All right! New location is BEAUTIFUL. What was a shabby, poorly organized little dive on Jackson is now a clean, bright space on Michigan Avenue with a well organized menu, ample seating and a great selection of food. And ice cream!
A "make your own" sub format means you can pick your favorite, specific ingredients - or go with one of their branded sandwiches.
So, me naturally . . . Genoa salami sub, half/half peppers. Simple and perfectly delicious.
Well done, Fontano. Well done. Put this in my frequent lunch rotation. And at $5.95ish for a 6" sub, very affordable lunch downtown.
I've been going to Fontanos for about a year whenever I get the craving for a sub.
The staff is always friendly and polite. Overall I've always been happy with what I've gotten there. The Italian ice hits the spot on a hot summer's day. I'm sad to see them moving a block or two away but it is definitely worth the walk! Probably the best sub shop in the area. It could be a lot better but it still beats the competition in the area.
I recommend the Caputo if you're a meat lover.
The prosciutto can be a bit of a hit or miss honestly. The first time I had it it was brilliant but sometimes I've gotten really weird tasting ones so beware on that.
As of recently the tomatoes have been super icy cold too. I'm not sure if its because something is on the fritz with their cooler but they're moving in a week so hopefully that issue will be resolved with the new place!
Fontano's is pretty damn great. Value, quality, taste, and friendliness!
I've never had a Fontano's sub that I didn't like. I've probably eaten here a couple of times a month for 5+ years and I never tire of it the way i do some of the other sandwich options nearby. Let me share 2 specific loves with you:
Soup and Sub Special
Any 4" sub and cup of soup - $5 (bowl of soup combo is $6).
This may be the tastiest value downtown. Most often, I order a 4" wiseguy and a bowl of chili. The chili tastes great (other soups are good too) and the combo is more than i should probably be eating - definitely filling.
Egg Salad sandwich
Trust me, it's amazing. If you like egg salad you will love it. I usually get a 4 inch with provolone and lettuce and onion, with a little bit of hot peppers. This is $4 plus tax, and it's meal by itself.
Bonus: Everybody who works at Fontano's is super friendly. I love this place!
I had the lucky opportunity of actually being off on a weekday and being able to head downtown to meet up with the boyfriend for lunch. He raves about Fontano's, and I've always wanted to try it.
We shared the Blockbuster and the Italian Beef (extra dipped of course, with cheese and hot peppers!). Both were yummy! And more than enough food for the two of us. They really loaded up the toppings.
Their prep line is kind of chaotic, but they get the job done. There was a line out the door the whole time we were there.
BTW, they're moving to a new building on Michigan ave soon.
Not much of a place for ambiance, but easily one of the most legitimate sandwich shops in the city. The prices, in my opinion are fair, and the sandwiches rock. I always go for a 6" Spicy Italian with chips and pasta salad for $8.00, or something of that nature. They're quick, they're nice, and they take credit card, which you don't always expect from places like this. Can't wait to go back.
Review Source:Fontano's has a great selection of delicious and authentic deli subs. I've only had the turkey but have heard others are just as good. They offer both hot and mild peppers, and have a good selection of sides like pasta salad. It's always crowded at lunch but that's just proof it's so good! I love that it's not a chain.
Review Source:No, just no. First of all, if you like being nickeled and dimed, please come here. This place is God awful. I ordered the beef sausage combo and it was soggy, too wet, and flavorless. There was a bunch of construction going on so I only stumbled onto this place for lunch as I was starving and desperate. I didn't even finish the other half of the 8'' sandwich it was so disgusting. I then ordered a very large fountain drink. The drink was jammed with ice and served in a styrofoam cup. STYROFOAM! There were lack of seating as they placed crap everywhere, and they barely spoke any English. I don't and can't understand how everyone loves this place. It left a bad taste in my mouth, figuratively and physically. How a business model like this survived, I have yet to figure out.
Review Source:Second visit was just as unimpressive as the first. Tried the Grilled Chicken Parmesan. 10 bucks for absolute mediocrity. Plain chicken, plain red sauce, no flavor or seasoning anywhere. Luke warm chicken on top of cold sauce and cold cheese, a temperature nightmare. When I think of Chicken Parmesan, this is not what comes to mind. It wasn't rancid or anything, just lacking any semblance of life. On top of that, they skimped on the best part, the HOT PEPPERS (not that hot...)!!! Sadly, I'm taking my business to Subway, where I can get that same thing for half of the price.
