If you’ve been following along, you already know Pronto Italian Sandwiches was coming to Elmhurst.
What you might not know (because I didn’t either until I walked in today) is that they might just be your new favorite gluten-friendly restaurant 😱😍
What is Pronto Italian Sandwiches, exactly?
Pronto is an Italian sandwich concept that started in Hinsdale and has become a serious favorite across the suburbs ever since.
What makes them special is their schiacciata (ski-ah-CHA-tah) bread, which is a traditional Tuscan flatbread that lands somewhere between focaccia and ciabatta.
It has a fluffy inside with a crusty outside that’s made fresh in-house every day using flour imported from Italy.
And their sandwiches are named after Italian film icons (like the Brando, the Pacino, the Sinatra) with ingredients that are a mix of locally sourced and imported Italian meats and cheeses.
They now have a location right in the heart of downtown Elmhurst at 105 S. York Street, and it’s the kind of place that fits perfectly in Beer on the Wall for a full night out.
They Have a Gluten-Friendly Option Here?!
Here’s the part I want to be really clear about, because it matters.
Pronto does offer a gluten-friendly version of their schiacciata, which is genuinely exciting if you’re gluten-sensitive like me and always watch with envy as everyone else eats sandwiches.
The important distinction, though: it’s gluten-friendly, not gluten-free.
The bread is baked in the same facility as their regular bread, which means cross-contact is possible. If you have celiac disease, this likely isn’t safe for you, and you’ll want to stick with their soups and salads.
But if you’re gluten-sensitive or gluten-intolerant without celiac, it’s worth asking about when you go in.
I had the Brando and genuinely could not believe how good it was. That bread alone is worth the trip 👌
What to know before you go
Pronto Elmhurst is located at 105 S. York Street, right in downtown.
They’re open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and they’re inside Beer on the Wall, so if you want to make a night of it, that’s a pretty solid combo!
If you’re gluten-sensitive, ask about the gluten-friendly schiacciata when you order. It’s not prominently advertised, and I only found out because I asked. If you have celiac, the salads are solid and there are options for you.
Elmhurst has been quietly building a solid roster of gluten-friendly restaurants, and Pronto is a genuinely exciting addition to that list, especially for anyone who thought an Italian sandwich spot was permanently off the table.
