Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer

4.8 (104 reviews)

Italian, Sandwiches

Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Chicken al'pesto samwich - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Ciccio Cannoli that was sold to me from the display - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Danny C.

This a good beef and for the price it's pretty good. I can't give this a 5, and don't think this. Better than Mr. Beef or Johnnys. It's different. Kinda salty in general but they add the potatoes to it, and the bun is almost artisian in a way, but frankly it's good additions. The location is in Navy Pier. So everything being everything this is a good sandwich for the buck. I like it. Come here and eat. You won't be disappointed. In health and happiness! Cheers! Danny

Meatball sub, add cheese and green peppers, toasted! (Potatoes come included)

Johnfavour N.

Chef Ciccio is my favorite spot to eat at Navy Pier, it's super underrated and a little further into the building. The quality of the bread is always really good and the samwiches come with some free potato wedges. The caprese sandwich and chicken al'pesto are my favorites. They butter up the roll with some herb butter so each bite is super flavorful. This would be 5 stars but sometimes the server doesn't toast the bread and the butter is still cold. I know they toast the bread because I've gotten it multiple times and when I get different servers they toast it no problem. But when I asked the worker to toast it he said "this ain't Quiznos." And it's not like there was a huge line or anything, I was the only customer in line.

Regina N.

All I could say was daaaammmnnn. Chef Ciccio's Italian Beef Samwich will transcend you! This was the BEST thing I ate in Chicago, even better than.. do I dare say it? Pizza. And we ate A LOT. Located in the Navy Pier Food Hall, I wasn't even going to stop because I thought it would be tourist trap subpar food. But walking by, the pumping Spanish music, tantalizing smells and seeing a couple's Italian Beef trays had us turning back around. Best decision!! Gus was all smiles taking our order and making our food. He even gave us recommendations on how best to enjoy the food. You can tell he loves his job and his positivity made my day. Italian Beef & Sausage Combo 5/5* but I'd give it 100* if I could This is best eaten immediately since there is au jus all over the sando. The beef is so quality, loaded in there, with a huge, fat, plump sausage that perfectly snaps with each bite. The beef smelled amazingly of spices and was so rich with a depth of beefy flavor as if it was roasted or stewed for hours with whatever magic crack he put into the meat. My eyes were rolling with the first bite and the mouth feel did not disappoint. Perfect texture of slightly toasted bread, soaked and softened by beef au jus, tender slice of beef, snap of the spicy savory sausage oozing with just the right amount of oily fat, and tangy crunch of giardiniera, it was too much for my foodie dreams to handle. This also comes with roasted potatoes, which I'm normally not a fan of because I like thin and crispy. But whyyy.. why were these also so damn good! They were just basic looking soft potatoes, but the flavor was phenomenal. Salty and pungent with rosemary herbs. I never devoured them so fast. Ciccio states they are the best Italian Beef Samich on the Navy Pier, but I don't agree. They might even be the best in the city! Trust those Chicago Times news articles on their wall and the near 5* Yelp rating. I'm salivating writing this review with happy yet sad memories of the most magnificent meal I've had in Chicago.

Sydni K.

My family and I came here on Labor Day weekend, so it was super packed inside on the Saturday probably because of the fireworks. It was impossible just to get to Navy Pier on the bus, so we ended up walking. There aren't many seats inside the food court area, but we were lucky enough to snag a table. This was probably one of my favorite restaurants during our stay in Chicago. I got the arancini, which was cheese rice fried with spinach. I liked the texture of this, and it was super flavorful. We also tried the Italian beef sandwich and the Italian beef bowl. The beef in both of these were so soft and flavorful. The service here was excellent. Even though it was super packed that night, the worker was handing out free watermelon slices. This is definitely the place to check out when you're at Navy Pier!

Brian P.

Took a while to find a place because Matt had it in the wrong location you were looking it is across from the sea dogs and boats. This place was amazing. My group had Italian beef, chicken, Parm, and chicken pesto, and everyone enjoyed what they were eating. Italian beef was ordered Chicago style. Possibly the best meal I had in Chicago this trip if you around the Navy pier and hungry I highly recommend. Day two I had the o Italian beef again and my son had the Polish sausage. Phenomenal.

Jason S.

I tried Ciccio Beef while I was indoors at Navy Pier and wanted a quick bite to eat. I ordered the regular Italian beef, wet, with provolone and hot peppers. I haven't had too many Italian beefs since moving to Chicago, as I'm not a huge fan of the sandwich in general, but I can confidently say this is one of the best--if not the best--I've ever tried! What really stood out was the attention to detail. I love cheese on my sandwiches, and the guy behind the counter mentioned he put the provolone at the bottom so it could melt properly. That small touch made such a big difference and elevated the sandwich. The sandwich was perfectly soaked--wet enough to enhance the flavors without making it overly soggy. The bread held everything together, and there weren't any dry spots at all. Take it from someone who isn't a big Italian beef fan: Ciccio is a must-try. It's a hidden gem right in Navy Pier, and I'll definitely be back for more!

Kathy B.

Literally incredible and life changing. I thought I didn't like Italian Beef sandwiches, I was wrong. This one I love!

Joneice B.

If you are in Navy Pier and want some delicious food...come get some Beef, Balls or Beer. Hehe well it's in the name but I actually loved the Chicken Parmsean Sandwich. That sando was very flavourful and satisfying. This place also has a wonderful Italian Beef sandwich, where everything is made fresh to include a 12 hour au jus. Definitely get that baby wet (soaked in au jus) if you are going to be eating immediately. The potatoes fingerlings were also seasoned well. All I can say is that the food and service here is superb. Everyone working here is friendly and enjoys serving quality food. The Ciccio restaurant is from the kitchen of Mario Ferraro, who is a second generation Chicagoland restaurantenur. The menu offers something for everyone to include chicken, beef, pork, sautéed veggies. Additional a wide range of beer, cocktails, wine and seltzer. On this occasion I got $5 High Noon. It was just what I needed to wash down my sandwich meander on the pier.

Jose C.

Heard a few good things about their beef, so I knew once the weather started to cooperate, I would pay Navy Pier a visit to their Chef Ciccios version. The crew here was amazing. Very welcoming, great attitude. You know that same passion carries over when they're making their food. My son and I both ordered a beef. He ordered his wet and I ordered mine dunked. He puts the beef in the container and the pours the gravy on top of the beef as well as inside the container, so your beef is literally swimming in that delicious gravy. The sandwich itself was really good. The beef was perfect seasoned and they also add potatoes to the sandwich. Something I've never had before on a beef but would definitely order it again this way. The only tiny issue I had, was that it was a tad bit salty, but overall a pretty decently made sandwich. Can definitely see myself ordering this again, next time we take the kiddos to Navy Pier.