Review Source:Awesome spot for a non-chain sub/sandwich. They have about 12 different sandwiches ranging from deli meats across the board to their hot roast beef. Since I work in the loop, this is a great place for lunch. Pick a size between 6 inches and 3 feet!
I can't speak for any of their sides. The sandwiches get pretty large once everything has been added so an 8 inch will keep this fatty happy.
Better be ready to speak loudly when you tell em what you want. Keeps things moving during the lunch hour rush.
My usual is the Blockbuster or Turkey sandwich.
Yeah, sure it's small.
Yeah, sure it's loud.
Yeah, sure it's crowded as hell.
Yeah, sure it looks unattractive on the outside.
Yeah, sure the line is 20 persons long.
Yeah, sure the subs are crammed with ingredients.
Yeah, sure their hot peppers are damn hot.
Yeah, sure their breads are made of real heavy bread.
Yeah, sure they make sure you do get the taste of olive oil in your subs.
But don't these mean that they make the best subs in Chicago?
Yeah, sure they do.
I was so hungry after working the whole day and just wanted to grab a sandwich. This place is like a 3.5 stars, but staff are not friendly so I rounded it down. Common, don't we all love happy people?
The sub I got was a tuna sandwich. The tuna salad was not very good and as some other yelpers mention, I could not close my sandwich. I took it to go but they did not give me napkins - this might be my fault tho because I was in a hurry.
Anyway, if this sub was $4, I would not mind. The quality is not better than Potbelly. (Although the bread is really good) I can definitely pay for a good sandwich for $10 if it deserves the money (talk about Z&H in Hyde Park - and they charge $8). But  Fontano's quality isn't that amazing.
This place is OK. I had the Italian, but I would have enjoyed some onions and perhaps another choice besides mayo (yuck). Â
I did like the bread, it was not mushy. Â However, it was cut in such a way that I could not easily close my sandwich.
My 6" sandwich, can of soda, and chips cost $8. Â Not quite worth it in my opinion.
After coming here there is no reason to ever go to Jimmy Johns & Subway again. While the subs are awesome... the 50cent chocolate chip cookies are amazing.
The best thing about the cookies, they come from one of those fundraiser catalog cookie tubs that the Fontano's keeps in their main cooler out front. Somehow they are some of the most legit  and cheap cookies I've had in a while.
I was introduced to Fontano's by a friend who recommended it as the best sub shop in the Loop, and I've been coming here ever since.
The subs here are very good (I'd recommend the Blockbuster or Big Al). Do your taste buds a favor and get the hot peppers with your sandwich, it's only an extra $0.35 but they add a crisp and zesty touch to your lunch.
Other reviewers have mentioned that the bread here is really chewy -- it does taste different than the bread at most sandwich places -- but you'll like it. However, the chewy bread does give your jaw muscles a good workout.
The best sub shop around the loop! Â I love going there for lunch! Â After eating there once, I am asking myself- Jimmy John Who?? Subway What?? Its Fontono's all the way!
I love the Blockbuster! Â Its got ham, salami, cappoloco, provolone, swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo and italian dressing. Â I add onions and hot peppers to that and it is AMAZING!
The bread is absolutely wonderful! Â Nothing like the other franchised sub shops. Â You can tell it made fresh. Â The Italian break is thick, chewy, just how it should be. Â The bread definitely makes the sandwich!
Plus- if you show a student ID, they give you a soda for 50 cents if you buy a sub. Â It is definitely worth it.
One downside is that the shop is a bit on the small side, but I just take it to go.
Mayor here.
I am clearly a big fan of Fon-TAN-o's. I usually get the corned beef or the blockbuster subs. They are loaded with meats and cheeses and veggies between Italian bread. For a while I thought the bread was stale because its chewy, but I've since learned that's how Italian bread is supposed to be.
For the price, Font's cannot be beat. They also really know how to keep the lunch line moving even during the busiest times.
Haven't tried the Italian ice but heard it's good too.
Bonus: Try the chocolate chip cookies!
Fontano's has a simple menu of quality ingredients. They have all kinds of Italian meats that I know nothing about - capocolla, mortadella, etc. - as well as the familiar roast beef, corned beef, and turkey. All of which are equally yummy.
