We tried two new entrees from the specials menu this time: the Pizza Mio Modo was a sausage and arugula pie with a sharp, bright flavor, while the Fettucini Carbonara was rich and decadent. We'll order either or both again any time. Service was, as usual, right on top of things (the waiter explained the carbonara for us in helpful detail) and the rest of the staff was cheerful and attentive. All stars all arund!
Eight family members came together in Chicago for a wedding. We hadn't seen each other for a long time so we met at Francesca's for dinner to catch up. We told the restaurant staff about our family reunion and they put us at a round table in the corner of the restaurant - perfect setting! We could all see each other and it was quieter for our conversations. The server was attentive and quick. The food was delicious. Everyone was happy with their meals. The portions are large so no-one went hungry and the prices were reasonable. A great time was had by all. I Highly recommend this restaurant!
luv2dine
Francesca's was wonderful. The food was great. Good portion sizes and good value. Had the chicken francese which was delicious. The waiter was also great and very good at making suggestions. Would definitely go again!
Eric Toennies
What happened? Used to love this place. Brown lettuce? Two meals were edible but that’s it. Sauce from a jar would have been better. Yikes. Wine not great, I was told. GF safety always great. Hosts seemed unprofessional. Server was as uninspiring as the food.Dietary restrictions: Good selection of GF. Good GF safety.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Christian Vargas
Excellent food and fair price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jess Miller
Mauricio was a great host! Excellent recommendations!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Fritti
Jenyou
Francesca's on Chestnut is a personal favorite of so many people I was excited to try it. I had a wonderful time with my out of town visitors who had it on their short list. The restaurant had a few struggles with us: entirely incorrect salad order for one of us, long delay on the proper one but by then she didn't want it, my beet salad came out without all the promised ingredients and was underwhelming. Our entrees were fine. Management made up for the errors with free profiteroles (pastry part needed a knife though the dessert only came with a spoon) and they were tasty. It was a busy night and they did not rush us out which we really appreciated. We did get through almost 2 bottles of wine. Will give them another try.
aabrown67
My wife and I enjoy this hidden gem, kind of off the main path. Excellent food with wonderful service and good value. Their salads are unique but very tasty as are their pasta preparations. We will back in future trips to the Windy City.
rowan a.
HORRRIBLE customer service. The food…please please please save your money. Now the tiramisu… 1000/10. Best thing in the menu. Gum like consistency calamari, stale bread…and poor customer service on top of that is wild. Maybe it’s because we’re people of color….. Idk. If you wanna eat like this just go to Cheesecake Factory. Tiramisu though… phenomenal.
Food: 2
JRod
Francesca's used to be a good choice to dine but my recent experience gives me pause of future visits. Pricing was outrageous, pork and chicken dishes were overly salty, and the seafood pasta sauce was something I would find in anyone's pantry. When I asked one of my guest her thoughts on her dish "it's chicken" was her response. We took her leftover chicken and tasted it - the salt content must have been the reason she barely ate the dish- it was inedible. In years past, Francesca's food was delicious and flawless. I won't be returning.
I don't know how this place got so many 5 star reviews. It was one of the worst Italian restaurants I have ever been to - I ordered a rock shrimp lemon fettuccini with what seemed like at most 2 shrimp cut into tiny pieces with the blandest flavored pasta sprinkled in breadcrumbs. Terrible. Don't waste your time or money.
John L.
A very nice quiet place on the edge of the Gold Coast. Friendly, quiet and close. Menu is good with a nice range of selections. Very good to meet friends.
DavidD
The food was pretty good and the place was pleasant enough, but the service was really aggressive and annoying. Everything came out super quick; the waiters hovering over our table and clearing our plates before we even finished; They emptied out the bottle of wine before we even finished our first glass.
JAMES WESEMAN
I loved it! Went here with a large group and had an excellent time. Great atmosphere, and awesome food for a totally fair price. Additionally, managers were awesome in resolving a billing issue. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a great Italian place in Chicago!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gerardo Rodriguez
Amazing food, amazing atmosphere, amazing service! Connor was very accommodating and made sure we enjoyed our dinner to our greatest pleasure. This is by far mine and my wife’s favorite Italian restaurant.
