Ignotz Ristorante
2421 S Oakley Ave
(at 24th St)
Chicago, IL 60608 (773) 579-0300
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
14 reviews
Neighborhood: The Loop
"Atmosphere: Theatrical Price: Lunch expensive Bathrooms: Very Clean Food: Excellent We went here for lunch after a meeting in the area! No…" read more »
20 Reviews for Ignotz Ristorante
I was all set to write a review about a pizza place until I came on here and saw that this was a nice sit down Italian restaurant. I'm sad to say, I have no clue about the ambiance, decor or service of Ignotz. We ordered take out from here last night and all I know is that my boyfriend came back with one of the best tasting thin crust pizzas that I've ever eaten.
The crust was chewy throughout with a hard crunchy crust and the sauce was a delicious slightly sweet basil oregano blend. The best part was that the cheese to sauce to toppings to grease ratio was perfect. As someone who finds almost all thin crust pizza to be so so at best, (I overwhelmingly prefer a thicker crust) I was eager to clean my plate. I'm definitely coming back to try the entrees!
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I dont eat italian often, but when i think of italian food, I sort of picture the food here. I like how the door is down a "secret" alley and i like the little touches they do, with the garlic butter and the cherries at the end of the meal. I think it's slightly better then most Italian places I've been to- but then again it's not saying much.
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Loved the atmosphere - just simple, 1940's...no fuss, no protocol.
The bulb of garlic served with the bread was absolutely the highlight.
Our entrees were solid, tasty...not super memorable, but overall, I'd go back.
The street itself is worth checking out with its 5 old school Italian restaurants and a funeral home.
Yum! I went here for lunch today and thought it was delicious! The price I paid for lunch is more than I would normally spend. I ordered the Joannie Rigatoni with tomato sauce and GIANT scallops (4 of them!). It was $13.95 and came with a soup - a pretty good deal since the portion was quite hearty.
My coworkers order the seafood caesar salad which looked amazing. I'm going to have to have that next time but it was cold in the restaurant and I wanted something warm to eat.
I'd definitely go back!
I come here quite often as it is close to my office, and I gotta say they do Italian right. Its by far the best on the block of old school Italian restaurants. The service is friendly, as the owner is always at the bar and greets everyone- really nice guy. They have daily lunch specials that include soup or salad for around $10 and you rarely have to wait for a table. The cream sauces are rich and the reds are very good as well. Every meal is ended with chocolate covered cherries and whipped cream. Its service and food you don't get at many places and I am happy to continue to frequent Ignotz often.
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I don't know...I like the idea of hidden gems in the city that only the most knowledgeable of Chicagoans go to, and Ignotze and Bruna's on this block are no exception. They are to me, hidden gems.
The roasted garlic was really good, and I wonder to myself why I never roast it at home and put it on my bread as a spread. Then, I wake up and realize, 'that's a lot of work', even if it means turning on the oven.
My lasagna was good, but nothing that would take me back. Gnocchi was not that great.
Ignotz and the restaurants on Oakley (in my best Southside Chicago accent) 'way down over dere' remind me of the older, uglier, and resentful brother of Taylor street, who is much younger, better looking, and gets all the chicks. Taylor went to college, got a good job, and is banging away all these chicks he's meeting out on the weekends. Oakley stays home often, but hangs out at the local pub where he occasionally brings home the drunken, semi overweight, semi-attractive girl from the neighborhood.
Hey, I'd be jealous, too.
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The roasted garlic is to die for!
Mix it with a little bit of olive oil, and spread it generously on the bread!
I can eat a whole head of garlic by myself!
Food is always good and consistent.
Gnocchi is delicious!
They always have daily specials, so the menu gets even bigger.
At our most recent visit, Roger, the owner offered our table of 5 a round of drinks, and we all went with an after dinner port. He's very friendly, and makes you feel very welcome.
The chocolate covered maraschino cherries are also a nice touch at the end of the meal.
A great little place on the South Side. The veal parm is very tasty and the portion huge. If your a believer in judging an Italian place by its sauce this place won't disappoint you. All of their wines except one are under $40 with the majority around $30. So you'll get some bang for your buck.
Not to mention they start your meal off with roasted garlic and end it with chocolate covered cherries.
Oh, I love the little hidden Italian neighborhood! And this place is the gem in it.
If you want to take someone special somewhere special, go here. It is unique, homey, romantic and the food is AWESOME.
If you want even more privacy, go on an "off" night (not the weekend). It is on my list of "places you go when you definitely don't want to run into anyone else you know".
Be really hungry, because you will be desperately seeking pants removal afterwards. Mmmm, gnocchi. Great wine, great service as well. Cute neighbohood to take a spin through on a Sunday as well.
