This was my first time going to Rex - had a groupon. Â Many delicious options that you can see at the counter. Â My husband had a beef and sausage sandwich - it was huge and amazing. Â I had the home made spinach lasagna - also very delicious. Â Got some foccacia bread for the kids. Â Definitely nothing disappointing about the experience.
Review Source:I have been going there 18 years. I LOVED IT!!! Â Ever since the Chicago's best show and Diner's drive inns and Dives it's gone down hill make sure you watch them prepare your sauces to take home. seems like everything is now watered down. My last experience I got a quart of Marinara sauce at 7.99 I heat it up and it was red colored water. Same with their creamed soups WHAT HAPPENED???? Â Â No more creamy no more flavor. I guess all good things come to an end!
Review Source:So I finally tried this place after hearing so much about, and my wife had bought the Groupon so easy decision. I am an Italian food snob, but was very hopeful for Rex's. as many others have said, it's very chaotic inside and the ordering system needs to be revamped. They order like a deli, and that doesn't work for a restaurant. And the seating options are limited. I ordered an arincini and a combo; both were very large portions, but that's we're it ended for me. The arincini was good, but not great because it was luke warm. The beef was not Italian beef, but roast beef cut and put into the gravy which was cold. The sandwich wasn't hot and didn't have much flavor either, and the sausage was also barely warm and bland. The gardinera on it must have been their mild, because that also didn't have much flavor or heat to it. I was told by someone afterwards that their deli sandwiches are better, so maybe that's where I missed the boat. So Rex's was okay, it seems like it should be better but I didn't see it this visit.
Review Source:We've been going to Rex's for years, for lunch (dine-in and take-out), for take-out dinner, and for catering parties or dinners. Â We've never been disappointed. Â Many of the food items merit 5 stars, although a few have been more in the 4-star or 3-star category. Â The sandwiches and deli items are fantastic. Â The sausage is always great. Â I've found the lasagna a bit salty at times, though. Â
It can get a bit busy at lunch time, but I've always enjoyed the free samples (yum!), and relatively good service. Â You can also special order extra hot sausage, if you buy at least 2 lbs.
I think this is your go-to Italian deli on the NW side.
There is a reason this place was featured on Diners-Drive-ins and Dives . Â The whole place is so chaotic and overrated. Â Definitely don't plan on eating there. Â There is always someone mopping or vacuuming near your foot while you're trying to eat as well if you can even grab a seat. Â Lastly, the garbage and open dumpster on the side of the restaurant can be smelled from a mile away and it isn't even bagged!!
While their food is good, it's rich and the sandwiches are always extra greasy. Â I would rather not pay 15 bucks also for a sandwich it takes me 2 whole days to eat, but that's just me. Â The groupon makes the prices a little bit more reasonable.
With my $12 for $6 Groupon in hand, I walked into Rex for the first time ever - having driven by it a number of times and always thinking - "I gotta check that place out sometime."
As I entered I was immediately impressed with the long deli counter loaded with prepared Italian foods. A plethora of paisanodom like I've never seen. As I'm browsing , one of the owners gets up and is adding to the sample plate sitting on the counter and insisting I try everything she's placing on it - what a riot! And the samples are good. One of them was a panzerotti that was outstanding - so I ordered it initially for lunch, but then noticed the schiciattas - one of which (chicken/prosciutto/cheese) caught my eye. This is a pannini-like sandwich that looked good and since they had a better way of heating it than I did at home, I opted to have that for lunch and take the panzerotti home (along with am arancini too!).
The sandwich was huge and a little rich, but overall very satisfying. Along with a soda pop, the total was $14.61, less the $12 - can't beat that deal for midday dining. Plus I still have my two take home items awaiting in the fridge.
I'll DEFINITELY be returning - kudos to this original, fun and authentic Italian deli!
