Great local shop! Stopped in with some friends for lunch. We all ordered subs from the deli counter. I had an 8" combo with sweet giardiniera peppers. Outstanding! Super friendly folks. I hear this place is packed between 11-1. I know why! read more

Who couldn't adore this place! I wish I could genuinely eat here every other day! Get a sub and make sure it has oil! Good prices too

Delicious Italian sandwich!!! Love the meats they use and the oils and seasoning. They have a small area to eat there so it's more like an in and out kinda place. But you won't retreat the sandwich you pick! It looks like you are walking into a little corner store market kinda place very nice! read more

Some of the best Italian subs in Chicago with solid sides. Can't drive by without stopping in! Can't go wrong with the bada-bing, also love their gardinier with olive in it! read more

This is our favorite sub. Period. Hands down. No contest. Everything is fresh. I love the meat and cheese selections. You real can't go wrong with anything you order. I usually make hubby get a sixteen inch so he has lunch and dinner. The subs are huge and filled to the brim with meats, cheeses, whatever you like. I know they have other Fontano locations but the Polk street one is the best. Love this place ! read more

Fontano Subs - Fresh and fast. - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here often until today. Besides one of the workers behind the deli counter that habitually wears his mask below his nose, today was especially bad. As I was waiting to place my sandwich order, someone from behind the cashier counter pulled down their mask and did a Tarzan Yell for all to hear. As I looked to see who was doing that, he laughed and said "That was Tarzan" to anyone that was listening. I was, to say the least, shocked. It was surprising that someone would yell indoors during this time. So shocked that I won't be coming back to this place again. It's no wonder we are seeing a raise in cases with all this unadulterated, maskless buffoonery. read more

I go here regularly. They're Italian beef has got to be up there with Johnny's Beef in the top 2 Italian beef subs I've ever had, it's absolutely fantastic! This place is really cheap too. Get your sandwich meats and cheeses from here and you'll get them cheaper than any other place in the area. read more

Great Italian subs (I recommend the #4) and beef sandwiches! Always a consistently good time.

Picked up four sandwiches for lunch today, they were huge and tasty! Special thanks to Jackie for her patience with my online ordering issues. Everyone loved these! read more

You're not coming here to be wined and dined, wow'ed by the ambiance, or over-the-top presentations on culinary masterpieces. What Fontano's does better than anyone in the City is give you an Italian Sub Sandwich so good that you could curl up on your office desk for a nice afternoon siesta upon consumption of it. Just be sure to go light on the olive oil and vinegar... read more

In Chicago to look at UIC with our son. Only one block west of campus and this hit the spot. I had the Caputo with every veggie, both the hot and mild peppers and oil & vinegar. No need for mayo/mustard, but definitely a need for a lot of napkins! Made it a meal with chips, a drink, a cookie and potato salad. Can't figure out who would give this fewer than five stars, seriously! The bread had the perfect chewiness, the meat wasn't stringy and the veggies were crisp. Not fancy but it doesn't need to be. read more

Fontano Subs - All the veggies and both peppers. - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've come here alone, with friends, with my girlfriend many many times over the last 3-4 years. During my time in college, this place SAVED me. I have pretty much ordered most things on the menu and have loved them all. My favorite though, is the meatball sub. There is just nothing better than some home made meatballs! With all my years coming here, I have never once been disappointed. read more

5 stars just ain't enough. I worked across the street from Fontano's for a year, and I became a regular in about 10 seconds flat. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Nope, nothin'. Every single ingredient of every single sub will rapture you into transports of delight, and every sub you eat will bring you back for more. And for those nights when you're in the mood to cook, Fontano's is also a great little corner Italian market. Pastas, canned tomatoes, artichokes, olives, tomato paste, salami, prosciutto, capicola, mortadella - et deliciously cetera. We had some pretty late nights in that crappy basement union office, and more than our share of booze-soaked later nights after working 15 or 20 hour days fighting the good fight, and Fontano's was always there the next (late) morning to ease the pain and get us through the day. read more

Oh my! Fontano's! I hate the fact that you are closed on Sunday's and sometimes decide to close early but I love your subs! I have been going here for 15 years and still think it is fantastic each time I am back. And it makes me feel nice knowing that I am in an old Italian deli watching my sandwich being created. I have a stance that I never eat mayo. Sick. However, I have definitely made an exception here because it takes their crispy bread on the outside taste so chewy on the inside with their great quality meats and cheeses. read more

Not the first time I've brought one of these to a football party and it was devoured. People that like subs know this place. Don't know much about the other locations. The deli counter is in the very back. You almost wouldn't know it if you just walked in for convenience items. Go easy on the olive oil...but even if you don't their bread will stand up to it through the next day. Tested and proven. Ask for it and they'll break one off at any size you might need. They also have their own label offering giardinara peppers, muffolatta, heat n' eat pastas (lasagna, mostaccioli), Italian sausages, homemade pickles and some other stuff. read more

