Panes (plural for bread in Spanish and pronounced "pah-nehs") has now become my new favorite lunch place. Why? Well you asked for it: -They bake their own 'pan' or bread daily in many different varieties. My favorites are the Sweet White (which most sandwiches come on), Rosemary and Sourdough. -They offer unique and extremely tasty sandwich creations...and of course your childhood favorites like the classic B.L.T. (hands down the best i've ever had!). I'd also recommend El Parisino and Sloppy Pollo sandwiches. Every sandwich is very reasonable at around $5-6, plus a side of chips! It's one of the few places in the city to get a meal under $10. -Every day they have two or so different soups to offer. -Best of all, do not skip out on The Monster (a peanut butter, chocolate chip, M&M, oatmeal cookie that is sure to impress). I'd eat it all by itself as a meal, plus it's a good source of fiber. I would also recommend their peppermint patty brownies. -Beyond the great prices, quality and fresh food, you can't yourself from noticing all the fun Latin American artesanias or handcrafted art. Panes is owned by two previous chefs from Cafe Ba Ba Reeba. Now all they need is a space larger than 10 tables and Sangria! *Keep in mind that it's Cash Only and limited on space. read more

Panes Bread Cafe - BLT sandwich on Sweet Bread with a side salad and soup. - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Panes offers great food at an inexpensive price, but how do you say the name? I go here often with my girlfriend and we generally each get a soup or sandwich and split a salad. The tortilla salad is our favorite, as is the chicken club. They use quality ingredients and bake excellent breads. We don't partake of their desserts too often, but their cookies are very tasty. This is a fantastic neighborhood sandwich place. I only wish there were one in every neighborhood. read more

Please let me give 10 stars, please!?! Crunch factor of the bread is legit. There's nothing soggy about it, which I love. It doesn't rip the top of your mouth, like some "sandwich chains" out there, thank you so much for that. You need some cash flow, moolah, dinero, whatever you would like to call it, as they don't accept the plastic yet. I'm ok with that though. They said eventually they will be crossing that bridge when they get to it. :) And the prices are super reasonable. A ten spot can feed 2 hungry people. Love the chicken club with avocado. Seriously. I haven't tried anything but the sandwiches, because when a sandwich is as good as this, why try anything else? The sammie staff is friendly and helpful. It gets super duper busy on the weekends, so keep that in mind. Two thumbs up, a bunch of high fives in honor of this sandwich heaven. read more

As the "worst storm" in the midwest since the Edmund Fitzgerald was sunk 35 years was descending upon us chicagoans, I decided to brave the storm and grab lunch here. I stepped into the nice and warm cafe and ordered up a todo italiano, which was a chicken sandwich wrapped in prosciutto with red peppers, pesto, and mozzerela. The bread with it was really good and thick, but most importantly, the sandwich great. Anyday where eating prosciutto is involved is a good day, especially when it comes in sandwich form. Be sure to bring cash though. It caught me off guard and I had to run into the wellington brown line stop to use atm. It was definitely worth risking life and limb during this ridiculously awful storm read more

Tip1: Cash-only Tip2: MONSTER COOKIE Panes is a great place to grab a sandwich right by the Wellington brown line stop. They have a ton of options on house-made bread, as well as pizzas and pastas too. I ordered the roasted beef sandwich which came with onions, tomato and avocado. Portion size was generous and it came with chips too...for only like 7 bucks or so. Awesome sandwich! And be sure to get one of their monster cookies. Perfect way to end a meal! read more

Absolutely delicious and everything is homemade! Love this cafe!! Been coming here for years.

