Turkey Club Crawl

 -Grubbing in Chicago
Where can I get a good Club?

Some things are just always better when someone else makes them for you. That's the case with me and Turkey Club Sandwiches. OK well maybe once a year the day after thanksgiving I can make one that's great but other than that I'm not cooking turkey all that often. I cant stand the places that use lunch deli meat instead of fresh sliced breast and over the last couple years made it a point to find a serviceable turkey club, these are my findings.
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Palace Grill

 Longtime locals favorite near the United Center

The Palace Grill on Madison Street has been serving Chicago's hungry since 1938. It's also housed in a cool old school building and has a dope neon sign. This place is a popular stop for Blackhawks and Bulls fans headed to the game and also city workers and anyone who lives near there. They serve a respectable club but not one to make me come directly back when the taste for one comes. But good enough to get it again when I find myself there.

Turkey Club from Palace Grill

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RJ Grunts

I hadnt been to RJ Grunts in god knows how long leading up to last year. But my lady friend happens to live near there so I've been in a couple times since we met. I like Grunt's. I know it's nothing special and they started the salad bar trend which some cant stand. Others love it. But I dont care about it either way. I just like the fact there's a Lincoln Park place that remains that was there before I was. That said they're Club was how I found others things I've ate there of late. Good in some aspects but lacking in others. The turkey was top notch and the bacon good too but where was the middle piece of bread? That and a lack of toast on the two pieces it came with prevented it from being the best.

 Turkey Club from RJ Grunts

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Melrose Restaurant

The old school Greek diners are fading in our city and even faster go the ones that stay open into the evening. The Melrose over on Broadway is a place I've never dined inside at but I did stop in for a club sandwich to go one night when riding by and I was pleasantly surprised. There are three things I judge a good turkey club by and the most important is the turkey itself. Here they had the real stuff, cut thicker which I like. My other two needs of an actual triple decker sandwich with crispy bacon were also met. I liked the thick cut Greek diner style fries too.

Very Respectable

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 Golden Apple

 Longtime locals favorite in Lakeview

The Golden Apple has been serving the families and local drunks of Lakeview for over 40 years now. They're open 24 hours a day and have had a broad range of clientele over the years. I used to go there now and then with my friends back in high school but dont get there all too often anymore. However because of their always being open I did stop in for a club one night when there were no other options. If the person taking my order asks if I want cheese on my club I will say yes so you'll notice some have it on them in this roundup. Theirs was another ok but not great one. Cheap deli meat was it's downfall.

Turkey Club's at 2 in da morn

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Sam & George's

Not far at all from our last stop in Lakeview is S&G as the locals call it as those are the letters on it's sign outside. They've been serving the community for over 50 years and are open from 5a until 8p daily. During the cities best months you can sit outside and dine. They serve a nice option for a Club here. The most lacking aspect was the amount of bacon which there was little of. I need bacon placed on the bottom piece of bread and then again as the last layer before the top piece of bread goes on. Otherwise the portioning just isn't right when it;s a triple decker. Props for the option of tots.

A nice Turkey Club option to have

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The Original Alps

Longtime locals favorite the Irving Park neighborhood

As mentioned this round-up wasn't done all in one day or even a month or for that matter a year. But I can remember which ones I liked and the original Alps which is still standing was the best. This place has some history too as it first opened up shop at 71st and Exchange before moving North in the mid 60's. They've been where they are today since 1970. It's a classic Greek owned diner and they put out a near perfect (in my book) Club. I'll just have to start ordering double layers of bacon when I eat one.

Chicago's best Turkey Club? Maybe

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Palace Grill 

1408 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-9529

RJ Grunts
2056 North Lincoln Park W
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 929-5363

Melrose Restaurant
3233 N Broadway St 
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 327-2060

Golden Apple
2971 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 528-1413

Sam & George's
3000 N Lincoln Ave 
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 935-4025

Original Alps Restaurant
3637 W Irving Park Rd 
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 267-5112