The bread accompanies the generous helping of deli meat quite well. Hearty and delicious. ...and the hot peppers...OH BABY, the hot peppers. Fricking FANTASTIC. Probably some of the best I've ever had...THE.BEST.
So, the place is about the size of my bedroom, aka TEENY - it's more of a takeout place if anything. We were lucky enough to score seating along the windows and watch the many passerby-ers slow down, stare at the menu posted on the window, then continue walking. SUCKERS. They don't know what they're missing out on..
A few tips? They're all about quick service - so KNOW what you want RIGHT when you walk in, or you'll find yourself panicking when the lady asks you what you want when you're still 5 people away from the register. Typically, a 6" is enough to fill me up ($5.50), but I'm a tiny-sized girl, so..go big or go home! (10" - $8.25, 12" $10). Finally. ask for hot peppers. They.are.the.best.
I stopped in here when doing some errands in the loop. I ordered up a 6 inch prosciutto sub. I made sure to get everything on it as that's just what I do. The prosciutto itself was very good. I wasn't expecting it to be of the artisanal quality that I will go out of my way for, but there were absolutely zero complaints by me at all. It was damn good prosciutto. On top of that, there was a good amount of meat in my sub. I wouldn't normally expect that much prosciutto in a sub, mostly because its not cheap. But, they did put a lot in there, score one for keith.
I love the selection of subs to choose from. I also like how there is 3 different sizes to choose from as well. Most of all, it was really quick and very affordable (wtf, this is the loop, this isn't supposed to happen). Â Fontanos can be missed though if you aren't paying attention. Its not like it's hidden, but there are a lot of storefronts right by it, and it does blend in somewhat
We came here just before the rush. It was around noon and there were 4 people ahead of us. After we ordered, the line was out the door. That always seems to happen to me (WEIRD). Great timing I guess?!
Anyways, I ordered the Prosciutto which is Imported Prosciutto and your choice of cheeses. Â I was a little worried as to how my sandwich would be made because I was only asked if I wanted lettuce, tomato, mayo and peppers. No one asked me what type of cheese I wanted. Luckily my sandwich came with cheese and it tasted good. Â
My friend ordered the 8 inch meatball sandwich. Â She ate it all up! Needless to say the sandwiches were good. Â Was it the best sandwich I've ever had? Um...not really. But I would come here again to try a different sandwich.
Service here was SUPER fast. We really like the way they handle the orders. Our sandwiches were made in 3 minutes! Lightening fast!
And, of course, I am a huge fan of any place that takes AMEX! Fontano's takes AMEX!
You had better be on your game while ordering because us regulars do not take kindly to you asking 'what dressings and cheese do you have' while we wait behind you. That's what you're supposed to do when *you're* waiting. Oh, also, rehearse your order so you can say it without stuttering or panicking while we make sounds of impatience behind you. No really, no pressure at all.
I kid, I kid. Well, somewhat. I like that I can get in and out fairly quick. The veggie options, for those of you that believe a veggie deli sando is an oxymoron, are great. Try the Pepper and Egg in season, or try the eggplant parmesan or the three cheese otherwise. Load it up with hot peppers and your choice of toppings. Grab a fistful of napkins. Turn of your blackberry. Enjoy. Repeat ever so often for maximal benefits.
I love Fontano's subs. Â The Turano bread is tough but not hard so it gives the sandwich a good bite. Â My favorite is just turkey with provolone and all the trimings. Â The turkey is amazing and so much better quality and fresher than any grocery store deli turkey.
My brother swears by the Blockbuster which is a whole slew of meats and cheeses. Â Gotta get the peppers, too!
The one annoyance is that this location charges more than the original off-Taylor Street location. Â But it's nice to have Fontano's in the loop.
These are some badass subs. Â I always try to get the best bang out of my buck; I try to get subs with lots of Proscuitto and Capicolla (they are the most expensive generally, and the tastiest)
So I would recommend the Italian special or the Wise Guy sub.
Btw all these meats are considered as Salumi, not be confused with Salami:
Proscuitto/Proscuittini - a cold cut, Aged, dry-cured, spiced Italian ham
Capicolla - a cold cut, similar to above, except meat is from shoulder and/or neck
Mortadella - a cold cut, like an italian bologna laced with pork fat from the neck...hmmm I think this one is probably the worse for you
Genoa salami - an uncooked zesty cured salami generally made from pork
Cotto salami - a cooked cured salami that is generally softer than Genoa
To be honest, when you are mixing the meats; unless you are an expert, it's really hard to differentiate the different meats from each other. Â Especially in sub form.
