[Photograph: Nick Kindelsperger]

Though certainly symbolic, the announcement that Charlie Trotter's would close in the fall didn't mean too much to me personally. Why? Honestly, I'd never actually stepped foot in the restaurant. In fact, my only experience with anything Trotter related has been with Trotters To Go, his small Lincoln Park outlet that is part wine shop, part high-end deli. But it wasn't until recently that I realized it also sold sandwiches, albeit ones wrapped in plastic. So, how does a pre-made sandwich with Charlie Trotter's name on it taste?

Well, if the The Roast Beef with Horseradish, Cheddar, and Balsamic Glazed Onion ($7.95) is any indication, then pretty good. Rare roast beef and horseradish are always a good idea, and the addition of balsamic onions lends some sweetness to each bite. I'm not sure how favorably it compares to the pre-made offerings at Pret a Manger, but it's not bad for a quick lunch in the area.

Trotter's To Go

1337 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614 (map)
773-868-6510
charlietrotters.com/togo/