One of my must go places when visiting Chicago and always outstanding. Cute little place with fantastic service. Menu on a white board. The hole in the wall salad is always incredible and so is everything on the menu. We had salmon, seafood fra diavlo and shrimp scampi. Large portions and amazing flavor. read more

Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Seafood Fra Diavlo - Italian Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

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i would give Francesco's Hole in the Wall 10 stars if i could .not only were the lamb chops delicious but service is second to none Great staff really appreciated the hard work .And as for my lambs they were tender and the 3 chops were nice size . The spinach ravioli were delicious and freshly made from scratch Thank you for a wonderful dinner read more

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Haven't seen this type of cooking since 1989 on Taylor st. An authentic Italian restaurant! Come and get it! read more

Since my last review I have returned multiple times to Hole in the Wall and we have enjoyed many tasty dinner since. We always start off with the baked clams. It's so simple but very delicious. The friend calamari is pretty classic too, not overly breaded and contains the whole calamari including the tentacles which we love! My husband's go to is the veal chop vesuvio because it's a well prepared, well seasoned, and generous portion if veal. Well grilled with some delicious roasted potatoes. He says it hits the spot every time. I like to try my way around the menu. I'm still enjoying the bucatini with seafood and osso bucco, but have also tried chicken piccata, seafood diavolo (there was so much seafood in it, I was in seafood heaven), and baked lasagna (cheesy goodness!). No matter what I order, it's been well prepared and delicious. My favorite still remains the bucatini with seafood. Our server, Laura, is incredible. She is fun and knowledgeable. She doesn't push us to quickly decide on our items and happy to give us recommendations if I'm ever torn between two choices. I've had items switched up too like adding in lobster when Laura says they're super fresh that day or switching a pasta for angel hair pasta and there's never been a problem. We finish our meal with a warm and decadent butter cake. It's slightly chewy, cakey, buttery, vanilla-y, and just the perfect way to end a meal. A reminder that this place is small and cozy, and arriving around 6:10-7:00 will result in a wait. They're pretty good at getting people sat, but know this isn't a place to linger and chat for 2-3 hours after your meal. Chances are there's a party waiting for your table. You might get sat closely with the table next to you or be nearly elbow to elbow with someone else from a different table so be prepared. It's still a warm and welcoming place with incredible service! Frank walks around the restaurant greeting diners and making sure their meal is delicious. read more

Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Menu of the evening. Possibly the worst seat in the house - you're in everyone's picture of the menu! - Italian Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

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Get this! We had a 4:53pm arrival, and 1/3 of the dining room was full! By 5pm sharp, I heard the hostess quote a 45-60 minute wait time. So do what you will with that! My family has dined here twice now and enjoyed both meals thoroughly. A full bar is stocked, and I've enjoyed a strong lemon drop martini here, as well as a glass of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. Dining area has about 18 tables, so it feels very intimate and cozy. The menu is posted on a large whiteboard and can change frequently. Favorites we've tried are the ravioli (filled with spinach, mushroom, whatever is offered) and chicken picatta. We don't leave with any leftovers. Entrees can range from $25-60 at moderate portion sizes, so it is a spendy meal but worth every penny. Warm bread and butter are served before dinner and the fried calamari is a crispy appetizer that hits the spot. To touch on post dinner... save room because that butter cake is one of our favorite desserts anywhere!! It is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, served with gelato on top/side, whipped cream, and caramel and toasted pecans on our latest visit. Because there is no dessert menu (just what the waitstaff verbally tells you), here's what I can recall from it on our last visit last month: carrot cake, tiramisu, gelato, Oreo cake, banana chocolate chip cake, butter cake. Skip the Oreo cake. It tastes just like chocolate cake (a tasty one with a lovely crumb, just not reminiscent of Oreo at all) with a scoop of chocolate gelato on the side. Can't wait to return! read more

