By Bob Glaze
Chicago and its suburbs have an historical population of Italian Americans. With an estimated population of over 573,000 in 2023, this makes its Italian community one of the largest in the country. There were several waves of immigrants in the 1850s, then from 1880 to 1914 and again from 1945 to 2005. Many settled in the city as well as in the suburbs including Berwyn, Cicero and Oak Park.
Historic Little Italy on Taylor Street, is a hub for the city’s Italian-American community and is known for its Italian restaurants, bakeries, and delis. There is also The Heart of Italy neighborhood or Little Tuscany near Pilsen. With this Italian influence there continues to be a large number of Italian restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and cafes throughout the city and the suburbs. My favorites include:
For a great traditional Chicago experience don’t miss Gene & Georgetti at 500 N. Franklin. This Italian steakhouse is a local institution, that has been serving steaks and Italian specialties since 1941. Not a trendy spot frequented by the younger, hip crowd, the crowd is older and consists of many regulars. The attentive waiters wear traditional white jackets and long white aprons. You feel like you’ve walked back in time. It has a warm, clubby feel with great photographs and murals. They have a great selection of steaks, chops, pastas, salads and seafood. The mussels marinara were really excellent! Unfortunately, the owner Anthony “Tony” Durpetti died in October 2024. The family will continue to operate the restaurant.
Club Lucky looks like an old neighborhood supper club with excellent Italian food and a retro atmosphere. The Christmas decorations in December are outstanding. It is located at 1824 W. Wabansia Ave. in the heart of Bucktown. I always enjoy my visits there. They also have a large outdoor patio in the summer months.
Club Lago, at 331 W. Superior at Orleans, is a wonderful old-world Italian restaurant complete with red and white checked tablecloths. Since 1952, it has offered Chicagoans great Northern Italian specialties. I always enjoy going with friends.
Located at 2424 S. Oakley in The Heart of Italy neighborhood, Bruna’s Ristorante has been a popular spot since 1933. I went back after my first visit over 35 years ago. I love the traditional atmosphere with its dim lighting and murals. The fried calamari were excellent as was the white fish entree and the tasty linguini frutti di mare with shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels.
Located downtown is the Italian Village Restaurant, which is Chicago’s oldest Italian restaurant since 1927. The Village on the upper level is the original restaurant that features Northern Italian cuisine in a fun, traditional atmosphere. Two of their restaurants were closed during the pandemic, but in December 2024 they opened Sotto in the space downstairs. It is a cocktail lounge with Italian snacks and bites. The Italian Village is a great spot to eat before you head to a Loop Theater, Orchestra Hall or the Civic Opera House for a performance. 71 W. Monroe.
I went back to La Scarola Restaurant after several years. This is a classic Italian restaurant located at 721 W. Grand Ave. that has been there for over 25 years. The atmosphere is a classic that features many photos and murals. The menu is extensive with many Italian specialties from starters, pastas and entrees. I really enjoyed the veal marsala, sauteed spinach and the fried calamari. It is a great spot for a family or group outing. Just make sure to make a reservation before you go.
South of Noble Square and east of West Town is D’Amato’s Bakery at 1124 W. Grand Ave. This a traditional Italian bakery, since 1970, in a corner location selling breads, cannoli, pizza and subs. I was recently in the area and enjoyed a prosciutto and mozzarella sub sandwich on their outside patio.
After seeing it from the CTA’s Brown Line train, I made a point to try Boni Vino Ristorante & Pizzeria. This is a classic Italian spot from 1967 that features pastas, sandwiches and pizza. I enjoyed my chicken Vesuvio and a side of mostaccioli marinara along with the warm atmosphere and service. 111 W. Van Buren St.
Located in the Gold Coast is a neighborhood favorite that has been open for over 30 years. Mario’s Table is a classic Italian restaurant at 21 W. Goethe St. I have gone several times in the past but went back last month with local friends. They have a large menu of appetizers, salads, pizzas, pastas and entrees of seafood, chicken and veal along with sides and desserts. I enjoyed our server and seeing the owner Mario Stefanini again. I thought the red wine risotto with seared scallops was a great choice. They offer daily food and drink specials. I look forward to going back again.
Tarantino’s: Located at 1112 W. Armitage, this is a great neighborhood Italian restaurant with both indoor as well outdoor seating in the summer. It is two blocks from my house, so I enjoy eating in or taking out. The smoked chicken farfalle pasta dish is always good and my favorite choice. On a recent visit, I enjoyed the watermelon gazpacho and the halibut entree special.
Trattoria Gianni: This is a small neighborhood trattoria across from the Steppenwolf Theatre, at 1711 N. Halsted, that is always good. Their large outdoor patio is perfect during the summer months. I was back last month and enjoyed the calamari fritti or fried calamari with a marinara dipping sauce, the chicken marsala with sauteed spinach and their yummy tiramisu.
Vinci Restaurant: A long-time locals favorite for Italian since 1991, Vinci has great Italian dishes. I have been going for many years. I went back and had the arugula and
Belgian endive salad with pears, pecorino cheese and hazelnuts plus the hand-made squid ink taglioni pasta with shrimp, calamari, spinach, tomato in a white wine sauce. In November 2024, I went with friends to celebrate my birthday and enjoyed the tagliatelle with a veal tomato ragu. I always love the traditional atmosphere. It is up the street from the Steppenwolf Theatre at 1732 N. Halsted.
