Pompei Reviews

I was looking for a good place to eat and our hotel staff recommended this restaurant. I visited and was very pleased with the quality and incredible selection. Prices were reasonable and service was great.

In 1909, William Howard Taft was president of the United States, it took 59 days to drive from coast to coast, the NAACP was founded, Robert Peary reached the North Pole, the first race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Honus Wagner-led Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Ty Cobb-led Detroit Tigers in the World Series. And the Pompei restaurant opened on West Taylor Street in Chicago. The family-owned, cafeteria-style venue is still there, serving authentic Italian cuisine, including one of the tastiest plates of mostaccioli in the city. Located at 1531 West Taylor Street, in the University Village neighborhood, in the heart of Little Italy, Pompei also delights customers with pizza, pasta, home-made ravioli, salads, soups and sandwiches. Open daily from 10 to 8, it features many dishes made from old-time family recipes. I started with a bowl of minestrone baked with a slice of toasted bread under mozzarella cheese, bruschetta with chopped tomatoes marinated in garlic, basil, balsamic and oil and served over house-made bread with parmesan finish and a Caesar salad with Romaine lettuce, parmesan, garlic croutons and Caesar dressing. For my entree, I challenged Pompei's boastful "best mostaccioli in Chicago" and came away impressed. Its version is mostaccioli tossed in marinara sauce, covered in seasoned ricotta and mozzarella and baked to a cheesy crisp. Did Como Inn copy Pompei's recipe? For dessert, another family recipe, tiramisu made with layers of ladyfingers soaked in espresso and liqueur with cocoa and mascarpone.

I was with a group of three other out-of-towners. We wanted to get some good Italian food since we were staying so close to little Italy. I had just returned from a trip to Italy so was looking forward to something a bit more authentic than I can get in Iowa. We thought this was more of a sit down place. Turns out it's more cafeteria style, no big deal. I had high hopes for the food. I got spaghetti with meat sauce, and it really was no better than I could make at home. Two of our diners liked their food, but the fourth didn't like her gnocchi, and her garlic bread was like a rock. We all split a brownie for dessert which was delicious. I would go back here, but I would definitely try the pizza or pizza strudel.

Pompei seems to be a really popular restaurant in the area. The menu is simple but extensive and I think it is really good value for money. It is a counter service, you order up front and then they deliver to your table. The staff are always friendly and efficient. I had the pizza pie, it was really big, I have a huge appetite and I still got a doggy bag so even better value! The food was good, it reminded me of home cooking but in a good way. If you are passing through I would recommend calling in for lunch.

MM. Very European. Nice.

For starters, I recommend you ordering ahead. It gets busy in there. Totally worth the wait. ALL salads are DA BOMB! I recommend the Mediterranean salad and add chicken. YUM! I'll post pictures. Enjoy!

I have been here many times and the hot food has lost it's 'mojo' it used to be good but it seems everything is a rush..My food was not hot all the way and lacked taste.

We go to Pompei often from UIC but I only recently found out they have banquet rooms. We held an dinner meeting in the space that is called "Jut's" at breakfast, 1529 West Taylor Street. The Italian buffet and pizza appetizers provided plenty of choices for our group, which included vegetarians and meat-eaters. The space was very private and ample for our informal gathering of 38 people. We appreciated the free parking behind the restaurant, although the number of spaces might run out on a busy night. Carmela was very hospitable as the manager for the event !

Tried Pompei on recommendation from someone who used to live nearby. Definitely sound advice. We had two small salads and shared an order of chicken ravioli. Just the right amount of food. Next time we will try the desserts. Other patrons really seemed to be enjoying them. Icing on cake was free parking behind the restaurant.

We were on our way to an event downtown and decided to go to Pompei for lunch. I had hoped that we'd have been able to sit on the front patio, but we couldn't find a table that would fit six of us. I have been coming to Pompei for many years and enjoy how you are able to pick out what you want. It is a great combination of fast food and what an old school Italian bakery was like. We ordered a piece of strudel BBQ beef pizza, a couple pieces of pan thin crust pizza, buttered noodles and a bowl of cream of potato soup. Everything tasted great and the kids ate like today was going to be there last meal for days. The staff is friendly and very helpful. The prices are always reasonable and there are daily specials on the board just before you get in line. They do have two self-serve fountain machines, and a great selection of Italian desserts. Always busy, always good!

We stopped at Pompei for something for dinner, so we decided to try something different, from what we usually get. We chose a panzerotti that was filled with ricotta cheese & Italian sausage. The price was reasonable and it was about the size of a pie. Once home, we warmed it up in a toaster oven and it tasted great.

This is unbelievable! Absolutely delicious pasta! So hard to find great Italian food when you grow up with an Italian mother....I found it! If you are headed to the United Center this is the perfect food stop. The stuffed artichoke is amazing! Somehow try to leave room for dessert, you won’t want to miss out on the gelato or all the Italian cookies!

You can trust it will always be the same, regardless of when you go or which one you visit.

We stumbled upon Pompei, while spending the day in Chicago. Thanks to other reviews on Trip Advisor, we decided to give it a try. When I walked in, I wasn't sure about the quality of food, but it did not disappoint. The food was very delicious, the portions were generous and everyone in our group seemed satisfied. I loved that my food the fettuccine alfredo with chicken and broccoli was amazing. The sauce covered all of the pasta and it wasn't just poured on the top. There was chicken and broccoli throughout the dish. I was so pleased with my meal, and the price was friendly for our budget. I will definitely return again!