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While traveling on business I always look for " a hole in the wall" kinda place. Boy did I score on this place. It's a hidden gem. My server Laura was a sheer delight. I definitely needed her guidance as the menu was intimidating with an overwhelming listing of delectable delights. I opted for the baked clams as an appetizer and the shrimp scampi entree. WOW both were winners. Six buttery baked clams with a light crumb topping. The scampi literally shocked me with 3 massive shrimp butterflied with a seasoning to perfection. Definitely worth a return visit. read more

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This place has high reviews on Yelp, so I had high expectations. Francesco's Hole in the Wall is a small restaurant.... Well, I suppose it fits the name. I would estimate no more than 30 people can fit in the tightly arranged furniture there. There is an outdoor dining area, that seats roughly another 15 people or so. I don't know... maybe my estimates are bad, but the whole point is this place is small. We got the salad which was OK. It consisted of iceburg lettuce, some ham and onions, and a nice vinegarette. Service was extremely slow. We waited close to 40-minutes to get our food. We got comped with a free dessert which was nice. Food overall lacked flavor and the pasta was over cooked. Unfortunately, we will not be going back there again. read more

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This restaurant is truly a special place. They are more than happy to accommodate a vegan, and their food is outstanding! I prefer to arrive here when they open at 5 pm, so I don't have to wait in line, which is always there when I leave after my dinner. The warm, fresh bread is perfectly crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. For the first time, I tried their artichoke appetizer, which they made using garlic and oil. It was the best I've ever had... seriously! For my dinner, I asked for angel hair pasta with steamed broccoli in a pomodoro sauce - so flavorful and perfectly balanced! The ambiance is quaint. Be prepared, though, to sit close to everyone else. It' a tiny place and they fit as many tables as possible. Even so, I feel that I always have privacy at my table. Also, one thing to remember is to leave the restaurant after you pay your bill; they like to keep the place turned over to accommodate all of their customers and (of course) make money and survive. I highly recommend Hole in the Wall! read more

Overhyped and overpriced. As someone who has lived in Italy, this is not authentic Italian food. Everything is heavily overdressed with incredibly acidic sauces a nightmare if you have acid reflux. Plus, the seating is so cramped that there is hardly any room to walk between tables. read more

A Hidden Gem Worth the Drive! Francesco's Hole in the Wall lives up to its name in the most enchanting way possible. This intimate restaurant transforms what could be a cramped space into something magical through thoughtful design choices that make every diner feel like they've discovered a secret treasure. Ambiance: Cozy 4/5 The restaurant truly is a hole in the wall, intimate to the point where tables are quite close together, but rather than feeling claustrophobic, the space radiates warmth and character. The exposed brick walls and warm lighting create an atmosphere that says "special occasion" even on a casual Tuesday night. It's the kind of place where conversations naturally become more intimate and the outside world melts away. The menu posted directly on the wall adds to the authentic, unpretentious charm. There's something refreshingly old-school about this approach that signals you're in for a genuine culinary experience rather than a standard dining formula. Food: Extraordinary 5/5 Where do I even begin? The Chilean sea bass wasn't just exceptional, it ranks among the finest meals I've ever experienced. Each bite was perfect, showcasing both the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the kitchen. The Seafood Diavolo was equally divine. The meatballs deserve their own paragraph. They were made with care and featured that perfect blend of seasoning and texture that separates great Italian cooking from the merely good. Even the bread service impressed; the olive oil was so exceptional that it could have served as a meal in itself. Service: Perfect 5/5 Our server Mickey was an absolute delight. It's warm, attentive service that makes a meal memorable. The staff clearly understands that in such an intimate setting, service becomes part of the overall experience, and they deliver beautifully. We drove down from Milwaukee specifically for dinner here, and I wouldn't hesitate to make that drive again. Francesco's has earned a permanent spot on our special occasion rotation. A Note for Families: Given the intimate setting and close table spacing, this isn't the ideal spot for families with young children who need space to move around or require tablets for entertainment (nor should tablets ever be used without headphones at a restaurant). The restaurant's charm lies in its cozy, older child and adult-oriented atmosphere. Francesco's Hole in the Wall proves that sometimes the best experiences come in the smallest packages. This is destination dining at its finest, a place that turns a simple dinner into a memory you'll treasure. I hope to go back soon! read more

