Arturo Express
122 S Canal St, Chicago, IL, 60606
Arturo Express Menu
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Italian Specialty Sandwiches
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Salads
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Pizzas
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Deli Sandwiches
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Pasta
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Combos
Healthy Meal suggestions for Arturo Express
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Italian Specialty Sandwiches
-
Salads
-
Pizzas
-
Deli Sandwiches
-
Pasta
-
Combos
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Address :
122 S Canal St
Chicago, IL, 60606 - Phone (312) 474-9289
- Website https://www.arturoexpress.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Cristina P.
Food is ok. Friendly service.
(3)Elizabeth Z.
While attempting to lose weight for my wedding, I started eating a can of soup for lunch everyday at my desk, EXCEPT for Wednesdays when I would treat myself to Arturo's $6 spaghetti lunch special (and the occasional Tuesday pizza special). Service is quick and friendly and the food is good. If you work in the loop near Union Station you need to eat here! The beef sandwiches are good too when you're not on a wedding "diet"
(5)Christina B.
The best thing about Arturos: delicious food prepared at a fast pace. As many have mentioned, walking distance from Union Station, Arturos is a cute little Italian joint located near the CVS on the corner of Canal. When I walk into Arturos, I immediately get an amazing vibe. Co-workers laughing, eating good food, enjoying the small but quaint seating in the storefront. I've tried a few different things from Arturos. I've tried their buffalo chicken pizza, which was super good. Not too greasy, good buffalo flavor, and a nice amount of chicken on the pizza. I've had their broccoli cheddar soup, which is my favorite. Super creamy, super flavorful. I've also had their Caprese sandwhich which is also very good and very filling. Their portions are pretty large for the price. I usually walk out of Arturos only spending under $10 which is an accomplishment for being lunch in the Loop. Overall, I really enjoy eating at Arturos. All of the employees have been super nice and helpful. The line always moves fast. Good eats, good ambiance. Give it a shot!
(5)Tish D.
Great place close to Union Station. Food is homemade quality but fast. Everything and I mean everything I've tried is delicious especially their pastas and salads. Huge portions and daily specials never disappoint.
(4)Pi M.
I had turkey sandwich for lunch. It was super good.ingredients were fresh so I feel fresh
(5)Kevin S.
It's close to my office, so I end up going here at least 3-4 times a month. The sandwiches and pasta are all great. My personal favorites are the buffalo chicken and the turkey-bacon-avocado. I also enjoy the chicken and broccoli pasta.
(4)Stephanie S.
This place is a hidden gem! Really nice change from the typical chain place for lunch. I am obsessed with the Napoli (it might be my favorite sandwich of all time, which is really quite a statement! LOL) They have pizzas, pastas, salads, sammies, pasta salads, soup, etc etc. It just seems like a well run place with quality ingredients. Definitely check it out if you get a chance!
(5)Odranre B.
Good food + good portion + good price. Great place to-go food especially for breakfast. Located by Union Station in Chicago. Busy streets so no parking.
(3)Jason H.
Decent lunch spot. One thing I don't like is you're kind of thrown right in the fire as the door leads directly to the line. No great place to stand out of the way and peruse options. The daily special was spaghetti, salad and a drink for $6. Solid deal, but I went for a grilled sandwich since I didn't want spaghetti. With drink, my meal was $10...a bit excessive. My turkey/bacon grilled sandwich wasn't bad. Would like to come back and try some pizza.
(3)Matt D.
Sandwiches, Pizza, Salads, or Pastas?? It's your choice. They have a wide variety of options for you to consume. They have daily specials to which I typically take full advantage of as it's such an awesome purchase. You can dine in our take out. They always have a 'buy 9 items, get 10th item free' card to use as well - if you're going to dine their alot, you might as well enjoy free! Be mindful that lunch time is lunch time. It is a somewhat popular spot at noon, but on the good side they keep the line moving :) All in all, this is on my Loop Lunch list and I'll continue to visit this local spot. Cheers.
(4)Danny W.
My brother's lived in the building this place is attached to for over a year and only been here once. When I asked him why he responded "Meh...it's nothing to really write home about." I tried them for myself the other day and pretty much felt the same way. It's not bad by any means, but certainly nothing super special. Simple sandwiches, salads, pastas, and pizzas. Slightly above average, but not thrilling enough to make you go even a block out of your way. They're really quick and convenient so if you live in the building it's not a bad option, but like my bro said...Don't expect to write home.
(3)Cristina P.
Food is ok. Friendly service.
(3)Joe L.
Do yourself a favor. Get off the train, go over to Arturo's and get a bagel sandwich in the morning. Here's what you order: Everything bagel, sausage, egg white, pepper jack cheese. I've eaten a lot and this by far, for some reason, is probably in the top 1-2 breakfast sandwiches I've eaten. Jim (owner) is doing something right...
(5)Michael G.
When setting foot back on United States soil after my recent European trip, they didn't ask me at Customs if I had anything to declare. But if they had, I would have stated proudly, "I now hate Italian food!" Now it's not for the reason that might come to mind. Having real Italian food in Italy did not sour me on the Americanized version. Quite the opposite. The complete lack of flavor in every pasta that I got (the original Italian style pizza lived up to the hype) overseas made me crave the underly ingredianted, overly spiced, overly oiled, tomato pasty goodness of cheap American spaghetti (and mostacholli and gnocchi and, well, I think the point is made). The thing is, they seem to think in Italy that Italian-American food is worse than it actually is; and, therefore, they can get away with anything in the big cities. They're wrong. There are even Italian delis that serve good food around here! One is close to the food wasteland that surrounds my workplace. The first meal I had when I got back to work, therefore, to wash away the bad memories of Italian cuisine was this oasis of cheap "Italian" - Arturo Express. Their pasta sauce is basically something out of a can. But, darn, it's bene! For $4.75 (I mean, that's only four Euro, try finding that in Italy) they slather a large ladle of the stuff over a huge plate of noodles and give you a cheap American roll to boot (they charge for the bread in Italy, the nerve). Plus, and I know this is a given here but I have to say it anyway - they have FREE water WITH ICE! And on Thursdays, the whole thing that would make an Italian faint but me cheer is buy one get one free (with or without meatballs). Not to say that I think all Italian food is pasta. I tried some actual panini while I was over there as well. And, let me tell you, give me Arturo's fake Italian-style subs over most authentic Italian sandwich any time. The tomatoes and cheeses may taste better in the mother country, but Arturo piles their lesser Yankee cousins on sandwiches thick and tasty. And the best part is, picky eaters get to speak to them in English! Would I seek out Arturo's on holiday? No. But, hey, if I were touristing at the Willis Tour, they would definitely be worth a lunch-sized vacation across the street.
(4)Nathan F.
It's 2013 and this is the cheapest place to get a comprehensive meal for lunch in this zipcode. I really hate a lot about this place (long line, line organization, where you place your order, the high cost of the brownies and cookies, etc.) but the food is actually really freaking good. I got the tuna sub the other day and it was incredible.
(4)Jessica M.
One of my favorite lunch places in the west loop. Seriously affordable. I love getting the half and half deal. Half Salad and Half Pizza. Fresh greens, hot pizza you can't go wrong with that for lunch.
(5)Jenni E.
Great breakfast and lunch place right by the train station. The people who work here are super nice and they have typical-Italian sandwiches and food along with daily specials to keep it interesting. I would reccomend the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich that they have on Tuesdays. I am also a big fan of the pesto chicken or the pesto pasta - very garlicky but oh so good.
(4)Jeff W.
I have been coming here for years and never really loved it but for whatever reason decided to give it another try... they have a six dollar lunch special which sometimes includes Italian beef or meatballs and spaghetti with a salad and a drink for six dollars and quite frankly I cannot think of a better deal and all of Chicago and it was actually pretty tasty... you definitely do not come here for the ambience are many other things because it is a little bit pricey for what it is but I would recommend getting a lunch special any day of the week.
(4)James L.
Great service, fast prep, & authentic Italian at less than $10/person. Can't beat it. Also check out the daily specials.
(5)Samantha T.
The absolute best sandwich shop in the area! I keep coming back for the Napoli (almost every week!) Everything tastes so fresh and you can tell they put a lot of care into everything they do. It is a great place for a casual lunch with a coworker, or pick it up and take it back to your desk. I have not tried any of the pizza/pasta yet - but they all look great!
