The Original Nottoli & Son

The Italian sandwich I picked up from Nottoli was incredible. Every layer of meat tasted fresh and full of flavor. The Volpi salami had a rich bite, the prosciutto cotto was tender, the hot capicollo brought just enough heat, and the mortadella tied everything together with that smooth, classic taste. The provolone added the right amount of sharpness without taking over. What really pushed it over the top was the bread. Soft on the inside with a light crunch on the outside and it tasted like it was baked that morning. You can tell they care about their ingredients because nothing felt processed or thrown together. It is the kind of sandwich where you finish it and immediately think about ordering another. If you are anywhere near Nottoli this is one of those things you should try at least once.

Good old fashioned Italian deli I've had on the "want to go" list forever and finally got to go. You can order a la carte deli items such as salads meats and keep it a lighter lunch if you wish like I did today. I'll definitely be back for more when I'm in the area! Seating is limited and tight, benches and some outdoor tables.

Pot roast sandwich phenomenal. Macaroni salad amazing. I cant say anymore. It was very good soft and juicy. The roast juice was soaked up by the bread. Chicken parm juicy not dry. A great experience. A very palatable encounter!!!

I’m from the country and a college buddy used to bring this sausage to school. Finally got to visit this weekend and what a beautiful authentic gem this establishment is. Great sandwich, macaroni salad, and I got frozen sausage to take back!

Loved hearing customers talking about their favorite items amongst each other and commenting on someones beef who had just unrolled it right in the store at the table. As well as conversing with the (I presume) owner as we wait 10 customers deep. 3 ladies were working as quickly as they could to fill orders. With signs around the store mentioning they are short staffed currently and looking to hire. A 3% surcharge for card purchases as noted in the window. They pulled the beef straight from their vat of juice and beef in the counter display and loaded up what I thought was going to be a scrawny sandwich for the price. Thick aluminum foil wrapping and a deli ticket with my sandwich options kept this sandwich hot and the bag dry. Extremely soft and supple beef slices with smaller shreds and bits throughout the sandwich. Visible spice on paper is good to see Not much heat from the spices on their own, but enough for it to not be bland without giardanra. It's slightly thicker beef than I prefer but excellent overall flavor, though Michael's in Oak Park still has the best flavor currently for me. The biggest thing that you need to know is that this was $6.55 before tax. Where are you gonna find such an amazing beef UNDER $7? I'll wait cause in 2024-2025, there isn't much left at that price point. If you haven't gone here, you need to make it a priority the next time you want a beef... and then also while you are there, it's a grocery and deli as well! Parking is hell because this very specific crossroads has many no turns, but if you look for parking and make a quick walk, it will be well worth your time. 4.5/5 (for the beef at least taking into account the cost.)

I been going here for years since I was a kid.I love you guys so much. You guys never fail with the service, the freshness, and flavor. Betty and Cassidy were wonderful 😊 thank you for your service. Love your sandwiches because they have fresh bread love your meatballs. The sauce is to die for

I cannot say enough good things. I’ve been coming here for years. Today I happened to be in the area and stopped in. Macaroni salad, 9” Italian sub, lemon taralli. All excellent. The taralli dough tasted like bread my grandmother used to make and the glaze was perfect. Great solid sandwiches, awesome sides. This place is a gem.

Everything about this place was amazing!! Such an awesome selection of quality foods! Had a couple different sandwiches and they were top notch!!!

Im SO happy to have finally checked this one off the bucket list ! Very cute, small and quaint shop located right off of Belmont. They have an array of variations and several different assortments of Italian seasonings, sides, desserts, sauces, frozen pizza, cans of goodies for all of your main dishes and not to mention fresh bread! Service was friendly and efficient! We got there right before noon on a weekday afternoon and it started getting packed quickly! Their 12 inch sandwiches are HUGE. We really enjoyed their arranchini ! It's the best one I've ever had and the second best one my husband has ever had next to the ones he tried in actual Italy! Loved their chewy texture and offering it warmed up with sauce. Delectable and simply devine! Would love to come back to try their breaded steak sandwich ! You can't go wrong with whatever you order. Their homemade spicy sausage is also amazing! Decently affordable for the quality that you're getting. They take both cash and card. Really enjoyed the old school Italian Chicago neighborhood vibes!

