Ok, so I'm slightly tipsy writing this review, thanks to Monti's awesome Bourbon Swizzle cocktail. It's like an Old Fashion, but more refined (or as the awesome bartender said "an older Old Fashion"). The Philly Cheesesteak I had was bitchin', and on an Amoroso roll, which I am told is the height of authenticity for a Cheesesteak. Specifically, I had a South Side Johnny, covered in melty Swiss cheese and crammed with sauteed mushrooms and onions. The meat was so tender and crispy and juicy, and made me happy to be an herbivore. Again, it was bitchin'. My 4 star review is due to our initial visit on their opening night where we were charged for a cocktail I returned and my boyfriend chipped a tooth on the pretzel appetizer. The service that night was still pretty stellar and the food is unwaveringly delicious. If I continue to have more experiences there like I did tonight I will undoubtedly upgrade to 5 stars. Also, there was a really cool bartender there, but I've been drinking wine while writing this review, and his name has been obliterated by the alcohol. Carter? Cameron? James? Ahhh, it doesn't matter, he's cool. read more

Tried Monti's last night with a buddy who's originally from Philly. We both thought it was the best most authentic Philly Cheesesteak we've eaten outside of Philly. The meat was great, black angus rib-eye, and the roll really made the sandwich. The french fries were excellent with a hint of celery salt on them. The help was amazing, our waitress was super sweet and explained everything to us. The owner/chef even came out of the kitchen to meet us, great guy. The waitress explained to us that everything was shipped in fresh from Philly daily including the rolls. We were super surprised when we were offered Tastykakes for dessert, cause you can only get them in Philly, they were awesome. They have a full bar at Monti's so you can have a cold beer with your cheesesteak. I will definitely be back very soon. They'er even on twitter @iloveMontis read more

This place is one if the best places I've tried since I've been living in chicago. There customizable fries are very good. There cheese steaks are amazing. I love this place. I will return soon. I am dying for some of this. So so so good. Best Philly cheese steaks in chicago. I need you in my life again. :) read more

So at the end of the day this was a really nice place and kind of what I expected prior to going. The whole place was clean, even the bathrooms. The sandwich was awesome and we would go back although I would pick a better time to drive there from Portage Park other than right in the middle of lunch hour. Took me 20 minutes to go 4 miles. read more

Awesome cheese steaks that are better than cheese steaks from Philly (in my opinion). While in Philly I tried Johns, Jim's, and Pats. Pat's "whiz-wit" was the best if the 3, but Monti's is just superior as is Chicago in general read more

Best Cheese Steak in Chicago. No contest, hands down, they win. The flavors, texture and consistency are all spot on. Ingredients are of good quality, and the preparation and execution are on point. I love the bread which is perfect kind for this type of steak sandwich. Caramelized onions are sweet, perfect size and shape (you can tell the kitchen staff knows what they are doing and have knife/culinary skills). The steak has great flavor, rich and still juicy without being too grizzly and again cut/chopped perfectly. Chili is also amazingly delicious, well seasoned and has become another one of my favorite things to get when I go here. Alway receive good service, always get my food quickly, and because of all these reason I will always come here when craving a cheese steak. Great place all the way around, highly recommended. Did I mention they have a full bar? read more

Been here twice and it definitely fixed my craving for cheese steaks....I won't have to go all the way to Philly anymore. It is a lil pricey but so worth it. Huge sandwiches and great beer and also closer to home. I'll definitely go again especially if they have another Groupon. read more

I went here because my friend told me they had the best philly cheesesteaks. He was right. We ordered a couple cheesesteaks and chose 4 beers from their big list of craft beers. Everything was delicious, and the basket of hot sauces they give you on request is awesome. The service was pretty decent. The server girl could have been a bit more friendly, but other than that, the food came out quick and hot. The ambiance inside was like a typical mid-scale bar, with dimmed lighting and decent decorations on the walls. I would stop by again if I was nearby. read more

