This Italian eatery is a self-service restaurant nearby Woodfield Mall. The pricing is very reasonable, the service is fast, and more importantly, the food is decent.

It is not the best Italian food I’ve had, but it’s still a great deal. I would highly recommend this place to anyone nearby who needs to grab a quick meal or for working people who want to grab something during lunch time.

First I have to start out by correcting a VERY COMMON mistake – this is NOT the Pompeii in Schaumburg, near Woodfield, on Higgins, etc. The review below mine is for the wrong restaurant and does not apply to this business. People see “Pompeii” but don’t read the address. This restaurant, the Pompeii on Arlington Heights Rd. just south of Lake-Cook Rd., is not associated in any way with the Pompeii chain stores in Schaumburg, Oak Brook, Taylor St, or Lincoln Park. It just happens to have the same name.

So what about this Pompeii?

Our cumulative experience started out very strong and very positive, but took a somewhat disappointing downturn the last time we went. In the past we’ve ordered appetizers and pizzas, with praise-worthy results. Their pizza is one of the very best in the entire NW Chicago area. But this time we ventured farther into the (considerably extensive) menu. The results were less remarkable. The pastas were pretty average, and in at least one case off the mark (scampi) with an imbalance of seasoning evident. For pricier seafood and pasta dishes, they also seemed too light on substance. Presentation was good, and again their appetizers were excellent, but the main course pasta dishes left us feeling a bit jilted. Maybe their menu is too large for a smaller establishment? We’d like to try other dishes, but it’s difficult to do that after the last experience. Pizza, 5. Pasta, 3. So I have to downgrade my rating to a 4.