A sandwich is an event at Jerry’s Sandwiches & Deli also featuring WiFi and packaged take-out

At Jerry’s Sandwiches & Deli, 1045 W. Madison, you get more than 100 delicious options to chose from, or you can create your own from the plethora of ingredients.

My fave is the Sheila G. It’s packed with a hunk of roasted salmon, avocado slivers, soft grilled onions, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and oodles of Southwestern mayonnaise.

There’s also the Dieterich G (steak, blackened chicken, avocado, cheddar, mayo and cheddar); the Jorma K (prosciutto, fried eggplant, basil and lemon mayo) and the Sergio J (steak, roast chicken, grilled onions, portabellas, Swiss cheese, giardinera and chipolte chutney).

Regulars know the drill and for first timers, the stress of creating your invention can be somewhat intimidating, but you’ll get the hang of it after just one go ?round.

In short, a sandwich, a homemade side?think homemade potato salad with little chunks of celery, tart Asian slaw or seasonal fruit salad?and a crunchy pickle is a mere seven bones.

Not too bad for such high quality ingredients. They smoke their own meat in their log burning smoker.

The ultimate topper is that you can grill up any one of the sandwiches to make it panini-style. The very best bread for tossing on the panini grill is fat slices of ciabatta. I’m here to tell you when that roast salmon comes off the grill on that warm bread, coupled with a forkful of potato salad and a handful of potato chips, you’ve got nothing but happy lip-smacking.

The loads of 9-to-5 folks who call this haven their lunchtime hideaway know that free wi-fi is an added bonus. Most whip out their laptops to get a bit of business done (i.e., watch YouTube).

That little incentive makes it all the easier to waste an afternoon away and if you can’t get enough of the big flavor of Jerry’s, just grab a hulking slab of homemade, plastic-wrapped mac ?n’ cheese or meaty lasagna from the cooler on your way out. They keep the good times a rollin’ back at home.

THE FINAL RAVE: Try the Baba R., a funky little rip on the PB & J?except this one comes peppered with peanut butter, sliced apple, grilled onions, basil and chipolte chutney. Yum!

KEEP IT GOING:

DO IT: Sunflower Market, 1910 N. Clybourn Ave.
This new kid on the block as far as upscale organic groceries goes has all the best sandwich fixings for way less than Whole Foods. Go organic and you’ll never go back.

EAT IT: Harmony Grill, 3159 N. Southport Ave.
This cute restaurant next to Schuba’s has a great grilled veggie sandwich on ciabatta bread. The other plus is you can eat your meal and mosey on over next door for some great tunes.

READ IT: Nancy Silverton’s Sandwich Book
They say this longtime chef creates the best sandwiches in the world and her popular book makes it all the easier to try them at home.

GET CRAZY WITH IT: Fontano’s Subs, 20 E. Jackson Blvd.
Many people claim that this 70-year old sub shop has the best subs this side of Long Island. The names get a little more Chicago-style, though. Try the Bada Bing.