Another favorite place to eat in grad school. If we weren't going to Carm's, we were going to Fontano's. Excellent sandwiches -- I often got hot capicola and provolone, yum yum! Another cheap place -- you could get a sandwich and a can of soda for $4 or $5. Thank you also, Fontano's, for fueling statistics binges and writing blitzes. read more

I'm always looking for new places to try. I was in Little Italy, two weeks ago, where there are tons of spots to get good eats. Instead of going to my favorite beef place ( Al's), I wanted something different, but what? I pulled out the ole trusty iPhone and got to Yelping. I settled on Fontano. Aside from the great reviews, I had I good feeling about this place. There is always something to be said about a neighborhood store that sells sandwiches. I just knew it would be good. I also thought I would get some Italian sausage to make for dinner. Let me start with the sandwich. You can order 6in, 8in, 10 in. and so on. Listen to me when I say this is what a sub should be! The bread was fresh and firm perfect for holding all that goodness that they pile in there. I order the 8 in. Blockbuster. This is the ham, salami, prosciutto, swiss and provolone, lettuce and I added onions and giardiniera peppers. I am not playing, this was the best sub I had in my life. They gave sooo much and it sooo fresh. (Subway should be slapped on what they call fresh). The meat and cheese combination was just to good for words. If that was not enough for a good review, I got some italian sausage for dinner. The butcher was nice and helpful. He helped with the amount of meat I should get and how to cook it. He was beyond friendly just great service. Now I now how to cook italian sausage, but hey if the italian butcher wants to tell me how cook it well I'm taking notes. He told me to char it in a pan first and then put them in the oven. I also bought the bread to go with it. The butcher told me if I did not want the whole loaf of bread he would cut to the size I wanted and that is just what I did. I cook the sausage the way I was instructed and we had a great dinner! This place is worth the trip for the subs and the sausages. They have it all great food and service. You must check it out for the subs and get some dinner too you will not be disappointed. read more

My favorite old school sub shop. A little Italy gem. Get 'The Blockbuster' and you will not be disappointed!

Fontano's is a grocery store in the front, and they make subs in the back. I haven't gotten anything from the grocery section besides chips and drinks, but their subs are excellent! They ask you before putting anything on to make sure you get exactly what you want. I recommend the blockbuster, caputo, and Italian special. Those are my top three. All the sandwiches have a Fontano's special mayo and it's delicious. They add oil at the end, and sometimes it's a bit too much so you can tell them to tone it down or skip it altogether. The people that work there are also very friendly. My friend and I went there a day or two after halloween, and they gave us all their leftover halloween candy. It wasn't the bad candy that no one wants. They gave us the good stuff, for free. They also have really great homemade cookies at the register for less than a dollar. If it's not there, just ask the staff. They're worth a try. If you like italian meats, you will surely love this place. Think of the Italian BMT from subway, but better. Oh, and Fontano's has wifi as well, which always comes in handy. Just ask any of the staff members for the password, and they'll help you get connected. read more

The customer service was terrible... they were rude. And the subs tasted like I could make it at home.

The lunch special is amazing and addictive! I love their giardiniera. Absolutely fabulous! Their cookies are always good and the block bluster is so yummy. It is on the list of places I feel like I must go to when in Chicago. read more

The blockbuster definitely ranks highly on my unofficial list of best sandwiches I've ever had. Location is easy to find off of the UIC campus. Service ran smoothly. read more

Meatball sub is great, everything else is average. I give four stars soley on the greatness of the meatball sub. The prices in the grocery store are a little high, even for specialty items, I'd reccomend Bari on Grand. I never tried it but my friend said the veggie sub was decent. read more

My favorite place by UIC. Great turkey sub! The place looks run down inside, and the deli counter has been completely emptied. That kind of turned off the person I was with, but I talked them into trying Fontano's out anyway. They wound up loving it. They have a good $7.95 special- 6 in sub, chips, soda, salad, AND cookie. They really load on the oil, so you might want to ask for easy on the oil. read more

The food was amazing I had the Italian special sub, but too bad when you have to use the bathroom.

