A catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius covered and buried the city of Pompeii with mozzarella and olive oil in 79 AD. Today’s deal brings you to happier times. For $5, you get $10 worth of food and drinks (including the rare red cream soda) at four Chicagoland Pompei restaurants:

• Oakbrook Terrace
• Lakeview
• Schaumburg
• Streeterville

Pompei’s signature pizza strudels is goodness cooked in goodness, wrapped inside goodness, and put on a plate. A warm flaky crust engulfs fresh ingredients in favorites such as the Pompei Italiano (meatballs, green peppers, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, $4.95 per slice) or the chicken parmigiana (breaded chicken, tomato sauce, mozzarella, $4.95 per slice). Feed a few friends with the junior-sized ($12.95), an average family with a small ($19.95), or a very hungry moose and a deserving porcupine with a large ($34.95). Prices and offerings may vary by location.

Pizza traditionalists can enjoy strudel-less pizza, ranging from standard cheese ($2.95) to stuffed sausage and ricotta ($3.95). Pizza can be ordered by slice, quarter tray, half tray, and full tray. Handmade pastas, such as baked mostaccioli ($8.95), herb-chicken ravioli ($8.95), and lasagna ($7.95), along with sandwiches such as Italian beef and Italian sausage ($4.95), help round out the menu. There are also a large number of freshly prepped salads, such as the chopped chicken ($6.95, small), grilled vegetable ($6.50, small), and the Mela Verde salad (chock full of field greens, Granny Smith apples, dried cherries, Danish blue cheese and walnuts with a signature homemade maries vinaigrette, $6.95, small).

Pompei offers a wide range of food distribution channels: dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering. Your Groupon is good for any of the above, making this a prime opportunity to conduct reconnaissance as you carefully vet and select a caterer for your next Super Bowl party, jersey retirement party, or rumspringa cotillion.

Reviews

Centerstage Chicago reviewed Pompei: > * A table for one is never a source of embarrassment at Pompei Bakery, where patrons are too pleased about the hearty portions to suspiciously eye solo diners. With its upscale cafeteria setup, Pompei offers an authentic Tuscan cafe atmosphere with prices that allow the dollar to triumph over the euro. – Robin Wright, Centerstage Chicago

Citysearchers give Pompei 4.5 stars and Best of Citysearch honors; Yelpers give it 3.5 stars: > * I’ve been going to Pompei at least twice weekly for two years now and I can always count on fresh, flavorful food. I’m a huge fan of the chopped chicken salad and love that the blue cheese is cheerfully substituted for goat cheese everytime. If you want tasty food, nice portions and a very clean atmosphere, stop in! – cubsfan723, Citysearch > * This a great place to get fast REAL food. As someone who works late, I love having a late night option that offers some big healthy salads and wholesome food that goes beyond pizza. – Eric C., Yelp