“One of the few remaining ethnic food festivals around. The old-time carnival rides were full of fun for the grandkids. The food was provided by many mom & pop shops who have been cooking Italian for years. No admission charge and each vendor charging $2 - 3 per item. Adjacent Taste of Mexico section provides even more variety. The Folklorico dancers put on a most professional show as did the other entertainment stages. Will definitely bring the family back next year.“
“If I can give it a 20 star I would, the food, the service and the atmosphere was amazing and Spectacular! I will definitely come back here again! We got the lamb chops and one item specials which was the Ribeye with mashed potatoes and god it was definitely delicious I wish I didn’t get so full so fast. We got calamari as an app and that was very good and tasty as well. For desert we finished off with homemade tiramisu and the chef treated us with some homemade cannoli. I was truly amazed with the service we got, definitely worth all the money. This place is very nice and everyone is friendly and amazing makes you want to go back!“
“greatest selection of hard to find cheese, Better than Mars cheese, its too bad the Caputo company are idots and better wake up for keeping this place a secret, its not even advertised in their flyers, every hard to find cheese I want is there, in 1 location. whats with you Caputo people, let people know its here“
“For some reason the food has been tasting so much better . The delivery driver who also prepares the food had made the best Italian beef iv had there in a long time . I usually ate half this time around I could not stop on half ate the entire sandwich. Def not 5 but 10 keep up the good work .“
“We came in today for a quick bite and we just ordered Alfredo pasta the food was great however our server Stephen was exceptional. Stephen almost could anticipate exactly what we needed before we even asked. Everything was refilled and refreshed very often.Wheelchair accessibility: My grandma has a Walker and the place was easily accesible.“
“We’ve been to Marco’s a few times and have enjoyed our experiences. There is always a wide variety of thoughtfully prepared options to choose from in all categories, land and sea appetizers, entrees, several salads and desserts. Last night we had the bacon wrapped scallops appetizer which was delicious, the mahi mahi and shrimp with a delicious coconut based sauce. The strip steak was cooked perfectly and came with some lovely crisp veggies; unfortunately the steak was tough and almost stringy. The server asked if there was anything else I’d like which felt like the right thing to do. The servers are efficient but generally not warm and fuzzy. And the environment is very loud. Anyone with hearing issues wouldn’t be able to hear anyone else at their table without that person raising their voice considerably.“
“Was in the neighborhood and I stopped by. Italian beef sandwich is amazing. Loaded with beef. Only thing that happened was that I ordered an Italian combo and I got just a regular Italian beef. Giardiniera was not spicy at all and I do like spicy. Otherwise, will probably be back.Parking: There is a parking lot on the side of the building.“
“My husband and I came here for lunch and enjoyed the excellent service and food. The focaccia bread and olive oil with garlic and hummus was to die for and we were getting full before our meal came. We ordered mussels, salad, pasta and seafood risotto. Of course we had to take half of entrees home since we enjoyed the focaccia bread! I have been here before with my friends and ate outside on a Monday night over the summer and also had an excellent meal. We will definitely come back.“
“A friend told me about this neighborhood gem. I'm blown away by the friendly atmosphere and staff. If you're looking for something special and authentic this is the place to visit. Everything made in-house and freshly prepared with care and love“
“Chef! Don't ever take the short rib gnocchi off the menu! Great food and fresh pasta made daily , all served by a Fabulous wait staff! Many dedicated customers. Read these reviews! I didn't want to review because now it will be harder to get a table. They have an outdoor area in back when it's warmer.. so don't be deceived by it's size. Be sure to make a reservation! Enjoy a great dinner and drinks here and tip the staff well!Almost forgot...best calamari appetizer...Ever!Parking: Street parking not too bad. In the evening some surrounding businesses are closed. Besides, you'll probably want to walk off that cheesecake!“
“EXCELLENT DATE NIGHT SPOT!Stopped one night after a Blackhawks game. I was worried we were completely underdressed, It was obvious that it is a small neighborhood restaurant when the waitress asked if we'd ever been and said she didn't recognize us. The menu was amazing! The authentic Italian cuisine is very flavorful and the portions are perfect. We will definitely be back!“