A no-frills but satisfying establishment overall. The sandwiches are densely packed and pretty straightforward. Prices not bad at all and it makes for a great lunch visit. read more

Fantastic italian subs. Best I've had in Chicago. Great look business - very friendly staff. Make sure to add the oil and vinegar. You'll want to spit on Jersey Mikes after you have a sub here read more

Wow why would anyone ever go to subway??? Authentic, amazing sandwiches, very clean and friendly staff! read more

The blockbuster is amazing! Fontano's is a local institution. It has a very Chicago, everyone knows each other vibe,They use high quality ingredients. They will even share some of their super hot red pepper flakes with you. They sent me home with enough red peppers to keep my red sauce spicy for months to come. read more

Some of the best subs I've had in the city. Super convenient since it's close to my school and the ingredients are super fresh and made right in front of you. Yeah I could go to subway and pay a little bit less but the little extra you pay goes a long way. Topped with deli meat and a ton of veggies that you can barely put it all in your mouth! 10/10 read more

I simply love the location of this place. It sort of gives this place an authentic feel since its surrounded by houses. Our family has been going there for over 40 years and I'm happy they're still around. I like their Meatball sub which a foot sub is only $5.79. They also have a little grocer as well. This place is good for college students in the area. read more

Honostly overrated. Rude neighborhood workers, no thanks. Yeah, the meat is good. Bread is okay and they dowce the sandwhich with oil even when you ask for no oil. The nice old lady in the back doesn't really care what you want, she just kinda makes what she feels like. She doesn't use gloves and touches more than just food. Even though I live two blocks away from this annoying corner, I make the drive a few blocks north for Bari, better quality, nicer service, and even cheaper prices. read more

Tuna, ham/turkey sandwiches: AMAZING, orgasmic experiences. About 500% more flavorful than Subway but probably 30% more expensive. Staff is usually very nice and helpful and they also have grocery items. read more

I'm a creature of habit, so when I go to Fontano's I always get the turkey special. This sandwich is DELICIOUS and comes at a fair price. While the employees are have a personality all their own and can be a bit abrupt, once you figure out the system, they really grow on you and treat you like...well, maybe not family, but a good acquaintance at least. :) Just make sure you are ready to order before you get anywhere near the counter and you will be good to go! Also, they take cards, but definitely prefer cash, so I always like to have my wallet lined before I head in. Great place for lunch any day of the week! read more

I'm with Jesse F. on this one, we received great service and the subs were beyond phenomenal. The subs were made with care from good, quality, fresh ingredients. I am indeed the biggest fan EVER of their meatball sub with Swiss cheese and a pickle on the side. Ohhh & their cannoli make for the best dessert ever. I also highly recommend the tuna sub. read more

Love the old school vibe. Great, quick service and amazing food. I got the 8 inch wise guy with hot peppers and it might be the best sub sandwich I've ever had. I highly recommend. And it's close to uic so if you're a broke college student this place isn't going to break the bank....and don't think you need to go any bigger than 8", trust me, it was plenty. read more

I have not found a better meatball sub in the city. I have tried the so called 'best' from other places for $15!?.. I come back here religiously. Also nothing beats family service. read more

Their subs can be a little bit messy to eat because of the oil- but they are always consistently a great value and loaded with fresh meat and cheese! Their + $3.50 meal deal is a steal- add a drink, chips, cookie, AND salad? I was reluctant to try their potato salad, but it is truthfully the best potato salad I have had in my entire life- it's fresh and absolutely tasty! Their subs are always fresh and never have disappointed me yet. The corned beef is delicious, and so is the wise guy. read more

This place was really good! Located right by the UIC library. Get the hot jardiniera! Definitely coming back here.

This place is as good as any italian sandwich / grocery spot. They are efficient and their food is fresh. Have enjoyed every visit.

