Firenze: Italian Street Food

54 Postcards · 2 Cities

Firenze Italian Street Food is an Italian oasis, replacing the everyday sandwich with one of the best sandwiches you’ll have in a long time. Customers are welcomed with a warm hello and a friendly smile as soon as they step into Firenze’s wonderful atmosphere. Head Chef/Owner is out on the floor, offering advice to customers should they need it, making guests feel at home. The Prosciutto Mozzarella (Combo Meal) is one sandwich that can’t be beat. Fresh, high quality ingredients make up each bite, and the generous portion sizes - for such an affordable price - make for a delectable lunch.

54 Postcards · 2 Cities

. Firenze: Italian Street Food is a delightful Italian eatery nestled in the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park. The menu offers a variety of classic Italian subs, sure to satisfy any hungry patron. Their loose interpretation of classic recipe dishes create a truly unique flavor experience. Their prosciutto/mozzarella/arugula sandwich is a perfect example of the type of sandwich they serve, and a cure that highlights the restaurant’s focus on fresh, quality ingredients. The succulent and tender prosciutto is complemented by the creamy and rich mozzarella and the crunch of the fresh arugula baked in their house-made Schiacciata bread.

https://chicago.eater.com/2017/12/22/16812726/new-chicago-restaurant-openings-winter-2018

Kelly B.

Google

Firenze catered a networking event I was at last week and everything was delicious! I may have gone back for not only seconds but thirds on the salad... And there were so many good focaccia sandwich flavors it was hard to choose. Highly recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amy T.

Google

I order from Firenze on a regular basis for takeout, delivery, and well as eating in at their location in the French Market. It's the same each time. The food is fantastic! Portions are generous without being too big. Everything is fresh, well seasoned, and made to order. Their Italian Chopped Salad is delicious! The roasted eggplant really makes it stand out. My office regularly requests them for delivery. When they deliver a buffet, the platters look impressive. However, when we order individual box lunches it's even better. They come in sturdy boxes that really hold up and look good. Their prices are extremely reasonable, especially for a Loop location.

Ajit K.

Google

Here’s what you need to know: great first experience with service. Went at 10:45AM for an early lunch. Good recommendation from the team (pesto chicken), well made sandwich with premium products. Ambiance is fun for a food hall in the train station. I look forward to trying the other sandwiches there over the next few weeks. Would like more oomph / kick as an option even though I enjoyed my grilled mild pesto chicken sandwich.

Maija M.

Google

Wow! This place is absolutely delicious! They catered a recent event that I attended. The quinoa, basil, spinach salad—chef’s kiss! And the sandwiches. Can’t wait to go check them out after seeing their catering service. (HIGHLY recommend that for your next event too!)

Clarence T.

Google

This place is great. The sandwiches are the bomb. Best sandwich place in Chicago. My kids love them too!

Cassie F.

Google

I recently attended an event catered by Firenze and the food was delicious and beautifully displayed. I loved the smaller assorted sandwiches - it was the perfect way to try multiple flavors without getting too full. The chicken pesto and roasted veggie were incredible, but every bite I had was tasty. I also have to mention the Firenze Greens Salad - it was so fresh and flavorful that I even took some home, and it kept perfectly as a leftover. Highly recommend them if you're looking for high-quality, authentic Italian catering!

Isabelle J.

Google

I enjoyed the sandwiches and salads. Firenze was catered at an event I attended, and I was able to try a couple of their sandwiches. All of them were delicious. My favorites are the chicken pesto and roasted veggie. They were filled with so much flavor. I will definitely be getting some more again.

Katie S.

Google

Food and service were fantastic! The pesto was some of the best I’ve ever had! Would definitely get the salads again and anything with pesto. A bunch of my friends LOVED the caprese sandwich and the chicken pesto sandwich. All around friendly folks there and really high quality and delicious salads and sandwiches!

Bob C.

