Bottom Line: Unexpected but wonderful traditional Italian themed ristorante in the shopping center. Mangiare! Pro Tip: Avoid the booths against the front windows for evening dining. The super bright strip center lights kill the incantevole vibe. Charming. Inviting. The two words that comes to mind upon entering from the bland strip center parking lot. The owners have made a serious effort to have you experiencing the vibe before you set foot in the door, carrying through into the vestibule, and into the restaurant. You have to love that attention to environmental detail. The place was fairly crowded for a Saturday early evening dinner. We chose a booth adjacent to the front window (this turned out to be a mistake and lesson learned for future visits, more later). The warm-hued setting is calming and perfect for relaxed conversation and perusing the menu. Our server, though not Italian, was attentive, knowledgeable, efficient and personable. There is a wide selection of appetizers and dishes to suit most any level of hunger and taste. Our orders came out punctually, still hot, and with deep flavor. There is a very solid selection of wines to complement your meal. I opted for the house Chianti which was perfect. Though everything was delicious and satisfying I have to call out the Pasta "Fazool" (Pasta e Fagioli)--as outstanding. Coupled with the Chianti and wonderful bread, olive oil, and parm, this was really a delight in and of itself. Though everything in restaurants has gone way up, prices here are still relatively reasonable. Four of us ate a nice dinner for about $100. The whole experience was absolutely enjoyable, the setting, the classic crooners in the background, the food, the conversation and then "it" struck, like a lightning bolt bathing us all in bright white UFO-like light. We were jolted from our pleasurable food-and-wine-induced haze by the strip center canopy lighting that kicked on at dusk. It is so bright you can't look at it directly. It literally killed the great vibe and we were asking for the check. This was such a disappointing end to an otherwise wonderful overall experience (and would have been 5-stars but for the ending). Nevertheless, I will be back and lesson learned, will not be sitting at the booths at the front window (Mangia, do something, lower the valence, something to block that ambience-killing, solar flare right outside your window.). read more

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Mangia Mangia is a hidden gem. It's in a strip mall between Marshalls and TJ Maxx, so you can miss it if you're not really looking for it. Nothing special from the outside, but once you walk in it's a totally different vibe. Feels like a little Italian village inside. Murals on the walls, cozy decor everywhere, just a nice surprise. The people working there were super friendly. Kept our water filled, checked in a few times, just really welcoming overall. I got the half meatball sandwich with soup. Soup was good, but the sandwich was the star. One big homemade meatball, covered in marinara, on French bread with melted cheese and hot peppers. The meatball was soft and juicy, almost melting a bit when you bite in. The marinara had that rich tomato flavor, a little tangy but smooth. The cheese brought everything together, all melted into the bread so every bite felt creamy and savory at the same time. Then the hot peppers hit and gave it that kick that cuts through all the richness. Every bite had a mix of everything, all working together. Definitely left full, and I'll be coming back for more. read more

Mangia Mangia - Meatball sandwich - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

Mangia Mangia is definitely a hidden gem. This is located in a strip mall, and people passing by wouldn't be able see through the windows of the restaurant. I've driven and walked by this place several times, but I am so glad that I went in and tried it. They have a lot of non-meat protein options that is why the first time my husband and I came here on a Friday (of Lent), we did not have any problems. Main dishes usually come with soup or salad and bread service. The bread is soft and delicious. I have to remind myself not to eat the whole basket of bread to have room for my main dish! We have gone back here about 2 more times within 1 month. That says a lot about how much we love our experience every time we come. These are the dishes that we have tried: Cream of Broccoli, Minestrone, Pasta e Fagioli, Fettuccine Alfredo w/ mushrooms and spinach, Eggplant Parmesan, Veal Parmigiana, Spaghetti Calamari, Zucchini Parmesan, and Shrimp Diavalo. Every dish is made to order. They are all flavorful, well-prepared, delicious, fresh, and the portions are big enough to take some home (or maybe because I eat too much bread and finish the soup before my main dish). Service is always friendly, efficient, and pleasant. The place is clean, parking for the strip mall is ample, and the prices are very reasonable. Grazie! Mangia Mangia! read more

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Hidden gem of a dine in a strip mall. Lovely experience with consistent high quality dishes with a beautiful presentation. The Zuppa DiPesce was presented like a beautiful piece of art. Absolutely delicious!!! Quite a drive but very well worth it. read more

Mangia Mangia - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

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We have been going to Mangia Mangia on and off for years. In the past, we have never had a bad meal. But on August 20th, 2026, it was beyond bad. Let me start the review by saying I'm not a Karen/complainer at all. If we have bad service or a meal, I usually take it up with management, but that very rarely happens. Our meals @ Mangia Mangia were throw on our plates, no presentation at all. There was no flavor. Plus, it was outrageously expensive for the quality of food we received. The only bright spot was our waitress Jennifer. She was amazing. She did inform us that the restaurant was under new management and it shows. Sorry Mangia Mangia, you lost some good eaters! read more

Very very good food and the Terimisu and Carrot cake is to die for!!! And they do Carry out too!

