I grew up living near a Ricobene's on either Pulaski or Harlem. I never found it as fantastic as…read morethe many who bragged about it as if it were the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I would occasionally pop in for either a breaded steak or Chicken Vesuvio sandwich. When they closed, I never really realized I missed them. Flash forward 38 years later. Went to Rush Hospital to visit an uncle. Leaving at about lunch time, I opened my Yelp app to see what was nearby. The top spouses ad (2.7 miles away) was Ricobene's. I really wasn't aware they were even around anymore. So, for nostalgic purposes, I decided to go there. Had my mother and aunt in tow, and we were all very pleased. The breaded steak, while still maybe not the greatest thing since sliced bread, was a nice blast from the past that I really enjoyed. Would I go there again? Surely. If I were 2.7 miles away (though uncle's been released and is back home doing fine). Do wanna try their Chicken Vesuvio again one day. But 22 miles each way just for that, not. Quick friendly service, and way cleaner than most hot dog joints and beef stands out my way. Few things make me miss Chicago, but this is one of them.

We needed a late night snack because we had an early dinner. I did not realize how late it was…read moreuntil I looked at the pictures on my phone; it was around 10:45, which might be early for the young whippersnappers, but this old lady usually doesn't like to eat past 9. My hubby has been talking about Ricobene's since we met 20+ years ago. He finally got me there after showing me pictures of the famous breaded steak sandwich, which we ordered, of course. We also ordered a beef sandwich and a hot dog and fries (there were four of us). The beef was great; the steak sandwich... I can't even. We have been back in the area a few times since my first visit and I am always pressuring my husband to take me back there. I am drooling a little thinking about how good it was. The place was packed at 10:45... clean and the employees looked like they were having fun. A lot of youngsters were ordering pizza... I need to try the pizza.

I went there today. The only employee working was washing the outside windows when I got there. I'm…read moreglad she wasn't cleaning the toilets. The menu was on a hand held. I ordered the Italian and when I went to look for chips there was no chips. Sixteen dollars for a sandwich is high for me. The owner must be passing on City Halls rules on me. Then they want me to tip the employee for washing the windows.

One of the best sandwiches I've had in a long time. No notes. Flavor profile is AMAZING, the bread…read moreis *chef's kiss*. The meat is perfectly moist and is paired very well with the sweet caramelized onions. I just selfishly wish it was a bit more affordable (just because in that case, I'd come by a lot more often:) ) My bf and I were enjoying a coffee nextdoor at The People's Cafe, and it was an option to order pickup from TriBecca and eat it at the cafe (due to limited seating).

It's been a month since I flew to Chicago and tried this place, but it's absolutely a place you…read morecannot forget. Small spot you could casually pick up food and walk to if you're around downtown. Lots of cheese and sauce with a beautiful baguette to remind you that this place makes pizza too. Dough, cheese, and sauce are what this place really excels in. It's no surprise that they do it well across the board. Out of the sandwiches I tried, the gardinera pairs the best with the Drunken Chicken sandwich. I'm unsure if my hunger pangs were amplifying my experience, but this sandwich was something of legends... The ingredients combo into something a little too unfair to not be distributed to the rest of America. The food really feels special when you have it late night after a really long day of fun. The people are casual and nice and didn't make it awkward to eat there even though the place itself is quite small. Considering cops came in to order here out of all the places around, I can see how anyone could make this their staple spot.

I order via delivery once or twice a week and Nonna's is on repeat. It's solid and travels well…read more Today I ordered the drunken chicken, which is a chicken parm with vodka sauce, and pesto. It is shareable and hearty. The bread is so good. It's crusty and soft on the inside. It allows the right amount of sauce to soak in without being a giant mess. I don't consider it a save half and eat later sandwich though. In my experience it loses a bit of structure if not eaten right away. I have had the turkey, tuna, and meatball sandwich as well. All good and able to split into 2 meals and they save well. As mentioned, this spot is on repeat for me and haven't disliked anything. The pizza is ok but I wouldn't choose it as my pizza spot. There are better but if you are in a pinch a single slice option is nice. I enjoy the little Tiramisu cup. Perfect size. If you normally scroll by and wonder if you should try Nonna's go ahead. It's a good option.

