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Ambrogio Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
6706 W Belmont Ave(between Normandy Ave & Rutherford Ave)
Chicago, IL 60634
Neighborhood: Montclare
(773) 736-6131
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 4 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 4 pm - 12:30 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Ambrogio Restaurant
15 reviews in English
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Review from Krystal H.
Chicago, IL
1/19/2012
One of the best restaurants in the area. I've actually lived right around the corner my whole life but never went there for years. When we finally tried it we were sad that we'd been missing it!
Yes, the ambiance is a little lacking, but what they didn't spend on the decor they poured into their food. The portions are gigantic and top notch quality. They have all the traditional Italian pastas plus lots of heartier items that you might not expect. The vesuvio is to die for! Try the "patties".
We've always had excellent service. The staff is warm and friendly. When we are really lazy we order delivery. We even had a party catered and they were very accomodating. -
Review from Lisa S.
Chicago, IL
5/11/2012
Have ordered from here 3 times. All three times the delivery person had to call my house to find out where we lived. The person answering the phone, should not answer the phone. They do not listen when you speak. Every time we ordered I have spelled out our street name and they still write the incorrect street.
Most recently I ordered a burger from there that was delivered raw in the middle. The pizza that was ordered at the same time was fairly under done.
Definitely not ordering from here again. We have already thrown away there menu. -
Review from J. Chuck K.
Chicago, IL
2/24/2012
This review is pretty simple: the food is amazing (especially the double dough pizza), but the inside leaves a lot to be desired. This is not a place you bring someone on a first date.
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Review from Jessie B.
Chicago, IL
2/29/2008
Turns out that my Grandma has been coming here for years. Never knew that! But went here on Tuesday night for my Dad's 45th Birthday dinner. It was glorious!
I've been here a few times before with my parents on Sunday night dinner get togethers, it is usually really crowded with regular customers, young couples, and the few and far between. However, Tuesday night our party of 14 were the only ones in the place! Couldn't believe it!
Our server Diana, who was also the bartender, the busser, and the comedian. She was great. Took care of us. Anyway the food! Oh the food. Don't come here on a even semi-filled stomach. Cause you'll be hurting. This place has so much to offer. My favorite is their house made Gnocchi. So great. Sometimes I usually get their Spicy Spaghetti Sauce. We had everything from: Spinach Cakes, Chicken Marsala, T-Bone Steak, Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan...everything was so good. Most of these entrees are enough for two!
I love this place. And I know if you stop by here too you will too!Listed in: Places with the P's.
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Review from Johnny T.
Minooka, IL
6/23/2010
I was very curious to seek this place out after reading the reviews. You're greeted by 2 "back alley" doors when to enter, which made me feel like I was going in the wrong door.
The inside, holy crap!, you'd be hard pressed to find a place with an interior like this. It didn't even feel like a restaurant but, it felt more like my Aunt's living room in the 80's with the mirror tile walls, some cheesy Frank Sinatra signs, and with lots of old family pictures. Just have every seat and table in the place covered in plastic and decorative hand towels in the john, that you CAN'T touch at all and you are in my Aunt's old house. I'm not making fun of the ambiance but, lets just say that I got very nostalgic when I went in, which made me feel quite comfortable.
OK, enough about the inside, I ordered a small sausage thin crust ($9) to go and ended up talking to one of the waitresses (kinda southern, but not redneck, sounding) who was very nice and personable. While in the middle of talking, a few customers dined in and joined our conversation since the unique comfy atmosphere makes it easy to talk with other patrons for no apparent reason.
Pizza was pretty good. Honestly, it didn't taste any different from any other great pizza I had in the area, kinda similar to Frank's just a few blocks east.Listed in: Pizza in Galewood/Monclaire…
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Review from Kimberly W.
Chicago, IL
6/28/2007
I have been dining in this restaurant my entire life. It is my all-time favorite. I have never been disappointed with my Ambroggio experience.
It sort of blends in with the background on Belmont off of Oak Park, but you must give it a try.
The servers are very nice and service is efficient. Candles and dimmed lights create a very intimate dining experience.
And the food. Oh my Jesus the food.
It has always been a difficult decision of what to order at this restaurant. Everything on the menu is amazing. My favorites are Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan with Vesuvio potatoes, or try the Bobby's Special, more widely known as Chicken Tetrazzinni (which is even better warmed up the next day!)
And the best part is you can get fresh hot Italian bread, soup/salad, choice of potato pasta or vegetable, and an entree all for under $15.
You will probably have to undo that first belt loop and take a deep breath afterward. -
Review from Doug H.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2010
Did someone say "ambiance"? HA. If you consider ceiling tiles that are warped and covered with decades of dust around the vent, ceiling fans falling apart from the 80s, and peeling wallpaper, a view of a kitchen that looks like storage for Chicago used kitchen supply, gawd awful purple banquet room chairs sat next to a bunch of bright red booths and a staff that has been around as long as the bad fixtures "great ambiance" then I'd have to assume that the Holiday Inn is a 5 star hotel.
