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The Appreciator - Welcome to the World of Matt
Home
Appreciations
    Why The Appreciator?
    Collected Wisdom
    Media Reccomendations
    Soul Fillers
    Reuben R. Reuben loves Reubens
Matt’s Satisfying Expressions
    Personal
    Originals
Sports Writings
    Baseball
    Cubs 2016 Season
    Things Less Important Than Baseball
    Radio
Music Writings
    On Musical Intake
    On Musical Output
    Hot Stove, Cool Music
Tributosaurus
    Official Site/Schedule
    Press
    Videos
Good Comp, Bad Comp
Introducing “Our Game”
About Matt
Further The Conversation
    Contact Matt
  • Home
  • Appreciations
    • Why The Appreciator?
    • Collected Wisdom
    • Media Reccomendations
    • Soul Fillers
    • Reuben R. Reuben loves Reubens
  • Matt’s Satisfying Expressions
    • Personal
    • Originals
  • Sports Writings
    • Baseball
    • Cubs 2016 Season
    • Things Less Important Than Baseball
    • Radio
  • Music Writings
    • On Musical Intake
    • On Musical Output
    • Hot Stove, Cool Music
  • Tributosaurus
    • Official Site/Schedule
    • Press
    • Videos
  • Good Comp, Bad Comp
  • Introducing “Our Game”
  • About Matt
  • Further The Conversation
    • Contact Matt
Appreciations, Soul Fillers, Uncategorized

Authentic Italian Subs Rival The Reuben

You know how I feel about the world’s greatest sandwich.  If you don’t, start here.

But I’ve come to love an authentic Italian Sub almost as much.  The combo of meats, the essential red wine vinegar, the crusty bread that has to be perfect.  And when they’re made and served in a place with legit history, the sentiment somehow improves the flavor.

JP Graziano Grocery on Randolph has been round since 1937.  You can read the long, storied history here, which doubles as a partial primer on Sicilian immigrants in Chicago. A 4th generation Graziano, John, launched the sub shop in 2007, and now the lunch lines are out the door, the patio tables full.

Every time I’ve mentioned my affinity for a perfect Italian sandwich, perhaps procured at Bari Foods on Grand, or D’Amatos next door, or the Alpine Food Shop in Elmwood Park, listeners would ask me if I’d been to Graziano’s yet.  Now I have.

I walked in, and John said “Good to see you, Matt.”  He told me some of his buddies are the ones who’ve been on me to stop in. They did their job.

And John does his.  He takes your order, writes it down on a brown paper bag.  He trusts you to tell the cashier what you ordered and pay for it. What am I, gonna be an asshole who takes advantage of a family business to save 10 bucks?  No.  Then you wait for your Sammy.  John has a move by which he perfectly, efficiently opens up said folded brown paper bag.  It’s a one handed flick of the wrist that makes the exact same sound each time, and would probably take me a few days to master.  He’s a professional.

And the sandwich, oh sweet Jesus the sandwich.

Instead of the standard Italian, I went with a mild variation; the JP Graziano house specialty, the “Mr. G.”  I freaking love artichokes.

You can zoom in and scope the ingredients here:

Phenomenal.  I have to go back for the original.

I’d like to take this moment to publicly apologize for some of the times I’ve lazily gone for the Vito at a Jimmy John’s.

You can taste and feel the difference, when it’s the real deal, made with love.

Baseball

So This is Kyle Schwarber? That works.

In just over three calendar years, there have been incredible highs and painful lows. He gave fans myriad epic post-season moments, before even completing a full seasons’ worth of big league at bats. A devastating lost year of injury somehow evolved into his greatest triumph. There was a half season of extreme failure, leading to a demotion that challenged the confidence of the front office men who’d believed in him most. Remember how odd it was to see him in an Iowa Cubs hat?
In his early 20’s, Kyle Schwarber went through a ton. So did I. So did you. It’s hard. It’s not linear. It’s life.
And now here in June of his 25th year, the man is playing steadily well, visibly comfortable, secure, and established.
So maybe this is Kyle Schwarber, major leaguer. If so, nice to meet you. This player would be a perennial All Star candidate and a hell of a weapon in the middle of a National League lineup.
Yes, National League. Because the man has turned himself into an above average Left Fielder.
Schwarber is tied for 1st among all MLB Left Fielders….

To read the rest of this column, go to670 The Score’s website here.

 

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About me

Matt is the son of an opera singer/music teacher and a sportswriter/small business owner. He is the youngest of 5, and had to fight for airtime at the kitchen table. Of his two older brothers, one was a musician and one an athlete/sports fan. Matt became both. He has always been both, among other sthings. Matt hosts sports radio on 670 The Score in Chicago, writes Baseball columns in various places, sings with the band he founded, Tributosaurus, and writes about everything from his favorite sandwich to his only child. He is curious, and works hard to remain open and optimistic. Happiness is a choice.

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 “You know, I guess I think I’ve always been a professional critic… you know, or some sort of professional appreciator or something."
-Nick Hornby, High Fidelity (2000)

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