“We rented out the banquet room for a family party and between the food and service, the experience was exceptional. Everyone raved about the food options and the staff was incredibly welcoming and helpful. I would highly recommend Francesca's for any event you might have.“
“Sunday lunch was a wonderful experience for several reasons. The restaurant was open according to their posted store hours. A few years ago, this would have been a silly compliment. But these days, we have had several encounters in which we would arrive at an eatery and notice the doors are still locked even though it's past their usual store open hours. Needless to say, service was attentive, friendly, and efficient. Our party of six shared the smoked trout dip, calamari, charred pepperoni pizza, white mushroom and truffle pizza, Italian cheesecake, and tiramisu. The smoked trout dip is a tad high on sodium but I really like how it was served with flaxseed crackers. The pizza are served Romana style, therefore rectangular and fluffy. The crust is thin but with a crunch. Even better, they are half-price on Sundays!“
“1st time here and man the reviews are spot on , i went inside and the place was crowded so that's always a good sign. I ordered the meatball sub because I saw a Chicago's best sign that recommended it and man it was probably one of the best I ever had.Meatballs were tender , flavorful and that marinara sauce was high quality and extremely satisfying.I also tried the rice balls with meat and red sauce , that was a good snack to eat with my sub very flavorful and definitely filling for 1 person.This place is relatively cheap as well , my sub was $8 bucks with cheese and the rice ball was $5 with red sauce.Needless to say I'll be back because nothing beats good cheap food !!!Kid-friendliness: Tons of places to sit for kids , also an extensive menu.“
“If you want true Italian cooking and a friendly atmosphere, then Mangia Napoli is the place. I cannot express enough how great the food is! Thank you to Fonz, Eddie & Vinnie for the excellence in food. Fonz the Zuppa you prepared for our anniversary was beyond excellent! Many thanks“
“Place is BOSS, no CAP! Lol, it's really good. Great daily soup selection. Sicilian soup is my go to, however, when they have the Polish and potato soup on special, my goodness!!! Must try, they are legit.Parking: Lot in front, lot in back, street on side and an adjacent lot to front.Kid-friendliness: It's Italian, it's all family!Wheelchair accessibility: I see ramps and ada, sorry don't know much more about wheelchair woes. Love you though!“
“Celebrated my bday on Monday . Food was delicious as always , waitress was pleasant and very attentive. The only reason I am giving 4 stars it’s because the hostess was very rude and ignorant. If you having a bad day maybe next time take a day off . No one wants to see your attitude.“
“Wow...the shrimp appetizer is pretty awesome! Completely blown away by the Ravioli w/ spinach and mushrooms!!! Both are dynamite...highly recommend them! Our server was the best too! She recommended the shrimp...very grateful for that recommendation! We'll definitely be back soon!!!“
“A wonderful Italian style deli. Deli contains authentic Italian meats. Prepared foods are Wonderful and staff is willing to accommodate to special requests. Hands down one of the most authentic grocery’s in the area, right down to the fresh hand made cannoli! Enjoy.“
“True Italian cooking in a bar like setting, has a private side room away from the bar and outdoor seating weather permitting. Long time established bar that has been remodeled to make it more family friendly.Parking: Newly asphalt parking lot that can get full, but street parking is close by.Wheelchair accessibility: Handicap spots right by entrance and no stairs inside.“
“Took The Wife here for an early dinner.Had never been here, before. We were greeted and seated immediately. A delightful place. Very cozy. The service was excellent. The food was excellent. The atmosphere was wonderful. Reasonable prices, and plentiful portions.We highly recommend this restaurant.“
“Can’t lie it was funny how my order came about but the sweetest delivery lady was in my building and the smell alone was tantalizing. I asked where is that from?!! And next think you know we were eating ROSATI’S for dinner. Me and my wife loved it. And we appreciate how they got it to us and took the order even though they closed at 10. It was fresh and piping hot. Without all the expensive cost of Uber eats. Crust could’ve been a little crispier but I understand it was time to shut the ovens down!! Amazing service too“
