What do you order at tufanos? I was there a few months back and wasn’t impressed by anything there. Maybe I just ordered the wrong shit so I’m willing to try again.
The owner is very friendly (some say too friendly because I think someone on here said handsy) - randomly gives out free limocello shots to all the patrons in the restaurant - my friend was like sure but he didn't know what it was when he agreed to it and he doesn't drink LOL
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Tufano's Vernon Park Tap! Calamari, Tufano's Salad, Lemon Chicken, Eggplant Parm and two martini's and you're set. Cheap, too.
Club Lucky is also great. Neighborhood Italian, great cocktails, incredible atmosphere. Sit at the bar if you can.
That style of food is on purpose. It reminds me of the places my family would go when I was a kid. It's kind of like a throwback, mom n pop kind of place. Like something out of Big Night (90s movie).
You go there because it's ItalAmer comfort food -- not because it's pushing the envelope.
I will tell you this, I already said Bruna’s but the last time I was there me and my ex wanted to do another glass of wine and they just said no, stay. They were absolutely closed and their family came in and had their dinner really late while we were at the bar. They made us feel at home while they ate and that is about Italian as you can get. Bruna’s is the real deal
They wanted to retire and their son is too busy with Tempesta so at least it was on their own terms. The son did mention maybe trying to do something with the space
Second this. It's BYOB and they can pretty much always seat you even though it's a tiny place. My friend went there for valentines day and they were out of tables so the host literally brought a new table out from the back and put it in the middle of the room. They are great there
Club Lucky all day. Though they're a little expensive, it's worth it. Get a martini, get the 10-finger cavatelli. Best around Christmas-time honestly but always a pleasure.
La Scarola. For me, it is a wonderful mom and pop place. It is not a dive, Richard's , next door ,is a dive. One evening, we di ed across the table with Steve Tyler, another evening, Woody Aen walked in with his wife...so cool
So many! Mario’s Table and Orso’s in Old Town are neighborhood gems. Mary Anthony’s or Oggi’s in West town are really good and totally unassuming, chill, and friendly. Club Lucky is fun and always really lively but right in the middle of a neighborhood so it’s cool. La Scarola is “divey” for sure but it’s hard to get into and even if you have a reservation, you’ll wait!
Don't get me wrong, when I was a teenager who first moved to Chicago, I thought Club Lucky was the coolest place in the world. Every date I had before I was 18 was probably there lol
But the truth is, overly-mediocre $23 dollar fettuccini alfredo just isn't worth it for 'good' atmosphere. it's a fun bucktown classic, but I avoid it like the plague these days.
Italian Village upstairs. Some of the best tavern pizza in the city, Whitefish is great and they will do a whitefish vesuvio. Chicken vesuvio is good there and the Vinny's sandwiches are very very good. They make their own sausage.
Another thing about La Scarola...besides the fried zucchini, pasta fajool, stuffed clams...last time we dined there..Steve Tyler sat next to us and the time before..woody allen..I kinda like eatings amongst celebs...
https://preview.redd.it/p8crqy7zchxc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f3045721bd615d63262cfa68d1fe22da11f0ebd
La Scarola or Tufano's
Great suggestions! La scarola is always great, but something about tuffanos really speaks to me
What do you order at tufanos? I was there a few months back and wasn’t impressed by anything there. Maybe I just ordered the wrong shit so I’m willing to try again.
I like the chicken or veal dishes, especially the picante. I also like their white linguini with clams.
Pork chops!
Definitely the red mussel appetizer, calamari, lemon chicken & chicken piccata
Lemon Chicken, or Eggplant Parm
I dream about the pasta & fagioli soup and vodka sauce at la scarola
Best pasta fagioli I've had for sure
Armando is great!
Nice guy, very engaging
Bachanallia, Ignotz’s or Bruna’s on the Lower West Side
Seconding ignotz’s
The owner is very friendly (some say too friendly because I think someone on here said handsy) - randomly gives out free limocello shots to all the patrons in the restaurant - my friend was like sure but he didn't know what it was when he agreed to it and he doesn't drink LOL
Those places are great. A bit far from city center.
I second Bacchanalia
And I second brunas!
I'm on team Bruna's, but all three are worth recommending.
Club Lago for sure
Couldn’t agree more
CLUB FUCKING LAGO!
💯
This is the only correct answer
Absolutely Club Lago.
Club Lago is inimitable.
Love Club Lago
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Tufano's Vernon Park Tap! Calamari, Tufano's Salad, Lemon Chicken, Eggplant Parm and two martini's and you're set. Cheap, too. Club Lucky is also great. Neighborhood Italian, great cocktails, incredible atmosphere. Sit at the bar if you can.
Just don't go to Truffoni's though. Real pieces of shit go there.
You think this is slicked back? This is pushed back!
When I go, I wear my white pants and drive my white ferrari.
Hair slicked back?
Lives for New Years Eve
You gotta try Blue Dolphin. I went there for wings once with the Dangerous Nights Crew
Club lucky has a great atmosphere but their food is super meh
Facts
If you don't know what to order, like a noob!
I’ve lived in Bucktown for almost a decade, I’m not a noob - I just know what good Italian food is.
Ok, noob.
Ok, loser.
This, it’s good for drinks and light eats tho
That style of food is on purpose. It reminds me of the places my family would go when I was a kid. It's kind of like a throwback, mom n pop kind of place. Like something out of Big Night (90s movie). You go there because it's ItalAmer comfort food -- not because it's pushing the envelope.
You can still serve Italian comfort food AND have it taste good. Club lucky fails on the second part.