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It's been 6+ years since our last visit here and little has changed. It's still a place for great Italian cuisine in a cozy, homey dining room with just 16 tightly packed tables. This time the wife and I came in for lunch. We had their Hole in the Wall salad, $20.95 which included adders for $3 each of red peppers, artichokes, and gorgonzola cheese, and lunch servings of their chicken parmesan ($16.95), and pasta shells with chicken, arugula, and mushrooms ($14.95). It was all tip-top delicious especially the chicken parmesan which was the best ever as it was a moist chicken breast with just a delicate bit of breading and smothered in delicious cheese. I might have thought the same during our last 2019 visit also as I noticed I had that dinner sized dish in my photos too! The pasta shell dish was very tasty too and the salad was a very nice first course. The base salad price is $14.95, and I didn't read the fine print and thought all the adders were included but as noted, they are $3 apiece and it's a whatever on that. They still use their daily hand written menus on a chalkboard. The dinner prices are on the high side, but the portions are generous and its'a all top notch delicious. You just can't go wrong with the food here, but just be prepared for a wait if you want to try them on the weekends. read more

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We tried Francesco's Hole in the Wall. We wouldn't return. The seafood pasta we order had more sand and grit in it than any other restaurant we've been too. It wasn't a pleasant experience. read more

I'll start with a confession: I don't even like Italian food. And yet, this little hole-in-the-wall has earned a spot in my top five restaurants of all time. That alone should tell you how special it is. The Food: No matter what you order, it's consistently excellent. The artichokes are addictive--I could eat them nonstop. The branzino is perfection, cooked to a level that makes you forget every other fish you've ever had. The Atmosphere: Small, cozy, and charming. They've done a remarkable job maximizing the space without losing that intimate feel. It's the kind of place that feels like a secret you're lucky to know about. The Downside: They don't take reservations, which means the wait can be frustrating. Timing your visit is a bit of a gamble, but honestly, the food makes it worth it. The Service: Exactly what you'd expect from a team that's been doing this for decades--steady, reliable, no frills. The real highlight is the owner, who personally greets every table to make sure you're enjoying yourself. That kind of hospitality is rare and unforgettable. Final Verdict: Even if Italian food isn't your thing, this place will win you over. It's authentic, welcoming, and downright delicious. A true neighborhood treasure. read more

We lucked out and got a table. Everything was amazing. Exceeded all expectations. The artichokes were to die for and Laura was the best waitress and made perfect recommendations for every course. We'll definitely be back!! read more

Amazing food as always, wonderful service! Fish dishes are terrific! also! All sauces homemade and very flavorful. read more

Cute Italian restaurant; not far from the Botanic Gardens. Open on the weekdays for lunch. Stopped in after the Botanic Gardens for a nice lunch. Menu changes but they can make any pasta combo you want! Have lunch specials too! read more

Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Chicken cavetelli - Italian Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

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This restaurant has been a long time favorite but tonight'sdinner was a real disappointment. I ordered cavatelli pasta with chicken in vodka sauce. There was barely any chicken. Not even a 1/4 of a pound and the portion overall was not very generous. My husband said his white fish vesuvio was excellent, but again a very small portion. I fear this restaurant, like many others is cutting corners to maintain profitability. When that happens, the customers begin to leave. Not sure how much longer we can expect Hole in the Wall to be viable.. read more

The food was delicious as we shared two appetizers and each had entrees and drinks. Our server was excellent! She had great suggestions and described the dishes well to help us with our order. The only negative was that nothing was stated on the site or in the restaurant that we were limited to 90 min per table. I understand the need, especially for a small place as this one. But way it was handled, not by our server, but by a person upfront, who would come and glare at us, making us very uncomfortable. She could have nicely explained the limit, in a friendly manner. There is no paper menu so it would be helpful if the server would relate that info or a small card on the table. read more

I can't believe that this place is still open. It has gone downhill over the years. Server was rude and unfriendly to us. She's been there for a long time. Food fair and overpriced. Ambiance typical. Plenty of other places to eat. read more

Best Italian in Chicago, awesome staff... no reservations but, very worth a short wait.