Best Philly cheesesteaks and probably best cheesesteaks in Chicago. I lived in PA for years and visited Philadelphia a few times yet the only thing I remember from those cheesesteaks is that I don't like cheez whiz and that I like white american cheese best. So the only thing I have to compare these cheesesteaks to is Philly's Best on Belmont. The meat at Philly's was always legit, yet the bread had its ups and downs. I havent eaten at Philly's Best in years so maybe it got better. By comparison the meat and bread at Monti's are the real deal. On it's own the "Authentic Philly Cheesesteak" on the menu is delicious. The bread is solid and chewy and delicious and holds the meat and cheese well. I tasted the aged cheddar cheese sauce and the white american cheese versions of the Authentic Philly Cheesesteak and as I expected I like the white american cheese version better. So yeah the Authentic Philly Cheesesteak is great. We also got the pretzel bites which were plentiful and good, yet may not be worth the cost. The fries are delicious - crispy and meaty and seasoned with celery salt. Overall this place is a great addition to the neighborhood and a great place to eat great food. read more

great food! absolutely amazing beer selection. so far I've had the rocky and the south side johnny. both are amazing. you can tell they want to keep the authentic philly flavors! i intend on going twice in one week! don't tell my trainer... read more

Came in with the wife and our oldest little guy on a Friday night. A nice lady behind the bar greeted us and let us pick our own spot. Let's cut to the chase. I spent a number of years in Philly in the 90s and had cheese steaks at Jim's, Geno's and Pat's. These things were a staple of my diet when i was there so I know them pretty well. The steaks at Monti's are truly outstanding. They are certainly the real deal. The large proportion of ribeye on my steak was perfectly seasoned and the cheese perfectly placed under the meat. The secret weapon for this sandwich is the bread they use. I think they said they were Amoroso rolls but whatever they are, they are incredible and provide that perfect crusty chew you need on a steak. My wife had the wedge salad which was perfectly executed with fresh, cold iceberg, blue cheese dressing and thick cut bacon pieces. My son ordered the thin crust pizza which was also impressive The only drawback was that the toppings were a bit sparse but it was of little consequence in light of the epic cheese steak high we were experiencing. The crust was clearly homemade and had a nice chew to it. Don't forget to order the pretzel nuggets for a nice starter and the water ice and tastykakes for dessert. On a final note, this place had a nice choice of beers. We had the Allagash Belgian White which is one of our faves that we don't see very often in restaurants or bars. Thanks Monti's...we will be back. read more

After hearing such great things about Monti's I was super excited to try this place out. Even more so when I found out they had soy sausage philly cheesesteak ('m a recent pescatarian). Ordered one to go before work and I really was digging the feel inside. Friendly service. Beautiful bar. I was also quite impressed with the craft beer selection. But the sandwich itself was SO incredibly salty. I'm not sure if the "meat" was supposed to be that much doused in salt/whatever sauce it was or if I just got a bad order but I couldn't continue to finish eating it after the first few bites. It was pretty disappointing cause I reallywanted to like this place. Not sure if I'd be back for the food, but might return for some drinks. read more

I don't think I ever really ate a cheesesteak until I came to Monti's. They just never sounded appealing to me. But since this place is close by, I wanted to check it out. It turns out that cheesesteaks are SO yummy, and Monti's is a really nice, low-key hangout. I am already wanting to go back and eat another cheesesteak, and maybe have a few drinks while I'm at it. And service was great! read more

philly cheese pretty decent ad good fries, quaint little kid-friendly spot that is 1/3 bar 2/3 tables. house salad on the side was a joke. literally mixed greens in a tray with nothing else my wife said she go back and so would i read more

I was very impressed here. The service was excellent and friendly and really fast. We ordered the Rocky which is served with a very spicey cheese sauce. The waitress warned the sauce was really spicey but we did not care, we orded the 12 inch with no fries. What was great was the fact that the waitress brought us out the sandwhich already cut in two, that was cool. This sandwhich was bliss as I bit into it and the sauce was incredible tasting and yes, it was really spicey. The meat was delicious but the sauce was the huge attraction. I really need to order it on garlic bread the next time, and I will order the standard Philly since that is what everyone raves about. This place is excellent for Phillys of all different styles and sauces. I will definately be back here! read more

This place is AWESOME. Period! The guys that work there are really nice and the food is amazing.

