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Chicago, IL

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Truth Chicago

3.5 (480 reviews)
Closed • 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

Order Truth Chicago Takeout or Delivery

Truth Chicago Photos

TRUTH CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Intimate
Classy
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Truth Chicago

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Reviews With Photos

Brielle B.

After leaving Level Up Coffee, my friend and I walked down the block to Truth Italian Restaurant. I've been once before inside, but this time we were seated in their insulated outdoor tent, which has much more space than the cozy indoor area with a small bar and a few tables. The food was really good, but the service started off rocky. We were seated and no one came to our table due to a mix up, so we had to find someone. Our server was sweet and apologized, but there were several issues...my sidecar didn't come out with our drinks, our food arrived with chicken instead of the shrimp we ordered, and it took a while to fix. Even after that, my drink still hadn't arrived while my friend was already getting her second. Eventually, our server disappeared, and we had to ask another staff member for help. We later found out she was new, got overwhelmed, and left mid shift, which left us without a server. A manager stepped in, apologized, took care of us, and comped our drinks, which we really appreciated. Another manager also checked in before we left. Despite the service issues, the food was great, and once I finally received my drink, it was good too. I understand that things happen, especially with new staff, and everyone we interacted with was kind and apologetic. It wasn't the smoothest experience, but based on the good food and my friend's better past visits, I'd still give Truth another chance and recommend trying it out.

Spicy Chicken Alfredo with Added Salmon
Sade J.

I will eat Truth Italian any given morning! If you're looking for real brunch packed with flavor and soul! Go here! They're also great on UberEats as well. They deliver quickly! I've had their breakfast, I've had their dinner! Always pleased with both! Yum! Favorite breakfast is the lamb chops trio, as well as the Mela French toast! Yum

Catfish Executive, Sautéed spinach,  catfish and cheesy hashbrowns
Sharon W.

Located along a busy street, parking can be a challenge at times but it's at no charge. No reservations were required but if you have a large group, it'd be best to plan ahead by contacting the restaurant. I'd recommend parking along one of the side streets and just walk. Here's my truth about Truth, I won't dine here again. A total let down and in contrast to what the proprietor has shared for her vision. Hindsight is 20/20 and I found the dining experience to be underwhelming and a sign of problems internally. My sister dined here some years ago and she had a different experience that made me want to support this business. Spoiler alert, there is very limited "Italian" fare offered and seems like a hodgepodge of whatever the cook can tackle. Nothing wrong with diversifying the menu but if you have Italian in your name, then make sure it's more than Alfredo and calamari. While the owner Peyton Willborn was on sight, she and some of her good girlfriends sat at the entrance cackling and ki-ki'ing. Nothing wrong w/that but when I brought it to the attention of one of the workers (her son), he recommended that I go over and talk to her. Dude, that's your job! If a worker has intimidation about bringing issues to the manager's attention and she won't address it, that's a huge red flag to take your money elsewhere. I make it a point to support all businesses and with this being a black, woman owned business it saddened me that no one here thinks anything is wrong #Everything's Fine Seating was quick and you use your phone to scan a QR code for the menu. They advertise an 18% gratuity and a 90 minute sitting time during peak times. Is it really an omelet if it's deconstructed w/the ingredients piled on top? There are televisions and music playing to give an idea of the ambiance. It is dimly lit and you're seated in close proximity to others. There is a bar area that supports seating too. I ordered the catfish, cheesy grits and substituted eggs for sautéed spinach. Anyone who enjoy fresh, fried fish knows that the fish should still be sizzling a little bit when your order arrives. None of my food was hot and lukewarm is an overstatement. I am among the many that dislike when your server asks you "How's your food?" When you're chewing. I let the guy know and he tried to remake my food but I didn't have time to wait and hope they get it right. I went so far as to inquire if the fish was cooked today. Because the food wasn't hot, it took away a lot of the potential to be good. All items could have benefitted from a tad more seasoning but there was no saving cold fish. I asked the couple to my right if they had dined here before. It was their first time and they stated their food wasn't hot either. The couple to my left ordered alcoholic drinks and we watched as the pseudo bartender did a search for how to make a Sidecar. It wasn't the server's fault so I did tip him. No acknowledgement or adjustment on the food. I paid the bill and when waiting to sign, watched Peyton showcase by fussing at the guy to hurry up and bus tables. When employees aren't treated well, it trickles down to the customer, and it's evident here that the level of care for employees and customers is limited. This review is from my perspective and experience and not embellished. It may garner a canned reply or stern rebuttal. Either way, I am unable to refer someone to dine here nor will I dine here in the future when in the area. Welcome to my one and done list, and that's the truth!