Simply the best subs I've ever had. Beautifully sliced meats and cheeses served up on fresh gonnella bread... Fuggetabouuddit! My first time in Fontano's, Neal, one of the owners, came by and introduced himself. He asked how everything was, and was cool enough to offer my girlfriend and I free sample of the meatballs. They were phenomenal. Now my ladyfriend is addicted to the meatball sub. I personally love the 'Blockbuster', however, the 'Wiseguy' is equally delicious. The food is awesome, the people who run the joint are classy, and that's a combination that'll keep me coming back as long as Fontano's is in business. Give this place a chance. You won't regret it. read more

A true Italian sandwich shop! We love coming here on the weekends for lunch. It doesn't get fresher than meat carved right onto your sandwich. I definitely recommend the turkey, and my boyfriend loves the Italian. Cookies were a little stale last time, but still worthy of 5 stars! read more

The best Italian beef sandwich you can get in Chicago. The individuals making the sandwiches are always kind and funny. Also, you never wait long for your order. You don't come for the ambience...you come for the subs! read more

Just tried the Italian beef with hot peppers, dipped. It was dipped, but not drenched which I appreciate. Great! Just wished the guy heard me ask for Provalone cheese with it. Otherwise it'd be 5.5 stars. Great people and sandwich. Better than Al's Chicago Beef a block away and closer. If you're in the hood, worth a trek ;) P.S. - I did find the cheese eventually, it had soaked into the bread. But it was still great! Next time, I'll get the 'cheesy beef!' read more

I loved you in college 20 years ago, I love you still! Forget the other locations, this one is the OG! Just the right amount of oil, vinegar, spices, mayo, lettuce, tomato, cheese & meat. A 6" sub will leave you satisfied, while an 8" sub will make you want to nap afterwards! The blockbuster, wise guy, meatball, beef, turkey, all yummy. Don't come for decor or super chatty staff. You come for the subs, that's it. Get in, order, pay, get out! read more

I got one of these 2 days ago for the first time and I'm still reeling over it's mouth-watering-deliciousness. A deli/sub shop, Fontano's in University Village is tied with Alpine Food Shop in the Oak Park/Elmwood Park Area for Best Sub Ever. In a way, I'm glad that I don't live by here because I would want to get one of these every day, and that can't possibly be healthy for me. What makes these subs great? I think that it must be the existence of a tear in the fabric of the universe. The universe Inside Fontano's can only support a few concepts: REAL and PILED HiGH - as applicable to the meat and cheese HEARTY - for the bread CHOCKED FULL - for the fixins SLATHERED - for the mayo/oil (personally, i find this a good thing) BURSTING - both for it's size and it's flavor Words that they don't know the meaning of at Fontano's? Skimpy. Meek. Weak. Bland. These words do not exist in the Fontano's universe. and we're all the better for it. I Salute You, Fontano's, for mastering the art of the sub. read more

The summer after I graduated high school I had a blast. I was all over the place. My parents felt that perhaps this would go beyond the summer and continue for a couple of decades or so. They were worried. So, they made me apply for college. Back in the 80's you could still walk into a certain university in July or August and say "I'd like to go to school here next month" and they'd actually let you in. So I decided on UIC, and a few weeks later showed up for the orientation meeting. A nice girl took a small group of us for a walk around campus, then walked us over to Fontano's for lunch. Since that day I've literally had hundreds of their subs. All have been ham, turkey, and swiss with hot giardeniera. All have been heavenly. Five stars. read more

Fontano's is my favorite place to eat in the entire city, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. If you want a sub to put all other subs to shame, go here. My go-to #1 sub: The Blockbuster Get it with everything, mixed peppers, no oil or vinegar. Be prepared to have cravings for more in the coming days. You are welcome for a taste of my personal heaven. Like meatballs? Get their Meatball Sub! I like to add provolone cheese and mixed peppers, occasionally I'll do American cheese to mix it up. The meatballs are about the side of your fist, it is amazing! Love Italian Beefs? Many people think Al's has the best or Buona Beef, etc. I think you know where I'm going. This place has the best Italian Beef, in my opinion. Get it with Provolone, have it dipped, and ask for mixed peppers. They are generous with the beef too! Don't believe me? I challenge you to give them a shot! Lastly, if you are really feeling up to the best decision you could make, they offer 3 ft. subs. I have never regretted it! read more

I placed an order to pick up when I arrived, and no one could find the order. The manager said that they were out of bread; if so, someone could have called me back since they asked for my number. They became very rude. I will not be going to this location again. No one took responsibility. read more

As creepy as the place looks on the outside you really cannot beat their subs! The convenience store part is a little weird, but if you go to the back you'll find the most amazing subs you've ever had! They have a lot of choices for drinks in the store part and everything is pretty well priced. Also they take credit cards now and they have an ATM in the store if you need to get cash to go across to Carms which is owned by the same family. Fontanos really makes you feel like you're apart of Little Italy and I recommend it for anyone who likes sandwiches in the UIC area. P.S. since there isn't a whole lot of seating in the store I recommend getting your food to go and taking it to the park across the street or to UIC for consumption! read more

Currently the favorite Sub shop of our lunch group! Awesome fresh and tasty ingredients and have a great variety of sandwich choices!