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I went to Ignotz for the first time with a couple of friends on Saturday night and I had a great experience! The location is definitely off the beaten path, but if you want good Italian you can't get better than the Little Tuscany neighborhood. I could tell the waitress had a lot of experience as she was very accommodating. The owner was also extremely friendly and nice. He made rounds through the restaurant multiple times throughout the night to make sure everyone was happy. We started off with a nice bottle of red zinfandel and the special appetizer...spicy calamari. Both were absolutely delicious! Now, on to my entree...I ordered Chicken a la Tippi (how could I resist that name) and it was fabulous. Between the amazing roast garlic spread we had with the complimentary bread, followed by the outstanding calamari appetizer and then my fantastic chicken entree...I was stuffed by the time I left! The best part, the prices are very reasonable. Between the three of us we spent less than $30 each, and that includes the appetizer and a bottle of wine! If you want some authentic Tuscan Italian definitely make the trip to Ignotz.
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This was a enjoyable dinner, We walked down a alley right out of "Italy" and were greeted by warm and friendly faces. We started out with warm bread and roasted garlic to put on it. We ordered Lasagna and the stuffed pasta shells, and I must say it was truly delicious! We had a long wait but we could see the food was prepared with care. I do not mind waiting if its a enjoyable setting and the food is prepared right. The portions were the perfect size. With your bill you get 2 Dark chocolate covered maraschino cherries with whip cream. The best way to end a meal of this magnitude and taste.
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Wow. You feel all gangsta eating at this classy joint. I love how you have to go through the side to get in. I've been there 3 times and all three times it's been good eats. The Chicken Visuvio is great. My only complaint is the parking, but that's minor and for me the journey there is worth it. The food and atmosphere are wonderful. Go there again? With my friends or on a date.
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Pork Chops Vesuvio. PORK CHOPS VESUVIO.
This place is great, and well-priced. One of my favorite Italian spots in the city. The owner is a real card. Kind of a smart-ass, but welcoming at the same time. I was there the first week it opened way back when, and I have been going there ever since. It's a good place to bring a family, as they have family-style dinners. It's also great because there is a very casual vibe to the place, and you feel like you can actually talk, laugh, and have a good time without rubbing anyone the wrong way.
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This place is a great find in the Heart of Chicago neighborhood. We went for lunch and the prices were great and the food was exceptional! It was a couple of little touches that make me like this restaurant better than a couple of the other ones I have tried on the same block. 1. They brought out hot bread with roasted garlic on the side. and 2. They bring a chocolate covered marischino cherry with the bill. Those two extra touches really stand out in my eyes! Plus the pasta was fresh and tasty! We also tried the fried zucchini which was piping hot and was a really large portion! I can't wait to go back!
The waitress was pretty unfriendly until she took a happy pill halfway through. Besides that though, this was definitely the best Italian restaurant experience in Chicago (I've only been here for a couple years). We sat immediately at 8:30 on a Friday night. The owner was super-friendly, shaking our hands as we walked through the door. A few minutes later, he came by and asked if we had been served yet. When we said no, he offered us a free appetizer - even though we had been waiting for much less time than we would usually have at any other restaurant! The roasted garlic was a unique touch (we even learned how to make it from the owner himself)...great, small restaurant atmosphere. We loved the cheese and meat raviolis and baked mostociolli! Very well priced too, $30 for three people.
I'll definitely be back...although I really want to try the other Italian restaurants on the street as well. It'll be hard to tear myself away from Ignotz's to try the others!
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A great italian restaurant. Interesting dishes, huge servings, great service. The owner is always there, making the rounds. This place has a great feel, definitely on par with Genarro's, as one of my favorites.
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YUM! Love this place, the owner is very nice how he greets you when you come in. It is small and pretty quiet, can be romantic, or you could go w/ friends too. Took my mom here and she loved it. I like their Chicken Vesuvio a lot and the oven roasted garlic bulb they give you to spread on the bread, which I believe is warm if memory serves me correctly. The food is all made fresh, so don't complain if you don't see your entree for a while. Definitely worth the out of the way trip!
When I lived in Chicago, this was a favorite. It's cute and cozy and often less packed than other Italian restaurants on Oakley. I still crave their capellini with garlic and olive oil...
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Eccellente, Tremendo, Awesome
Ignotz is THE place for a great Italian dining experience. The Oakley Avenue corridor on the West Side of Chicago features a half a dozen or so of really good Italian eateries. Each one has their own unique style and flavor. However, the best of the bunch is definitely Ignotz. From the moment you walk in, you are treated like family. The small dining room, and even smaller bar area, are brimming with energy and Italian attitude. The wait staff is friendly, the atmosphere welcoming. The food is some of the best I ever tasted. From the appetizers to the main dishes, everything pleases the palate. All the classics are there: veal parm, chicken vesuvio, pastas, and seafood. The stuffed gnocchi is excellent. Although I never tried their pizza, there seemed to be many pies being picked up. Dress up, dress down, it really doesn't matter as long as you bring an appetite and loose fitting pants. You won't be disappointed, and you will definitely be back for more. Buon appetito!
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The food and service here is great! All the servers had smiles on their faces and were extremely friendly. I had the gnocci stuffed with ricotta cheese in a pesto sauce- which was awesome! I live near on the northwest side of the city but I will definintely be making the trip back here soon!
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