Still our favorite Italian on the North Shore. They don't take reservations, but it is worth the wait. The branzino, baked clams, Ossobucco, squid ink pasta....everything is fantastic. This is what they mean when they say neighborhood gem. read more

My wife and I tried this place out for the first time last night. We sat down immediately and were greeted by great waitstaff. Our food was excellent. Chicken Parm, meatballs, Rigatoni and sausage, and to finish it off, some of the best Butter cake you will ever have in the area. Would definitely go again. As for the guy with the kids with the crappy review earlier in this thread, go to Chuck E Cheese, this place is for adults. Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere. Loved it!!! read more

Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Meatballs - Italian Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

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Food was great. Ambience was that of a small hometown restaurant where everyone knows each other. Debbie was an amazing server and a great time. read more

Visited recently with my adult daughter from San Francisco. Delightfully great experience I wanted to share. Took my wife for dinner. Good exceptional! First visit was great but.... When returning to the restaurant our experience "other than the terrific food" was awful. Our server was paid with cash. She returned implying we did not"pay" enough? she could not make change. Tab was $186 I rendered $200. Ultimately paying $240 we felt as if she" held out" processing our bill until I "paid" more money to add a tip before I could give the tip. I always tip generously but have never been " stuck up " for a tip that was satisfactory. Great first visit Frank. Lousy colloquy. Won't be back pal. Bellini read more

Do not waste your time or money on this restaurant. They are living off the hype of "NORTHSHORE FINEST"! It diffidently does not live up to its "STORY" on its website. The four of us went out tonight and each ordered something different and only rated food at 2 stars at the best. 1. My brother's Thick pork chop dinner was tough and dry, If it was mine I would have sent it back! 2. My wife's Bucatini Seafood was watery and lacked any type of seasoning. She did not finish eating it! (This is supposed to be one of there SIGNATURE dishes) what a disappointment! 3. I ordered their other SIGNATURE Dish, the Osso Bucco. Was expecting something special but it was less than average. The website said the owner greets all his guests this never happened and I even asked our waitress to have him do so. The only good thing I can say is that there are much better ITALIAN restaurants out there and that I WILL BE VISITING THEM INSTEAD OF RETURNING FOR SUCH A SLIGHTLY LESS THEN AVERAGE OVERPRICED DINNER! read more

I've heard wonderful things about this place for years. They have lots of great reviews, so I was excited to finally get up north and get a table. We sat outside, which is quieter than inside. I ordered the Hole in the Wall salad with all the additions (turning a small $12 salad into a $21 salad). We enjoyed the warm bread while we waited...and waited...and waited for our entrées. They finally arrived and I asked for more water. I cut into my truffle ravioli and my son said he wanted to get a photo. I put the piece back together and Jenny, our waitress, returned with water. As she poured it into my glass, she said she would leave the pitcher, then poured over my glass into my entree plate. I pointed out that she just poured water and ice into my plate. I started to use my napkin to soak it up but she insisted on taking it and redoing it. She was gone for a bit and when she came back, apologized and told me the chef redid it for me. I was shocked that she came back so fast since it took so along the first time. She placed the plate down in exactly the same position because there was the ravioli had cut and pushed back together. I told her it was my same plate. She insisted it was redone, then back tracked that the chef retossed it in hot sauce. But moving newly sprinkled cheese, you could see that the water was just wiped away, perhaps stuck under the salamander again, then covered in grated parm and sent back out. #1 I didn't care about the water, I would have just wiped it away without her insistence. #2 as soon as a plate leaves your sight after a problem, there are too many questions about what they will do with/to it, not to return with a brand new meal. #3 when busted lying to a customer, just shut up. The other dish my son ordered was ravioli in vodka sauce. We've always known vodka sauce to be a mix of marinara and Alfredo, however it's executed. The sauce on this dish was just marinara looking. If you make a sauce differently than traditional, it should probably be mentioned when ordered. This is a small thing that I'd overlook perhaps, if I had gotten to eat my own dinner. With so many questions about the chain of custody of my dinner plate, I sent it back and asked it removed from the bill. I was disappointed I didn't get to try it. read more