Always fresh food. Service is quick and friendly. Best subs in the city. Italian sausage is the best

Wow, what a great place. Can get busy during lunch. My tip is to order a head of time and it will be ready when you arrive!

Great sandwiches, the mama Rita is a stand out, best tuna . Wonderful selection of frozen meals and Italian specialties. The service is fast arrive early or expect a line. It moves fast and is definitely worth the wait.

Omg the best sub in the city. Generous toppings. Excellent service. Nice little store in lovely neighborhood.

The only place I ever seen offer a braciole sandwich and it is the bomb. Best sandwich around town. If your Italian you gotta try this sandwich its takes me back to when I was a kid going to nona's house.

Came here for lunch on Friday was in the area and was in the mood for Italian deli. Was impressed with all the meals I saw in the freezer, and fresh things behind the deli windows. They have something for everyone! I ordered the Two fingers braciole Sandwich. It's tender round top beef with, Romano, mozzarella, provolone, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, with marinara sauce. On a ciabatta bun. Got the combo and picked out bag of BBQ chips and coke. Hot lunch is heart warming; can tell it's prepared with love and care. I've heard of braciole but this was my first time having it. Gotta come back and explore more of the menu.

solid place. amazing sausage for a really good price. nice people. good vibe. highly recommend the mild fennel sausage

Dunning neighborhood gem! The perfect place to get your authentic Italian fix. They sell an array of sandwiches, pasta, etc. and more! You can order down the line, choose from their hot bar, or grab something from their frozen section. I got the combo sandwich which contains Italian beef and sausage combined! I screwed up and forgot to add Giardiniera but I know for next time. Overall a solid sandwich. The arancini was my absolute favorite. First, that thing is huge! Tasted super fresh and comes with a side of marinara. I ordered only 1 and you can easily share with someone. Next time, I want to try their pasta and grab stuff from their frozen section!

A rare gem of a place with lots of food options and great service. The sub sandwiches are piled high with fresh ingredients. Who needs to cook?

Was there on Thursday. First time at Nottoli & Son. Bought some frozen sausage pizza, meatballs, marinara sauce for later. Also got 2 desserts (cannoli cake slice, tiramisu slice) and fresh mozzarella salad. For sandwiches got Dante's Inferno, Italian, Combo (beef&sausage). All delicious. Wanted to try the Two Fingers braciole sandwich but they were out of braciole so ended up getting a potroast sandwich---and glad I did. WOW. Was so excited to try the food I forgot to ask for peppers etc. But not even needed. Id recommend everything but my favorite was the potroast sandwich that had loads of meat and the sausage on my combo was REALLY REALLY good too. So I'll be back!

Everything is fresh and delicious. The only negative thing I have to say is the hours they close pretty early and the availability because the meatloaf sandwich can be sold out from time to time. Other than that this place is amazing

One of the best things about Chicago is these Italian deli and shops. The Original Nottoli and Son is known for their sausage and for their sandwiches. They also have frozen and dried foods as well as prepared salads and hot food. So many delicious options. The bad news for us is that we had already picked up sandwiches so we didn't get any sandwiches this day. The good news is, we are definitely coming back to try some of the sandwiches. We did pick up a spinach and cheese and a beef arancini. The beef was our favorite. We also picked up some packages of frozen pasta. They also carry a nice selection of breads and pasta sauces too. You can pretty much find anything to eat on the spot or to take with you to eat later. We can't wait to get back to try their sandwiches and pick up some more delicious Italian food.

You must go to this place !! Hot foods and everything was excellent. You can eat it ~ not many tables but good atmosphere. Surprised at how friendly everyone was, for Chicago. Close to airport so you can get food to go. Best SAUSAGE!

