I had dinner at Petterino’s on a night out in the Loop and it felt like stepping into one of those classic Chicago Italian-American places with a bit of old-school glamour. The space is traditional and cozy, with dark woods, white linen, and that warm, buzzy restaurant energy — people chatting, couples celebrating, business dinners happening all around.
I ordered a pasta and a steak special, and both were solid: the pasta was rich and comforting with a good balance of sauce and seasoning, and the steak was cooked just how I asked — juicy and satisfying. The service was polished without feeling stiff, attentive enough to keep things smooth but not hovering. Cocktails and wine were easy to pair with the meal and rounded out the night nicely.
It’s not flashy or trendy — it’s more that timeless Chicago dinner spot where you go for good food, a relaxed upscale vibe, and a sense of “this feels right” rather than “this is trying to impress.” Great choice if you want a classic night out with familiar flavors done well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
celia mcfarland
My boyfriend and I arrived and were seated in a drafty corner of the restaurant. When his mom and sister arrived his mom asked if we could move somewhere that wasn’t so cold, to one of the many open tables close by. A waiter told us that if we wanted a new table, we would have to get up and ask a hostess for a new table. We asked why we couldn’t move to one of the many open tables and they said because the seating chart was already laid out for the night. This was at 4:15 and all the people who were coming were not aware of what table they had been assigned for the night. A manager came over and said he wasn’t able to move us but that he could turn the heat up. It was a very bizarre first experience at Petterino’s that left a bad taste in my mouth literally and figuratively. Dessert was decent
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Brie McClose
Mom my brought me here since I was a little girl so this restaurant has a special place in my heart. I would make a reservation beforehand because they get full easily but the experience, food and staff are amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claudene Simpson
We went after an Opera Matinée during the week, so we got there around 4:30 pm when it was quiet. The wait staff was attentive. The chicken Alfredo was a small portion but delicious. I also enjoyed the Italian Margaritas and Tiramisu. Lovely atmosphere for conversation with the framed caricatures of famous people, who have eaten there. It started getting busy at about 5:30pm. I We had a lovely time and enjoyed the food, beverages and dessert.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Carl Schreck
We generally eat at Petterinos before a play at the Goodman theatre as it is in the same building. They do have $9 lunch specials and also a nice menu. Delicious warm bread is available for free upon request. I've had the burger $18 which is large and good, as well as the chicken sandwich, $9, kind of small and dry, the beef with aujus and giardinera $18, also good, and recently the fish and chips, $24. The fish was tasty and flaky but the breading was kind of mushy, not crispy. All came with fries. My wife loves the salads, with protein, mid $20s. We sit at the bar and the service is great. In warm weather there is outdoor seating. Atmosphere is ok too. There is a 3.5% convenience fee that they will take off upon request. All staff is very friendly and courteous.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Eddy Graffe
I have never made a complaint but for this time I cannot say anything. This is not my first or second time going to this restaurant I always got a very nice treatment. Even I always bring some new people over the country to this place. But today I approached to the lady to ask if there is a table available then she told me “no, but you can wait 20 minutes” she took my name and phone number. After 20 minutes she called my name and the table she offered to me I did not like and ask her if can I wait for another one, and she was so rude and told me “it should be this one or nothing” I was in shock but I didn’t say anything and just left the place. I got embarrassed in front of the foreign customer I brought there. I do believe this is not the behaviour from you guys. I felt discriminated for my English accent.
Have a nice day. But you should do something to improve this treatment to old and new costumers because of your own brand.
Adam Kouba
Jesus B. and staff went above and beyond. Treated us like family. Great food and service, highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sandra Thomas
Bar service slow to acknowledge my presence for after play held left over pick up. I dined at the bar prior to my theater performance. My potatoes & Asparagus were cold. No bread basket..Salt, pepper & butter had to be requested..very disappointing. Goodman member years prior to Petterino food options. 2nd dining experience with this season with me left feeling marginalized.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Brdwy Bear
Amazing spot for pre-theatre dinner. Had the Restaurant Week menu - 4 courses - and time caught up with us. Our server saw us rushing and offered the option of coming back after the show for dessert! Everything was waiting for us! Brilliant!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
wai
Spacious restaurant. Bar area in the front great for happy hour. Food and service are wonderful
This was a wonderful experience we couldn't be happier from start to finish everything was hot when served which is a big deal for us personally also seasoned well .They have a great wine selection and our waiter Jorge ,was so on target with helping us select a wine for dinner ...also they were so on time with keeping our water glasses full never has to ask ..very clean and wonderful staff . This was our first visit but won't be our last !!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Madison
We went for restaurant week and I think it was the best value for what you get. The food was great and well portioned and the service was amazing. 10/10 recommend for restaurant week or any other time of the year!
Mary Pat
A wonderful dinner with excellent cocktails and wine. The Restaurant Week menu is spectacular and a terrific value.
Betsy
Really convenient if you're going to a show at the Goodman. Can't say I'd go if I wasn't going to the Goodman. Way too convenient. Food and service were average. 2 of us went to pre-show dinner. Menu was nothing spectacular. Even Restaurant Week offering was pretty basic. Prices were avg to a little high.