You order at the counter and then they bring out the food. Staff was attentive and helpful. We had an Italian exchange student with us so he was disappointed to not have any staff that were Italians (second generation family restaurant), but the food was good. I would agree with other reviews that the portions were a little small, especially for a supper. We ended up having to order more for the young teens in the group.

only went once. never again.

We stopped here before going to a sporting event at the United Center. The location is very convenient for that. There is plenty of parking behind the restaurant and they even have a drive up. When you enter you place your order at the counter and they bring it to your table. They have a large selection of Italian dishes and many vegetarian options. There are also several desserts to choose from. Beer is very reasonably priced. The food came quickly and the portions large. The spinach lasagna was great and the delicious meatball sandwich was huge! Great convenient place to get a tasty bite to eat before heading to the United Center.

We came to Pompei for dinner, When you walk in, there will usually be specials posted as you are heading towards the counter. The first part of the counter is for salads, the second is for different pizzas and the third is for desserts. Above the counter, are several large menu boards with a huge variety of Italian food. Whether the pizza, salad, or other entree, the staff will bring the food out to you after it is made or the pizza slices are heated up. Since spring is almost here, we can't wait to be back and sit on the front patio. It is a great spot to people watch on Taylor St.

With all of the new restaurants popping up from one side of Chicago to the other, even 79-year-old retirees sometimes forget about the traditional supper clubs and old-time restaurants that set a standard for the newcomers to follow. Like Pompei, a Davino family tradition since 1909. Located at 1531 West Taylor Street in Chicago's historic Little Italy neighborhood, east of Ashland, in the midst of the far-flung University of Illinois-Chicago campus, it is a casual, family-owned restaurant serving cafeteria-style Italian food and desserts. Dine in, drive up, carryout or delivery, it is the home of the Pizza Strudel and the square Napolitano style pizza. In recent months, my wife and I have taken pains to visit some of the old-time treasures of Chicago dining, restaurants and pubs with histories that date to the early 1900s. There are more of them than you might suspect. Pompei is one of them. Open at 10 a.m. daily, it reminds my half-Italian wife what good old home-cooked Italian food used to taste like, the way her Italian grandmother used to do it. We started with garlic bread, bruschetta, minestrone and Caesar salad with romaine, parmesan, garlic croutons and Caesar dressing. Naturally, we had to sample some signature Pizza Strudel, the Pompei Italiano Strudel with meatballs, green peppers, marinara sauce and cheese and the BBQ Beef Strudel with sliced beef, BBQ sauce and cheese. Like cheese strudels and unlike calzones, Pompei's pizza strudel features less crust and more fillings wrapped in pizza dough. A truly delicious concept. We also shared an order of spaghetti with Napolitano meat sauce, a combination of pork and beef simmered with tomatoes and seasonings. For dessert, we couldn't pass up sharing two of the Davino family's home-made favorites, tiramisu and bread pudding. How many restaurants can say they have been satisfying customers with home-made recipes for 111 years?

The restaurant is actually a cafeteria line where you order and they bring you the food We had pizza which was excellent, hot great crust and delicious The chicken parm not so much, they must have sautéed the chicken well in advance and put sauce over and reheated. Their chicken and artichoke special was much better and fresher Overall 50:50 Would we return only for pizza

excellent eggplant parmegiana. lots of dishes to choose from. authentic,

Pizza is their specialty, but they have daily specials as well--mostly Italian. Casual atmosphere. Order at the counter, have your order delivered to your table. A little pricey for the minimal service, but food was tasty.

We enjoy Pompei, so when we have an opportunity to eat there, especially if we are in the Little Italy neighborhood, we do. We were there for dinner and we ordered a mela verdi salad, a chopped chicken salad, along with two different sides. The first was Italian sausage and the second was two meatballs. It was a nice evening, so we did sit on the front patio which is shaded and protected, even when it rained for a couple of minutes. The service was really good and the food came very quickly. The price was reasonable.

Love this cozy spot!

I was here for lunch and had the chicken Parmagian and it was not good a little dry. and i no longer care for the food sitting out and re-heated.No one was in the place.

Good place, different ambients, fresh lemonade, salads, pasta and pizza, some kind of typical dessert of Greek cuisine.

Cool history, good pizza, not the greatest ambience.

Yum! This place is amazing. It has the best pizza in Chicago, no doubt. I can’t wait until I can make another visit to Pompei.

I have been coming to Pompei Bakery on Taylor Street for years, and though there may be copycats, there is only one. Samples of the food are set up as you go down the line, and pizza is there to see. There are three different types of pizza, but I love the strudel pizzas especially the BBQ beef one. If you're ordering something other than pizza, it is made fresh and brought to your table. Always busy at lunch and dinner and a favorite of the local hospital staffs and the police. You won't go wrong eating here.

We were there for a lunch seminar. We were given a nice sized room near the restrooms which was great since there were a few handicapped people attending. The wait staff was fantastic and on top of everything. Food was excellent and served while it was still hot. Excellent all around. We were lucky to be able to use the school parking lot otherwise I'm not sure on the parking situation.

I️ remember going to the little shop they had down the street and if you didn’t get there right at lunch you wouldn’t get a seat! I️ love this place, from the strudels to the pastas and the salads, everything is delicious!

My wife and kids visited chicago for the 1st time ever and found this place in Little Italy. The food was just average nothing to really brag over except their desserts which were out of this world. The staff was friendly and aiming to please. The restaurant is kid friendly and seems to attracted the local police and sheriff deputies and fire departments as well. There is free parking behind the restaurant at the school and indoor and outdoor seating. We had their lasagna's, spagetti and fettucini dishes and tried a variety of their home made desserts as well.

