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Nonna's Pizza & Sandwiches
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Nonna's Pizza & Sandwiches
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
This counter-serve Italian deli operated from Formento's kitchen delivers hot subs and Sicilian-style slices for West Loop's grab-and-go crowd. The 'What The?' sandwich layers crispy fried eggplant with chicken, serrano chiles, and sweet-spicy mayo, while Nonna's branded retail items bring the flavors home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmesan Sub, What The? Sandwich, Sicilian Pizza Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Formento's kitchen quality in grab-and-go format with retail products
Who should go: Office workers and festival-goers needing quick quality
When to visit: Lunch rush or pre-event quick bite
What to order: Chicken parm sub, What The? sandwich, slice with tiramisu
Insider tip: Outdoor patio seating with flowers for a quick al fresco lunch
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Sangamon/Randolph - typical West Loop difficulty. Metered spots available but competitive during lunch. Rideshare or walk from Morgan-Lake Green/Pink Line stop.
Dress code: Come as you are - this is counter service. Gym clothes, work attire, whatever you're wearing is fine.
Noise level: Minimal seating noise - mostly takeout. Counter has 3 stools, tiny two-top inside, communal patio table outside.
Weekend wait: 5-10 min order-to-food; no reservations, counter service only
Weekday lunch: Busy 12-1pm with office crowd; 10-15 min wait during peak. Off-peak is instant.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - excellent mushroom melt (balsamic grilled mushroom, avocado, sun-dried tomato, buffalo mozz), eggplant parm sub, wood-fired zucchini, cheese pizza
Vegan options: Very limited - cheese-less pizza possible, salads without cheese. Not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated options - bread-heavy menu focused on subs and pizza
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal - only 3 counter stools and one tiny table inside. Better for grabbing food before/after a date elsewhere, or a super casual 'let's grab a quick bite' scenario where you'd eat on the sidewalk patio.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations exist - it's counter service only. The 200 sq ft space has minimal seating (3 stools, 1 two-top, outdoor communal table). Most people take their food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Great for kids - pizza slices, simple sandwiches, cookies by the register. No high chairs but the grab-and-go format means kids can eat outside on the patio or take it to nearby parks.
Best For
Better for: Restaurant-quality Italian subs at deli prices and speed - Formento's kitchen craft without the sit-down commitment. Best chicken parm sub in the area, creative options like the 'What The?' sandwich you won't find elsewhere.
Skip if: You want a proper sit-down meal or classic Italian deli vibes - for old-school Chicago Italian subs, JP Graziano is the OG a few blocks away. For a dining experience, go next door to Formento's.
Nonna's Pizza & Sandwiches
8.0
Tucked next to a larger sibling on Randolph, Nonna’s works as a fast-casual counter for hefty Italian-American sandwiches and slices. It’s the move when you want chicken parm or a meatball sub wrapped to go before a night out in the West Loop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmesan sandwich on toasted roll, Meatball sandwich with red sauce and mozzarella, Italian sub with cured meats and provolone
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Compact counter spot turning out classic red-sauce sandwiches right on Restaurant Row.
Who should go: Pre-game diners wanting hearty Italian sandwiches fast.
When to visit: Early evening before prime-time dinner rush on Randolph.
What to order: Chicken parm sandwich, meatball sandwich, Italian sub.
Insider tip: Grab sandwiches to go and eat them at nearby parks or along Randolph instead of waiting for limited counter seats.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Randolph and nearby side streets; expect competition during peak dinner hours
Dress code: Casual — come as you are, jeans and sneakers totally fine
Noise level: Moderate — counter-style setting with steady foot traffic
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes depending on rush and takeout volume
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, often under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetarian sandwiches and slices are typically available
Vegan options: Limited — menu leans heavily Italian-American with cheese and meats
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bread or prep area
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual meetup or pre-dinner bite than a sit-down date — it’s counter-service and built for quick meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are limited counter seats and most guests take food to go. No reservations are taken or needed.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple sandwiches and pizza work well for kids, though seating is limited and best for short visits.
Best For
Better for: Hearty red-sauce sandwiches and quick takeout right on Restaurant Row without sit-down restaurant prices
Skip if: You’re looking for a full-service Italian dinner, cocktails, or a long, lingering meal
Nonna's Pizza & Sandwiches
7.8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Nonna’s is the quick-serve sibling next to a larger dining room on Randolph, turning out hefty Italian-American sandwiches and slices ideal for faster, budget-conscious business lunches. It’s counter-service with limited seating, so most people grab food to go before heading back to the office or a nearby park. Portions are substantial enough that one sandwich can easily fuel an afternoon of meetings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parm Sandwich, Meatball Sandwich, Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 6.5
What makes it special: Compact counter spot focused on classic red-sauce sandwiches and slices.
Who should go: Busy teams needing a fast, filling lunch near Randolph Street.
When to visit: Early lunch before peak office rush and sandwich lines.
What to order: Chicken Parm, Meatball, or Eggplant Parmesan sandwiches.
Insider tip: Order ahead online, then walk a block to eat outdoors between meetings.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking can be limited during lunch hours; nearby paid garages along Randolph and Fulton are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual — office attire, jeans, and sneakers are all common.
Noise level: Moderate — busy counter-service atmosphere but still easy to hold a quick work conversation.
Weekend wait: Usually minimal since it’s more of a daytime/lunch stop.
Weekday lunch: Expect 5–15 minutes during peak office rush; faster outside peak windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several sandwich and pizza options without meat.
Vegan options: Limited — some customization possible, but the menu is mostly cheese- and sauce-driven.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bread program; cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re going for something super casual. It’s more of a grab-and-go lunch counter than a sit-down date spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service and doesn’t take reservations, but seating is limited so many people eat on the go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple food and quick service work well for kids, though there’s limited seating and no kid-specific extras like high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Fast, filling red-sauce Italian sandwiches at a budget-friendly price near Randolph’s restaurant row.
Skip if: You want a long business lunch with table service, cocktails, or a quieter environment for extended conversation.
Hours
Monday11am - 9pm
Tuesday11am - 9pm
Wednesday11am - 9pm
Thursday11am - 9pm
Friday11am - 10pm
Saturday11am - 10pm
Sunday11am - 9pm