We have been wanting to try Maria's since we moved to Dekalb in June and finally tonight, our family got to celebrate on our 16th wedding anniversary here and we thoroughly enjoyed our time at this wonderful gem. Just like out of a scene from Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" I felt transported. The staff and owner are awesome!. The bread was fresh and the rosemary garlic olive oil with the parm set the mood. The eldest son had spaghetti and three meatballs (HUGE meatballs!), our other son had spinach, pepperoni and garlic pizza, our other son had bread because he just wanted to come and celebrate. I had the killer Bari Pannini and my wife had the Caprese Pannini. I got the parm fries and my eldest had the lemonchello cake. Everything was truly awesome! The atmosphere, ambiance, food, service and prices were all perfect. We'll be back again. We promise. I feel like we are part of the family now. Visit this place! You won't be sorry. Don't listen to the negative Nellys out here who aren't happy with their own selves. It was pretty epic in our eyes and we moved here from Chicago. We know food. We know Italian. This is good eats and good times. read more

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It was a solid meatball sandwich. Can't wait to try more on their menu. The fries were not the best I've had. But again, I want to try more on the menu. read more

Amazing and delicious Italian food. Friendly wait staff. This jewel is tucked away off of Bethany and DeKalb Ave. highly recommend! read more

Maria's Little Italy - Meat Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

Food was absolutely delicious, we had eggplant Parmesan, chicken caprese pasta and the meatballs. The only criticism I would have is that the meatballs were not that hot. Serves was nice read more

Used to be an excellent resturaunt, a little pricey, but we didn't mind. They have dropped several items from the menu, unfortunately a lot of what we ordered. Of not, they no longer offer fettuccine on their dishes, at least on one of the items we used to order regularly they switched to spaghetti noodles and said they are not allowing substitutes. I asked the kid waiting on me if they changed management (the owner clearly standing behind him) he said he didn't know and looked right at the manager who would not make eye contact. I told the new guy we will have to drive to st chas to get Italian going forward (politely) still nothing from the owner. We won't be back. It's akin to going to Taco Ball for authentic mexican. read more

Atmosphere and service were good. However, the chicken Marsala ($28) was really pasta Marsala as there was only 1 tiny piece of chicken! The sauce/taste was very good though. I'm a petite person and don't eat large portions-this was all spaghetti and little chicken. Bolognese sauce my husband had was mediocre. Still looking for a good mom/pop Italian restaurant. read more

Let me start with the atmosphere, at first it was inviting, until you sat down and wondered if you are in a bad romance,the music is just right. We sat waited for a pizza, 1 hour and 53minutes.in the meantime I went to the restroom. There I found a crawl space above the toilet and a chair underneath . What's going on here? Fucking creepy.Messed up toilet no garbage can and it smells.. not of Italian cuisin, but garbage read more

I had a penne pasta with Alfredo sauce, chicken and mushrooms. This is a Hidden jewel in Sycamore! All the food was amazing and the service was great! Will definitely be coming back soon. Can't believe I didn't find this place sooner. Wonderful service! read more

Maria's Little Italy - Penne Alfredo with chicken and mushrooms! - Italian Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

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Best Italian food in dekalb and sycamore! Love the vodka sauce! We try to go once a week. Staff is very nice and attentive. read more

Maria's Little Italy - Italian Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

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A couple days ago I went into Maria's little Italy and i ordered my food and my server wasn't checking up on me. She kept disappearing into the back I didn't know what she was doing but she took forever to get my order and didn't check up on me when I needed it. Her name was Millie. She needs to get fired immediately if she isn't gonna do her job right. read more

Cute little Italian restaurant. We were in town for a cheer competition and made reservations a week before for my daughter's birthday since we tried getting in here the year prior with no luck. We arrived at our scheduled time but the restaurant said they were closed and no longer taking customers despite the posted times saying they were open for another hour. Explained that we had reservations and they apologized for the mistake and accommodated us. Dinner felt a little rushed, however, so we didn't stay to have dessert or sign happy birthday to my 11 year old. Food was a little bland but overall good. read more

Everything was absolutely amazing. I have been to Italy numerous time and Maria's food does not disappoint. Nicole our main waitress/server was super polite and friendly with every interaction. Atmosphere from this little gem was perfect down to the gentleman playing live music. Will definitely return. read more

The food was delicious and the service was good. We actually got two meals worth of food out of each serving. The only thing we were surprised by was an $8.55 upcharge for the Bolognese sauce that we weren't told of in advance. I don't think we would have gotten the sauce if we had known. read more

