“From Taylor Street to Elmwood Park.. With Love: Pompei”

***** I am unsure as to how many of you travel to “Little Italy” ( a/k/a Taylor Street) for great Italian food, but over the years, I have heard many people say that they love top notch Italian food but prefer to dine where the parking is easy, the traffic is lighter and last but not least, the prices are easier to handle. It seems they want table- cloth dining at a drive through cost. Guess what? They can get it all!  Pompei has opened a location in Elmwood Park that has all the true flavors of Italy with the taste and feel of a white tablecloth restaurant, but at a plain table top price. Yes, Pompei is the place that has been seasoned with love for  5 generations ( since 1909).

What started in Little Italy with a bakery that did breads and pizza has grown to become a family run dining spot that people flock to , for dinner or special occasions ( private rooms available) , a perfect place. The new location in Elmwood Park is located in the Conti Parkway Circle ( just North of Grand Ave and 78th). This building that has several rooms is where they prepare everything daily, so you know fresh is the word.

In a small way, it has a somewhat “fast food” feeling, as you go up to the counter to order. But unlike other dining spots, here you see everything being prepared and see what you are getting. Once you order and pay, you go to your table and they will bring you your order and any incidentals you might need. Pompei has some very unique items on their menu. We were 4 in our party. Frank, Cary, Jane and I all arrived, looked at the fabulous wall mural on the drive thru pick-up wall, and entered. They have a neat enclosed room at the front that has garage doors so that warm weather will allow them to open the area to blend with the patio and allow for extra outdoor seating. The circle area is unique and quaint, making it a perfect spring, summer and fall dining spot.

It has been years since I was at Taylor street and so I was excited to dig in to the amazing dishes I remembered from those days. I also saw that Ralph and his wife Rose were on premise ( like me he is still at it every day) and I think that with his remarkable story, Frank and I will do a “Keeping You In Da Loop” story/interview after the holidays. He has some great stories about his family and this business, including some of the items that we dined on tonight.

We enjoyed two salads, The Italian Chopped ( Romaine, green olives, salami, mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts & garlic vinaigrette), and the Marie’s Special (romaine, fried prosciutto, red onions, blue cheese & Marie’s vinaigrette. Both delicious! Speaking of Artichoke, we were served a stuffed artichoke that was terrific.

We also had some wonderful fried calamari and two slices of their special Square Napolitano Pizza ( something they started in their bakery along with their wonderful breads). Ralph also invented their” Strudel Pizza”, a kind of inclusive mixture of sandwich and pizza rolled into one. I think this may have been the cause of the invention of the “pocket” sandwich elsewhere, but we all agreed this was the very best of this type any of us had ever had. ( note to Seattle Sutton: I went over my daily calories today, but well worth it). They have a dozen to choose from. Meats of all kinds, veggies galore, one better sounding than the next. they are amazing!

If this wasn’t enough, Ralph’s daughter, Kim , who runs this location,  also suggested one of my favorite dishes, Gnocci that was wonderful and a few of their meatballs and their very special Lasagna ( available in spinach or meat). We were quite full ( with Frank taking the leftovers) but we needed to at least try some of their Desserts, so we took one of each, cut them into quarters and tasted each of the four ( they have 14!!!) We did the crescent cookie  Rosemarie’s Lemon Knot Cookie, a fabulous cannoli and of course their amazing brownie. I must say we had a dinner that we will remember and for Jane and I, leaving for a cruise this weekend, great preparation for lots of food to dine on.

The location in Chicago at 1531 West Taylor Street is open of course, and you can call 312-421-5179.

The Elmwood Park location is 22 West Conti Parkway. Their number is 708-708-5179

the hours are lunch and dinner and subject to change with the time of year. The website is www.pompeiusa.com and there is a lot of information about the family, their history, the many fabulous items on their menu, private party rooms, gift cards…I can tell you that once you walk in the door, you will feel as if you are part of the family. I know we did and I can’t wait to try more of the flavors offered at Pompei.