Franconello Italian Restaurant: User Reviews

Great Restaurant
By fidlr4 from North Center, November 6, 2009

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I have been to Franconello several times and each time it gets better. The most recent time was just this week. The atmosphere and service are superb. The food is great, too. I really like the meatball salad and mini-meatball pasta. My husband had the halibut special and raved about it. They had $6 pasta specials - penne, linguini, etc. On previous nights, we enjoyed the half price bottles of wine and the chicken marsala. We have also had the pizzas with $1 bottles of beer on Sunday nights. Everything is great! I highly recommend Franconello.

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Average Italian
By bigfriendlyturtle from Old Town, May 27, 2009

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We are blessed with many great Italian restaurants in the Chicago area. With so many great ones to choose from we found Franconcello to be just OK. Typical menu with nothing noteworthy. Not a great wine list. Our server was cute and enthusiastic, the room was beautiful, the food was so-so. Just can't recommend it.

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Needs alot of help
By joycemaire from joliet, May 22, 2009

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Went to a dinner there on Wednesday evening with a large group. Very tight seating arrangements. Very limited amount of food prepared for a large group. Spaghetti sauce was worse than Chef Boyardee out of the can. Then to top off, when asked for coffee, told no more cups. How could a restaurant NOT have coffee cups. If you did not have enough ordered for your seating, have styrafoam cups atleast. Never ever go back again.

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Don't waste your money at this place
By mariothesoxfan from university village, April 18, 2009

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I live near UIC. The decor of Franconello is gorgeous, and immaculate, you could literally eat off the floor. The salad was mediocre at best. The calamari was awful. Very tough. I ordered the New York strip steak medium and it came out medium rare. It tasted like it was drowned in garlic. The price of a cocktail is the same as the gold coast area restaurants. The service was good. The prices were outrageous considering the low quality of the food. I've been to little hole in the wall pizzerias that had better Italian food. Very disappointed. Not very many good Italian restaurants in the University Village area. Could be a nice place if the food wasn't so awful. To sum it up; Don't waste your money.

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Glorious Experience!
By gabsterlamb from mayfair, March 3, 2009

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My family and I dined here before going to Chicago, the Musical. I had the beef and veal tortellino, my husband had the chicken Marco, my daughter had the ravioli w/marscarpone cheese and my other daughter the oriochette w/sausage and brocolli. We all enjoyed are entrees. The portions were just right too! Their desserts (a deconstructed canolli, the molted chocolate cake and a free tiramasu) were all to live for! Service was good and attentive. I highly recommed this place and look forward to coming back!

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Awesome Italian Evening!
By lil' yo from austin, August 17, 2008

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This place is fantastic. The ambiance is fabulous. Seriously one of the prettiest restuarants I have been too. The food was great. The owner came around to all the tables to check on things. The dessert was super good. I will for sure be returning!!!!

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Good addition to University Village
By Chris from West Loop, July 5, 2008

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Went on a Friday night, wasn't very crowded so we're seated right away. Server was very nice. Food was great and wine was good. Had a drink at the bar after dinner and staff remained very friendly. Overall a great place.

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The best food I ever ate
By yourfriendfromitaly from Suburbs, February 15, 2008

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The girlfriend and i visited tonight. Great service, unbeleviable
ambiance, and the food, the best i ever had.

I had the parmesan crusted filet, she had tortellini filled with lobster.
This is the third time we have been, the specials are always unique
and rarely found anywhere else. The menu is tradional italian with a
modern flare. THIS IS A MUST VISIT!

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wonderful experience
By mamamia from western suburbs, February 11, 2008

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We recently gathered the whole family together for dinner at this new spot, and for the first time ever EVERYONE loved the place. The food was absolutely delicious, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. From the moment we arrived to the time the valet helped us to our cars, everyone there was extremely attentive to our needs. The knowledgeable wait staff patiently helped us order our dinners, taking the time to discuss with us our various preferences...and I can tell you no one in our group was disappointed. I would definitley recommend giving this great new place a try.

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Wow -- this place is awesome!
By FoodieForever from Bridgeport, February 2, 2008

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Finally, a great Italian Restaurant in University Village. I loved the wood-fired pizza, pasta and gnocchi. The salmon was superb -- moist and tasty, and the service was wonderful.
You know the place has to be good when you see professors, professionals and local artists chowing down in the cozy yet impressive place. It's a great value and sure to become a hang out for the regulars in this young, growing community.

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