(5)Linda N.
Visited twice. First visit over a month ago so all I can tell you is whatever it was it was standard because I remember great and horrible. Second visit we tried meatball sandwich and chili. Didnt care for the chili and loved the meatball sandwiches. i will venture back to try more of their menu and maybe a breakfast. There needs to be better signage because no one is sure where to pick what up and and who waits on what section.
(3)S A.
Stopped here for lunch. Short walk from Union Station. Food was fantastic and affordable, staff were very friendly and hospitable. Meatball sub was great as was the signature salad. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)Chukwuma N.
I had Arturo's for lunch and while at work, during the afternoon, I was tempted to give into my food coma so that I could dream about having more Arturo's. I recommend the Milano, my first love over there at Arturo's.
(4)Brian B.
Great food and service. The food comes out rather quickly considering it's prepared fresh, rather than fast-food. 2 folks on the staff have been remarkably friendly. I'll probably keep going for lunch at least once a week
(5)Jerry G.
Stopped in here during lunchtime based on the reviews. While I was there, I noticed there wasn't any letup in customers. They kept streaming through the front door. The special ran around 6 and change including the sandwich, chips and drink. I had the Italian beef with hot peppers, chips and drink and it came to a few dollars more. The beef was tender (always a good thing and tough Italian beef is terrible) and the hots made it spicy. Not to the level I love but to the level I like. The flavor was good. All in all, for the price, well worth it. The staff was polite and cheerful the whole time I was there. Most people took takeout but I think there were enough tables had most stayed. They appeared to have a wide assortment of sandwiches and pizzas to accommodate most tastes. It was enjoyable.
(4)Dan O.
They have loyalty cards where they give you a free entree after X amount of visits. Well I used to keep them with my Metra pass and it got stolen. So the next time I visit I'm waiting in line to pay the cashier I casually tell the owner of what had happened, and how dissapointed I was since I had a fully stamped card. He gave me the benefit of the doubt and gave me another card with half of the card stamped out saying that he will meet me half way. I thought it was a good gesture, something he didn't have to do at all. Their Cran-Turkey salad is awesome with their homemade dressing and I also enjoy their personal pizzas. Sometimes the service is inconsistant but the customers need to speak up bit because it gets very loud in there.
(4)Don H.
There are many options in the Loop for lunch, but I have no idea of any of them especially near Wacker and the west end. His suggestion so I didn't know what to expect. So it's Italian. I assumed Mexican by the name alone. We walked in right around 1215p and it was organized chaos. It's that cafeteria style service that often trips people up. But no matter. We cruised down the line after a 10 minute wait in the queue. I noticed a great, limited selection of Italian treats and many options for sandwiches. They have salads and and actual dinner meals (think Sbarro without the pizza). I decided on the lasagna with some extra meat sauce. It was very nice. Not the best, but tasty. I also got myself a brownie. All told, $12 is a bit steep as everything is an option. If you're coming for lunch, be sure to get here a tad early or a tad late. You might not get a seat otherwise. People are courteous and don't take up more space than they need.
(3)Kate C.
Jim and the whole Arturo's team is the best. I use them for large catering events often and they are so professional, always on time (usually early!) and very easy to work with. I highly recommend Arturo's for lunch as well. The food is good, and there is always a good selection. I love them :)
(5)Kristen B.
Just found out about Arturo's today from a fellow Yelper and I must say, their Chicken Pesto is truly a hit! (So much so, they brought me out of my review writer's block). I called them five minutes before closing and managed to get them to take my order. 10 minutes later, I'm there, greeted by the manager. I told him I heard about Arturo's Chicken Pesto on Yelp, and he actually gave me a taste of the Pesto Pasta to go with my sandwich... Okay, let's get to the nitty gritty :: Their Chicken Pesto is awesome because the chicken itself is pulled (think chicken salad style) and mixed with the pesto sauce rather than it simply having pesto sauce on top of a chicken breast. This really brings the flavor home and makes all the other pesto sandwich makers look stingy. The bread is nicely toasted and the roasted peppers are the perfect accent. Bottom line :: Great service, great Chicken Pesto sandwich. Pesto Pasta could've had more pep, but I'm excited to see what other sandwiches they have. My sandwich card should help with that... Update:: Warning! Addictive!
(4)Bill M.
I've been working near Arturo Express for several years now and I had listened to two of my co-workers chat about when they were going again to eat at Arturo (they each had a frequent diner punch card). I finally visited for the first time not long ago for lunch. At first I was just gawking at the menu, probably slowing down all the Arturo regulars behind me who knew what they were doing. There are different stations in the overall line, one for sandwiches, one for pastas, and so on. My friend said the Turano "muffalato" was very good, so I went along with her choice too. She was right - it's a hearty and delicious sandwich on focaccia with plenty of ham and a tasty smattering of olives. I also picked a small side of pasta salad which was decent, and we split a chocolate-dipped cannoli which was pretty good. They have some daily specials (part of the menu-reading I was doing in line). The space is jammed during the peak lunch hour, so get there at the right time and don't forget your punch card.
(4)Ginger F.
I work for a company that orders catering for large groups of people every weekend. I cannot say enough good things about Arturo Express. The owner, the staff, the food - even the pricing - are all amazing. They are prompt, courteous and always willing to help out in a bind. We love working with Arturo Express and highly suggest them. And the bacon. Oh my god, the bacon. It's the best cooked bacon I've ever had and I would eat a tray full of it if I didn't have to leave some for everybody else.
(5)Kim J.
My office just moved to the other side of the river. A coworker and I went exploring for new lunch places, and we found an awful lot of nothing - until we stumbled up on Arturo. Upon entering, we saw that the special was a pesto chicken sandwich. My word, was that thing good. Pesto, chicken, mozzarella, all grilled to perfection. It was a big sandwich, too - no sides needed here! We returned today, but alas, the pesto chicken is just that - a special. Instead, I gave the pasta with broccoli and chicken a go. It had a little red pepper kick that I wasn't expecting, but I enjoyed it. And two very enthusiastic thumbs up for the Italian wedding soup I had on the side - so very good. There isn't much to be enthusiastic about on this side of the river, but Arturo is a lone bright spot in the sea of chain restaurants. Yum. PS - for the ladies, this place is a sausage fest. And we're not talking Italian sausage, either - we were the only chicks in the joint!
(4)Gary B.
This is a popular loop place for lunch and the longer lines seem to get longer. Their popularity I believe stems from the wide variety of options they offer. Pizza, hot and cold sandwiches, pasta and others. Very easy to go to with co-workers since everyone can be pleased. I enjoy the Turano but recently had the Italian as it was on special. They offer a daily special which ranges .25 to .75 discount which is an added bonus if that was what you were going to order. The staff is super friendly and maintain their composure when the barrage of starving lunch timers come strolling in.
(4)Paul K.
I think Arturo's does a great job. Their meatball san is top notch and the Pizzas are pretty good too. Never tried the pasta special, but they always look good too. And the price is righ.
(5)Angie M.
I've learned that I'm a simple salad kind of girl. And guess who has one of THE BEST simple salads around? You guessed it. Arturo Express. Get the chicken tortellini salad. It's nothing but romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken and cheese tortellini with this bodacious herby vinaigrette served on the side. I kid you not, though, when I say it's amazingly delicious. First, the lettuce is freshity-fresh-fresh. No wilted greens here. Second, the chicken is seasoned with lots of fresh herbs and plainly grilled. Third, the smattering of tortellini (not too many noodles, which is nice for the calorie counters in the house) filled with cheese provide just the right amount of silkiness. And last, the dressing. OMFG. I swear, it's laced with crack or heroin. That good. Nom. Nom. Nom.
(4)Patrick W.
It has a large selection (subs, pasta, pizza, italian beef, salads) which helps out especially when you're bringing a work group there for lunch. Everything is good (nothing is great, but nothing is mediocre either). Just a solid lunch place where you won't be disappointed.
(4)Joanna C.