The food was good The waitress was the worst.No greetings,no smiles,she acted as if we were an inconvenience to her.We won't be back ! The restaurant itself was nice. read more

Our family has been coming to Mangia Mangia for years. It's a comfortable, familiar spot with a nice neighborhood feel and friendly service. read more

Mangia Mangia - Minestrone - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

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the alfredo sauce is so plain i had to add a shit ton of pepper into it. mind you, the bread, stale as shit. then, they proceed to add water to my sprite not once..but twice! i never asked for this complimentary water, let alone in my fucking sprite. the booth i sat in had a squishy tablecloth on it. i would leave 0 stars but because i can't, i leave 1. that alone is too fucking much!!!! (the waitress is cool..i guess.) read more

Mangia Mangia - See the bubbles? That's the sprite's carbonate. Water in my fucking sprite! - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

have ordered numerous times several different entrees and sandwiches + soups everything I have tried was delicious EXCEPT their burger .. it really was terrible however the Italian fare is decent - the eggplant parm sandwich & French onion soup are absolute standouts - the dine in atmosphere is exceptional to most restaurants in a large radius of here read more

Mangia Mangia provided catering for my event and it was fantastic! Delivery was right on time. Lemon chicken was so tender and the sauce delicious; meatballs were outstanding and the marinara is really great; pasta primavera had a lot of veggies which was outstanding; also had the Italian salad and the homemade dressing was awesome. So many of my guests asked me where the food was from because they loved it. HIGHLY recommend! read more

Have been going to Mangia Mangia over the last 20 years and have enjoyed it. I have especially liked their carbonara and found it excellent. However, over the past few years the carbonara has not been as good. It has been OK, but not up to the standards of what it was previously. I have found this to be true for the past three visits. The sauce is a little bit thicker and it isn't as rich in flavor. There used to always be excessive better in the bottom of the bowl and that is not true anymore. It just isn't as good. I also was very disappointed with the bread at our recent visit. I don't know if it was stale or what, but it tasted kind of funky. Sorry, but I don't know how else to describe it. Almost like a sourdough bread that had gone bad. I'm disappointed to have to give this review because we have always really enjoyed this restaurant but now not so much. read more

I always love their food. Large portions which fit the price. I've had many delicious things from here.

Food and service was excellent Haven't been there in a while but it was just as I remember read more

Usually I love this restaurant. Today our waitress was just rushing around and not really giving her best service. It was not super busy at the time I arrived but I just expected my normal great service. She tipped our soup bowl over while placing it on the table and spilled the soup. And when ordering dessert at first completely ignored me. I hope to have my normal great service next time I come in. read more

Came for lunch - food was good. Was seated and served by the same person. Dropped bread and food at my table without so much as a smile. I was friendly and said thank you, I guess because I was a single person it's not a big check/tip, as I noticed she was chatty with other customers who had more in their party. Not expecting to have a conversation or anything, just not a very nice attitude/experience. read more

Great service. Hot food and friendly people. I've grabbed takeout several times and sat in only one time. Good experience every time. One of my go to places when i'm in Countryside. read more

Mangia Mangia - Decorations and ambience - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

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Amazing food and price. Not over priced and has quality food. The service was amazing and fast. I will come back again. Also I love the art

The food is always very good but they have a hostess that has a bad attitude! i'm not sure why she has that job? she seems miserable and is rude. The wait staff is always great ! read more

Bread-given when seated although a little stale Environment- pleasant, dim lighting and soft music playing Beverage- root beer,chilled glass but no ice French onion soup- decent, very hot, nice cheese Meatballs sub- okay consisted of 2 tender very big meatball, cheese was good, bread fell apart right away Service- Not bad read more

Mangia Mangia - Meatball Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

The food is delicious and the service is always great. It's cozy with a background of Italian music making a perfect setting for comfort.

Excellent food and great service every time I go. Highly recommend! Very friendly staff. Not a very large place so make a reservation or go on off busy times. read more

Maybe it was an off night, but nothing ordered was good. The polenta had no flavor, even the cheese on it was bland. Calamari was just small little chunks. Ravioli was hard with sauce that would be outdone by Ragu. Blackened shrimp Alfredo was disgusting, just oil separated from the sauce I guess. Ordered from here several times, never again. read more

Mangia Mangia - Blackened Shrimp Alfredo with oil - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

I can't understand the low ratings. Everything we get there is good. You get yummy, fresh Italian bread, many choices of good soup, or salad with a very good house dressing. The main courses are big portions and will be cooked as you like. The side spinach is the best sautéed spinach I have ever had, of course I love garlic, and it is very garlicky. Atmosphere is small Italian restaurant, but nice, even though it is in strip mall. read more

Trying them a year later, still the same sloppy leaky packing issue for carry out. Food quality is still firmly the McDonald's of Italian food. Had the chicken limone which had the odd artificial taste of fruity pebbles. Chicken was very thin and gummy. I chose sautéed spinach as my side, it was the chopped frozen bricks you get at the grocery store, so you can imagine how gross and unflavored it was. In summary, I'd much rather go to Olive Garden then here again. read more

