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    Publican Quality Meats

    4.2 (704 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Order Publican Quality Meats Takeout or Delivery

    Publican Quality Meats Photos

    PUBLICAN QUALITY MEATS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Carina L.

    Have been wanting to come try their sandwiches for a long time and finally came at the end of 2025! We got the mortadella burrata and porchetta sandwiches, both on focaccia bread. Sandwiches were $17 each but huge so easily shareable between two people. The focaccia was really disappointing...dry and really dragged down the whole eating experience unfortunately. If not the actual flavor of the porchetta and mortadella burrata were pretty acceptable. The pistachio cream in the mortadella sandwich was definitely a highlight - nutty but slightly sweet (maybe there was a drizzle of honey...?) which paired very well with the burrata Porchetta was in my opinion too rich / fatty and was begging for a strong mustard and sauerkraut to balance everything out.

    Turkey Bacon Ranch Sandwich
    Joey C.

    This sandwich was so good. I usually don't like tomato anything but this marinated spread was so tasty. Loved the chopped turkey also. This is only half the sandwich as it was shared.

    Local produce, 1 Dozen Local Farm Eggs, morel mushrooms, cheeses, schmeers etc
    Sydney L.

    Kind staff, super high quality meats and cheeses, passionate butchers and bread makers willing to go the extra mile to explain and answer questions about products! Very reachable by phone, again super super helpful in answering any question about products and willing to give suggestions for a newer meat eater, like myself. Clearly the ownership is involved as this place operates like a well oiled machine. Consistently good products and I loveee the chicken breasts they get from Slagel Family Farms. It's also fun to check out local produce they have in stock like morel mushrooms, asparagus, berries--again all locally foraged. Delicious high end balsamic, jams, sourdough snacks, bespoke tomato sauces to enhance the quality meats you might be buying or to make a special dinner even more remarkable, love love this local gem.

    Jambon Beurre (Ham Sandwich)
    Lisa S.

    Had the Jambon Beurre for a weekday lunch at Publican Quality Meats -- perfect sandwich, perfect weather. Ate outside and loved every bite. Simple, delicious, and exactly what I needed. Chips are expensive for $4 so maybe skip that.

    Tom Skilling Turkey Sandwich Tom Skilling Turkey Sandwich
    Kenna G.

    Enjoyed the Tom Skilling Turkey Sandwich at Public Quality Meats. Decent sized sandwich with a delicious sauce and perfectly toasted, fresh bread, 3.8/5. Comes with a pickle. Sandwich was good, but I don't think it was $17 before tax and tip good. Very nice patio area, but would be a great takeout spot. Server was kind.

    Chocolate hazelnut donut
    Scott K.

    The butcher's breakfast was a 10/10. It was breakfast sausage, maple bacon, fried eggs, spicy potatoes, toast. Each item was exceptionally high quality. The spicy potatoes had a little kick to them, but it wasn't really noticeable. I added some hot sauce to them. The bread didn't need any butter because the rest of the items were very fatty! The chocolate hazelnut doughnut was a bit dense, but not in a particularly pleasant way. I don't recommend it. I also wasn't a big fan of the soda, but that isn't their fault. Exceptionally nice staff and vibe. Would come again!

    Jason S.

    I had Publican Quality Meats on my radar after watching a YouTube video about the best Italian sandwiches in Chicago, and I finally checked it off my list for lunch today! I ordered their Italian sub through DoorDash, and it arrived in just 20 minutes--super fast service! At first glance, the sandwich seemed small, but once I dug in, I realized it was compact but stacked high with quality ingredients. What really sets this Italian sub apart is the artichoke tapenade they use as a spread instead of mayo--a creative twist that takes the sandwich to another level. The sandwich also came with a pickle, though I wasn't a fan of it, which is unusual since I typically love pickles. That small detail aside, the sandwich itself was fantastic--definitely worthy of 5 stars. If you're exploring Chicago's best deli sandwich spots, Publican Quality Meats is a must-try!

    Italian Sub Sandwich (Yes, that it how it arrived at the table)
    Felice B.

