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    Rex Italian Foods

    4.4 (383 reviews)
    InexpensiveItalian
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Order Rex Italian Foods Takeout or Delivery

    Rex Italian Foods Photos

    REX ITALIAN FOODS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Rex Italian Foods

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    Beef and peas.  Hmmmm.....
    Cheryl D.

    Pizza was great! Bought 2 Arancini beef and peas hmmmm....... meh. Lalalalalalala

    Chicken parm
    Samuel A.

    Rex's is a great mom & pop Italian deli. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great for lunch and has a steady rush around lunch time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You can't go wrong with an order here. Everything is delicious. Make sure to grab some cookies or sweets too as they are amazing. I've also ordered catering from here several times and it has been great. It is an easy process and the food shows up hot and kept my guests happy.

    Arancini
    Aesha E.

    My SO's brother raved about this place and wanted to share the love so he picked up sandwiches for all of us when he stopped by to visit. He wasn't kidding, they are really good. I had a turkey sandwich and it was really good. And filling, though I got the 6 inch one. We also got an arancini for my daughter to have and it was delicious. The one we chose had beef and peas and it's not a combo I'd typically think of but it was yummy. And huge. I'd like to try the sausage one I think, and the plain cheese as well. She enjoyed eating (some of) it and playing with the rest, but I saved half of it for her to have with another meal since it was about the size of my fist. I haven't been inside but I know we'll be back either to pick up because I'd like to try quite a bit more of their menu. They have pizza puffs which look mouthwatering, and pizza bread sounds like it could be interesting (and kid-friendly) as well. Schiacciata isn't something I've ever tried before, so I'd like to have a taste. And I'm always up for sampling tiramisu at a place so that's definitely on my list to taste test.

    Italian Sub
    Karen N.

    We were in the area and have not been to Rex for over 20 years and as soon as we walked in I realized nothing has changed, which I was thankful for. An authentic Italian deli serving homemade pastas and pizza. We split an Arancini ball. It was stuffed with rice , ground beef and peas. It was packed with rich flavor. My husband had a slice of homemade pizza and the slice was huge. I had the 6 inch Italian Sub and took half of it home. The sub had layers upon layers of paper-thin sliced salami, capicollo, mortadella, provolone, lettuce and tomato. The Italian bread was so fresh. This was probably one of the best subs I have had in a long time. We ended with a chocolate cannoli, yum. It can be a little intense and overwhelming when you are at the counter waiting to order because there are so many choices, but the staff are patient and friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are tables to eat inside to enjoy your selections.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Phil S.

    OMG this place is amazing. Rex Italian Foods is an awesome Italian deli that has a whole assortment of prepared foods that are home made. The selection is amazing and very overwhelming for someone coming here for the first time. They are a combination grocery store and deli. It's like being an adult in a candy store. (First time about 5 years ago) This is actually the second time I've been here but I never wrote a review da first time. I couldn't remeba where da joint was. Well tada I found it ova on Harlem Ave @ 4431 N Harlem save jest nort of Montrose on da east side ib da street. Well now that I found da joint I bookmarked it and went inside to reacquaint myself to Rex Eyetalian Foods. As you enter you see a deli case wit all sorts of goodies. They have sammiches, hot lunches and deli sthuff ta eat dere or ta take home. I think most of da people take it to go cause the seating area is a little small but I ordered da meat lasagna ta dine in. I chowed down on the cheesy meat lasagna wit red sauce. It was very good. Definitely worth checking out. Once you've been here you will be back again.

    Restaurant entrance
    Joe B.

    Little Italy on the north side, family owned, owner taking orders from behind the cases, mom running the cash register...truly authentic Italian fare. Hot and cold dishes, sandwiches and catering, grocery staple items give it the coolest old world feel. Don't forget to stop and grab some Italian baked goods on your way out or drop a dime for a colorful piece of Italian hard candy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere gives you a sense of welcoming family and tradition.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Too many items to choose from so you will have to come back more than once!