After arriving in Union Station extremely hungry and ready to try Chicago's famous foods, I looked on Yelp and decided to try the Italian Beef here. The sandwich was definitely filling and I liked how they melted the cheese without making the sandwich greasy. However, I didn't think the sandwich was anything special. I had initially contemplated getting pizza, but it looked pretty unappetizing. Service was okay though it was loud, which made ordering food over the counter difficult. Arturo's is a decent spot to check out if you're looking to grab something quick before catching a train or bus.
(3)Kris P.
Arturo's is a regular lunch spot of mine because it is 20 paces from my office. Lucky for me, they have one of the best Italian (genoa) subs in the city. Granted, I don't spend my days searching out the best Italian subs, anyway...it's good. I can't speak for much else on the menu because I'm lulled into a Genoa sub trance every time I walk through the door. I enjoy it that much. Here are a few other notes. The place does get crowded at lunch time (what place in the loop doesn't). $8 can seem a bit spendy for a sandwich and drink (what place in the loop isn't). They do offer a punch card where your 8th sandwich is free!!! One genoa, lightly toasted, no peppers, no tomato (sometimes)...bring it!
(4)John S.
arturoexpress.com this place is next to where i work. PLENTY of offerings, specialty sandwiches, pizza, pizza bread, beef's, meatballs, salads, pasta's, etc etc. They don't do anything exceptionally well, but they don't do anything exceptionally poor. On the plus side they bake all their own breads there onsite, and after all, the bread is what makes the sandwich. whenever i get a craving for a meatball sub, this is where i go when i'm at work. ambaince is pretty much italian fresco. this place reminds me of a will rafuse painting (just google it). My freind Bill won't go hear because they don't have french fries, but I really think you can talk anyone into going here. Typical lunch crowd, you may have to sit near the soda machine, but as a whole the food is good, place is clean, staff is friendly and when you are downtown everyday and refuse to pack a lunch but need a change, arturo's works. expect to drop $7-$10 here on lunch.
(3)Mary T.
This place is great and it has a little bit of everything. At first the menu can seem a bit overwhelming, part of it may be that there seem to be a lot of regulars who come here and know exactly what they want and where to order it. For first timers it takes a little longer. They have great salads, sandwiches, pizza and pastas and don't skimp on the portions. The staff is very friendly too. If you're in the loop and tired of the train station food court's stop by, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Brent D.
This is exactly the kind of place that you want to have near your office. They offer a decent variety of sandwiches, salads, and warm entrees....all at a reasonable price (especially by loop standards). Possibly the best thing about this place is the service. Always quick and with a smile. For anyone looking for a great mom & pop stop in the loop, look no further.
(4)Dila C.
The best cheese sub I ever had:) The bread is fresh and crispy french bread with a lot of taste. Cheese was amazing..Everything. It felt like something I would make at home. There is always something missing from subs you get from quiznos, subway, jimmy johns, etc. The breads feel like sponge and tasteless, and most of the time you dont even taste the cheese in the sandwich. I have new sub to-go place now!! I am still licking my fingers..Ok that's kind of unsanitary as I am typing, but this sub(Napoli) was that good. And to top it all we got a smile as we were ordering, as we were paying and as we were leaving!
(5)Miriam B.
I love coming to this place for breakfast. People treat you like family here( even though I only come here once a month). The giant homeade blueberry muffins and jalepeno cheddar bagels are to die for!. They do fantastic catering too.
(5)Dominic B.
I just started a new job last month at a building that is next door to Arturo's. In addition to it being a great job...this place is one of the best perks about my work week. It is an AWESOME lunch spot if you like Italian. I've tried several different items (meatball sandwich, Italian beef, chicken chili, chicken Caesar sandwich) , and they've all been very, very good. To top that off it's prices are right in line, if not below, other lunch spots around me. Last but not least, they have great service! I'm always greeted by a smiling employee and they're very quick getting people through the line. Highly recommended!
(5)Chris M.
I give them a 5 on the bread and everything else goes downhill from there. I had lunch here with a couple of my college buddies who work close by. I got the Italian sub heated with hot peppers. I also got the smallest side of pesto pasta I have ever seen. Both were pretty tasty, but for the price of almost 10 bucks (including a small drink) I feel like I was a bit shorted for what I got. Oh yeah, and it was crowded as ever! We were there at prime time lunch hour on a Friday, but the seating arrangements make it very tough to get around in the place when it's busy. Claustrophobics beware!
(2)Megan G.
Good old Arturos. I think they've existed the full 9 years I've worked in a building nearby. I have some faves but leave at a 3 star for the minimal healthy options (salads are pasta or meat- heavy with few veggies) and a smidge pricier than I'd like to pay for what I get. BUT if I want to dare spend the afternoon at my cube fighting a food coma, I'll try their spinach lasagna. They do have a truly awesome marinara. And that's even with Venice Cafe just a 1/2 block away... Most offerings include some kind of meat but I will from time to time indulge in the napoli sandwich (pesto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red pepper, basil- toasted) and back in my more carnivorous days, I enjoyed a chicken salad sandwich (or salad) that was mighty tasty (with black olives in the mix). Breakfast is decent and a bit more homemade then the other usual suspects in the area. I just wish they'd have more healthy offerings so I don't get in trouble every time I walk through their door.
(3)Team B.
This place is right near my work and we go their often. Laurie and Jim make a point to learn your name and what you like. They will customize your sandwich in any way their ingredients allow (and they remember our favorite combos). Their cookies are tasty, and I really like the chicken-salad salad. The spinach lasagna is great--the tomato sauce tastes fresh. Do split it with someone or make it two meals. Be happy if you forget your breakfast at home--the bagels and croissants are excellent.
(4)Frankie J.
One of the few independent places left to eat downtown - and the quality SHOWS. My buddies and I meet for lunch on a regular basis, and they specialize in italian sandwiches and pasta. Now, you ask yourself, in the fatitude of this era, why do you want to eat pasta? Well, at some point in your life, if you realize you should eat normal portions, no sugared soda (unsweetened tea or diet soda), and exercise, you CAN eat good food and save the 100 calorie can/box/tub/packet/bar for a nuclear winter event. The tweet on that is," YOU make yourself fat. Not the lunch, the clothes, or the stripes." The sandwiches (chicken caesar, italian sub, hot and cold, etc), salads, pasta (lasagna, tortellini, pesto), all have good normal portions which taste excellent. The other day I had the buffalo chicken hot sandwich - be still my harden heart. It was loaded with chicken and had just perfectly toasted cheese on top on a crisp, not stale, italian roll. So go in, get food, and don't eat the damn candybar in your desk. Drink some water and walk around and you can eat here without thinking,"Will this lunch make me fat?" Yeah, if you eat ten of them.
(4)Ronnie P.
The Arturo Special is a crucial part to any successful morning, The staff is always friendly.
(5)Max T.
The people that run this place are super nice and the sandwiches are pretty good too. Definitely not a bad option for the area for the price.
(4)Matt S.
Loving the affordable downtown lunch place! Any time I can get a sandwich, drink and side for less than $10 I'm thrilled... but not only did I get that (Italian beef) but I also snagged a serving of their pesto pasta salad, which is the real star of this spot. Give'er a try!
(4)Samantha R.
I love this place for a quick breakfast sandwich on the way to work and lunch. The Chicken Pesto sandwich is wonderful. It's a panini with a chicken salad-y thing with pesto in the mayo. It's not too much of a pesto- just enough that you taste it. I have eaten here almost a dozen times with no disappointments. The service is okay, and depending on what you want (pasta, sandwich, soup) you order at different places in the line. There are signs, but the first couple times I was there, the lady at the front of the line was kinda snippy about where I needed to place my order. I don't know if she just really hates repeating herself over and over again or what, but she should remember that not everyone is a regular.
(4)Leticia L.
I love this place. It is one of my favorite lunch spots. I would have the say the spinach lasagna is my absolute favorite. Sometimes I take a salad from home and split the lasagna in two servings so I can have it twice during the week. Also that much lasagna can be a bit heavy and would probably make me sleepy if I ate the whole thing! They also serve breakfast which is quite reasonably priced. I usually get a bagel with their chive cream cheese- delicious.
(4)Mark G.
This place is great. I've brought a couple people here for a bite to eat when they go to Union Station during the day and no one has ever been disappointed. I must say that I am becoming addicted to the Meat Lasagna special that they do on Tuesdays. The proprietors are in fact very friendly and the service is always quick. Highly recommended. Oh, and make sure to get a chocolate chip brownie one fo these days, they are really good.
