.So disappointed...since I work in the area, I always come here for lunch on Fridays. Today when I walked in a gentleman said the system was down and it was cash only. I said that was ok and got in line. Waited in line and the manager said we can't take orders because the tickets aren't printing and they don't want to mess up orders. Glad I wasted my lunch time here with no food. read more

I have been there thought the drive through 5 times and they have never gotten my order correct. They always forget the bread or put on peppers (that I'm allergic too) when I specifically have told them I'm allergic. This could have out me in the hospital had I not examined my food. When I have complained they offer no apology, just tell me to come back to make it good. Which means me driving back 20 minutes. They never offer anything additional to compensate for my trouble. Horrible attitude and horrible management. The people I've dealt with dont speak good English so it's even hard to communicate to them your issue. Go to Portillos.....better food, better service, and get the order right the first time. read more

Seriously? I do not get the hype about Buona at all. I think the only reason the line is out the door at lunch time is the limited availability of local fast food in proportion to the office buildings surrounding it. Portions are small, prices are high. The amount of food in their Chicken Artichoke sandwich is laughable. I had to send mine back asking for the rest of it. Their thin crust pizza isn't really that good, and they should warn idiots like me when a variety doesn't come with pizza sauce on it. Idiots like me are used to pizza with sauce on it. Their burgers are just okay, nothing spectacular at all. Don't bother calling or faxing in your order, as it will sit there ignored like you will be, while the cashiers tend to the wait line instead. Your smart thinking by ordering ahead is wasted here, trust me. And don't get me started about the long, thick hair in my cheddar broccoli soup. I had nightmares for weeks. read more

Review applies to the Itasca, IL location only. Normally, I wouldn't review a fast food place or give a bad review but after numerous complaints and an email or two without a response - they have it coming. The last three salads I have ordered - the lettuce was wilted and brown. My co-worker and I each ordered a 7" beef through the drive-thru. When I opened by sandwich - there was literally 3 pieces of beef. Her sandwich was overflowing. I called and complained and was offered a new sandwich. Got the new sandwich and there wasn't much improvement. More beef, but dry. This last time I ordered a crispy chicken sandwich with pickles. The chicken was so overcooked, it was dark brown, dry and so hard it was difficult to cut. I sent an email with picture - no response. Sent a second email, with a picture of the sandwich and receipt - still no response. Needless to say - quality and consistency have gone downhill from the time they opened to now. The fact that they can't even acknowledge an email. Sorry - I'll stick to Portillos. read more

I stopped in here for lunch today, I usually go to Portillo's however this was across from my hotel. The restaurant is very clean and the service was fast. I was able to walk up place my order get my number and he brought the food directly to my table. The beef was OK. I thought that it was salty, the potato salad was full of flavor and good. They have a number of other items on their menu that I'd be willing to try. I would stop in here again for lunch if I ever stayed at the Hyatt place in Itasca. I'm giving it a three stars because I feel as though it did not stack up against Portillo's beef. On future trips this area I will try out some of the other menu items and I may change my overall rating of Buona beef read more

The place looks nice and clean as well, they have plenty of parking and plenty of room for large groups. The service was fast and got to enjoy the time we spent there. As for the food, it was ok, We had pizza, shakes and soups and overall the quality is ok. read more

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I wish Buona would stop changing its menu. It has become less vegetarian friendly. How about offering beans instead of meat as a salad offering? Several weeks ago, I ordered online a family pack of beef sandwiches for my parents. The order was supposed to include bread, but did not. I contacted the company and was promised a coupon. While it did take a while to receive a response, the company did follow up to my complaint about not receiving it. The canoli is wonderful, and I am thrilled that gluten-free bread is now an option. read more

Food is good but terrible service. I ordered a pickup twice and got my order wrong/missing TWICE and had to come back. Cashier was rude when I ask for the right fod. read more

The food here is good. Especially the pizza. But the service is excellent. Erin is so friendly and helpful. She's very personable. Loved her! I'd come back just to be helped by her. :) read more