I'm and Asian dude, so I'm no expert; so I might not be 100% right.
The lettuce and tomatoes are very fresh, and taste rightly so. Â
The service is speedy, the hot peppers to die for.
The inside is more a deli with tables, than a restaurant; so dont' go for decor.
Personally, it's the best sub I know of. Â So good. Â Everything is just amazing about this place.
Fontano's serves up your traditional italian style cold cuts and lunchmeat sandwiches. Â They also have Italian Beef and Italian Sausage available. Â Pepper and Egg is available during Lent, another Italian tradition. Â They have a bunch of premade sandwiches, all of which are good, and you can also "create your own" sandwich.
Everything is extremely fresh. Â All the veggies are the highest quality, the lettuce is always crunchy and green, tomatoes thick and juicy, meats are tender and flavorful, etc.
Presentation of the sandwiches isn't as pretty as some places, but that doesn't matter to some people. Â There's also not much to be said for the restaurant itself. Â Just your typical deli and checkout counter, and a few seats.
Fontanos runs a number of lunchtime and daily specials too, so you should check that out. Â Also, drinks are only .50c for students if you show an ID---not a bad deal.
5 stars for freshness, taste, and quality. Â Their giardiniera is something Vito Corleone would approve of---it really is that good. Â I always get it and quite frankly I can't eat a sub without it right now.
I go to Fontano's probably once or twice a week usually, and I won't stop until I graduate DePaul next year! Â Even then, I might find myself making that occasional trip on the red line just to get my favorite sandwich.
Potbelly, you just got served.
This is what you wish you were, but can't ever be. Â Meat piled high on the sandwiches with a hot pepper mix that puts yours to shame (and I love your hot pepper mix). Â Seriously, I want to eat it on every sandwich I ever have. Â I like it so much I want to bathe in it. Â I want to rub it all over my body and... ummm... well...
Get the sausage with the hot peppers and you will be thrilled you did.
I love these kind of places. You know, the place where there are only a couple options on the menu, and they probably all taste similar, where the menu is printed in huge letters.Where they use fresh, tasty ingredients. This is the type of the place you'd find on every street corner in Philly or parts of New York.
A no-nonsense sub/hoagie/grinder (whatever you may call it) spot.
Philadelphia, you have spoiled me for other cities when it comes to hoagies/subs. By Philadelphia standards, this would be just an okay hoagie.
Breakin it down...
The Bad: Unlike most places that put the oil on the bread, they put it on top, which makes it both messy and the bread dry (the latter assuming you don't get mayo which I didn't). Also seemed a bit pricey, but again I'm judging by Philly standards. Instead of cherry peppers they had these little hot Italian peppers I can't remember the name of...while I enjoyed trying something different, I prefer the hot cherry peppers to these. Also onions and oregano apparently are not standard (though you can probably request them).
The Good: The owners/staff are pretty awesome-- friendly, talkative and one of the women casually curses as much as I do (and that's fuckin impressive), the quality of both the bread and meats are very good. They pile plenty of meat and cheese on the sub. Also they have a good number of food items to buy and take-home.
The real deal
Subway can't hold a candle to Fontano's [Mr. Submarine might, but they're closing like flies]. Fontano's make the best subs in the Loop, they also have great sandwiches [sometimes you just need a big fat egg salad sandwich]. Plenty of potato and tortilla bagged chips from which to choose, and fountain drinks, 'hand poured' :P
Everyone knows it's the bread that makes a great sandwich and Fontano's rolls are good and chewy.
There's limited seating and the line can get long right in the middle of lunch, but give it a try once and you'll find yourself going back time and time again.
Decent subs for a decent price. Nothing to write home about and didn't blow my skirt up as far a quality, but the place is clean and bright, the helpings are generous, and the service is excellent.
Oh speaking of service...I'm pretty sure that the only reason my coworker insists we eat here once a week is because of the long-lashed young man behind the deli counter with the dimpled smile and muscled arms. Puuuukkke.
If you get north side and you like Fontano's, I have to recommend you stop by Fiore's on Oakley and Erie. Less bright, less friendly, but way more tasty.