The phone orders IL never do it again additute is very caki and the owner put alot off I remember when he came and learned how to make aranchini by us wow no remembereing nothing I guess success cover all from a old time costumer .From a block Away

Located in The Elmwood Park suburb of Chicago, The Original Nottolj & Son is one of the greatest Italian Deli's located in The Chicago area. Delicious sandwiches. Great service. 5 out of 5 star rating.

Order sausage to bring back to Nashville. We love the hot Italian sausage. For us, the best around. Now my neighbors ask to bring some back for them.

I have been going to Nottoli for a few years. Usually to pick up sausage for trips out of town. Their food is delicious and it is no wonder there is a line out the door sometimes. I usually grab a sandwich while there. The pot roast sandwich is fantastic. Lean and tender on good bread. The sausage is phenomenal. Many people have rated it the best Italian sausage in Chicago. I haven't found better anywhere. If I were to caution anything about their store it would be to have patience. Everything is made fresh and it is a popular place so lunchtime is busy and you may be there a while.

This is a must try. The sandwiches are the bomb. Had the Italian, pot roast and meat ball. All three were fantastic. Great place to sit outside. Great neighborhood vibe and lots of history in this place. You won't be disappointed.

I went out of my way to try a sub from here and I'm glad I did as it was one of the best I've had, and the long line that developed in this tiny store shortly after I arrived was the proof. Of course since I did go out of my way I had to 'load up'. I tried a pasta and a sausage and a meatball from the hot entree table. Everything but the meatball was excellent. It was very small and flavorless. Loved the sauce on the pasta and the fennel spiced sausage and the Italian sub. I should have brought home some sausage too, as so many others were no doubt ordering for a weekend cookout. Next time for sure.

We have been here several times and usually never have an issue or a concern. Food is usually great and we usually fill up a cooler. Today I was just glad I didn't get the Italian Beef sandwich for two reasons. One the lady restocking everything used her bare hands to put beef in the warming tray in the case and two, a lady ordered a sandwich, went outside and then brought it back with some complaint about it needing something. The worker took the sandwich and used utensils used to make fresh sandwiches to add whatever the lady wanted... no idea if that lady had her fingers all in that sandwich or if she licked it. No clue.. what we got was good as usual and I hope today wasn't the new norm of standards.

Arancini's: I appreciate how they have equal portions throughout. Meat and Peas- the texture was different because I think they cook the gravy, meat, and peas together, and scoop a good amount of the concoction into the middle. Spinach ad Ricotta- my fav! Super creamy and mixed well. Tiramisu- was not a fan. Had a very different flavor, not sure if it was hazelnut or what but it was very strong. Meatball sub- AmazeBALLS! American and Turkey subs were good. The fresh baked bread really makes a difference

A local Italian deli that serves some great sandwiches and a very cheap price. The deli not only sells sandwiches but like any other Italian deli serves fresh, bread, Italian cheeses and pastas. We took home a nine inch Italian sandwich and a nine inch meatball sandwich. On the Italian, the bread was fresh and soft packed with cheese, tomato, lettuce, salami, prosciutto and capicola. Everything tasted fresh and would order it again. The meatball sandwich was also good. I ordered it with mozzarella and tasted great. A nine inch was very filling and could only eat half of it. They offer other sandwiches both cold and hot that I would mind trying. Will definitely be returning.

I'm a sucker for a good Italian deli. This place really meets my criteria. It's got a great selection of fresh sliced deli meats and cheeses, delightful prepared foods that will make your mouth water just by looking at them, very helpful and personable staff, and some of the best fresh made deli sandwiches I've seen in a long time. Their Italian sub is one of my favorites. Stuffed full of choice meats on some of the absolute best bread!! They know how to get you to come back. And the 9" sub is so cheap and makes for 2 good meals! One of the most interesting menu items is the pickle sub where those large pickles are cut in half and used instead of the bread! I'm determined to try one of those soon. Where else can you find that??? If you're in the area and craving a good lunch, you owe it to yourself to stop by.