Sometimes the food is good. Sometimes it isn't. It really drives me nuts how they cut the individual pizzas. They want to make it eight pieces, but then the pieces are not uniform. Why not just make it 6? I'm pretty sure you all used to cut these pizzas evenly. Now every time I get one it's either burnt, or just cut without any logic. For some people this may not be a big deal... But when you have a son that is a very picky eater and likes his food uniform oh, it's an issue! Cut the pizzas like you have some sense. And this goes for the Bloomingdale location as well. When you order a kid's meal, you get about for fries and all of them are usually inedible- because they are all fried to a crisp Corner cuts of the potato! I would think there would be quality control somewhere. I called about this to the Bloomingdale location a couple of years ago... And the manager was so rude. Period. She didn't want to hear that I received a burnt pizza. She didn't want to hear that I was unhappy with the way it was cut because that's how they always do it. But I remember several years ago, Buona had quality... now I probably won't spend my money there again. I regret the purchase I made today. I wish I drove off per my initial instincts, when the person in the Drive-Thru got short with me because I had trouble making up my mind of what I wanted. Then he acted like a hyper jackass to get me wrung up, when nobody was behind me for long, and no one was in front of me waiting... I ended up getting a beef and a pizza. Sloppy Food Service makes people mad. Presentation is part of the package. Get it together please... I'll try again next year. read more

Buona - Sloppy - Fast Food Near Me - Itasca, Illinois

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Love their roasted vegetable pizza and the tuna panini and the house salad! Fresh and for a great price. 5$ pizza Thursday

New managers have taken over, so it seems better than before. The people actually talk to you now when you place an online order and are waiting at the pickup area. read more

Best Chicago food you can get! Everything is of the highest quality. This is my favorite restaurant...period.

Wanted to give everyone a heads up on getting the beef sandwiches with tubs of beef sauce to go for parties and get togethers.... Great idea and has become a family tradition for our family get togethers. Yummy. read more

Came here, just wanted a cheeseburger. I watched it come out of the kitchen and my stomach rumbled. Keep in mind that they never gave us a number. So I watched my cheeseburger come towards me but then suddenly take a left turn and go to this random guy who gleefully accepts it. I asked for a new cheeseburger, took about 15 minutes, and didn't even get compensation for my time. Would not recommend unless you'd like to donate your cheeseburgers. Smh read more

Food selections are great. Current spinach strawberry blueberry salad is perfect. Pair this with $5 pizza on Thursday and you have a great dinner with a soda for $11! Great deal and you'll be satisfied. read more

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It's better than McDonalds but worse than fine dinning. I feel like it's missing a little bit of a tint of something. They say their Beef is great but the Beef was okay. Not amazing. Their thin crust pizza is okay . . . feel a little over priced when I can get pizza so much cheaper at different places. It's local and okay enough to go there again but that's really all for me. read more

Got carryout on Friday, Oct. 20th. Ticket# 273 Small Beef, Large Beef w/hot, reg. fry, and cheese fry $20.18!! Put it this way, there was only enough beef for 1/2 of what I ordered! It was ridiculous. I will never, ever go back to this place. Total rip-off. You guys are literally stealing from customers! I'm not the type of person that brings food back, but I was really tempted. You will not get another nickel from me. There is just way too much competition!!! read more

Nothing special, but they keep it clean. Always super busy at lunchtime. I only like the beefs and they are kind of overpriced

I love Buona beef I visit at least twice a week with coworkers for lunch . always clean .great customer service ..food always great

Food is reasonably priced and good serving size. Perfect French fries. Nice presentation. Great rewards program. Free senior soft drink. Only negative I can point out is that they have fruit flies - my biggest pet peeve. You do not want bugs flying around your food at the table - no bigger turn off! Noted flies on last two visits (this month). Not the only restaurant with this problem- seems endemic! read more