“Pasta D’Arte is a gem. Everything on the menu is fresh, scrumptious, and flavorsome. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable about each of the food items. They have a large space, outdoor seating, and an area for private parties, but you can also find an intimate nook if you’re looking for something more romantic. I highly recommend going there for a celebration or a date night.“
“Best local spot for gelato or food!! They always have a huge variety of gelato and ice cream flavors. I love coming here, the portions are always big as well. Their food is served hot and tasty! I also really like the small and intimate environment. I always have great service!“
“Discovered this gem last night. Wonderful Italian restaurant in a residential area not too far from Midway Airport. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. We parked in the lot and were seated right away. Wait staff were friendly and accommodating with good recommendations. I would love to go back.“
“Came in for the first time looking for an authentic pasta experience and I GOT IT. Rick was super friendly and helpful, and arranged for us to eat in the shop after hearing we didn’t live nearby. Rigatoni ala vodka and pancetta spinach ravioli were fantastic. The chew to those noodles is out of this world. Focaccia with their house garlic olive oil was a great compliment to our pasta. We will absolutely return another day.“
“Came here with my wife while we were in town for a marriage conference. It was a busy Saturday night, but we had a reservation so the wait wasn't bad. Service was excellent and they got us helped very promptly, even with the full house!I ordered pollo marsala (pictured) with The Godfather (drink). Both were excellent! My wife ordered the pappardelle al nonno and she liked it as well. Great atmosphere as well. Would recommend the high tables if you're on a date as they're a bit more tucked away.Parking: We went on a Saturday evening (6:30 reservation) and didn't have any issues finding parking. Used the side lot which is shared by the other businesses nearby and found a couple spots immediately.“
“We visited for the first time yesterday and it was AMAZING! Great ambience, friendly staff, good music but the food was the star of the show. Absolutely delicious! Everything from the bread, salads, soups and entrees. We will definitely be back!!!“
“Flew from Reno to Chicago to see my son play lacrosse in the Milwaukee area. Had to stay in Chicago over night due to problems with our rental car. Happen to stay right next to Frannie"s Beef. So glad we stopped for a Italian beef and sausage combo sandwich. I have been craving a good italian beef sandwich since my last trip to Chicago. This place is an icon. Definitely will be stopping here again.“
“Best vpn pizza in the aria.. staff is on top of everything and service is great , fast quick and fresh then going there for years love it I just wish they would change up their money once in a while introduce new pizzas introduce new dishes but it’s 100% “
Italian • $$
“We hosted my son’s communion party at Porretta’s last May and we were very satisfied with everything, so we decided to cater for my mother’s birthday party. We ordered a few days prior and John was able to accommodate us in spite of the short notice.We had it delivered on time and with care. All the food was delicious but our guests especially raved about the Rigatoni Vodka and the mini meatballs.I am already planning our next celebration and will be using Porrettas catering once again!“
Pizza Takeaway • $
“We had eaten at a Lou Malnati’s several years ago and didn’t care for the pizza we had tried. But since we’ve heard so many people rave about their pizza, we decided to give the place another try this last time we were in Chicago.The restaurant has plenty of seating, but going late on a Thursday night meant the place was pretty empty. We had prompt service, but the pizza does take time to make. Plan on at least 30 minutes to get it delivered to your table.We ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic and added mushrooms. I’m not a big fan of sausage, so I was a bit hesitant to order it. However, I really enjoyed the pizza overall. The sausage wasn’t overly strong, and the tomato sauce had a wonderful sweetness to it. The crust was cooked to perfection, and the mozzarella cheese was plentiful.So did this pizza measure up? Absolutely! We will definitely be back!“
“Carmen, our server was fabulous. Table was quiet, which was very nice and we felt our conversation wasn’t listened in on.I selected the skirt steak with the chimichurri. My fiancé had the sea bass on special. Antipasto to share as an appetizer. Bread was warm, butter whipped.Cocktails were good. Would absolutely come back again.The only weird thing, the chairs are leather. The seat I had was clearly stained, not sure what with, but it wasn’t wet or sticky. But the brown stain was a little off putting, but I totally forgot about it once I sat.“