Pompei is a locals favorite in Little Italy of Chicago. Not fancy, but a nice choice of traditional Italian foods in a quick serve environment. Very appropriate for all ages to enjoy a meal of whatever you want! It’s comforting to see the local CPD eating here too. Parking available in the back.

We were staying overnight in Chicago and wanted pizza. Pompei is a couple blocks from the hotel, so we took a walk. I ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza and my daughter ordered the stuffed ricotta and spinach pizza. The pepperoni was good. The ricotta and spinach was stuffed with a lot of ricotta and spinach. I wish we lived closer, because I do want to come back and try some of their other offerings. The restaurant accepts cash and credit cards, but they do tack on an extra fee if you use the credit card.

Only in the city for a concert and needed a good place to grab a bite nearby. Have eaten a a good variety of pizza shops and wasn't disappointed at Pompei's, the menu is straightforward and offers something for everyone. Will be back on return visits!

Had the baked mostaccioli with meatballs and it was great. I would recommend everyone to eat here. I haven't been to this place in over 10 years and it still has great Italian food.

I can remember when Pompei used to be about a half block east, but they have really done a great job. The place always seems to be crowded. It is set up like a cafeteria, but everything is homemade when you order. The pizza, in varying shapes and tastes, are set out so that you can see what you will be getting. They do a great job in labeling the batches. Try the strudel pizza, as it is very different, but, especially, if you can find one with the toppings (which are wrapped inside), that you might like. We had the BBQ beef slice and a turkey with stuffing slice, both were delicious. Once ordered, you find a table and wait for the food. After the pizza is heated up and the other selections are made, they bring the order out to you. Sort of an "Italian" Corner Bakery. And it's good. There is some street parking, though Taylor St. does get crowded, but there is free parking in the rear.

I had the worst experience. I order the pepper egg sandwich with sausage. I am not sure if it was left out too long, but I got so sick. The personal is not very nice either. They come drop off your food on the table, and never come back to see if you need anything else. The pizza's slices are cold and dried up. My husband had a steak sandwich and it was ground beef make to look likes steak! Horrible. Stay cleared.

I just want to start off by saying their cookies are super good. I love the lemon knots and the cresent cookies. It is a bit like a subway sandwich feel, you order your food at a counter and then it is brought to your table. The service is always great. The place is very comfortable and clean. If you are looking for a traditional restaurant, this is not it.

I am Italian but I do like Chicago pizza. however this one was neither cheap or good. I tried the pompei pizza, and the sauce was horrible. Pizza was cold and the place is a fast food, which contrast we the idea of pizza. if you are looking for pizza go somewhere else.

Very nice place to meet friends and have a very good pizza and some drinks for a reasonable price. Hard to park in the area, but a good value for what you get.

Service is quick at the buffet line The food is very good and the portions are quite adequate. I enjoy the casual dining atmosphere in the outside eating area. The salads are great and come with an ample supply of bread and butter. There is also a fried potato with grated cheese added which is a meal in itself.

Just when I was sure I’d tried every good restaurant in the area, a group of friends introduced me to Pompei. I found out very quickly that I had been wrong. The menu has an endless array of mouthwatering, tantalizing Italian dishes and desserts, a million of which I wanted to order. I tried the chicken parmigiana sandwich, and it was heavenly! The fries were perfect and the prices were great. I can’t wait to come back.

Love all their food!

It seems to me this place is (fortunately) underestimated. The food is outstanding, large menue, fast service without actual waiters (you see yourself what you order at the counter). Great Italian beer and wine on tab (I've only seen this in California). Tiramisu was no good indeed, as noted one reviewer. But everything else - lasagna, pasta, pizza, minnestrone, - absolutely great. I lived nearbe for several years, and it keeps up with the history of the place and highest standards.

We stopped at Pompei for some take-out for dinner over the weekend. They had butternut squash ravioli which is a seasonal dish. I couldn’t resist and it was delicious when we ate it over the weekend. The price was reasonable and the staff was efficient.

Came here with a group for lunch. They had a nice large area in the back that was separate from the rest of the dining rooms. The food was okay but I would not say great. I liked the pastries the most.

If you are looking for a place that is t the standard Gino’s or Chicago deep dish then this place is for you. Mommas meatballs, and the pizzas are AMAZING! Loved all of your food, the employees are super and the restaurant was awesome! Thank you again!

We ate here several times when our son was a patient at UIC Medical Center. It's within walking distance of the hospital, was perfect for our budget and gave us a good variety of daily foods from which to choose. Staff and employees were fast, efficient and helpful. Tommy Davino, whose family owns Pompeii, has to be one of the kindest, nicest guys we've ever had the privilege to meet.

Went here for lunch with group of 6, somehow they managed to make 7-8 different mistakes with the order. Never gave us any cups for drinks, coffee arrived after everything else was eaten, desserts (sometimes the wrong ones) arrived at random times during the mains, 1 main was very late, 2 dishes were completely incorrect, one salad which was specifically told was ok for lactose intolerant person came out with cheese grated over it. On the positive side, my own dish (sloppy Joe with fries) was actually really delicious and good value. I would go here again on my own for take out but obviously they can't handle an order of bigger than 1 person!