Oh my goodness! I can never get enough of this place! One of the best casual restaurant concepts I have come across! It has gradually changed and refined it's process over the years, definitely on the level to compete with Portillo's, but has a wider variety of food items on the menu. Don't come here looking for healthy food alternatives, this place should serve as a once-in-a-while indulgence. Great Italian Beef, Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, tasty Salads, individual custom Pizzas available in 5 minutes or less. I like the Beef and Giardinara Pizza the most. There is also great gelato if you have room and can take the calories. You can have a seat and relax after you order, and they will bring it right over when it's ready. As you come in to look at the menu, you can walk past the line and see food items being prepared while you consider your order. I like this upfront approach to showing customers what is going on in the kitchen. I happened to notice the Pizza Makers being very kind to the children and making conversation with them when I came in on Monday. There are also fresh sample versions on your way to the counter of some of the more popular items to consider. Monday when my girlfriend and I dined there for lunch, the manager happened to notice we were talking about the bread on my girlfriend's sandwich being a little on the rough side, and offered to remake it with a different bread immediately! Totally unexpected! I have never had a bad experience here, and the food always is unspeakably fantastic! The place seems to fill up during dinner time, and I can see why. Buonaaaa Beeeef! read more

I just wanted to provide additional info on my latest interactions with this location. So my last few visits were better hence why I'm giving 2 stars now but seriously 25% of the time, at a minimum, they screw up the order. I'm not going to write another long winded review because they're not worth my time anymore but I will say this location is the worst. Love Buona, hate the Itasca location. Luckily my company is moving to Schaumburg and I won't be visiting this location much longer. ---------------------previous review---------------------------------- *****THIS REVIEW ONLY APPLIES TO THE ITASCA, IL LOCATION***** This is an email I sent 11/3/2015 to and never got a response: Where do I begin... I'm really not one to complain so I'll start out positive. I love Buona. Always have. I visit a location at least once a week. Sometimes 2-3 times a week, sometimes only once. I rarely have issue at any other location than your Itasca, IL location. The best part of my experience today was the online ordering system from the phone app. Aside from that, this was hands-down the worst interaction with your establishment I've had over my 20+ year of patronage with Buona. Today I ordered a 7" buona beef, dry, with hot peppers, red sauce and an order of fries. While I mostly got what I ordered it wasn't edible. I ended up throwing it away. So not only did I waste 100 mybuona points, I also wasted $3 & change of my own money and I'm still hungry. I got back to my desk and opened the bag and initially thought "OMG they gave me the wrong order..." upon inspection, it was intended for me just whomever does the QC before the food goes out to a customer clearly didn't perform his/her job because it was all wrong. I've attached a picture showing the order on the receipt and what I received so you can clearly see this. Not in the picture is the check number which is #1541801. So the dry beef was the only part that was correct. I got a beef cut in half, dry, with 2 side cups. One filled with beef juice, the other filled with sweet peppers. Sweet peppers that I just don't like and beef juice being the exact ingredient I didn't want today, hence the dry/extra dry and red sauce that I paid extra for. The receipt attached to the bag had my order on it correctly. Why didn't the food inside match the receipt. The fries were there but they tasted not only under-cooked but were soggy and cold. Cold to touch as in they probably sat out for a decent amount of time before they were placed in the bag. On top of all of that, all the food was cold. I placed the order at 11:30...40-ish AM and specified a pickup time of 1:15 PM. In fairness to the location, I got there around 1:20 PM however I doubt 5 minutes difference can account for something being COMPLETELY cold. The bag had to have been sitting there for much longer than that. At any rate this is an ongoing problem I've had with that location and I will not be returning. I've officially had it. If I get a craving for your food I'll have to travel elsewhere because the Itasca, IL location is full of incompetence. If I had to guess I'd say 75% of the time they cannot get this order correct. Luckily for me, it's usually not THIS fouled up. Just a bad location. If this happens to me this frequently, and it took me a while to start complaining, can you imagine how many others go unheard. Just complete incompetence... For instance the cashier who rang my order and took payment. When reading back my order he read the "extra dry" request for the sandwich and laughed and said "well that's weird". I didn't know you paid your employees to offer their opinions on people's food selections. Neither did the other cashier, who looked at him funny afterwards. Then the person who "handed" me the bag didn't actually hand it to me, he sorta tossed it to me. The bag hit the counter and I figured it was weird but just left given that I'd already paid. Then(not really a big deal but...), I'm holding out my hand waiting for the cashier to hand me back my card and receipt, like every other cashier I've had there does, and he ODDLY places each receipt down individually and then places my card on top of it and walks away. Like he didn't see me there holding out my hand to take back my card...? I know I'm sorta nitpicking at this point but I'm annoyed. Oh well it's time to get back to work and end this rant but that location has lost a long-time customer. I've worked for my company for 9+ years and have frequented the Itasca location for lunch since I've worked here. I can't do it anymore. I can't support them any longer. While I may be only one customer complain, I'm sure there's others. Please DO NOT have that store's manager call me like last time. I'm done. read more