Yelp

Working downtown today and stopped in the French Market. Picked this place for a sandwich. I had a turkey sandwich with Italian trimmings on Italian bread , chips and a pelegrino water for a grand total of $13.65 Great good Great price Great convenience A must stop if your hungry and in the area

Jason S.

Yelp

I went to Firenze during lunch with some co-workers after seeing it listed as the best sandwich in Illinois on Yelp's "Best Sandwich in Every State" list. It's located in the French Market at Ogilvy Train Station, which has a nice food court area to sit and enjoy your meal. I ordered the spicy Soppressata sandwich, and it was really good. The honey added a nice touch to balance out the spice. For $13, you get a sandwich, chips, and a drink, which I thought was a great deal, especially for downtown Chicago. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is that my expectations were really high, and while the sandwich was delicious, it was a bit on the small side--I wish there was a little more meat. Still, it's a great spot for a quick and tasty sandwich. I'll definitely be back!

Ana G.

Yelp

I ordered Firenze for my bridesmaids on my wedding day for our bridal lunch. We ordered boxed lunches. Delivery was right on time, the food was excellent. Everything was perfect. We all tried different sandwiches: Caprese, chicken Florentine, chicken pesto, and roasted vegetarian. I'd definitely order from here again.

Angel P.

Yelp

Firenze Italian Street Food is a delightful culinary oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city streets. I recently had the pleasure of trying their chicken pesto sandwich, and let me tell you, it was a flavor explosion. The mozzarella was delightfully fresh, and the pesto? Oh, it was divine. I could taste the authenticity in every bite. It's evident that they use quality ingredients and put love and care into crafting their dishes. One thing that truly impressed me was the lightning-fast service. Despite the busy lunch rush, my order was ready in a flash. The staff was friendly and efficient, ensuring that every customer got their meal with a smile. To top it all off, they even threw in a free cookie with my order. It's those little touches that make all the difference and leave a lasting impression. If you're craving authentic Italian flavors on the go, Firenze Italian Street Food is the place to be. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, their delicious offerings are sure to satisfy your taste buds. I'll definitely be coming back for more!

Judy N.

Yelp

We went straight to Firenze for lunch and wow, it was delicious and fresh! Luckily for us, there was no line yet. We ordered a Chicken Pesto sandwich, so simple and fresh- VERY good!! Wish we could've tried more sandwiches but we only made a quick stop. There are tables to sit at in the back area of the indoor market where Firenze is located. We saw many other places in the market like a Korean food stall, bagels, coffee, etc. We were pressed for time so we didn't get a chance to see everything. Next time for sure, we will be back!

Jessica A.

Yelp

The food container for the Firenze Salad has become so small. It's almost half the size it used be. Further, it used to come with these crispy pita crouton like this and a slice of bread. That is no longer the case. The salad is missing a crunch without the pita. For $11.60 + tax and tip, it's asking a lot for what you get. The ambiance is quick , food court/plaza vibes.

Jul N.

Yelp

...seriously? Yelp, come on... I think I just lost all the faith I had in Yelp being a source for reliable "best of" collections Overpriced, overpolished, overcurated, overrated, overhyped, overcooked - over it.

Samuel A.

Yelp

I ordered the spicy soppressata sandwich for lunch. The ingredients were fresh and I loved the bite of spiciness followed by the creaminess of the ricotta spread. The flavors really melded well. Reminded me of the amazing flatbread sandwiches in Florence. While not as good as the ones over there, still a good substitution over catching a 12 hour flight to Italy! Will have to return again to try more sandwiches.

Celia P.

Yelp

The Truffle and the Caprese are to die for. I think about these sandwiches everyday! So so so good!!!

Gina L.

Yelp

I got there and they had run out of bread and they were really nice and offered me and my family free sandwiches if we came back another day. We came back and the sandwiches were delicious! I am a vegetarian and got the roasted veggie and caprese. Both were good but the roasted veggies were fresh and my preference for a sandwich. Great customer service and I will definitely be back! Pro tip: get them cut in half if you're taking it to go!

