Violet G.
Yelp
We were excited to find this place advertising "authentic Italian sandwiches"! I grew up in Chicago and I know what an authentic Italian beef tastes like. We hoped that it would be good, but it was disappointing.
First of all, the price was shocking! $16.95 for a sandwich is high, but then when you add an 18% "service" charge to it, our 2 sandwiches came out to $43.05 (with about $3 tax). $43 for 2 sandwiches and NO SERVICE! You order at the counter, this is a no-frills sandwich shop, and they bring it to your table when it's ready. $6 for bringing it to our table - geez! Our sandwiches were served in paper baskets (like in a fast-food place) with plastic utensils (we had to ask for).
We ordered the "Chicago Way" beef sandwiches. It was NOT an authentic Italian beef sandwich. The beef was cooked right, sliced right, looked right - but it lacked the flavor you get in Chicago. It needed pepper and whatever spices that are normally used. And then, there was no giardiniera! Instead, they used flavorless garlic cloves (we couldn't identify what they were; thought it was some cubed tuber vegetable). And some little red sweet peppers:( Wrong, wrong, wrong. The au jus was almost flavorless, too. The only thing they got right was the bread - it was perfect! Their menu says it's freshly baked. It tastes like the classic Turano bread.
I also went next door and got a glass of Nebbiolo wine. It was good, but it was a small pour. And my $14 glass of wine, ended up costing me over $18!!! Because again, they charged 18 or 20% "service" charge. $2.80 is a lot to charge for pouring a glass of wine.
My husband and I are people who tip well. But we pay for REAL service.
In Summary: We left feeling ripped off by Torino Panino and Ancora Vino. We will vote with our wallets and we will NOT be back! I suggest that more diners start refusing to pay these ridiculous NON-SERVICE fees and go to other restaurants - there are many - that don't charge these fees and give you value for your dining dollars.