I discovered this property during a night, when I went to get a few items from 7-11 across the street. The next day, I went there for lunch. I liked that I was able to read the menu before entering Pompei, but once inside, it was a little challenging to figure out, what was in different menu items. At Pompei, there is an open kitchen, where you can see, how they make some (all) of their food items. The atmosphere is pleasant, the restaurant is airy, which I like very much, but I wish there had been menus posted also inside (could be that I didn't see them) so that I would have known exactly, what was in different pizzas. Will go back again, when I stay at a nearby Chicago Marriott Medical District hotel.

Although I really love the pizza, salads and Strudels, I feel that the portions are smaller and other shortcuts are happening. They now charge for an extra salad dressing and barbeque sauce.

Great soup and seasoned Italian fries. Chicken parm strudel and chicken fajita strudels were bland, even with sauce. I didn't realize it was a cafeteria style restaurant. The name seemed "fancier".

Cafe style.. very good for lunch

The food was good, but nothing special. The portions were small for the price. I would definitely try one of the other many restaurants in the area before returning.

While they serve much more than pizza, it's my favorite pie in the city. Right on Taylor St THE BEST

pompei's food is delicious, but some can be a little bland but very good

We stopped here for lunch while visiting Rush Medical. It is set up a lot like a Deli. You get in line to order your food, then it's brought out to you. Service is fast and friendly. They have wraps, sandwiches, stuffed pizzas, and pasta. The pasta is handmade in house out front. The food was all great and tasted very fresh. Prices were decent for lunch too. It was busy inside, but not so busy that we couldn't find multiple places to sit, and again service was great and food came out quick. It'd be a good place to go if you don't have a lot of time to eat, but don't want greasy fast food. You can also order and take-out food. I'll definitely be stopping back next time I have to go to Rush.

Good lunch eats for fast italian food.

I've been coming to Pompei on Taylor Street for nearly 40 years. In fact, I started coming to the old store that was just east on Taylor St. The staff was efficient. We picked up our food and we were on our way. We chose two strudels, one a turkey & stuffing and the other a BBQ beef. Tasted great!

Sometimes being good also means being taken for granted, it really shouldn't be that way. I have been ordering from Pompei's for the last 6 years on the average of twice a month. All of it on a carry out basis. I have never been disappointed. Soup, salad or sandwich it is all good. So to make amends I'm writing this review to say thanks! I will be returning soon.

We are staying for 5 days just up the street. Our first meal was at pompei and we found it to be very good. I had an Italian Sandwich and my wife had the Linguini with chicken. The pasta was done wonderfully and had a clean taste. There was not too much cheese like in most dishes of this kind. It was almost perfect in that we ordered a soup that didnt make it to the table. We actually forgot that we ordered it but when we realized the error, the staff was quick to make amends. They did their very best to make a potentially uncomfortable situation very easy. THANKS!! we will be back again for sure. All said with drinks included we spent $23 and never finished our meals. It is well worth it!

Great handrolled pizza's and salads. Pasta is pretty good also.

the best egg and pepper sandwich around enough for 2 people.This place is always busy because of the great and delicious food

Located on Taylor Street in Chicago, near Rush University Hospital, Pompei is our go to spot for pizza in Chicago. Friendly Staff, Fast (they have food ready to be served), Delicious (excellent pizza!), Clean Restaurant and Bathrooms. Excellent salads and desserts too. You will see people from all walks of life enjoying this food. Make it your spot for pizza!

All I have to say is..........BAKED MINESTRONE! You can't go wrong with this place. Free parking in the back. Reasonable prices and quick service.

I worked in the area for years and have eaten lunch or a quick dinner at Pompei at least once a week for years. I have never been disappointed at Pompei. It is fast casual and inexpensive, but the meals are still on par with some more expensive restaurants. Do not miss their delicious soups and incredibly fresh salads. They also have Self serve drinks with free refills. Their staff is always friendly and attentive. Incredible lunch spot or a for a fast-casual dinner it is the best deal on Little Italy.

Great place! The pizza was delicious. We each ordered 1 slice and they were brought to our table hot and cut in half. They were quite large and at less than $4 a slice, quite a value. It was the best pizza we had in Chicago. Will definitely return.

Went here Sunday night for our first time in the area. Big festival going on. Food was good. Friendly staff. Quick service even with the high volume. Will go back

A good cafetria style place with some italian favorites. You may have to ask for somethings.

I've been getting their pizza since they were on Loomis Street in the 80's. Thick crust and great sauce. But on the last few trips, it seems like they're skimping on the sausage. Just a few tiny pieces. I hate to see this from such a favorite.

I love Pompei. It's inexpensive, gourmet and fast. I visit their restaurants and order for delivery to my office. Try their pizza (yes - they deliver by the slice!) and their chopped chicken salad is to die for!!!

If you are in Little Italy along West Taylor St., Pompei is a great place for a light dinner, or for any dinner, for that matter. We were there before a meeting, so we ordered a chopped chicken salad, a Marie's salad with grilled chicken and avocado bread. The staff is efficient and friendly. The prices are reasonable.

We had been in the West Loop most of the afternoon at meetings and rather than fight traffic on the expressway during a wet rush hour, we decided to go to Pompei for dinner. They had some great specials, one of which I tried. We ordered two slices of the thin pizza. I also ordered the half breaded steak sandwich and the bowl of beef vegetable soup special. Pompei was not very busy, so it was a very nice and relaxing meal. We topped off the meal with some gelato - two scoops of butter pecan and two scoops of pistachio. We took home two pieces of strudel - a BBQ beef slice and a turkey & stuffing slice, as well as a piece of banana walnut cake and a piece of chocolate cake. I must admit, that though I like Ricobene’s for their breaded stea, Pompei’s breaded steak gave it a run for the money. I found the Pompei breaded steak to be a bit more tender.

