This tiny but well-stocked neighborhood store is a popular spot for South Loopers seeking tasty takeout and quality ingredients for their kitchens. Enlarged black-and-white photos of Italian families serve as wallpaper on several walls, and the rest of the decor feels simple and clean, keeping the focus on Panozzo's carefully chosen assortment of stock. Peruse metal shelves in the center aisles for imported dry goods like capers, olives, pastas, rich sauces and crispy-sweet wafer cookies. Along the left wall, a freezer houses a selection of gnocchi, tortellini and other ready-to-heat dishes, as well as cases of Zarlengo's Italian ices, an all-natural summer treat crafted by a Chicago family.
A refrigerator case holds fresh handmade pastas from local maker Cafe Cortina and a few prepared foods, while the rest of the gourmet salads, entrees, meats and cheeses are displayed in the deli case that lines the back wall. Find gorgeous lasagnas, homemade sausage meatballs and seafood dishes here, along with a selection of choice Italian-style meats, both imported and domestic. Look out for Iowa-based La Quercia, a humane pig farm that produces tender smoked prosciutto from heirloom pig breeds, and handcrafted salamis from California-based Fra-Mani's, owned by former Chez Panisse chef Paul Bertolli.
While you're at the counter, treat yourself to a freshly made traditional sandwich. At around $7-$10, the hoagies are a few dollars more than you'll spend at other delis, but it's well worth it: They're packed with impressive ingredients like roasted eggplant, prosciutto, homemade pestos and premium cheeses, and their colossal size will likely leave you with tomorrow's lunch.
Panozzo's also stocks a small selection of wines and beers hand-picked to complement its food. You'll find six-packs of Moretti, Peroni and a few others (yes, you can still get your Miller Lite), as well as bottles of Fat Tire, which chef John Asbaty says goes particularly well with speck, a specialty smoked prosciutto.
Average cost: $10-$20
Centerstage Reviewer: Julia Steinberger
