Cafe Mado
Sandwich Dispatch: Installment 4
We’re back baby. It’s been a second- I know you’ve been anxiously awaiting my next sandwich review. Today I participated in the $20 sandwich economy. I regret to inform you all that I absolutely will do this again.
I took myself to Cafe Mado in Prospect Heights for a solo lunch date. They’re a sister restaurant of Place des Fêtes which is one of my favorite restaurants near me. Between my familiarity with Redwood Hospitality and the Times’ review on Cafe Mado at the end of last year, my expectations were decently high.
I’ve had my eye on a specific menu item here for awhile, so my mission was clear. Cafe Mado serves their take on Anthony Bourdain’s favorite sandwich, affectionately named “The Tony.” Like many food-obsessives, I am a bit of a Bourdain fangirl. Ordering this was no question.
Tony forever
Before I get into the full review, I’m gonna shout out their service. My server kindly gave me a complimentary N/A drink because it’s my birth month. How sweet. I’d read in New York Magazine that the Cafe Mado folks make some stellar N/A beverages, and that take is 100% correct. My server poured me a glass of their Grand Fir, a slightly sweet sparkling beverage with nothing more in the description beyond “pine” and “mineral.” I thoroughly enjoyed it. Nothing like a splash of warm hospitality to take a dining experience to the next level. Now let’s talk about The Tony.
The Tony: sesame, mortadella, dijonnaise, and caciocavallo cheese
THE BREAKDOWN
Price: $20
Bread: Sesame crusted English muffin
Was it annoying to eat?: Nope!
My takeaways: $20 for a sandwich is tough to swallow. If it’s underwhelming, you just wasted $20. If it’s good, you’re going to spend that $20 again. Unfortunately for my wallet, I will definitely be getting this sandwich again. I’m not huge on mortadella, and I was worried this sandwich would be both too salty and too greasy for my taste. It was neither. It was simple and so thoroughly delicious. The tang of the dijonnaise cut through the richness of the mortadella and cheese beautifully. It wasn’t messy to eat and I felt it was a good portion. When the plate first hit my table I did think it was a little small for the price. I rescinded that assessment pretty quickly- I left satisfied and happy. This homage to Mr. Bourdain did not disappoint. Cafe Mado, I will be back.
Would I dream about it?: Yes!