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Barnelli's Pasta Bowl

3.7 (61 reviews)
InexpensiveItalian, Salad, Burgers
Open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Barnelli's Pasta Bowl Photos

BARNELLI'S PASTA BOWL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Outdoor seating
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Barnelli's Pasta Bowl

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Me trying to call them for the past 45 minutes now.
Rena Y.

Just had the worst experience. Ordered $65 worth of food including tip and delivery fee. When my food was delivered, I was missing about $55 worth of it. I just got a sandwich and was missing all the rest of my food. I have been trying to contact someone and have been calling for the past 45 minutes now with no answer. One person picked up after about 30 minutes and after I gave them my name, they said they would check on the order, put me on a 5 minute hold, then the phone call went dead. I am still attempting to call them because I just paid money for all of this just to get nothing. Maybe leaving a yelp review will finally get someones attention to contact me back. Horrible customer service.

Penne Diavolo
Aish N.

Ordered here with very little expectations since it's a fast food pasta place but I was pleasantly surprised! The penne diavolo was very flavorful and the sun dried tomatoes gave it the right, subtle punch. The quantity of the pasta was very large and could easily serve two people per pasta order. I had ordered delivery/to-go and it was very well packaged with extra chili flakes and parmesan cheese, which I really appreciated.

Chicken Al'Diavolo
Andrew M.

Not necessarily the place you come to if you want an authentic Italian meal, but definitely the place you should come to if you want delicious pasta. I've tried the Fettuccini Alfredo and the Chicken Al' Diavolo and both were quite tasty, but a little too greasy for my taste. The Garlic bread is delightfully crispy and buttery but again, a little on the greasy side and sometimes too salty. The food was served pretty fast given that the restaurant was packed. I would definitely come here again!

Chicken & Pesto Pasta
Elaine D.

Our first time in Chicago! We came by for the Portillo's hot dogs and wanted to try something else. At first I thought the pasta was part of Portillo's but they are not! They share the same store but are completely different restaurants. I ordered the Pesto & Chicken Pasta and the girl at the counter did not know what I was trying to order. She kept looking at the menu searching for what I wanted and was still confused. It took her a while to place the order. The wait for my food was LONG. I waited about 15 minutes just for one bowl of pasta. There were many other people waiting too and it just seemed like nobody had their orders called for the time. Pasta was alright. It came out hot so that was a plus. Also came with a side of bread. Pretty big portion. Maybe a bit pricey.

Spaghetti and meatballs
Garrett Y.

Barnelli's is one of two "fast food" pasta places that are the best, in my opinion. I usually only order spaghetti and meatballs, which makes it easy to compare across restaurants. Barnelli's shares a space with Portillo's on Clark Street in River North. What I love about the spaghetti here is that it is GOOD! The portion is sizable, and perfect for carbo-loading before a long run. The meat sauce is pretty meaty, and there's a lot of it--best get a side of garlic bread to sop all that sauce up. The meatballs are okay, for what you pay for them. I've eaten here as well as gone through the drive through. The drive through line can get pretty long, but they are pretty efficient.

Rigatoni with a vodka tomato sauce. Very tasty. Kind of like bolognese.
Hang T.

This place has the BEST chopped salad I've ever eaten!!! It was so good. The dressing was so creamy and not too sour like other Italian dressings. The best part of the salad was the addition of the big bacon bits and small pieces of pasta on top. The lettuce was cut and fresh. It was tossed so well. I finished that thing in five minutes flat. I wish I could replicate it. If you go there for anything, go there for the salad.

Spaghetti with meat sauce
Harshita P.

This place is combined with Portillos, and the staff work for both places as well. Very easy to find since it's on the main road, and includes ample seating-great for kids and big groups. I got the spaghetti with meat sauce which came with a side of complimentary bread. I really wanted to love this dish as a whole because of it's popularity but I just couldn't. The meat sauce itself definitely came with a lot of meat and was very saucy. Not that much seasoning or spices were added to the meat but it was still tasty, and not too much sodium. The noodles themselves were the letdown, maybe it was a bad batch but they weren't cooked all the way. The noodles felt like they were too thick for the dish too, if it was skinnier noodles that were cooked for 5 minutes longer it would've been perfect. The complimentary bread was so warm and had a home baked feel to it. I absolutely loved the bread more than the actual dish. All in all this fast food italian place was well worth a visit, but i think there could be better italian places out there.

Fettuccine with meat sauce! Lunch sized. Nomnomnom
Alicia M.