Strawberry French toast
Joy W.

The food was excellent and service was great! Glad I was told about this place. Arrived early on a Sunday morning and place wasn't overly crowded. Good atmosphere

Volo French Toast (Flight) Jerk Shrimp and Grits
Marcia F.

Really good brunch food. French toast gets a little soggy after a while from all of the toppings but still enjoyable. Friendly staff with a diva at the front who greeted us

Gregory J.

Food was INCREDIBLE. I had the deconstructed jerk omelette, cheese hash browns and split a french toast flight...wow. The neighborhood is still developing and the ambiance could use some work, but don't let that discourage you from an absolutely amazing brunch meal. Definitely will be here every brunch I can.

BreNae S.

I love going into a restaurant having in mind what I think I want but the menu takes me a different direction. I had my mouth ready for wings but the Philly chicken omelet and buttermilk waffle ended up winning that battle. The omelet was cooked perfectly with very well seasoned tricolor bell peppers and red onions. The chicken was seasoned very well and cooked just right. It wasn't dry or overcooked. Easy to cut into with my knife I sat inside and the atmosphere wasn't too loud or over crowded. There is an outdoor seating option that's an enclosed patio. I opted for a mimosa due to ingredients. It being available for a spiked coffee but I was very pleased with my mimosas. The waiter Kai, created some unique flavors for me. I even received a complimentary mimosa as well which was a pleasant surprise. I will be back to try other food and beverages soon

Cajun Crawfish Omelet
Gino W.

I had Truth Italian Restaurant on my restaurant list to try for several months now. As much time as I spend going to Bronzeville and Hyde Park, it should not have taken me so long to get there. Today, I went and I can't reiterate how much I kicked myself for delaying trying this restaurant. I went for breakfast and, as usual, I arrived shortly after the doors opened for business. This was so that I wouldn't have to be held hostage to the late morning/early afternoon brunch crowd. I had a seat in an otherwise empty restaurant and I was okay with that. For this visit, I had the Cajun crawfish omelet with cheesy hashbrowns. This was a welcomed switch from having chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and the longer list of items that are common staples on brunch menus. They did not hold back on the crawfish at all. I would have sauteed the bell peppers until they were more tender, but the were still good in the dish. There was enough seasoning in the omelet that the cheesy hashbrowns didn't require much salt and pepper. There was a nice balance that really made the dish a highlight. The seating area is rather dark. I believe they have a patio that is open when the temperatures warm up. However, if bright spaces are your thing, that won't be the case here. For me, the food more than made up for the dim setting. Service was perfect and I will attribute that to me having arrived before crowds, indecisive patrons, and angry patrons. I saw some other menu items that I would like to try, so that means I will make my way back to Bronzeville in a few weeks for a second round.

Lobster
Dari H.

Truth Italian is definitely a hidden gem in Chicago! The food was absolutely amazing--full of flavor and cooked to perfection. Prices were fair, and while it's kind of a hole-in-the-wall spot, it's 100% worth it. Sometimes the best places aren't the flashiest, and this is one of them. Can't wait to go back!

Maronda H.