During Quarantine, boo and I were craving some Italian. Never tried this place but have heard great things! We ordered the oglio, which was pretty good- very garlicky but paired very well with the salad and bread. We also ordered some Nutella pillows for dessert- they were spot on! Next time I'm gonna try the Alfredo! read more

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My friend wanted to drive the hour to Sycamore to go eat at Maria's Little Italy. So we did. WOW, I'll do it again in a heartbeat. Once you walk in it feels like you are transported to Maria's dining room, or a little restaurant in Italy. So cute. The staff is amazingly friendly and attentive. Then there is the FOOD!!! Every bite was jam packed with flavor that I had never tasted in an Italian restaurant. Maria says they make what they cook in their kitchen at home. I wasn't going to have dessert, as I rarely do, but if you are a Tiramisu fan don't let the opportunity go by to at least grab one to go. I tried the almond something or another too. If I wasn't such a Tiramisu fan, I'd tell you to get the Almond thing. They were both amazing. GLUTEN FREE pasta is on the menu. Yay! Give Maria's a try; you'll become a regular. read more

Maria's Little Italy - Sorry, we ate all of our food before we thought to take a photo. - Italian Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

Many people have commented on the assumptions about this tiny strip mall of a location. To this, I say three things. First, first these tiny locations, in my experience, have sacrificed ambience in exchange to amazing meals. Second, in my party we acknowledged that both the food was delicious and the service delightful, informing, and familial. And last... and this one particularly is dear to my heart... (and the rest of my family ordered various desserts that they each raved about)... but for my own discriminating (sometimes my own friends call me bitchy)... besides our entrees being far better than expected... I personally recommend the dessert of their tiramisu, for because honestly (and I have been a searcher and connoisseur of tiramisu) this place is tied for the best tiramisu I've ever eaten. The other place went out of business 15 years ago. It may look like a hole in the wall, but again I say that is a pro, not a con. Give it a try... and I invite you to publicly chastise and berate me if you disagree. But I place myself here with these words because I can't believe you will. (Also... and probably less important for some than others)... our server was delightful, fun, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. That is not an attribute I typically personally care about, because I have zero problem with a server walking away for a few minutes to find out the actual answer to any query I have. As a diner--even in a far more costly restaurant than this--I will always prefer a short delay to the best answer to the uncertainty of an ignorant or scared answer. But I understand that is of some importance to some of you. She knew everything we asked and, at least within any concept of reality, was in absolutely no way deficient other to those who, honestly, just want to bitch to feel superior. I do not usually make my Yelp reviews so wordy. However, this restaurant has a singularly deficient expectation from looking in from the outside than from talking about after dining inside. I believe 90% of you still feel both enamored and fulfilled with your dining experience, and that the remaining 10% will feel undeservedly failed by a building not directly outside the Coliseum, St. Peter's, or the Trevi Fountain... all of which are artistically depicted within the restaurant as an homage. However, no ethnic restaurant can be expected ever to transport us across an ocean... but they can accurately portray and produce authentic ethnic cuisine--in this case Italian--at least within our own American limitations of adding extra sugar to everything. I can only imagine how this change might offend the sensibilities to those European-born. Nevertheless, they have accommodated our National community and produced delicacies that almost everyone in Illinois can unconsciously out loud produce enough "mmmms" and "omgs" to significantly conclude that this is a hidden place everyone should experience at least once and judge for yourselves. read more

Great food, generous portions. Quick service. Cute little family restaurant. It might be difficult to find (it's behind Heartland Bank). I highly recommend it. read more

Maria's Little Italy has good food and potential to be a great restaurant BUT they're extremely unorganized and the service is not that great. I've been there twice now and they always seems to forget something. The staff doesn't really seem like they know what they're doing or who ordered what. 3/5 We got their margarita pizza and fettuccini alfredo and while they were both good, they were chewy/doughy. It wasn't terrible but could have been better. 4/5 The establishment is easily a 5/5. It's a fun and clean environment. Overall average would be 4/5 read more

Maria's Little Italy - Menu - Italian Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

This is what real homemade pasta is supposed to taste like. Portions are huge. I get the Alfredo but a Parmesan chicken on top, it's enough for 2 people. And don't forget to get a cannoli. read more

Food was incredible! Just wish they had more seats although they'd likely be filled too. Wonderful!

Best service experience I have ever had Food was great as well, just make sure you pour the water slowly read more

It had been awhile since I've been in to dine at Marias. We had a table of three and I was able to try a little of everything from our meals ordered. Wow, this dinner was really good. Katt was our server and did us well. Its a cozy place and I look forward to trying out more on the menu. read more

For any restaurant in the 21st century to claim to be Italian (or any cuisine) and use canned mushrooms..... ridiculous.

