Fontano's Subs — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

I found Fontano Subs while training nearby, and I am SO glad I did!

I had the 6 inch Caputo with Salami, Mortadella, Pepperoni, and cheese. All of their sandwiches come with mayo, lettuce, and tomato. For no extra charge you can add oil & vinegar, onion, giardiniera, olives, pickles, mustard, and cucumber, and let me tell you I added EVERYTHING! They took my order with a smile, and delivered a 6 inch sandwich that legit felt like it was 3 lbs. My first thought was to take it back to my training meeting, but when I took a look in the bag I could see the oil starting to permeate the paper, and decided to eat it in the car & catch up on my shows. Let me say, I'm so glad I did! (They do have a small dining area)

When I first unwrapped I wanted to take a pic, but the sandwich looked messy, and with all the toppings you couldn't see the meat, so I thought let me take a few bites and give this sandwich pic some justice. Nope! Once you start eating, you just have to commit. I slammed this masterpiece in 10 minutes, and definitely had a combo of mustard, oil, and olives running down my arm when I was finished. Thankfully the good people at Fontano Subs included extra napkins, because, baby, I needed each and every one. Needless to say, no pic was taken of my Caputo. All the ingredients were fresh and tasty, and plentiful to say the least. The bread held up well under the weight of all that tastiness. Was it pretty to eat? No. Was it absolutely delicious, and I will definitely be back to try some of their other sandwich options? YES!

Street parking only, and it can be hard to find because this seems like a popular lunch time destination. If you're patient you can wait for someone to pull out, then throw your blinkers on. The place was busy, but I was still in & out in 15 minutes. Service was great, and they take...

Lunchtime in Chicago, and found myself wandering through a neighborhood hadn't visited in years-Little Italy, just behind UIC's campus. The kind of place that wears its history on its sleeve. Fontano's Subs, an institution around here, quietly nestled on a residential street. The front of the shop is a throwback like a sparse neighborhood convenience store with shelves of snacks and sodas, and several linoleum tables with a few locals eating in the back, there's the deli counter. I waited for two state cops to finish their orders before stepping up. knew what I wanted. The Wiseguy: Prosciuttini, Capicola, Genoa Salami, and Provolone on fresh Italian bread, stuffed with all the veggies dragged through the garden, as one might say, topped off with oil, vinegar, and hot peppers, just enough to give it a kick. went with the 8-inch (only the second half pictured), wrapped up tight in butcher's paper. To go. I strolled through UIC's campus, my old stomping grounds, on the way to catch bus. The weather was perfect, but work was waiting. By the time got to my desk, the oils had soaked through the paper, as a good deli sandwich should, a translucent window to the deliciousness inside. The bread however, thick and crusty, held everything in place. The flavors? Pure nostalgia, with that perfect balance of spice and richness. An authentic Italian sub that hits ike nothing else. If you're ever in Chicago and want a sandwich that speaks to the city's soul, Fontano's...

Call it a grinder, call it a sub, people born and raised in Chicago call this the best damn sandwich you can buy.

I usually do not give fast food more than three stars. So for me to give it four stars means Fontano's is exceptional in my book.

I have been getting the"Big Al" now named the "Big L" for over 30 years.

To be honest you can't go wrong with any of their sandwiches.

Just make sure you get the mayonnaise, oil, seasoning, and giardiniera (hot).

No nasty sour miracle whip on this baby, it's Hellman's all the way!

The only thing that could have made this place better in my youth was if they served hot sandwiches... They started serving hot sandwiches.

If you want to combo done right, this is the place.

I believe Fontanos was a neighborhood butcher shop and grocery store back in the day.

If you're looking to add sausage to your Sunday sauce, I strongly suggest picking up a pound of Italian sausage (hot) while you get your sandwich.

Remember, 90% of taste is actually smell.

As you are chewing, take a deep breath and enjoy the aromas in the back of your pallet. This will enhance the blend of flavors and your brain will have a more vivid response to the...