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Buona Beef
Category: Restaurants Sandwiches Sandwiches [Edit]
6745 Roosevelt Rd(between Euclid Ave & Oak Park Ave)
Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 749-2555
- Nearest Transit:
-
Oak Park-blue (Blue Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10:30 am - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 10:30 am - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Buona Beef
Review Highlights
30 reviews in English
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Review from Carrie S.
2/22/2012
I wish they had this place in California!!
First, they have a list on their websites of everything they sell that contains wheat, along with other allergens. Very handy!!
Granted, there isn't much that doesn't have wheat. But, they have fantastic salad options and dressings that are gluten free, and I was a very happy camper. It tasted great! The staff was also very helpful in telling me which soups may work (they had nothing gluten free that particular day) and they knew which dressings would work. I was impressed. -
Review from Cristina T.
Riverside, IL
4/22/2012
Although I have sometimes experienced service that was unfriendly and/or weird, the food here is amazing. I am a fan of the buffalo chicken salad and order it every single time I come here. I even got my Italian beef loving boyfriend to start ordering it too. Its huge, loaded with deliciousness, spicy and reasonably priced. The parmesan chips are also really good as is the beef(obviously).
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Review from Jacob G.
Chicago, IL
4/20/2012
The Italian beef and Italian sausage at Buona Beef are among the best in the Chicagoland area. I've been going to this location for the last twenty years and it's just as good now as it was back then. If you're ever in the suburbs one day, check this place out.
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Review from Lisa C.
Riverside, IL
12/14/2011
Very sad. Moved back to this area and was dying for a beef sandwich. My son picked up order and it had tiny pieces of cheese, not at all an added topping that I was charged for. Enough to want me to find a new place for beef sandwiches and I was loyal to them for years. Even had them cater a Christening.
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Review from Russ S.
Oak Park, IL
5/9/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Quality fast food at this original store in the chain. I especially like the Tuscan harvest salad. My son and others love the beef sandwiches.
Food is a definite step up from Panera. Parking is sometimes tight. -
Review from Kevin C.
Bluffton, SC
6/17/2011
Without a doubt, the best beef out there. I grew up on the south side of Berwyn eating Novi's - which is good but pales in comparison to Buona. My first taste at the Roosevelt Rd. location and I was hooked. I'm sure I fought with my mom, who grew up in Villa Park eating at the original Portillo's, a hundred times and she never swayed me. My wife and I served this for one of our pre-wedding functions, and her family (from Maryland) is now hooked. My wife sent me a shipment for my birthday while I was deployed and guys from my squadron still ask about it.
The beef is tender with a nice kick of spices. Turano bread can't be beat. The peppers alone are worth the price of admission. And there is no difference in quality from when they had the one small shop in Berwyn to all of there locations throughout Chicagoland. -
Review from john I.
Chicago, IL
4/26/2011
ok i have to say this review should have been the first one I did for yelp. I have been going to this joint or one of them since about when they opened in the 80's at the original location. I have to admit if you would have reviewed it back then it would have been 10 stars but I digress.
Over the years... I have become a true lover of Buona... Many would argue that others were better. But being from cicero originally it was like fightin words to me. I savors combo and a half's sweet, no end and dry..... Love it love the flavor and the sweet peppers! ACK! wait they change the peppers, their new "chef" as I was told... decided to change the PEPPERS! Sacriligious I SAY!..
One night I bought a bag to go three sandwiches with sweet( or I thought were sweet) on two. and I have this aroma I am not familiar with..... Needless to say..... I have stopped going there. There beef is delicous. the peppers in my eyes were ruined. My opinion I know. But HEY it is my review. I actually wrote to them and they said they would consider it in the future to bring them back. well I have to admit....I now buy from their competitor. would rather not. but i get the peppers I want and love.
Sorry Guys I love you all but i need the right peppers
If you are looking for traditional styled peppers this isnt the place. -
Review from Mathew O.
Chicago, IL
9/10/2010
Italian beef, excellent, but as others have commented it is right up there with Johnny's on North Ave.
But Buona is so much more. Their menu is extensive.
I have never had a bad experience here in the long years I have been a regular.
