This Tiny Illinois Restaurant Makes Massive 16-Inch Subs That Are Almost Too Big To Finish

A sandwich shop that sells subs by the foot, all the way up to six feet long, has my full attention. The everyday menu stretches from a modest 6-inch to a 16-inch monster and even a 3-foot sub.

This little Illinois deli has been stacking meats on bread since 1960. It sits inside a small Italian grocery, with shelves of goods just steps from the counter. I like how that makes lunch feel like a neighborhood errand.

The bread comes from a classic Chicago bakery. The giardiniera is made in-house, and the hot peppers carry real heat. A famous food critic once called it a serious sub shop, and Zagat later named it the best sandwich shop in the nation.

So how big is too big for lunch? I believe the 16-inch sub was built to answer that exact question.

Sixteen Inches Of Sandwich Is A Bold Way To Spend Your Lunch Hour

Most sandwich menus stop at a footlong and call it a day. Fontano’s Subs keeps right on going, offering 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16-inch sizes on its regular menu.

That 16-inch option is the star of this story. It’s longer than many school rulers, and it shows up stuffed with meats, cheese, and toppings.

Here’s a smart move for first-timers. Order the big one with a friend and split it down the middle.

Of course, you could tackle it solo. Just know that a sandwich this long might turn lunch into lunch and dinner.

The size range is honestly the best part. A light eater can grab a 6-inch while a hungry teenager goes all in.

Everyone at the table gets the same flavors in a portion that fits. That makes group orders a lot less stressful. And if 16 inches still sounds too small?

The shop also sells a 3-foot sub for serious appetites.

I can’t imagine a better way to settle an argument about who’s the biggest eater. Let the sandwich decide, and bring plenty of napkins along for the ride.

You Are Ordering At The Shop Where It All Started In 1960

Back in 1960, a little sub shop opened its doors in Chicago’s Little Italy. That original spot is still serving sandwiches today.

Fontano’s Subs on Polk Street is considered the first location of the family of shops. Other Fontano’s spots came later, but this is the starting point.

Think about how many lunches that means. More than six decades of people have walked up to this counter hungry.

Some customers grew up coming here with their parents. Now they return for the same sandwiches and a little dose of nostalgia.

The shop calls itself a place with history, and it earns that label. It feels like a neighborhood deli because that’s exactly what it has always been.

There’s no fancy decor or trendy menu board chasing the latest fad. The focus stays on good bread, sliced meats, and generous fillings.

I like that a place can stick around this long by doing one thing well. Trends come and go, but a solid Italian sub never really goes out of style.

That staying power says plenty about the food. Sixty-plus years is a pretty convincing review all on its own.

Cold Cut Fans Should Head Straight For The Italian Blockbuster

Ham, Genoa salami, capicola, provolone, and Swiss cheese all share one roll. That lineup belongs to the Italian Blockbuster, and the name fits.

Five fillings means every bite gets a little something different. The salami brings a peppery kick, while the capicola adds a gentle spice.

Then there’s the double cheese situation. Provolone and Swiss together give the sandwich a creamy, mellow balance.

Now picture all of that at 16 inches long. That’s a lot of deli counter in one wrapper.

Not a fan of so many meats? The Italian Special and other classic cold subs give you more choices.

The Wiseguy is another popular pick. It stacks prosciuttini, capicola, Genoa salami, and provolone for a bold, salty flavor.

Turkey Breast and Corned Beef round out the options for simpler tastes. Picky eaters will find something here without any trouble.

My advice is to try the Blockbuster first if you love cold cuts. Then come back for the Wiseguy and compare notes.

Picking a favorite might take a few visits. That sounds like a pretty tasty problem to have.

Hot Sandwiches Bring Meatballs, Sausage, And Beef Into The Mix

Cold cuts get plenty of attention here, but the hot side of the menu holds its own. The Meatball Hot Sandwich is one of the shop’s best-known orders.

Meatballs and red sauce on soft bread is pure comfort food. Add provolone, and you’ve got a sandwich that tastes like a cozy Sunday dinner.

Italian sausage is another warm choice worth noticing. Ask for marinara and hot peppers if you like a little fire.

Chicago’s famous Italian beef also lives on this menu. It’s a must-try for anyone visiting the city for the first time.

On Tuesdays, keep an eye out for pot roast. It’s a special that has built quite a following of its own.

Hot sandwiches can get a little messy, especially in bigger sizes. Grab extra napkins before you sit down.

A 16-inch meatball sub is a real commitment. The sauce soaks in, so eating it fresh makes the most sense.

I believe a hot sandwich on a chilly Chicago day is hard to beat. Let the cold-cut crowd have their fun while you warm up.

Go Easy On Those House-Made Peppers Until You Know Your Limit

Giardiniera is a Chicago sandwich staple. Fontano’s Subs makes its own, along with hot peppers and other bottled goods.