It's hard to believe you can find sandwiches this good for this cheap in Chicago. They absolutely pile on the meat and top it with fresh ingredients, made exactly how you want it. The italian beef is probably the best I've had in Chicago so far. The meatball and corned beef are also amazing. I'm very interested in seeing what else they have to offer. read more

Basically unknown territory to those that don't live around it/have never heard about it. It's on polk street behind the UIC library and right across from Carm's Beef. One thing you shouldn't do is walk in the store and then walk out without buying anything and then walk over to Carm's. They'll know who you are and they'll give you a dirty look. They're old italian people, the lady has her ups and downs but who doesn't. You can smell the aroma of meat when you walk further into Fontano's. I ordered the meatball sandwich with mozzarella cheese. I brought it back to my friends apt and it was delicious. The first time I've been there and definitely not the last. The owners live in the area so don't be alarmed if you run into them. read more

I was very confused when I walked in and the establishment is a deli and sandwich shop. Everything is clearly stated on the menu and the chicken sandwich I ate was really good. read more

Without a doubt the best sandwich shop in town. Simple in decor but huge in service and ingredients. My favorite is the meatball sandwich but whatever your choice you won't go wrong. read more

You taste the quality of the ingredients. A solid local sandwich place in which bread was dope. read more

Great subs! Satisfies the hunger of a 6'4" 300 lb man (my husband) I enjoy the subs too - not a wimpy sandwich. read more

Stop reading and get in there. Been here many times. Family owned shop that does it right. Everything I've had is 5 starts. If you're lucky to get in there on pot roast day, that is 6 stars. They also have killer hot peppers, and are generous with everything. Fair prices, great people. read more

I have lived in Little Italy on and off for just over 20 years and have seen little sandwich shops come and go, but Fontanos have the best subs in Chicago hands down. You have to make sure to tell them you want onions and hot girdinaire because they don't put that on as part of standard fixings. I have read lots of the reviews on Yelp and not see one of the big +'s for this shop. You can get your sandwich any size you want. Most places its 6 inch or 12 inch, but here if you want something in the middle, no problem... go with an 8 inch or 10 inch sub. Want a little more and they would be glad to do a 14 inch sub. On top of great subs the family that runs the place is super friendly, there's always someone working there that's the brother or cousin of so & so...dont think I have ever been in there when there wasn't one of the family behind the counter. This is one of those places where after you have been in a few times they remember your name and your kids names and make you feel like they've known you all your life. Cant say enough good things. Think I am going to have to get a few subs to go this morning for the big game tonight. read more

Great subs. I've been coming here for 15 years now, so they have to be doing something right. In more recent years they have renovated, and it's now a good place to hang out and "dine in". Order subs in the back, pay up front as others have said. On my last trip I had an Italian beef combo, and the sausage was very good and well seasoned. Meatball subs are where it's at though, and the Italian Special is also a good one. Service is quick and friendly. I'll keep coming back indefinitely. read more

I go to UIC and having this place nearby is great! I get the turkey sub with everything on it and am always so stuffed right after. It's a really cool college spot to hang out around with friends or just grab a quick bite. Owners are great and always friendly. They have a business card with a loyalty program on it so you get a free sandwich after a certain amount of visits, of course I keep losing mine but hey great food is what counts! read more

Excellent turkey sandwich filled with everything minus olives. The bread is good and soft unlike the other location on 95th. I didn't like the place originally but I tried this location and it was great. Will definitely be back. read more

This place is as good as it gets. Simply one of the best in the city. I've been here several times and brought others and I never had anything but raves. Another city joint where you have to double park and run inside. Excellent sub! Can't believe I haven't shared this before. read more

One of my favorite sandwich places!!!~ If I had to cheat on Potbelly's, I guess it would have to be with Fontano's LOL. It's just different, though. Cold vs. toasted sandwiches... Anyway, the meat quality here is fabulous. I usually get the turkey -- thinly sliced layers of turkey with tomatoes and lettuce on soft, chewy bread. It's phenomenal. Make sure to get some crunchy chips with it to balance out the textures. For those of you who know me, I do love my balanced textures and flavors. You gotta have the crunchy with the soft and chewy, as well as the spicy with the salty, savory. Or whatever else balanced each other out. A lot of my coworkers (I work at UIC down the block) love the meatball sandwich as well. If you're in the mood for a hot sandwich, definitely try that one. read more

I am always on the look-out for some submarine lovin... hmm, maybe that doesn't sound quite right... To rephrase: I really enjoy attempting to find that perfect meaty specimen that explodes with flavor and goodness... OK, I am gonna stop trying.. So, I ordered subs for me and my roommate a few weeks ago after reading all of the good reviews about fontanos. I ordered them "as is" as I assumed I would enjoy all the components... So I was really disappointed by my experience. While the place was cute and laid-back and our subs were ready on-time, they just weren't anything to write Italy about. The bread was fine, but the other flavors just didn't meld together well. There was a lot of meat and I am SO not one to turn down meat but it actually seemed like too much compared to the other flavors. There was no Italian dressing which surprised me. In its place was MAYO (gasp) and a little lettuce and tomato. No onion EITHER! COME ON! All in all, this is not my type of Italian sub fantasy... But apparently others love it. Just watch what you order and what that entails. read more