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    Sal's Trattoria

    4.5 (455 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Open 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Sal's Trattoria Takeout or Delivery

    Sal's Trattoria Photos

    Business Info

    SAL'S TRATTORIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Sal's Trattoria

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    Trottole
    Leland L.

    I'm a big fan of an old school cozy, classic Italian restaurant and Sal's might be my new favorite in the city! The atmosphere here is very neighborly but also feels a little special and elevated too in the right balance. We were able to make a reservation for a big group of 14 on a Wednesday night just a week in advance and the staff were so accommodating and nice! We even brought a cake to celebrate our friend's engagement and they cut it and served it for us for $5. For the food, the burrata was out of this world. The bread and flavors with it were simply perfect and I'm still thinking about it. Also loved the winter salad and brussels sprouts! I got the trottole pasta which had truffle, butternut squash, mushrooms, and goat cheese (all of my favorite things) and I loved it! The menu had a nice variety of classics and elevated dishes that I definitely want to go back and try more. Highly recommend sals!

    Jenny J.

    I ordered carryout from Sal's Trattoria and it was tasty, high quality Italian food. The restaurant is very clean, cozy, and more on the upscaled side. It's perfect for date night or even a girl's night out. I definitely love the atmosphere and the ambience. I ordered the Rigatoni, Caesar Salad, and Chicken Parmesan for carryout. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and packed well. The rigatoni was perfectly cooked with flavorful sauce that tasted homemade. The chicken Parm was tender and crispy on the outside. It was topped with just the right amount of melted cheese and sauce. The Caesar salad was crisp with fresh ingredients. Everything tasted good. Overall, I would dine in or order carry out again. My experience was good. Even though I didn't dine in, the restaurant itself is very nice and upscale and the food is good.

    Chocolate Terrine
    Erica B.

    Really cute neighborhood old style Italian place with some fun twists on classic dishes. Only disappointment was that our wine was served in juice glasses and we could not figure out why since other tables had wine glasses. We started with the Caesar salad which was pretty yummy. First time in a while that I saw actual anchovies on the salad. Decent portion size. The braised rabbit gnocchi, which I was hesitant about since I don't think I've ever had rabbit, was absolutely incredible. The flavor of the sauce, the texture of the gnocchi and the meat, the mushrooms, everything. Compared to that, the gemelli was just fine. The boar ragu was ground meat, not shredded, and didn't hold much flavor. The chocolate terrine dessert was also incredible. The chocolate was melt in your mouth soft and the perfect sweetness. The mascarpone and raspberry glaze paired perfectly with it.

    Fettuccini Carbonara
    Kyle P.

    **4.5 Stars** Well, it's time for my yearly lament of "why don't we go to Sal's more often." As I've stated in previous reviews, the food is great, fresh, handmade pasta served in generous portions with great execution. Everything seasoned and cooked to perfection. Far better than most of the restaurants you're paying more at downtown. This most recent visit stood far above the rest, from the excellent service and suggestions of our server Sunshine, to the kindness and warmth of the host and busboys, and of course through to the food. The burrata remains a standout, as do the pasta dishes and cocktails. I must say, the crab and hen of the wood pasta special was spectacular, and should somehow find a way onto the regular menu. It's the kind of dish you'll crave and want to come back for. If Tutto Fresco is reliably good, homestyle Italian food with some of the best service and prices in Chicago, then Sal's is the grown up cousin who got a little more creative and a little more expensive, but deserves a spot in the conversation alongside the "stars" that tend to get more press. I really don't think I'll ever have to write another "why haven't I been here in so long" review because, quite frankly, I can't wait to go back!

    Orecchiette
    Caitlin M.

    Amazing food, great service, and quaint. The warm ambiance and white tablecloths make the restaurant extremely inviting.

    Pirk chop gorgonzola butter

    Love this place. Love the folks, Erin and Jack at the bar who paid for my lobster pasta. Loved mario the bartender, who was faster on drinks than ... cabt think of an analogy.. great FOOOOOR.. nice nieithborhood lovation. Beautifuo on the inside n out. Unfortunately ICE raided the dining room and i spilled all the pasta carbonara over my shirts n pants.. i resisted so now im having dinner in El salvador.. REALLY HIGH CEILINGS n i thought man i though mario had mean tattoos. Jjokin. I dont think he has any. And it was an ICE FREE DINNER, except for the great cocktails.

    Fettucini Carbonara
    Brenna V.

    Good neighborhood spot, you definitely need a reservation to get a table since it's a pretty small place. Food was good, I got the carbonara and was please with my decision. I've been here one other time and the wine came in a cup not a wine glass, which I found odd.

    Spaghetti is it's fried zucchini and an aperol spritz
    Aparna B.

