis) If you do recognize me, say hello. I'll be the one trying to work the phrase "sassy britches" into the outloud conversation I'll be having with myself. Kind of like a game of "Marco Polo."
You're ON! How long am I allowed to watch you do this before I make the "big reveal?" Because I think that could be very entertaining.
Well, I'll be working tonight / tomorrow morning from 1 am to 7 am, so do it before I curl up on a bench in Wells park for a nap.
OMG-how did I miss this one? This is like food porn!!!
My Favorite sammy is a RUBEN!
Holy hell! That thing makes me need a moment...
If I ever come visit you, I have to have one of those...wow.
Candy - Sadly, the VanderRuben is a 3 hour drive (1 way), but totally worth it.
You're in Chicago, isn't there an Italian beef that deserves a big sandwich shout out??? I wish I had one right now!
Avanti's in the bomb, but the Peoria Avanti's is better than East Peoria, and that makes me sad :(
Well, not actually sad, more mad I guess.
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