“Truly a family-owned, family-run and family-centric establishment. We've witnessed them grow since they opened in 1999, and their craft is perfected. Whether you want a quiet date night with some ridiculously delicious pasta and wine; or a coffee and Gelato; or a quick lunch of a sandwich, pizza or arancini and pasta salad... you can't go wrong. They're expert caterers and you won't have to worry about a thing if you're hosting an event of any kind. Love!“
“When in Chicago, you can't skip on this place. The pizza was amazing. This was my first time trying Deep Dish (Chicago Style) pizza, and I'm glad I went with the best for my first time. We also had the fried mozzarella and the bruschetta. The Bruschetta is nicknamed "The Best" and after having it, I now know why. Our waitress was super nice. She was an older lady with a Boston accent but she was so funny and took really good care of us.“
“Rustico's new space on Oak Park Ave. (in the old Oak Park Brewery) is incredible in terms of its aesthetics. Very open, high, exposed bow-tie roof trusses, reclaimed wood plank ceiling, a really cool floor (tinted concrete?), and exposed brick walls. Totally cool vibe indeed. Myself, my wife, and two 21 year old kids dined there 1.5 weeks ago and it was awesome. Upon arriving, we were seated immediately. All of the staff that helped us were great: fun, personable, and attentive. We ordered the seafood Paella, Carbonara, Fruitti Di Mare, and Braised Short Ribs. All seafood in the Paella and Fruitti Di Mare was cooked to perfection-nothing was the least bit rubbery and everything was quite savory. The Carbonara was so tasty and incredibly decadent (which, when ordering Carbonara, you almost expect!). The Braised short ribs that my son ordered were so good (based on his review), but unfortunately, decorum prohibits printing the words he used to describe his love of the dish herein. When the bill arrived, there was absolutely no sticker shock and in fact, my wife and I felt that the entrees were very reasonably priced (especially given their generous portions). I don't think that many diners leave this place hungry. Personally, I love Rustico as the food is awesome but the restaurant is anything but pretentious. We will most def be back soon! Jimmah!“
“Staff was great! Rudy and Ericka. We called in advance bc we had 2 in a party of 6 to have canes/walkers. Seating near the door was made available. It was my daughter's birthday and everyone was very kind! Food was fresh and quickly served and we needed for nothing!“
“Everything about our experience was five stars. First off the ambiance was so nice, stylish but comfortable and cozy. My four year old spilled milk all over him, the booth and the floor. The staff, Claudia (server), Andres and Kristine (host) were so unbelievably kind, attentive and responsive I don't think I have ever experienced that before. Kristine was so helpful and concerned she even offered me a clean towel to help dry him off in the restroom. I haven't even mentioned the food! Everything we ordered was delicious. We had an assortment of small plates (focaccia, Brussel sprouts, calamari, farro) as well as pasta and the burger was enjoyed by all. We would definitely be regulars if we were local.“
“We were in the area overnight and looking for something authentic and quiet. We found both!! We didn’t realize it was byob but it didn’t matter. This is absolutely some of the best Italian food in the City/Suburbs. We live way south but will absolutely be back for the food. Great food, great service, wonderful atmosphere!!“
“I have been shopping at Nottoli for 25+ years. Their Italian sausage is the best. Yesterday, I called in an order for a party tray of 40 mini sub sandwiches at 2:15 pm. They were ready at 3:15 for pick up. The sandwiches were “award winning”. My wife brought them to a rehearsal for her church choir. Their staff is top notch. If you have not visited the store please do, you will not be disappointed.“
“The food is authentic Italian and is delicious, especially the Rigatoni Con Sugo Di Carne!You can dine in to enjoy pleasant atmosphere and friendly, attentive service.It's in the center of a strip building between other restaurants that look alike so it's kind of hard to notice. In fact, I was told about the place and I live six blocks from it and drive by it almost every day.I have not tried the pizza since the Rigatoni is so good. If you like genuine Italian food, try it. You will return!Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchairs look like they can roll right in. It's all ground level.“