I was going to go into full detail but it's too much. Small place- nobody greets customers at all and they stand there waiting to be called on wondering if they're noticed. I waiting at the register for over 5 minutes waiting to order before they acknowledged me. Lots of them LOOKED AT ME, but nobody acknowledged me. Not even a smile. It was weird. Staff is not friendly at all Owner seems miserable- also has pictures all over the wall of him as a wrestler .... Ordered the online "special of the day" on THEIR website for $12.99. Well- I TRIED ordering two but they said they only had enough meat for one.. After that. they charged me $15.69 for the one they could scrape up- and said prices changed. No sorry, nothing. Just "it is what it is" .. I explained that's the price on their website- she said "I know but it changed." The women working behind the counter look like they would get yelled at if they ever approached the owner about an issue. Food was ok. Garlic spread on the bread was great. I would never go back here. I recently went to the "unaffiliated" Nottoli on Harlem- phenomenal food and service. Truly. I expected similar here. Not even close. I will never go back to the Nottoli on Belmont. Disappointed in myself for not walking out and giving them my business at all.

Everything here is delicious, but if you're looking for something different try the pot roast sandwich , very lean meat and tender as can be. Every sub or hot sandwich is a home run. So you can't go wrong with anything you order.

If you want a great classic Italian sandwich at a literally unbeatable price, you have found it. The bread is really fresh and has a nice crusty crunch. Or crunchy crust if that makes you feel better. The meats were also a standout. I could actually taste the individual cuts. It is crowded..and cramped, and a little confusing when you come in for the first time. Grab a number and wait. They'll get to you and you'll be happy for it. There is a long table inside with seating for about a dozen people, as well as some tables outside if the weather is good. Look, your not going to taste any new flavors here, but your going to experience something done right. If you need to scratch that classic sub itch, you wont find anyone doing it better.

You can't get more authentic than this. Tiny little store with outdoor tables. Prior to COVID they had a counter you could sit down. I was impressed by how genuine they are. There's a sign that very politely suggests that being short staffed will not take away from their desire to provide great food and service. Another listing tells you the additional percentage if you use a credit card versus a debit card. Honest and forthright. When they say "homemade" or "finest Ingredients" you believe it. They have been recognized by numerous outlets as the best for great reason. We went a little overboard. 9 inch vegetable sub 9 inch Italian sub Focaccia bread Meatballs Vodka sauce Marinara sauce Italian sausage stuffed spicy peppers We ate the subs immediately and we really enjoyed them. Too big! No dinner for us tonight. We are looking forward to the rest on another few days. Genuine and delicious!!

I LOVE this place!!! Been working in the area and getting lunch from here 3 times a week lately. ALL of their food is very good! Haven't had a bad thing yet! Definitely beats any fast food joint! And reasonably priced! Wait can be a little long sometimes, but worth it!

Mr George Nottoli called me personally and clarified my misunderstanding regarding two stores with the same name. The Original Nattoli on Belmont is our favorite store!

Just so good. Ordered a turkey pesto panini, spinach and ricotta arancini & deluxe pasta salad. The panini and the rice ball were delicious, could not stop eating even though it was too much food. Have not tried the pasta salad yet, I'm sure it's going to be good too. Don't expect to be in and out, they're always busy, so be patient, order ahead if you can, it's not always possible.

What a happy find this adorable Italian deli is! Yelp brought us here and it is becoming our regular lunch stop on the way home from Costco now that we've found it. Their Italian Sub is perfection. The bread is fantastic and the quality ingredients they use make this sandwich quite special. I had my eye on the chicken parmigiana sandwich on focaccia on our last visit and it was a WOW! It was big enough that I shared about 1/3 of it with my husband. He loved it as much as I did - even after he'd powered through his Italian Sub! Service is great here, too. The folks behind the counter are smiling and really take great care of their customers. Definitely destined to be regulars here!

Always great food, the staff alone is worth the trip. Always make a point to stop when I'm in the area. The sausage is my go to staple and the eggplant is fantastic!