    Four stars for the food, one star for the service. We arrived for lunch and were seated promptly. We received menus, cutlery, and water. And then we sat. And sat. And sat. After far too long of having no one come near our table we got up to leave. On the way out my partner passed by a server and told him why we were leaving. He didn't even seem aware that we had been sitting there even though we were in his line of sight. We agreed to sit back down and our orders were taken shortly afterwards. Understandably, service got better after this but it was still nothing special. All we ordered was 2 sandwiches, no sides, and it still took over 15 minutes to get them. The quality of the food was very good. My partner loved his mortadella sandwich. I thought the saba (grape must) on it made it disconcertingly sweet but he disagreed. My Italian combo was also rather good but I was disappointed with the artichoke tapenade. I could see the artichoke bits but they were subsumed in a sea of sun dried tomato which entirely overwhelmed their flavor. On the whole, a good lunch food wise but hardly life changing. A number of reviewers have noted their displeasure with the prices. It doesn't seem to me that they are overpriced for the area. I will say though that the prices are inequitable. All sandwiches are $17 but the mortadella sandwich was about half the size of the Italian.

    Gem salad with chicken salad
    Leland L.

    I've had publican for a work lunch before and I as really impressed by the ~quality~ so I was excited to come back to try more things and see the space! I love the casual walk-in neighborhood feel and that they have counter service and sit down service. A great spot to stop in for a chill breakfast or lunch. I have tried the Tom skilling sandwich before and lovedddd it but decided to get the gem salad with chicken salad this time and I am still thinking about it! Light and fresh, you can taste the quality. Will definitely be back here!

    Harrison C.

    This was such a good spot for lunch! It has a lovely mom and pop feel to it. The staff was friendly and prompt and the food was reasonably priced. Inside was such a cute deli feel with a casual compact seating area! I got the salad with chicken salad and it was so fresh and filling without being too heavy! It was so good!

    The Tom Turkey sandwich with bacon.
    Denisse M.

    Wonderful and so Tasty! I was craving a sandwich and after a quick search Publican Quality Meats seemed like the best choice. This place has amazing reviews and very well deserved. Here I had the most delicious turkey sandwich I've ever had in my life. I also ordered a soup that was so delicious and hearty, I don't remember the name but it had sausage, Lima beans, kale and Parmesan cheese. My daughter had the chicken parm sandwich and it was to die for. The food here is beautiful, fresh and so flavorful. We enjoyed everything about this place, the food, the friendly staff, the gorgeous ambiance. Loved! Loved! Loved! I'm going to continue to go back to Publican because I want to try every single item in their menu. I highly recommend.

    Half a Chicken Parm Sandwich
    Erica B.

    The chicken parm was really good just a little small for the price. I really like the chicken that was crunchy but still tender and the pesto and sesame bun were both good additions.

    Tom Skillings - one on rye and the other on baguette.
    Eileen C.

    Sandwich was amazing. The meat was fresh and the bread was perfect. Fries were great too. Will be back for sure.

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    2 years ago

    Food here is delish. It can be a bit expensive, but worth the cost whether you're getting a sandwich or any of their meats or cheeses.

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    Green Street Smoked Meats

    Green Street Smoked Meats

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This place was so good that I came back the very next evening for dinner again…read more On my first visit, I ordered the pulled pork with mac and cheese, cornbread, and sweet tea. Every single part of the meal was outstanding. The pulled pork was delicious on its own, but I also loved the sweet barbecue sauce. The cornbread was, without exaggeration, the best I've ever had!! It was moist, flavorful, and served with absolutely incredible butter. The mac and cheese was rich, creamy, and one of the best I've ever had as well. Even the sweet tea was perfect: actually sweet without being overpowering or having that bitter, earthy aftertaste that some sweet teas have. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I came back the next night and tried the brisket. It was sooooo good too. It was tender, smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. At that point I knew the first meal wasn't a fluke. It's not inexpensive, but the portions are generous, and I felt the quality more than justified the price. I was there by myself because I'm traveling for work and actually enjoyed the communal tables. They made the atmosphere feel welcoming and a little less lonely than sitting by myself. The staff was excellent, too. The gentleman with the glasses at the meat counter was friendly, funny, and made the experience even more enjoyable. He even threw in a complimentary rib, which was such a nice surprise and a great example of the hospitality here. One thing to know before you go: the line can get long, but don't let that scare you away, it moves efficiently, and the food is absolutely worth the wait. Green Street Smoked Meats lived up to every bit of the hype. Between two visits, I tried the pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, cornbread, sweet tea, and a rib, and every single thing was excellent. This will be one of my first stops the next time I'm in Chicago.

