Excellent, flavorful subs. The veggies are always fresh and crunchy. Bread is always fresh. I love the oil/vinegar they put on top, it has Italian seasonings and makes the sub even more flavorful. Their giardiniera (both the hot and mild) is the best I've ever had. read more

I love this place. Part mini mart, part sandwich shop, part reality TV show - this place has it all. It's a good place to stop by if you need a drink or snack between classes as it's the closest place to UIC that carries Arizona. The sandwiches are outstanding and come in really affordable specials (these are sandwiches + small side + small chips + soda and a cookie). Try a blockbuster (drooool) or the meatball. The giardinara they make and sell is something else; get it on everything! The staff is usually pretty amiable and friendly and they definitely have their moments of eccentricity. It might be strange at first, but you'll come to enjoy the company as much as the food. read more

Love this place! The people are always friendly and talking to the patrons. They have tables inside which help and frozen food to go. Yum. I always get the blockbuster with extra gardinera!!! The best!!! read more

My favorite sub place ever! I survived college on these subs and still love to go back!

The food here was tasty and the service was prompt. I stopped in here for a quick bite to eat last week and the employees were so friendly and kind. I recommend Fontano to anyone visiting the UIC area. I would definitely go back! read more

Used to get lunch here often when I worked nearby. Now not as often, My son and I hit this place every year after the auto show for roast beef and provolone subs loaded with hot giardinara. So messy but so so good. My wife loves the spicy Italian when we come down. Back in the day it was a small grocery store, now it's pretty much just subs etc. Great place. read more

I miss Fontano's!! The thought of their blockbuster with hot peppers and oil makes my mouth water. There is nothing like that out here in the west. Also their prices can't be beat, especially for Chicago. read more

Finally, a place that feels like home! I moved to Chicago 15 years ago fro my hometown of Rochester, New York, and have consistently searched for a sub that reminds me of home... to no avail. Until someone turned me on to Fontano's, and thank God! This place is the definitive Italian sandwich shop in Chicago, no question. The main thing that separates Fontano's from other subs is the ingredients. You can taste the actual ingredients. Provolone and Mozzarella are no longer thin slices of tasteless substance, turkey tastes like turkey, instead of pressed and processed salt loaf... The bread is soft and fresh, and the hot peppers are the best I've ever had. The blockbuster is definitely where it's at, and for less than the price of the slop they'll give you at other sandwich shops, you really can't go wrong here. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Fontano's for giving me a taste of home away from home. read more

My father ate here as a student while attending UICC (yes, with the extra C) in the 1970's and introduce our family from MI to it in the late 1980's. Since moving to Chicago, its been amazing to go back and enjoy this establishment. As my father introduced Fontano's to me, so will I to my son. Great place. read more

I love this place, I am a east coast guy and these are the best subs in the city! The bread is always fresh the meats are top quality and they make the subs big! The owner is a great guy always happy and friendly the staff is always pleasant and accommodating. Keep up the good work guys read more

Great food! The subs are made there and are really fresh. The staff there are wonderful as well! My only issue is that the shop has very limited seating, but it is near UIC which during the spring and summer can be very nice to just sit and eat outside, but during the winter, that could be an issue. (Except the fact that being a student, I can just go to the Library after public hours and still eat there.) In conclusion, I have only been there once, but the food was fantastic and the prices are reasonable. I plan on going back very soon. read more

Love this place, being right by UIC it made for a great lunch.

A friend recommended that I give this place a try in place of Subway. Im going to make it very clear, Subway is not even in the same ballpark as Fontano Subs. That being said, Sweet baby Jesus this place is awesome. I will never touch another footlong unless its from Fontano Subs (you know what I mean). Give Fantano Subs a try or... go fuck yourself. read more

There can only be 1 Fontano's Sub Sandwich and if you're not on Polk Street in Chicago then sorry but you're missing out. After traveling the world for a decade on business, I have not found a spot that serves better sandwiches than my old college neighborhood Fontano's. Hands down the best place to get a sandwich for all appetites with the homey-family feeling. read more

Another one of those places where I have no idea how a person could say the subs are not amazing. I usually get the Blockbuster with hot giardiniera(sp) or the meatball with provolone and both are some of the best i have had in the city. They have even catered a few of my sports parties with trays of food, and the spread was impressive. Go to the one on Polk St and order up a sub, enjoy! read more

Friendly atmosphere and real Italian subs. This place puts tears in Subway and Jimmy John's eyes. Big L and Blockbuster are my favorites. Definitely try the meatball sub if you're hungry enough, the fresh/homemade meatballs are amazing. If you are a sandwich aficionado like myself you have to give this place a try! read more

It's been years since I've updated this review and wanted to reiterate how amazing Fontano's is. They've expanded their menu over the last couple of years (e.g., pasta Wednesdays; amazing pot roast sandwiches other days) and have only gotten better. A must stop for anyone looking for an amazing sandwich (or now, other food options) read more

We were working in town from out of state and found Fontano's near our building. The Italian sausage sandwich was the best I have ever had. The service was friendly and fast. Mr. Fontano was very kind and was happy to show a few folks from California what Chicago style Italian deli was all about. If I ever get back to the Windy City, I will be heading straight back to Fontano's. read more

