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Bridgeport's treated us well. As we've written numerous times both here and elsewhere, the neighborhood grew on us. When we first moved out south eight years ago we never would have thought that we'd have lived here as long as we have; we just thought of Bridgeport as a stop-gap to moving back to the north side. Now it seems like others are clued in to what we knew long ago: this neighborhood rocks. One of the many reasons is its propensity for cheap eats. Freddie's Pizza and Pasta has long been one of our favorites, but not for their pizza. Their breaded steak is one of the best deals in the city. It's not the best breaded steak in the neighborhood (that honor would go to Uncle Johnny's) but it's definitely the largest, and tasty. Twelve inches long and thicker than one of Mark Prior's oft-injured calf muscles, we can't hold this monstrosity with one hand even after it's been cut in half. We've long contended that if Elvis had discovered the breaded steak sandwich, it would have died five years earlier than he did.
We've ordered it the same way since we first discovered it: topped with red sauce, mozzarella cheese, and liberal spoonfuls of hot giardiniera relish. Paired with a "small" order of French fries, and it's an eleven-dollar meal that can last you for at least three days, if you pick at your food. Freddie's breaded steak sandwich is a case study in mortal sin. If you purchase and then eat the breaded steak in one sitting, you're immediately committing the deadly sins of greed, lust, pride, gluttony, and sloth (from the inevitable food coma). It makes one wonder if the neighborhood Catholic churches are colluding with Freddie's in order to keep the confessionals and pews filled. Over the years, as eaters have become more aware of portion control, Freddie's has started to offer a "baby" breaded steak that's still ridiculously huge. If you're gonna dive into a pool, dive in the deep end and try on the regular breaded steak for size.
Head down to Freddie's Pizza and Pasta and try the breaded steak for yourself. Freddie's is located at 701 W. 31st St. Their hours of operation are 11 a.m.-midnight, Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. You can call in your order by dialing 312-808-0147.
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i had a heart attack just looking at that
I just had a heart attack reading that an $11 dollar sandwich and fries was being referred to as cheap eats. A lot of food for $11 sure, but cheap eats, I think not.
Think of it as a steak dinner wrapped in Italian bread, and you'll change your mind.
2 hot dogs w/ fries = $3.45
Seaman Mario lived on the deal for years, it's been told throughout the land.
Cheap eats for certain, also documented in the New Yok Times
or just look at the menu.
Damn you Sudo! I hadn't thought about a breaded steak sandwich in quite awhile, but now the idea is floating around my head and I want nothing but.
Though I typically have had Ricobene, neever Freddie's. Do the two compare?
Not at all, Zack. Ricobene's costs less, but Freddie's has better overall flavor. More meat, not as much breading.
Methinks this could lead to a breaded steak crawl: Freddie's, Punky's, Uncle Johnny's, Gio's, Ricobene's, and whatever B News and company can recommend.
How do I get to this Freddie's place? Do I have to go past Roosevelt? I don't have a car and I want to try it. I hear one of the Bertuccis owns it. I like their brick oven pizza in River North, near where I live and work.
I love breaded steak sandwiches. I just dont think an $11 dollar sandwich, steak or not, qualifies as cheap eats. Cheap steak eats, sure, cheap eats, no.
The address for Freddie's is listed in the final paragraph, which should answer your question about venturing past Roosevelt.
Best way, take the Orange Line to Halsted, then the Halsted bus south to 31st, and walk 2 blocks east. Or walk from the Orange line to 31st and Union, since you'll need your metabolism.
we need some trains to bridgeport, humboldt park and a link between them.
circle line or bust!
We have trains to Bridgeport, matty. Maybe you've heard of the Red and Orange Lines. Metra's in the process of building a stop right outside De La Salle High School. It isn't as though the neighborhood is some desert.
Just need to ride them.
That's a good list for a steak crawl. God Forbid
Unfortunately the real king of the Steak sandwich is no longer...
La Milanese Special Deli @ 3156 S May St.
They moved back to Italy.
Ah, La Milanese. I found out about them a few months before they closed up shop. I only got to eat their breaded steak once. It was like spending an evening with Julie Delpy.