Pasta is my jam. And you're telling me I can have a good sized portion of it with a piece of bread for lunch for $6.50 including tax? I was going to the Whole Foods hot bar and paying $10-$15. Never again!!! I'm going to come here alllll the time ! No joke! The meat sauce is divine and the pasta is piping hot. The bread is fresh as well. I am pretty pumped to try the salads too. It looks like they chop and toss them for you. It's my pet peeve when I eat a salad and the pieces are so big I have to cut them. It's the little things in life, people! The restaurant is clean, the staff is extremely friendly and I cannot help but feel happy when I'm here. I teach at Flywheel down the street so naturally I am always hungry. I'll be back often to fuel up pre and post workout !

found hairs in barnell's kids mostacolli. hair is shown from fork to sauce piece.
Eva M.

This place is so gross. I found hairs in the kids mostacolli!!! To disgusting. I am never going back ti any Barnelli's or Portillo's ever again. I will post the pics.

Meatball sandwich.  Less than five bucks!
Q N.

I love the bustle of this place; there's a mix of people catching dinner after work, couples, and tourists dining with their kids. Casual, crowded, and a nice place to people watch. Attached to Portillos so has built in variety. Meatball sandwich is my new meaty meal. I tasted homecooked, italian heartiness in every bite. Make sure to get a salad to break up all that protein. From their drinks menu: strawberry daquiri was like a sweet blended smooth served in a huge margarita glass. Perfect without the taste of alcohol. Chocolate cake shake is not what you want. They take it literally and actually add chunks of baked cake. Imagine throwing chocolate cake in a blender. Liquefied bread is not a good idea.

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Au Cheval

Au Cheval

4.4(9.5k reviews)
1.0 miWest Loop, Near West Side
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so glad we tried this place! we actually only waited about 15 mins to get seated at the bar on a…read morewednesday night around 7pm. we came here for my boyfriends birthday and we were so happy we chose to celebrate here. the two people that helped us was antonio and issa and they made the experience 10x better. they were very attentive and friendly and just easy to talk to. gave us good recommendations and good vibes. we both really liked our drinks and were happy with the spread the food came out. we got to eat the bone marrow first which also came with this really good sauce it was almost like a meat jam but was so good on the bread and then put some of the bone marrow on for the perfect bite. now the burger, you just have to try it because it really is that good. the sauce in it was so good and it just had a really good flavor. it was just an elevated burger. we got fries as well and we shared the burger so it we were really full after. the server brought out ice cream with a candle and some sort of chocolate sauce too which just made the overall experience. we were really happy with the service and food and it just made my bfs bday that much more special and memorable.

Despite all the hype, it's really an average smash burger. This is a place that has capitalized on…read moresocial media hype and people wanting to say they've been here and thus are cool and trendy. But it is seriously just a greasy smash burger. Their fries are good, and actually stand out more than the burger. Everything is overpriced. I don't know why people complain about the wait; do some research like a responsible adult. I never just walk into a place and expect to be immediately seated, I call first - like anyone who has some sense. If they tell you the wait is 2 hours and you have 2 hours to kill, there are a bunch of bars in the area where you can have some drinks and an appetizer (and not feel like you're stiffing Au Cheval; they're the ones with the 2 hour wait, what do they expect people to do?) Not much to say about the decor or ambience; it's a typically loud West Loop bar with mostly 20 - 30 somethings all trying to one-up each other with their trendiness that instead makes them all basically clones of each other. It is crowded, and you're a moron if you think any place like this is suitable for your 5 year old. That's not the restaurant's fault - it's not Chuck E Cheese. Often I wish Yelp offered a 1/2 star option, because there are places that are a 4.5 or a 3.5. Not in this case. 3 stars is spot-on.

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Au Cheval - The cooks were very attentive!

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Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

Au Cheval - Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

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Little Bad Wolf - Bad Burger and a side of mac and cheese

Little Bad Wolf

4.4(2.6k reviews)
6.5 miAndersonville, Edgewater
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There's just something about a burger that actually lives up to the hype--and Little Bad Wolf does…read moreexactly that. Stacked unapologetically high, this burger is everything you want and more: juicy, perfectly seared patties layered with melty cheese, crispy bacon, and those golden, crunchy fried onions that take it completely over the top. Every bite is rich, savory, and just messy enough to remind you you're eating something seriously good. The toasted bun somehow holds it all together (barely), soaking up every bit of flavor without getting lost in the chaos. And then... the shoestring fries. Thin, crispy, golden perfection--light but addictive, with that ideal crunch that makes it impossible to stop at just one (or ten). They're the kind of fries you keep reaching for without even realizing it, especially dipped in that creamy, tangy sauce on the side. And let's not forget the drinks--just as good as the food. Refreshing, perfectly balanced, and the kind you sip slow while taking it all in (but somehow they disappear way too fast). It's not just a burger--it's one of Chicago's most iconic bites for a reason. Bold, indulgent, and absolutely worth every single napkin you'll need after. The ambiance inside is GORGEOUS!