“A fantastic place to have deep dish pizza in Chicago! A friend recommended this as we are from out of country. Would definitely come back again for their deep dish pizza stuffed crust. Their pizza crust is the best thing another the pizza (I personally don’t eat crusts on pizza, but here, it’s my favourite part). We also had a side of parmesan garlic fries and a Caesar salad which were a fantastic addition. Thanks Dimitri for the fantastic service!“
“enjoyed a wonderful dinner last night, started off with the mezza platter which i highly recommend followed by the most tender octopus ive ever had then thoroughly enjoyed the scallops which were exquisite and also ordered the chicken thighs with a unique taste of its own; i was visiting from out of town but its worth the drive and i highly recommend a visit“
“Tried this spot out and it was really good! Staff was friendly and welcoming. Inside was clean and neat, and TV was running with a sports channel on. The menu has a lot of good Halal pizza options with various sizings. Tired the taco and bbq chicken pizza and was really tasty from here. Check them out!“
“had an incredible experience at this restaurant! the staff was extremely hospitable and accommodating. i have a lot of food allergies and they were able to make all accommodations and double check everything. the food was DELICIOUS. our table got the Grigliato Misto, a new salad (forget the name but it had an assortment of berries and grapes - SO REFRESHING!!!), broiled lake superior whitefish, roasted brussels sprouts, and a seasonal new drink - espresso old fashion.grigliato misto - 10/10. good portion, great flavor, cooked perfectlysalad - 10/10, honestly could have eaten just this with how good it wasbrussels sprouts - 9/10 the brussels were huge but the flavor was really goodbroiled lake superior whitefish - 6/10 it was fine but it wasn’t anything special. it was missing some flavorsespresso old fashion - 9/10“
“Truly cannot say enough great things about Lucca & their staff. We love popping in for dinner, so much so, we chose to host my sister’s wedding shower here last weekend. From the initial planning with Sonia to the day of, we were blown away by the food, service and care we received. There is very little needed in terms of decoration [the space is beautiful as-is] and Sonia and her team did a wonderful job keeping everything running smoothly and on time. We even ended up needing to push our first course back by at least 15 minutes and they still didn’t skip a beat. Nothing felt rushed, behind schedule or off beat in any way. The entire staff was very gracious & accommodating.Did I mention the food? Everyone is still talking about it!10/10 recommend for any event. Quality, care, professionalism and service all remain top notch!Kid-friendliness: We had children at our event who enjoyed everything just as much as we did.“
“I hadn't been here in about 15+ years. Finally came back. Ordered a sweet beef, hot beef, chicken tenders, & fries for $30. Everything was great! Prices are pretty low given the crazy inflation going on right now. Quick service. Will definitely be back“
“5 stars for HECTOR in Western Springs!!!Hands down this was the absolute best dining experience I’ve ever had! While the food was delicious and the overall ambiance and decor of the restaurant was cozy, it was our server that made this dining experience over the top, great! HECTOR, you are a gem, a diamond! You have an absolutely charming personality and made my mother in law’s birthday dinner an experience to remember! From your spot on suggestions, to your lovely rendition of “Happy Birthday”, to the funny banter, our whole family left talking about how wonderful you were! We will be back and we will be sure to come when you are serving! Thank you Hector!!!“
“My boyfriend and I love this place. It's extremely clean inside and we usually just place an order to go over phone. We usually will get chicken Alfredo or baked mostaccioli, but we ALWAYS get those tacos. They are actually very very good!“
“What an absolute delight! Pure warmth and welcome from everyone working there. Given it location tucked into a residential neighborhood, you might think ‘neighborhood gem’ — this is much more. Truly top notch Italian cooking with house made pastas and fantastic sauces that could challenge any downtown place (and best most). The bread felt like something a grandma made in her kitchen. Loved the soup, then was blown away by my gnocchi with spicy vodka Arrabbiata sauce. Companions raved about the pizza and pasta with scallops.Definitely go here! And we will certainly be back.If I had to nitpick the row of video gambling machines did not seem to fit with the rest of the space and atmosphere. Must be a good money maker, so understandable.“