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    Big J Cafe

    5.0 (2 reviews)

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This is a great lunch alternative from the regular tired fare. Everything is homemade and made to order.

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    Armand's Pizzeria

    Armand's Pizzeria

    3.3(299 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Had a really good 14' sausage thin crust pizza from Armand's. Just the right amount of sauce, the…read morecheese was delicious and the sausage is homemade and you can tell. Also ordered an appetizer of fried calamari, sadly it wasn't the best, to soggy and not very flavorful. Tried an antipasto salad which was really good and a lot for a small salad. Loaded with great veggies, cheese and salami. Will order again from Armand's

    Much better experience on my last visit here, the portions are quite large and the price is fair --…read morebut I enjoyed my pizzas I ordered this time and found it a bit more flavorful. Without considering price at all, this is one of the more convenient locations to dine if you're enjoying any type of entertainment or event in Arlington Heights. The interior is nice and cozy and service is friendly and efficient. On this last visit I tried the thin crust pepperoni and pan with sausage. I was happy with how generously the cheese was layered and how the tomato sauce wasn't too sour or acidic. The bready texture of the crust also matched the other textures of the ingredients nicely. The Western was the surprise of the meal, as the mix of herbs and bacon created a delicious flavor combination. Definitely a hit with everyone at the table. Overall, solid pizza spot to dine downtown Arlington Heights with big portions, fair prices, and pizzas that will satisfy friends and family.

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    Armand's Pizzeria - Bar

    Bar

    Armand's Pizzeria
    Armand's Pizzeria - Table

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    Table

    Bar Salotto - Hearts of Palm Salad with Shrimp

    Bar Salotto

    4.5(136 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    We had a really nice time last weekend at Bar Salotto. While they do not take reservations, we did…read morenot have a wait - and it was an enjoyable experience in the back room. We were able to snag a back table so not loud and we can hear the whole table. We started with the Hearts of Palm salad to share. It was perfect to share with three people as a starter and we all loved the lemon vinaigrette. For entrees - I got the thin crust Garden Pizza special - artichokes, pesto, pine nuts, other veggies. I thought it was delicious and it reheated very nicely the next day. Others at the table - got the salmon, sausage pizza and spicy vodka pasta. Everyone enjoyed. Our server (AJ) was fabulous and joked with the table - he made the experience enjoyable as well as the atmosphere of the restaurant. While we're not in Arlington Heights often, it is a place I would recommend.

    The evening began with the sort of optimism that has historically led men into bankruptcy, war, and…read moresecond marriages. The hostess appeared wearing a blue-and-white striped sweater hanging off one shoulder like she'd stepped out of an Italian perfume commercial. Around her neck was one of those little cornicello pepper necklaces, dangling just enough to suggest fate had finally decided to throw me a bone. Blue eyes. Not "blue." The kind of blue sailors used to abandon families over. She laughed at one of my jokes. That was all the encouragement my diseased brain required. I immediately conducted a full tactical assessment of the restaurant. The P.O.A. Index... ...was approaching DEFCON 1. Every direction I looked was another devastatingly attractive waitress carrying Aperol Spritzes with effortless confidence. It was like wandering into a government-funded supermodel relocation program. Then... A shadow fell across the table. A man. Our waiter was a man. Christ Almighty. The emotional whiplash nearly snapped my neck. It's like going to the zoo hoping to see lions and discovering the enclosure has been replaced with an accountant named Kevin. There are beautiful women everywhere, and somehow I'm discussing pasta recommendations with a guy who probably knows three different olive oils by taste. Cruel. Absolutely cruel. To his credit, the b@5tard was outstanding. Friendly. Fast. Knew the menu inside and out. Kept the drinks full. Never interrupted. The s.o.b. gave me absolutely nothing to complain about, which only deepened my resentment. The food, meanwhile, was infuriatingly good. The pizzas arrived looking like they'd been blessed by an Italian grandmother carrying unresolved anger from 1947. Thin crust. Fresh mozzarella. Just enough char to remind you that ovens are supposed to flirt with fire, not electricity. The pasta had that unmistakable handmade texture that makes Olive Garden feel like a felony. The cocktails disappeared with alarming speed. By my third Negroni, I was convinced I could hear Dean Martin narrating my life. Walking out, I glanced back toward the hostess one last time. She smiled. For approximately three seconds I considered abandoning my entire life to become a part-time sommelier with absolutely no qualifications. Then reality returned. The male waiter handed me the check. Four stars. The food was phenomenal. The cocktails were dangerous. The hostess should be classified as an Italian national treasure. And our waiter deserves a raise... despite committing the unforgivable crime of existing between me and the waitresses.