Recommended by a friend and headed to the Marriott theater afterwards, we were there promptly at 5 PM to make sure we got a table as there are no reservations. With the ever-changing menu on the wall we had a difficult time making a decision but so happy with what we ordered. The good crunchy on the outside soft inside Italian bread with olive oil and Parmesan cheese was the best Italian bread ever. My mom wanted to try the Chicken Vesuvio and it was delicious. I went for the Osoco Bucco, which was fall off the bone tender and tasty. We ended our meal with some spumoni and two cappuccinos. It's a little bit far from me but would go out of my way to come back here and try other dishes. Our waitress, Jenny, was friendly and informative of the menu, we enjoyed sitting in a covered outdoor patio, which was quaint. read more

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I've kept coming back over the last 17-18 years for a good reason. The ambience, the friendly service, the kitchen aromas, the menu variety and the fact that Francesco's is the only place good enough to get me to cheat on a diet! whenever I go there. Grazie mille, signor "Menu Magic." read more

The pasta was okay, but the pizza rivaled some airlines - memorably bad. My family jokes about to this day.

I used to love this place. Been there many times Now not so much. As soon as you come in there will be a real snooty chic, that is very delighted to get you a drinks while you wait, no smile nothing, looks pretty miserable, she's been there a long timeb, she must have seniority, the owner is older and laid back, so wouldn't get rid off her The place is small so they do like to turn the tables quickly, everything comes out in lightning speed. After Covid, things have changed, no garlic oil over the bread. Now you have buy it for around 6$ if not, it'll come to the table dry. Really? The prices increased, expectedly, but on top of that, you are served half the size. Even half the helping of pasta. Only 2 shrimps, 2 small pieces of crab. They literally went stingy read more

Great food and excellent service. The calamari was delicious- well seasoned and big portions. I had the shell pasta with veal meatballs in a light tomato sauce and it was yummmmmm! The meatballs were not dry and were full of flavor. For dessert, I recommend the angel cake with vanilla gelato- portion enough to share between 2-3 people! We brought our baby, and while they were really nice about it I would not recommend small children- no high chairs and small (somewhat cramped) space. If you do bring kids, come early! They were very accommodating and super sweet to our baby but the spot itself isn't the best for families with small children. read more

Francesco's Hole In the Wall - Veal meatball and shell pasta in a light tomato sauce - Italian Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

Everything was outstanding! Food was delicious. Chocolate banana cake with gelato was to die for. Service was excellent. Small place but not crowded or noisy on a week night even though it was busy. The only thing I did not like is the menu is written on a chalk board and is difficult to read and not very descriptive. read more

This place is absolute garbage. They treat you like trash unless you're obviously white. Never seen such racism in my life at a restaurant. On top of terrible servers and overall service, the management and ownership are extremely rude. The food is absolutely disgusting. I've never had a more gamey chicken in my life. They're apparently too cheap to invest in herbs, spices, and seasonings. "Hole in the wall," indeed. Don't bother coming here. There are actual Italian restaurants that have good food, service, and treat you with respect. read more

If you're looking for a place to eat where small children are treated like intruders and happiness is actively squashed, this is the spot for you. We came in hoping for a pleasant dinner out with our family. The food was...fine. Not memorable, not offensive--just edible. Our waitress was lovely, doing her best to bring some warmth to a place that clearly has none to spare. Unfortunately, her efforts were overshadowed by the true centerpiece of the evening: the hostess-slash-manager, a woman who apparently mistook her job for a role in a dystopian drama about the extinction of laughter. Shortly after being seated, our young child was watching a quiet video on her tablet, with the volume barely louder than a whisper--certainly no louder than the conversations happening around us. Enter the hostess, storming over like she was defusing a bomb, to scold us and demand the volume be turned off entirely. Not lowered. Off. Because heaven forbid a child be entertained in a restaurant. I can only assume this woman has declared war on joy, and she's winning. Her entire demeanor radiates the kind of bitterness usually reserved for fairy tale villains who curse babies for fun. In summary: food is passable, service (from those not dead inside) is decent, but the management? A walking Yelp warning. If you're bringing kids--or a smile--I'd advise you to eat literally anywhere else. read more