    Really solid barbecue in the heart of Chicago. The honky-tonk-style bar, counter-service setup, and…read moresmokers running in the back give the place a great atmosphere. We ordered the brisket, pulled pork, cornbread, macaroni salad, and green jambalaya. The pulled pork was the standout, with the brisket not far behind. It's not the best barbecue you'll ever have, but if you're craving good barbecue in Chicago, this is a spot worth visiting. The biggest surprise was the green jambalaya, essentially collard greens with smoked meat in a rich broth. I could have drank the whole thing like a can of Coke.

    Photos
    Line to order + Menu
    Line to order + Menu
    Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans
    Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans
    Photo from the bar

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    Photo from the bar
    Clinton Street Smoked Meats

    Clinton Street Smoked Meats

    3.7
    (23 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    I currently live in Germany so we don't have any pastrami in the area. To say I've been craving…read morepastrami for the last couple months is an understatement. I'm currently on vacation in chicago and was exploring the Chicago French Market when I came across a big sign that said something about pastrami. It was a still a while before Clinton Street Smoked Meats opened, but the guy (I'm sad I never asked his name) was super helpful and just told me that the meat was already done and just to come back in a few minutes. So I did. I ordered a their half pastrami sandwich on rye with the potato salad. Oh my ever loving goodness! This was so good I actually started tearing up at the table. Since I got the first slice, they asked me if I wanted a fatty cut or lean cut of meat (I'm not sure if they ask everyone, so I just added this tidbit of information). I got a fatty cut of meat and added Dijon mustard. This meat was so soft and moist that it really didn't need anything else. It held together so well. The potato salad, I'm sure was made with some addictive substances because, holy cannoli, was this an amazing side to have. It stands up on its own but couple with the sandwich, was mind blowing. In the ingredients list, they add bits of the pastrami into the potato salad which was an amazing touch. I will absolutely need to come here again each time I'm in Chicago. Clinton Street Smoked Meats is where it's at!!

    I've had a lot of good meals at the French Market, so was excited to give this place a try…read more Not impressed, tiny Ruben for $20! Barely had any meat, tasted a bit like burnt butter.

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    Clinton Street Smoked Meats
    Grilled pastrami with Swiss cheese
    Grilled pastrami with Swiss cheese
    Good fucking sandwich

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    Good fucking sandwich
    Canton Regio

    Canton Regio

    4.1
    (776 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    The food was fantastic here! I came here for a birthday dinner, and I will definitely be back…read moreagain. We ordered the steak fajitas that came with beans, tortillas, and a little side of guac. The tortillas are apparently handmade and fresh, but I was a bigger fan of the corn ones instead of the flour ones. Both still very good though! We also got the shrimp skewers, and it paired so well with the free chips and salsa they gave us. I'm not a huge fan of bell peppers, but they made them so flavorful and tasty here that I couldn't stop eating them. The service was great with the servers and busboys since they brought out the chips/salsa right away and made sure our waters and drinks were always full. The only flaw I have for the place was that we waited nearly 40 minutes even though we put our name and phone number down in the front. The host claims she called us but might of dialed the wrong number, so it was a little bit of a bummer to have to come back and check in when we could have been seated earlier. However, one of the managers stopped by our table to ask how our food was and packed up our food for us at the end. The ambiance was very packed and lively in there! There were so many people celebrating birthdays that they would have signs and cake and even sing to you for your special day. It's BYOB, so there was a lot of people making their own drinks. Additionally, I'd make sure you have cash since it's a cash only place. I definitely want to come back again and recommend it to others; however, you better be prepared for delicious food and an exciting environment!!

    I've heard good things about this place and it didn't disappoint, but bring cash as it is a cash…read moreonly restaurant. We ordered the queso fundido, horchata, Sabina's tacos, and skewers which comes with three. Next time, I would skip the queso and horchata as the queso got hard quickly and the horchata seemed a little watered down. The Sabina's taco and skewers were delicious! The chicken was not as good the shrimp but we wanted to try it. I recommend getting the shrimp as I feel like it's juicier naturally. The tacos were flavorful and I loved having the refried beans and cheese in the taco. The restaurant is lots of fun as the staff are all busy, playing music, and making sure people get their birthday songs in. I highly recommend this spot as it's good and the vibes are fun.

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    Canton Regio
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    Machaca
    Canton Regio

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    Publican Quality Meats - butcher - Updated July 2026

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