Pompei Elmwood Park: Taylor Street Comes West

Looking for an unbeatable Italian meal in Elmwood Park? Step into Pompei Elmwood Park, where the smell of fresh-baked bread and melted mozzarella greets you at the door. It’s the beloved Taylor Street institution reborn on North Avenue, bringing more than a century of Chicago flavor and Italian-American warmth to the village of Elmwood Park.

This second Pompei restaurant is a commitment to family, community, and the simple joy of really good Italian food. From the moment you walk in, you can feel why generations of Chicagoans have called it a favorite.

From Taylor Street to Elmwood Park

In 1909, a young baker named Luigi Davino opened a small storefront on Taylor Street in Chicago’s Little Italy. His mission was to bake the best bread in the neighborhood, and what began as a humble bakery soon became a community landmark where families would stop by for loaves after church or on their way home from work.

Over the decades, the business grew along with the neighborhood around it. Today Ralph Davino continues his grandfather Luigi’s legacy by still rolling out family recipes. The family’s century-old commitment to fresh dough and hearty portions hasn’t wavered. That mix of history and heart made Pompei an icon, and now it’s drawing locals to its Elmwood Park location.

What Makes Pompei So Special

Pompei is one of those rare family-owned restaurants that feels more like someone’s kitchen than a dining room. You step up to the cafeteria-style line, grab a tray, and feast your eyes on a glorious lineup of pizzas slices and strudels, a rolled and stuffed bread, similar to a stromboli. While you’re in line you can chat with the team or your line neighbor about what looks good, and that’s exactly the charm.

The menu offers classic Italian-American comfort and simple, time-tested recipes. In addition to their carb case up front, you’ll find hearty pasta dishes, such as rich lasagna, sandwiches layered with slow-cooked meats and melted cheese, and signature baked goods made fresh each day.

Every bite tells a story that’s tied together by that final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (or not if you don’t want it—they’re very accommodating of dietary restrictions where possible).

There’s truly something for everyone. Vegetarians enjoy roasted vegetables and spinach-stuffed strudel, while families appreciate kid-friendly staples like spaghetti or plain cheese pizza that even picky eaters love. For dessert, the display cases gleam with cannoli, tiramisu, and lemon knots, which are a nod to the bakery roots that started it all.

The Elmwood Park Experience

You’ll find Pompei Elmwood Park at 22 Conti Pkwy, right along the bustling North Avenue restaurant corridor. Street parking out front and a shared lot nearby make it simple to stop in for lunch or dinner.

Inside, the space blends the old Pompei charm with a refreshed, modern feel. Black-and-white family photos line the walls, and there’s a steady, comfortable buzz from people grabbing takeout or settling in with a tray of pizza and pasta.

On nice days, the covered outdoor patio becomes a local favorite for gathering; inside, tables are aplenty, so it’s common to see families spreading out, sharing dishes, and passing around slices of Pompei’s famous strudel.

Like the original Taylor Street location, this spot is casual but inviting. You place your order at the counter, everything comes out fast, and the focus is on the food.

Must-Try Menu Favorites

Speaking of the food, Pompei delivers the kind of Italian cuisine that keeps people coming back week after week. Here are a few dishes that define the experience:

Pizza and Strudel (their signature combo)

Pompei is best known for two things. The first is pizza by the slice, and the second is their famous pizza strudel—a rolled, stuffed version of pizza that became famous at the Taylor Street location. The result is warm, hearty, and uniquely Pompei. Two long-standing crowd favorites are The Works, packed with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, and the Poor Boy, loaded with ham, salami, capicola, tomatoes, and cheese. If it’s your first visit, order a classic slice and a strudel so you can taste both sides of the Pompei personality.

House-Made Pastas and Baked Classics

Comfort food is the heart of Pompei’s menu. The Meat Lasagna layers tender noodles with hearty meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella for the kind of dish that feels like a Sunday family dinner, while the Baked Mostaccioli, finished with Pompei’s Napolitano-style meat sauce, is cozy and satisfying in that way only a baked pasta can be. You can’t go wrong with either.

Big Salads

Although the Italian side salad is a dinner staple, Pompei treats salads like full meals. The Antipasto Salad combines romaine lettuce with capicola, pepperoni, salami, provolone cheese, olives, tomatoes, and pepperoncini, tossed with Italian vinaigrette for a bright and briny complement to the heartier dishes. The even more filling Chopped Chicken Salad adds roasted chicken, blue cheese, fried prosciutto, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and Davino matriarch Marie’s vinaigrette.

Italian Sandwiches and Classics

Every sandwich starts with Pompei’s house-baked French bread, giving it that unmistakable crackle-on-the-outside, soft-inside texture. The Mama Marie’s Meatball Sandwich is layered with Pompei’s tender meatballs and smothered in red sauce and melted cheese, while the Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich offers a lightly breaded chicken breast covered in marinara and mozzarella. For those who love classic Chicago comfort, the Pepper & Egg or Potato & Egg sandwiches are longtime favorites.

Click here to view the full menu.

Desserts from the Bakery Case

Dessert is not optional here; it’s part of the Pompei ritual. The cannoli are filled daily with sweet ricotta cream and chocolate chips, and can be ordered plain or dipped in chocolate. If you’re in the mood for something warm, the bread pudding made from Pompei’s house-baked bread comes with caramel sauce, whipped cream, and walnuts, turning an already indulgent dessert into something unforgettable.

After Pompei, Make It an Elmwood Park Day

Pompei might be the main course, but Elmwood Park offers plenty to enjoy before or after your meal. After lunch, take a stroll along Conti Parkway, the charming central strip where locals gather for coffee and conversation. Nearby bakeries and gelato shops tempt you with sweets, and Restaurant Row on North Avenue showcases everything from family-run Mexican spots to vintage Italian delis. History lovers can stop by St. Celestine Church, a neighborhood landmark that’s been part of Elmwood Park’s story for generations.

And if you visit in August, don’t miss the Taste of Elmwood Park, a beloved annual event that celebrates local food (Pompei included!) with live music and plenty of Italian flair. Between good meals, friendly faces, and a true community spirit, Elmwood Park makes every visit feel like home.

Plan Your Visit

Pompei Elmwood Park is open daily for lunch and dinner, with plenty of options whether you’re dining in or taking a meal to go. You can browse menus and photos of their party rooms at pompeiusa.com. Whether you’re planning a quick weekday lunch or hosting a family gathering, their team makes it easy and always delicious.

Elmwood Park is easy to reach by Metra, major highways, or a quick drive from downtown Chicago. And Pompei Elmwood Park is the kind of neighborhood spot that rewards spontaneous stops and turns first-timers into regulars.

Bring Your Appetite (and a Friend)

Whether you grew up visiting the Taylor Street original or you’re discovering this new location for the first time, Pompei Elmwood Park delivers that rare, authentic Italian magic built on simple ingredients, big flavor, and the welcoming spirit of a true family business.

So next time you’re in Elmwood Park, bring your appetite and a friend. Here, every day is a little more delicious with a taste of Pompei.