I ordered two cannolis and I thought they were pre-made and kept on display because the employee wrapped one up from the display case and then proceeded to hand make another. I bit into mine and immediately tasted mold. I brought it to the employees attention (who looked mortified) and she said it was sitting out for the day. There was so much mold in there, it HAD to have been sitting out for at least 3-4 days at that point.

Alma S.

Excellent Italian beef with provolone and peppers, Giardiniera on the side. Toasted bread, but wet! The best. Thank you chef

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Jim M.

Elite 26

2 years ago

It was okay. Food was not as great as everyone said. Needs more flavor. Anyway, many will still like it. Not bad.

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Mobiz711 B.

10 months ago

Trust me, this place is the real deal. I didn't get the Italian beef, so I can't speak to it, but the chicken parm was something you'd get from a high end restaurant. You'd never expect it from basically a food court restaurant, but it's unbelievable. I didn't try the Italian beef, but I'd bet you anything that it is seasoned perfectly, and their bread is amazing. I spoke with the owner briefly, he had been retired for 4 years after owning a popular Italian restaurant, and decided to come out of retirement and do this. Cool dude. read more

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Valerie T.

10 months ago

Best tuna sandwich I've ever had! My husband loved the Italian Beef. He got it "juicy" but said he would do dipped next time for even more juice. Really great food and obvious pride from Mario, the owner, who made our food and served us. read more

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Izabella B.

2 years ago

If you are at Navy Pier, drop in to Ciccio's place for a flatbread pizza!! It is something out of this world! Tastes like real home made how grandma used to make pizza! With real tomatoes. Your choice of toppings. Highly recommend. read more

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LeAnn A.

2 years ago

Delicious Italian Beef!! Friendly service! Be sure to order with a side of hot peppers for a yummy crunch!

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John S.

1 year ago

Great beef sandwich on a fresh quality roll served in an aluminum tray with a few roasted potatoes. Add this to the very friendly service = 5 stars. I will return for sure. read more

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Olek S.

2 years ago

Food was amazing. Awesome spot for some Italian beef. Service is amazing and funny. Gus and Mario were very fun to talk to. They have their own seating that is in front of their business. read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Gus - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Carrie B.

170

2 years ago

A delicious food stand and the best option on the Navy Pier! It's honestly one of the best Italian beef sandwiches in the city. Definitely add the peppers! Service was friendly and quick as well. read more

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Danell C.

2 years ago

Best Italian sandwich I've had in a very long time. The bread is fresh and the Italian sausage is full of flavor. Highly recommend! read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Ciccio Beef and Sausage Combo - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sam P.

8 months ago

gus was absolutely great ! meatball sub was delicious and he had awesome costumer service ! gus where mario ;)

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Aimee L.

Elite 23

106

107

4 years ago

We were surprised to find this new restaurant today where the brown sugar bakery used to be at Navy Pier. It's a little tucked away but it's definitely worth checking out. We met Mario and Katt, both very friendly. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. We usually get our Italian beef from Portillo's, but this place has heart. The menu is very small, but what they offer is on point. We first ordered two Italian beef sandwiches. The bread is nice and crusty and can hold up well even when drenched in gravy which is what we wanted. The beef is tasty and juicy, and the included potato is also really good. We ordered the beef with sweet peppers, and hot peppers came on the side which is perfect so you can add as much oil and peppers as you want on the sandwich. Then Mario gave us free samples of meatballs. Oh my! Well after we were done with our Italian beef sandwiches, we went ahead and got a meatball sub. We were really hooked and returned immediately to order more meatballs and sauce. Two adults and two kids, stuffed and happy. I went back again for unsweetened ice tea which hit the spot. Navy pier was missing a place for Italian beef and meatballs, and this is definitely the perfect spot! I highly recommend Ciccio! This is a new Navy Pier favorite, and we will be back for sure! read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Italian Beef with sweet peppers and potato - delicious! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - The menu is very small, but what they have is fantastic - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - This is Mario and Katt, both friendly and hard working. Ciccio is the place for excellent service, delicious food, and great heart. - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Meatballs and meatball sub - absolute perfection! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Elliot O.

2 years ago

Very tasty Very nice workers Beautiful aesthetic Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaàaaaa read more

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Karri B.

131

3 years ago

Amazing Chicago Italian Beef and great service We had the beef and potato wedges and finish lunch with an amazing cannoli This is a must stop when you are Pier especially if you have never had an Italian beef read more

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Karol B.

2 years ago

We came here for some Italian food and what we got was the best Italian food I have ever eaten. The service was excellent and the staff was really nice. read more

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Brenna K.

1 year ago

These guys are so fun!! The food is fresh, tasty and a casual place to stop on your walk back from the end of the pier, or even on your way out-cause it smells heavenly walking past!! So generous and so friendly. Delicious hot beef! The chicken parmigiana sandwich also tremendous! 5 stars! read more

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Jason K.

2 years ago

Fantastic beef. Avoid the tourist trap franchise places at the Pier & get a beef from here. Chicken parm was excellent as well. Service was great. The guys are characters that really make it feel like you're enjoying a local restaurant while being at the Pier. Highly recommend. read more

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Wendy B.

11 months ago

So I never write restaurant views, but this place is so good that I had to. Visiting Chicago, and of course had to have an Italian beef sandwich . Looked at all the reviews of all the places, but none of them were near where we were staying and then a place popped up that was not far from where we were staying on the Navy pier. Of course, my first thought was, how could there be a great Italian beef sandwich in such a touristy spot but the reviews were good. So we thought we'd give it a try and we did and boy are we happy. The owners were there, Mario and Patricia and chatted with them a little bit about the history of the restaurant. Mario's father sold Italian beef sandwiches from a cart in Chicago in the 30s, so his family knows from beef sandwiches. Mario and Patricia went into the catering business and retired a few years ago and we were bored so they opened Chef Ciccios. All of the ingredients are top shelf, quality, they even get the bread from Canada cause no one in Chicago makes the right bread anymore. It holds the beef, dripping with juice until the last bite. We had the Italian beef sandwich ,juicy with peppers and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life Every component is perfection. If you are in Chicago, do yourself a big big favor and go and get an Italian beef sandwich a Chef Ciccios. read more

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Ashlee J.

2 years ago

had the pleasure of trying the italian beef here and WOW! super flavourful and fresh. i wish i would have ordered more because it truly was THAT good. i was a fool to think that all italian beef's were made equal. made the mistake of trying to relive the epic moment of chef ciccio's italian beef in an italian beef at one of the more well known spots, it rhymes with smortillo's, and was left very, VERY underwhelmed. chef ciccio's italian beef blows it out. of. the. water. the beef and jus were seasoned exceptionally well. the giardiniera peppers were flippin' SPICY and crunchy and delicious. the BREAD! stood up to the jus, it didn't fall apart or get overly soggy. THIS!! THIS is the italian beef i will come back for!! if you like well seasoned, EXCEPTIONAL food, chef ciccio's is where you want to get your italian beef from. *chefs kiss!* read more

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Mark C.