The food was great as well as the staff and environment! Highly recommend the soups and burgers!read more

This little gem is a must try. My personal favorite is the chicken caesar wrap, but I've been happy…read morewith their sandwiches and burgers. They offer a student and teacher discount during the week, but even without it, the prices are reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food. The owner-chef, who previously worked for Eatly, also serves a variety of pasta dishes and gelato. They have a rotating soup menu and seasonal specials. During November, you don't want to miss the thanksgiving sandwich. I'm looking forward to finally trying the gelato this summer.

It's almost like being around my Italian cousins out on the East Coast…read more.. We were fortunate enough to be having dinner at an Italian restaurant in the same block, and I saw that they were open until midnight. I decided to grab a grinder and a couple of cannoli after dinner to consume the next day for lunch. They utilize a walk-up window for their later hours. I believe I mentioned during ordering that we "do not get grinders like this in Cali" and they were kind enough to let us indoors (surely knowing this weather was nearly "Antarctic penguin cold" for us) while our order was being finished. I saw various jars of giardiniera and muffuletta and could not resist buying a couple. Our store associate kindly wrapped them well in plastic wrap to ensure safe travel back to Cali. Our sandwich maker was a cool guy as well and conversational with us. They even gave us some brief family history on the place. Unfortunately, without my knowledge the wife set us up with an Uber while waiting so we had to dash and run to make our next stop before their closing time. "Foodies are as foodies do"... The FOOD review: CANNOLI w/cherries: -- it appears they use Amarena Bologna cherries which are so much better tasting than the standard maraschino bright red ones. I prefer morello cherries or these when using them in cannoli pie or on Chicago style or ricotta cheesecake. -- cheese tastes of cow's milk ricotta and is well strained so not watery -- lightly sweet is appreciated as it should be...no fake Italian sugar bomb with chocolate sauce and whipped cream like they do in Cali sometimes -- smaller portion size but value is good -- smoother textured than grainy -- shell is light colored and pretty solid -- up to a moderate dusting of powdered sugar on exterior -- appears freshly filled as there is no soggy shell syndrome whatsoever, crunchy and firm (I ate one two days later and it still had a firm shell) -- I have about 8 different cannoli pie recipes I created and make for friends, family and colleagues now and then. I transitioned to pie ages ago because there are so many bad shells and a graham cracker crust is always legit and easy to find. -- IMHO this is a much better and truer cannoli rendition than what you will find at D'Amato's Bakery in Chicago RATING = A "MR. G SPECIALTY GRINDER": -- I briefly considered "The Italian" or asking for a combo of the two but this stood out so I stuck with it -- I requested it "wet" as I hate anything dry (bread, meat etc.) and prefer extra "juice" (red wine vinegar, EVO) -- bread is not thick nor thin but just right with great texture, taste and freshness -- loved all the flavors and additions -- not a moose overloaded grinder but just right for those out of their twenties who do not need "sandie leftovers for days" -- good value here too RATING = A+ They even sell some appealing looking BLOOD ORANGE (and other flavors) sorbet. I definitely recommend them for a super hospitable Italiano experience with great eats. They even made the "Top Sandwich joints" in America list by Food & Wine magazine per associate and a quick Internet search.