WOOOOOOOOOW!! Stopped in here first time using a groupon and was blown away by the food here. it is as good as it gets here. Foodies, don;t expect a lot of bells and whistles, Â just super fresh and simple brilliance. A very cozy neighborhoody deli store that also serves food, instantly brings you into Italy when you talk in you are bombarded with Italian foods of all kinds!!! Very fair priced, fresh and homemade, large portions for very little $$$$
Review Source:So I bought a groupon the other day since I heard a lot of good things on Yelp. This place is really cute! I've never been to Italy, but it makes me feel like I'm there. I ended up trying a muffaletta sub, eggplant parmesan, and cannoli.
I enjoyed the sub, although my sister and I both agreed it just needed a dressing of some sort. Maybe mayonnaise or an Italian sub dressing just to make it perfect. The ingredients are good quality and the bread was fresh. As for the eggplant lasagna, I thought it was good, but nothing out of the ordinary. It seemed a bit pricey at first, but I will say that I didn't realize how huge the  portion was. I actually ended up splitting it and eating it over two days!
Just a tip...if you're in the mood for the lasagna or other pasta's from the hot bar they have a freezer case with them already prepared in smaller portions as well. I kind of wish I noticed that beforehand, but now I know. Since I live about 5 minutes away, I will be back to try out the arancini and shiacciata everyone has been raving about.
This is my second review of Rex. I think I was generous in my first review giving them 4 stars. They were on the food network not too long ago (Triple D). I could be wrong but Guy Fieri seemed pretty unimpressed with the featured item which was an Italian version of grilled ham and cheese with bell peppers. I haven't had it but it looks pretty good. I've had the Italian sub, turkey sub, muffaleta, meatball sandwhich, chicken parm sandwhich, and the breaded steak. I can honestly say none were that memorable. Good? Yes. Great? Not at all. It's a good place to grab a bite, but not food network worthy.
Review Source:Good place good food been going here for while. Subs are good they have wide selection of Italian foods ready and prepared there is a small eating area and its family owned. They also have a small Italian import grocery there always busy. Wish they were open a lil later on the weekends and there a lil pricy. But if your in the area for lunch I would stop in.
Review Source:Authentic Abbundanza!
OK....this place is your classic, old-school, mom&pop neighborhood Italian joint.
Expect great homemade eats, informal banter from the staff, exuberant unexpected hugs from red-headed matriarch Pena and yes....the occasional person mopping the floor during inoppurtune times. Â
But guys, this is a joint, remember?
Explore this melding of Italian grocer and impressive selection of both fresh sandwiches and hot buffet specialties rolled in this intimate setting as you munch on never-ending free samples and are made to feel at home by the family.
I have been a customer for over 12 years and have NEVER been disappointed by their food (and that includes the homemade frozen dinners/soups).
Don't miss out on impressing house guests/family with Rex's roast beef and homemade gravy. Pick up some savory grilled peppers and fresh French bread and you've got yourself an easy delicious meal that takes all of 5 minutes to prepare!
I ALWAYS get compliments on the tender, lean, juicy, tasty beef sandwiches I make from Rex's ingredients. Oh, and BTW....I'm 100% Italian.
Brava!
I'm sorry, but this was a terrible lunch i just had here. I had the lasagna. I love lasagna! I know lasagna.This was just bad - flat chewy pieces of noodles and not much else. Even the cheese and sauce smelled off. How can you screw up lasagna this way?
It was very disappointing because I had a good sub here last time, and the foccacia samples are excellent. The two stars are only because I had better luck last time. This was a zero star experience.
This place would get a five star rating if it were not for the vacuuming and mopping as we were eating there. I found it most annoying when the guy mopping bumped my shoe with his mop. I would recommend the owners to not start the mopping and vacuuming until closing time or until all customers have left.
The food here is great, but i would suggest getting your food to go as the dine in experience is not great.
Wow, just wow. Prior to the TV shows this place has been a mainstay for me. The food is made to order in the back by family. The grocery store is as Italian as Italian can be. The staff is very friendly and keeps the line moving. You can get a great sandwich for a great price and even better quality. GO HERE, TRUST ME.