Lucas W.

Yelp

The spicy soppressata and the chicken pesto are both amazing. Tons of flavor, surprisingly filling, and it justifies the price which might seem more than you'd otherwise expect. The spicy soppressata is my favorite with a ton of meat on it and a really good sauce it's surprisingly filling and actually decently spicy rather than washing the spice out and falsely claiming to be spicy. The chicken pesto is just a classic with a really punchy pesto flavor that I would definitely recommend. It's a great, quick, go-to for lunch options in the area.

Rostam Z.

Yelp

Really frickin good Italian sandwich. I got the Spicy Soppressata Sandwich and loved every bite! Flavorful slices of Hot Soppressata on top of a creamy layer of ricotta all topped with arugula and the best drizzle of hot oil and honey. Oh, I almost forgot about the bread. Fluffy and crusty. Loved it all.

Chris C.

Yelp

Someday we'd like to visit Italy. Lately we've been reading about Italy. Apparently one of the most popular sandwiches in Italy is this sandwich on this Schiacciata bread. Schiacciata is similar to focaccia but it seems to be lighter and more airy. When I heard there was a location in Chicago, we had to try it out. Firenze Italian Street Food is located inside the Chicago French Market. We ordered a selection of their sandwiches. While we liked them all, our favorites were the Caprese the Truffle Prosciutto. The Roasted Veggie was a close second. The Caprese has fresh mozzarella, pesto, roasted eggplant and a balsamic glaze. It's savory and a little sweet. The Truffle Prosciutto was a bit of a surprise. The prosciutto was sliced thicker which gave the sandwich a meatier bite. This sandwich also had creamy fresh mozzarella and a sweet and tart balsamic glaze. The savory and sweet really worked well with this sandwich. We enjoyed the selection of sandwiches. Chances are very good that we'll get sandwiches from Firenze again before we get to try them in Italy, which is just fine by me.

Sherwin C.

Yelp

We had these sandwiches catered into our office and I was amazed at how incredibly flavorful the roasted veggie sandwich was. Every single element in the sandwich was distinct and incredibly flavorful, especially the roasted red pepper, summer squash, and zucchini which all retained a good amount of firmness. The pesto really tied all the different elements together well with a bit of provolone for a small amount of fat and roasted red onion to give a bit of extra umami. The small bit of acid provided by the balsamic glaze really helped to add some body to the overall sandwich which was housed perfectly in a flavorful schiacciata bread which was perfectly chewy. I can't wait to try more delicious items from this restaurant in the future.

Allison N.

Yelp

I work nearby and this is my favorite place to pickup lunch! Food tastes fresh and is always ready on time. Price is good. I will continue to keep coming here!

Claire Y.

Yelp

The bread is super crispy and well seasoned. The pesto sauce is super tasty, pairs very well with the fresh mozzarella cheese. The best pesto chicken sandwiches I've had! Highly recommend

Tim O.

Yelp

Fresh and tasty sandwiches. I remembered them as being small even for lunch portions but I struggled to finish two of the three I ordered for lunch. Less flamboyant than what you'd find on the streets of Florence, but by all measures more artisanal than most other lunch options that happen to be close to your office.

Tom S.

Yelp

So good I had to go back for a second sandwich! Would recommend anything on the menu, best sandwiches I've had in Chicago.

Dawn D.

Yelp

Got the Caprese and chips while it was okay the bread should be toasted not hard as a rock. Truly disappointed in paying $12 for lunch and not being able to finish my sandwich because the bread was hard as a rock

Jess L.

Yelp

Best sandwich I've ever had. To curb the addiction I've had to teach myself how to make it at home cuz it's that good. Prosciutto and Mozz is my fave.

Daniel N.