(Heavy sigh) Leave your handcuffs at home, I will walk to the stocks myself…read more J.P. Graziano's was praised up and down by a colleague as one of the best sub shops he's ever tried. I wanted to love it, for family owned and operated businesses are often some of the best, and I love money going somewhere local as opposed to the $4,000,000,000 Jersey Mike's. However, if you'd put two subs in front of me, as much as it pains me to say, I'd choose the Jersey Mike's. I'd ordered a Mr. G., and a Tomato Basil Soup. The soup hit just the right spot for a miserable, raw, rainy day that, while heralding the arrival of spring, doesn't become easily bearable. The soup had the perfect texture, rich tomato notes, and herbaceousness from the basil. Simple and uncomplicated, but just right. Also packaged perfectly to not spill on the way back to the office. The Mr. G. was... fine. The veggies and cheeses within were good. Now, while I am not typically a fan or artichoke, here they worked well, only they attempted a great escape from being eaten! There are two things, in my opinion, that I like more about JM's: balance and moisture. JM's, through using more of everything and their signature "juice" makes the sandwich less bread-heavy, and less dry. The service is fantastic. As someone else wrote, I would have expected it to be at least a little rough around the edges. Instead it was friendly, kind, and very efficient. Final verdict: Please don't get me wrong, for a locally owned and operated Sub Shop, J.P. Graziano is good. However, when I'd tasted something that has a not-so-secret secret sauce, I can't lie and pretend I don't like said place better.

5 stars!!!! I am so mad that I just found this place, short before moving. One of our favorite food…read morebloggers: Number 6 with Cheese came here for a pizza sandwich. After watching their YouTube video, we had to try it. I called in an order for their Signature Italian Sandwich and also the Pizza Sandwich. It was ready on 15 minutes. Super friendly service, plus they have a full bar. I bet this place is a good time afterwork. Anyway, my husband and I shared the sandwich. And it was so good. The bread had the right level of crust and the topping were so fresh. I regret only ordering a sandwich to share. I wanted that whole damn thing to myself. We ended up eating the pizza Sando for dinner with a salad. The Pizza sandwich was so good. It looks like a flat bread but it was so good. We heated it up in the air fryer and it was perfect. My photo doesn't do it justice as it had sat on my counter for an hour, but believe me it was delicious. Check this place out. I definitely could go for another sandwich before I exit Chicago.

Highly recommend. I am gluten free and they chopped up my meat and topping in a basket salad. My…read morefamily loved their sandwiches. Delicious bread! And the staff was beyond friendly and nice! We sat outside on the patio and it was perfect with the sun shining.

First time in Chicago so I had to try the national sandwich of Chicago! Al's beef has been serving…read moreup Italian Beef sandwiches since 1938. They have won several awards for their sandwiches and are said to have the best Italian Beef in Chicago. With all this being said, this was certainly a must eat on my trip! Their menu consists of their famous Italian beef, along with Chicago dogs, burgers, sausage sandwiches, chicken, and fries. There is definitely something for everyone here. The inside is casual and reminiscent of a fast food eatery. Really liked the yellow accents throughout the restaurant. I will also note that it was extremely clean inside, which is always appreciated. Ordering is simple and they will call your ticket number when your food is ready. All the food is served made to order and very fresh and doesn't take too long to come out! I ordered the Regular Beef, wet, with both hot and spicy peppers per the workers suggestion. Ordering the sandwich wet simply means the bread is dunked in the gravy/aus jus. If you want the real deal, this is how you order it. The peppers are optional as well, but complete the sandwich. The sandwich consists of their famous Italian beef roasted and sliced, served on freshly baked French bread. I can see why this sandwich is so highly regarded. The Italian beef that is made in house each day is tender, flavorful, and just perfect! It isn't chewy or tough either. The sweet and spicy peppers paired nicely with the savory beef. And the fresh French bread covered in the gravy--phenomenal! The gravy adds a lot of flavor to the sandwich. You do have to eat it quickly, otherwise the bread will fall apart, oh but it is so worth it. I got fries with a side of cheese sauce to go with the sandwich. By far some of the best fries I've had. Not super crispy, but not soggy either, the texture was just right. They were salted perfectly and dipping them in their velvety cheese sauce was a treat! A regular sub is roughly 6 inches and quite filling. The sandwiches are stuffed with ample amounts of beef. The price is also excellent considering how much you get. Overall, I would say Al's Beef lived up to all its praise. My sandwich was very memorable and was like nothing I'd had before. Everything is so fresh, between their beef, bread, and fries, it is all made in house. This isn't just some fast food spot, it is an institution. I was impressed with everything I ordered, especially the fries. They take a lot of pride in what they serve. This is evident in their customer service. If you are visiting Chicago, don't think, just go--you won't regret it!

