Monti's
39 people recommend, 7 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/chicago30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 6 threads.
What people say, in short
Monti's on Talman is a frequent cheesesteak recommendation, but comparisons with Philadelphia divide diners. One commenter who sampled Chicago's options favors the original with aged cheddar sauce, while another says it comes close to a Philadelphia version. Other diners find it bland or overpriced, and more than one says the quality has slipped. A diner also advises asking for extra cheese.
Address
Monti's, 4757 N Talman Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
At a glance
- Signature dishes
- Original with aged cheddar sauce
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Monti's, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/Tastelikewater in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Names Monti's at Lawrence/Talman as the answer.
- Recommendsu/whatupdoeeeeeeeeeee in r/AskChicago · Mar 2025
Declares Monti's is the answer for a good cheesesteak.
- Recommendsu/RT023 in r/chicago · Jan 2026taste
Defends Monti's as fire and calls preferring Jersey Mike's criminal.
- Recommendsu/fellowsquare in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Exclaims Monti's as the answer.
- Recommendsu/bourj in r/chicagofood · Mar 2026taste
Calls Monti's fantastic.
- Recommendsu/WillyLohman in r/chicago · Jan 2026taste
Says Monti's original is the best cheesesteak available in Chicago, with a correct roll.
- Recommendsu/darwins-ghost in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Says always Monti's.
- Recommendsu/GoodFastCheapPickTwo in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Says the asker lives in Monti's country.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Caveatu/Lemurian_Lemur34 in r/chicago · Jan 2026taste
Tried Monti's after seeing praise online and was let down: not a bad sandwich, but bland and overpriced for what they got.
- Recommendsu/kfunions in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Agrees with Monti's recommendation, citing Philly-area background.
- Caveatu/assurchi in r/AskChicago · Mar 2025consistency
Says Monti's used to be good and was in their weekly rotation, but it has fallen off over the past year.
- Recommendsu/NoSelection1050 in r/chicagofood · Mar 2026
Tells people to go to Monti's and says they won't be disappointed.
- Recommendsu/Acrobatic-Media1430 in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Says Monti's hands down.
- Recommendsu/Milton__Obote in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025taste
Calls Monti's decent for cheesesteak.
- Recommendsu/ElectroKhan in r/AskChicago · Mar 2025
Points to Monti's just south of Lawrence on Talman as the answer.
- Mixedu/sonicbleu_6 in r/chicago · Jan 2026taste
Says you always have to ask for extra cheese at Monti's.
- Recommendsu/Majestic-Mountain-83 in r/AskChicago · Mar 2025
Agrees Monti's is the spot when you really need a steak, though Chicago is better known for beef.
- Recommendsu/PizzaIsBetterThanYou in r/chicago · Jan 2026taste
Feels Monti's comes pretty close to a legit Philly cheesesteak, though they find the sandwich somewhat bland.
- Recommendsu/transferStudent2018 in r/chicago · Jan 2026
Says Monti's is great and mocks recommending Jersey Mike's.
- Recommendsu/front_torch in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025wait time
Calls Monti's the only answer, noting pickup/delivery will be slow.
- Recommendsu/NorthOfUptownChi in r/chicagofood · Mar 2026taste
Calls Monti's fantastic and says the cheesesteaks are so good.
- Mixedu/hybris12 in r/chicagofood · Mar 2026taste
Calls Monti's about as good as Chicago offers, which they say is barely replacement level by Philly standards.
- Recommendsu/Burnt_and_Blistered in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Names Monti's.
- Recommendsu/seanofkelley in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025taste
Says Monti's is probably the best cheesesteak in the city.
- Recommendsu/RichEmp in r/chicagofood · Sep 2025
Says Monti's hands down.
- Mixedu/Zaddylovesu in r/chicago · Jan 2026price
Likes Monti's but finds it very pricey.
- Mixedu/Sea-Oven-7560 in r/chicago · Jan 2026price
Used to enjoy Monti's but says it got expensive; calls the sandwich good.
- Mixedu/Vhyris1991 in r/AskChicago · Mar 2025consistency
Was happy to find Monti's but feels quality has declined slightly.
- Caveatu/CruisePanic in r/chicagofood · Mar 2026taste
Tried Monti's and found it sub par.
- Caveatu/watso1rl in r/AskChicago · Mar 2025consistency
Says since new ownership Monti's isn't any good.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.