2 years ago

I don't usually give 5 stars but this was a great experience. I spoke to the man who I assume owns the place (Chef Ciccio?) and told him I wanted an Italian beef and he proceeded to walk me through exactly how he would make it for himself and also gave me a meatball to try. His kindness and obvious enthusiasm for his food and his customers was something you don't see often and the food was also outstanding so I give it a rare 5-stars. Highly recommended for a quick lunch or dinner. read more

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Nancy H.

2 years ago

Ciccio Beefs were like no other in Chicago! And the bread so yummy! The staff was super helpful. read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - All ambiance - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ryan M.

Elite 25

3 years ago

Good menu at typical Navy Pier prices. The beef was delicious as other reviews have indicated. My wife got the beef and meatball marinara protein bowl, which was $16 and came with precisely two meatballs. Arancini ball was on point. When we finished our meal with some gelato from the stall next door, Mario offered us homemade biscotti, on the house. Everything was delicious and filling - no complaints. We will be back soon. read more

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Pat K.

2 years ago

We're out of towners visiting our granddaughter who lives in Chicago and heard we had to have the beef sandwich from CCO's. Gus and Angie served the absolutely best beef sandwich ever. Our granddaughter also approved of the chicken, palm, garlic bread and potato wedges. Great cannolis, and wine and beer! Nice location in the way to the Children's Museum with a great view. read more

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Eliza D.

2 years ago

What a wonderful surprise ... my granddaughters and I chose Italian for lunch at Navy Pier and we ended up at a place called CICCiO! The owner is a seasoned Italian named Mario . His food is made fresh daily and the bread is an import from Canada since the bakeries here do not have the rustic bread he requires to make his satisfying flavors pop in your mouth! We tried the Italian beef sandwich... it comes dry, wet or bathed in the au jus gravy. ( my selection was bathed -mmmm) and adding the cheese, sweet and hot peppers is a must! The spaghetti with home made Gravy ( the real Italian name for what we call sauce) and meatballs were a hit with my crew as well! There's no sugar added and it's all organic tomatoes and slow cooked to perfection and taste. I will definitely have to come and try more of the items on the menu. Mario has a wonderful assistant named Jeanette . She mans the front and always has a super recommendation for you if you're not sure what you'd like to start with. The afternoon guy , Gus is very helpful as well! Don't hesitate to ask them for suggestions... in doing so you may just be tempted to ask for a job just because they're such amicable personalities that you want to work with them! Mario was such a sweetheart and treated us like family . He shared his love for his cooking and his story as if we had known each other for years. He also surprised us with a taste of the cannoli that is on his menu. He handpicks the bakery he acquires them from so that the taste is authentically Italian. I was so impressed with the flavors and experience that I had to share this in hopes that his business keeps thriving and those who read this are moved to go and share their stories and well wishes with Mario at this Navy Pier location. Mangia! Mangia! read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Lunchtime Yumminess! You just have to try it for yourself! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Business cards in case ya need a phone number to order out! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - The awesome Cannoli - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kurt P.

2 years ago

The chicken parm sandwich was huge and delicious. The chef is also just a genuinely awesome guy. This is what Chicago is all about.

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Eric Z.

4 years ago

A hidden gem toward the end of Navy Pier. Maybe the best Italian Beef sandwich I've had -- and on follow-up visits the chicken pesto and short-rib sandwich special both were fantastic as well. A true "only in Chicago" experience for anyone visiting the city, and it's worth the trip for locals as well. Really exceptional. read more

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Jeremiah S.

2 years ago

Mario is amazing at what he does with Italian cuisine. His personality is an wounderful experience itself. Look forward to my next trip to eat here again. Thank you Mario for making our trip to Navy Pier. read more

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Friendly G.

2 years ago

This place has the Italian beef sandwich in Chicago! And the meatball sandwich for our kids was to die for. Everything is delicious. Super friendly service. These guys are great. Consider yourself lucky if you end up here. read more

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Jennifer C.

2 years ago

Amazing!! Best Italian beef ever, it's a must get. Such great, friendly, authentic people. Bread that holds up to the sandwich, makes a huge difference. Worth the flight from San Francisco on its own. read more

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Kim B.

4 years ago

Great service, fun tasting that drew us in. Had two sandwiches that were so good and filling. Highly recommend! read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Yum! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Denise R.

2 years ago

This place is great! In the food court so had to search a bit but worth the hunt. The food is plentiful and delicious!

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Elaina E.

2 years ago

Simply put--this place is awesome. Order the chicken parm sandwich. Easy to share. Everything tastes so fresh and homemade. The owner is present and so attentive, too. read more

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Szuching V.

110

2 years ago

This place was soooo good! We got chicken parm sandwich, the ciccio sandwich with sausage, aranchini, and the canoli. EVERYTHING tasted so good and if you like spicy, get the spicy peppers on the side!!! We didn't get a chance to take pics of the food because we ate it so fast read more

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Geoff T.

3 years ago

The Italian Beef was amazing !!! A must try !!! And the Cannoli was great. I highly suggest !!

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Andy V.

Elite 25

141

3 years ago

Their Italian Beef sandwich is worthy of being included among Chicago's Best. The beef and juice were delicious but it was the bread which made this sandwich fantastic. It was bake fresh with a crispy shell and soft bread, which kept the juice perfectly contained without becoming overly soggy. The Italian beef sandwich also was tasty. It is located in the Navy Pier food court all the way to the east, so it's not the easiest to get to, but well worth it. read more

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L F.

4 years ago

Meatball with provolone sandwich. Hands down the best meatballs I've ever eaten outside of my own house. The people are nice too. Go here! read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Meatball with provolone sandwich. - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Phil W.

3 years ago

Wow! Keep walking past Giordano's toward the end of the pier till you find this place! Italian beef sandwich with the "gravy" (au jus). He stews the meat in the sauce before putting it in the sandwich. Bread is crispy enough to hold together even though the sandwich is swimming in sauce. Ask them what's best; we were going to get it with meatballs but he said, "have to get the red sauce with meatballs" so we opted for sausage. Yum! read more

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Bethany V.

2 years ago

Visited today for lunch with a friend- I couldn't decide what to get, so I got a junior Italian Beef and a junior Meatball sandwich. They were both delicious! The owner took our orders/made our food- he was so friendly. He even cut us some free watermelon for dessert! The whole experience left me feeling heart-warmed. read more

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Saad S.