(4)Andrew P.
I work right across the street from Arturo's... Every time i go into this place for lunch I tell myself I am going to try something new... and every time I inevitably order the Italian Beef/Sausage combo sandwich. It might be the greatest sandwich on the planet. The pesto pasta salad is fantastic also although the portions are not that hearty... But hey, when your sandwich weighs 20 pounds, who needs a big pasta salad side?
(5)Jessica K.
If your tired of Starbucks, panda express, and big chain sandwich shops, those that work in the West Loop should try venturing here. Open early for breakfast. Their coffee is mediocre but their bagel and croissants are pretty good. I come here more for lunch. Service is pretty fast so if your on a time crunch or look to pic up carry out , this place is what you are looking for. If you're planning to sit down, I must warn you, it can get crowded. But because of their speedy service there is a chance you'll be able to grab a table. It's not guaranteed but you're chances aren't that bad. Aside from their yummy-licious bagel sandwiches, my top choice pick from Arturo Express is their Italian Beef sandwich known as the "Tuscany". Just picture this... A buttload of juicy, thinly sliced, Italian beef smothered in your choice of cheese (I recommend a white cheese) accompanied by an assortment of more than compatible spices, all on top of a crispy yet doughy yet crispy piece of bread.
(5)Jenny S.
Everything tastes good but I swear they can't get an order right for me if their lives depended upon it. I have to check my bag before I leave and the few times I haven't it's the wrong thing. Like a buffalo chicken pizza when I asked for vegetarian. Bleh.
(3)Ben B.
I used to come to Arturo's a lot for lunch, but I've slowed down recently. The rest of my lunch crew pointed out that the quality may not be good enough to justify the price, and while I tried arguing the point for awhile, I ultimately had to concede. The brownies and other desserts are particularly expensive for a fast-dining / take-out place. My favorites here are the muffalatto and the Italian beef sandwiches. The staff has been consistently friendly, and will go out of their way to remember your name if you're a semi-frequent diner (I don't think I ever went more often than once every couple of weeks).
(3)Lisa F.
Oh my. The menu looked great, it really did. Splitting a caesar salad, soup and pizza with the husband while on my lunch break, what could be better!? The clam chowder was good, it really was. However, the soup and pizza were blech. No flavors whatsoever. It honestly didn't taste like anything. Both of us were completely underwhelmed with it. We even got an oreo brownie for dessert and didn't even eat half of it. Yet again, not good. The workers were really pleasant and gave us a punch card which I was excited about, but threw it away since we won't be back.
(2)Christopher J.
One of my favorite loop lunch spots. I usually grab one of their flat bread pizzas, though the pasta and sandwiches have proved tasty as well. They use extremely fresh ingredients and have excellent customer service. I recommend showing up in the 11:30 or 1 range to avoid a pretty serious rush. Prices are a bit higher... more like the range of Cosi or Corner Bakery -- so I can't say I'm a regular.
(4)Lori L.
So, my boyfriend works just down the street from here, and he's been raving about Chicken Pesto Thursday. "Lori, you have to try Chicken Pesto Thursday!" So, I decided to meet him there for lunch today. We placed our order with Lori, the friendly order taker. She about jumped out of her pants when I told her my name is Lori and we even spell it the same way. She said its was "her" way of spelling it because she's at least twice my age (claimed to be 47). God bless this woman! (As she does not double my age). At any rate, we chose a table by the window and our food was ready in really no time at all. Two grilled chicken pesto sandwiches on sourdough bread with roasted red peppers and provolone cheese. The sandwiches were oozing with cheesy and pesto yumminess. The bread was toasted yet soft. It was aaaalll good. This sandwich was pesto with the zesto! I have a feeling there will be more Chicken Pesto Thursdays in my future.
(4)Brendan R.
This place serves the expected italian fare, but their food is awesome - This isn't a sit down place, although once you get your food, there is ample seating - The subs and pizza are great - I have had the Spicy italian and also the Veggie Pizza - both were everything you could expect out of that dish Arturo is convenient, speedy, and their food is really good italian food fast
(4)Marc D.
Yelp sums it up perfect - 2 stars: "Meh. I've experienced better." I ordered one of their sandwiches after my made-to-order was unavailable (more on that later). I took the Napoli (Sub Roll, Mozzarella, Basil, Roasted Red Peppers, and Italian Olive Oil Sauce) and subbed tomatoes for the roasted red peppers. It's a simple Italian style sandwich and the taste comes down to the ingredients: *Bread - best part. 6.5 of 10 with good texture. They're website says the bread is baked fresh daily in the store. Time for a new baker . . . *Mozz - super low quality. Not the fresh mozz one would expect from a top quality deli. It was firm, spongy with zero taste. *Basil - again, low quality. Not very flavorful and loaded with spots. *Olive Oil Sauce: there was sauce on there? Hmm. *Tomato: light in color, flavorless and mushy. Again, low grade. Back to my original order - I had been craving a tomato, mozzarella and prosciutto sandwich since moving to Chicago (from NY) early this year but didn't know where there was an Italian deli in the neighborhood (I stumbled upon this one). When I went in to order ANY ITALIAN DELI STAPLE, I was told they don't have prosciutto! Really? An "authentic, old world Italian style delicatessen" (so described on their website) that doesn't carry prosciutto? Yikes. Service was good and the hot food looked decent - only thing keeping me from doling out one star. Facts is, if you know Italian and have high standards for quality ingredients, steer clear. If your idea of a good Italian restaurant is the Olive Garden, this deli is for you.
(2)becki s.
I just got back from having lunch here, and lets just be serious....im still thinking out the awesome Chicken Tortellini salad i just had. The dressing was perfect, the salad was huge, and it was just a great lunch! It looks to have a pretty good selection of sandwiches, pizza and some fantastic looking deserts. Everything is resonably priced. My lunch (salad and a fountain drink) cost less than $8 I'll def be going here again!
(4)Elle F.
Really? Four stars? It's not that bad, but it's not that good either. Here is the only reason, in my opinion, to go to Arturo's: the cheese lasagna special. It's ridiculously huge and fattening and delicious. You can get two filling meals out of it and they give you a garlic roll, too. Try it with the marinara sauce. The rest of the food is just alright. Pesto pasta salad is nice. Skip the rest of the salads and sandwiches. I see a lot of happy breakfast reviewers so maybe I'll try a morning experience.
(3)Joe S.
The guy in front of me got the meatball sandwich. So did the guy in front of him, and the next one, and the next one. Why should I be any different? It comes on a killer roll that can take the abuse without being too tough to chew. I may have gotten there at a bad time but try to look past the aging sample menu items in the display case as they don't seem to do justice to what is actually served.
(3)Beth Q.
I love Arturo Express. It's got to be the best place in the area to grab a quick lunch. The food is so good and so fresh, the bread on all the sandwiches tastes so newly baked and delicious. And they have some really great soups - my fave is the Chicken Gumbo! My favorite sandwich so far is the one with fresh mozzarella, red peppers and tomato and basil. I get it warmed, and it's breathtakingly good. Another favorite aspect of this place is the atmosphere. For what it is, just this place you go up to the counter and order, there is ample seating, nice decorating, and always friendly service. Oh and one more thing! I love that they give out those punch cards where they punch it for each meal you order, and when you have about 5 bought, the next one is free. Delightful.
(5)Jessica Y.
Great lunch spot with something for everyone. The meatball sub is quite possibly the BEST I've ever had. My friends would receommend the tuna melt and italian beef as their favorites. The pasta and pizza is also delicious, and I particularly like the pesto pasta salad. If you work in the west loop, you need to try this place for lunch!!
(5)Tara M.
I haven't been here in awhile, but used to love this place when I went to school nearby. I think they do things much better than other, similar places. Someone posted about the awesomeness of the Italian sub..it's true. Any of the baked pastas are also really good. Things are fresh and hot. Give it a try.
(4)Kelly W.
potbelly and jimmy johns have good sandwiches but you can only have so much of the same. i like to switch things up every once in awhile and head to arturo's! every day i go, i get the chicken pesto sandwich. it is so good and i go out so infrequently, i just can't convince myself to order something else. the staff is always extremely friendly and they all seem to genuinely enjoy working there and this is such a rare find in the food industry. the prices here aren't any more lucrative than any other lunch place in the loop but i feel the intangibles make it worthwhile. (writing this review makes me really want a chicken pesto sandwich right now...)