Overall the food was very good I enjoyed the atmosphere when walking in. It feels like you're walking into a small slice of Italy, The staff is very nice and kept me hooked up with bread the whole time. The decor is nice and warm, A great little hole in the wall restaurant. If you want to take your girl out take her here instead of Olive Garden. read more

Maria's Little Italy - Chicken Parmigiana & Salad. - Italian Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

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Charming Italian atmosphere. Excellent authentic Italian cuisine. I had one of tonight's specials the lasagna. It was so very good. We've been here numerous times and the food has always been good. Already looking forward to coming back. read more

Food was nothing special and very overpriced. It's pasta that is basically counter service. If you wast another drink you go up and get it. I could get the same meal with a self serve beer for 1/4 the price at a chain store such as Noodles. read more

The food is unappetizing and the service was extremely poor. I was disappointed in the long wait time, even though my father and I were the only guests who placed orders in store (possibly during the time as well). The waitress struggled to keep up with refilling our waters even twice throughout our meals. The food is not the worst, but it is not great. The owners are personable and friendly. read more

The pizza was edible. The cheese covered only about half of it. The crust was average. There are better choices.

Decent food for the cost! Salad was huge and loaded with baby mozzarella.... Dressing is fantastic on the spinich... Top Notch! Spaghetti, marinara and an Italian Sausage... sausage was char grilled like Northern Italy, marinara was rich and had nice texture. Pasta was perfect..... I will be back to try more! Good price to quantity and GREAT TASTE! read more

No stars! BRude chef and kitchen employees. They served frozen appetizers and still try to charge for them even though not eaten. Also wrong meal and charged for it. Yes a bite was taken out of it because waiting over a hour for meal to come out. They took another 30 min to bring correct meal. read more

I ordered the bolognese and it was so OILY I wasn't sure if it came like that and ate some of it and took the rest to go. I asked the lady in the front if this was supposed to be swimming in oil and she responded "no not if they made it right". Completely ruined my experience and took my money for it too. Will never eat here again for "authentic Italian". read more

While I didn't know what to expect of this little gem in the corner of a outdoor shopping space - I have never been MORE PLEASED with the delicious, authentic, fresh Italian food - not to mention the wonderful service at this establishment!!! Oh and did I mention reasonably priced!!! You can believe we will be frequenting here whenever we are in town!! read more

We ordered delivery. Food arrived ahead of time, was piping hot, huge servings, and delicious! We tried Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and olives and Spaghetti Marinara with chicken Parmesan and mushrooms. The delivery person wore a mask and practiced social distancing. We'll definitely order from Maria's Little Italy again! read more

The owner was extremely rude when my boyfriend and I asked a simple question. She invalidated us and didn't even answer the question. I have anxiety about eating at restaurants and this put me over the edge. Unfortunately we had already ordered food and I was too upset to even take a bite. I will never be returning. This was unfortunate because I was excited to try this place. read more

Ordered a few appetizers and an amazing salad for dinner tonight. Best balsamic dressing ever! Will do my best to support local businesses!

Maria's Little Italy is love on a plate. They have daily specials and the food is all homemade... fresh to order. Daily specials and now a family happy hour!! The focaccia bread is out of this world and the pastas... mama Mia a true taste of Italy.. yum!! read more

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Went there for the first time today. It was amazing. The food is delicious, the staff are friendly and eager. The vodka sauce is great. It's a true hidden gem read more

This place is a hidden gem. It is a very small cozy little restaurant. Maybe seats around 40. The food is absolutely awesome. My hats off to the chef. Everybody there is very friendly and from what I understand a lot of family work there. The service is great she came back numerous times to ask us how the food was, or if we needed anything. The chicken Marcella was A special that week and it was maybe the best chicken Marcella I've had. If you like Italian food you really should try this place it's awesome. I'm glad we went. read more

Absolutely HORRIBLE service. The waiter straight up treated me like shit with a smile for no reason. Service here is just unbelievably bad. Not to mention absolutely no one working in the kitchen was wearing a mask, and none of the servers were either. Talk about Covid on a plate. read more

I had the gnocchi with vodka sauce. It was delicious. The Italian bread was nice and warm, and you add the olive oil and cheese, and it was wonderful. The restaurant is a small quaint place with pictures of family on the walls. You feel like you are in a small restaurant in Italy. Owner and staff were very friendly and helpful. read more