Pompei is one of those Chicago icons that has been around for many years and has gotten better over that time. It is family-owned & operated. When you walk in, you see the counter that has the various pizzas, salads and more. You can also choose off of the menu boards above the counter. Everything is fresh and the food is always tasty. We had the calamari along with a side of meatballs, as well as a piece of 4 cheese & tomato pizza. We also brought two pieces of BBQ beef strudel home. The staff at Pompei is friendly and efficient. We'll be there during the summer to sit on the front patio.

I've always enjoyed going to Pompeii for lunch and have been going there for at least 10 years with groups of 20-25. I was always able to reserve the back room and got great service. However, this year the floor managers can no longer take large reservations over the phone even a week in advance. The owner/manager and sister of the owner has taken this resposibility. She is never there, and does not return calls in a timely fashion. She does not have an email on the website, so she is unavailable electronically. I tried to set this up for a week and I still don't have a response. I tried to voice my frustration to Pete one of the managers, since he said he was a family member, so he could pass on my frustration. He basically told me that since she was the owner I could/should not criticize her hours 11:00-4:30. No one would give me a time when she came in or left. But it seems to be sometime after 11:00 and sometime before 4:30. Really???? He was rude and very abrasive. Not a good way to do business. I don't think they really want my business. So go there for lunch, but don't bring a big group. You won't be welcome. So sad!

It can be a little confusing about how to order, but come in, scout out the menu and the daily specials, then step up to the counter (make sure you ask if people are actually ready to order, or still deciding). They are fast and friendly and it's a great way to get a fast dinner to go. A lot of items (pizza, Stromboli, etc.) are pre-made, they just have to heat them. And don't forget there is gelato--flavors change periodically but the chocolate and pistachio are always winners! Soups, salads, and pastas all come with sliced Italian bread and butter. Minestrone soup is a winner. Chicken Marsala over spaghetti is great. Not greasy, but not a lot of sauce. Meatball sandwich is fantastic.

When we want something quick without a fuss, we stop in at Pompei. They have something for everyone - pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads, soups and their signature pizza struedel. Order and pay at the counter, then pick a table and put your number on the table stand, and your food will be delivered to you. The prices are very reasonable, and the atmosphere is super casual and family friendly. There's even a room where I've seen parties being held. The staff is always friendly, and we've never had a bad meal there.

I have been stopping at,Pompei since the early 1980's, when I began working in the area. Over the years, through a short move and a very nice upgrade, the staff has always been helpful, friendly and efficient. We have often dealt with Carmella there, who is truly an asset to the family restaurant. This time we stopped for a late night snack, shortly before their closing. We ordered a piece of the BBQ beef strudel, as well as a piece of the turkey & dressing strudel. Both were excellent, though I did get the impression that the width of the pieces seemed to be a bit less. Hopefully, not, but at least the food is still excellent. Check their daily specials.

We came to Pompei for lunch, as it was in the area of a party that only was having hot dogs, and we wanted something a lot better. Plus, we had time to kill. Because of the weather, the restaurant was slow, though it was about 1045 hrs. The staff was efficient at the buffet line, the register and on the floor. They were also friendly. We ordered a turkey stuffing strudel and a Cobb salad to eat there. The strudel came with a marinara sauce, though I should have remembered BBQ sauce instead. The large salad came with bread and butter. Everything was tasty. We ended up taking three pieces of sausage pizza to the party for my son and daughter. My son said, " Good choice, Dad. Outstanding!" Not a bad review there, I think! Oh, don't get turned off when someone describes the line as a buffet line, as it is not a true buffet. Only the staff touches the food until it is at your table.

If you are looking for a casual place to eat good italian fast food, try Pompei. It is a cafeteria style ordering and large open dining area. The big menu varies from Lasagna (homemade pasta) to pizza by the slice. It is clean and airy and a good place to eat after a Sox, Bulls or Hawks game.

I ordered a calamari appetiser and chicken parmesan pasta. My chicken parmesan arrived within 5 minutes of me ordering it and my appetiser arrived 5 minutes after that. The chicken was so old and tough, I could barely manage to cut through it with my knife. It was clear that it had been reheated many times and put under a heating lamp. It was stale pink in colour and inedible. I was forced to tell the server and he replied saying that the chicken was deep fried and thats why it was hard. He then said he would speak to the manager and informed me they can make a new one. The only reason I am giving this restaurant 2 stars is because the re-made chicken parmesan was actually made to order. The calamari was average. Disappointed in this restaurant, especially considering how many customers dine here. I was surprised at the quality and price for below-average food.

I debated between a 4 & 5 star rating, and I haven't decided until I was done writing the review. The restaurant is easy enough to find from the Polk stop on the Pink line, and it is quite spacious inside. I loved the "Italians in Chicago" mural, and especially loved the original family photo on the wall, circa 1909. Paying tribute to the ones that built what you have is always a nice token. I had the homemade meatballs for an appetizer (a friend who is Italian/Sicilian says this dish is a great indicator of the cuisine for the entire restaurant), and they were GIGANTIC! 2 enormous meatballs in homemade fresh sauce, and WOW was it delicious!!! then the pizza streudel came, and I was completely full for about 6 hours afterwards. and it was very VERY reasonably priced too!!!