(4)Elizabeth Z.
While attempting to lose weight for my wedding, I started eating a can of soup for lunch everyday at my desk, EXCEPT for Wednesdays when I would treat myself to Arturo's $6 spaghetti lunch special (and the occasional Tuesday pizza special). Service is quick and friendly and the food is good. If you work in the loop near Union Station you need to eat here! The beef sandwiches are good too when you're not on a wedding "diet"
(5)Gary B.
This is a popular loop place for lunch and the longer lines seem to get longer. Their popularity I believe stems from the wide variety of options they offer. Pizza, hot and cold sandwiches, pasta and others. Very easy to go to with co-workers since everyone can be pleased. I enjoy the Turano but recently had the Italian as it was on special. They offer a daily special which ranges .25 to .75 discount which is an added bonus if that was what you were going to order. The staff is super friendly and maintain their composure when the barrage of starving lunch timers come strolling in.
(4)Kevin S.
It's close to my office, so I end up going here at least 3-4 times a month. The sandwiches and pasta are all great. My personal favorites are the buffalo chicken and the turkey-bacon-avocado. I also enjoy the chicken and broccoli pasta.
(4)Stephanie S.
This place is a hidden gem! Really nice change from the typical chain place for lunch. I am obsessed with the Napoli (it might be my favorite sandwich of all time, which is really quite a statement! LOL) They have pizzas, pastas, salads, sammies, pasta salads, soup, etc etc. It just seems like a well run place with quality ingredients. Definitely check it out if you get a chance!
(5)Odranre B.
Good food + good portion + good price. Great place to-go food especially for breakfast. Located by Union Station in Chicago. Busy streets so no parking.
(3)Christina B.
The best thing about Arturos: delicious food prepared at a fast pace. As many have mentioned, walking distance from Union Station, Arturos is a cute little Italian joint located near the CVS on the corner of Canal. When I walk into Arturos, I immediately get an amazing vibe. Co-workers laughing, eating good food, enjoying the small but quaint seating in the storefront. I've tried a few different things from Arturos. I've tried their buffalo chicken pizza, which was super good. Not too greasy, good buffalo flavor, and a nice amount of chicken on the pizza. I've had their broccoli cheddar soup, which is my favorite. Super creamy, super flavorful. I've also had their Caprese sandwhich which is also very good and very filling. Their portions are pretty large for the price. I usually walk out of Arturos only spending under $10 which is an accomplishment for being lunch in the Loop. Overall, I really enjoy eating at Arturos. All of the employees have been super nice and helpful. The line always moves fast. Good eats, good ambiance. Give it a shot!
(5)Tish D.
Great place close to Union Station. Food is homemade quality but fast. Everything and I mean everything I've tried is delicious especially their pastas and salads. Huge portions and daily specials never disappoint.
(4)Pi M.
I had turkey sandwich for lunch. It was super good.ingredients were fresh so I feel fresh
(5)Jason H.
Decent lunch spot. One thing I don't like is you're kind of thrown right in the fire as the door leads directly to the line. No great place to stand out of the way and peruse options. The daily special was spaghetti, salad and a drink for $6. Solid deal, but I went for a grilled sandwich since I didn't want spaghetti. With drink, my meal was $10...a bit excessive. My turkey/bacon grilled sandwich wasn't bad. Would like to come back and try some pizza.
(3)Matt D.
Sandwiches, Pizza, Salads, or Pastas?? It's your choice. They have a wide variety of options for you to consume. They have daily specials to which I typically take full advantage of as it's such an awesome purchase. You can dine in our take out. They always have a 'buy 9 items, get 10th item free' card to use as well - if you're going to dine their alot, you might as well enjoy free! Be mindful that lunch time is lunch time. It is a somewhat popular spot at noon, but on the good side they keep the line moving :) All in all, this is on my Loop Lunch list and I'll continue to visit this local spot. Cheers.
(4)Jeff W.
I have been coming here for years and never really loved it but for whatever reason decided to give it another try... they have a six dollar lunch special which sometimes includes Italian beef or meatballs and spaghetti with a salad and a drink for six dollars and quite frankly I cannot think of a better deal and all of Chicago and it was actually pretty tasty... you definitely do not come here for the ambience are many other things because it is a little bit pricey for what it is but I would recommend getting a lunch special any day of the week.
(4)James L.
Great service, fast prep, & authentic Italian at less than $10/person. Can't beat it. Also check out the daily specials.
(5)Samantha T.
The absolute best sandwich shop in the area! I keep coming back for the Napoli (almost every week!) Everything tastes so fresh and you can tell they put a lot of care into everything they do. It is a great place for a casual lunch with a coworker, or pick it up and take it back to your desk. I have not tried any of the pizza/pasta yet - but they all look great!
(5)Linda N.
Visited twice. First visit over a month ago so all I can tell you is whatever it was it was standard because I remember great and horrible. Second visit we tried meatball sandwich and chili. Didnt care for the chili and loved the meatball sandwiches. i will venture back to try more of their menu and maybe a breakfast. There needs to be better signage because no one is sure where to pick what up and and who waits on what section.
(3)S A.
Stopped here for lunch. Short walk from Union Station. Food was fantastic and affordable, staff were very friendly and hospitable. Meatball sub was great as was the signature salad. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)Chukwuma N.
I had Arturo's for lunch and while at work, during the afternoon, I was tempted to give into my food coma so that I could dream about having more Arturo's. I recommend the Milano, my first love over there at Arturo's.
(4)Brian B.
Great food and service. The food comes out rather quickly considering it's prepared fresh, rather than fast-food. 2 folks on the staff have been remarkably friendly. I'll probably keep going for lunch at least once a week
(5)Jerry G.
Stopped in here during lunchtime based on the reviews. While I was there, I noticed there wasn't any letup in customers. They kept streaming through the front door. The special ran around 6 and change including the sandwich, chips and drink. I had the Italian beef with hot peppers, chips and drink and it came to a few dollars more. The beef was tender (always a good thing and tough Italian beef is terrible) and the hots made it spicy. Not to the level I love but to the level I like. The flavor was good. All in all, for the price, well worth it. The staff was polite and cheerful the whole time I was there. Most people took takeout but I think there were enough tables had most stayed. They appeared to have a wide assortment of sandwiches and pizzas to accommodate most tastes. It was enjoyable.
(4)Danny W.
My brother's lived in the building this place is attached to for over a year and only been here once. When I asked him why he responded "Meh...it's nothing to really write home about." I tried them for myself the other day and pretty much felt the same way. It's not bad by any means, but certainly nothing super special. Simple sandwiches, salads, pastas, and pizzas. Slightly above average, but not thrilling enough to make you go even a block out of your way. They're really quick and convenient so if you live in the building it's not a bad option, but like my bro said...Don't expect to write home.
(3)Joe L.
Do yourself a favor. Get off the train, go over to Arturo's and get a bagel sandwich in the morning. Here's what you order: Everything bagel, sausage, egg white, pepper jack cheese. I've eaten a lot and this by far, for some reason, is probably in the top 1-2 breakfast sandwiches I've eaten. Jim (owner) is doing something right...
(5)Michael C.
PASS
(2)Bea K.
average food, average service, average ambiance. better than subway (there's a slogan for you)!
(2)Paul K.
I think Arturo's does a great job. Their meatball san is top notch and the Pizzas are pretty good too. Never tried the pasta special, but they always look good too. And the price is righ.
(5)Angie M.
I've learned that I'm a simple salad kind of girl. And guess who has one of THE BEST simple salads around? You guessed it. Arturo Express. Get the chicken tortellini salad. It's nothing but romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken and cheese tortellini with this bodacious herby vinaigrette served on the side. I kid you not, though, when I say it's amazingly delicious. First, the lettuce is freshity-fresh-fresh. No wilted greens here. Second, the chicken is seasoned with lots of fresh herbs and plainly grilled. Third, the smattering of tortellini (not too many noodles, which is nice for the calorie counters in the house) filled with cheese provide just the right amount of silkiness. And last, the dressing. OMFG. I swear, it's laced with crack or heroin. That good. Nom. Nom. Nom.
