Ford your way past the lace doily-style curtains and under the green-and-white-striped streetside awning. Inside you'll find old ladies with oxygen tanks, UIC students and blue collar working stiffs gather for beefs and pepper-and-egg sandwiches over red-and-white vinyl tablecloths while filching swigs of Filbert’s soda at this Taylor Street classic sub shop.

Thinly sliced beef, red-sauced chicken parmesan and the capicola, salami and mortadella–filled Italian special nestled between airy white Gonnella loaves are the favored sammies. Make no mistake, this isn't just your average corner grease shack, as there's also a selection of inspired Tex-Mex style crispy corn flour tacos and freshly fried flautas for you to chow down on if you’re not on the super-sub diet.

There really is a namesake Joe, and pictures of his fishing expeditions hang on the walls alongside photos of Al Capone, framed international currency, and a pen-and-ink of Walter Payton.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Michael Nagrant