If you’ve never tried it, giardiniera is a mix of chopped pickled vegetables and peppers. It adds crunch, tang, and heat to almost anything.

The shop offers both mild and hot versions. Mild gives you flavor without much burn, which is great for beginners.

The hot version earns its name. Those peppers can sneak up on you halfway through a big sandwich.

Here’s a helpful trick for spice rookies. Start with mild on your first visit, then work your way up.

Giardiniera pairs especially well with Italian cold cuts. It cuts through the salty meats and keeps each bite lively.

It also works on hot sandwiches like Italian beef. Many Chicagoans wouldn’t eat a beef any other way.

Since the shop bottles its own goods, you might be able to take some home. Check the shelves when you stop by.

A jar in your fridge means future sandwiches get a Polk Street upgrade. Your homemade turkey on wheat will thank you.

Good Bread Is The Quiet Hero Holding Everything Together

A 16-inch sub needs bread that can handle the pressure. Fontano’s Subs uses Gonnella bread, a name many Chicagoans know well.

Gonnella has been part of the city’s baking scene for a very long time. Its loaves show up in sandwich shops all over town.

Bread choices here include white French, rye, and wheat. That covers the classic options most sub fans want.

The shop pairs that bread with what it calls the finest deli meats. Quality on both ends makes a big difference in a long sandwich.

Weak bread falls apart under heavy fillings and juicy toppings. Sturdy bread keeps your lunch from ending up in your lap.

One tip is to order early in the day. Popular breads can run low as afternoon rolls around.

Toppings stack on easily too. Lettuce, tomato, onions, oil and vinegar, and more can all join the party.

I like that the shop keeps things simple with the bread. There’s no need for a dozen fancy rolls when the basics are done right.

Good bread rarely gets the credit it deserves. Here, it quietly makes every sandwich possible.

Browse The Grocery Shelves While Your Sandwich Gets Built

Lunch comes with a bonus shopping trip at this spot. The sandwich counter sits inside a small Italian grocery store and deli.

Shelves hold Italian products you might not find at a big supermarket. It’s fun to wander while the staff builds your order.

Chips and drinks are close by for a quick add-on. The dessert selection also deserves a look before you pay.

Cannoli and chocolate chip cookies sit on the menu. A little sweet treat makes a giant sub feel like a complete meal.

There’s more than sandwiches, too. Soups rotate with daily specials, and a create-your-own salad is sold by the pound.

The atmosphere stays casual and laid-back. Think neighborhood deli, not fancy restaurant with cloth napkins.

A few tables inside let you eat on the spot. The entrance and seating are also wheelchair accessible.

The shop has a mom-and-pop feel that’s hard to fake. It looks and acts like a place that has served the same blocks for decades.

Grabbing a sandwich and some groceries in one stop? That’s efficient snacking at its finest.

Critics And Zagat Both Handed This Little Shop Big Praise

Chicago Sun-Times food critic Pat Bruno once named this place home to the city’s number one sub. He called it a serious sub shop, and the label stuck.

That’s high praise in a city that takes sandwiches very seriously. Chicago has no shortage of opinions about beef, bread, and peppers.

Then came national attention. In 2012, Zagat named Fontano’s Subs the best sandwich shop in the nation.

The nation is a big place with a lot of sandwiches. Beating all of them is no small feat for a tiny Illinois deli.

Zagat’s food rating later climbed from 25 to 27 in 2014. Getting better after a major award is pretty impressive.

Awards don’t make a sandwich taste good on their own. They do suggest the shop has been consistent for a long time.

The place also has a reputation as a spot where local police grab lunch. That kind of word-of-mouth carries weight in a neighborhood.

I believe recognition like this earns a visit at least once. Then you can decide if the critics got it right.

Plan Your Trip To Little Italy Around These Shop Hours

Finding the shop is easy once you know where to look. Head to 1058 W Polk St, Chicago, IL 60607, in the University Village area.

Longtime Chicagoans also know this neighborhood as Little Italy. It sits close to the University of Illinois Chicago campus.

Timing matters here. Fontano’s Subs is open 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays.

Sundays are closed, so don’t plan a weekend sandwich craving around that day. Saturday afternoons end earlier than you might expect.

Parking on this residential stretch can be tricky. Street spots fill up, and some areas are zoned.

Online ordering helps if you’re short on time. Delivery and takeout are both available, and catering can feed a crowd.

Planning a party? Party subs come in 3, 4, 5, and 6-foot lengths with 48 hours notice.

A six-foot sandwich would steal the show at any Illinois graduation or game day. Just make sure the table is long enough.

Whether you grab a 6-inch or a monster, this neighborhood classic is ready. Your only real job is picking a size.