All the love for Panes!! Went to meet some friends for brunch and fell in love - the french toast, sandwiches, you really can't go wrong. They make their own bread and have free samples for anyone to try. Will definitely be back to try even more yummy food! read more

Panes Bread Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Place should be a 4.5 star. All the ingredients are so fresh here. Chicken salad is usually what I order, the bread that comes with the salads are so freakin soft and fresh. Can't get enough. If I order a sandwich it's the club or chipotle chicken. Both are fantastic. Fresh veggies and the meat is high quality. The only bakery item I've had is the tomato bread, which was unreal. Very fresh and tasty. read more

Bring cash and order the "Turkey Turkey"... thank me later But in all seriousness. Really a fun little cafe in Lakeview. They now have some outdoor seating which is great because they tend to get pretty crowded during lunch hours. I usually just call in my order and pick it up to save time. Have also had the Tortilla salad and it was plenty big. Pasta salads are also fun to share if your on the hungry side. read more

If you are looking for lunch, or the best sandwich on the planet, this is the place to go. If you happen to be anti-sandwich, or if you think Wonder bread is an acceptable sandwich vessel, please stay far, far away. My favorite sandwich: Oaxacan pork sandwich. The pork is evenly spiced and works quite well with their spicy mayo. The bread itself needs to be bowed down to. If you don't like pork, get the Turkey, Turkey. MAKE SURE you have cash. They are a cash-only joint and you really don't want to walk across the street to the ATM while the others in line just glare at your ignorance. read more

I had the Turkey Club and my friend had the Pollo Diablo. She liked hers and I really enjoyed mine. I had heard a few good things, but didn't know exactly what kind of sandwiches they offered. To be honest, the menu didn't really jump out at me, but wow was my choice a good one. I think they use a bread that really agreed with me. It was very good and had it's own style. As any sandwich lover knows, the bread can make or break a sammich. They follow it up by using fresh and tasty ingredients. I also liked the chips that came on the side. They were just plain, salted chips, but very good. I wanted to try some dessert, because several items looked really delicious. Unfortunately, they only take cash. My friend didn't have and cash, so after paying for me and her, there wasn't enough left on me to indulge my sweet tooth. read more

Panes saved my butt last week when when I worked overnight shifts and just didn't have it in me to cook. I ordered a sandwich - often the Oaxacan Pork or Turkey Turkey - and asked that half be packed to go for dinner while I ate the other half in house. They were more than obliging and even gave me extra chips each time (hopefully it wasn't a pity move!). I live a block away and use Panes as my regular go-to for something fast, delicious, and time-saving. Their Monster Cookie is the best little gift to lock up for a friend or roommate who is feeling down; the homemade bread selection doesn't leave me wanting for a neighborhood bakery. It's great that it's a mom&pop place, which makes me feel so much better about patronizing it. read more

A place called Panes needs to have good bread. And it does! Love the neighborhood atmosphere in there. Even when it's busy I get my sandwiches in a good amount of time. Very clean and the kids love it too. read more

This place is amazing. For those of you who have had a less than perfect experience, go back and try the Turkey Turkey sandwich - it'll blow your mind. I could happily live off that sandwich for the rest of my life. You can thank me later. read more

I just had one of the best sandwiches in the recent years at this place. I ordered an oaxacan pork sandwich, and I finished it in 5 minutes. Not because it's small. It's a sizable sandwich. But it's so tasty, I devoured it. My gf ordered a sloppy pollo, and she finished it as quickly as I did. It's just phenomenal. Thumbs up from me. read more

Panes Bread Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Of course this place has been reviewed a ton! Because it is absolutely, lick your fingers, go home and take a nap afterwards, good. Everything is homemade here - from the soups to the sandwiches and the loaf of bread you can get to go. You know, I would usually get a little bothered by the fact that there is always a line to wait in. Or the fact that if you are one of the lucky ones to get a table, you are usually bumped up next to your neighbors table who still reeks of booze from the night before. Or the fact that sometimes I have to circle the block 7 or 8 times to find a parking spot. But not at Panes...Paines...Paynays...however you say it. My fav sandwich is the Parisino. Fav soup is whatever's on tap that day. In the summer they have a little outdoor patio. And make sure you take the good ol green stuff - they don't take credit cards here. read more