A UIC favorite, esp their chopped chicken salad

We were in Little Italy for our first time and needed to catch a quick meal, and stumbled upon Pompei Pizza. Before entering I had misgiving because I didn't want pizza, but after entering I knew we had found the ideal locale. You order at the counter, pay, and then sit at a table, and a waitperson will bring the food. It was fairly crowded with a mix of casually dressed people. I had the pasta special (chicken, potatoes, peas) and coffee. It was reasonably priced, but the quality was mediocre (I'm guessing most food is not cooked fresh).

Loved the atmosphere and the vibe of this place. Menu has items to cover all tastes. The food is super fresh and delicious. You order at the counter and very quickly, the efficient waiters bring it to your table. I can see why this place is so popular. Would definitely visit again.

We were looking for a quick meal after our mini tour at Downtown Chicago, when our relatives took us here at Pompeii, during our visit last month. It was still early in the afternoon and the place was just starting to get busy. The restaurant has the original structure - typical Italian and rustic decor, and has the ambiance of the old world - gangster era. There is parking lot at the rear of the restaurant for the convenience of the guests. We were greeted immediately as we came in and the cashier/ counter help asked for our order. There is a huge menu board above the counter for this casual, quick dining concept, as well as to go and dine in menus at the tables. We decided to check and survey the food display first and then look at the menu for the list of ingredients. There was a vast array to choose from soup, appetizer, and main course, as well as desserts. We had picked the Fried Calamari for appetizer, Pompeii Italiano ( House specialty Stromboli made with all meat ingredients- sausage, pepperoni and ground beef) and my wife got the Meat Lasagna. Food quality was tasty, and the presentation was superb. All fountain sodas and tea are refillable. The servers are friendly and cheerful, always attentive to our needs. Our overall quick dining experience was pleasant, fun and satisfactory, we even have a box for the leftovers, as the portions were humongous. I will definitely visit this place again on our next trip.

Pompei is located just off Michigan Ave at 212 E Ohio - great place for an inexpensive yet delicious lunch. The many salads were amazing, great homemade soups and pizza was good too! Lots of choices ...

Pompei is great for a relatively quick meal since many items are already in the display case. It's also nice for a more relaxing meal in their nicely designed restaurant. Our favorite order is to start with the Pompei Salad, then enjoy the Fettuccine Alfredo (w/ Chicken and Broccoli) and the Spinach Ravioli with Marinara sauce. I love it when the fettuccine sauce mixes with the marinara - it's heavenly!

This was our second time here. You are immediately greeted by the authentic Italian atmosphere. You go through a line to pick your meal from amazing dishes of soups, pastas, sauces, and calzones, or something that looked like them. Wow, everything looked great. We had the special of the day pasta, and also the spaghetti with marinara sauce. It was so good. They also have many pastries, as well as many flavors of gelato.

My review is based on an acceptance that this is not an upscale, white tablecloth restaurant. What it is is a cafeteria with incredible choices, pizza on display, panini of all types and an extensive pasta selection. I ordered the meat lasagna and had a 2-lb hunk delivered in an oversized bowl. I wasn't wild about the red sauce, but the pasta and cheese/meat filling was exceptional.

Nothing remarkable to say about this place other than we got our food quickly and that it’s near Rush hospital.

When did you ever hear of a delivery promised in an hour arriving in 45 minutes? That's worth something right there. But it's not all about service. The food is very good. The pasta dishes were huge, the sauces tasty. We tried the pizza and it was excellent and even the meatball sandwich could have sunk a battleship. Next time in town, I would definitely eat on site.

The taste is a bit Americanized. Too much sweet things and sauce. Overall, it is a good restaurant with reasonable prices.

The restaurant was set up like a buffet. You could see most of the entrees and sandwiches they offered because they were all in a viewing case. When you order, they take what you want from the case and heat it on a conveyor system. They have order screens on one side of the room that show all the details of every kind of food on the menu. I ordered the low cal salad, which was huge. The cheesecake was dry.

Knowledgeable Chicago graduates of our college picked this restaurant for supper one night. They were right! We were 40, and got the side room used for larger groups. A simple buffet was set -- a couple types of pizza, and Caesar and garden salad. Why do I give this an "Excellent" rating? For what it is, it was great. A good selecvtikon of beer. The pizzas were specially good -- a lifetime (70 years) classmate said it was the best pizza in Chicago. For all I know he's right. T his rest arrant is located in Chicago's Little Italy -- not and impressive as that in NY City, but very comfortable.

Came here after a pretty long walk, ordered spinach arancini (fried rice ball with marinara), tiramisu & cappuccino...yumm...loved the way they set up the restaurant, kind of like a cafeteria with fast service but really good food.

We go in to Chicago on business not too far from this restaurant. We try to go for lunch every time we are there. Once you get the hang of their system it's quick, efficient and good value. We had lunch there last Saturday. Philly Steak and Cheese was the special so we had one of those and a pasta salad. That fed two people with leftover salad. We ordered two Meatball sandwiches to go, and based on prior experience we drove them 200 miles and put them in the freezer! They reheat in the oven just fine.

I never complain at restaurants of send back food. I don’t even write reviews - but this was so bad that I had to warn the general public. I can’t believe what I just ate. For such a busy restaurant which has been open since 1909, the chicken parmigiana that I ordered was also from 1909. I felt like I was on an episode of kitchen nightmares. The chicken was dry and totally impenetrable with my knife. It was so tough and was so frozen and old. It was obviously reheated about 50 times. I have no idea why it’s so busy, because the quality was abysmal. Picture paying 30 dollars for a microwaveable TV dinner. Classless.