We tried two new entrees from the specials menu this time: the Pizza Mio Modo was a sausage and arugula pie with a sharp, bright flavor, while the Fettucini Carbonara was rich and decadent. We'll order either or both again any time. Service was, as usual, right on top of things (the waiter explained the carbonara for us in helpful detail) and the rest of the staff was cheerful and attentive. All stars all arund!
Eight family members came together in Chicago for a wedding. We hadn't seen each other for a long time so we met at Francesca's for dinner to catch up. We told the restaurant staff about our family reunion and they put us at a round table in the corner of the restaurant - perfect setting! We could all see each other and it was quieter for our conversations. The server was attentive and quick. The food was delicious. Everyone was happy with their meals. The portions are large so no-one went hungry and the prices were reasonable. A great time was had by all. I Highly recommend this restaurant!
Francesca's was wonderful. The food was great. Good portion sizes and good value. Had the chicken francese which was delicious. The waiter was also great and very good at making suggestions. Would definitely go again!
What happened? Used to love this place. Brown lettuce? Two meals were edible but that’s it. Sauce from a jar would have been better. Yikes. Wine not great, I was told. GF safety always great. Hosts seemed unprofessional. Server was as uninspiring as the food.Dietary restrictions: Good selection of GF. Good GF safety.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Excellent food and fair price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mauricio was a great host! Excellent recommendations!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Fritti
Francesca's on Chestnut is a personal favorite of so many people I was excited to try it. I had a wonderful time with my out of town visitors who had it on their short list. The restaurant had a few struggles with us: entirely incorrect salad order for one of us, long delay on the proper one but by then she didn't want it, my beet salad came out without all the promised ingredients and was underwhelming. Our entrees were fine. Management made up for the errors with free profiteroles (pastry part needed a knife though the dessert only came with a spoon) and they were tasty. It was a busy night and they did not rush us out which we really appreciated. We did get through almost 2 bottles of wine. Will give them another try.
My wife and I enjoy this hidden gem, kind of off the main path. Excellent food with wonderful service and good value. Their salads are unique but very tasty as are their pasta preparations. We will back in future trips to the Windy City.
HORRRIBLE customer service. The food…please please please save your money. Now the tiramisu… 1000/10. Best thing in the menu. Gum like consistency calamari, stale bread…and poor customer service on top of that is wild. Maybe it’s because we’re people of color….. Idk. If you wanna eat like this just go to Cheesecake Factory. Tiramisu though… phenomenal.
Food: 2
Francesca's used to be a good choice to dine but my recent experience gives me pause of future visits. Pricing was outrageous, pork and chicken dishes were overly salty, and the seafood pasta sauce was something I would find in anyone's pantry. When I asked one of my guest her thoughts on her dish "it's chicken" was her response. We took her leftover chicken and tasted it - the salt content must have been the reason she barely ate the dish- it was inedible. In years past, Francesca's food was delicious and flawless. I won't be returning.
Restaurantji Recommends
I don't know how this place got so many 5 star reviews. It was one of the worst Italian restaurants I have ever been to - I ordered a rock shrimp lemon fettuccini with what seemed like at most 2 shrimp cut into tiny pieces with the blandest flavored pasta sprinkled in breadcrumbs. Terrible. Don't waste your time or money.
A very nice quiet place on the edge of the Gold Coast. Friendly, quiet and close. Menu is good with a nice range of selections. Very good to meet friends.
The food was pretty good and the place was pleasant enough, but the service was really aggressive and annoying. Everything came out super quick; the waiters hovering over our table and clearing our plates before we even finished; They emptied out the bottle of wine before we even finished our first glass.
I loved it! Went here with a large group and had an excellent time. Great atmosphere, and awesome food for a totally fair price. Additionally, managers were awesome in resolving a billing issue. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a great Italian place in Chicago!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food, amazing atmosphere, amazing service! Connor was very accommodating and made sure we enjoyed our dinner to our greatest pleasure. This is by far mine and my wife’s favorite Italian restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5