advertisement

Armand's in Lombard pairs winning Italian cuisine with beer, wine

The owners of Armand's Pizzeria currently operate multiple sit-down restaurants and carryout- and delivery-focused locations throughout Chicago and the suburbs, but the very first was called Armand's Victory Tap when it opened in 1956. The chain's newest location, which launched in February, pays tribute to that legacy by serving traditional Italian fare in a retro-style bar.

Motif: Rather than go with a '50s or Rat Pack theme, motifs that owner Mark Cecola said he thought were overdone, Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap aims to resemble the original space. Exposed bulbs in clear frames hang above wooden tables and chairs, including some long tables for big groups. Walls are lined with black and white photos of period celebrities, arranged by both real life and on-screen couples, with a picture of the owners' parents thrown into the mix as a sort of Easter egg for diners who might try to identify them all. There are also some framed sports magazine covers from the decade, while a model airplane and car decorate the bar. A small patio is lined with flowers. The somewhat open kitchen makes the whole place smell delicious. There are a few modern touches in the form of four flat-screen TVs tuned to sports hanging over the bar, and another positioned in the corner of the dining room.

Food: Baked clams are one of the favorites here — big, breaded and served piping hot. Other top dishes include the stuffed artichoke, fried calamari, antipasto salad and Sicilian chopped salad. But the real specialty is the pizza, which has super crispy crust and is loaded with generous toppings such as big chunks of the restaurant's signature Italian sausage. Another classic is the ravioli, a small but satisfying serving that you can boost by ordering a pair of tender meatballs on the side. The smaller portions make it easy to save room for dessert where you'll find fluffy drunken tiramisu covered with whipped cream, cinnamon and chocolate, and a crunchy cannoli with plenty of chopped pistachio nuts.

Liquid consumption: The bar offers an extensive selection of beers with more than 60 available by the bottle and another dozen on tap, though they still sell more wine than any other type of beverage. You'll also find cocktails like the pomegranate sangria, a rich and not-too-sweet sipper. Take advantage of half-price wine on Wednesdays and half-price beer Thursdays.

Crowd: Armand's draws lots of families and shoppers from the nearby Yorktown Center, with couples coming in later at night along with solo guys hanging out at the bar. The buy-one, get-one-free pizza deal on Tuesdays has made it nearly as busy as Fridays and Saturdays.

Service: Our server was very nice and happy to tell us her favorite dishes along with the most popular items. However service was slow, with too much time between courses and too long a wait for the check. The manager was attentive though, chatting with families and offering to refill our drinks when our server couldn't be found.

Parking: There are plenty of spots in the large free lot the restaurant shares with other businesses on the outskirts of Yorktown Center.

Overall: The excellent food and drink options make Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap a great option for a leisurely night out.

  Mike Conrad serves up food at Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap in Lombard. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Linda and her son Michael Eleveld of Crest Hill enjoy a pizza from Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap in Lombard. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap in Lombard features specials as well as the regular menu. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap in Lombard features a number of wine and beer selections Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap in Lombard opened in February. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com

Armand's Pizzeria Victory Tap

346 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 785-3155, <a href="http://armandsvictorytap.com">armandsvictorytap.com</a>

<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.