I don't recall how I discovered this place, and I'm both sad and happy that I did. Happy: best subs in the entire world Sad: I don't live in Chicago anymore :-( When I lived in Chicago, I'd head to Elmwood cemetery on Cumberland where my dad is buried on a regular basis. Nottoli's isn't far from there. The first time I got a sub from here, I was hooked. I made special trips. I brought them to my mom, who also appreciates an excellent sub. I tried arancini for the first time ever, and those too were delicious. Now that I live in Oregon, I don't even bother trying to find anything worthy. But I'm planning a trip back to Chicago this summer, and I'll definitely stop here. PLEASE don't go anywhere! A crappy Walgreen's replaced the best pizza place in the world, Tonelli's (in Northbrook), and I now live in fear that all the best places will be gone when I get back there and I'll wander the streets of a dystopian landscape, weeping in despair. I am totally not joking.

This is a great neighborhood Italian Deli. Everything here is good from the sandwiches, pasta, and sausage as you can't go wrong. The staff here rocks even when things get hectic. Shout out to George for being professional and friendly. I only wish they have extended hours.

Great subs and fabulous rigatoni in vodka sauce. Gets crowded at lunch so if you can get them to pick up the phone ordering ahead is the way to go!

The area around Harlem Avenue, just south of Interstate 90, about twenty miles NW of downtown Chicago, has truly become the area's new "Little Italy." There are literally dozens of Italian-centric delis, markets, bakeries and restaurants. I've looked at a couple of them before, including another deli named "Nottoli" (no relation I am told), a restaurant/pizza called "Dino's," (superb pizza), and a market and take out operation, "Rex." This particular Nottoli I became aware of due to shouting on the internet saying it was absolutely the best, and also being featured on a local tv program called "Chicago's Best." (Irony). My goodies from Nottoli? An Italian Beef Combo sandwich (combo means with a sausage nestled in the beef), an entree of sausage and peppers, some repacked Cerignola olives, several pounds of fresh Italian sausage for the freezer) a loaf of bread and a pound of meatballs. The Italian beef was one of the best I have had anywhere, ever. It came "baptized" (completely dipped in au jus) so it was quite messy, but isn't messy food the most bigly funniest? The olives were a real disappointment, as the giant Cerignola red olives should be very firm and bursting with woodsy flavor (I cure olives at home, so like the insurance company ad says "I know a thing or two.") These were lifeless and mushy. I suspect this happens when a quantity is taken from a vat of intense brine and they are repacked in smaller containers in a water bath. Just no. Meatballs were fine, good flavor, good texture, but I prefer the ones at Rex, they have a much more intense flavor of fennel and garlic. Bread? Superb. Sausage and peppers? Same great sausage as in the Italian beef, so no complaints there. If you love Italian food, take an afternoon and plot a course for this neighborhood, have a pizza, buy some treats at the Sicilia Bakery (which I will write about in a bit), and then hit one or more markets. The markets also stock dry and canned goods imported from Italy. The other Nottoli has the largest selection in that realm.

It's very rare I'm in this area and when I am, there's no intent to eat or check out any new places but here I was in the area, was hungry, and didn't want to be stuck in traffic so I decided to check out the Original Nottoli & Son and boy I'm glad I did. Since I'm not in the area often I decided to splurge a bit and got 3 sandwiches. I went with the Italian beef & Sausage Combo, the 2 Fingers Braciole Sandwich, and the Prosciutto Sub. Let's talk about the Italian Beef & Sausage Combo. It was really good. I think I'm boldly going to say it's one of the best I've had in the city. I'm not a big Italian beef guy. I think it's pretty overrated when it comes to food (quality etc) but this one wasn't as bad. If I want an Italian Beef and sausage sandwich, I'm pretty sure I would want to go to Notolli's first before I go to Portillos. The 2 Fingers Braciole sandwich was absolutely delicious! I was so surprised by how much flavors are exploding in this sandwich. I have no idea what I was eating to be honest with you, but whatever I was eating was so fulfilling. The bread was great, the meat was good, the cheese, sauce and everything else that was in the sandwich was a perfect compliment to each other. Finally the last sandwich I got was the Prosciutto. The baguette or bread sandwich that it came with was phenomenal. Felt like I was in Paris again eating the bread. It was crunchy, but it was the perfect crunch. Not to hard, not to soft, just absolutely perfect. The prosciutto was solid as well with the mozarella and it was exploding with flavor for every bite. Man I just finished the leftovers of this sandwich and I absolutely devoured it. This place is awesome. I'm very impressed. I don't like giving out 5 stars frequently but because of the decently priced sandwiches and the deliciousness of them, I can't help but give this place 5 stars.