    Really nice Italian place. It's very homey but oh my lord it was so hot in there. Despite having some fans and the doors open, do they have air? It was 90° outside so it wasn't the most comfortable. But our food and service totally made up for it. We had such a great, attentive server who was always checking in on us. We ordered some apps -- the watermelon feta salad was refreshing and delicious. For dinner I ordered the spaghetti with fried zucchini and they added some chili to it so it was spicy! Overall - they don't have a ton of vegetarian options but what they did have was good!

    Brussel Sprouts,  Fra Diavolo

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    8 months ago

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    9 days ago

    Amazing service and the food never disappoint. They also have alternatives for food allergies making it easy to enjoy

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    1 year ago

    I love coming to sals! It's a great atmosphere and very small and cozy inside. I always love every course I get and am never disappointed.

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    Very good neighborhood spot. We sat outside. The octopus appetizer was great and we enjoyed the pasta

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    11 months ago

    Exquisite food great ambience for sure a date night gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

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    1 year ago

    The food was delicious and the service was excellent!. We sat outside and a rainbow showed up! It was gorgeous!!

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    1 year ago

    Perfect in every way! The service. The food. The cocktails. The ambiance. I would recommend and come back again and again.

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - Sal's Trattoria

    Street Parking?? Easy? Or do u have a lot?

    No lot. But street parking isn't bad.

    Is lunch available?

    Unfortunately, no. Dinner only.

    Is the patio dog friendly?

    Yes!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Peanut Park Trattoria - Sausage and Peppers

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    4.1(161 reviews)
    4.4 miUniversity Village

    Food was fantastic. The special burrata with the prosciutto and apple is a must order. The main…read morecourse of pastas was fantastic. Though fresh parmigiana and red pepper was offered my orrichetta (sp?) and my friends bolognese were both soot in Drinks- wine and mixed drinks were generous and delicious. As good as all that was--. It eas the service that stuck out. Maggie was fantastic. Attentive, pleasant, and consistent in her attention. An incredible dining experience. Ill be back.

    Although I am a new customer, I've been loyal to Peanut Park for the past six months and have…read morerecommended it to many friends and family. Up until tonight, my experiences had always been positive and the food was fantastic. Unfortunately, this visit was more than disappointing. I ordered a salad I've had at least a dozen times before, accept I added grilled chicken on top. I live for this salad and was just there maybe three weeks ago. Unaware that they have changed their menu, I ordered as usual. The name of the salad has not changed on the menu, but apparently the ingredients had been completely altered. When the dish arrived, to my surprise, it was drastically different and not something I enjoyed at all. I politely informed our server, who was kind and accommodating, and offered to replace the dish. However, it was now 6 p.m. we had tickets to see The Wiz at 7 p.m. and didn't have time to wait for another order, which I also informed her. I asked if the salad could be removed from the bill since it was essentially untouched. The server checked with the owner, who refused to remove the $30 salad or offer any kind of discount. When a restaurant changes a dish but keeps the same name, it creates a reasonable expectation for returning customers. When that expectation isn't met, basic customer service should step in. What makes this even more frustrating is that the restaurant was willing to prepare an entirely new dish, but not willing to remove the uneaten one from the bill. That simply isn't logical. If you're prepared to replace an item, it clearly acknowledges there was an issue, so refusing to comp or adjust the original charge is unreasonable. That decision was extremely disappointing. I, in-turn made the decision to eat only the additional grilled chicken on top, leaving the rest of the salad, paying the full bill and promptly getting out of there so we could be on time for our show. The only positive part of the experience was our server, who handled the situation with professionalism and kindness. Sadly, the new menu leaves much to be desired and this experience has cost Peanut Park my business and my referrals going forward.

    Photos
    Peanut Park Trattoria
    Peanut Park Trattoria - Tender piping-hot light crispy calamari fritti, with deep lightly-spiced tomato pomodoro and bright golden Calabrian aioli

    Tender piping-hot light crispy calamari fritti, with deep lightly-spiced tomato pomodoro and bright golden Calabrian aioli

    Peanut Park Trattoria - Outside

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    Outside

    Ciccio Mio - Black Truffle Bucatini

    Ciccio Mio

    4.7(634 reviews)
    3.4 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$$

    Truly one of the most enjoyable Italian food experiences in Chicago. It's worth the effort to plan…read moreahead and make a reservation. Reservations are released 21 days ahead of time, which I personally find impossible to make. Every time I've checked over the last several years there have been no availability. Yesterday I decided to pop on their website again and was delighted to find that they had released same day dinner reservations for patio only dining. The weather was perfect for outdoor dining so I went ahead and booked a table for Friday night. I felt like I won the dinner lottery. Service was wonderful and I didn't mind sitting outside at all next to the road with cars. I actually never stepped foot in the restaurant so cannot comment on what it's like inside. But do not give up that patio dining reservation if it's available. All of our dishes were delicious. I was really impressed by the meatball appetizers, chicken vesuvio (the potatoes are a must get as a side if you skip this dish), and branzino. The meats and sauces were wonderfully balanced and tender. Nothing tasted overly salted. Ironically, the pasta felt less of a star compared to the other dishes. And of course I had to get the gelato, which was so aesthetically presented and the taste just reminded me of an Italian summer vacation.

