Lunchtime in Chicago, and found myself wandering through a neighborhood hadn't visited in years-Little Italy, just behind UIC's campus. The kind of place that wears its history on its sleeve. Fontano's Subs, an institution around here, quietly nestled on a residential street. The front of the shop is a throwback like a sparse neighborhood convenience store with shelves of snacks and sodas, and several linoleum tables with a few locals eating in the back, there's the deli counter. I waited for two state cops to finish their orders before stepping up. knew what I wanted. The Wiseguy: Prosciuttini, Capicola, Genoa Salami, and Provolone on fresh Italian bread, stuffed with all the veggies dragged through the garden, as one might say, topped off with oil, vinegar, and hot peppers, just enough to give it a kick. went with the 8-inch (only the second half pictured), wrapped up tight in butcher's paper. To go. I strolled through UIC's campus, my old stomping grounds, on the way to catch bus. The weather was perfect, but work was waiting. By the time got to my desk, the oils had soaked through the paper, as a good deli sandwich should, a translucent window to the deliciousness inside. The bread however, thick and crusty, held everything in place. The flavors? Pure nostalgia, with that perfect balance of spice and richness. An authentic Italian sub that hits ike nothing else. If you're ever in Chicago and want a sandwich that speaks to the city's soul, Fontano's is the place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charm
Not what I expected and the people in the back had a bad attitude. Like I don't even know half the things on the menu and won't ask because they were not welcoming. And it was mid.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Turkey Sub from Fontanos
Lisa Settle
Had a blockbuster. Wow! I’m impressed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S N
The only place i ever go for subs. Make sure to get the giardineras they are super good
Food: 5
Nick Haddad
Great Italian subs. Great restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wiseguy, Caputo
Katherine Colon
The sandwiches and canollis are exceptional, they never fail always fresh. They offer 3 different sandwich sizes depending on your hunger. I so love options. If u make your sandwich a meal, you get a choice of hot cookie and a small salad of choice, and chips. Parking is a bit difficult but if u are hungry you will park and walk if needed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve Stelzner
Been getting their subs now for 50+ years. Ever since my days at Circle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Chien
It taste good and will back again when visit Chicago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tasting Traveler (Tasting Junky)
This place is always busy, order ahead online for pick up or delivery if your time convenient. Started off with a turkey sub, added everything on it. This is my go to! Very nice meat ratio, condiments are always fresh. Lastly, I finished off with a corned beef add everything on it. Very exquisite taste, good meat ratio. Will be ordering again! Another great one is the Italian sub. You’ll be blown away. Don’t forget the peppers they aren’t spicy but add a nice boost of flavor to sandwich.
Fontano’s is always a great experience. The food never disappoints. My family has been customers for over forty years. I can fondly remember going with my dad as a kid and have continued that with my children.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T S
Straight up the most delicious sub I've ever had in my life. I got the Wise Guy. It was unbelievable. Fontano's rules.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony Siedlecku
I've had subs from all over Chicago and this place is the best ,size ,bread , amount of meat ,what is added on fresh
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cookies, Meatball Sub, Caputo, Pot Roast Sandwich
Michael Richardson
You forgot a sandwich that we ordered and paid for.
Lunchtime in Chicago, and found myself wandering through a neighborhood hadn't visited in years-Little Italy, just behind UIC's campus. The kind of place that wears its history on its sleeve. Fontano's Subs, an institution around here, quietly nestled on a residential street. The front of the shop is a throwback like a sparse neighborhood convenience store with shelves of snacks and sodas, and several linoleum tables with a few locals eating in the back, there's the deli counter. I waited for two state cops to finish their orders before stepping up. knew what I wanted. The Wiseguy: Prosciuttini, Capicola, Genoa Salami, and Provolone on fresh Italian bread, stuffed with all the veggies dragged through the garden, as one might say, topped off with oil, vinegar, and hot peppers, just enough to give it a kick. went with the 8-inch (only the second half pictured), wrapped up tight in butcher's paper. To go.
I strolled through UIC's campus, my old stomping grounds, on the way to catch bus. The weather was perfect, but work was waiting. By the time got to my desk, the oils had soaked through the paper, as a good deli sandwich should, a translucent window to the deliciousness inside. The bread however, thick and crusty, held everything in place. The flavors? Pure nostalgia, with that perfect balance of spice and richness. An authentic Italian sub that hits ike nothing else.
If you're ever in Chicago and want a sandwich that speaks to the city's soul, Fontano's is the place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not what I expected and the people in the back had a bad attitude. Like I don't even know half the things on the menu and won't ask because they were not welcoming. And it was mid.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Turkey Sub from Fontanos
Had a blockbuster. Wow! I’m impressed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The only place i ever go for subs. Make sure to get the giardineras they are super good
Food: 5
Great Italian subs. Great restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wiseguy, Caputo
The sandwiches and canollis are exceptional, they never fail always fresh. They offer 3 different sandwich sizes depending on your hunger. I so love options. If u make your sandwich a meal, you get a
choice of hot cookie and a small salad of choice, and chips. Parking is a bit difficult but if u are hungry you will park and walk if needed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been getting their subs now for 50+ years. Ever since my days at Circle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It taste good and will back again when visit Chicago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is always busy, order ahead online for pick up or delivery if your time convenient. Started off with a turkey sub, added everything on it. This is my go to! Very nice meat ratio, condiments are always fresh. Lastly, I finished off with a corned beef add everything on it. Very exquisite taste, good meat ratio. Will be ordering again! Another great one is the Italian sub. You’ll be blown away. Don’t forget the peppers they aren’t spicy but add a nice boost of flavor to sandwich.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really good hot Italian Beef sub.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatball Sub
Restaurantji Recommends
Great subs!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fontano’s is always a great experience. The food never disappoints. My family has been customers for over forty years. I can fondly remember going with my dad as a kid and have continued that with my children.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Straight up the most delicious sub I've ever had in my life. I got the Wise Guy. It was unbelievable. Fontano's rules.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've had subs from all over Chicago and this place is the best ,size ,bread , amount of meat ,what is added on fresh
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cookies, Meatball Sub, Caputo, Pot Roast Sandwich
You forgot a sandwich that we ordered and paid for.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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