    Guy Fieri sausage sub
    Mark Y.

    As soon as I stepped inside this little corner deli I realized that this was a real deal Italian joint. Paninis, subs, pastas, fresh baked cookies, spumoni. Spumoni! I haven't had this in forever. Everyone is friendly and the prices are great for the quality of food. And the quality is five stars all the way. I went with the Guy Fieri sausage sub. Real Italian sausage, marinated peppers, Italian roll. Really good. Second visit: I came back with my fiance so she could sample the great food too. My Italian Sub was really good. Her stuffed pepper was divine, maybe the best I've ever tasted. It came with generous portions of a delicious focaccia bread. She ended up getting two meals out of it all. We both give it five stars.

    Grilled Chicken Caprese Panini
    Ben B.

    Honestly a bit disappointed in Rex. I ordered a ton of food. The cheese arancini was a standout. These things are huge - bigger than a baseball. The flavors complimented each other perfectly. I didn't care for the grilled chicken caprese panini - the chicken was dry and there was too much flavorless tomato. The garlic cheese bread was a disappointment - just a chunk of white bread with melted cheese on top. It's the kind of thing you'd make in a hurry. We also got the focaccia and the flavors felt very muted to me. I loved the feel of the place - it feels very "homey." My hopes were high. I might return to try something else, but everything outside the aracini was a misfire to me.

    Absolutely the best biscotti I have ever tasted
    James G.

    Rex food is always delicious and homemade! The best Sicilian restaurant in Chicago, authentic and truly Italian!

    1/4 of an itallian 6" - the entire 6" fed me 2.5 times.

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    Anthony P.

    Our pleasure! Let’s do it again soon!

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    6 months ago

    Lasagna good but sauce to watery. Needs to put can of tomato paste in it. Just like poured tomato water. Never had this so watery

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    Anthony P.

    Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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    2 years ago

    This place is awesome and serves authentic Italian food. They are most helpful and the Arancini is the best I've ever had.

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    Pasta D'Arte Trattoria Italiana

    Pasta D'Arte Trattoria Italiana

    4.5
    (734 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Came here for date night and loved it! Parking was super easy to find on Milwaukee. We got there…read moreearly and service was amazing. Our waters were constantly filled and the staff was super organized. I had a coconut rum drink (liberty) and it was tasty. We had the linguini de mar (sea) and the chicken parm. We shared a margarita pizza for an appetizer and it was perfectly cooked. Portions were huge and I had plenty of food for a second meal. Dessert options looked great but it was getting to the dinner rush and we didn't want to wait. Reasonably priced for excellent food. We'd totally return!

    We went on a Sunday night and sat in the front small room that only has six tables and it was very…read morequaint. Our server, I think his name was Jose, was very professional, courteous, and friendly. He came back to check on us numerous times and was very quick bringing anything we needed. We had the asparagus salad, the Darte salad, the grilled shrimp appetizer, the grilled vegetables, the grilled calamari, the carpaccio of octopus, and chicken Parmesan. At the start, they brought out bread, olive oil and grated cheese. The bread was a little dry on the outside, but it was warm. The asparagus salad was missing something - maybe salt? It just felt like it lacked flavor even though it had Gorgonzola cheese on it. The grilled vegetables, however, were perfect. It was a combination of one longstem, artichoke heart, one long grilled carrot, a couple of slices of zucchini, and a couple of asparagus. We had asked for them to be well grilled and they were sort of, I can't imagine how few grill marks they would have on them if they hadn't done what he had asked. The Darte salad was a nice size portion with mixed greens, golden and regular raisins, and walnuts. The balsamic vinaigrette is nice and flavorful, and doesn't separate the way it can at some places. The grilled shrimp were very good, nicely seasoned and very well charred. The grilled calamari were great, although they were quite small. There were many more of them than on the pictures. The carpaccio of octopus was very nicely, presented with very thin slices of octopus a nice bright dressing over it and the greens. The chicken Parmesan was a very large portion with the breaded chicken cutlet underneath a large layer of cheese ravioli all topped with marinara sauce, and then cheese, which was browned very well, it was very tasty. For dessert we had two different gelato - the maple bourbon, which would go great with a banana cake and the hazelnut chocolate, which was unbelievably flavorful and smooth. The pistachio and ricotta cake looks very good, but we didn't want to get three desserts. Maybe next time!

