1. Glorioso’s
KATIE WILLIAMS, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Glorioso’s has the best sandwiches. Italian or not, you can’t go wrong with these three bangers: the muffuletta, a classic; the meatball sub with their homemade marinara sauce; and the Italian beef, hands down the best. It’s savory, salty, dripping with au jus and topped with hot giardiniera on a Peter Sciortino hard roll. *chef’s kiss*. 1011 E. Brady St.
2. Xankia
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
My favorite sandwich in Milwaukee is the house special banh mi at Xankia. Perfect crusty-squishy bread envelopes the exceptionally complementary flavors and textures of pork, daikon, jalapeno, carrot. I love it so much. 222 W. Wells St.
3. Uncle Wolfie’s Downtown
ABBY YEMM, MEDIA EXECUTIVE
The fish sandwich at Uncle Wolfie’s Downtown, is so many things. It’s in a class of its own. The proportions and composition: art. I think it would’ve been Bourdain-approved. Paired with a mezcal cocktail? Get outta here. Chef Kristen Schwab shared some of the magic with me: fresh tilapia soaked in buttermilk overnight before breading, a secret blend of Sze Chuan salt and pepper seasoning, cornmeal for crunch. She tosses it in her signature chili crisp (Wolf’s Blood). The major flavors come from morita chiles, guajillo chiles, red finger chiles, ginger and more Sze Chuan peppercorn. And a shoutout to the restaurant Sze Chuan in West Allis, the inspiration behind her memorable creation.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
4. Bavette
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
On my first trip to Bavette in the Third Ward, I sat at the bar and perused the sandwich menu. I spotted the muffuletta: salami, mortadella, provolone, olive tapenade and giardiniera. I could hear my Italian ancestors calling out across the centuries, “Oh, madone!” Of course I ordered it, and I was not disappointed. The meats, the cheese, the peppers, the oil – this sandwich brings the boom. Also, I must say the fries with aioli at quite good, scrumptious even. 217 N. Broadway
LISA BAKER, MEDIA EXECUTIVE
I agree with Archer about Bavette! There are some excellent choices there. I love the pork belly banh mi. It is a serious combo of flavors – the little kick from the miso sriracha aioli, the tender sweetness of the pork belly, the tang of the pickled carrots and the coolness of the cucumbers make each bite an adventure! 217 N. Broadway
5. Café Hollander
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
One sandwich that always slaps is Café Hollander’s Grand Cafe Club. Shaved turkey, bacon, apples, red onions, cheddar cheese, garlic aioli, Thai chili sauce on sourdough bread – the elevated club sandwich is a beautiful mural of flavors. I have ordered this many a time, and now that I’m thinking about it, I might need to make a trip over there soon. 2608 N. Downer Ave.