Honestly, it can't get much better for the price and quality. This place is family owned and it shows when you're there, and I mean that in a good way. Panes is a great example of what a small family owned joint brings you. Unique food at a great price, and that includes their brunch menu as well. Some top lunch/dinner recommendations are the El Diablo, Super Pannes and Sunny California. Now.. if you are a hipster, only shop at Nordstroms, or consistently watch the TV show "Girls", please just stay away. I don't need you ruining it. read more

I was introduced to this place by the bf a few years ago and it is one of my favorites ever since. I kick myself for not knowing about this place as I used to literally live 2 blocks away (I guess I saved some money that way) I recommend the salads and the portabella mushroom panini. The panini is especially good. Their minestrone soup is filled with veggies and delicious. I do feel like they used to include more in their portabella salad (maybe broccoli?) but it a nice fresh salad or lite meal. I have tried some of the veggie pastas too, the portions are nicely sized. And the baked goods and freshly baked bread?? Cant beat it... The seating is cozy and they have little twinkly lights around, which I happen to love. In the summer they also have a few tables to sit outside. If you are on the corner of Wellington and Sheffield, pick Panes. Don't go across the street for Pompeii. (there are always flies there. ugh!) Two small vices with this place: 1) How do you pronounce the name?? (Who cares, it is delicious) and 2) I believe that on Saturday they have a special with bacon in it. The entire place smells like bacon. If you go with someone who keeps kosher (as I did) expect an adverse, kind of hilarious reaction. YUM Panes! read more

Delicious bread!! I didn't realize how unimportant the sandwhich fillings are until coming to Panes. I can never remember what type of sandwhich I ordered the previous time (ham? turkey? some sort of fish?) because all I can think about is the warm, sweet bread. mmmm This place is reasonably priced too. I just got a sandwhich and two moster cookies for under $10. Cash only is slightly annoying, and there isn't much to the ambience of the place...but did I mention the bread? read more

I live in Lakeview and have been to Panes quite a few times (my husband is a big fan of their sandwiches). However, I recently had such a bad experience and downright rude service, I will not be going back. We ordered takeout, and I chose a pasta that was supposed to come with artichokes, spinach, sundried tomato pesto and goat cheese. My husband picked up the order, and what I got was plain pasta with a few peices of eggplant, a couple chunks of raw tomatoes and a glob of goat cheese on top - no sauce. I called and explained the mix-up, and the first person I spoke with did say if I brought the pasta back, they would make me the dish I ordered. However, given that it would have taken me another 30-45 minutes to walk back myself, exchange it, and go back home to eat it, I asked if they could just credit me for the pasta. She said, "Oh, I don't know..." So I asked if there was someone else she could ask. Another person then got on the phone (I assume this was the manager) and told me that was the pasta I ordered. I read her the description from the menu I had, but she told me they changed the menu, and I had in fact ordered the dish I received, and I must have an old menu. No apology whatsoever. I had an out of date menu, and that was all she would offer me. (Why would you change a menu, but continue to use the same names if the dishes had changed? But I digress...) So I asked one last time if there was anything she could do, and she simply said "no." I then told her that they would be losing our business since they refused to do anything to rectify the mix-up. She said, "ok." I then told her I'd be writing a yelp review as well, and again, she just said, "ok." It could have easily been fixed with a promise to credit me next time, or even just a simple apology. I was once a loyal customer, but sadly will not be returning after this horrible display of "customer service." read more

I am not wowed by this place, but the food is fine. However (I will try to remain calm as I type this) they are CASH ONLY!! Minus 1 star off the bat for me because of that. Generally there is a wait for lunch, but after you wait in line for awhile you will see a small sign on the register that says CASH ONLY. Be prepared. I was debating between The Popular and the Oaxacan Pork. When I asked at the counter for their suggestion she said the Oaxacan Pork which was a little surprising because shouldn't The Popular be your 'best' sandwich? Also, the wait to get my food was easily 15-20 minutes. Rather slow for a lunch/cafe type place. Anyhow, my sandwich was fine. Would I wait in a slow moving line and pay cash for it again? Probably not. There aren't many tables here, but everyone else's food looked good. If you are in need of a place for a bite then this is fine. Just don't expect to be blown away. read more

