Peppo's Best Place In 'Burbs To Get A Sub: Reader's Poll

PALOS HILLS, IL — Just in time for National Sandwich Day, which happens to be Nov. 3, Patch readers weighed in on where to get the best sub in the south suburbs. We received over 150 responses from readers and it was Peppo’s Subs by a landslide.

Second-generation sub maestro Robert Peppo was unaware that his Palos Hills sub shop was even in the running when we visited Tuesday afternoon to let him know that Peppo’s combination of salad and meat on a roll was chosen by readers as the south suburbs' Muhammad Ali of sandwiches. Peppo’s beat out Rubino’s and the Jersey Mike’s chain.

“Us being a small family-owned business and being the second generation, we want to be the best sandwich shop that people can go to that is unique and different,” Peppo said. "Great service and good food is our family tradition.”

Readers named Peppo’s signature “GUTS” — a harmonious fusion of a hearty and healthy trio of ingredients — tomatoes, pickles, onion, herbs, spices, and homemade dressing — along with triple layers of meat, as what kept them coming back.

Since I could pretty much live on sandwiches, I ordered a pastrami sandwich with the GUTS. My friend got a turkey wrap. I was pleasantly surprised as how soft the roll was, and the sumptuous GUTS topping.

Peppo said the formula for the “GUTS” is a top secret, family recipe handed down to him from his father, Jim Peppo, a jazz musician who opened the sub shop in 1976. Ever since, Peppo’s has been doing it their way: mayo, mustard, lettuce and GUTS.

“The ‘GUTS’ makes us unique. My dad came up with it in the 1970s,” Robert Peppo said. “Over the years, we took our core concept and added garlic, giardiniera, jalapeno and green olives to the base of tomatoes, pickles and onions. If someone has a palette for the hot stuff we can create it.”

The sub shop still sells the original menu that Jim Peppo created — 1 through 16 — that includes such traditional sub faves as your ham, cotto salami and swiss, roast beef and turkey, and ham, hard salami and pepper cheese, made memorable by the guts.

Newer subs, added by the son, include the Italiano Due, the original “GUT" Buster Super Sub and the New Yorker. Peppo’s also offers Windy City Cheesesteak, tuna salad and grilled cheese club sandwiches, along with a host of sides (pasta salad, soups), Italian beef and meatball sandwiches, beef bowls for the carb watchers, hot dogs and homemade desserts. (Just look at the menu!)

Robert Peppo is looking at possibly opening new locations in the future when he leaves the Illinois National Guard next year, but Peppo's remains at its core an independent family business. During the pandemic, Peppo’s kept all of its long-time, loyal employees employed full time by upping its online, curbside and delivery game. As difficult as it has been for other restaurants to find staff, Peppo’s was able to resume with staff in place.

“Growing up in the shop, the thing that made the biggest impact on me was how my dad treated his employees. They are like family,” Peppo said. “When I saw how my dad treated people on both sides of the counter, if you can get those things right you’ll be in a good position.”

Peppo’s is located on the southeast corner of Roberts Road and 103rd Street (10303 S. Roberts Road), Palos Hills. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The shop is closed Sunday. Catering is also available. Call them up at 708-237-1755 or order online. Definitely worth driving too.