4 years ago

Excellent food and even better service. Highly recommend. Brought my highly picky eater son and the owner even put together a delicious off menu garlic flatbread! Perfect spot for a quick and tasty meal after a long day at Navy Pier. You'll feel like you're eating food prepared by the Italian grandpa you always wanted. read more

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - Menu at Ciccio. Special requests are well received! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Gregg S.

3 years ago

Shared a beef and a combo. Both excellent. The beef was tender, not too fatty and had nice flavor. The sausage was just spicy enough and had a nice crunch. The bread was soft but held up to the au jus, which as delicious. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Sean K.

2 years ago

Excellent Italian beef, perfectly crispy yet tender bread, wonderful meatball sandwiches and the option for beer or cocktails. Excellent place for lunch - great food at a very reasonable price. read more

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Page 2 of 3

600 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
Near North Side
Directions
(312) 877-5639
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
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Visit Website
https://cicciobeef.com

Hours

What time does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer open?

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer close?

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer closes at 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer take credit cards?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer have catering options?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer does have catering options.

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer have a drive thru?

No, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer does not have a drive thru.

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer serve alcohol?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer allow dogs?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer allows dogs.

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer have TVs?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer have bike parking?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer has bike parking.

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer have outdoor seating?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer has outdoor seating options.

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer have parking?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer has parking options. Garage Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer is wheelchair accessible.

Does Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer have free WiFi?

Yes, Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer Reviews in Other Languages

Portuguese
1 Review

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Delicious pizza and pizza in Little Italy area of Chicago. It is a nice looking restaurant, too…read more We went for lunch on a Sunday (to avoid the crowd and for free street parking). The restaurant is not busy at all. We were seated right away. Our server was nice and attentive. We ordered pizza and pasta. Pepperoni and Whipped Ricotta Pizza - cooked perfectly, fresh ingredients and delicious! Served hot! Short Rib Pappardelle - to die for! This is very tasty, the pasta is cooked al dente. The short rib sauce is ssosooo delicious! We sat by the bar overlooking the open kitchen. It was nice to see the chef make the pizza and make the pasta. Further area is more fine dining with wall of wine. Very classy! Street parking only. So plan ahead.

This is such a cool spot. I wouldn't have even known about it, if it weren't for a local friend…read more Where to start? We came in with a group of about 20! Normally I hate those kinds of large group dinners, but this was the perfect spot for it. The service was absolutely wonderful. I don't know how our server stayed so cool and calm with a group that size. We got a variety of things. EVERYTHING was amazing. If you have seen any of my other reviews, I always get a meatball when I'm at a place that has them. They almost never live up to my expectation. But this place has the new gold standard for a meatball. It was everything you want. It is fork tender, full of flavor, no chewy ground up bits. The pizzas were authentic and thin. With fabulous house made red sauce that wasn't too thick and overwhelming. The flavor was A+ The cocktails were so good! All made from scratch with love. The ambiance was cozy and comfortable. Perfect for a group or a date. They have a full bar, and also great seating with perfect lighting. This is a new favorite for me in the city.

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Sausage and Peppers

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Outside

Tufano's Vernon Park Tap

We've been going to Tufano's easily for 40 years + Always…read morebefore a Blackhawk game Went back on Thursday and it's AMAZING, same great service, same chalkboard menu and homemade Italian Joey hasn't changed a bit, it's his place and you're his guest Our family absolutely loves it and it's a must go for us Can't wait for our next trip to Chicago

The Free Valet was the real hero of the night, but since that isn't edible, I'll focus on the food…read more It's hard for me to find a pasta I don't like, and this was no exception. Solid Chicken Parmigiana, and the Alfredo was tasty too. They loaded up on the Bruschetta which I appreciate. Our waitress was very laid back and casual, which I appreciate, but that also came with a relaxed service. Some folks might not be into that, but I wasn't in a hurry so I enjoyed it. Overall a solid space, and I look forward to going back and trying more of the menu

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This is the old window they used to pass the food from the house to the bar

Meatball

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Interior photo

Il Porcellino

Came here for my sister's birthday! We made a reservation for Saturday dinner and got seated right…read moreaway in a booth. The ambiance is nice with the restaurant not too dark but still has moody lighting. The entire time we sat down there was a huge group of people waiting for a table, so definitely make a reservation! For apps we got garlic bread and Caesar salad. The garlic bread was a rec from our server, which did not disappoint. They brought out melted butter to pour over the bread. Caesar salad was interesting, it has chopped celery inside which I didn't realize until I started eating. I don't like celery but my sis does and she liked it in the salad. Pappardelle alla porcellino and chicken vesuvio were AMAZING. Pasta was fresh and the chicken was so decadent. Both mocktails I were delish. The tiramisu was SO GOOD. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago!

I'd been wanting to try this happy hour for some time, and once we did, I was beyond pleased. The…read more$8 Negronis (house Negroni and Negroni of the month) are a great deal and so yummy. Every shared food item we purchased from the happy hour menu was savory and memorable. We had the mushroom arancini, rib sliders, prime beef meatballs and whipped ricotta. The happy hour pricing is attractive. Service was top-tier, and the inside is quite inviting. Everyone seemed happy to be there and took care with every step of the ordering and serving process. The bar was full when we arrived, but the host told us that spots at the bar open up rather quickly. This proved to be true, so I am so glad we waited for a few minutes. However, I wouldn't recommend this happy hour for a group of more than 2 because offerings are available at the bar only, and I suspect it would be hard to get four seats together.

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Ciccio Mio

One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago! The food is always so consistent, and the…read moreatmosphere is perfect for a cozy date night with dim lighting and a great ambiance. The burrata is an absolute must order. It's flown in fresh from Italy a few times a week, and you can definitely taste the quality. The Rigatoni Vodka is another favorite of mine. It's rich, creamy, and always delicious. We also loved the Ricotta Gnocchi, Bucatini Amatriciana, and finished with the Toasted Almond Cookie Soft Serve, which was the perfect dessert. The service was friendly and attentive, and every visit has been a great experience. Definitely worth the reservation!

Italian food isn't my first choice with dining, neither is Hogsalt. That being said, Ciccio Mio…read morequite literally translates to 'My darling' in Italian and it is undeniably the darling of the Hogsalt restaurant group. A ~very romantic~ touch is that they give you a red rose for your birthday. What we ordered: Bucatini Amatriciana: Guanciale, Calabrian chili, pecorino romano Burrata: Saved with fougasse bread, olive oil, and other accoutrements. Forget the lasagna rotolo, this is Ciccio Mio's pièce de résistance Truffle Mafaldine: truffle cream sauce, parmesan. I think mafaldine is my favorite pasta shape. It's just such a whimsical noodle to eat lol Fried Artichoke: Artichoke hearts, caesar aioli.