Their Panini Arrosto with artichokes, spinach, goat cheese and eggplant is one of the best sandwiches I've had in my life.
But by far what keeps me coming back is the house salad, I know that sounds a little ridiculous, but they have the best house in my opinion. It must be the dressing.
Other winners on the menu, spinach tortellini soup, and buffalo chicken sandwich and Italiano sandwich. The only thing I have not really cared for was their broccolli cheddar. For that one Panera reigns supreme.
I am in fact, one that favors the remodeling of the original Buona in Berwyn. It has a great atmosphere now updated and airy, without feeling too corporate or chain like.
Good Job Buona. -
Review from Edward B.
4/22/2011
I ate here a few times as a college student in the 80's. I decided to try it again since a buddy at work said this is his favorite beef place. Wow, was he right. I'm a big fan of Novi's in Berwyn and Pop's (mine is in Lyons) beefs, I consider them both about equal and way better than others I've had. But Buona blew my socks off today. Really spectacular beef and good, crispy fries. The giardinera is a too spicy for my preference, but the beef and gravy and bread (it must be Turano from down the street) make up for that. Truly excellent beef, nice atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff. Now I'll have to visit Novi's and Pop's again to try to figure out my favorite :)
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Review from James L.
Pflugerville, TX
1/11/2009
Not sure what it is about this place that so many find so star worthy. I've eaten here twice visiting relatives just up the street. The patron of the house raves about it in a way that makes you reluctant to openly disagree. He's a little "off" anyway so I thought, in a way, he's a kind of reverse barometer and that I was getting a solid read on this place. Apparently I am missing something that the rest of you folks find appealing.
Oh well. If Italian Beef falls to someone else's plate in the Windy City and I wasn't there to eat lunch am I really missing something? That's to say, if I don't eat there again in my mortal existence I won't feel regrets. -
Review from Kara H.
Chicago, IL
5/10/2007
I'm going to have to disagree with Chris B. Buona is the best beef in the city!
I'm a Berwyn native and I travel back for buona. it's that good. -
Review from Shanti N.
Chesterfield, MO
12/20/2010
This review is for the catering portion of Buona. Maybe I am off in my assessment, but after going through a second work potluck (twice in as many years) from this place, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Huge disclaimer: I am not a fan of "beefs", as it were. The rolls I found were very bland, and the salad was an odd mishmash of items. There was also a pasta dish --gnocchi, I believe (ho-hum) and a chicken parmesan on offer. Having shelled out $10 as my contribution to this fare, I can't avoid feeling gypped. The flavor is overall very bland and the quality of the ingredients also seems to be unexceptional. I am hoping this place was at least economical, for the quantity of food that was received.
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Review from Jennifer Q.
Chicago, IL
10/24/2010
Buona is one of the few healthy options near my work. How, you ask? Their delicious salads!! My favorite is the Blueberry Verde with a salmon fillet. Mixed, dark greens, blueberries, a little goat cheese, raspberry dressing and some nuts strewn about. -And, of course, the tender salmon, cooked to perfection. I have also ordered Buona's party packages in the past which are also a fantastic, economical option for a party! Buona is a Chicago staple and I'm glad there is one located just west of where I work! MMMMM, thanks Buona for giving me a delicious lunch choice I can feel good about!
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Review from Mike A.
IL
8/25/2008
Authentic Chicago Italian Beef even for a chain. I love this place.
Seeting can be limited at times.
Fast order taking.
I love the beef and sausage combo - very tasty. -
Review from Christopher B.
Huntington Beach, CA
10/6/2010
Buona Beef has always been one of my favorite places for a beef sub. The have solid service, a good menu, excellent subs, and decent prices!
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Review from Tina C.
Oak Park, IL
11/2/2009
Truly the only beef sandwich I will eat. You can order them many ways. But the way I like em is dry and hot. The smell of these wonderfull beef sandwiches are just intoxicating. But, they also have really good sub sandwiches and salads. I LOVE the buffalo ranch salad. The chicken is served warm tossed in a buffalo sauce which is spicy, but not too spicy. And it comes with ranch dressing, black beans, tortilla strips, corn, and chopped lettuce. YUM. Every mouthfull is pure happiness. Some locations serve wine and beer, but only half bottles. So I would recomend sharing one, cause a half bottle will get you tipsy enough to NOT get in your car :) All locations are wonderfull, but this particular one is the one that started the big chain that it is now.
