ZipPicks Awards
Best Italian in West Loop
Best Sandwiches in West Loop
Best Business Lunch Restaurants in West Loop
Master Critic Review
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.
Hours
Monday11am - 9pm
Tuesday11am - 9pm
Wednesday11am - 9pm
Thursday11am - 9pm
Friday11am - 10pm
Saturday11am - 10pm
Sunday11am - 9pm