The authentic philly cheesesteak with their version of whiz is fantastic. Without a doubt, my favorite philly-style cheesesteak that I've had in Chicago. Takeout service is also fast and friendly. read more

Always consistent and delicious. The staff is very nice and service is quick. This is the best Philly I've had in the city - definitely recommend! read more

Loved it! Food was fabulous, ambiance and decor were cool, and owners are fantastic! Like others, I was expecting more along the lines of a takeout joint so I was definately pleasantly surpised by the "coolness" of the restaurant itself . Also, to those complaining about the price, I thought the prices were far more than reasonable as they are serving high quality food...its not your greasy sandwich joint. Bread is fresh from Philly and the meat is black angus cooked perfectly. Owners have alot of culinary experience and you can tell there is a great amount of detail that went into all of their menu items. Salted caramel martini was tasty and nice selection of beers also. Really enjoyed Monti's! read more

I love this place probably too much. I've stuck to the Philly and its variations (South Side Johnny, extra mushrooms is my favorite!), you seriously can't go wrong. Super nice staff, great prices on drinks, my only selfish wish would be for their sandwiches to be slightly less expensive, but I am totally in love so I'm still here once a week or so. They've got some new specials coming to sweeten the deal even more, I hear. read more

A good place for a cheesesteak, if not a little pricey. All the ingredients they use are of high quality. Their menu even accommodates vegetarians and those with gluten intolerance. Once thing that was different is that they use celery salt to season their fries. Staff is extremely cordial and attentive. I'll be back. read more

Tried Monti's with a buddy recently, and overall the food was good. We split two sandwiches since I wanted to try different ones. We ordered the South Side Johnny (my fave so far) and the Rocky. The Johnny had mushrooms, onions, swiss, and a nice horseradish sauce. The horsetrading wasn't too overpowering, but just good enough to compliment the sandwich well. The Rocky was a nice and spicy sandwich with onions, cheese, Jalapeno, Serrano, and Scotch Bonnet peppers. The spiciness slowly builds as you keep eating the sandwich and gets hotter as you delve further in. This sandwich is not for the faint of heart, but it's not overly spicy where you'll just say "I'm done with this!" Prices are a tad higher, I believe, for the area but the beef is of high quality, and the service was great. So I believe the prices are substantiated. One note...I liked how we can sub our fries for a small side salad. Great option for those who want are trying to count calories, knowing that you're eating a steak sandwich as well. Overall, good food, good service, okay prices. Will definitely return again to try more sandwiches. read more

Authentic Philly steaks all the way! Shaved rib-eye steak with grilled onions and an aged cheddar sauce! It was sooo good! They have a lot of pictures of Philly up in the restaurant. They will even serve the cheese steaks on a gluten-free bun if you choose. I will FOR SURE be going back here! read more

Came here with the Groupon last month and had an even better experience than my first 5 star one...Because the deal was amazing. Not only did I get to sink my teeth into their delicious cheese steak sandwich, but I also got to try their dessert. I've been here three times and still can't wait to try more of their menu. read more

Friendly service and delicious sandwiches in a bar/pub atmosphere. The Philly Cheesesteaks are among the best I've had.