I promise to the truth and nothing but The Truth. In my opinion overrated. This has been on the top of list since last year. There was alot of buzz around Chicago that this place was The Truth. I was happy to finally get my chance to experience the food and ambience. Warm Greeting at the door always a plus. We were immediately seated at a small table for two. Scanned the barcode to view the food and drink menu. Many food selections on the menu. I ended up ordering the traditional breakfast. Bacon, eggs shredded hash browns and toast. A glass of blueberry mimosa. My friend ordered the chicken sausage, strawberry French toast, eggs and a watermelon mimosa. The mimosa had no flavor just a basic champagne. Nice music and vibes. The spacious patio on the side was nice. The food was meh. I looked around and most people were leaving with food still on their plates. Nothing super special about the food. It's all about supporting a black owned business around The Chicagoland. I finally got my moment to come and experience.

Adele B.

One of my favorite brunch places but not consistent. I've had bee problems in the summer, food being brunt with pick up orders and once I'm positive they accidentally used gravy instead of cajun sauce for the crawfish and grits. When you catch them on a good day they're 10/10 but most of the time it 6/10.

Entree
Charlene H.

Walk in area is okay, a bit of a weird configuration. It's also dark. The best area is outside in the heated eatery. The service is good. The owner makes appearances and is friendly. They serve a large breakfast crowd on the weekend. I was last there with a group of 10 and they kept the food flowing. The main entree I ordered, steak & eggs, was good. The cheesy hash browns was a total miss. They have a new way they serve eggs. I wish they just had regular scrambled eggs. It's a consistent staple in community.

Lamb Chop Trio
Rockie D.

Interesting.....not at all what I was expecting (in a confused way). Not really sure why it's called an Italian restaurant!!! I was expecting a glamourous beautifully decorated restaurant but got the total opposite. It was a little hole in the wall. Some kind of gnats were taking over the restroom. I was disappointed. The menu was a combination of simple mixed with "why would they put these ingredients together???? I had the lamb chops on spinach instead of the eggs.... I just ate the over dressed lamb chops. They were a bit underdone just ate around it. The staff were very nice they made it more tolerable. This was an I been there done that, don't need to do it again type experience. Restaurant is located across the street from Pearl's Place.

Be careful ordering online they just give you anything sometimes. I suppose to have cheesy hashbrowns and they gave me these instead .

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

Only complaint was had to wait a while for a table and food took awhile to come but it was the weekend and place is small but has good food.

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1 year ago

Food was prompt I had the veggie omelette very tasty, drinks were great I enjoyed the spiked coffee was and the service was excellent

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Ask the Community - Truth Chicago

Is there bottomless mimosas?

No, they're BYOB now. There's also a liquor store right up the street that's walking distance -- not sure if they sell juice. I'd suggest bringing your own to the restaurant.

Does this place have long waits on Saturdays during brunch?

No there is never a long wait, they have the heated tent attached and it's HUGE and full of seats & tables.

Do they have reservations?

No they don't take reservations but the have a HUGE tent that is heated during the winter. You'll have no problem walking in and getting a seat.

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Peanut Park Trattoria - Short Rib Paparedelle

Peanut Park Trattoria

4.1(174 reviews)
3.7 mi•University Village

Delicious pizza and pizza in Little Italy area of Chicago. It is a nice looking restaurant, too…read more We went for lunch on a Sunday (to avoid the crowd and for free street parking). The restaurant is not busy at all. We were seated right away. Our server was nice and attentive. We ordered pizza and pasta. Pepperoni and Whipped Ricotta Pizza - cooked perfectly, fresh ingredients and delicious! Served hot! Short Rib Pappardelle - to die for! This is very tasty, the pasta is cooked al dente. The short rib sauce is ssosooo delicious! We sat by the bar overlooking the open kitchen. It was nice to see the chef make the pizza and make the pasta. Further area is more fine dining with wall of wine. Very classy! Street parking only. So plan ahead.