It is rare for me to write a review from the table, but Mangia Mangia deserves one. I feel guilty now for the years of relying on the convenience of Olive Garden, especially in the Chicago suburbs. This place feels like an Italian restaurant; I'm here on a Friday evening and it is thriving. Constant traffic. Everything tastes fresh and real and my server assured me of both, but I can taste it. And smell it. When the massive bruschetta with mozzarella was brought to my table, I smelled the fresh and copious garlic. And the arrabiatta spaghetti.... massive, but delicious. No shortage of tomatoes, oregano, capers, garlic, and olives .... as my server said, "food for the whole weekend." How good is this place? I am excited to eat my leftovers for breakfast before work read more

Mangia Mangia - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

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The food was good but not great. Was very saucy which usually is a good thing but thing time a bit too much. The noodles were good but what I can make at home and when I go out to eat it's because I want something I can't make. The service was great as it always. read more

Mangia Mangia - the interior of a restaurant - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

Lunch , fried calamari, cream broccoli soup and tortellini in alfredo sauce. All delicious , served quickly by friendly efficient wait staff

Met friends here for lunch today and it was great! I had the chicken parmesan(delicious) my friends had the cheese ravioli and the gnocchi and both love emd it! Great service and phenomenal food! read more

Where do i even start....the fuck ass worker told me i couldn't split my check into 5 ways then gave me attitude, then proceeded to say she's going to split the bill into 5. This was the worst attitude the server gave me. The food was chill read more

I really loved this place! The decor is so cute and it makes you feel like you're in Italy! The music is Italian operatic style, and so fitting. The server was nice. The food was so delicious, and I loved the menu. The lunch menu had a chicken option with a side (pasta, veggies) and then soup or salad, so it's a nice portion of food for lunch. The lemon chicken had a ton of sauce (drenched), and was sooo flavorful!!!! The soups were so fresh and tasty. I tried the miniestrone and Italian wedding. The meatballs in thr soup had a yummy spice. They give you complimentary bread with butter, olive oil, and cheese which was so tasty!!! The prices are all reasonable. We will definitely be trying this place again!!! It's in the middle of a strip mall, and you can't even see the inside, so I feel like the advertising isn't good for this business, but I was taken back and surprised at this beautiful hidden gem! read more

The food is very good. Service is busy Can get busy so call ahead. The fettuccine is outstanding.

Haven't been here in a couple of years, but I was in the neighborhood for a couple of days and decided to revisit the restaurant. The ambience is the same, customer service was good as always, but the food remains mediocre ... had the bacalao in red sauce, the linguine and clams, baked and clams; the wedding and minestrone soup were very good. The chicken sandwich was a little skimpy, the onion soup seemed to have been from the day before, because the broth was already reduced and very salty. read more

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I've been coming here for over 20 years. I just feel lately the food has become flavorless. The last 8 times I have to add salt and pepper on my pasta. The sauces are bland. I ordered the shrimp diavalo today which is supposed to be spicy - it tasted bland and NOT spicy. My daughter had Alfredo sauce and I swear it tasted just like cream - we had to add salt, pepper and Parmesan. No offense but the jars of sauce I have at home taste better. The red sauce is definitely missing basil, salt and garlic - the alfredo sauce is missing salt and maybe garlic. Don't call a sauce spicy and it's not too. read more

This is a great little spot we've been to many times and has never disappointed. Today we were craving authentic Italian and knew this would not disappoint but what I was not expecting was some of the best baked French onion soup anywhere in the Chicagoland area! The service was exceptional and for the price - unbeatable. read more

Food is bland. No taste. Cream of broccoli & Italian wedding soup tasted like if they were Campbells without all the sodium. Both the marinara & alfredo sauces were watery. Shirmp & clams tasted like they were prepackaged & just thrown into a sauce on the cooktop. Something called Diablo should be spicy. No flavor throughout the meat. The grouper was good & the loan bright spot. Waitress got my fiancé's order wrong & gave a half hearted "I'm sorry, so you want me to take it back?" She was scarce & short the rest of the evening. Didn't even offer to take something off the bill as my fiancé gave half her entire meal back. Olive Garden would've been a better choice. First time, last time for us. read more

This little place has been a gem in the community for decades. It's a quiet little Italian restaurant which offers both dine in and take out. A lovely selection of Italian favorites are here for the picking - Italian wedding soup, minestrone, a house salad dressing to die for, chicken parm, muscles in red sauce, chicken Vesuvio, chicken Florentine, pastas with marinara and meat sauces, ravioli, tortellini, gnocchi and the list goes on!! The lunch menu offers half portions and panini sandwiches, and several salad options, too. In addition there is a short wine and beer list. I highly recommend you come and enjoy the amazing food and friendly service. read more

The food is always delicious and the right temperature and service is always on point. This is my new favorite place!

Excellent Italian food, fair prices and friendly staff! A nice place or dinner. We have been going here since the restaurant opened--30 years ago. read more

Started our meal with Baked Clams, ordered 6, next time getting 12. Then we had the Escarole Soup. Our entree arrived next, a generous portion of Chicken Francese. The food and service, decor and music made it a special night. Looking forward to trying many other things on the menu. read more

Mangia Mangia - 6 Baked Clams - Italian Near Me - Countryside, Illinois

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