My husband and I walked in on a Sunday evening for dinner and were able to be seated right away…read more The atmosphere is dark and moody, and it made sense once I realized it was the same owners as Gretel. Loved the 90s female R&B playlist they had going! Little Bad Wolf has been on my list FOR YEARS to try the burger! My husband got the burger with fried onions and I got some Bao because those also looked delicious and were a popular menu item. Honestly the 3 stars are only that high because of the service. Our server was friendly and attentive + the food came out hot and quick. Unfortunately, the food was pretty disappointing. The burger was swimming in a puddle of grease and just picking it up made your hands greasy + was dripping grease. The fries that came with it were floppy, soggy, and sad...but at least warm? I personally wouldn't order this again. The Bao were better, but small for the price and honestly were just okay? It was nice they gave you sauces you could add, but I found the Bao's to already have enough sauce so I didn't need them. Overall I left feeling confused and disappointed. I don't feel the need to come back here - Little Bad Will was a one and done experience for me.

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Little Bad Wolf - Fresh flowers

Fresh flowers

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NADC Burger - Beast Mode Fries

NADC Burger

3.6(118 reviews)
0.7 miRiver West, West Loop, Near West Side, West Town

I have heard good things about NADC and have been interested to try the burger. I thought there…read morewould be a lot of people so I was surprised that I walked in for lunch on Sunday and it wasn't busy, which was nice. My friend and I each ordered a burger and fries for ourselves. The NADC burger ($16) was decent, but it didn't blow my mind like people have raved about. I know it's not the original location which can play a part as well. What I really enjoyed and even finished my friend's were the fries. I love some good fries and these were top quality. You could taste the difference of the oil these fries were made in. They were nice and crispy and very good! I could keep eating them and would rather get the fries than the burger next time. I'd probably still get a burger since I need some meat and savory.

I have gotten this to go a few times but this was my first time eating there! My bf and I sat at…read morethe bar and had the best time! They have a ton of cocktails and they are very cool! We were able to chat with the general manager a bit and hear NADC story, it made me love this spot even more! I got a passion fruit drink with boba this was great! As we were chatting they mentioned an eggnog drink! I love eggnog so this was for me, and it was perfect! Such cool cocktails here, I had no idea!! We split the burger which was phenomenal. Even better eating it in person! I learned this is a pressed patty and not a smash burger. This is my favorite burger in the city! Such a cool vibe in here, very fun music and decor. I'm obsessed!

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NADC Burger
NADC Burger - NADC Burger

NADC Burger

NADC Burger

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The Dearborn

The Dearborn

4.4(2.8k reviews)
0.6 miThe Loop
$$

New favorite! Came downtown from the 'burbs for a show - my sweetie called ahead and we got a GREAT…read moretable just inside the door, perfect for people watching. Tasty drinks - the grapefruit pilsner was a perfect choice for a warm spring evening, and our server was funny and sweet. Sticky ribs appetizer was spot on, with just enough heat to keep it interesting. We shared the fish and chips - perfectly cooked, crunch and sweet, great fries! House made slaw and tartar sauce was out of this world! Gotta make one comment on something we didn't have. The next table over, two middle aged women order cheeseburgers. When they came out I almost regretted ordering the fish. They were huge, juicy, and looked incredible. This two ladies, drinking their Chardonnays polished them off, that's how good they were. Next time... Dessert? Why not? Sticky toffee cake please. Perfect with a cup of black coffee. Out the door and on our way - we'll be back! Thanks!

We dined at the Dearborn on a Saturday afternoon with my family. Our reservation was strategic we…read morearrived hours before we assumed it would become very crowded. The seating was tight. Overall I was having a good experience. The food was OK. The menu was limited. Oh btw, the special that day was a $70 wag goo burger. That interaction between me and the server reminded me of a car salesman trying to sale me undercoating for the car i just purchased. REALLY I can't make it up. The experience dropped to a single star as our dining experience was nearing an end. The manager of the front of the house. Made a conscious effort to make it clear that the table we were dining was needed by waiting customers. I've never ever experienced this before in any restaurant in the Loop. I can't and will not recommend dining here. This is why I'm giving 1 star. I my opinion The Dearborn maybe they need to be in a different location. Maybe located far west of the Loop. I would suggest instead of Dearborn maybe Halsted St. and probably change their name to The Halsted. Im not going back. OH btw good luck in your new location.

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The Dearborn - $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

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The Dearborn - New Spring Menu

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Barnelli's Pasta Bowl - italian - Updated May 2026

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