CHICAGO — If you’re planning a trip to one of Chicago’s beautiful beaches, whether they be sandy or concrete, you’ll want a delicious sandwich to keep you fueled while you soak up the sun or build sandcastles.
With that in mind, here’s a detailed guide to some of the city’s best delis and sandwich spots, organized by beach location from north to south along the picturesque lakefront.
Notably, all the beaches listed, excluding the harbors, are wheelchair accessible, and each deli is within a reasonable walking or biking distance of approximately 20 minutes or less.
Starting with **Osterman Beach (Hollywood Beach)** located at **5800 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive**, visitors have a few great options nearby.
**Hollywood Deli**, situated at **5700 N. Sheridan Road**, operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, until 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays, with the sandwich counter closing 30 minutes before closing time.
This deli, just a short 6-minute walk or 5-minute bike ride from the beach, is a hidden gem known for its classic sub sandwiches that won’t break the bank, making it a popular stop for beachgoers.
**pHlour Bakery & Cafe**, located at **1138 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.**, is another contender.
Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and only a 13-minute walk or 6-minute bike ride away from the beach, it offers mouth-watering sandwiches like their turkey option, which resembles a charcuterie board, complete with cranberry and brie, and a delicious tomato mozzarella on a fresh baguette.
Next up is **Sfera**, found at **5759 N. Broadway**.
This delightful spot is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
Just a quick 9-minute walk or 4-minute bike ride from the beach, Sfera specializes in arancini but also serves up tempting sandwiches such as a prosciutto and burrata panini on Italian flatbread, along with an artichoke tapenade sandwich on focaccia for vegetarians.
**Foster Beach**, located at **5200 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive**, is another great beach with catering options for sandwich lovers.
**Ba Le Sandwiches**, at **5014 N. Broadway**, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is a 17-minute walk or 6-minute bike ride away from the beach.
Here, you can dive into a delicious banh mi, famed for its blend of pâté, ham, pork roll, and cheese, or opt for the veggie avocado banh mi packed with fresh vegetables.
Moving to **Montrose Beach** at **4400 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive**, beachgoers have the option of **Chicago Pickle** located at **4515 N. Sheridan Road**.
This spot serves sandwiches from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays — just a 15-minute walk or 5-minute bike ride from the beach.
Chicago Pickle makes it easy to enjoy some cold sandwiches or a hearty chopped cheese under the sun, with a menu featuring everything from turkey sandwiches to buffalo chicken clubs.
Another option nearby is **Nhu Lan Bakery & Sandwiches** at **4810 N. Sheridan Road**.
Their hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Friday, with extended hours until 7 p.m. on weekends.
Also a 14-minute walk or 5-minute bike ride from the beach, this Vietnamese bakery is renowned for its banh mi sandwiches and delicious smoothies, making it a refreshing stop for beachgoers.
Yet another great option in the Montrose area is **Sunflour Bakery & Cafe**, located at **4250 N. Marine Drive**.
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., it’s a stone’s throw away at just 14 minutes walking or a 5-minute bike ride.
Sunflour offers a fantastic assortment of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, with patrons able to savor a turkey club as the sunrises or indulge later in the day.
For 24-hour convenience, **Uptown Deli** at **4759 N. Sheridan Road** is another excellent choice.
The sandwich section operates between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily, making it a solid stop just a brief 13-minute walk or 4-minute bike ride from Montrose Beach, featuring a variety of sandwiches and breakfast options.
Continuing south, we arrive at **Belmont Harbor**, which is located at **3600 N. Recreation Drive**.
**The Bagel**, located at **3107 N. Broadway** and open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., is just a 13-minute walk or a 5-minute bike ride away.
The Bagel is a local favorite that offers towering sandwiches like the California Club and Danny’s Five Star Deluxe, combining turkey, salami, lettuce, tomato, Swiss, and Thousand Island dressing to ensure customers leave fully satisfied.
**Fresh Stop** can be found at **930 W. Belmont Ave.**, open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
This quick-service spot offers a mix of sandwiches and pizza, just a 15-minute walk or a quick 5-minute bike ride from Belmont Harbor, known for its mouthwatering Italian subs and buffalo chicken sandwiches.
Heading southward to **Diversey Harbor**, located at **2601 N. Cannon Drive**, visitors can check out **Bourgeois Pig Cafe**, located at **738 W. Fullerton Ave.**
This cozy café is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, making it ideal for a 20-minute walk or an 8-minute bike ride to the harbor.
The cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, including the Merchant of Venice Italian sub and the hearty triple-decker Hobbit, along with delightful treats like Italian sodas or cake slices.
Another popular spot is **Cafecito** at **411 W. Fullerton Parkway**, open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on weekends.
Located just a 15-minute walk or 5-minute bike ride from the harbor, it provides a unique twist with Cuban-style sandwiches, such as the Atun (tuna, lettuce, tomato, red onion, citrus mayo, kalamata olives) and the Margarita (tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil, balsamic glaze).