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Espresso machine

Lasagna Bolognese

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Toasted Almond Gelato

Volare Ristorante Italiano

Great food, service was excellent. Highly recommend. Authentic Italian cuisine. Seated on a Sunday…read morewith no reservation.

Food is delicious. It is always very busy so get a reservation. Packed and close inside but worth…read moreit!

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Decadent Chocolate Cake my friend ordered. She ate it all. Saud it was insanely yummy. This is not part of Restaurant Week 2023.

Gnocchi alla Vodka

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Perfect cup of coffee!

Tuscany - Taylor

I can always trust Tuscany to deliver a solid Italian meal with standout service! We brought our…read moretoddler and she chowed down on some pizza while we enjoyed various parmigiana entrees lol she also loved the atmosphere!Tuscany is never leaving the rotation.

Such an amazing restaurant, I can't recommend enough. We came for dinner so the place was packed…read morewith people. The inside of the restaurant felt like a classic Italian restaurant you might find in Italy. Our waiter was super nice and gave some great wine recommendations. First, they bring you some bread and give you a small platter mixed with olive oil, fresh garlic, and Parmesan. This is the first time I've seen it done this way but it was delicious. The calamari was delicious, not too fried and oily but still had so much flavor to it. We also decided to order the peperoni pizza, which is just a magnificent pizza. It was just cooked perfectly with just the right amount of flavor and spice. I ordered the raviolacci toscani, which took a bit of time to come out (but understandable given the amount of people). It was just delicious. The meat filling had such a deep flavor and the sauce wasn't so heavy that I didn't want to finish it. I would recommend this to anyone that wants a good Italian meal with great portions. Reservations might be hard to get so plan ahead.

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Dining Room

Insalata Pera

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Sausage Potato and Vegetable Soup

Alla Vita

Great food and decor. Well within walking distance from downtown. Lovely restaurant!read more

Alla Vita was great! Glad we went with 4 people because we got to try more dishes. They also have…read morean extensive wine selection. We started with three apps. The octopus surprised me because octopus can be hit or miss for me, but they did it really well! The table bread was also pretty good and cheesy. The Caesar was just fine. Nothing special but not bad (which is good coming from me since I'm not usually big on kale). Of course all of the pastas were yummy. The fusilloni was definitely my favorite from the noodle shape to the sausage and cheese. The ricotta dumplings were suuuuuper cheesy which I really liked (though I could see why others wouldn't) and had a melt in your mouth softness. The rigatoni was tasty, but kinda just tasted like a normal red sauce so would probably try something more interesting next time. We really enjoyed the chicken parm, too. Not as good as the pastas, but definitely tasty and the basil was a good touch. We finished with the guava cheesecake sundae. I really liked the little bits of cake, but the ice cream itself was a little lacking for me. Still a nice sweet treat to finish the meal!! We had the perfect amount of food overall for 4 people!

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Kale Caesar

APEROL SPRITZ

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The strawberry gelato was delicious!!

Little Joe's

4.7

(27 reviews)

2.8 mi

What a blast .. Cam best bartender in Chicago.. this is a must do in Little Italy . Total funread more

Heidi and I made it out to Little Joe's for the first time tonight and had a blast hanging out with…read moreKevin and his crew! Kevin had his Jambalaya on tap in the kitchen and it was exquisite. Spicy, hot temp and very fresh. Bar had some good taps and tons of non beer options for those that don't drink beer. It looks like the bar usually has a mexican kitchen and tacos available for purchase. Bar has touch tunes and a patio, great ambiance. For seating, you can pick from high tops, the bar and booths. We will definitely be back soon to this great neighborhood spot!

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Quesabirria Tacos

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Viaggio Restaurant Chicago

Excellent experience at Viaggio, the food was delicious the atmosphere was wonderful, and the…read moreservice was outstanding. A special thank you to co-owner Dave Flanzbaum for his friendly, attentive, and professional service he made our visit even more enjoyable. Highly recommended.q

The best. Such a…read moregreat time, great atmosphere, and fantastic service. 5 stars all the way!!! Owner Dave was so nice and made every accommodation for us being late the first night and we missed, but we rebooked for another night and it was awesome. On Thursday it's live music and the singer was amazing! We got sat toward the back so we could hear and still have conversations. The food was excellent! We had the Mussels, linguini clam (tons of clam in it), the risotto special, and veal lemone. Not a single miss, it was so good. Our server was so nice, attentive, and personable. I'm glad to see that it's still at a high level and real. It was packed by the time we left so make sure you get a reso. When I return to Chicago I will be back and this will be one of my go to spots. - VIP, David

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Quartino Ristorante

Awesome! We were in town from Kansas City and this restaurant was recommended to us. It was just…read morearound the corner from our hotel so we fortunately we were able to get a reservation and have an incredible dinner.

Came here on a friends recommendation and love loved it!!! The food was so delicious, everything we…read morehad was 10/10. The balsamic they have on each table were also so delicious my friends bartered with the manager to buy a couple bottles :D 5/5 food - we had the bruschette, sausage and mushroom pizza. gnocchi, and bolognese pasta. would recommend them all!! 5/5 service - our waitress (Georgia) was so nice we were all locked in on the World Cup game playing 5/5 vibes - a nice medium between upscale and casual

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Bathroom

PROSCIUTTO SAN DANIELE and Duck Prosciutto

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Coppa alla banana

Quartino Ristorante

PROSCIUTTO SAN DANIELE and Duck Prosciutto

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Coppa alla banana

The Purple Pig

My new favorite restaurant! the food is DELICIOUS and the staff was incredible. I don't give…read morereviews much but just loved it here so I had to :)

This place had a line that went out of the door during the multiple times I've crossed the…read moreMagnificent Mile bridge in Chicago. Made last minute reservations for brunch next day after the infamous architecture tour. It was quiet as we've put in an early morning. All the more better to savor all intricate dishes from start to finish. Like the name, The Purple Pig, their specialty is pork dishes so majority of our orders were this. Daily special of the bone marrow bacon jam toast - glazed, slippery off the bone, savory and sweet. Always love a good bone marrow dish to get the sweetness off it. This was so good that there were bits of the marrow and jam left stuck to the bone, I took a piece of the toast and scooped the bone dry. Nothing left for anyone to attack this. Non pork dishes were the Mushroom 3 ways and Spanish octopus. Mushroom dish was savory with all the coated sauces elevating this. Spanish octopus was kicked lightly and easily can bite in to enjoy the tender and charred portions. But the award went to my main course - the braised pork shoulder with saffron, apricots and Swiss chard. Aside from the rippable pork meat when dining on it, the sauces fused together on this dish elevated it and had everyone coming back for more. I needed an official Chicago culinary experience and found it at The Purple Pig without a doubt.