Great food, good pricing, great atmospere, attentive staff.... What a great addition to the neighborhood! And the celery salt on the fries is genius!! I woke up today craving what I just ate there yesterday!! Well done!!! I WILL be back!!!! read more

Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and other bar food. Nice vibe to the place, I go with my wife and kids, but there are a lot of singles that go for the food and the bar. It isn't health food, but it is reasonably priced and good quality. I don't order the larger sandwich because it is very filling. Service is good and is really a nice place to go if you want some hearty food without spending a ton of money. Better yet, Dad can have a beer and see the game on the TVs. read more

Monti's is the real deal. Original cheesesteaks on real cheesesteak bread from Philly. I am from South Jersey and can vouch for the fact that Monti's delivers a quality cheesesteak that rivals many in the Philly metro area. You have to get it "wit" onions if you want the real thing. Great bar and cozy booths towards the back. Run don't walk over to Monti's today! read more

Cheesesteaks and pretzel nuggets A+. Love the pizza! Coconut chicken and marmalade is an amazing appetizer. On a quest to try everything on the menu. Monti is very nice and Clayton is so charming. read more

It was pretty good. I got it delivered, and it took a little bit of time and the charge is kind of expensive (5 dollars). I ordered the "Rocky" cheesesteak and it was SUPER HOT, but really good. I would definitely eat from there again. read more

Came here on the recommendation of a friend. The best cheesesteak I have ever had. Calamari appetizer with spicy banana peppers and lemons fried too! Really delicious twist. Excellent service as well. read more

After seeing Montis being featured on 190 North we decided to go the very next day on NYE...we were not disappointed! The cheesesteaks were awesome! And Jennifer and James were so cool and laid back like they were one of your buddies from college. I would recommend this place for good cheesesteaks read more

Wow! That is the first word that came to mind when I bit into the Philly cheese steak. My girlfriend and I came here on a Sunday afternoon and immediately found a table. We started off with the Coconut Chicken. I was expecting thin chicken tenders, but they actually were large portions of chicken. It tasted pretty good, but the horseradish sauce that came with it was not very good. We both had the Authentic Philly Cheese steak with provolone cheese and fries. I have never been a big fan of Philly cheese steaks...probably because I have never had a good one at other places. The Philly cheese steak at Monti's was absolutely outstanding. The steak had a lot of flavor and was very juicy. The provolone cheese helped enhanced the great taste. After I finished it, I wanted to lick the plate. The fries were also very good and were not overly dry. This is a great place for cheese steak. I cannot wait to go back and try the other versions that they have. read more

I love going to Monti's for their Gyro Philly Cheese Steaks. They also have these awesome fresh pretzel bites.

Great beer and cider selection to compliment the fantastic CHEESESTEAKS!!! I had the Authentic with Cheddar and White American and it was a beefy cheesy carby handful of everything I wanted in a Cheesesteak. The Rocky was also excellent and surprisingly spicy considering most restaurants these days are afraid of making mouths water and foreheads sweat. The people who run the place are also awesome at what they do- you can tell they love what they do and the food they serve. I'll be back to try the rest of the menu soon. Soooooon..... read more

One of the best and most authentic Philly cheesesteaks in Chicago. I wish it was closer to my apartment, because I would go more often. The service was A+ read more

After a long week, I was craving something really good, something that would hit the spot, I kinda felt like going on a Harold & Kumar adventure. Eventually, I decided to come to Monti's and it was truly the best decision I made all week. I tried the south side johnny and put some hot sauce on it, the beef was delicious along with the bread and cheese. If you are ever looking for a spot to hit the spot, definitely come here. read more

This place is a true hidden gem, most will never venture west of western, this place is worth the trip. The Philly was delicious the option for a gluten free version appeals to many as well. Have not tried the pizza but it smells great but the Philly is the best I have had in a long time. Good beer, staff is great and the place has a great feel. Skip the traditional square and go to this place it's one of the best! read more

I hold Cheesesteaks in high regards on my list of sandwich power rankings, and Monti's does not fall short. One of the best cheesesteaks in the city, and even tops in the sandwich genre as a whole. Well worth my relative "hike" to indulge. read more

THEE best Philly cheesesteak sandwich I have ever had! NOTHING else comes close! The only thing I can criticize are the fries. They tend to be under cooked, so ask for them to be well done. I like all 3 cheeses, so try them all to find your fave. read more