Review Source:I dont know how in the world I didnt come in sooner.I must have driven past a million times.Found it on Yelp only to discover that it was already a pretty popular place.Has been on a couple of TV shows as well.The food is really good.Its a family owned deli and has many delicious foods to choose from.The prices are very reasonable as well.For $12 I had so much food I couldnt even finish it!!! Im definetely adding Rex's as one of my spots!!!
Review Source:I saw this on Diners-Drive-ins and Dives and I don't work that far from it and decided to check it out yesterday. Â My wife and I decided to try their Schiacciatas, I tried their Torinese and my wife their Tuscan. Â The Torinese was tasty and the bacon was great and it mixed very well with the cheese blends. Â I wish they would have toasted it just a bit more but they were having issues with the aluminum foil on the sandwich press. Â The Tuscan was not as advertised on the menu...my wife LOVES asparagus and there was supposed to be some on there...there wasn't. Â They did have some peppers on the sandwich, which was not advertised and that was a pleasant surprise. Â Where things get a little wonky for me is when I called to just let them know about the lack of asparagus, I was told that well a strip might not have asparagus on it when they cut it...huh? Â IF on the menu your sandwich calls for an ingredient then it should be on the sandwich otherwise don't post it on the menu that way.
The cannoli were very good and the deli was nice and clean and I love the decoration, there were a few tables so you could eat inside or outside...though with the noise in that area I don't think I would eat outside. Â
While it was good...we will not be going back...it just wasn't THAT good.
I saw this on the food network, so I had to try it since it was close to my work. Â I ordered the Milanese schiacciatas. Â It was good but a little greasy, I think I will try and request no extra butter on the panini maker (or whatever they use on the press). Â Service was super friendly and I tried a piece of the focaccia, it was delicious. Â I will definitely go back to try other entrees and dessert.
Review Source:The food was fresh, it was obviously prepared that day. The pizza was warm - it didn't even need to go in the oven since it was a summer day. The sandwich was reasonably priced and well-prepared. There was a sample plate of delicious pizza bread on the countertop.
The staff was very friendly, they greeted me with hello's, asked if I needed anything, etc. SOOOO MUCH Friendlier than the HORRENDOUS-LY RUDE STAFF AT Nottoli on Harlem. Â
They had so many different choices of food available. 4 or 5 types of eggplant, many frozen pastas and sauces, prepared pizza breads, sandwiches, the counter of prepared food must have been 25 feet long! I can't wait to go back!
I love this little place full of deliciousness and cheese! Yes, it is a deli and specialty store that also has a lunch counter and a few tables on the floor - facing a bakery cabinet full of heaven. Â I am Puerto Rican but all my BFF's are Italian and this place reminds me of all my Italian Moms' meals I grew up eating - Â Great homemade dishes like stuffed peppers, arancini, lasagna, etc. Â I'd eat here everyday if I could afford the calories!
Review Source:Saw this place on Chicago's Best a few weeks back, passed by hundreds of times, now on the rare treat of lunch out of the workplace, a coworker suggests we go here.
This is a store/deli so dont expect to eat in as there may not be a free table- (they actually had 2 tables out on the tiny sidewalk but i really doubt youd wanna eat a foot from parking spaces breathing in fumes).
Service was chaotic, my companion's check was wrong and there is no clearly delineated order. Â Near the check out is fresh cookies and tons of jarred peppers, olives, giardinera etc. Â They have a refrig/freezer section if you want to take prepackaged to go. Â I agree with the other reviewer..they could use some clearer (BIGGER) menus. Â A tv on the counter was playing a loop of the Chicago;s Best segment. Â There is so much behind the counter, it is difficult to decide what to get.
I had a beef arrancini- very tasy- loved it - mild marinara accompanied. Â We shared potato croquettes (think a potato fish stick) didnt care for that. Â I enjoyed my arrancini so much I got one to take to go for dinner. Â I also took a bit of anti pasto -that was ok, good that was not too oily, but it seemed that some of the meat may have been old.