This is such a cool spot. I wouldn't have even known about it, if it weren't for a local friend…read more Where to start? We came in with a group of about 20! Normally I hate those kinds of large group dinners, but this was the perfect spot for it. The service was absolutely wonderful. I don't know how our server stayed so cool and calm with a group that size. We got a variety of things. EVERYTHING was amazing. If you have seen any of my other reviews, I always get a meatball when I'm at a place that has them. They almost never live up to my expectation. But this place has the new gold standard for a meatball. It was everything you want. It is fork tender, full of flavor, no chewy ground up bits. The pizzas were authentic and thin. With fabulous house made red sauce that wasn't too thick and overwhelming. The flavor was A+ The cocktails were so good! All made from scratch with love. The ambiance was cozy and comfortable. Perfect for a group or a date. They have a full bar, and also great seating with perfect lighting. This is a new favorite for me in the city.

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Peanut Park Trattoria
Peanut Park Trattoria - Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and Peppers

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Il Porcellino - Lasagna and chicken piccata

Il Porcellino

4.4(1.8k reviews)
4.6 mi•Near North Side
•$$

This cute Italian restaurant serves delicious food at reasonable prices! We really enjoyed our…read moredining experience here. The Limoncello Spritz was refreshing and delicious, and the spaghetti with meatballs was one of our favorites. Pro tip: Ask for some chili paste to add to the sauce if you like a little extra kick! Our waitress was wonderful--very attentive, accommodating, and helpful throughout our entire meal. Since we needed vegan and dairy-free options, she took the time to explain the menu and suggest alternatives. It seems that most of the sauces contain dairy, but the frutti di mare (seafood stew), similar to a cioppino, was an option without dairy. She even offered to add a side of pasta to make it more like a seafood pasta dish. We really appreciated her thoughtfulness and willingness to accommodate our dietary needs. To finish off the meal, we enjoyed the delicious pistachio ice cream mixed with cherry. It was a lovely way to end our dinner! Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience, with tasty food, reasonable prices, and excellent service. We highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a charming Italian spot with flavorful food and attentive service!

We absolutely loved the atmosphere here. The low lighting and music created such a great vibe, and…read moreeven though the restaurant was packed, it never felt overly loud. My wife and I really enjoyed this place during our trip to Chicago. The fresh-baked garlic bread was so good, and I loved the meatballs and Gnocchi alla Vodka. My wife really enjoyed her Rigatoni alla Vodka as well. Everything we ordered was delicious! On top of the food, the service was great, the cocktails were excellent, and they had a fantastic wine selection. There's also a beautiful bar that we didn't get a chance to sit at this time, but next time we're in Chicago, we'll definitely be grabbing seats there. Great food, great drinks, great service, and an awesome atmosphere. Definitely a place we'd come back to!

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Il Porcellino - Dining room/Bar

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Il Porcellino - Grilled Calamari

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Ciccio Mio - Black Truffle Bucatini

Ciccio Mio

4.7(673 reviews)
4.6 mi•River North, Near North Side
•$$$

We celebrated my birthday and absolutely fell in love with this place. Excellent food, wonderful…read morestaff, and an incredible interior. Incredible!

Here is the good: the food, the service, the atmosphere and the location…read moreHere is the bad: the size We stopped by this restaurant on a Friday night not knowing a reservation would be needed. We were put on standby and surprisingly, for it being Chicago on a Friday night, an hour later, we were seated in a small cove, at a window, at the front lounge of the restaurant. For dinner, we had a chicken parmigiana and rolled lasagna, both which were amazing and I would definitely recommend either dish and while we were seated in a converted dining spot, we were able to view Merchandise Mart, the passing traffic, the daredevils on the electric bikes and the people walking by, which was oddly, an interesting form of entertainment. The host was extremely friendly and understanding, our waitress (I believe her name was Katie) was extremely attentive and the food was delicious. The restaurant itself is very small, maybe 20 tables inside and 4 outside (hence the need for a reservation), but it was busy the entire time we were there. For the many amazing eateries in Chicago, this is one that I would place up against all the others but if you decide to dine here, make sure to call ahead for a reservation to guarantee being seated quicker however, if you do not do so, expect an hour wait or longer with possibly one of the most unique views in the place.