Yelp

We went to Florence a few years ago and got the real thing. These taste very similar! I think the portions are surprisingly a little smaller than in Italy, but I'd say one sandwich and a bag of chips can get you full. The bread is crispy and the combo of every ingredient is so fresh and flavorful. My favorite was the spicy sandwich and then the truffle prosciutto. The chicken ones were good too, but I prefer the Italian meats on sandwiches like these.

Payal P.

Yelp

Great sandwich spot! Tried the Roasted Veggie and it was amazing. I was surprised at the amount of flavor it had and the different veggies used that I never see in sandwiches. They had a great variety of veggies that were roasted just perfectly. The only reason I took away a star is bc the bread was a little bit crunchy for me, I always prefer really soft bread but was still delicious!

Rohil J.

Yelp

Grabbed a roasted veggie sandwich to-go. The shop was a bit hard to find, but the sandwich was definitely worth it! The Schiacciata bread is pretty hearty and the vegetables/flavors combined well. However, the vegetables were a bit too soft, and I would've appreciated a bit more texture inside the sandwich.

Jennifer R.

Yelp

We came downtown to enjoy the day and decided to stop in at the French Market for lunch. We ended up deciding to try sandwiches from Firenze. I had a half a spicy sandwich which was spicy due to the pepper spread. While it had some heat it was tempered by the other ingredients like the whipped ricotta. I'd order it again. My fiancé had the full sized prosciutto mozzarella sandwich which he enjoyed too. If you're at the French Market I recommend giving the sandwiches at Firenze a try!

Una M.

Yelp

Had to make sure I came back a week later to write a review. This place is fantastic, I ordered online and then planned to bike there to pick it up. I was from out of town and Google maps biking was not at all accurate and I was going to get there after they closed. I called and the owner Alex answered. He was so friendly and called me back and stayed on the phone while I found their restaurant and got my food. A+ customer service plus the prosciutto sandwich and cookie I got was amazing. Idk what they put on that sandwich but I am still thinking about it. The chocolate chip cookie I had was perfect, enough chocolate to dough ratio. When I come back in town you bet I'm going to visit them again, but next time not by bike!

Cara B.

Yelp

wow wow wow ! these sandwiches are next level ! my office orders from Firenze regularly and it never disappoints. The spicy soppresatta is my personal favorite. The chicken pesto is also SO good. honestly you can't go wrong. Alex and Jonathan are very personable and they have a great thing going. 12/10 recommend!

Amy Z.

Yelp

Really great sandwiches!!! I wasn't expecting much but this place really surprised me! The bread has the perfect crisp, the arugula brings in great flavors, and the garlic pesto is incredible. When I was waiting for my order, the people who were sitting at the nearby tables actually got up and personally thanked the workers because of how delicious the sandwiches are - which is saying a lot for just a sandwich! Highly recommend this place, it will not disappoint!

Jackie F.

Yelp

Firenze you have my heart!! One of our kind new vendors catered a variety of sandwiches along with an awesome salad for the office today. "THIS IS SOOO AMAZING" is what I kept thinking as I was eating my caprese sandwich. This is hands down better than any sandwich I have ever had!! SO fresh! The bread is super unique, crispy but still a soft bite - it won't tear your mouth up like you might think when you look at it. I'm not a big sandwich person, but oh my goodness I am now!! This was an unforgettable meal which consisted of: their homemade bread, pesto, roasted eggplant (so good), mozzarella and tomato. The salad was great too: chopped up romaine with roasted veggies mixed in. There was a bowl of diced chicken that came with, along with fresh shaved parmesan and balsamic - they thought of everything. I don't eat meat so I loved that the chicken was on the side. Dear Firenze - You're really super special, I wish you much success and I'm so glad you exist!! Go get a sandwich y'all!!!!

Radhika B.

Yelp

Finally got to try this place! Had their special veggie sandwhich which had just the right thickness. A lot of times when I eat vegetarian sandwiches they are overly filled and very difficult to eat. No this one! The zucchini and other vegetables were extremely thinly sliced and the pesto and balsamic vinegar gave such great flavors to this sandwich! Going to try all of their sandwiches over the next month!