Listed in: Cheapa eata's!
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Review from Angela U.
Chicago, IL
3/20/2009
They are reopened and the food is great. I had the Mozzarella Prosciutto Panini, and it was excellent.
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Review from Peter M.
12/20/2007
Best beef anywhere!! I've eaten here since they opened in the early 80's and will sometimes drive from my house over 10 miles when I'm craving a Buona Beef. I know that people like Portillo's but that's too greasy for me especially with their giardiniera.
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Review from Richard D.
Chicago, IL
7/15/2005
A Chicago classic. The italian beef is the best! You will see them at the Taste of Chicago as well. Enjoy!
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Review from Wendy L.
Chicago, IL
11/20/2007
Buona rocks! Their italian sausage is great too. This is a family favorite. We get their carryout a lot. The thing to do is to get the bread par-baked and then put it in the oven yourself. It keeps fresh longer and then it's nice and hot when you make the sandwiches. I never find it greasy, I think that's just the juice. If you want it less messy, tell them you want it "dry".
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Review from Ray N.
4/15/2009
It's the one that started them all. And until their remodel (which should be finished within weeks), it was a typical walk-in-and-wait sort of restaurant, a la Lucky Dog. Their Beefs are good, but I think Lucky Dog's offer a bit more for the price to be quite honest. Especillally if you want fries with them. Don't get me wrong - Buona is one of the few things Berwyn can pride itself on, but they're not quite as great as they're made out to be.
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Review from Terese S.
3/10/2010
This is a brand new store that was built last year. We love it. It is very kid friendly - including discounted kids' meals M-W. They have a variety of sandwiches, salads and ribs too. Very yummy and a great value. The staff is courteous and nice and mangement too.
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Review from Ren H.
Chicago, IL
10/13/2005 1 photo
I had never had an Italian beef before and tried one here.. I must say I was pleasantly surprised! It was a little greasy but I think thats the beef in general! I would recommend this place for anyone who may be weary of trying beef!
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Review from Jessica M.
Rockport, MA
1/5/2008
My husband, a Chicago native, was insistent that we go to Buona Beef last time we were in the city. He neglected to warn me, a picky New Englander who doesn't like sloppy food (yes I blot my pizza, why do you ask?), about the dipping of the sandwich. Now I know to order my sandwich dry. It was very tasty, despite my neurotic eating style. The giardiniera was fab, too!
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Review from Johnny T.
Minooka, IL
4/20/2008
Also a Berwyn native, you couldn't say beef without the word Buona next to it since the owners, at the time, were from the area. It was simply the place to go for beef that was seasoned just right and you never even thought of Portillo's back then. Now, as they've expanded to other areas, they have also somewhat changed a little. Its a little pricer now as to before (about $7 for beef and fries now when it used to be $5) and selling beef by the pound for $8.99 is rather outrageous but, its still as good as before.
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Review from Chris B.
Western Springs, IL
8/8/2005
They have good beef, not the best in Chicago, but good. You can find them all around the suburbs now (it was different a few years ago). I always thought they were alittle on the expensive side too.
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Review from Aric C.
Chicago, IL
12/11/2009
When it comes to Italian beef there are few better. I've eaten here a few times and really enjoy it every time. I really like the option of picking the size of the sandwich to meet my hunger's needs.
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Review from Ken J.
Elk Grove Village, IL
6/18/2011
We used Buona Beef to cater an employee's work anniversary for our business. Service was on time and friendly. The food was great. We got a standard package with Chicken Caccitore, Gnochi in vodka sauce, Buona Italian beef and Tuscan Harvest salad. Our employees loved it. We got many compliments. Thank you Buona!
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Review from Yo U.
San Jose, CA
10/28/2010
The renovated space at Buona on Roosevelt is great and the hardworking young woman on the cash register the night that I visited was as gracious as she was diligent. This place is a winner, even if I have had slightly better beefs elsewhere.
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Review from Bobby D.
Chicago, IL
10/7/2010
Not a bad place for Italian Beefs at all. This place is great!!!!.