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Inside

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Green Street Smoked Meats

This place was so good that I came back the very next evening for dinner again…read more On my first visit, I ordered the pulled pork with mac and cheese, cornbread, and sweet tea. Every single part of the meal was outstanding. The pulled pork was delicious on its own, but I also loved the sweet barbecue sauce. The cornbread was, without exaggeration, the best I've ever had!! It was moist, flavorful, and served with absolutely incredible butter. The mac and cheese was rich, creamy, and one of the best I've ever had as well. Even the sweet tea was perfect: actually sweet without being overpowering or having that bitter, earthy aftertaste that some sweet teas have. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I came back the next night and tried the brisket. It was sooooo good too. It was tender, smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. At that point I knew the first meal wasn't a fluke. It's not inexpensive, but the portions are generous, and I felt the quality more than justified the price. I was there by myself because I'm traveling for work and actually enjoyed the communal tables. They made the atmosphere feel welcoming and a little less lonely than sitting by myself. The staff was excellent, too. The gentleman with the glasses at the meat counter was friendly, funny, and made the experience even more enjoyable. He even threw in a complimentary rib, which was such a nice surprise and a great example of the hospitality here. One thing to know before you go: the line can get long, but don't let that scare you away, it moves efficiently, and the food is absolutely worth the wait. Green Street Smoked Meats lived up to every bit of the hype. Between two visits, I tried the pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, cornbread, sweet tea, and a rib, and every single thing was excellent. This will be one of my first stops the next time I'm in Chicago.

3.5/5 stars. It's definitely a little pricey and didn't quite live up to the Texas BBQ I've had. It…read morecomes with two slices of bread and pickled onions on the side. Got 1/2 lb brisket, 1/2 lb pork ribs, 1/2 lb pulled pork, broccoli salad, elote style corn, and baked beans for $87 + tip. The Prime Sliced Brisket (7/10) was super tender and practically fell apart, but I wished the bark had a harder crust and a bit more flavor. The Pork Ribs (6.5/10) were somewhere between tender and chewy, so I'd probably skip them. The Pulled Pork (6.5/10) was slightly sweet but tasted pretty standard. All of the meats could've used a little more seasoning, and I wish they came out hotter. The spicy BBQ sauce and golden sauce were both delicious though. The Elote Style Corn (8/10) was my favorite side. Super creamy with plenty of parmesan. The Broccoli Salad (7/10) had great crunch from the pumpkin seeds and sweetness from the raisins, though I wish the seeds were toasted. The Baked Beans (6.5/10) had pork belly and onions mixed in, but otherwise tasted like a solid, classic baked bean. The vibes felt like a true Texas BBQ joint. You line up, order at the counter, watch them slice the meat in front of you, then grab a table cafeteria-style. The industrial space and dim lighting fit the atmosphere well. 7/10. Service was great. The guy slicing the meat asked how my day was, and staff were constantly walking around clearing tables. 8/10.

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Line to order + Menu

Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

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Photo from the bar

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Jeff C.

2 years ago

During our visit to Navy Pier, we were recommended to try Chicago's best Italian Beef Sandwich at Ciccio's. Although initially, we had some trouble finding the restaurant, a helpful Navy Pier employee pointed us in the right direction. Upon ordering, my wife opted for the Italian beef sandwich while I chose the spaghetti with a side of Arancini. According to my wife, the Italian beef sandwich at Ciccio's was the best she had tried throughout our entire visit to Chicago. As for my spaghetti, it was fairly basic but still tasty. The real standout of the meal was the Arancini, which we both thoroughly enjoyed. The flavors were delightful, and they were cooked to perfection. One thing worth mentioning is that the owner personally cooked our food and was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The ordering process involved placing our order at the counter and waiting for them to call our order number. The restaurant had ample seating, so finding a place to sit was not an issue. It's important to note that Ciccio's is located inside the Navy Pier building, which makes it a convenient option for those exploring the pier. Overall, our experience at Ciccio's was positive, thanks to the delicious food, friendly owner, and cozy atmosphere. It's definitely a place we would recommend trying if you're in the area. read more

Hassan G.

Elite 26

550

387

2029

1 month ago

While exploring Chicago's iconic Navy Pier, we were happy to find that Chef Ciccio Hot Italian Samwichs offered a few halal-friendly options, making it an easy choice for lunch. Tucked inside the food hall, this locally owned spot serves fresh Italian-inspired sandwiches in a casual setting, with everything made to order. It's a great place to grab a satisfying meal while taking a break from sightseeing. We decided to try the Chicken Parmigiana and the Chicken Al Pesto, and both were excellent. The Chicken Parmigiana featured crispy, breaded chicken topped with rich marinara sauce and a generous layer of melted mozzarella, all served on toasted bread that held everything together perfectly. The Chicken Al Pesto was equally impressive, loaded with juicy chicken, roasted peppers, fresh greens, and a flavorful basil pesto that brought every bite to life. Both sandwiches came with seasoned potato wedges, which were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and a great addition to the meal. If you're visiting Navy Pier and looking for a hearty Italian sandwich--especially if you're searching for halal-friendly options--Chef Ciccio is definitely worth checking out. Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and delicious flavors made this one of our favorite food stops on the pier. read more

Gina P.

4 years ago

The two owners of this shop could not be any sweeter. They offered my friends and I a free sample of meatballs, Italian beef and a vegetarian option. They have extensive experience in the catering business but decided to open this shop as retired folks to serve all kinds of people that walk through Navy Pier's doors. If you are looking for a delicious authentic Chicago beef sandwich, you HAVE to make a stop here! The "gravy" was SO good and the staff made it even better. Will definitely stop by here again next time I visit Navy Pier. read more

Cynthia R.

324

1 year ago

Chef Ciccio is a must-visit for anyone craving bold, delicious Italian-American eats. The Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich is crispy, cheesy perfection, and the Italian Beef is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. But what really makes this place special? Mario and Gus--or Gus and Mario. These two are the real deal: honest, hardworking, and passionate about good food. They're serving up classics with heart, and it shows in every bite. Simple, satisfying, and made with love--Chef Ciccio delivers every time! read more

Marla G.

4 years ago

We were at Navy Pier and stumbled upon Ciccio's. We grew up in Chicago and know Italian beef. Well this place has it down perfect! The food was high quality and so was the service. We were offered free samples and ended up ordering all three sandwiches. The beef, sausage and the meatball sandwiches were all awesome! Honestly, I keep dreaming about that meatball sandwich! Can't wait to go back for more, so yummy! read more

Elijah B.

