I swung by Buona Beef the other day, a casual Italian-American restaurant that's open for both lunch and dinner. Their main claim to fame? None other than their signature Original Chicago Italian Beef sub.
Buona Beef has quite the history. Joe Buonavolanto Sr and his wife Peggy started the joint back in 1981 in Berwyn, Illinois. Their last name, Buonavolanto, actually means 'Good' in Italian and also inspired the restaurant's name - Buona. Even though it's grown to 27 locations and 2 catering facilities, the original family touch is still there as the business is still managed by the Buonavolanto family.
For more about this restaurant, just visit https://buona.com
So where can you find a Buona Beef, you ask?
Mostly, you'll find them scattered across the state of Illinois. The one exception is their Schererville restaurant that's located in Indiana. Buona Beef is present in the following locations:
- Algonquin
- Berwyn
- Beverly
- Bolingbrook
- Chicago (Streeterville)
- Countryside
- Darien
- Flossmoor
- Frankfort
- Glen Ellyn
- Glendale Heights
- Harwood Heights
- Hillside
- Hoffman Estates
- Itasca
- Lakemoor
- Montgomery
- Mount Prospect
- Naperville
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- Orland Park
- Rosemount
- Schererville (Indiana)
- Skokie
- St. Charles
Alright, let's talk food
Now, it might seem obvious, but yes, Buona Beef serves a lot of beef. Their most famous dish is undoubtedly their Original Chicago Italian Beef sub - a perfected recipe of well-cooked Italian beef seasoned with spices and loaded into fresh Italian bread. Big, bold, and a total win for my taste buds.
But Buona Beef isn't just about subs. They also serve a selection of protein bowls, salads, soup, pizza, pasta, desserts, shakes, and beverages.
There's also the Buona Beef Classics menu - their collection of the most popular dishes. My personal favorite was the Buona Beef bites - traditional deep-fried rice balls made with beef and gravy.
The dessert menu is a little small, but quite delicious. I tried the chocolate chip cannoli and the fudge brownie. And oh, they serve alcohol too (trust me, I checked), which you can have at the restaurant or takeaway.
Vegetarians? They've got you covered.
Despite their name, Buona Beef has something for vegetarians too. Their menu includes a plant-based version of the signature Original Chicago Italian Beef sub - made not with beef, but Seitan. It can be prepared mild or with hot giardiniera and is quite unexpectedly delicious.
They also have a range of salads and pasta suitable for vegetarians. Just check out their website for full nutritional information.
What about our vegan friends?
Of course, there are a few vegan-friendly options in the Buona Beef menu, including the plant-based version of the Original Chicago Italian Beef sub. They also have a plant-based Italian beefless bowl on their menu which is prepared with seitan, vegan cheese, and house-made sweet peppers. Yum!
What about the little ones, you ask?
They're covered too! Buona Beef has a children's menu filled with kid-friendly smaller versions of their signature foods, like the All-Natural Buona Beef sub. Children's meals come with fries or fruit and a drink.
Opening hours?
You can catch them between 10:30am to 10:00pm. But do check in with your nearest Buona Beef restaurant for their specific timings.
Delivery?
Yes, they do offer delivery. So it's a feast right at your doorstep.
Is the food at Buona Beef healthy?
They certainly do have healthy options. You can choose 'skinny bread' for your subs which has 25% fewer calories. They also have over 15 dishes that are under 700 calories. And trust me, a Chicken and Avocado Bowl salad sounds absolutely delightful. Full nutritional information is available on their website or at your local Buona Beef restaurant.
Alcohol?
Yes, they serve alcohol. They offer a range of local and premium beers and wines.
Can I cook Buona Beef food at home?
Yes, you can! You can purchase their food directly from them or find their products in grocery stores, including Aldi. Their products include Italian gravy and sliced beef used in their Original Chicago Italian Beef Sandwiches.
Gluten-free options?
They've got gluten-free bread, but be warned that they don't have gluten-free kitchens. Thus, there's a possibility of gluten exposure. So customers with gluten sensitivities or allergies need to make their own call.
My Mixed Bag of Pros and Cons at Buona Beef
Pros:
· Spirit of family business still present even after growth
· Diversity in the menu from subs, salads to pizza and pasta
· Vegans and vegetarians also have tasty options
· Family-friendly, with options for kids too
· Great experience overall with good, filling food
Cons:
· Limited locations outside of Illinois
· Dessert menu could use some expanding
· Potential gluten exposure due to lack of dedicated gluten-free kitchen