Looking for new spots to try? During Dining Month, Lori Fredrich is dishing out must-tries in 20 different dining categories, from brunch to BBQ and everything in between. Here's what she's recommended so far!

Some days nothing hits the spot like a really great sandwich. But what makes that sandwich great? The best of the best (even the simple ones) are as well thought-out as a fine dining dish.

It starts with high quality ingredients; and that applies from the bread right down to the condiments. It’s also about balance. A badly built sandwich offers little in the way of texture; its flavors are muddy and it provides little in the way of a true "wow" factor.

Fortunately, Milwaukee’s sandwich game is pretty solid. And, while this list is not exhaustive, these spots serve up hand-held treasures that are more than just good.

Bavette La Boucherie

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217 N. Broadway, (414) 273-3375
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Bavette has been one of my top sandwich picks for years, and it’s because their offerings are truly tough to beat. And the selection of sandwiches available at lunch has only grown since their move from Menomonee Street to Broadway where a new kitchen has allowed them to branch out considerably.

I’ve raved before about one of Bavette’s OG sandwiches: the phenomenal beef tongue Reuben. It’s among the best renditions of the sandwich I've ever tried thanks to house-corned beef tongue and details like their housemade pickled mustard seed aioli.  I'd say the same for their Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken which is topped with a fresh cucumber and kohlrabi slaw and fish sauce vinaigrette.

But my newest obsession might be the Korean Steak, a sandwich filled with tender bits of marinated braised beef served with kimchi aioli, cabbage slaw, peanuts and a side of hot pot broth for dipping. Every element contributes, from the freshness of the slaw to the texture and flavor of the peanuts. It's juicy and a bit messy, but well worth every incredible bite.  Be sure to order their beef fat fries, which are packed with flavor (just like fries used to be!).

Hen's Deli

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209 W. Florida St.
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Tucked away in the old Soup Brothers on Florida Street, Hen's Deli is a charming little takeaway spot where you can grab breakfast sandwiches and bagels, lunch (starting at 10:30 a.m.) and – more recently – take-home dinner specials on Friday nights. Watch their Facebook page for weekly offerings!

But let's talk about their phenomenal sandwiches, which are fresh, imaginative and flavorful.  You can't beat options like their Classic Italian Sub with soppressata, capicola and provolone. Their classic Mexican Tortas are packed with flavor from beans, tomato, avocado and jalapenos, plus varying proteins like housemade pork belly, Brazilian spare ribs, jerk chicken and even chorizo con huevo (for breakfast).  

But, if you'd like something truly special, I'd recommend their fabulous housemade roast beef.  The beef itself is tender, flavorful and thinly sliced and it can be combined with a wide variety of toppings. Most recently I spun the bottle and asked for "chef's choice" which delivered a sandwich reeling with texture and flavor. There was fresh, sweet onion, tomatoes, provolone cheese, picante pickled banana peppers and sweet and vinegary slaw.  Even more, it was large enough to share or split up into two servings. 

I've eaten far too many disappointing sub sandwiches in my lifetime. As a result, I usually avoid them. But, for me, this sandwich was an utter game changer that I can't get out of my head.

Pro tip: If there's no street parking on Florida, try the lot just behind the building!

Le Reve Patisserie & Cafe

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7610 Harwood Ave., (414) 778-3333
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While this list focuses primarily on sandwich shops, I'm going to make the case that Le Reve – specifically at lunch – is among the best sit-down sandwich shops around.

It's a spot where you can go during the summer months and order a beautiful tomato, brie and pesto sandwich on French baguette that might remind you of an afternoon in Paris.

It's also among the only places you'll find Coque au Vin in sandwich form (crispy chicken, caramelized onions, Gruyere, frisse, bacon, garlic aioli on a toasted soft roll). And their Filet de Boeuf, is an excellent beef sandwich, especially on a chilly day. 

But it's the croque-monsieur, a beautiful toasted ham and Gruyere sandwich on artisan sourdough with a topping of Gruyere mornay which has captured my food-loving heart. Thanks to both execution and high-quality ingredients, it's an indulgence well worth every last cheesy calorie.

And while this sandwich is pictured with a salad (I was feeling virtuous that day), I'm also a big fan of their thin, crispy frites, which are even better when dipped in a side of garlic aioli.

Riley’s Sandwich Co.

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4473 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, (414) 616-1811
148 N. Milwaukee St.,  (414) 231-3628
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I have a love-hate relationship with steak sandwiches, which can run the gamut between tender and flavorful to tough, gristly and mealy. Such is not the case at Riley’s, a take-out-only shop where beef filet is treated to a sous vide bath, ensuring tender mid-rare meat that’s consistent every time.  Their Steak Kensington is a classic. It's topped with roasted mushrooms and onions, melted mozzarella and creamy horseradish spread (the Oakland Style version subs out garlic for the horseradish). 

The sous-vide treatment is also used on Riley’s organic chicken breast sandwiches, which can be ordered in a variety of variations. Chicken parmesan option is a solid choice topped with garlic bread crumbs, a tasty marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Trust me when I suggest adding the spicy giardiniera; it ramps everything up a notch.

If you don’t eat meat, there’s a nice selection of veggie-based sandwiches as well, including Buffalo and Nashville Hot Cauliflower (love this one!), Italian Veggie and more.

Visit their Third Ward location and you can even enjoy your sandwich inside their dog-friendly gathering place, Riley's Social House, where they've got a full bar, including over 20 craft brews on tap.

Scardina Specialties

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715 E. Locust St., (414) 395-3369
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It's tough to go wrong at this Riverwest gem where the service is friendly and the sandwich list is long enough that you can try something new every time. 

I've always been partial to the oddly named, but delicious, Capa-Goo with spicy capicola, provolone, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and red onion.  But when I'm feeling more "delicate" there's something to be said for the Speck Panino which features gently smoked, thinly-sliced prosciutto, ripe tomato, peppery arugula and salsa rosa on soft bread that's been lightly crisped.

More recently, I stopped in and ordered their meatball panino featuring housemade meatballs, marinara and a choice of provolone or Romano cheese. The meatballs were tender, the sauce was flavorful and the provolone was beautifully melted. Even more, the bread was soft enough that it was easy to eat.  It was slightly messy, so I'd advise eating it on premise (or at least avoiding trying to tackle it in the car!). Next time, I'd also go for both provolone and Romano, as I think the saltiness of the Romano would offer a really nice pop. But even as ordered it was sheer comfort on a chilly day.