Should have tried a REAL Italian restaurant on Taylor St. This is a cafeteria. Pizza is like bread with a little sauce. Pasta salad is horrible! Will never go back. $66 for 3 people.

I did not a chance to order because the rudeness of the cashier then the manager turned me off, so I walked out. Who needs this attitude when there are thousands of other restaurants I can eat at?

We visited the Pompei Restaurant in Chicago, IL, yesterday. We were not impressed. The pizza was just average, nothing special and the rigatoni with marina sauce was pretty tasteless. We will not return to the Pompei on our future visits to Chicago. There are too many other Italian restaurants that are probably better.

We were in the neighborhood and came to Pompei around lunch time. The restaurant was not too crowded and there was no line at the food counter. Because it was a Sunday, there was plenty of parking on the street. We ordered a slice of turkey & dressing strudel, as well as a bowl of escarole & bean soup with a chicken salad. For dessert, we ordered a chocolate cannoli. The food was hot and tasty. The salad was delicious, as was the cannoli. We ended up taking half home for dinner later that evening. The staff was efficient and friendly. The prices are reasonable.

Good, value priced Italian food in a neighborhood surrounded with better options.

I’ve always been a fan of their strudel pizza, along with their square pan pizza. Enjoyed both along with half a meatball sandwich on this visit. My wife tried the gluten free fare, she didn’t love the pasta, which seemed like it was made out of rice and seem to be a bit gummy, but enjoy the pizza. Order at the register, they bring you your food, pretty quick. If you’re ordering gluten-free it’ll be 20 minutes, so we called ahead for that. Just a few blocks from Mario’s Italian ice.

I am a teacher and i brought my class of high school Jr's to have a bite to eat. The food is always tasty and well prepared, but this time the women who brought the food to us ( almost 50 kids i may add) was RUDE, intolerant and outright hostile. She would Yell the name out and when a kid raised his hand she would loudly scold them for not speaking up sooner. When i asked her to please speak a little nicer to my class she...... laughed and walked away. I asked to speak to the manger but was told she was busy. I not not plan on bringing my class back again

Hubby and I were visiting Chicago and stopped here for lunch. Since you walk up to a counter to order, you can actually see many of the items on the menu before deciding what to choose. They have specials as well--so this is not easy. I went with a salad featuring scallops and shrimp. Hubby had the fried egg and pepper sandwich. The salad was huge and quite tasty with lots of good ingredients besides the seafood. Hubby was not as happy with his sandwich though. Thought it was lacking flavor. Lots of other customers were enjoying their meal.

Seven of us decided to try this location. The setup is cafeteria style. Big menu boards, walk the counter line, order, get drinks and desserts at the end of the line and pay. A staff member will bring out your food and beverages. We thought ordering went well. We paid and sat down. All good until the food started to arrive. Our order was about 15 food and beverage items. Items we did not order began to arrive. The server was advised we did not order the "incorrect" items. His response " keep it anyway". We found this to be odd the first time. After the third wrong item that we were told to "keep" we realized that our order did not go well. It was quite comical for all of us. It took two trips to the counter to REORDER what we paid for. I get this location has good food. Lord knows we tried almost all of it. But a change in Management, ordering and service need to take place. If the orders are wrong and the staff just pushes the food out anyway, I cannot imagine what other issues exist here. I will say the food was some of the best Italian food in the area. That being said, check your order when dining in and definitely check your take out order BEFORE leaving the building.

We were excited to eat in Little Italy. This was like beautiful my at Disney World at an average buffet type meal. Too expensive for the quality & food. Not memorable & won’t be back ever!

terrible arancini, just a sloppy mush. they charge you a technology fee for ordering online. terrible to see a fine traditional joint fall into crap

I was here only for dessert, so I can't speak for most of the food. Mediocre tiramisu. Wretched cannolis.

I have been to Pompei many times over the years. It's always a treat. It's a nice place to go, there's always a buzz in the place, it's comfortable, feels like home. I have wanted to try a bunch of items from the menu and I always get the pizza struddle with the works. If I'm really hungry I'll add a slice of pizza. I'm a big guy with a good appetite and this always does the trick and I'm well satisfied and the food is very good. The service is always good. I have never run into an issue with the staff. Great place to have lunch, they have an outside patio in the summer or when there is good weather.

The Pompei on West Taylor Street is as real as it gets. You walk up to a great big counter and order what you want and then grab a table and wait briefly for some real Italian pizza. I just had the basic sausage pizza and it blew my mind it was so good. It was hot, tasted fresh and was filling at the same time. I have never had pizza that tasted so good. And the building! Absolutely old style Chicago beautiful. I wish I could have found some type of a publication with the building's history. And then, there was the smell. The scent of pure Italian cooking was enough to drive anyone crazy with pleasure. Should I ever have the chance to go back to Chicago, the Pompei on Taylor would be my first stop. I absolutely fell in love with the place and could sit there and watch the people come and go all day long.

I have been coming to Pompei for years and when I'm in the vicinity, I almost always stop in for something to take home, at least. Today was no different. I stopped in and ordered a BBQ beef strudel. The service line moves quickly and the staff is friendly and efficient. The prices are reasonable. When I got home, I popped the strudel slice in to the oven for a few minutes and it was almost as good as eating there.

