[Photograph: Nick Kindelsperger]

Until recently, Dinkel's Bakery was mostly known as a place to score doughnuts (in particular, fantastic sour cream "Old Fashioned" ones). That's already a noble cause. But a month ago the classic Lakeview bakery added a cafe space and a whole new sandwich menu. For a place that takes such care with its baked goods, it had tremendous potential. If I needed any more convincing, one look at the ingredient list for Ziggy's Ham Sandwich ($7.50) had me salivating.

The sandwich promised Paulina Market ham and Düsseldorf mustard on one of Dinkel's freshly made pretzel buns. Of course, using quality ingredients is just one part of a great sandwich experience, but if the sandwich in question also happens to be well made and proportioned, those quality ingredients start to work some real magic.

Pardon me as I sing the praises of this ham. Oh, the ham! I'm having a hard time remembering ham I've loved this much. It's thickly cut, salty, and still juicy—miles away from the thin and slimy cold cuts I'm used to. All it needs is a smear of some potent mustard, and it's good to go. In fact, after a few bites I took off the lettuce, tomato, and cheese, so that I could enjoy the trinity of cured pork, mustard, and pretzel bun without any distractions.

Dinkel's Bakery

3329 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)
773-281-7300
dinkels.com‎