Tempesta Market

-Grubbing in Chicago

New to the 'Scene'

It's time for me to give my two cents on Tempesta Market which opened right around the end of 2017. Located on the 1300 block of Grand avenue it joins a strip of spots offering some really good sandwiches. Places like Bari and Vinnie's have a loyal following so how does Tempesta stack up?

 Newly Opened on Grand avenue 

The answer to the question above is quite favorably. Opened by a Father/Son team from Franklin Park's Nduja Artisans Salumeria this is a new school spot to the core. But dont let that deter you from visiting bc it's also the closest thing we have to the fantastic butchers and delis of Europe. The star of the show is the meat case itself which features a variety of housemade deli meats and pate as well as local and international cheeses. As soon as you step up to the counter you're greeted with a free sampling of their house nduja which you can take home or eat there in a few different forms.

 Display Case with the menu up above 

One of the best bites coming from here so far has been the arancini rice balls which are stuffed with rice and that excellent nduja. These are as good as any of the little snacks we snacked on in Italy. While I haven't had a charcuterie plate from here I have been by a handful of times to buy meats out of the case and create my own little plate at home. Tempesta is the best of both meals and groceries.

 Arancini with Nduja

Off to the back they have a small case with fresh made pasta noodles for you to take home. They'll also have a pasta dish on special now and then and we tried one on one visit and the noodles themselves were nice but the recipe had way too much breading on top for my liking. Not my style.

 Pasta at Tempesta

There's a few shining stars at Tempesta and the sandwiches are one of them. The menu seems to switch slightly now and then with a few different sandwiches staying on permanently and a few making special appearances now and then. Should you see the 'Banh a Mia' on the board you may want to check it out. Made with pork and pistachio pate, Calabrian pate, kimchi pickled Fresno peppers, and aioli and cilantro it was a memorable sandwich. You gotta give love to original stuff.

 'Banh a Mia' Sandwich at Tempesta Market

Everyone is pretty high on their version of a classic Itlalin sub. I liked it but I'm not ready to put it on the same pedestal as the likes of JP Graziano's and Vinnie's. For me it's the bread that makes those places great and Tempesta uses what I believe to be Publican bread. It's a little too tough for me. Don't get me wrong this isn't a sandwich I would pass up if on the table. I just prefer the others.

 Italian Sub 

No pictures but the B. Franklin sandwich made with House Roasted Turkey, Hooks 2-Year Cheddar, Pickled Fresno, Avocado, Pea Shoots, Sofrito Aioli on Sourdough is maybe the best damn turkey sandwich I've ever had. Add the bacon and you will at the very least agree it's delicious. So is the St. Gennaro which comes with Hot Italian Sausage, Pickled Pepper Mojo, Roasted Onions, Lolla Rossa, and Aioli on a Brioche Bun. It's not an easy sandwich to share as it's a rolled up link but man is it exquisite as far as flavor profile goes. It's been a heck of a year for Chicago restaurant openings and Tempesta is one of the spots at the forefront on that list. Even the Traverse City made Great Lakes chips served with each sandwich are as good as it gets. They did their homework here for sure.

The St. Gennaro Sandwich at Tempesta Market 

Tempesta Market
1372 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 929-2551
Website