Just a couple of blocks from the Loyola El stop on the red line is Panini Panini Coffee House, a wannabe Italian cafe. The Italian waitresses and the swarm of middle-aged Italian men playing cards in the corner give it a hint of authenticity.

If you want a good coffee, stay in Evanston and save yourself the $3.50 train ticket, but for a light lunch it’s worth the trip. The sandwiches are on perfectly crispy bread. Think Italian-style sandwiches — not like a meatball sub, but more along the lines of mozzarella and tomato. The salads essentially are different combinations of tomatoes, olives, cucumbers and some sort of cheese. If you’re a feta fan you’ll love the Sopska salad. With the exception of the classic Caesar, all salads come with a freshly squeezed lemon-based dressing, straight from the press. It’s hard to go wrong. The one thing that strays from the Italian theme is dessert. No gelato at this joint!

The cafe has mostly traditional brews, including the “bottomless cup,” an all-you-can-drink-in-three-hours deal. A more untraditional drink is the Euro-style iced coffee, topped with a scoop of ice cream that provides the cream as it melts.

A patio enclosed by a gate wraps around the cafe, and a selection of Celine Dion hits plays through outdoor speakers. With large glass windows, the cafe is bathed in natural light, but there are little glass lights over each table. The copper-topped tables align the walls, leaving a large part of the black-and-white checkered floor open.

Loyola is a beautiful school in the middle of a more urban area. Panini Panini definitely would be a good bike destination on a nice day, but make sure you bring your lock — great food, decent drinks and a fun atmosphere.

— Perris Richter