    They stick people on their front coffee table as their dining location and act like it is normal…read more There needs to be a discount to eat at this table. Removed the "restaurant surcharge" after I asked.

    Photos
    Ciccio Mio - Espresso machine

    Espresso machine

    Ciccio Mio - Lasagna Bolognese

    Lasagna Bolognese

    Ciccio Mio - Toasted Almond Gelato

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    Toasted Almond Gelato

    Tuscany - Taylor - Raviolacci Toscani

    Tuscany - Taylor

    4.0(528 reviews)
    4.5 miUniversity Village
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    We dined here on a Sunday before a hockey game and all four of us really enjoyed it. The ambiance…read morewas nice, a great casual vibe, but the service was superior, elevated beyond casual. The server was attentive and in tune with our table. The courses were properly paced and the food was delicious. We ordered the chicken parm, short rib ravioli, oreccheite salsiccia and salmon, with a starter of Caesar salad and meatballs. Everything was perfect. I know many places offer Caesar salads but this one was superb, perfectly dressed with light croutons and tasty dressing. We will definitely go back!

    Such an amazing restaurant, I can't recommend enough. We came for dinner so the place was packed…read morewith people. The inside of the restaurant felt like a classic Italian restaurant you might find in Italy. Our waiter was super nice and gave some great wine recommendations. First, they bring you some bread and give you a small platter mixed with olive oil, fresh garlic, and Parmesan. This is the first time I've seen it done this way but it was delicious. The calamari was delicious, not too fried and oily but still had so much flavor to it. We also decided to order the peperoni pizza, which is just a magnificent pizza. It was just cooked perfectly with just the right amount of flavor and spice. I ordered the raviolacci toscani, which took a bit of time to come out (but understandable given the amount of people). It was just delicious. The meat filling had such a deep flavor and the sauce wasn't so heavy that I didn't want to finish it. I would recommend this to anyone that wants a good Italian meal with great portions. Reservations might be hard to get so plan ahead.

    Photos
    Tuscany - Taylor - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Tuscany - Taylor - Insalata Pera

    Insalata Pera

    Tuscany - Taylor - Sausage Potato and Vegetable Soup

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    Sausage Potato and Vegetable Soup

    Alla Vita - Inside

    Alla Vita

    4.4(821 reviews)
    3.5 miWest Loop, Near West Side
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    DoorDashed and got the kale Caesar and rigatoni, and both totally hit the spot…read more The kale Caesar was divine. Red onions, toasted breadcrumbs, Parmesan all tied together with the lovely dressing. Great textures, flavors, every bite was delish. The rigatoni is good too. The Calabrian chilies give it that subtle kick that makes it. Could've used a touch more flavor overall but that might just be a personal preference thing. Solid delivery experience, would order again.

    Alla Vita: A Masterclass in West Loop Elegance…read more If you are looking for a spot that perfectly balances "industrial chic" with "grandma's Sunday kitchen," **Alla Vita** is hitting all the right notes. Located at 564 W Randolph, it's a sprawling, airy space that manages to feel intimate despite its scale. Here is the breakdown of the heavy hitters from the menu: **The Truffle Mushroom Pizza** This isn't your standard wood-fired pie. The crust strikes that elusive balance between a pillowy interior and a crisp, charred exterior. The earthiness of the mushrooms is front and center, but it's the truffle that ties it together without being overpowering. It's rich, aromatic, and deeply savory--the kind of pizza that makes you forget about pepperoni entirely. **The Ricotta Dumplings** These are, quite frankly, little clouds of heaven. While many places struggle with leaden gnocchi, Alla Vita's ricotta dumplings are impossibly light. They have a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that acts as a perfect canvas for the sauce. Every bite feels indulgent yet airy; it is easily the "must-order" dish of the night. **The Tiramisu** To close out the meal, the Tiramisu is a sophisticated take on the classic. It isn't overly sweetened, allowing the bold espresso and creamy mascarpone to shine. It's structured but soft, providing a caffeinated, velvety finale that cleanses the palate without weighing you down. **The Verdict:** Alla Vita is more than just a "pretty" restaurant. The service is snappy, the atmosphere is electric, and the food--specifically the pasta program--is top-tier. Whether you're there for a celebratory dinner or a high-energy weeknight meal, it's a West Loop essential. **Pro Tip:** The restaurant fills up fast, so snag a reservation well in advance, especially if you're eyeing a weekend table.

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    Alla Vita - Kale Caesar

    Kale Caesar

    Alla Vita - APEROL SPRITZ

    APEROL SPRITZ

    Alla Vita - The strawberry gelato was delicious!!

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    The strawberry gelato was delicious!!

    Sal's Trattoria - italian - Updated May 2026

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