Buona - awesome... thanks for leaving out the red sauce and hot giardiniera. It's the norm at this place apparently... - Fast Food Near Me - Itasca, Illinois

I visited this location last Friday, July 7th. Ordered a crispy chicken salad with grilled chicken as a substitute. The chicken was overcooked, grisly and just gross. I had to pick out all the chicken and just ate the wilted lettuce that it came with. Not sure if there has been a management change but I was underwhelmed and this location lacks quality control of the food that goes out. read more

i give this location 5 very very amazing staff everyone especially the two ladys working today both worked very hard to get orders to us and both made us feel very welcome i definelty will be coming back thankyou ladys for your amazing work keep up the good job read more

Would leave zero. I ordered my lunch using the mobile app. App indicated my order would be available in 15 mins. I'm about 7 minutes or less from the location so that would be great. I arrived and got in line. There were several cars in front of me, about 10, we were wrapped around the entrance to the drive-thru. They were having cars pull forward to wait for their orders. I was a little surprised when they asked me to park in the mobile spot. Not because there were people in front of me waiting for their orders but because they moved me out of the queue. After pulling into the spot I could see that there were many more cars behind. I was quite annoyed that all of the cars in front of me and all behind me plus others after...all received their orders and I was still waiting. I tried calling but no one picked up. Almost half hour after pulling into spot I receive my order. When I arrived home, the soup was all over the bottom of the bag. They could not have put the lid on the soup because I have trouble getting the lid off when it's secure. I'm going to stop going to this location because of this experience and the last few times before this I arrive home with some part of my order missing. I'll spend my money at some other restaurant. read more

Placed a catering order (which requires baking for 45 minutes)for pickup. When I arrived they had no record of the order. I gave the young lady a confirmation number and still no luck. I left the store with no explanation from the staff. I arrived home to get a call from the store saying they did in fact have the order. After an additional hour it arrived at my door with no explanation or apology. Portillos gets my business from now on...its already baked and ready on time with a smile. Never again Buona!!!!! read more

normally this restaurant is mediocre. But today when I walked in and ordered a plain breaded chicken sandwich and fries, not only did they mess up my order, it took them 20 minutes. there were two people in line in front of me and it took 20 minutes. My sandwich wasn't plain and there were no napkins in the to go bag. 1 out of 5, I do not recommend this restaurant. read more

We wanted to grab something before a long drive. We ordered 2 original beef sandwiches to go. Thirty minutes down the road we opened the bag and discovered Italian sausage sandwiches instead. The receipt stapled to the bag was correct; the sandwiches were wrong. The girl bagging up the sandwiches didn't seem to know what she was doing. At first she tried to give this meal to the man who ordered before us and it wasn't his either. It is SO frustrating when one is already on the way and has no recourse to fix lousy service. It will be a long time before we try this idea again at this location. read more

Had a wonderful lunch today!! Salads are always fresh, service with a smile! Love my lunches at Buona!!