I would go back for the arrancini and try something else. Â The samples on the counter was focaccia, but i just couldnt put my hand there as I have a thing about so many hands in one basket...gross.
WOW....what a gem....I wasn't sure if I'd like this place....but I was pleasantly surprised when i stopped in to pick up lunch for my gf....they have HOT food which one can eat right away and they also have sandwiches and deli meat....fresh sauce and pasta....GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! Â Really fair prices and.....in fact....I plan on going in tomorrow for lunch!
Review Source:Note: Rex Italian Foods is not a restaurant. It's an Italian deli & catering service that serves killer Italian food primarily during lunchtime. They happen to have a handful of tables to sit and eat at if you get there before the crazy lunch rush (usually 12:30ish)
Rex sells a variety of packaged, frozen, and fresh foods that are either homemade or imported. Â A variety of prosciutto, salami, mortadella, ham, and homemade Italian sausage can be found in the deli along side of the gigantic selection of salads. If it's dessert you're looking for, you won't want to miss the homemade cannoili or tiramisu.
The lunch menu at Rex is endless. Panini, schiacciata, calzone, panzerotti, pizza, pasta, salad, lasagna, chicken parm...you name it, they serve it.
My go-to dishes:
- Calabrese Schiacciata - Stuffed with homemade sausage, peeled tomatoes, onion, and fresh mozz. cheese
- Arancini - Original or eggplant
- Grilled Chicken Caprese panini
- Polenta cake with mushrooms and melted cheese
I always leave Rex with two things.
1. A different dish for lunch the next day (something sustainable in the fridge that can easily be heated up)
2. A couple of fresh Italian cookies. Usually a Nutella sandwich and a lemon knot. Neither of those should be passed up!
Rex Italian Foods is by far one of my favorite places to eat at near the office. As I write this, I'm rockin' a midday food coma and an arancini in my gut.
I don't know how I don't end up at Rex on a weekly basis. I'm guessing because I don't want to weigh 2 tons...with that kind of food, it would be incredibly easy ((and tasty)) to do.
Knocking it down a star because the chicken parmigiana was so overcooked and tough it was like chewing on a baseball mitt. Â The other stuff in the case looks so old, nasty, and dried out I wouldn't even attempt to taste it. Â
However everything else is outstanding! Â Calzones, focaccia, cannoli, and schiachatta are to die for delicious. Â Â Service is super friendly too!
YUM! YUM! YUM!!!!!! Â This is some of the best Italian food I have had! Â Another gem in the city (well, technically not the city), but still a gem. I went for the cannoli that I was told were out of this world, but was so overwhelmed by everything else in the cases that I didn't know what else to order.
I ended up with lasagna (to die for), cannoli and lemon knot cookies. I cannot wait to go back for more goodies. Â While it isn't the most convenient of locations for me, it is SOOO worth the drive. I will definitely be back!!
I am so sad. Rex has been open for more than 15 years and I only just discovered them a few weeks ago. I have a lot of making up to do.
I've been here three or four times and love the place. Their subs are as good as you'll find (oh that bread!) and their Italian sub is probably the best I've ever had. The Italian beef is good, the calzones great and the bruschetta some of the best ever.
Their Italian sausage is house made and we buy a few pounds (both hot and mild) to take home for future use. It's very affordable while being very high quality.
My only issue is that everything is so good I often order and eat too much. I suppose I'm trying to make up for all the missed years :-)
This place is AMAZING. I'm really bummed that I just found out about Rex's today, as I grew up just about 2 miles south of it and moved out of the area last year. So many missed opportunities! Gah.
It's basically an old school Italian deli, run by super nice Italian folks, with an adorable little eating area in the middle. They have an incredible selection of freshly prepared food and I only was able to make up my mind after pacing in front of their tantalizing displays for about 10 minutes; I have a small appetite (unfortunately! hahaha) so I had to choose wisely. Finally I decided on a giant panzerotti with sausage and cheese... Ohhh man. It was perfect. I'd eat a giant chunk of the crust alone! They don't skimp on cheese here, either, and it's gooood cheese. It's the only thing I've eaten all day and even now, at 8 PM, I'm stuffed. Add this pastry to my list of "reasons I will never become vegan".