(4)Patrick W.
It has a large selection (subs, pasta, pizza, italian beef, salads) which helps out especially when you're bringing a work group there for lunch. Everything is good (nothing is great, but nothing is mediocre either). Just a solid lunch place where you won't be disappointed.
(4)Joanna C.
After arriving in Union Station extremely hungry and ready to try Chicago's famous foods, I looked on Yelp and decided to try the Italian Beef here. The sandwich was definitely filling and I liked how they melted the cheese without making the sandwich greasy. However, I didn't think the sandwich was anything special. I had initially contemplated getting pizza, but it looked pretty unappetizing. Service was okay though it was loud, which made ordering food over the counter difficult. Arturo's is a decent spot to check out if you're looking to grab something quick before catching a train or bus.
(3)Dila C.
The best cheese sub I ever had:) The bread is fresh and crispy french bread with a lot of taste. Cheese was amazing..Everything. It felt like something I would make at home. There is always something missing from subs you get from quiznos, subway, jimmy johns, etc. The breads feel like sponge and tasteless, and most of the time you dont even taste the cheese in the sandwich. I have new sub to-go place now!! I am still licking my fingers..Ok that's kind of unsanitary as I am typing, but this sub(Napoli) was that good. And to top it all we got a smile as we were ordering, as we were paying and as we were leaving!
(5)Miriam B.
I love coming to this place for breakfast. People treat you like family here( even though I only come here once a month). The giant homeade blueberry muffins and jalepeno cheddar bagels are to die for!. They do fantastic catering too.
(5)Michael G.
When setting foot back on United States soil after my recent European trip, they didn't ask me at Customs if I had anything to declare. But if they had, I would have stated proudly, "I now hate Italian food!" Now it's not for the reason that might come to mind. Having real Italian food in Italy did not sour me on the Americanized version. Quite the opposite. The complete lack of flavor in every pasta that I got (the original Italian style pizza lived up to the hype) overseas made me crave the underly ingredianted, overly spiced, overly oiled, tomato pasty goodness of cheap American spaghetti (and mostacholli and gnocchi and, well, I think the point is made). The thing is, they seem to think in Italy that Italian-American food is worse than it actually is; and, therefore, they can get away with anything in the big cities. They're wrong. There are even Italian delis that serve good food around here! One is close to the food wasteland that surrounds my workplace. The first meal I had when I got back to work, therefore, to wash away the bad memories of Italian cuisine was this oasis of cheap "Italian" - Arturo Express. Their pasta sauce is basically something out of a can. But, darn, it's bene! For $4.75 (I mean, that's only four Euro, try finding that in Italy) they slather a large ladle of the stuff over a huge plate of noodles and give you a cheap American roll to boot (they charge for the bread in Italy, the nerve). Plus, and I know this is a given here but I have to say it anyway - they have FREE water WITH ICE! And on Thursdays, the whole thing that would make an Italian faint but me cheer is buy one get one free (with or without meatballs). Not to say that I think all Italian food is pasta. I tried some actual panini while I was over there as well. And, let me tell you, give me Arturo's fake Italian-style subs over most authentic Italian sandwich any time. The tomatoes and cheeses may taste better in the mother country, but Arturo piles their lesser Yankee cousins on sandwiches thick and tasty. And the best part is, picky eaters get to speak to them in English! Would I seek out Arturo's on holiday? No. But, hey, if I were touristing at the Willis Tour, they would definitely be worth a lunch-sized vacation across the street.
(4)Nathan F.
It's 2013 and this is the cheapest place to get a comprehensive meal for lunch in this zipcode. I really hate a lot about this place (long line, line organization, where you place your order, the high cost of the brownies and cookies, etc.) but the food is actually really freaking good. I got the tuna sub the other day and it was incredible.
(4)Jessica M.
One of my favorite lunch places in the west loop. Seriously affordable. I love getting the half and half deal. Half Salad and Half Pizza. Fresh greens, hot pizza you can't go wrong with that for lunch.
(5)Jenni E.
Great breakfast and lunch place right by the train station. The people who work here are super nice and they have typical-Italian sandwiches and food along with daily specials to keep it interesting. I would reccomend the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich that they have on Tuesdays. I am also a big fan of the pesto chicken or the pesto pasta - very garlicky but oh so good.
(4)Dan O.
They have loyalty cards where they give you a free entree after X amount of visits. Well I used to keep them with my Metra pass and it got stolen. So the next time I visit I'm waiting in line to pay the cashier I casually tell the owner of what had happened, and how dissapointed I was since I had a fully stamped card. He gave me the benefit of the doubt and gave me another card with half of the card stamped out saying that he will meet me half way. I thought it was a good gesture, something he didn't have to do at all. Their Cran-Turkey salad is awesome with their homemade dressing and I also enjoy their personal pizzas. Sometimes the service is inconsistant but the customers need to speak up bit because it gets very loud in there.
(4)Don H.
There are many options in the Loop for lunch, but I have no idea of any of them especially near Wacker and the west end. His suggestion so I didn't know what to expect. So it's Italian. I assumed Mexican by the name alone. We walked in right around 1215p and it was organized chaos. It's that cafeteria style service that often trips people up. But no matter. We cruised down the line after a 10 minute wait in the queue. I noticed a great, limited selection of Italian treats and many options for sandwiches. They have salads and and actual dinner meals (think Sbarro without the pizza). I decided on the lasagna with some extra meat sauce. It was very nice. Not the best, but tasty. I also got myself a brownie. All told, $12 is a bit steep as everything is an option. If you're coming for lunch, be sure to get here a tad early or a tad late. You might not get a seat otherwise. People are courteous and don't take up more space than they need.
(3)Kate C.
Jim and the whole Arturo's team is the best. I use them for large catering events often and they are so professional, always on time (usually early!) and very easy to work with. I highly recommend Arturo's for lunch as well. The food is good, and there is always a good selection. I love them :)
(5)Kristen B.
Just found out about Arturo's today from a fellow Yelper and I must say, their Chicken Pesto is truly a hit! (So much so, they brought me out of my review writer's block). I called them five minutes before closing and managed to get them to take my order. 10 minutes later, I'm there, greeted by the manager. I told him I heard about Arturo's Chicken Pesto on Yelp, and he actually gave me a taste of the Pesto Pasta to go with my sandwich... Okay, let's get to the nitty gritty :: Their Chicken Pesto is awesome because the chicken itself is pulled (think chicken salad style) and mixed with the pesto sauce rather than it simply having pesto sauce on top of a chicken breast. This really brings the flavor home and makes all the other pesto sandwich makers look stingy. The bread is nicely toasted and the roasted peppers are the perfect accent. Bottom line :: Great service, great Chicken Pesto sandwich. Pesto Pasta could've had more pep, but I'm excited to see what other sandwiches they have. My sandwich card should help with that... Update:: Warning! Addictive!
(4)Bill M.
I've been working near Arturo Express for several years now and I had listened to two of my co-workers chat about when they were going again to eat at Arturo (they each had a frequent diner punch card). I finally visited for the first time not long ago for lunch. At first I was just gawking at the menu, probably slowing down all the Arturo regulars behind me who knew what they were doing. There are different stations in the overall line, one for sandwiches, one for pastas, and so on. My friend said the Turano "muffalato" was very good, so I went along with her choice too. She was right - it's a hearty and delicious sandwich on focaccia with plenty of ham and a tasty smattering of olives. I also picked a small side of pasta salad which was decent, and we split a chocolate-dipped cannoli which was pretty good. They have some daily specials (part of the menu-reading I was doing in line). The space is jammed during the peak lunch hour, so get there at the right time and don't forget your punch card.
(4)Ginger F.
I work for a company that orders catering for large groups of people every weekend. I cannot say enough good things about Arturo Express. The owner, the staff, the food - even the pricing - are all amazing. They are prompt, courteous and always willing to help out in a bind. We love working with Arturo Express and highly suggest them. And the bacon. Oh my god, the bacon. It's the best cooked bacon I've ever had and I would eat a tray full of it if I didn't have to leave some for everybody else.
(5)Kim J.