Beth is generous. The beef is dry and sits in a watery "gravy" pan. Was the bun even four inches long? I thought, well, I've got a coupon!! Ah, two for the price of one.....but the fine print requires that the ONE be a COMPLETE - which includes expensive sides AND overpriced drink. So - two, tiny, hard-to-chew beefs, meat hidden inside tough cold buns dipped in beef flavored water, a dab of coleslaw(?) and some cold beans for under 8 bucks after waiting in line with the other suckers.... I was still hungry but didn't feel like eating anything anymore ever. read more

Nothing good to report unfortunately. I got their egg and pepper sandwich, there Friday special, and got FOOD POISONING!!!! I WAS UP ALL NIGHT PUKING! Stay away from this space it isn't sanitary! My order took place as of yesterday 3/7/14. Be aware! This was at lunch time. I am still sick a day later. Wtf is going on at this location???? Whatever it is things aren't being cooked correctly. read more

I've been here a couple times and every time I visit I have a chocolate shake. I've had the Italian beef, which is always good and the fries are on point. Buona is a quick serve restaurant where you pick up your order on a tray and take it back to your table. The drive thru service is an acceptable option as well. read more

I have always liked Buona Beef sandwiches and fries. I think they are second to Johnnie's. Today, I tried a sausage solo pizza which was actually pretty decent. Hot from the oven in about 7 minutes, it cost me just under $10 with a medium drink. It didn't blow my doors off but it was a solid meal. read more

This location is in the same lot as the Hyatt I was staying in. Never tried it so I gave it a shot for lunch. Was slightly confused when I walked in as to where to go/what to do. Figured it out quickly. Big menu. Multiple things looked good and I wasn't even that hungry, that's a good sign. Lunch rush was in full swing but the atmosphere was still nice. It was a bit loud but should be expected. Ordered a chicken artichoke panini. Chicken tasted like actual chicken. Good, distinguishable flavors. Bread was good and grilled right. Service was quick and friendly. Wouldn't hesitate to try more. read more

Buona beef has some good food, I'll give them that; like their Pesto salad and their tuna sandwich are very good. I also enjoy their personal pizza selections, their prosciutto and Alfredo is actually my favorite. The service is acceptable, the cashiers are always very friendly but the wait staff cannot be bothered to manage a smile or engage their customers. Most won't even look at you. One gentlemen barely issued a grunt when I expressed my thanks for my order. The managers, however, are usually very nice and processional . I agree with the other reviewers that the sides are over-priced for what's included. The soups are actually pretty good but I can tell that they're loaded with salt and the fries aren't worth the calories, let alone the money. Now, on to the beef, hence the name. I don't their beef is bad or good it's merely okay, I usually get cheese on it and peppers then it's actually pretty good ;). In contrast, Portillos has the most amazing beef sandwich I've already had. A really good beef sandwich would be offended if someone overloaded it with cheese or peppers; like a good steak, you shouldn't need condoments (A1 Sauce). Lastly, this particular location is wayyyy over crowded for the quality of food! There's very rarely seating available and I've not been able to call in an order on the occasions I've tried; the phone just rings. So I usually don't bother, not worth my business most days, but like one of the other reviewers said, at least I get a $2 coupon! read more

Live down the street and thought I would try buona beef instead of portillos or big sammys and this was a mistake. I ordered a dunked cheesy beef, cheese friends and a meatball sandwich. When I got home the cheese spilled in the bag which was unfortunate. However the real problem came to the beef sandwich. It barely had any meat on it. I had way too many bites that did not contain any meat or barely any meat and it was cold. It also was still dry in some areas even though I asked for it to be extra juicy. Seriously disappointed by the beef. Good flavor but a cold, dry beef with barely any beef is not acceptable. Looks like I'll drive further to go to portillos or big sammys next time. read more

Italian beef, with cheese, hot and sweet peppers, order of fries and a pop. Oh, and don't forget the extra grease. Awesome! read more

I love Italian beef. Even this fast food type Italian beef is better than most food. Not the best dining area, but who cares as long as you get some pretty darn good Italian beef. read more

Consistent fast food option. I happen to like their well-seasoned dipped beefs and pizza vendura better than most other fast food options in the 'burbs. read more