On Fridays and during Lent, when many Catholics abstain from meat, Chicagoans have been eating pepper and egg sandwiches at delis, fast food restaurants, and Italian beef stands for decades.
Some restaurants exclusively serve them on Lenten Fridays, but others will make one whenever you want.
We’re squabbling over our favorites right now.
Monica’s Choice: For breakfast, I used to get the pepper and egg at the Billy Goat Pub on Navy Pier. It was also fine.
But I recently fell in love with the sandwich at White Palace Grill near Canal and Roosevelt thanks to its fluffy scrambled eggs, delicious sautéed green pepper, and fresh griddled French roll. ($8.99). Yum.
For further taste, request some giardiniera on the side.
I don’t practice religion, but after eating this incredible pepper and egg sandwich from Freddie’s in Bridgeport, I might have come to terms with my non-religious beliefs.
The $7.95 sandwich is enormous.
The oily dish includes your choice of cheese, juicy green peppers, and more of a fried/scrambled egg hybrid. (I choose American.)
It is also available with sausage.
Conclusion: I can’t stress how much I like this sandwich. What if you continue to consume meat? Every Chicago classic is available at Freddie’s.
Great sandwiches submitted by readers in response:
Bob A.: “Without a doubt, Elmwood Park’s Johnnie’s provides the greatest pepper and egg. A sammich or a sangwich is appropriate! It is the best in the city.”Pietro T.: “Nine out of 10 doctors recommend the juicy pepper ‘n egg ‘sangwiches’ at Johnnie’s.”
Tony F.: “Johnnie’s pepper and egg — it rules! Or D’Amato’s and Bari.”
Colleen M.: “For pepper and egg sandwiches and really any subs, you have to go to Tony’s in Edison Park. Check out this video where they are prepping.”
Joe J.: “You must try Gio’s Cafe, a few blocks away from Freddie’s. Their pepper & egg is substantial and delicious. They also make their own giardiniera.”
Rebecca H.: “Justin, it was your mother who first introduced me to pepper and egg sandwiches at Nick’s Pizza in Crystal Lake. Probably not the gourmet ones you have in Chicago, though.”
Justin: “Ha! My mom is a trendsetter.”
Bill H.: “Punky’s in Bridgeport.”
Matthew S.: “Paul’s in Westchester. The thing is a full loaf of French bread, and their house made giardiniera is amazing.”
Nick D.: “Jay’s Beef has the best pepper and egg.”
Stephen S.: “Pepper and egg is fabulous at Frangella Italian Market in Palos Park. Their Italian beef is top five in the city, too.”
Top secret: You can easily make this sandwich at home with scrambled eggs and sauteed green pepper. Just use a nice fresh French roll.