My office just moved to the other side of the river. A coworker and I went exploring for new lunch places, and we found an awful lot of nothing - until we stumbled up on Arturo. Upon entering, we saw that the special was a pesto chicken sandwich. My word, was that thing good. Pesto, chicken, mozzarella, all grilled to perfection. It was a big sandwich, too - no sides needed here! We returned today, but alas, the pesto chicken is just that - a special. Instead, I gave the pasta with broccoli and chicken a go. It had a little red pepper kick that I wasn't expecting, but I enjoyed it. And two very enthusiastic thumbs up for the Italian wedding soup I had on the side - so very good. There isn't much to be enthusiastic about on this side of the river, but Arturo is a lone bright spot in the sea of chain restaurants. Yum. PS - for the ladies, this place is a sausage fest. And we're not talking Italian sausage, either - we were the only chicks in the joint!
(4)Brent D.
This is exactly the kind of place that you want to have near your office. They offer a decent variety of sandwiches, salads, and warm entrees....all at a reasonable price (especially by loop standards). Possibly the best thing about this place is the service. Always quick and with a smile. For anyone looking for a great mom & pop stop in the loop, look no further.
(4)Mary T.
This place is great and it has a little bit of everything. At first the menu can seem a bit overwhelming, part of it may be that there seem to be a lot of regulars who come here and know exactly what they want and where to order it. For first timers it takes a little longer. They have great salads, sandwiches, pizza and pastas and don't skimp on the portions. The staff is very friendly too. If you're in the loop and tired of the train station food court's stop by, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Dominic B.
I just started a new job last month at a building that is next door to Arturo's. In addition to it being a great job...this place is one of the best perks about my work week. It is an AWESOME lunch spot if you like Italian. I've tried several different items (meatball sandwich, Italian beef, chicken chili, chicken Caesar sandwich) , and they've all been very, very good. To top that off it's prices are right in line, if not below, other lunch spots around me. Last but not least, they have great service! I'm always greeted by a smiling employee and they're very quick getting people through the line. Highly recommended!
(5)Megan G.
Good old Arturos. I think they've existed the full 9 years I've worked in a building nearby. I have some faves but leave at a 3 star for the minimal healthy options (salads are pasta or meat- heavy with few veggies) and a smidge pricier than I'd like to pay for what I get. BUT if I want to dare spend the afternoon at my cube fighting a food coma, I'll try their spinach lasagna. They do have a truly awesome marinara. And that's even with Venice Cafe just a 1/2 block away... Most offerings include some kind of meat but I will from time to time indulge in the napoli sandwich (pesto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red pepper, basil- toasted) and back in my more carnivorous days, I enjoyed a chicken salad sandwich (or salad) that was mighty tasty (with black olives in the mix). Breakfast is decent and a bit more homemade then the other usual suspects in the area. I just wish they'd have more healthy offerings so I don't get in trouble every time I walk through their door.
(3)Team B.
This place is right near my work and we go their often. Laurie and Jim make a point to learn your name and what you like. They will customize your sandwich in any way their ingredients allow (and they remember our favorite combos). Their cookies are tasty, and I really like the chicken-salad salad. The spinach lasagna is great--the tomato sauce tastes fresh. Do split it with someone or make it two meals. Be happy if you forget your breakfast at home--the bagels and croissants are excellent.
(4)Frankie J.
One of the few independent places left to eat downtown - and the quality SHOWS. My buddies and I meet for lunch on a regular basis, and they specialize in italian sandwiches and pasta. Now, you ask yourself, in the fatitude of this era, why do you want to eat pasta? Well, at some point in your life, if you realize you should eat normal portions, no sugared soda (unsweetened tea or diet soda), and exercise, you CAN eat good food and save the 100 calorie can/box/tub/packet/bar for a nuclear winter event. The tweet on that is," YOU make yourself fat. Not the lunch, the clothes, or the stripes." The sandwiches (chicken caesar, italian sub, hot and cold, etc), salads, pasta (lasagna, tortellini, pesto), all have good normal portions which taste excellent. The other day I had the buffalo chicken hot sandwich - be still my harden heart. It was loaded with chicken and had just perfectly toasted cheese on top on a crisp, not stale, italian roll. So go in, get food, and don't eat the damn candybar in your desk. Drink some water and walk around and you can eat here without thinking,"Will this lunch make me fat?" Yeah, if you eat ten of them.
(4)Ronnie P.
The Arturo Special is a crucial part to any successful morning, The staff is always friendly.
(5)Max T.
The people that run this place are super nice and the sandwiches are pretty good too. Definitely not a bad option for the area for the price.
(4)Chris M.
I give them a 5 on the bread and everything else goes downhill from there. I had lunch here with a couple of my college buddies who work close by. I got the Italian sub heated with hot peppers. I also got the smallest side of pesto pasta I have ever seen. Both were pretty tasty, but for the price of almost 10 bucks (including a small drink) I feel like I was a bit shorted for what I got. Oh yeah, and it was crowded as ever! We were there at prime time lunch hour on a Friday, but the seating arrangements make it very tough to get around in the place when it's busy. Claustrophobics beware!
(2)Matt S.
Loving the affordable downtown lunch place! Any time I can get a sandwich, drink and side for less than $10 I'm thrilled... but not only did I get that (Italian beef) but I also snagged a serving of their pesto pasta salad, which is the real star of this spot. Give'er a try!
(4)Samantha R.
I love this place for a quick breakfast sandwich on the way to work and lunch. The Chicken Pesto sandwich is wonderful. It's a panini with a chicken salad-y thing with pesto in the mayo. It's not too much of a pesto- just enough that you taste it. I have eaten here almost a dozen times with no disappointments. The service is okay, and depending on what you want (pasta, sandwich, soup) you order at different places in the line. There are signs, but the first couple times I was there, the lady at the front of the line was kinda snippy about where I needed to place my order. I don't know if she just really hates repeating herself over and over again or what, but she should remember that not everyone is a regular.
(4)Leticia L.
I love this place. It is one of my favorite lunch spots. I would have the say the spinach lasagna is my absolute favorite. Sometimes I take a salad from home and split the lasagna in two servings so I can have it twice during the week. Also that much lasagna can be a bit heavy and would probably make me sleepy if I ate the whole thing! They also serve breakfast which is quite reasonably priced. I usually get a bagel with their chive cream cheese- delicious.
(4)Mark G.
This place is great. I've brought a couple people here for a bite to eat when they go to Union Station during the day and no one has ever been disappointed. I must say that I am becoming addicted to the Meat Lasagna special that they do on Tuesdays. The proprietors are in fact very friendly and the service is always quick. Highly recommended. Oh, and make sure to get a chocolate chip brownie one fo these days, they are really good.
(4)Jessica K.
If your tired of Starbucks, panda express, and big chain sandwich shops, those that work in the West Loop should try venturing here. Open early for breakfast. Their coffee is mediocre but their bagel and croissants are pretty good. I come here more for lunch. Service is pretty fast so if your on a time crunch or look to pic up carry out , this place is what you are looking for. If you're planning to sit down, I must warn you, it can get crowded. But because of their speedy service there is a chance you'll be able to grab a table. It's not guaranteed but you're chances aren't that bad. Aside from their yummy-licious bagel sandwiches, my top choice pick from Arturo Express is their Italian Beef sandwich known as the "Tuscany". Just picture this... A buttload of juicy, thinly sliced, Italian beef smothered in your choice of cheese (I recommend a white cheese) accompanied by an assortment of more than compatible spices, all on top of a crispy yet doughy yet crispy piece of bread.
(5)Jenny S.
Everything tastes good but I swear they can't get an order right for me if their lives depended upon it. I have to check my bag before I leave and the few times I haven't it's the wrong thing. Like a buffalo chicken pizza when I asked for vegetarian. Bleh.
(3)Elle F.
Really? Four stars? It's not that bad, but it's not that good either. Here is the only reason, in my opinion, to go to Arturo's: the cheese lasagna special. It's ridiculously huge and fattening and delicious. You can get two filling meals out of it and they give you a garlic roll, too. Try it with the marinara sauce. The rest of the food is just alright. Pesto pasta salad is nice. Skip the rest of the salads and sandwiches. I see a lot of happy breakfast reviewers so maybe I'll try a morning experience.
(3)Joe S.
