I stopped at Bari Foods for a late-lunch today. I've read glowing reports about the meatball sandwich and that's what I ordered.

Meatball Sandwich





It wasn't an enjoyable sandwich, sorry to say. Firstly, the usually excellent D'Amato bread didn't support the meat - it was soft and with little crusty crust and the interior was a bit too soft, maybe because of the tomato sauce. The meat was slightly pink and the structure of the meatballs didn't hold-up I began eating. The meat became almost mushy - very soft and moist as if it wasn't cooked adequately. Maybe this is the style of meatball Bari serves, but I didn't like it. With the meatballs I had the sandwich guys add some provolone cheese and hot giardiniera.

D’Amato Bakery Cannoli



After having eaten my sandwich along May St. on one side of D'Amato Bakery, I went into the bakery and picked-up a couple loaves of bread and two cannoli. The cannoli were very fresh but I didn't much like the thinner-than-I-remember-it-to-be ricotta filling.

A very nice Obituary for the founder of BARI Foods on Grand @ May.
RIP..

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/dining/27592337-642/story.html

Bari has been my go to for fresh sausage (Barese) or good Italian ingrds for quite awhile. Sandwich wise, I've always gotten the meaty Italian, but my love was in the mood for something a bit lighter so we decided to try the tuna (my go-to @ Fontano's on Polk which was closed). With that in mind, the difference was considerable. A small smear of tuna on a cold, hard, unappealing in any way, roll. The sandwich we envisioned was not to be.

I've never had good luck with tuna at Italian delis. At best you get a can of decent tuna dumped on a roll. Not worth paying for imho.

I'm happy to report that J.P. Graziano makes a terrific tuna sub, which I'm sure will come as no surprise to anyone who's had any of their sandwiches.

JimTheBeerGuy wrote:I'm happy to report that J.P. Graziano makes a terrific tuna sub, which I'm sure will come as no surprise to anyone who's had any of their sandwiches.

I second the nod to JPG's tuna sub. Made fresh to order, not from pre-made tuna salad.

Prefer Fontano's for a tuna sub w/provelone and giardinara.

JimTheBeerGuy wrote:I'm happy to report that J.P. Graziano makes a terrific tuna sub, which I'm sure will come as no surprise to anyone who's had any of their sandwiches.

I'm with JTBG and Kman here, Graziano's uses Italian tuna packed in oil, I prefer it not mixed with mayo, but he'll do it any way you like and, like you, I prefer it with giardinara. Its's my fav tuna sandwich have, Jimmy to make you one sometime and report back.