1 year ago

Great Experience! The guy running it was super personable and friendly and clearly took pride in the food he was preparing. He told me when I finished to tell him how I liked it and I forgot to, so this is my review to him. The classic Italian beef sandwich was excellent, the best on I've ever had. Would recommend! read more

Taylor D.

4 years ago

If you are at navy pier and looking for a place to eat.. stop here!! They are some of the friendliest people i've come across in Chicago and have the best food. They are clean, quick and have great prices. I'd definitely recommend the meatball SANDWICH (not sub). read more

Taylor W.

2 years ago

The one thing I wanted to try when I came to Chicago was an Italian Beef. Ciccio did not disappoint. Great meat to bread ratio and fantastic flavor. The staff was also very friendly and helpful when I wasn't sure how to order the sandwich. read more

Patricia F.

4 years ago

I was just at Navy pier and noticed that a new location opened up called "Ciccio". The best Italian beef sandwich I have had in a long time. Their slogan "Never trust a skinny chef" is very true!Definitely must give it a try. read more

Zyon E.

4 years ago

I would say this is the best restaurant in Chicago. Located in Navy pier. Great service, amazing food...the only place I've ever been to where the whole menu is amazing. If you're ever in Chicago run, don't walk to Ciccio. read more

Caciano T.

4 years ago

Best Meatballs and sandwiches in CHI !!!! This place is a must try when in the area, great food and the best customer service. This place is one of my favs now. read more

Michael S.

4 years ago

Only my second Yelp review ever, but I found in necessary. By far the best hot beef I've ever had. If you've never eaten here you're missing out. read more

Miles D.

16 days ago

shout out to the chef for giving me an extra sandwich when the oven in the timer didn't go off, W man

Christopher K.

4 years ago

nice young man served me , Italian meats were world class. definitely must visit while in chicago

Stefan B.

25 days ago

Really, really good Italian Beef. Got it juicy style. Bread was very fresh and chewy. Perfect

Sarina G.

4 years ago

This is place has the best beef I have ever had in Chicago. You definitely need to try it!!

Bunny 7.

4 years ago

The food was great and so was the servic!! As a meatball lover definitely recommend. :)

Gisselle M.

4 years ago

wow amazing meatballs!! wonderful people and wonderful service!! 10/10 would recommend

Alejandro H.

4 years ago

super nice People! the bread is delicious and if you like a bit spicy this is for you!

Travis G.

4 years ago

Katt was awesome and so was the food

Chef Ciccio Beef-Balls-Beer - italian - Updated August 2026

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Fontano's Subs and Pizzeria

4.1

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I was here for Pokemon go Fest this last weekend. Me and for other friends came here to eat lunch…read more Very clean place and delicious food. They have tons of different options and different Subs to choose from period I had the meatball sub which was amazing. Could have used a little more cheese but still was very flavorful seasoned and had lots of great sauce. Definitely messy to eat so grab lots of napkins. Service was great and attentive.

Fontano's is conveniently located along Millenium Park and we swung by about 30 minutes before they…read moreclosed on a weekday to a mostly empty store. They offer several Chicago classics including pizzas and subs, but it was the closest location I could find that offered Italian ices. Service is no frills at the counter before you could presumable seat yourself. At first, I thought the pricing on the Italian ices were a little high, but the cups are very, very large. We tried every single flavor and the standouts for me were the watermelon and lime. The texture is light and smooth, but everything was a bit coyingly sweet. Not bad for a very touristy area, but wouldn't be my first recommendation either.

L'Appetito

3.9

(270 reviews)

•$

Cafe L'Appetito is the gift that just keeps on giving! The team is so warm and welcoming that it…read moretruly feels like family the moment you walk in. I work from home, so my daily coffee run has become more than a routine; it's become a non-negotiable- not just for the coffee, but for the easy conversation and familiar faces that make my day better, even if it's just a quick chat. They know my order by heart, the vibe is always great, and even new employees blend in seamlessly, which says everything about the culture they've built. In the middle of busy downtown Chicago, it's such a refreshing constant - and having one of the only true patio spots around makes it even better when the weather's nice. The homemade bakery items are unreal, and I would say my hyper-fixation on the iced oat milk lattes with sugar free vanilla should be studied, but this is the only place that consistently makes it perfect each time. So I owe it to them for curating my new standard.

This is a cross between an Italian deli and a bakery, located near the Driehaus museum, the Harry…read morePotter shop, and the downtown casino. They've squeezed 16 small tables into this space, and have a small grocery (Torrone nougat, including adorable minis; pasta; cookies; frozen ravioli; Lezza spumoni); sandwiches/pizza and pastries/muffins/cookies. Sandwiches are in the back; breakfast is til 11:30 (at least 2 vegetarian croissant choices). Vegetarian options are clearly marked. There are 3 veg sandwiches; a veg pizza option; and veg arancini (delivered in the morning with the pizza; they were out by 1:30), as well as a small selection of deli salads (tuna; potato; pasta; marinated olives; marinated bell peppers). In the bakery section choices range from Italian cheesecake and magic cookie bars to traditional thumbprint cookies and amaretti, and you get get bottles or cans of Italian soda in the cooler. The seating area is pleasant, with painted ivy and a view of the street through big glass windows; prices are reasonable and the service is very friendly. We got the verdura sandwich; an untoasted mushroom/cheese panino and the mushroom pizza. The eggplant sandwich is unbreaded and good even if you're not a big eggplant fan; the panino was garlicky and next time I'd have it toasted. Pizza was nice; they'll let you pick corner or side so you can decide how much caramelized cheese you want. Portions are generous. Worth a stop.

The Village

3.7

(1.4k reviews)

•$$$

My experience at The Village was a solid one! The restaurant is dimly lit and busy - a nice place…read morefor a good Italian dish and it gives off a nice, romantic ambiance. Service was solid, but nothing above and beyond what was expected. To start, they bring out a side of bread, which you can dip in the olive oil that's on the table. Per usual, this is always a delicious appetizer at most Italian restaurants. For dinner, I ordered the chicken scamorza sandwich. The sandwich was absolutely fantastic, though my only recommendation would be to include some more sauce on the sandwich. It gets a bit dry with all of the bread. I also came to find that, while I had never had or heard of scamorza cheese before, I would now consider it one of my favorite cheeses. It's like a mozzarella, but with a smoky flavor, and the taste is amazing! This is a dish I highly recommend trying!