    Photos
    The old section of the restaurant has also been remodeled tastefully.
    The old section of the restaurant has also been remodeled tastefully.
    The newly open expanded restaurant is elegant yet cozy and unpretentious.
    The newly open expanded restaurant is elegant yet cozy and unpretentious.
    Have the most authentic Italian pizza in Chicagoland!

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    Have the most authentic Italian pizza in Chicagoland!
    Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana

    Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana

    4.5
    (864 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Honestly - the best kept secret in the city!! The Forno…read moreRosso food is amazing!! We have tried so many of their pizzas and they are all absolutely incredible. Thier Caesar salad is truly the best Caesar salad I've ever had. We've had several of their appetizers and they're amazing. And their staff are all absolutely Wonderful! We just went last night and our waiter was so great - he was so friendly and attentive. It was my birthday and he brought an amazing cannoli to the table with a sparkler! (Photo attached now) Highly suggest going here - you will love it!

    I have work in a restaurant atmosphere for 31years but my experience was delightful…read more We walk in thinking it was going to be another pizza joint, but to my surprise it was different from the moment we walk in the instant interaction of the staff with a SMILE was something we have not seen very often anymore it was genuine The we waited at the bar very shortly not even time to order a drink we went to our table we browse the menu reading and lost of the selection but the waiter when he came over he explained and also recommended some items his service was great The food was way different for what I am used to I was able to taste the different herbs use the flavors were not overwhelming each other from the drinks to the food We were not ignore during the ordering process and the questions about the menu until the moment we walk out the establishment At least for me and my wife was a pleasant experience definitely will be back

    Photos
    The pizzaiolo
    The pizzaiolo
    Aracini
    Aracini
    The wood fired pizza oven

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    The wood fired pizza oven
    Cucina Biagio

    Cucina Biagio

    3.9
    (242 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I am writing to formally express my deep disappointment regarding the experience my husband and I…read morehad at your restaurant on Saturday March 28th early afternoon. Despite being regulars at many local establishments and arriving well-dressed, we were met with an immediate sense of exclusion. After being seated and receiving bread, we were completely ignored for over twenty minutes. The restaurant was not crowded, and we watched as servers consistently attended to the other three tables while failing to even offer us drinks. The disparity in service was so blatant that it felt as though we were unwelcome due to our background. After waiting an additional five minutes without any acknowledgement, we chose to walk out. We did not receive an apology or any intervention from the staff upon our departure. It is deeply troubling to be treated this way. If certain guests are not welcome in your establishment, I question why we were offered a table in the first place. I hope you take this feedback seriously to ensure that no other patrons are subjected to such discriminatory treatment.

    Had a wonderful birthday dinner with a friend recently at Cucina Biagio. A very enthusiastic piano…read moreplayer, who obviously loved what he was doing, greeted us on entry. We began with an excellent glass of wine suggested by our server Lauren who was so very friendly and pleasant and graciously handled our special requests. We ordered and split the Melanzane Parmegiana, lightly breaded and crisp eggplant parm cooked to perfection and Tagliatelle (sub for spaghetti) & meatballs. The house salad which comes with the dinner was also exactly to my liking. A complementary slice of flowerless very rich dark chocolate cake was presented to me, the birthday girl, more than enough for two people. Fun evening. I'll be back soon!

    Photos
    Cucina Biagio
    Pasta Con Pesce garlic & olive oil sauce
    Pasta Con Pesce garlic & olive oil sauce
    Aracini

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    Aracini

    Rex Italian Foods - italian - Updated August 2026

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