Authentic Italian with the best food, service and ambience on the north shore ! Great pasta, fish and meat dishes. Never disappoints

The wife and I wanted to go somewhere new, or somewhere we hadn't been to for a while, and remembered how fantastic the food was at Francesco's Hole in The Wall. We knew that they did not take reservations, and we expected to wait. Upon arriving near 6 o'clock, we were told it would be an hour and a half wait. My wife asked if we should leave our phone number for a text or if they had buzzers, but the hostess walked away without answering. Five minutes later, I asked the same questions, and she nicely said we don't do text her buzzers, just a little before little see how we're doing. We were lucky enough to find a seat at the bar half a block down at Charlie Beinlich's and had a great drink and nice conversation with the older gentleman at the bar next to us. After an hour and 10 minutes, we were back at the restaurant inquiring about our table, we were told that they are doing the best they can, and that we should take a picture of the menu because we would probably be seated outside. The owner walked up to the hostess, and she replied I know I just texted them and let her know the table was going to be ready. Iguess if you are a regular, you get a text. I can confirm that they do treat regulars better than non-regulars, as the regulars in question walked in a few minutes after I overheard the situation, and the gentleman said that he just received a text, and they would be seated soon soon . When we were actually seated, we were told we would be under the awning outside in the heated area, and the hostess just walked away, letting us figure out if there was a way through the restaurant to the awning, or if we had to go back outside, which was the case. The heating was pretty inefficient in this area and our table was very slanted, so much show that I almost had to make an athletic catch of my martini before it slid off the table. my wife was very incensed at the quality of our experience, which was placated by the fantastic brick, chicken and chicken piccata. Our server was lovely, and did a very nice job. The food was outstanding. The ambience was old-school Sinatra vibes inside, the outdoor area is nothing more than a mediocre afterthought. Food equals five stars Ambience two stars Service two stars - mostly because of how we were made to feel absolutely unimportant by everyone there except our server. We finally remembered why it had been 15 years since we had last eaten here. The food alone is not enough to make us want to ever go back. If you are a regular, congratulations ,you get treated well. If you are the kind of person that is willing to wait and half to 2 1/2 hours to get a seat at a restaurant, the food is worth it, just don't expect the staff to give you that warm fuzzy feeling that you might want to return. read more

Service was impeccable. It's a more intimate restaurant and we were fortunate enough to get a table. The servers recommended dishes which I appreciated as I'm out of town. I ordered the cavatelli pasta with vodka sauce and I'd recommend that dish if you go. read more

Just a quick review, for a quick, solo lunch at Francesco's. Stopped by a little late, there was plenty of room. Ordered shells with arugula, mushrooms and tomatoes. They were delicious. Service was friendly. The customer at the corner table was singing for the entertainment of his friends, and the manager, and all the rest of us. It was a delight. Will be back again to give them a bit more of a workout. read more

My review from nearly 10 years ago is still on point. The food is still overpriced, and the portions are too small. For $42, they served me four medium-sized shrimp that were gone in 10 bites and a parsimonious portion of pasta. For the price, it seems they should have provided more generous serving sizes. A box of high quality Italian pasta costs about $3 at Whole Foods. For $42, they could have afforded to give me enough that I wouldn't have to carefully apportion it so I'd have enough to accompany the shrimp. The food is excellent, and I love the atmosphere and service. But as others point out, the garlic no longer comes with the bread (though the bread servings are still generous). read more

Food was below average. Worst service. The server was extremely rude and she cursed throughout the evening. Would never recommend this establishment to anyone. read more