Bombacigno’s J & C Inn

I dragged some co-​workers here, which is terribly unlike me and really putting myself out there and the J&C kinda let me down. For one thing, as we were waiting in line, some people came back to the counter and said they both ordered the lemon chicken, but there was no chicken in the sandwich. Fast forward 30 minutes later (yes, it took FOREVER to get our food) — the SAME thing happened to me. I had to go back to the counter and say «um, there’s no chicken in this chicken sandwich»
The food wasn’t as good as I’d hoped either. The folks that got the meatball sandwich, despite the fact it said it came with «lots of sauce» said it didn’t have enough — one person went downstairs to get more sauce, and that turned into an actual debate with the people behind the counter whether they would charge him or not — then told my friend «well, you should have ordered it when you got the sandwich» — how was he supposed to know? He’d never been there before!
The veggies on my lemon chicken sandwich (with no chicken) were good, and overall it’s not BAD — certainly much much better than say Subway or something equivalently devoid of flavor… but it wasn’t as wonderful as I’d hoped.
I might go back, but I’m not dragging co-​workers. They were even less impressed than me.

This used to be my favorite spot. I would spend atleast $ 100 a week here. All until one of the older guys at the counter (not the one with slicked back hair) starting commenting on my sister’s dress and chest size. He even wrote his number on the receipt, followed by an extremely creepy winkey face. We were disgusted. Never again.
Also — My co-​worker told me he saw them unloading a box van in back filled with Mariano’s pasta packaging. It’s not even real food!

I’m a sucker for a good deli sammich, so I came in here one day based on their Unilocal reviews. Line almost out the door, while annoying, it’s usually the sign of a good place. Staff was friendly enough, I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich which should’ve come on tomato focaccia. Out of focaccia bread. Alrighty, no big deal, never been one to get bent out of shape about little things like that, sour dough bread is delicious as well.
From the time I ordered my $ 10 turkey sandwich-​sub-​sour dough to the time I received it was approximately 15 minutes. There is really no where to wait in this place, and with so many people waiting for their food you constantly feel in the way.
Anyways, long story short, the sandwich was small, plain, and anything but original. It came with a side of bland pasta. I finished the sandwich within minutes and was less than satisfied or pleased. The pasta salad spent the afternoon in the trash.
Completely not worth the price or wait. Mediocre at the very best.

This restaurant is a bit pricey, but I think it is worth the premium. Bombacigno’s serves high quality Italian dishes. As others have said, this place is a gem in an area loaded with fast-​food chains. The line can get a bit crazy during the lunch rush so be sure to get there early!
The atmosphere is awesome. It gives off the vibe of a mom-​and-​pop restaurant, especially compared to the chains in the area. They have a neat looking bar, which is just for show.
I got the Meatball sub when I went. The meatballs were enormous and the sandwich was worth the price-​tag. The marinara sauce was delicious, and they loaded the sandwich with cheese and peppers. I will definitely be back to try their Italian Beef, which has the reputation of being one of the best Italian Beef sandwiches in the city.

I love this place! It is a little ma and pa type of place. Everything inside is super antique and i love seeing the man who owns it as the first point of contact for you! The food is out of this world good a bit pricey but WELL WORTH IT! I will definetly always continue getting my lunches from here !

Most expensive Italian Beef Sandwich in Chicago. $$$
This place is not cheap, but its been good every time ive went. Real food in an awesome atmosphere. This place gets extra points for being one of the only lunch spots in the area amongst a sea of fast food and garbage. If this was anywhere else in the city, i don’t know if id be going there sense the prices are ridiculous.
Deff worth a try and you be the judge

Excellent Italian beef sandwich.
Bonus — great atmosphere.

Pretty solid food. The place kinda looks like your grandma’s attic mixed with an old man bar, and there are no gluten free, veg or vegan things on the menu, for sure. But it’s all well done old style stuff.
Go early, get it to go.

I was so pleased to find this restaurant and learn they can serve the meatball and sausage sandwiches without the bread. Hurray! My ancestry is from northern Europe so breads and pastas slow me down rather than fuel me up. The marinara sauce on each was tasty without being overpowering. The sausage was mildly flavored and highly nourishing without feeling fatty. I had a salad without the pasta, which was good but uneventful. As others have said, it was the best meatballs and sausage I ever have tasted.
I came on a humid 90-​degree day in early September. The air conditioning was adequate but not industrial strength. On days like this, be sure to wear only a cotton shirt and pants and no jacket here.

Stopped by this hidden little mom and pop Italian restaurant near Union Station and asked the owner for a recommendation on her favorite sandwiches (they all looked and sounded amazing). She told me her Italian beef is the leanest you’ll find anywhere and even though I wasn’t craving beef at all, I decided to go with her recommendation. Hands down, best Italian beef I’ve had in Chicago! Thick Italian bread, delicious gravy, lean lean beef, and side of gardiniera peppers? This woman knows how to make a sandwich!