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Ciccio Mio - Espresso machine

Espresso machine

Ciccio Mio - Lasagna Bolognese

Lasagna Bolognese

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Alla Vita - Inside

Alla Vita

4.4(862 reviews)
4.3 mi•West Loop, Near West Side
•$$$

returned to this restaurant this past week for a work trip. i chose this spot for one of our team…read moredinners, and since we were a group of 9, we were told that we had to do a pre-set menu and group accommodation. the staff who worked with me to set this up via email were very helpful and communicative, which i really appreciated. i was able to choose a few options for each course of the 4-course meal, and also customize our little menu card. we did have to wait a few minutes to be sat (~15 minutes) following our reservation time for the table to be prepared, which was a bit annoying but okay. once we sat, they started bringing out the food though, and there was SO MUCH of it. i didn't expect for the sheer amount of food for 9 people, and for 4 courses, it was a LOT. we ended up with a lot leftover. the standouts for me were the chopped salad, which was a crowd please for sure, the octopus, which had a delicious and addictive garlicky creamy sauce it came with, the truffle pizza, and the tagliatelle, which was so decadent and delicious. the service was also great, our server was helpful and friendly. and of course- the restaurant is so beautifully decorated, my team was whipping out their phones to take pictures. overall, i'm super happy that my team enjoyed this dinner as well. alla vita is such a hidden gem of chicago restaurants, and being here with my team from out of state was special! shoutout to alla vita!

Lots of things happening the right way at Alla Vita. The decor was breathtaking. Low lights and…read morewarm colors set the mood for the evening. I was with a large party and our waiter, Justin, was exceptional in his service from start to finish. Attentive, patient and a joy to have service us. We had many dishes at our table that we shared family style. But my favorite dish by far was the Ricotta Dumplings. They just melt in your mouth. The Seafood Busiate was also very good as well as The Roasted Octopus. The Mora Mora was a refreshing non-alcoholic drink. The cherry on top was the special birthday menu for one of our guests. I could really scream from the mountain tops for days about Alla Vita. My experience was just that good. I can't wait to go back.

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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!!

Viaggio Restaurant Chicago - Spaghetti Marinara with meatball

Viaggio Restaurant Chicago

4.4(949 reviews)
4.2 mi•West Loop, Near West Side
•$$$

Cavatelli (8/10): the pasta is delicious. Tasted very fresh and al dente. Sauce was decent…read morePenne Bolognese (7.5/10): the pasta in this one was okay. Sauce was very rich and delicious If they could combine the cavatelli and the Bolognese sauce into one dish, it would probably taste insane. Service was kind of weird. The staff didn't pay much attention to us for ordering, but they were very quick to take plates away. Not the best experience, but nothing egregious

Went to Viaggio's for a girls dinner with some friends, and we tried an array of different dishes…read more I ordered the mussels and lasagna, and OMG!! the lasagna was AMAZING. It was a huge, thick portion, super flavorful, fresh, and served hot. The mussels were also really good, especially with the bread. Honestly, all of the portions were a really nice size. The restaurant has a cute, authentic Italian ambiance, and there was live music while we were there. The service was great...our server was friendly, attentive, and gave us good recommendations. We originally came because my friend raved about the chocolate cake, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I also tried the fudge cake they brought out for our celebration, and that was really good too. Writing this review is actually making me want to go back right now. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and delicious. I would absolutely come back!

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Viaggio Restaurant Chicago - Restaurant

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Viaggio Restaurant Chicago - Meatballs

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Truth Chicago - italian - Updated October 2026

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