When all I can say is wow I think that I might need a sixth star. This place was great.
Tooties is located on 16th right off of Carson so as far as location goes it couldn't get much better. The place is slightly bigger than a mouse hole. There is space for the hot line, counter, a cooler and a single table with 3 stools. It's definitely geared toward takeout and delivery. But the space is warm and clean so I like it.
The service is awesome too. I stopped in around 10 on a Thursday and the only one there was the owner. He was incredibly friendly and had samples for is without even being asked. Big points in my book. Getting our stuff after ordering took a little while but that was due to the fact that he had to make some of the thing we ordered from scratch. I am more than ok with this. It's nice to see a business put care and effort into their food and I will never complain about waiting for fresh cooked product.
Now for the main event: the food. For me great food starts with a great aroma and the scent of slow roasted beef pervades Tooties. Your mouth starts watering as soon as you walk in. The sandwiches are awesome enough to backup the aromatic promise to boot. The beef is succulent and juicy. The bread is soft and chewy and soaks up all the juice. The giardinera is crunchy and tangy and the sandwich as a whole leaves a wonderful spicy sting on the lips for the better part of 20 minutes. I would also suggest the Mac and cheese. It is cheesy and creamy and awesome. They do use bacon in their Mac and cheese which is almost cliched nowadays but come on, bacon.
All in all I loved Tooties. I can't wait to go back. They make a Chicago staple that I feel is a welcome companion to our beloved Primanti's in the late night sandwich pantheon.