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    Bar Salotto - Inside

    Inside

    Bar Salotto - Spicy Vodka Pasta with Meatball

    Spicy Vodka Pasta with Meatball

    Bar Salotto - Wagyu-Veal Meatballs whipped ricotta, pomodoro sauce, crispy parsley and grated parmesan Very good!

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    Wagyu-Veal Meatballs whipped ricotta, pomodoro sauce, crispy parsley and grated parmesan Very good!

    Pizza Pavia - Appetizer: Big Little Mac great tasting , I do recommend.

    Pizza Pavia

    4.1(66 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    I ordered the eggplant salad. the eggplant was perfectly crispy, with everything sooooo fresh…read more the balsamic drizzle was the best. I didn't even need much dressing. the chicken was grilled perfectly. my friend had French fries and I stole some. crispy, yummy, and perfect inside. awesome place. gonna make it my regular.

    I have been a few times for Trivia events (shoutout to Top Hat Trivia) and have enjoyed every…read morevisit. It seems small on the outside, but it truly has a lot going for it. Two levels of seating, a gaming area and nice little bar make Pizza Pavia a solid all around hang for any night out. Trivia night is fantastic because you get to meet people and have something fun to do while enjoying your meal. Speaking of, I would like to get in to the food. I have gotten to try the garlic bread. and it bodes well as an appetizer. Not too over done on the garlic and the right amount of crisp to the bread. The mozzarella sticks were also a really tasty addition to the meal. The marinara sidepiece was nice , but nothing too special if we're being truthful. As the center piece, the pizza always has some big shoes to fill. The pies, I must say, did exactly that. The flavors stayed true to that classic tavern style we all know and love. The crust was well executed and left me satisfied after every bite. Most definitely one of the best pizzas one can get in the area, and for a decent price as well. Most certainly a top spot to grab a bite at, and great location for trivia too! Can't wait to come back again!

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    Pizza Pavia
    Pizza Pavia - Takeout  Jumbo shrimp appetizer with carrots/ celery sticks and cocktail sauce

    Takeout Jumbo shrimp appetizer with carrots/ celery sticks and cocktail sauce

    Pizza Pavia - Top Hat Trivia!

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    Top Hat Trivia!

    JJ Twig's Pizza and Pub - Pizza

    JJ Twig's Pizza and Pub

    4.0(189 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    I was pleasantly shocked…read more From the outside, it looks like a cozy, family-run neighborhood pizza place. I only ended up there because of the Feral Feline Project fundraiser, and it's a bit out of the way for me. The pizza completely surprised me. Their thin crust is actually thin--crispy, light, and delicious, not the lumpy, doughy crust that so often gets passed off as thin crust. The sausage was packed with flavor, and I was happy to see red onions and roasted red peppers as topping options. The sampler appetizer was another surprise. I expected the usual frozen, deep-fried assortment with that unmistakable freezer taste. Instead, it tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared--not like something dumped out of a bulk frozen food-service bag. The young man at the front counter was pleasant and courteous, which made for an even better experience.

    Not our favorite. Sauce was just ok, thin crust was just ok. It was a pizza tasting - we chose…read morelarge cheese pizza (two of us are vegetarians pescatarians ) and this way we got an evening idea of which one we like the best for us staying in Palatine, IL. JJ's was rated 2nd for us as a family GATHERING OF 11 for an event in for WORLDS IRISH DANCE COMPETITION IN SHAMBURG. We also tried Wayne's (it took fourth place for the double-decker and third place for the regular thin crust) Tievilo which took first place for us for flavor sauce, and crust!

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    JJ Twig's Pizza and Pub
    JJ Twig's Pizza and Pub - I ate half already. Very good Italian beef

    I ate half already. Very good Italian beef

    JJ Twig's Pizza and Pub

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    Big J Cafe - cafeteria - Updated August 2026

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