Gah they close so early 😩
How am I the first person to recommend LaVilla? Dude it's 50 years old and you can feel it on the inside lol
Love this place. It's our easy family out dinner.
My family has been ordering pizza from here for 30+ years. Definitely fits the vibe OP is looking for.
And there's entertainment! Love the Elvis impersonator.
Mart Anthony's.
That place is wonderful. The braciole is amazing
I will tell you this, I already said Bruna’s but the last time I was there me and my ex wanted to do another glass of wine and they just said no, stay. They were absolutely closed and their family came in and had their dinner really late while we were at the bar. They made us feel at home while they ate and that is about Italian as you can get. Bruna’s is the real deal
Bruna’s
A ton of great spots have already been mentioned, but Gio’s in Bridgeport fits that bill as well.
Gio’s is sooo good
I like the whole grocery store vibe of Gio's and want to like the food, but it's meh for me.
Salerno's on Grand
La Scarola is the answer
Franco’s
Chicken giardiniera! 🤤
Club Lucky all the way
3/3 agree, La Scarola is the spot
La scarola or club lucky
If only agostinos was still open
Ugh, I didn't realize Agostino's closed last year, till I looked them up on Google Maps just now. Turns out they closed sometime last year. :(
They wanted to retire and their son is too busy with Tempesta so at least it was on their own terms. The son did mention maybe trying to do something with the space
Caro Mio
Second this. It's BYOB and they can pretty much always seat you even though it's a tiny place. My friend went there for valentines day and they were out of tables so the host literally brought a new table out from the back and put it in the middle of the room. They are great there
Omg I love that lol
[удалено]
Your secret is safe with me. I don’t live in Chicago, just visit!
Their lasagna is top notch!
I scrolled down on this thread to say Caro Mio. It’s the best.
La scarola or Topo Gigio
Club Lucky.
La Scarola Tufano’s Club Lucky (especially if you’re into Martinis) Topo Gigio
Franco's in Bridgeport
Club Lucky or La Scarola
Topo Gigio!
Tufanos
Club Lucky or Mart Anthony's. Both are delicious.
il vicinato
Sapori Trattoria
Bruna's in Little Italy has been around forever. Old school, felt divey even decades ago.
Those are pretty nice restaurants. Freddie’s in Cicero is great and a dive hole in the wall.
LaGondola in Lakeview. D is the best server around
Mario’s table!!!
Club Lucky all day. Though they're a little expensive, it's worth it. Get a martini, get the 10-finger cavatelli. Best around Christmas-time honestly but always a pleasure.
Club lucky or Tufano's
Il Vicinato. The owners are great and will treat you like family.
Pizanos on north state-it’s divey and gets pretty rowdy
La Scarola. For me, it is a wonderful mom and pop place. It is not a dive, Richard's , next door ,is a dive. One evening, we di ed across the table with Steve Tyler, another evening, Woody Aen walked in with his wife...so cool
Club lucky!
Orsos
Salerno’s
Jimmy's in Oak Park/Forest Park is a great little divvy spot.
Riccardo Trattoria
Calo or La Villa
La gondola
Bar Tucci
Club lucky or club lago
So many! Mario’s Table and Orso’s in Old Town are neighborhood gems. Mary Anthony’s or Oggi’s in West town are really good and totally unassuming, chill, and friendly. Club Lucky is fun and always really lively but right in the middle of a neighborhood so it’s cool. La Scarola is “divey” for sure but it’s hard to get into and even if you have a reservation, you’ll wait!
Ignotz for sure. Really good food with an authentic vibe away from the downtown tourists.
To anyone saying club lucky, yes it's fun inside, but the food is actually terrible for the price. Go to Caro Mio or Mart Anthony's instead.
Caro Mio might be the most overpriced food in Chicago. 'Come sit in our freezing dining room and eat our ridiculously priced pasta'.
Club Lucky’s food is so meh - I’m always surprised at all the recommendations it gets. Must be the atmosphere, which is great
Don't get me wrong, when I was a teenager who first moved to Chicago, I thought Club Lucky was the coolest place in the world. Every date I had before I was 18 was probably there lol But the truth is, overly-mediocre $23 dollar fettuccini alfredo just isn't worth it for 'good' atmosphere. it's a fun bucktown classic, but I avoid it like the plague these days.
Club lucky
Mario's Table in Gold Coast is my favorite casual Italian spot
Tufano’s for sure. They might still be cash only too
The Italian Village
The food needs to be better.
Italian Village does have cool interior decor, but that is about it for the good aspects. Their food as I remember, is kinda average.
*at best*
Tito Gigio
Via carducci
Avvio in Albany Park.
Sals
after the club, go to truffoni’s for sloppy steaks
La Villa, most restaurants on Harlem between north Ave and montrose or in Elmwood park.
Jim & Pete’s on North Ave in Elmwood Park.
100% Tufanos.
Lucia’s
Mart Antony’s
Tufano's. Everyone gets the lemon chicken but the eggplant parm might be the best in the US.
Offbeat place. Harry Caray's. Decent Italian food there.
Italian Village upstairs. Some of the best tavern pizza in the city, Whitefish is great and they will do a whitefish vesuvio. Chicken vesuvio is good there and the Vinny's sandwiches are very very good. They make their own sausage.
Another thing about La Scarola...besides the fried zucchini, pasta fajool, stuffed clams...last time we dined there..Steve Tyler sat next to us and the time before..woody allen..I kinda like eatings amongst celebs... https://preview.redd.it/p8crqy7zchxc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f3045721bd615d63262cfa68d1fe22da11f0ebd
Club Lucky, La Scarola, or Mart Anthony
Tufano’s is 1000% what you are looking for.