I ordered the spicy philly sandwich (to go). The bread was a bit mushy for my taste and although it looked like it would have a strong (hot/spicy) flavor, it was quite bland. The filling didn't have a ton of taste either, and the cheese was barely present. It was messy to eat and overall, a big miss on flavor. Served with a small bag of Lay's chips. $7 is a good price in Chicago for what would appear to be a filling sandwich, but it just wasn't that great. I would give this place another shot to try their other breads or desserts, all of which looked really appetizing in the pastry cases. read more

Panes Bread Cafe - 1/2 of the spicy philly - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's about time that I posted about my love and admiration for Panes. They do it all. Sandwiches. Soups. Cookies & chocolates. Loaves of bread to go. The options are diverse and the food never ceases to impress. My favorites are the pampazo and the turkey-turkey. I don't think I've had a better light sandwich than the turkey-turkey. The roasted beef and pollo diablo are elite. My friends have all had and raved about the Oaxacan, Sloppy Pollo, Spicy Philly, & the Popular. Heck the 2 vegetarian options were perfect to go for the beach this summer. Top it off with the Cookie Monster cookie. We've taken a tomato bread loaf to our friends places as small gifts for inviting us over. It's that good. This is a cant miss place at a respectable price. You will not find a better option at this price point. read more

Where do I start? Panes has been a top favorite of mine for almost 8 years now. And by favorite, I mean favorite restaurant of all time. I guess I must mention that sandwiches are one of my favorite foods, so this place is my heaven. Homemade bread, fresh ingredients, and a variety of options. Their soups, salads and pasta's are also very delicious; my favorite being the mac n cheese. Their monster cookie is a must try. My favorite sandwich is the Roast Beef. I love that all the sandwiches come with a side of Lay's chips. It's a perfect meal. The prices have been hiking up more than I'd like in the last few years, but even so it's still very affordable. Anyway, I love Panes. So good. They have a cute patio and it's BYOB. CASH ONLY! read more

My favorite monthly brunch. A few blocks from my dog groomer (Kriser's on Belmont), this is the best neighborhood cafe for me to wait while they get pretty. I always order the house chilequiles and a San Pellegrino- aranciata rossa. DELICIOUS. ALWAYS. Cash only. Do not miss this charming place. read more

Panes Bread Cafe - House chilequiles - delicious! - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wish it had more seating but love its prices. Where else can you get a big salad for $5 these days? Ha. Wonderful bread (of course) and a great atmosphere for a quick, healthy lunch (if you skip their desserts that is). Mmmmmm read more

Outside of it being cash-only, really nothing to complain about here. The pollo diablo is one of my favorite sandwiches I've ever had. The bread is truly fantastic, that alone makes anyone of these sandwiches worth a try. read more

YUM YUM YUM!!! Quite possible the best sandwiches ever. I have lived around the corner for 2 years and have not seemed to get sick of this place in the million times that I have eaten here. And as a veggie with limited options, flavor has not taken a backseat at Panes. Also, they are much more reasonably priced than their neighbor Pompeii! The employees are not friendly at all... ever... and never will be. But you are so busy enjoying your sandwich that you hardly will notice. Go now! read more

Delicious, affordable sandwiches and great desserts. The Turkey Turkey sandwich with avocado on tomato bread is probably the best lunch option in the area. The cream puff is a great pick-me-up, as is the monster cookie. read more

Stopped in to pick up some chocolate truffles. Yummy! Would have considered food here (all looked and smelled delightful), but was stuffed from brunch. FYI: cash or checks, no credit cards. read more

What a fantastic lunch! Just wish the lady who took our order didn't give off the vibe that she had much better things to be doing at the moment. Hate that feeling like you should apologize for patronizing a business. No big deal, hopefully it was just an off day, 'cause I would definitely love to stop here again. read more

