Soprano Panini Sandwich from Massa
Item Purchased: Soprano Panini Sandwich from Massa
Location Purchased: Massa Italian Cafe / 807 W. Roosevelt Rd. / Chicago, IL
Price: $6.59 + tax
Review: Oh man, I’ve been waiting for this place to open for nearly three years now. Not Massa, spcifically, but a restaurant/coffee shop that is connected to the company where I work. At first it was supposed to be a wine bar, but then Lush moved in down the street. Then it was going to be a simple coffee shop, but that seemed ridiculous with Caribou Coffee just a block away. The UIC campus powers that be decided on this new independent Italian Cafe that seems to specialize in Gelato. Specializations aside, Massa also offers a lunch-counter menu of Italian sandwiches, salads and soups.
I am excited to have such easy access to this place for two reasons. First, it will come in quite handy to have a hot bowl of soup in the same building I work in, instead of having to walk down the street when it is bitter-ass icicle cold out. Second, it is always nice to be present to see a new business find its walking legs. Not is there a good chance that you will score some free samples, but it is also likely that your input will be taken into consideration while they are working all of the kinks out.
For my first lunchtime venture to Massa, I tried their Soprano Panini. Similar to an Italian sub, with prosciutto, salami, mortadella and giardiniera, this sandwich’s standout flavor comes from Massa’s sun dried tomato-mayo and the ultra fresh bocconcini. I couldn’t believe the buffalo mozarella I was eating was coming from a simple sandwich shop. The grilled panini bread is crisp and buttery to the taste and the meal comes with chips. All in all, a sizeable and filling meal.
Massa’s sandwiches are priced comparitively to the other less-desirable sandwich shops in the immediate area (Quizno’s). While this is still not a price I am willing to pay for lunch every single day, I will admit that it is going to be hard to resist at first. Massa’s ingredients are fresh to the taste and made to order.
I’d rather make the walk to Fontano’s for a cheaper, spicier and all around better sub, but Massa comes in at a close second. Drop the price a bit, and we may have a winner.
Regardless of my nitpicking, Massa is sure to lure me back with the rainbow of Gelato offerings behind their counter. And the true test will be their priced-higher-than-Caribou cup of coffee.
Rating: 4.25 / 5
Leave a Comment