Quinn
Overall solid place to get food doesn't wow you but won't disappoint either. Good spot for work lunch or an early dinner right after work or play.
I had dinner at Petterino’s on a night out in the Loop and it felt like stepping into one of those classic Chicago Italian-American places with a bit of old-school glamour. The space is traditional and cozy, with dark woods, white linen, and that warm, buzzy restaurant energy — people chatting, couples celebrating, business dinners happening all around.
I ordered a pasta and a steak special, and both were solid: the pasta was rich and comforting with a good balance of sauce and seasoning, and the steak was cooked just how I asked — juicy and satisfying. The service was polished without feeling stiff, attentive enough to keep things smooth but not hovering. Cocktails and wine were easy to pair with the meal and rounded out the night nicely.
It’s not flashy or trendy — it’s more that timeless Chicago dinner spot where you go for good food, a relaxed upscale vibe, and a sense of “this feels right” rather than “this is trying to impress.” Great choice if you want a classic night out with familiar flavors done well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My boyfriend and I arrived and were seated in a drafty corner of the restaurant. When his mom and sister arrived his mom asked if we could move somewhere that wasn’t so cold, to one of the many open tables close by. A waiter told us that if we wanted a new table, we would have to get up and ask a hostess for a new table. We asked why we couldn’t move to one of the many open tables and they said because the seating chart was already laid out for the night. This was at 4:15 and all the people who were coming were not aware of what table they had been assigned for the night. A manager came over and said he wasn’t able to move us but that he could turn the heat up. It was a very bizarre first experience at Petterino’s that left a bad taste in my mouth literally and figuratively. Dessert was decent
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Mom my brought me here since I was a little girl so this restaurant has a special place in my heart. I would make a reservation beforehand because they get full easily but the experience, food and staff are amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went after an Opera Matinée during the week, so we got there around 4:30 pm when it was quiet. The wait staff was attentive. The chicken Alfredo was a small portion but delicious. I also enjoyed the Italian Margaritas and Tiramisu. Lovely atmosphere for conversation with the framed caricatures of famous people, who have eaten there.
It started getting busy at about 5:30pm. I
We had a lovely time and enjoyed the food, beverages and dessert.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
We generally eat at Petterinos before a play at the Goodman theatre as it is in the same building. They do have $9 lunch specials and also a nice menu. Delicious warm bread is available for free upon request. I've had the burger $18 which is large and good, as well as the chicken sandwich, $9, kind of small and dry, the beef with aujus and giardinera $18, also good, and recently the fish and chips, $24. The fish was tasty and flaky but the breading was kind of mushy, not crispy. All came with fries. My wife loves the salads, with protein, mid $20s. We sit at the bar and the service is great. In warm weather there is outdoor seating. Atmosphere is ok too. There is a 3.5% convenience fee that they will take off upon request. All staff is very friendly and courteous.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
I have never made a complaint but for this time I cannot say anything. This is not my first or second time going to this restaurant I always got a very nice treatment. Even I always bring some new people over the country to this place. But today I approached to the lady to ask if there is a table available then she told me “no, but you can wait 20 minutes” she took my name and phone number. After 20 minutes she called my name and the table she offered to me I did not like and ask her if can I wait for another one, and she was so rude and told me “it should be this one or nothing” I was in shock but I didn’t say anything and just left the place. I got embarrassed in front of the foreign customer I brought there. I do believe this is not the behaviour from you guys. I felt discriminated for my English accent.
Have a nice day. But you should do something to improve this treatment to old and new costumers because of your own brand.
Jesus B. and staff went above and beyond. Treated us like family. Great food and service, highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bar service slow to acknowledge my presence for after play held left over pick up. I dined at the bar prior to my theater performance. My potatoes & Asparagus were cold. No bread basket..Salt, pepper & butter had to be requested..very disappointing. Goodman member years prior to Petterino food options. 2nd dining experience with this season with me left feeling marginalized.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Amazing spot for pre-theatre dinner. Had the Restaurant Week menu - 4 courses - and time caught up with us. Our server saw us rushing and offered the option of coming back after the show for dessert! Everything was waiting for us! Brilliant!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spacious restaurant. Bar area in the front great for happy hour. Food and service are wonderful
Restaurantji Recommends
This was a wonderful experience we couldn't be happier from start to finish everything was hot when served which is a big deal for us personally also seasoned well .They have a great wine selection and our waiter Jorge ,was so on target with helping us select a wine for dinner ...also they were so on time with keeping our water glasses full never has to ask ..very clean and wonderful staff . This was our first visit but won't be our last !!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went for restaurant week and I think it was the best value for what you get. The food was great and well portioned and the service was amazing. 10/10 recommend for restaurant week or any other time of the year!
A wonderful dinner with excellent cocktails and wine. The Restaurant Week menu is spectacular and a terrific value.
Really convenient if you're going to a show at the Goodman. Can't say I'd go if I wasn't going to the Goodman. Way too convenient. Food and service were average. 2 of us went to pre-show dinner. Menu was nothing spectacular. Even Restaurant Week offering was pretty basic. Prices were avg to a little high.
Overall solid place to get food doesn't wow you but won't disappoint either. Good spot for work lunch or an early dinner right after work or play.
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