But -- BUT -- the star of my meal might've just been the cannoli. I think I spaced out from the conversation at the table completely when I was munching down on it... Every glorious bite had to be savored! I have never had a better cannoli in my life, goddamn.
Even if this place is out of the way for you, go. It's cheap on top of delicious, so you can spare a couple extra bucks for gas. I am really excited to go back and try either their mozzarella/mushroom polenta or a giant slice of gooey pizza. And more cannoli. Like a dozen cannoli.
I have been here several times since moving into the neighborhood.
WoW best Lasagna I have ever had at any restaurant. My husband never appreciated Italian food and usually sticks with Pizza everywhere but here he goes crazy and wants everything he sees.
We usually do take out and love taking this with us on picnics but we also ate outside too they have two tables with umbrellas out there and it was pleasant eating there too.  All of the prices are very affordable the Lasagna I get could feed 4 people its about  $7 (?) I split it into two for me its two meals. Portion control at this place is hard to do.
Autentico e delizioso!
Everything here is awesome!
To describe my excitement, I was like a hungry and fat 24 year old in an Italian Deli with a Visa.
Their  Arancinis are delicious. Their sauces are delicious. The employees speaking Italian to each other and customers that understood was great! It was like being in Italy- just 5 minutes from my house.
Recommendation: Anything! Everything!
Grande Lavoro Rex Italian Foods!
There are not enough superlatives in the English vernacular to describe how fantastic this place is, both in the incredibly fresh and authentic food, and the crazy, ridiculousness that is Rex herself...she is unbelievably kind, gracious, fun loving and as genuine as they come. Â She is the poster child of what we love about supporting a family owned and operated business. Amazing!
So me and an associate of mine came here bc it was his (carry out) restaurant of choice for a presentation we were giving at Resurrection Hospital just up the street. Â We had pre-ordered the food so came in to pick it up. Â
From the moment we walked in to the moment we walked out she was practically falling over herself, literally demanding that we "try this" "try that" "omg, you just gotta try this" and "you boys need to put some meat on those bones, here check this out!" handing over forkful after forkful of some of the most remarkable Italian food ever created (and a plate of the best homemade rigatoni i've had the pleasure of consuming).
I don't even know what half the stuff was but it was so GD fresh and delicious that we'll just call it GD fresh and delicious and leave it at that. Â
Oh and the presentation. Â Let's just say we walked away with a few referrals.... and my quality presentation aside.doh, I think were more a result of Rex's fabulous food spread than my presentation delivery. Â They were knocked out by Rex's food as much as we were. Â
I will so be back to this place....for *all* future presentations and for my own delight as well.
REX. ON.
Was there with a couple of friends and enjoyed some of their dishes.
This is typical homemade Sicilian cooking, the type you find in bars or small town osterie back in the island. I got an arancino, some eggplant parmigiana and meatballs and shared everything with BF. In the spirit of Sicilian cuisine, everything was very good and very heavy. The arancino was probably my favorite thing as it was crispy and not too greasy despite being fried. I also liked the parmigiana, but it was a bit heavy (well being parmigiana made of fried eggplants that is pretty much how it is supposed to be...).
We also had some pretty good cookies and before leaving I bought some cornmeal for polenta which is rather hard to find. I guess I'll cook some soon, now that is cold and snowy.
Next time I think I'll have the caponata or some other non fried eggplant dish (looooooooooooove eggplants!!!) and cannoli.
This place would be 3 stars back in Italy, here in the midwest it deserve 1 star more!
I am in love with Rex! This is one of my favorite Italian places. I first experienced Rex when my boss took me there a few summers ago. I have been there a few times since then and I usually get the Chicken Parmesan which is absolutely amazing. The only thing that I don't like is that it is kinda far from me due to traffic. Besides that there is nothing wrong with this place. They have so many different choices of authentic Italian, I will have to visit a lot more times to enjoy everything. This is also a mini store with food products you can buy.