I heard by word of mouth that this place had one of, if not, the best giardiniera in the city so off I went. Holy smokes was I surprised when I walked in the door. First off, they fit A LOT into a small place. Second, every single thing looks amazing and I wanted to buy it all. I cannot wait to go back time and time again now that we live in the neighborhood. This is what your dream of when you think about an Italian deli! Wow

Every time I come here, it's been such a positive experience! They literally prepare ur food with love Would give 10 stars if I could

After hearing a lot about this spot I was excited to try it. My first experience didn't blow me away and if they didn't have such a good menu I'm not sure I'd have gone back regularly. I got the Italian sub the first time, it came with volpi salami, prosciutto cotto, capicollo, mortadella, provolone, lettuce, tomato and onion. I had them add a little mayo and got the pepper spread on the side. The pepper spread basically eats like giardiniera relish. The bread was on the softer side but had that nice tug and slight chew to it in a good way. Not tough at all. Overall I didn't love the Italian sub but it was still good. However, the show stopper is the pot roast sandwich. Although I'm satisfied with much of what I eat I'm not often wow'd. This sandwich wow'd me after the first bite. Imagine if the steroid era of MLB met an Italian Beef. That's this sandwich! It has some similarities in flavor but the texture is different. I got it with the garlic spread. Not sure what it's like without it and don't want to know what it's like without it bc it was that good. The big chunks of meat melted like butter. The only negative is with the rising cost of meat this isn't exactly a cheap eat. A 12 inch sandwich is 14.95 and 15.95 with the garlic spread. With that being said its worth every penny. Enjoy!

Great food great service. The waiting time for service is fine and tolerable. The store hours are a little short.

Takes a bit of time to get through the line but boy was it worth it! My meatball sub was amazing and others I was with loved their pasta and other goodies as well. Have yet to try the chicken parm but will be next on the list. Looked delicious.

THE SPOT!!! Best sandwich I've ever had!! Best Italian sausage I've ever had!! I refuse to go anywhere else. You will not find anything better in the chicago or suburbs.

Best sub sandwiches on the northwest side. The tuna they use in the subs tastes like the tuna my Mom made when I was a kid. I'm 68 years young. Service is always good, with smile's on all faces and always friendly attitudes. Owner is usually there and is a wrestler from the old days. What more can you ask for. Highly recommend. Great sausage!

Excellent Italian sandwiches, hot entrees, and Italian grocery goodies. The sausage and meatballs are among the best available in Chicagoland.

While having lunch here I decided to take home some of there take home items and after having them I can now review them. I took home a pound of there fresh house made Italian sausage and a sausage pizza. The mild Italian sausage was lean with an easy to chew casing with nice flavor that I put in the spicy mostaccioli and sausage dish that I made. The sausage pizza with garlic spread was something I have never seen and I'm stealing the idea for my kitchen. The pizza was very tasty and didn't taste like a conventional pizza because it was like a sausage pizza on thin garlic bread minus the red sauce flavor from a conventional pizza, everything is better on garlic bread. When I find my self close to Chicago again I'm heading over and I'm going to take home a couple bags of their house made items since I live so far away. I would definitely recommend stopping by if you are anywhere with in a 100 miles of the place and grab some good stuff.

Great old-school Italian deli. Their hot Italian sausage is the best this Chicago native ever had, and I have had a large sampling to compare with in the past several decades. The pot roast submarine is a treasure, and the side dishes are just like they were made by your favorite Aunt. Call ahead and the line won't be too bad, but in any event worth the wait.

Love their sandwiches! The summer means walking to Nottoli for subs during lunch and they are all good. My husbands favorite is the American and I prefer their chicken cutlet sandwich warmed or the Classico. Both are fantastic and I love that the fresh tastes fresh without it being too crumbly like other sub places.