Sejal P.

Yelp

Loved the roasted veggie sandwich here. Stopped by to grab it and they made it within a couple minutes! The flavors were great and it was fresh!

Kathryn H.

Yelp

Don't waste any more time! Go get yourself one of these amazing sandwiches! The ingredients are fresh and the bread is to die for!

Stacy H.

Yelp

my favorite sandwich place! only downside is price. i got the spicy and fell in love. first off, the bread (schiacciata) is amazing and has the perfect amount of crisp. in between, we have the spicy soppressata, arugula, honey ricotta, caramelized onions, and pepper sauce. i also love the prosciutto mozzarella but the spicy is the best. you can also ask for medium or hot spice levels. if you don't like any of the chef-suggested sandwiches, you can also make your own. like i said at the beginning. it's pretty pricey. you're paying a hefty $9 for a sandwich that you can devour in a few minutes. my suggestion is bigger portions or thicker inside ingredients. i also want to mention this place has great customer service. my friends and i were waiting for our sandwich due to some delays and the owner offered each of us chips on the house!

Danielle A.

Yelp

Holy sandwich! I love the French Market, and this is a welcome addition. My wife and I stopped by during a downtown food crawl and grabbed one sandwich to share. FATAL MISTAKE. I'll never get just one sandwich at this place, again. Even still, that one sandwich--proscuitto, grilled veggies, pesto, provolone, and that crusty-but-light bread--was life-changing. My preggo wife hasn't stopped talking about it since. And for good reason!

Kaykham S.

Yelp

Horrible experience! Placed the app order and wasn't even told that order couldn't be fulfilled until I got there! Had to find lunch somewhere else!!!

Eman S.

Yelp

I CANNNNNNNOTTTT SAY ENOUGH about this place ... MY favorite sandwich of all time . The bread is so special and so delicious !!!! ! After exploring Tuscany and being blown away by the famous ALL' antico VINAIO schiacciata sandwich ! I was so so happy to see Firenze showing Chicago a piece of Tuscan glory . They are amazing ! Really job well done on the bread ! I agree about the perfect review of this establishment . Runnn to French market and try the prosciutto/ mozzarella / truffle cream sauce. Or my favorite one of the pesto sandwiches .... JUST A VERRRY enjoyable & perfect sandwich . I buy two at a time gobbling one up ( like a maniac ) on street on my walk home after working in the neighborhood ( AND OF COURSE ONE FOR LATER ;)))

Abby B.

Yelp

We stopped by on a trip to the Chicago French Market and I think this might be one of our new favorite shops. Firenze brought back memories of studying abroad in Florence years ago; everything from the bread, to the meat, to the balsamic drizzle was perfect. My only wish is that they were a little more generous with the toppings. That's not me trying to be a gluttonous American- every sandwich I got in Florence was loaded with tons of toppings and I would've loved to see more of all the goodness inside the sandwich. I would definitely swing by here during my next trip to the CFM!

Daniel G.

Yelp

The chicken pesto sandwich is one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Absolutely amazing. The turkey sandwich was very good too; but the chicken pesto sandwich is one of those meals that's worth coming out of your way for. Very easy 5 stars.

Emily C.

Yelp

This was legitimately the best sandwich I've ever had. In my life. My entire life. It was so amazing. I had the spicy. Should I go for dinner? The answer is yes.

L L.

Yelp

This food stall inside the French Market has an amazing spicy Sopressata sandwich and Roasted Vegetables with Chicken salad. It's a bit expensive but worth it. Service was quick.

Ana-Marie P.

Yelp

This is my favorite lunch place! I go here almost everyday. I absolute love their roasted vegetable chicken salad. Generous portion and fresh ingredients! Their paninis are just like the ones I've had in Italy. Fast, friendly service!

Harpreet M.