I ate lunch at Ambrogio the other day. There were two other tables during the hour and fifteen minutes I was there. After talking to the waitress (who showed up with more doughnuts and friends then the dive had served all day) and offering her some constructive criticism about the decor that looks like grandmas basement remodeled in 1975 for $300 she informs me that she's been there for 18 years and she thought it was great. She also stated that she didn't care about the small lunch crowd as her shift was dinner. Upon leaving I noticed that they also serve breakfast (starting at 10am). This place is stuck in the past and with the two plush restaurants that opened a few doors west I don't see them lasting very long. From the outside it looks like a dive pizzaria. From the inside it looks like hell and made me lose my appetite.
I had a double dough sausage and mushroom pizza and an MGD (one of only 3 beers available). The pizza was not bad. Pretty good in fact. Tasted like somewhat fresh ingredients. It was that "ambiance" that made it not so enjoyable. This dump is a perfect candidate for "Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares". Cause the owner clearly doesn't get it. -
Review from John B.
Chicago, IL
5/15/2010
I have to say that I really enjoy when people review a place like Ambrogio's and immediately start tearing it apart for its 'lack of ambiance' or the fact its decor isn't trendy. Let me set you straight about Ambrogio's if you haven't been here- If you want ambiance and an eclectic menu, then go downtown and pay 3 times the price and leave hungry and take some satisfaction in knowing you are hip. But, if you want a consistently good meal for a great price, then this is your place!
Lets get past the fact that it feels as if you stumbled into the bar in Goodfellas when you past through the door, and lets focus on what makes this a diamond in the rough (and I am not ripping on the Cragin/Montclaire neighborhood) - it has character... Lots of it! Not too many restaurants these days focus on making sure you leave full, but just like a loving aunt, you are almost guaranteed to be taking some food home with you.
Speaking of family, a little of small talk with the waitstaff goes a long way. Every time I have been here, the service was always first rate. I strongly suggest you ask for their recommendations. Chances are, you will be guided to something special that is probably not on the menu. Trust me, its win-win either way you order. The food is simply delicious and quite fresh tasting.
Regarding the food, I will make it very clear that if you are expecting a menu that would 'blow you away,' because its edgy or daring to be different'... Then go somewhere else. However, if you want a delicious Italian-American dinner that will keep you enjoying every bite, then you will feel at home at Ambrogio's.
This is truly one of those special places where you could order just about anything on (or off) the menu and not be disappointed. I have enjoyed most of the items on (and off) the menu over the past few years, and I have never been let down or left hungry. Again, like family, the portions are huge and its the simplicity of Ambrogio's as a whole, that adds to the charm factor. -
Review from Christina G.
Chicago, IL
9/12/2008
Geeze everyone is so nice at Ambrogio! And you can't beat the ambience.
Though the restaurant is friendly and casual, it's also elegant enough (without being intimidating) to be a good choice for a date night or special family dinner or occasion.
The soft lighting, nicely set tables and serene atmosphere make this a pleasant place to linger over drinks & dinner and maybe some coffee & dessert if you have room!. Portions are large, and every dish I've tried has been freshly prepared, and made with fresh whole ingredients. Everything tastes beautifully homemade and hand prepared in the best possible sense, I always feel as if I've just eaten a delicious meal crafted by a much loved aunt.
With that said - I sometimes feel that flavors here are slanted towards maybe an older palette and a low salt diet.. or something? I can't exactly put my finger on it. For me - many dishes that sound amazing on the menu and look & smell amazing on the plate have ended up being a bit bland and under seasoned. Most frustrating.
Anyway - this is a case where a little salt & pepper enhancement from the shakers on the table may be all that's needed, use your discretion.
Ambrogio also delivers - and their delivered dining has also been excellent. Great service, prompt delivery and the same fresh meals and hearty portions that you get in the restaurant.
4 stars instead of 5 only because there are other places in the area (that have been here just as long or longer) that are doing more flavorful and tasty versions of these same authentic dishes. -
Review from Al B.
Park Ridge, IL
8/8/2010
I have been going to this restaurant for over 20 years. Had my rehearsal dinner there. The original owners were really original. The grandma used to come out and greet you. My mother, who was the pickiest person when it came to eating out, swore by the place.
Sausage and peppers, spinach patties,vesuvio potatoes and chicken picatta to die for.
The only knock on the place, other than the decor, was it didn't take credit cards.
Some time ago, the place sold to a new owner. I was really worried. As it turns out the cook bought it. So, the food quality and authenticity hasn't changed one iota.
The place now takes Credit cards!!!!