Ricardo Trattoria, at 2119 N. Clark Street, is a favorite for authentic Italian specialties. It was featured in the Chicago Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand in 2011, 2012 and 2013. According to Michelin, “chef/owner Riccardo Michi’s opened his own spot and put his name on the door. The result is a casual, Italian-style trattoria, perfect for either date night or a group dinner”. I was there recently with friends, and it continues to be excellent.
Another great find, Spacca Napoli Pizzeria, is located at 1769 W Sunnyside Ave.in the Ravenswood neighborhood. Local friends had recommended it, and it had been on my list to try. I went with friends and enjoyed my dinner on the lovely outdoor patio. Opened in 2006, it specializes in Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizzas served in a rustic space. The menu also has some pastas and salads. I really enjoyed the fig pizza with prosciutto. I recommend the experience. Reservations are accepted.
Piccolo Sogno: Just north of Fulton Market in the Fulton River District is Piccolo Sogno, which by far, has the best outdoor garden in the city for summer dining. The food is great also. I was recently back for lunch and enjoyed it also. They have valet parking as well. 464 N. Halsted.
Scafuri Bakery: A neighborhood institution in Little Italy since 1904, this is a great spot for a coffee or pastry, cookie or pie. I was just back again and loved my oatmeal raisin cookie! All their cakes, cookies and pastries are made in-house. 1337 W. Taylor St.
I also recommend that you visit the Original Ferrara Bakery & Cafe. This is a classic Italian bakery and restaurant just west of Little Italy in the Tri-Taylor neighborhood. It is open daily except for Sunday at 2210 W. Taylor St. It has been family owned and operated since 1908!
According to their history “Salvatore Ferrara was just 16 years old when he left his home in Nola, Italy in 1900 and emigrated to the United States. He brought with him the art of Italian pastry making and confectionery, skills which would eventually lead him to open the first Italian pastry and candy shop on Taylor Street in Chicago’s Little Italy. An instant success, he was recognized throughout the city and suburbs for his fine pastries, wedding cakes and confections.”
“He soon met and married Serafina Pagano and they labored together to provide Chicago with wonderful desserts and candies. Through hard work and commitment to
the use of quality ingredients, they made a lasting name for themselves. Eager to meet new challenges, Salvatore put Serafina in charge of the bakery and concentrated his efforts on expanding the candy business, launching the Ferrara Pan Candy Company. Ferrara Pan Candy Company would go on to create such favorites as Lemonheads and Atomic Fireballs, which are distributed worldwide today.”
The bakery features cakes, custom filled cakes, pastries and miniature pastries as well as cookies and their famous cannoli. They also have a food menu of sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, pasta, pizza and entrees. I loved the caprese sandwich with tomato, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and a pesto aioli on toasted French bread. For dessert, I enjoyed a cappuccino and an assortment of their butter cookies! I highly recommend the fun experience!
High on my list is Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap at 1073 W. Vernon Park, Pl. in Little Italy. It was established in 1930 by Joseph DiBuono and his wife Teresa and serves traditional Italian specialties. I went for lunch and enjoyed my chicken picante, a yummy tiramisu and the service. I always enjoy finding traditional neighborhood spots with a long history. They also have a large outdoor patio for dining in the warmer months. In 2008, Tufano’s received the American Classics Award from the James Beard Foundation.
Orso’s Italian Restaurant has been a popular in Old Town restaurant for over 40 years. When I went for the first time, I loved the atmosphere and the great food. I had pasta with pesto topped off with shrimp and mussels. I thought it was particularly fun during the Christmas season when there was great music and decorations. I have been back twice with friends and loved the large outside patio in the rear that is covered with grape vines. 1401 N. Wells.
Last year I went back after many years to Mia Francesca at 3311 N. Clark St. Founded in 1992 and part of a Chicago and suburban chain of restaurants, they closed and underwent a renovation. They reopened in February 2024 with a new menu as well. I went with local friends and enjoyed the food in the small dining room in the back overlooking the patio. They feature the cuisine of Rome and the surrounding areas of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. I enjoyed the Spanish octopus with roasted potatoes along with a tasty tiramisu and rosé wine.
La Storia Ristorante: This Michelin recommended Italian restaurant, has a warm, classic atmosphere and an extensive menu. They feature a menu of pizzas, pastas, risottos and main courses from fish and scallops to beef and lamb. I really enjoyed the cioppino with fish, clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari in a puttanesca tomato sauce. The arugula pizza was also excellent. I also recommend the squid ink pasta with seafood.
One of the highlights is the colorful mural by Ed Sorels who is an illustrator, caricaturist, cartoonist, graphic designer and author whose work is known for its storytelling. The mural features some of Chicago’s historic figures over many years. Recently, I really enjoyed dining outside on their lovely patio. On my last visit, we were seated upstairs. This was my first time in that space. There are two elegant rooms which I highly recommend if you want a quieter experience. 1154 N. Dearborn.
Another new find is Volare Ristorante Italiano at 201 E. Grand Ave. This is an old-world Italian restaurant, opened in 1997, with a large menu and wine list. I enjoyed dinner on the outdoor terrace with a neighborhood friend. I really enjoyed my pasta entree.
I look forward to trying many new spots in the future! Buon Appetito!
For more travel destinations and recommendations, visit globalphile.com.