The guy in front of me got the meatball sandwich. So did the guy in front of him, and the next one, and the next one. Why should I be any different? It comes on a killer roll that can take the abuse without being too tough to chew. I may have gotten there at a bad time but try to look past the aging sample menu items in the display case as they don't seem to do justice to what is actually served.
(3)Ben B.
I used to come to Arturo's a lot for lunch, but I've slowed down recently. The rest of my lunch crew pointed out that the quality may not be good enough to justify the price, and while I tried arguing the point for awhile, I ultimately had to concede. The brownies and other desserts are particularly expensive for a fast-dining / take-out place. My favorites here are the muffalatto and the Italian beef sandwiches. The staff has been consistently friendly, and will go out of their way to remember your name if you're a semi-frequent diner (I don't think I ever went more often than once every couple of weeks).
(3)Christopher J.
One of my favorite loop lunch spots. I usually grab one of their flat bread pizzas, though the pasta and sandwiches have proved tasty as well. They use extremely fresh ingredients and have excellent customer service. I recommend showing up in the 11:30 or 1 range to avoid a pretty serious rush. Prices are a bit higher... more like the range of Cosi or Corner Bakery -- so I can't say I'm a regular.
(4)Lori L.
So, my boyfriend works just down the street from here, and he's been raving about Chicken Pesto Thursday. "Lori, you have to try Chicken Pesto Thursday!" So, I decided to meet him there for lunch today. We placed our order with Lori, the friendly order taker. She about jumped out of her pants when I told her my name is Lori and we even spell it the same way. She said its was "her" way of spelling it because she's at least twice my age (claimed to be 47). God bless this woman! (As she does not double my age). At any rate, we chose a table by the window and our food was ready in really no time at all. Two grilled chicken pesto sandwiches on sourdough bread with roasted red peppers and provolone cheese. The sandwiches were oozing with cheesy and pesto yumminess. The bread was toasted yet soft. It was aaaalll good. This sandwich was pesto with the zesto! I have a feeling there will be more Chicken Pesto Thursdays in my future.
(4)Brendan R.
This place serves the expected italian fare, but their food is awesome - This isn't a sit down place, although once you get your food, there is ample seating - The subs and pizza are great - I have had the Spicy italian and also the Veggie Pizza - both were everything you could expect out of that dish Arturo is convenient, speedy, and their food is really good italian food fast
(4)Marc D.
Yelp sums it up perfect - 2 stars: "Meh. I've experienced better." I ordered one of their sandwiches after my made-to-order was unavailable (more on that later). I took the Napoli (Sub Roll, Mozzarella, Basil, Roasted Red Peppers, and Italian Olive Oil Sauce) and subbed tomatoes for the roasted red peppers. It's a simple Italian style sandwich and the taste comes down to the ingredients: *Bread - best part. 6.5 of 10 with good texture. They're website says the bread is baked fresh daily in the store. Time for a new baker . . . *Mozz - super low quality. Not the fresh mozz one would expect from a top quality deli. It was firm, spongy with zero taste. *Basil - again, low quality. Not very flavorful and loaded with spots. *Olive Oil Sauce: there was sauce on there? Hmm. *Tomato: light in color, flavorless and mushy. Again, low grade. Back to my original order - I had been craving a tomato, mozzarella and prosciutto sandwich since moving to Chicago (from NY) early this year but didn't know where there was an Italian deli in the neighborhood (I stumbled upon this one). When I went in to order ANY ITALIAN DELI STAPLE, I was told they don't have prosciutto! Really? An "authentic, old world Italian style delicatessen" (so described on their website) that doesn't carry prosciutto? Yikes. Service was good and the hot food looked decent - only thing keeping me from doling out one star. Facts is, if you know Italian and have high standards for quality ingredients, steer clear. If your idea of a good Italian restaurant is the Olive Garden, this deli is for you.
(2)becki s.
I just got back from having lunch here, and lets just be serious....im still thinking out the awesome Chicken Tortellini salad i just had. The dressing was perfect, the salad was huge, and it was just a great lunch! It looks to have a pretty good selection of sandwiches, pizza and some fantastic looking deserts. Everything is resonably priced. My lunch (salad and a fountain drink) cost less than $8 I'll def be going here again!
(4)Beth Q.
I love Arturo Express. It's got to be the best place in the area to grab a quick lunch. The food is so good and so fresh, the bread on all the sandwiches tastes so newly baked and delicious. And they have some really great soups - my fave is the Chicken Gumbo! My favorite sandwich so far is the one with fresh mozzarella, red peppers and tomato and basil. I get it warmed, and it's breathtakingly good. Another favorite aspect of this place is the atmosphere. For what it is, just this place you go up to the counter and order, there is ample seating, nice decorating, and always friendly service. Oh and one more thing! I love that they give out those punch cards where they punch it for each meal you order, and when you have about 5 bought, the next one is free. Delightful.
(5)Jessica Y.
Great lunch spot with something for everyone. The meatball sub is quite possibly the BEST I've ever had. My friends would receommend the tuna melt and italian beef as their favorites. The pasta and pizza is also delicious, and I particularly like the pesto pasta salad. If you work in the west loop, you need to try this place for lunch!!
(5)Tara M.
I haven't been here in awhile, but used to love this place when I went to school nearby. I think they do things much better than other, similar places. Someone posted about the awesomeness of the Italian sub..it's true. Any of the baked pastas are also really good. Things are fresh and hot. Give it a try.
(4)Kelly W.
potbelly and jimmy johns have good sandwiches but you can only have so much of the same. i like to switch things up every once in awhile and head to arturo's! every day i go, i get the chicken pesto sandwich. it is so good and i go out so infrequently, i just can't convince myself to order something else. the staff is always extremely friendly and they all seem to genuinely enjoy working there and this is such a rare find in the food industry. the prices here aren't any more lucrative than any other lunch place in the loop but i feel the intangibles make it worthwhile. (writing this review makes me really want a chicken pesto sandwich right now...)
(4)Kris P.
Arturo's is a regular lunch spot of mine because it is 20 paces from my office. Lucky for me, they have one of the best Italian (genoa) subs in the city. Granted, I don't spend my days searching out the best Italian subs, anyway...it's good. I can't speak for much else on the menu because I'm lulled into a Genoa sub trance every time I walk through the door. I enjoy it that much. Here are a few other notes. The place does get crowded at lunch time (what place in the loop doesn't). $8 can seem a bit spendy for a sandwich and drink (what place in the loop isn't). They do offer a punch card where your 8th sandwich is free!!! One genoa, lightly toasted, no peppers, no tomato (sometimes)...bring it!
(4)John S.
arturoexpress.com this place is next to where i work. PLENTY of offerings, specialty sandwiches, pizza, pizza bread, beef's, meatballs, salads, pasta's, etc etc. They don't do anything exceptionally well, but they don't do anything exceptionally poor. On the plus side they bake all their own breads there onsite, and after all, the bread is what makes the sandwich. whenever i get a craving for a meatball sub, this is where i go when i'm at work. ambaince is pretty much italian fresco. this place reminds me of a will rafuse painting (just google it). My freind Bill won't go hear because they don't have french fries, but I really think you can talk anyone into going here. Typical lunch crowd, you may have to sit near the soda machine, but as a whole the food is good, place is clean, staff is friendly and when you are downtown everyday and refuse to pack a lunch but need a change, arturo's works. expect to drop $7-$10 here on lunch.
(3)Lisa F.
Oh my. The menu looked great, it really did. Splitting a caesar salad, soup and pizza with the husband while on my lunch break, what could be better!? The clam chowder was good, it really was. However, the soup and pizza were blech. No flavors whatsoever. It honestly didn't taste like anything. Both of us were completely underwhelmed with it. We even got an oreo brownie for dessert and didn't even eat half of it. Yet again, not good. The workers were really pleasant and gave us a punch card which I was excited about, but threw it away since we won't be back.
(2)Andrew P.
I work right across the street from Arturo's... Every time i go into this place for lunch I tell myself I am going to try something new... and every time I inevitably order the Italian Beef/Sausage combo sandwich. It might be the greatest sandwich on the planet. The pesto pasta salad is fantastic also although the portions are not that hearty... But hey, when your sandwich weighs 20 pounds, who needs a big pasta salad side?
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