I'm ultra picky when it comes to Italian food. Nothing is as good as my grandma's pasta sauce. This IS the closest I have evr found.
Look past the cheezy tables and older cieling tiles. It's the food you come for. Dominoes pizza places are clean and bright and new. But the pizza SUCKS. -
Review from William Q.
Chicago, IL
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
My wife placed an order by phone for pick up after I read good reviews and compliments in Google and Yelp. It was probably the time (late night), but when I got there the pizzas were not ready. I have to wait about 20/25 more minutes and when I got my order it wasn't complete! The dependant told me the person took the order didn't took it correctly, obviously! He was sincerely apologetic about the situation, and offer to get me the other pizza ready in 7 minutes. Due to the fact I can not get home without the other pizza (my kids would not forgive me!), I decide to wait for it. In addition he told me he would discount $8 of the total bill. This restaurant is supposed to be "Italian Restaurant", according with the reviews and the food category in which is located. Further than pizza, I was not able to see anything else. I asked for an Italian beer anf the owner told me they do not sell those beers just MGD, Budweiser and Heineken, I preferred to pass. Those 7 minutes has been the longest of my life because it turns on about 25/30 more minutes. By the time I got home two of my kids were already sleeping and I paid $38 for two pizzas (1 large pepperoni, 1 medium combination). Certainly, it is under new administration because I saw a picture of the original owner an his wife, and the person who identified as the owner it wasn't Italian. I doubt he have some kind of idea of Italian food more than pizza. In summary, not recommended.
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Review from Jennifer G.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2008
I have been coming here for years, and I pray they never go out of business. If you love family owned, family spirited restaurants where you always get attentive and courteous service, this is the place for you. I am Sicilian, and know phony Italian food when I see it, which is why I love Ambrogios so much! You will not see fancy menu items, just real honest to God Italian food at great prices and HUGE portions. My husband and I go there and get an appetizer, enjoy the fresh bread and soup/salad and then split and entree and I swear, we still have enough for two more meals to take home with us. Everything on the menu is amazing, and you can sit and enjoy your meal at your own pace. I have never been rushed and have even had free new recipes brought to my table so I could 'taste'.
The interior is fairly ugly...it's definitely old-school and in need of some renovation, but who cares? You go for the food right? Well, we Italians do anyway. :-) I've brought plenty of people to this restaurant and they are all hooked. Love it love it love it! -
Review from kelly h.
Chicago, IL
3/14/2010
You'll really enjoy the Food, the Service and the Savings!
Ambrogio Restaurant does have a vintage decor - but I like that old Italian restaurant feeling you get upon entering. The old booths are spacious, un-like some restaurants where you have to try and squeeze into the booths. The salads are delicious! The staff is always friendly - Ask for Elana, she's great! I love the liver & bacon w/onions. My family loves their pizza's and we've been coming here for over a dozen years.
When my customers want a referral for a nice place to eat locally and enjoy a drink with their dinner, Ambrogio is my recommendation. If you're looking for ambiance - go downtown and empty your wallet and have the staff rush you out so they can fill their station again, but if you're looking for homemade cooking and generous portions that won't break the budget give Ambrogio a try. It's nice to enjoy a meal and not feel rushed by the staff to leave. You can also carry-out. We just carried out two pizzas (Spinach & Sausage - Yum) and we'll be back very soon!
klm -
Review from Jason N.
6/21/2010
Let me first start off by saying that I hate giving 1 star reviews, but for this place I can't even fathom a 2 star because it was that bad. Ordered here the other night, wanting to try something in the hood that was different. I had heard this place was pretty good from a couple of people. But on this night it simply wasn't the case. Called in a delivery, they didn't pick up the phone until the 3rd time I called, already off to a bad start. Ordered the chicken vesuvio and a minestrone soup. First off they said 35 minutes to deliver and it took an hour, yet they're only a half a mile away and I'm starving at this point. When it finally arrives, the only positive I can say is that the food was piping hot. But unfortunately it was all downhill from there. Opened the soup and it begged the question "would you like some broth with your veggies?". It didn't taste bad, but was more of a vegetable medley than a cup of minestrone. And then comes the vesuvio, BLAH!!!!! The skin had no color and a gummy texture, and the chicken was hard, dry, and bland. Saying this was barely edible might be putting it nicely.And the potatoes were undercooked, dry, and hard. The only reason I actually managed to eat a decent portion of it was due to extreme hunger.I had high hopes for this dump, I really did. But for Italian fare in this neighborhood there are far better options, so it's safe to say those two words I don't really like to use, never again!
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Review from Mary S.
Chandler, AZ
2/7/2010
I've lived in Arizona since 1996, but I still long for Ambrogio's on a regular basis! Wonderful food, friendly staff, and some of the best pizza ever. I try to get there whenever I'm in town, even though I usually stay in Tinley Park. This place is worth the trip!!