**Wheat’s End Cafe**, situated at **543 W. Diversey Parkway**, specializes in gluten-free offerings, serving various sandwiches from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
This option is conveniently just a 13-minute walk or 6-minute bike ride from Diversey Harbor, featuring tasty choices like a grilled chicken sandwich on focaccia and shrimp po’boy that are likely to satisfy all dietary needs.
Now, let’s explore **North Avenue Beach** at **1601 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive**.
For unique sandwich creations, **All Too Well** at **352 W. Armitage Ave.** is a fun choice, with hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Just a 17-minute walk or a 6-minute bike ride from the beach, All Too Well draws inspiration from Taylor Swift with playful yet sophisticated offerings, including the Niff Jen and Cousins sandwich.
Another notable spot is **North Buena Deli** at **345 W. Armitage Ave.**, operating daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Setting up just a mile from the beach, this iconic Uptown deli opened its second location in 2024, enticing patrons with signature Sicilian and Italian subs alongside various baked goods and drinks ideal for a day at the beach.
Heading west to **Humboldt Park Beach**, found at **1400 N. Humboldt Drive**, the **Humboldt Haus** at **2958 W. North Ave.** is a local staple just a 6-minute walk or a 2-minute bike ride from this inland beach.
Known for its classic deli offerings, Humboldt Haus makes a fantastic stop for sandwiches at affordable prices, perfect for beachday rendezvous.
Next, **La Sandwichera Cafe** at **2721 W. Division St.** operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, extending until 8 p.m. on Fridays, and hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
A mere 10-minute walk or 5-minute bike ride from Humboldt Beach, La Sandwichera offers delicious sandwiches that won’t stretch your budget, including a classic BLT and inspired creations such as the El Pollo Loco.
For a twist on barbecue, check out **Offset BBQ** at **1720 N. California Ave.**, which operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and offers later hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m.
This option is just a 12-minute walk or 4-minute bike ride away from the beach, boasting an enticing menu featuring items like the BBBLT sandwich and the Going Cold Turkey turkey sandwich.
As we venture further south, **Margaret T. Burroughs Beach (31st Street Beach)** at **3100 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive** presents options for culinary beach enthusiasts.
**Bronzeville Hoagie & Panini**, located at **238 E. 35th St.**, serves patrons from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and slightly shorter hours on Saturdays.
While it is about a 25-minute walk or an 8-minute bike ride from the beach, this eatery specializes in sub sandwiches with an impressive variety, including Italian beef and unique tuna melts.
Alternatively, beachgoers can head to **Pier 31** at **3101 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive**, operating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
This spot is a mere 1-minute walk from 31st Street Beach and offers a split menu featuring burgers, including a black bean option, salmon burger, and the classic cheeseburger.
Moving onward to **Promontory Point** at **5491 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive**, visitors can indulge in sandwiches from **Cafe 53** at **1369 E. 53rd St.**
This Hyde Park establishment, serving from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, offers an extensive selection of oven-baked sandwiches that cater to both meat lovers and vegans alike.
Options include turkey lingonberry and a variety of vegan offerings, making it a vibrant option for cafe-goers and park enthusiasts.
Also nearby is **Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern** at **5215 S. Harper Ave.**, where you can savor both po’boys and muffalettas.
This tavern’s menu, operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on weekends, has an excellent selection, including shrimp po’boys, alligator po’boys, and even a fried green tomato option for those looking for a meatless meal.
**Morry’s Deli**, located at **5500 S. Cornell Ave.**, has a diverse offering of sandwiches from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Whether you prefer a classic BLT or something more substantial like a pastrami and bologna sandwich, Morry’s Deli is a must-visit for anyone at Hyde Park’s 63rd Street Beach.
As for **63rd Street Beach**, located at **6300 S. Lake Shore Drive**, **Reggie’s On the Beach** at **6259 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive** offers a convenient stop for sandwiches and more.
Operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, this beachside establishment is a mere 4-minute walk away and serves a variety of options, including the refreshing BLT and a messy buffalo chicken sandwich.
At **South Shore Beach**, located at **7059 S. South Shore Drive**, **Hoagy House** at **7116 S. Yates Blvd.** is a standout option for those in the area.
This eatery, open from 10 a.m. to midnight on Mondays and slightly shorter hours throughout the week, is just a short 5-minute walk or a 2-minute bike ride away from the beach.
Their menu features an impressive range of sandwiches from Italian beef to chicken Philly, along with a variety of hoagies in both 6-inch and footlong sizes.
Finally, check out **Surf’s Up South Shore** at **2236 E. 71st St.**, which operates from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Also a 7-minute walk or a quick 2-minute bike ride from the beach, this spot specializes in po’boys, featuring delectable options including lobster, shrimp, and catfish, along with the highly recommended Bomb sandwich, which serves up a delicious lobster tail and shrimp combo.
Cap off your beach day with an assortment of sandwiches from these top-notch delis and cafes near Chicago’s beaches to celebrate summer in style!
image source from：blockclubchicago