A group of us were having a business meeting and we decided on Pompei for a catered in meal. We ordered the chicken Vesuvio, a ravioli, a salad and more. The order also came with a loaf of bread. Everything tasted great and everything was still hot when we started to serve dinner. The total price was reasonable for the number of people. The staff was pleasant when we picked up the food.

I ordered pasta with tomatoes,basil olive oil and garlic, a chopped salad and pizza for a party. The order was delivered at exactly the time I requested. The delivery man spilled quite a bit of the oil from the pasta dish so it was a bit dry. I have ordered this entree in the past and it is always very good and I would highly recommend it. The salad was good and so was the pizza. It made my entertaining very easy.

What a lively place at lunch time! The choices and the freshness of the food was great! It is such a bustling place with the University and hospital close by.

Good salads.

Visited for lunch on a Sunday. Parking is a bit odd in back by the school, but at least they do have an off street lot. In this area that is a huge plus. Most food is on display and you make selections - sort of cafeteria style. They warm it and bring to your table. Or choose salad or pasta from their menu made to order. Square pizza slices are ok. But the pizza strudels, especially the Pompei Italiano, are unique and worth ordering. The salads with Marie's dressing are good choices too. This is a nice family friendly place to have a casual meal. Everyone can order what they like and leave satisfied.

Order at the counter, where you can see every salad and entree before you place your order. I had lunch here two years ago and was anxious to return. I had pizza again and wish I had ordered one of the substantial soups, too. Only a 5-minute walk from the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers

We stopped at Pompei, because we had a taste for a couple of pieces of strudel. Parking was easy. There was no line. We chose the BBQ beef pizza which comes with not enough BBQ sauce. We also got a piece of the turkey and dressing strudel. Though they were still warm when we got home, we popped them into the toaster oven and they were perfect. The prices are always reasonable and the staff was friendly and efficient. Don't forget to check their website for the calendar of monthly specials.

We were in the area of Taylor Street, as we were going to visit a patient at a nearby hospital and we figured that we would stop here for lunch. It is almost always crowded, though sometimes, it can be crazy. As you walk down the counter, you can choose something from the menu board, a salad, or a number of different styles or varieties of pizza. This time, I went with the BBQ beef strudel pizza. It comes to the table with some extra BBQ sauce, which is great for dipping. We also got a piece of the stuffing strudel pizza. Both were great - they always are. We sat on the outdoor patio that runs along the sidewalk. It is a great spot to eat and to people watch.

Nurse recommended Pompei. Short walk from UIC hospital. Delicious gluten free pizza and chicken alfredo. Chocolate covered cannolli was delicious! Cheesecake is dry. Think its ricotta.

Let's start with the positive -- the food is good (not great) and the portions generous. The location is convenient to Michigan Avenue (about 1 block east). The prices are somewhat high, especially if you want a soup and/or salad plus an entree, you can be looking at $15+ for a "fast food" meal. You place your order at the counter with a somewhat sloppily-dressed, scruffy and generally uninterested employee, pay a similar-type employee and wait at your table for your food to be delivered by, you guessed it the same type employee. It's an OK place if you are nearby and want some quick Italian food, but there are certainly better options.

Good eats. Not a nice sit-down restaurant, but the food is nice sit-down restaurant quality.

We were staying at an AirBnb very close to Pompei and we stopped in for dinner on the recommendation from the host. Everything we ordered was very good, came out quick & hot.

I have been going to this eating establishment for some time,and i place a order to go because i really did not have time to go inside an order. the order was (2) Fettuccine Alfredo one with broccoli and the other just simply Chicken fettuccine minus the broccoli.Call the Pompei Bakery and told them that a mistake had occurred and the said they will send someone out with the correct order. The delivery person was very nice, and i explained that the order was incorrectly taken. Just as he handed me the new order, Quote the manager said he wants the noodles back? Shock in total disbelief i told him to take this new order back, i have been going there for twenty-five years. I could not and will not understand that protocol. As he left i put the new order in the Garbage. They have lost a go Customer forever, So Petty. ASK for THe Old NOODLES BACK.

The food was excellent and it was the best lunch I ever had. We sometimes went to Pompei to eat and I always pick my favorite food in the world. Pompei is the best restaurant and you should go there cause they will explode you away.

Pompei has been a staple of Taylor Street for many years and the Davino family has built up a great location. Located a half a block east of Ashland Ave on the south side of Taylor St., it is a short walk from the medical centers in the immediate area. When you walk in, you place your order along a long display of a variety of slices of pizza. There is a large menu above the work area, so you can decide if you want something else. They also have daily specials. I was there and one of the specials was butternut squash ravioli. I could not resist. There is a very nice covered outdoor patio in front that can be enclosed, in the case of inclement weather. They brought the butternut squash ravioli with bread and it was delicious. This is a great place, if you are on your way downtown, in the area, or just because.

We were in the mood for pizza but being new to the area were having a hard time figuring what places had dining-in or were take-out only. We drove by Pompei and saw that their sign advertised "Pizza, Pasta..." etc., so we pulled in. One orders from a menu board and they bring the food to you. Notwithstanding the sign the menu board did not feature pizza, but the server said we could order it. We ended up ordering two "1/2 tray" pizzas. While the pizza was generally good, it was baked in a pan with a thicker more "bread" like crust. Maybe it's just me, but that's not what I want when I go out for pizza, I want something cooked in a pizza oven--directly on the hot oven base. As for the pizza itself, the cheese and sausage were good, the sauce could have used more spices. In all, it reminded us of a better quality frozen pizza cooked at home. Good, but not what we went "out for pizza" to get.