Solid lunch spot in the loop and wish I would have known about it when my office was closer. They have pretty limited hours. We arrived shortly after 11:30 to avoid the long lines as it can take a bit to order food. It is great to support a local mom and pop spot and it feels like you are taking a step back in time. They do take credit cards now which is nice and there is more seating upstairs.
The chicken parm sandwich was very tasty and huge. I was impressed that the bread mostly withstood the marinara sauce. The cottage fries were good but I would recommend sharing because the portions are huge. I also wish they were a bit crispier. It was just was about $ 13 a person with a drink.

My favorite lunch place downtown. Excellent combo, ask for the cottage fries crispy. When I’m eating lighter, they have the best chicken Caesar salad ever. No kidding. They put some of their unbelievable cold pasta salad in there, and it is OUTSTANDING! Quite literally is a mom-​and-​pop shop, and their homemade food it testament to how much they care.

Love this place so much except their hours because I can never make it. Good foods though.

Décor 5 stars. Grace under pressure: 5 stars.
I arrived at 11:30 – a bit early to beat the Loop crowd right? But as Fortuna’s wheel spun, a crowd of (I kid you not) 25 office workers popped in for a group order. Why didn’t they order in advance? You’d have to ask their Leader. The line led all the way back to the door.
Typing this, I don’t know why I stood behind them. I guess this unexplainable scenario can only be a testament to the excellence of their Combination Italian Beef Sausage. The whole staff exuded good will under pressure, which just goes to show that it isn’t merely the décor that’s Old Chicago.

Best Italian beef sandwich, and make sure to try the pasta salad. Small family owned restaurant. It is only open weekday afternoons, I wish it was open on weekends so I could eat there more often.

Great lunch spot!
A dimly lit hole in the wall, you’re not coming here for the service. You’re coming for the food. The chicken parm sandwich is massive and delicious. The chicken caesar salad is what I get most often, and it comes with a swirl of pasta salad in the middle; unusual, and not unwelcome. Really tasty.
This place could probably afford to come down on price a couple bucks; the salad is $ 9.50. It’s a large salad, though, so meh. I’ve heard the Italian beef is awesome, but have yet to try. Will absolutely be back!

The staff is friendly and fast! They don’t mind offering suggestions. The food is just okay — not impressed with the sausage sandwich. It was a little salty for my taste. I wish I ordered something different.
Oh yeah, the bar is just decoration. They do not sell alcohol here.

I hate to rate this place and give it 5 stars because I don’t want anyone else to know about it.
This place is worth the walk… hands down the best place to grab lunch in the loop.
you can’t get more Chicago… it has to be 40+ years strong in the same location.
Cash only.

We came to this old school style lunch place to have lunch. I had the grilled vegetable (eggplant, zucchini, red onion, roasted red pepper, tomato, cucumber and balsamic vinaigrette) with special pasta salad. My husband had the Chicago style Italian beef but it wasn’t dipped. We definitely got our money worth at this place.

This place was GOOD! Don’t go here for the ambiance. The inside can be quite misleading. Pretty dark and grungy. If you want to sit inside and all of the tables are taken, there is additional seating on the 2^nd floor.
At the recommendation from other Unilocalers, I ordered the turkey on foccacia sandwich with the cold pasta. It was sooooo good! You can tell that it is «homemade» and not just assembled off of a truck. The portion was larger than I expected so be careful! For ladies, share a sandwich if you can and just order an extra side! And, to confirm, they DO accept credit cards. I WILL be going back again for lunch!!!
Word to the wise, go early! We got there around 12:45 and they were out of eggplant for the eggplant parmesan sandwich and out of meatballs for the meatball sandwich. Although the line can be long, it moves pretty quick and they get your order up fairly fast.

Service and sandwiches with a smile! This cute little restaurant (which actually isn’t all that little once you step inside or go upstairs) is practically in the heart of the city but manages to keep a Smalltown, USA vibe. Everyone is unbelievably friendly and accommodating.
After reading Mike K.‘s review, I felt it of the utmost importance to try the Smoked Turkey Sandwich. It was everything he described and more. They nestle a thick layer of thinly sliced turkey along with provolone, green lettuce and ripe tomatoes between one of the tastiest focaccia breads I have ever tried. The bread was soft but substantial and loaded with seasonings and topped with tasty dried tomatoes. The balsamic vinaigrette is light enough as to not overpower the other ingredients but strong enough to hold its own.
As good as the sandwich was, I have to say I was most impressed with the side of Signature Cold Pasta. It takes a special talent to mix but a few items (angel hair pasta, olive oil, basil, garlic and grated Romano cheese) and have me wishing it came in a bucket and not a few bites.