Panes is Perfect! If you like sandwiches, this cafe needs to be at the top of your list in Chicago. They have so many great choices, and you can taste the love in their food. I ended up enjoying The Popular. Given the name, I figured I would like it as well. Seriously A-MAZE-ING! How can you go wrong with grilled chicken breast, caramelized onions, spinach, roasted peppers, provolone cheese on tomato bread! Tip: Keep in mind that the restaurant is cash only. If you need an ATM, use the one inside the Wellington Brown Line stop. The one on the street that is slightly closer failed to dispense my cash. read more

I love Panes. My only complaint is everything on the menu sounds fantastic. Oh yeah, my other complaint is that they only take cash - very annoying since I live off my debit card. I have only gone to Panes about 50 times instead of 100, because the other 50 i didn't have cash or the desire to go get some. Hell, I think a good quarter of the times I've been to Pompei (kitty-corner) were times I went to Panes before realizing I was dollar bill free. It's 2007, come on! Credit card machines don't charge THAT much. Raise your prices 2%. But I digress... like I was saying, the food is awesome. The bread is all fresh and homemade (as is everything else I think), and I have enjoyed, salads, sandwiches, soup, pizzas, maybe even one pasta, and dessert. I have yet to be anything but thoroughly pleased. Just remember the cash. read more

What's not to like about Panes? It's in my neighborhood and before I went traveling it was staple in our sunday morning or otherwise lazy days. There's a great patio and huge sandwiches. This time around I ordered a spicy pollo, but I have a long list of favorites to choose from. If you didn't know this place existed, check it out- especially on nice days. read more

Panes Bread Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

3.5 The Oaxacan, as other reviewers have said, is the only thing to order on this menu. My old roommate recommended it to me and it is by far something to write home about. I would give them more stars but here is my issue. Outside of teh Oaxacan, all the other things on the menu that i've tried were either bad or just OK, the hummus was not good. It was coarse and it was served already in each peice of bread. kinda weird if you ask me. I wanted to be able to dip my bread in teh hummer. The pizza bread was bad, something off about the sauce. A combo of to much salt and then the cheese was plain. Then finally, I brought home some banana bread and it was ehhhhghh. Dry and lacked depth in the flavors. I'm really critical of banana bread because it's my favorite. Anyway, Panes, I love the Oaxacan but everything else is so-so. read more

Delicious and unbelievably fresh bread and food. Be warned: they only accept cash. I'm not a huge fan of their cookies, so it's a good thing they have crumbled up day-old cookies out for sample. That usually satisfies my after-lunch sweet tooth. Loaves of bread are super cheap for the quality you get here. They have a great selection of soups, salad, bread, sandwiches, and pastas. Try everything! read more

I hadn't been here for a few years, but I found myself on that corner the other night, vaguely sniffing for Pompeii when I saw Panes and ducked in there. I had a chichen sandwich with proscuitto and pesto and roasted red peppers (comes with potato chips). I washed it down with a fountain drink and even though that DEMOLISHED the spot, I couldn't resist the peanut butter buckeyes they were selling for $0.50 each. I'm glad I didn't. read more

Just had one of the single best sandwiches that I have ever eaten. It was their Blackened Tilapia sandwich. All I can say is that it was the best fish sandwich - ever. The blackening that they did to it was soooo spicy and so tasty. BEWARE - this sandwich is not for those who dislike cajun, it will definitely bring your blood up a couple of degrees. AND it was only $5.50 for a very great sandwich on amazing bread. The only thing that was annoying was that I did not know that it was a cash only place. So I was forced to go back to an ATM. But, it was totally worth it, so good. read more

This is a GREAT sandwich shop. They have amazing bread. The ingredients that they offer are top shelf. The pastries are good as well. The chocolate balls are fantastic. I like to get some of the bread to take home. Check out the daily specials. I recommend anything with goat cheese. Oh and its not your imagination, the servers hate you. Eh, you can't have everything in right? I'm still giving them a strong 4 stars for ambiance and food. cash only fyi read more

Panes has been a favorite for years, and continues to be during the corona shut down. The sandwiches have always been my go-to, and we have now added take out breakfast to our weekends - chilaquiles and French toast travel surprisingly well! Delicious!! Thank you, Panes!! read more