Foods was ok, however the owner and the staff had horrible customer service skills. While filling up a fountain drink the machine was running out and spit all over the floor and me....the owner was very rude yelling at me for making a mess. I tried to clean it up and she went on about how i wasted her napkins and i did not have good manners since i made a mess. Everyone has run into at least one occasion where a fountain machine runs out and spits all over the place...not an intentional mess but due to the syrup running out. I would not go back. read more

meatball sub with provolone....ridiculously good. this is a must try for everyone

My mothers just introduced me to this place. I had the turkey sub with all of the toppings except onions because they were out. :-( I must say that since I had that sub I seriously can't stop thinking about how good it was. The sub was so good and I can tell that the meat was of good quality. I plan to be back very soon!! read more

I love Fontanos! This place has been in the neighborhood for years and years. Great corned beef-- HUGE sandwiches! Just be careful when they ask you if you want oil; they will saturate your sandwich! Outstandingly generous amounts of oil. Literally your face will be coated after lunch if you don't watch their quick hands! The chips they sell... To die!! read more

Stopped by Fontano's while doing a project on Little Italy. I was greeted with smiles and friendly people of all ages. I was even lent a book to use while working on my project this week.. I'll definitely be returning with the book, my cell number for the good looking guys working there, and lots of hungry friends! read more

true family owned local store i loooove it. went to grammer school down the block and till this day every now and than il still stop by to grab a sub. the only thing i hate is thier hours. and i swear that lady at the register has been working there MY whole life! lol but i can truly appreciate no change when it comes to that place lol read more

I haven't been to the Fontano's downtown but I had a couple of sandwiches ova there at Fontano's and they were excellent. The Wiseguy is my favorite. I hear the I Beef is amazing and also need to hit up the downtown location. I intent to kill 2 birds with 1 stone on that one. read more

I was told they had better subs that their counter parts ... So I gave them a try ! I placed my order over the phone to avoid waiting , the lady over the phone was very nice . When I walked in the place is small cozy and clean. The sub: Italian sub was good, although I was expecting for their cold cuts to be among the expected but I think no pepperoni was used. A Little too much mayo and hot peppers but overall very better than subway ! I also bought a potato salad which was ok, it hAd a weird distasteful after taste and I'm not sure how to describe it. Price is good for what you get , I will definitely be back . read more

I haven't tried the meatball sandwich but I've been eating their Italian sub for thirty years and haven't found any better anywhere else.

It taste great! I go there at least twice a week. However, believe me you do not want be there afternoon. The young guys work there give you 1/3 less than noon time. They just put meet as they want, there is no standard. It is the third time happened to me. read more

Took a trip from New Jersey to Chicago and wanted to try this place after reading all of the reviews. I can truly say that it exceeded all expectations. The hot roast beef was without a doubt the best I have ever had. The owner is very attentive and talks to every guest. A little off the beaten path but an absolute must try. read more

My office started Meatball Sub Friday so we had an excuse to eat all (ok, many) of the meatball subs that Little Italy has to offer. Fontano's is far and away the very best! It's inexpensive, fast, a huge mess and always worth the trip. Definitely get cheese and peppers on your sub - you won't regret it! read more

I don't know why this place has such great reviews. it's at best, an average sandwich place. It's better than subway but that's about it. I got the wise guy and it was just okay. Mild flavor. The bread is way too dense and there's way too much of it. The woman wearing black that served me seemed very annoyed to be helping me. She kept rolling her eyes when I asked for toppings. I'm sorry for being ... a customer? read more

I miss this place. Had the pleasure of eating here this week and I savored every bite. A favorite in my college days, now I go here every now and again. My turkey sandwich was outstanding. Made me remember how good cold sandwiches are. In my top 5 best sandwiches in town. Can't wait until my next trip. read more

It's been years since I first ate here. Come back every time I am in the neighborhood. Best tuna sandwich in chicagoland area imo. Get it with olives and hot peppers. read more

I ate here multiple times a week for years while I was at UIC. Get the hot peppers on any sandwich - this place is awesome.

This place is awesome . Great bread, awesomely fresh tomatoes and great meat and cheese .Blockbuster is the best sub i have ever had . Get there before they get taken over by the corporate douche bags and the place ends up like subway or Jimmy Johns . read more

Sandwich was everything you hope for when you're looking for something that's comforting. Tasty sandwich, homey place Fontano's is the place to go when looking for a casual, local place to eat. read more

Sexy and electrically charged atmosphere with first rate subs that are a real mouthful.

Best Subs Period. I recommend geting the blockbuster sub, these sandwich subs are awesome!!! Located behind UIC library, I've graduated a few years ago but can't stop thinking about these subs. I try to go back whenever I get the chance and never disapoints. read more

Awesome place to get food and hang out! Great service and the food is unbelievable. If you are around uic, go here!

just thinking about a huge delicious Italin sub sandwich with toppings and so much meat and cheese and giardinera is making me hungry! they are so delicious! hard to get to and parking sucks but worth a trip! Credit cards too! and a freezer case full of delicious Italian specialties! YUMMY! DELICIOUS! read more