This Italian restaurant, was such a disappointment, since we were really anticipating a great…read moreoverall experience. Starting with the service, it was just very cold and not personable. We were seated at our table and were handed our menus in a very cold way. We then waited (which was totally ok, because the restaurant was busy on a Saturday), to then have our waitress, who was clearly stretched thin, come and introduce herself quickly and get our drinks orders. Then we had a bus-boy bring us some bread in a very rude way. He also didn't speak one word english. No smile and not even some type of acknowledgement. We probably waited another 30 mins to get our drinks. Then we waited again to get our soups, however, the same bus-boy came continuously to take our plates/away... At one point he just stood there next to one of us to finish our bite to then take that one plate.... It was incredibly awkward and rude. He was efficient to clean the table, however never once brought us more water or bread while we were waiting. Then we all got our meals, and the only good meal was the Gnocchi. The risotto, was clearly made with normal short rice... not arborio rice. It wasn't creamy and thick as the consistency should've been. The Veal was tough, and the pasta was overcooked. We probably saw our awkward bus-boy more times than our actual waitress, and even to get our check was such a long wait... We were just so disappointed in the whole experience.

Sofi Restaurant

4.0

(520 reviews)

•$$

Cozy space, on street parking, accessible entrance, and two unisex bathrooms. Easy to make online…read morereservations. Staff were friendly and accommodating. We were seated right next to another couple even though there were many other open tables - it was weird. We started with drinks and the baby octopus - it was charred and tender! Masimo recommended we share the Caesar salad - it was enough for two - and it was delicious with just enough dressing. For dinner, hubby had the pork saltimbocca romano and he said it was a bit overcooked which made it a bit tough. I had the salmon piccata which was very lemony and fantastic! We were full but wanted dessert since they make them in house and ordered the cheesecake and lemon cake to go. The desserts were light and perfect as our evening snack a few hours later. We would definitely stop back!

We have eaten at Sofi many times and have always enjoyed our experience. They have fabulous food…read moreand service. Recently we decided to have a celebratory dinner for our family which included 17 people in all--from 6 to 70. We have allergies galore and the kitchen staff and manager, Christian, worked with us to ensure everyone had a safe and enjoyable meal, and no one felt excluded. There was something for everyone! We were also able to have a kids table, a teenage one, and adults only! Everyone was happy. It is a wonderful welcoming place.

Osteria Via Stato

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Fabulous from start to finish! Highest recommendation, you will not be disappointed. Everything…read morewas perfectly prepared and we're so glad we came. Service was beyond great. Matt was filled with knowledge and expert recommendations. And the ambiance was super chill. Will certainly be back next time we're in town.

The thin crust margarita pizza was good. But the service at the bar was the worst I have had…read moresince being in Chicago....... I would go somewhere else!

Osteria del Pastaio

3.8

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•$$

Looking for great Italian food and tired of the crowds in the triangle? This place never…read moredisappoints. Daughter and I wandered in last night and had a perfect meal. Carpaccio and bruschetta starters that were imaginatively presented and tasty. We ordered a pesto pasta and bolognese pasta and shared. Both great. The bolognese would win in a city wide contest . Fresh pasta cooked correctly as well. Washed it down with a couple of glasses of Super Tuscan. And daughter had a 10/10 Tiramisu for dessert. Try this hidden gem on Chestnut .

We stopped for and early dinner so they were not busy at that time , however our waiter was very…read moregood , knowledgeable of the menu & polite The food was excellent, my wife had the Beet salad & Brazzo fish dinner and had the carbonara Both our meals were delicious The ambience was very nice as well as a nice outdoor seating area !

Labriola

3.9

(1.5k reviews)

•$$

Good deep dish pizza. It's a lively atmosphere. I also had the Labriola Lager and it was pretty…read morenice too. The server was great. It was pretty busy so the pizza took a bit of time to make. Once it arrived, it was worth the wait.

This was a very pleasant dining experience! We made RSVPs day-of, but this restaurant is big enough…read moreto be able to accommodate any additional walk-ins. The restaurant was beautiful and thoughtfully decorated, I especially loved the flowers lining up on the balcony! My group ordered: crispy calamari, honey citrus arugula salad, four cheese tortellini, 12in Danny's special thin crust pizzas, and 2 melon spritz. Everything tasted delicious, fresh, and balanced. We would definitely reorder the same dishes and would love to return another time to try others! Shout out to our server (Kyle) for being attentive, polite and giving us honest suggestions about portion sizes! We had just enough food to feel filled and satisfied.

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub

3.8

(749 reviews)

•$$

Historic Old School Chicago restaurant with fantastic pizza. I love the deep dish style - they…read morecall it "Sicilian Deep Dish" on the menu but its more like Art of Pizza's deep dish. It is fantastic. The rose wine is good, as is the Manhattan. Solid bourbon options too.

I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures of the baked goat cheese and meatballs. Sorry folks…read more We planned on having a pizza but the appetizers filled us up. They've been around since the 60's. Classic old school restaurant in the downtown area. Check them out!!

Ahuevo

4.8

(32 reviews)

•$$

I've gotten take out from Ahuevo's South West Loop location twice now and each time has been really…read moregood! Decor is cute and egg themed. Service is fast and has taken about 10 minutes and the staff had made it easy to carry out by somehow putting the drink in the bag. First time I went I got the puffy tots con huevos. The tater tots really are the start to me. Perfectly crisped and salted. The sriracha mayo, fluffy egg, and green onions are a great compliments to the tots. I also got the cafe con horchata which was really good and the sweet level was just right to me (but I do like sweet coffee). Second time here I got the turkey, egg, and cheese and regular puffy tots it was just as good. Got the cafe con ollo, an iced coffee with cinnamon and brown sugar - less sweet than the cafe con chata but still really good mix of flavors and not bitter at all. Overall great experience. The portions are large and I saved some for the next day but you could easily split the box of tots between two people. My only wish might be if they could create some combos for the menu. As is you have to buy each item separately. Either way, I'll visit again for sure!

Atmosphere is loud. Woman at the counter slightly rude…read more My order seemed deprioritized once placed, and they do not offer everything on the menu, including the Chimi con Huevos. Food is decent, maybe slightly above average. Maybe I visited on an off day or something, but I'm not sure if I'd come back.

Gene & Georgetti

3.7

(1.2k reviews)

•$$$

My terrible mistake about the gift card. Management reached out to me and corrected the situation…read moreand I was wrong with my assumption. Service and food is amazing from start to finish. An institution knows how to reach out and clarify any mistake.

Claude suggested this Chicago steakhouse due to its historic significance. Outside doesn't look…read morelike much but the inside is cozy and of the old world. Staff was attentive. The food was average. Tiramisu tasted like soap. Brussel sprouts were fine. The thick cut bacon was too salty for my liking. Prime rib was fine--the sauce that it was in tasted like a burgundy glaze--that was good. Their side dish of bolognese was fine. Not sure what the seasoning was but it was strong. Cumin? The pasta was also overcooked. Caesar salad was fine. Very creamy. Not top end. I rank this as an average establishment for food.

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