Yelp

I have been to Rome and Milan and live in NYC, but by far the best sandwiches I ever had were at Firenze. Very vegetarian friendly. I got the Caprese and the Vegetarian and both were delicious. Located in the French Market, there is plenty of seating around. Makes for a great lunch option. I just wish they were open earlier, but I am also one of the few people that wants/craves a sandwich for breakfast

Suzanne W.

Yelp

I ordered 2 sandwiches from here. They were both delicious. The only reason for not giving 5 stars- both sandwiches were loaded with onions when nowhere in the description does it mention onions. I'm allergic so it's a problem. The chicken Florentine and the chicken pesto both came with an enormous amount of onions which were disgusting and no where in the description does it mention onions.

Alice G.

Yelp

good sandwiches, but not incredible. if you had been to florence and is craving a panino, this will just barely fulfill your cravings. breading was thin and rough but was generously stuffed inside. warning: the spicy is super spicy!!!!!

Misa T.

Yelp

Honestly one of my favorite lunch spots in the French market. I've only tried the prosciutto mozzarella and I haven't tried anything else because I like that one so much! Delicious prosciutto, fresh sliced mozzarella, arugula, truffle cream and balsamic glaze. Schiacciata bread is wonderful by the way, it may look a bit hard but it doesn't tear up the roof of your mouth, it's super crunchy! The only thing is I just wish there was a tad bit more sauce and a little bit more toppings. I'm still a little hungry after I eat one of these but they are so good!

Ariana G.

Yelp

YUM! Firenze Italian Street Food is mixed in with a bunch of other vendors at the French Market in Ogilvie station but boy does it stand out! Street food has always been one of my favorites and this vendor truly brings me back to days spent in Italy. They have sandwich and salad options (no pasta) and you can either make your own or choose from one of many options on their menu. I opted for the Tuscan Turkey on their homemade focaccia and I savored every bite. The staff members are friendly and the sandwiches are around $9.00. All of the ingredients look fresh and sandwiches are made to order. I am only in Chicago for about 72 hours but I might stop by again for lunch tomorrow it was so good!

Charles M.

Yelp

Considering the food options available, this one glowingly stands out at the French Market. 2 things that I absolutely loved about Firenze. The fresh roasted vegi which I had slathered in the balsamic glaze(Which was perfectly balanced) and the bread. OMG the bread.... Perfect crust and soft, chewy center. I tried a sample dipped in pesto. I'm so hungry thinking about it. I want more! I ended up getting the caprese. I also added more vegi's and then topped it with the honey infused Riccotta. It was a Fri during lent and this was a perfect option. Delish! The thing that stands out most is the quality. I loved how fresh everything tasted and they used amazing olive oil on the sandwich. Get one and I promise it will live up to the hype!

Daniel J.

Yelp

This place is amazing!! Bread is fantastic - feels like I'm back in Italy...can't miss the sandwiches; like nothing else in Chicago!! Fresh cooked vegetables...chopped Italian salad is on point.

Rima M.

Yelp

This joint is in the French Market in he Ogilvie station building. My co-workers walked passed and one of the guys behind the counter offered us some freshly made focaccia bread. That was it!!! We all ordered sandwiches and salads and all the food was delicious! The guys behind the counter were friendly, helpful and very engaging in telling us about the food and making recommendations. Of course I'll be back and so will my coworkers!

Scott B.

Yelp

Amazing!!! The food is better than it looks - fresh and great portion. Check out this caprese salad! Can't wait to try something else - the sandwiches look in Today is the second time I have catered for my company and it sure won't be the last - this food is absolutely incredible. Third time catering for my company. I ask them what they want and they literally say "Firenze." Hard to believe but it gets better each Now the fourth time and my staff wants

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391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Chicago-Area Restaurant Openings For Winter 2018 | Eater Chicago

"An Italian sandwich-and-salad stall inside a major market, serving Italian-style sandwiches and salads to market visitors." - Ashok Selvam

54 Postcards · 2 Cities

54 Postcards · 2 Cities