This place never disappoints. I wish they were open later sometimes. They should add more cheese choices for the subs too. Everything is delicious. read more

Fontano's has some top notch subs and definitely underrated. People from around the UIC must need to know about this eatery because it always hits the spot. Their meats and bread are so tasty and juicy. They have such a variety of sandwiches as well as compliments and drinks. The service here is very nice and they are always loving to their customers. Sometimes they can be a bit rude, but you just have to get used to it. Once again, delicious! I highly recommend this place to visitors and nearby neighbors. read more

First time here and I ordered the blockbuster! It was delicious and the ingredients were fresh! I definitely recommend!

Great subs with softer bread than some of the competitors, though I sometimes prefer the crunchier stuff. I like the roast beef here and will agree that they have unbelievable homemade pickles. The assorted Italian meat combos featuring Cappicola are delicious, though I recommend hot pepper on the side as it gets a bit greasy. It is a great bargain for what you get, though I do wish they had longer hours so I could get it for dinner. read more

You get the feeling when you walk in that everyone knows everyone. Despite the fact that I've only lived in the neighborhood for three months I'm treated like a regular here, the butt of many a very funny, light hearted joke. Everyone knows about the quality of their goods (holy crap can they make a sandwich) but I don't know if enough is known about the genuinely nice people that make up the staff. This place is a gem. read more

Best sandwiches bar none! I used to go there almost weekly when I was in school. The ingredients are top notch and they don't skimp on anything. I haven't met a single person who didn't love their subs. read more

You know a place is good when undercover cops keep coming and going the whole time you're sitting there eating your meatball sandwich. That was my lunch today at Fontano's, the old Italian corner story that never changed. And thank God they didn't. This is the place I go to whenever I'm down in the University Village. The place just screams authentic and that's what I like about it. Nothing fancy or high brow here, just great food. And undercover cops that are definitely cops. I wonder who they're fooling walking around in a polo with a bullet proof vest under it. But I digress. read more

YUM! I love Fontano's. I go here with friends for lunch as much as possible. It's only a short walk from the UIC campus which is awesome. I always order the blockbuster. Really fresh, quality meats, cheeses, and veggies. Their bread is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside and tastes fresh baked. Definitely no ambiance here and the guys making your sandwich mean business so you better know what you want once you get up there! However, I think all that only adds to the charm of Fontano Foods. Probably the best subs in the Chi. Just writing about it makes me want another one!!! read more

Best corned beef & Swiss sandwich out there - extra giardiniera please!

HANDS DOWN the BEST subs in Chicago. The bread, the cheese, the meat, the giardiniera- ALL amazing. I've been eating Fontanos for years and I still crave it weekly. My fave is the turkey and provolone but the Italian and meatball subs are to die for as well. read more

Fontano's is my second favorite place for subs in Chicago. The hot oil that they put on their subs is out of this world. If you're ever by the UIC/ Taylor street area Fontano's is a must! read more

Old Italion store that makes great subs. Middle aged woman that makes sandwiches is a complete rude slob! She will jump all over you if you don't spit your order out immediately when asked but will ask you 3 to 4 times what you wanted again.. If the kid makes your sandwich he does a great job and fast. I would have given 5 stars if it weren't for the very dirty sloppy b*tch that is a total rude a** that makes your sub. This is own of the owners kids that was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and thinks she is god! read more

What's not to like? Some of the best subs in the city-the Italian and the American are the go-to choices for my wife and I. Her father started coming here for subs when he was a kid on Taylor St. and it's become a family tradition. The peppers are just right, everything tasting fresh...and if you get distracted those sandwiches will keep in the fridge for a day and still taste great! My wife and I love this place so much we had a lunch ordered and picked up for our attendants the day of our wedding! I hate the fact that it's closed on Sundays' but if it's out of respect for Family over Commerce, I understand. Fontano's...don't ever change! read more

I went here twice in 3 days. That explains a lot. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I've never had such an amazing and fresh sub in my life. I get the Big L with American cheese. The oil and vinegar soaks this sandwich to unexplainable greatness. The meatballs are huge and yummy too. If I lived next to this place, it would be a daily stop. read more

Got the Wise Guys -- no regrets! Amazing! Meats seemed quality, toppings were fresh, service was friendly and fast! Plus, it was national sandwich day so free pop and chips included. I'll be back! read more