(Kari's Rating 6.5/10)…read more Finally made my way out here and it was alright. My go to is normally Portillo's Italian beef, but I wanted to change it up. It's a little stop in place and they have a pretty small seating area, but I went on a day where it wasn't super crowded. Beef was pretty typical, I think I enjoyed the gravy seasoning more on this one over Portillo's, but I did like Portillo's spicy and sweet peppers a little bit better. I don't like my bread, saggy, so I was able to get the dipping gravy on the side. Service is pretty quick as it's just a small sit down place. It wasn't too loud, so you could have a conversation with the person next to you, but I imagine it would be much louder if you went on a Friday or Saturday night. I probably wouldn't stop in again but it's a nice place to go to. If you have people from out of town they don't wanna go to Portillo's.

Food was good. Nice employees. Fun vibes. Would recommend the couscous and the chicken soup.read more

Love the not so fried chicken sandwich . We ordered ahead of time .it was still a few minutes so…read morethey brought it too our table! Well lit cute farm booths. Nice weather permitting outdoor tables . I wish there were more locations , I found it first in CA. I want to try the Salad some day! I love the bread . Potato salad was good. Open one I Pleasant Prairie WI lol . I love driving a distance to partake in this fave of ours !

The food is fabulous. I love the blt and grilled cheese with tomato bisque. Plus the Arnold Palmer…read moreand margaritas are not to be missed.

The turkey sandwich had good flavor and great texture. The meat itself was a little dry. The envy…read moreof our table was the grilled cheese.

On a busy Saturday, I decided to order ahead for myself and my hangry kids. We ordered Italian,…read moretuna and prosciutto subs. We also threw in an order of tiramisu and the large canoli. We were quoted a time of 20 minutes out. We arrived a little early and the gal at the counter told us it would be a few minutes. She called out when ready and sat at one of the tables in the front to eat. Each sub had a decent amount of filling. While we each offered the smallest subs, we were plenty full when we left. We enjoyed our subs and now have a place to add to our list for a new quick lunch. For the store itself, they have some odds and ends but many Italian staples. The counter and deli had a steady flow of customers in and out.

02/10/26 - Today I was on Taylor Street & wanted to grab a bite to eat. I saw a Potbelly on the…read morecorner & thought I might stop there. As I parked this large Chevy Suburban parked in front of me. As I sat in the car & saw one person after another unloaded & head towards Potbelly. In all I counted 8 guys unloading from this Suburban. & head to Potbelly. I'm like oh hell no. That's when I saw CONTE DI SAVOIA @ 1438 W Taylor Street on the north side of Taylor Street. I decided to cross over & check out this old world Italian Deli. Conti Di Savoia is small Italian grocery store w/an Italian deli that has w/outstanding & inexpensive sandwiches. When I went in there was a line of people waiting @ the deli counter waiting to place their order. I must have looked confused because the owner directed me & told the line started on the other side towards the back of the store. What I found was an awesome of fresh handmade sandwiches for a very reasonable price. I ordered an 8" pastrami w/mozzarella cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, red onions, mayo, & Italian oil drizzled. What I got was an awesome inexpensive sandwich loaded with/fresh ingredients. Absolutely delicious. After I got my sandwich the owner (I introduced myself (I think his name was Mike) rang up the sandwich. He said they have been there for 35 years. There's also a small dining area in the front of the store where I sat & devoured my sandwich. Like I said this is small Italian store w/a nice selection of products like meats, cheeses, pastas, wine, olive & deli items. I throughly enjoyed finding Conte Di Savoia. The pastrami sandwich was awesome w/a generous portion of pastrami & toppings for a reasonable price. I'm the type of person who who loves finding new places to eat. Most times unless I find great food & reasonable prices I won't go back but I feel like I found a real gem W/Conti Di Savoia. I WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK AGAIN.