Come to Rex, I guarantee you will be happy you did!
Rex's is as fresh and authentic as it gets. I asked the Italian teacher at the school I work at where the best Italian food is in Chicago, and she sent me here... I finally made it in and have to say she's right. This food is made fresh by the owners every morning--we decided to get everything we wanted and take the leftovers home.
$30 later we sat, defeated by the delicious, enormous slab of meat lasagna, the huge ground beef filled arancelli, melty panzerotti and schiacciatas, and well-sauced mostaccioli. For another $15, we also decided to take home fresh, homemade Italian sausage and frozen homemade cheese gnocchi along with their tiramisu.The owner brought us out some samples of their homemade cannoli, and she chatted to us in Italian, English, and Spanish. Even though she's lived in the U.S. for 40 years, she makes sure to teach her kids and grandkids Italian.
Moral of the story: For about $5 you can get a delicious homemade meal. We now have food for the next WEEK, and the friendly atmosphere of this small deli/European-style restaurant gives it a family feel that adds to the deliciousness of its comfort food.
Things not to miss: chocolate cannoli, aranceli, lasagna, schiacciatas, chatting with the friendly family/staff. :)
Rex's makes the best subs in town, best soup and they have a great deli selection. Â There's always a lunch crowd here so it's pretty packed. Â It's very Sicilian, even many of the customers are as well.
I don't see anything special with their pasta. Â It's pretty average, but great for a quick cafeteria-style meal.
Rex is about as close as you can get to Italy without eating there. It's been an integral piece of Chicago's Italian immigrant community since the 70's, and they have always produced high-quality food.
Their owners are very friendly and accommodating, and make sure you are satisfied with your food. They also speak Italian, including the younger staff. I always enjoy buying Italian subs from them, which are fantastic.
I took a girl's Italian-American parents who were visiting from out of state here, they were greatly impressed with Rex. Eggplant was delicious, manicotti was superb, they couldn't ask for more.
Their store is done in the European 'take-away" style, where most of the food is prepared and ready  for take out or to be eaten in at their small dining section.
I like going to this place because the food is good, it's family-run, everything is handmade and very cheap for what you get. Â The Italian owners are also quite friendly and boisterous, welcoming customers into their place with smiles, warmth and great customer service. Â The place also easily accommodates a wheelchair, but does lack an electronic door for independent access.
The food is above average. Â They sell the normal sausages, Italian beefs, pastas and sauces, as well as a wide selection of submarine sandwiches. Â They make excellent homemade soups. Â The store also has Italian specialties which are pretty good.
Most amazing is there deli case which sells every kind of olive oil, fresh mozzarella cheese, olives, sausages, imported ham and cheese and many other items I cannot recall. Â Overall, it is a great place to go get some food.
Fuggetaboutit!
Tony Sopprano couldn't ask for more. Â An inexpensive Italian Deli with a variety of freshly made salads, pastas, meats, desserts, and other dishes... just like Carmella would make.
Bring AJ and Meadow... there is a simple dining space in case you want to eat it there. Â They also have dishes frozen, and other Italian condiments ready to leave quickly in case the Feds catch on.
I am a lunch regular... and there ARE lunch regulars eating the amazing over-sized dishes every day. Â The staff is incredibly friendly and accomodating. Â Come join the family, and experience a classic local Italian Deli that's the gem of Norridge.
Absolutely phenomenal - everything looked so good, I could have eaten the entire restaurant!
It reminds me of Pompei, but much better. Â The pizza was great, the caprese salad was amazing, and the sandwiches were excellent. Â I hope I wasn't upsetting my friends for taking bites out of all their meals.
They even have a section where you can buy pastas of all kinds... it's your all-in-one Italian shop.
The service is fast since everything is pre-cooked (that I saw at least) and they seem to have quite a few specials going on. Â I know that it's just outside the Chicago city limits but it is definitely worth a trip.
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