Go here for their Italian subs. Â I've ordered the Italian Special (Prosciuttini, Capocollo, & provolone), the Big Al Italian (Mortadella, Cotto salami, Genoa salami, & provolone), and the Meatball sub. Â They were all excellent sandwiches. Â Best subs in the Loop, hands down.
They have several other sandwiches to choose from, both hot and cold, and you can create your own sub. Â Vegetarians can do an all-cheese sandwich with provolone and swiss. Â They offer sides, soup, and chili. Â Their lunch specials include a small bag of chips and pop.
It's a small space, with few tables, so your best bet is to take your sandwich to go. Â Forget the usual fast-food joints in the Loop and check out Fontano's instead.
I may have just put on 5 pounds or so from the 8" ham sub soaked in italian dressing that I just devoured at work. Fresh Italian bread, quality meat and cheese, and homemade Italian dressing (that tastes very similar to the one I make at home!)
Fontano's...forget skinny dipping. You are going to make me a chunky dunker this summer.
I just tried Fontano's last week for the first time despite my law school being located directly across the street, and I have realized the error of my ways.
I used to frequent Jimmy John's, Potbelly, and Subway when in need of a quick, relatively healthy, cheap meal. I love my sandwiches and I make a mean one at home when I have time, so these establishments always left me wanting.
Fontano's cured my lunchtime mediocre sandwich blues. (Is that  Dylan song....? I kiid I kiiiid).
I've had the corned beef and the Blockbuster. Not the BEST I've EVER had, but more than worth the price of admission-4.95 gets you a fully loaded sangwich.
They also have a combo soup and (4") sandwich ffor $5. Might try that sometime.
I can't say how much I love this place. Â I used to eat Jimmy John's, then one day I decided to wander in to this place, and Jimmy John's is a distant memory now.
First, they slice the meats on site. Â Second, they are the ORIGINAL Italian sub, done the right way (look-up the write up the Trib did on this subject -- Fontano's was in it!). Â Third, during Lent they have non-meat options that will still satisfy your hunger, and they take requests if you ask nice, like I asked them to make me a Provolone-only sub, and they charged down for it since I didn't get any meat -- try getting them to do that at Jimmy Johns or Subway. Â Plus, if you can't get across the loop, they deliver, which is always a plus especially if you get addicted while you are a student across the street and then end up stuck working in an office across the loop. Â This is a local city run joint with only a small handfull of locations, one that I fully support.
Oh man, now I am hungry.
Oh Fontano's, how I love your bread so.
The bread alone is worth the trip, but I enjoy every sandwhich I've ever had here. It's the prefect place to grab a sub and eat in the park or take back to your desk. Â The bread is *drool* wonderful, the deli meat and cheese is always fresh and tasty and it's made to order right there.
The only thing I don't like about the place is that sometimes the service can be ... too rushed. Â They are always busy and can be short with you. Â Know what you want before you order, or they get a little edgy. Â
The place is small, so don't make it a place to eat for a birthday celebration. Â Have the sandwiches delivered or take them to go and sit at the fountains at the art institute with a smaller crowd.
Great family run place! :)
This place used to be one of my favorite places to go for lunch when I worked downtown. Â The selection is great, the meat and peppers taste really fresh. Â
The staff are nice and it appears to be family run, based on the string of Italian from one of the older ladies directed at a younger guy working the register. Â Complete with an upward smack across the back of his head. Â Sweet.
The student discount is just another reason to skip the chain restaurants and go to Fontano's. Â The one closer to UIC is more like a grocery store, but you can still get the same sandwiches as well.
There has been a lot of talk about where to get a good sub sandwich in the talk threads lately. Â You have your typical chains: Potbelly, Jimmy John, Quizno's, and Subway. None of these place are all that good. Â To hell with them all as they cower in the shadow of this place. Â
This place is rather tiny but the quality of the ingredients, the price, the value and the friendliness of the staff blows pretty much any other place out of the water. Â I wish this place was a little bigger on the inside which is the only drawback.
One of few favorite Loop sub shops.
Their Italian beef can't be beat. Â Try tackling the large, the price is perfect and is filling, some may have leftovers. Â Just do it, add the cheese. Â Lunch hours can be terribly busy, its a small shop, small dining area. Â Call ahead if you like, I prefer ordering in person. Â I like to order my beef a little juicy. Â They've got a few different salads, i.e. macaroni, pasta, worth a taste test. Â They go well with the subs.
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