Buona is a family-run Chicago-style restaurant that specializes in Italian beef. Its menu consists of a wide range of products including classics such as burgers, hotdogs, pizza, and even barbeque.
The Italian touch mixed with Chicago’s finest recipes will give your taste buds a real treat. This is certainly the best place to get beef in Chicago.
| Item | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BUONA at Home - By-The-Pound and Family Packs | ||
| Items are available on demand at all times at any of our restaurant locations or by ordering by 2:00 p.m. the day before | ||
| 1 Lb Buona Beef and 1 Qt Gravy | makes approx. five 5 sandwiches | $9.50 |
| 5 Lbs Buona Beef and 1 Gal Gravy | makes approx. twenty-five 5 sandwiches | $46.50 |
| 1 Lb Italian Sausage | four pieces | $5.95 |
| 1 Lb Meatballs Marinara | eight pieces | $6.95 |
| 1 Loaf Fresh Italian Bread | makes seven 5 sandwiches | $2.95 |
| Basket of 5 Inch Fresh Baked French Rolls | $9.95 - $15.95 | |
| 1 Pt Sweet Bell Peppers | $2.99 | |
| 1 Pt Hot Giardiniera | $3.99 | |
| Original Beef Family Pack | 1 lb buona beef with gravy, 1 loaf of Italian bread, 1/2 pt. of sweet peppers or hot giardiniera | $13.95 |
| Beef and Sausage Family Pack | 1 lb beef with gravy, 1 lb. sausage, 2 loaves of Italian bread, 1/2 pt. of sweet peppers or hot giardiniera | $21.95 |
| Disposable Tableware 10 Settings | plates, forks, knives and napkins | $3.00 |
| Warming Kits | including pan rack, canned heat and pads | $6.00 |
| BUONA at Home - Salad Bowls | ||
| Items are available on demand at all times at any of our restaurant locations or by ordering by 2:00 p.m. the day before | ||
| Nonnas Potato Salad, Classic Caesar, Pasta Salad and Old Neighborhood House | $18.00 - $33.00 | |
| Blueberry Verde, Buona Chopped Salad and Tuscan Harvest | $22.00 - $37.00 | |
| Blueberry Verde, Buona Chopped Salad and Tuscan Harvest with Chicken to Any Salad | $28.00 - $46.00 | |
| BUONA at Home - Party Packs | ||
| Items are available on demand at all times at any of our restaurant locations or by ordering by 2:00 p.m. the day before | ||
| Beef and Sausage for 10 | buona beef with gravy, Italian Sausage and peppers, Italian bread, hot giardiniera | $50.00 |
| Beef and Sausage for 20 | buona beef with gravy, Italian Sausage and peppers, Italian bread, hot giardiniera | $90.00 |
| Beef and Chicken for 10 | buona beef with gravy, chicken - lemon or parmesan, Italian bread, sweet peppers, hot giardiniera | $59.00 |
| Beef and Chicken for 20 | buona beef with gravy, chicken - lemon or parmesan, Italian bread, sweet peppers, hot giardiniera | $96.00 |
| Beef and Mostaccioli for 10 | buona beef with gravy, mostaccioli marinara, Italian bread, sweet peppers, hot giardiniera | $50.00 |
| Beef and Mostaccioli for 20 | buona beef with gravy, mostaccioli marinara, Italian bread, sweet peppers, hot giardiniera | $83.00 |
| Buona Beef For 25 | 5 lbs. beef with gravy, 4 loaves of Italian bread, sweet peppers and hot giardiniera | $63.00 |
| Italian Sandwiches - Buona Classics | ||
| complete your meal with a side and a drink for only $2.69 | ||
| Bouna Beef | the original family recipe - we roast our own beef so it's tender, lean, low in fat, and spiced just right with special seasonings, and serve it in its own natural gravy on just baked bread | $3.50 - $5.95 |
| Buona Charbroiled Sausage | $3.35 - $4.55 | |
| Buona Beef and Sausage Combo | the best of both worlds | $4.75 - $5.95 |
| Naked Combo | our low carb plate, with buona beef, sausage, peppers and cheese, but no bread | $5.75 |
| Meatballs Marinara | homemade meatballs with marinara sauce served on just baked Italian bread | $3.95 - $5.50 |
| Pepper and Egg Friday Only | lightly seasoned scrambled eggs and roasted peppers, on just baked Italian bread | $3.95 - $5.50 |
| Pepper and Egg and Sausage Friday Only | delicate, lightly seasoned, soft scrambled eggs, tender roasted peppers and buona sausage, on just baked Italian bread. Extra mozzarella $0.50, sweet peppers or hot giardiniera $0.30 | $4.50 - $5.95 |
| Italian Sandwiches - Grilled Panini Sandwiches | ||
| complete your meal with a side and a drink for only $2.69 | ||
| Chicken Artichoke | sliced, roasted chicken breast, artichoke hearts, provolone, roasted red peppers and pesto | $5.25 |
| Turkey Festiva | roasted turkey, spinach, havarti cheese and cranberry relish | $4.95 |
| Prosciutto Caprese | prosciutto, plum tomato, marinated fresh mozzarella and basil | $4.95 |
| Vegetable Arrosto | roasted eggplant, roasted artichoke, spinach, marinated tomato and goat cheese | $4.95 |
| Italian Sandwiches - Cafe Sandwiches | ||
| complete your meal with a side and a drink for only $2.69 | ||
| Cold Roast Beef and Provolone | premium angus roast beef, provolone, leaf lettuce, roma tomato, red onion, dijon mustard and horseradish sauce served on rustic Italian bread | $5.50 |
| Pollo Pomodoro | sliced marinated, roasted chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, leaf lettuce, marinated roma tomato, balsamic dressing served on just baked rustic Italian bread | $4.95 |
| Turkey Delizioso | thin sliced roasted turkey, havarti cheese, mayonnaise, light dijon mustard, cucumber and leaf lettuce, served on multi grain wheat ciabatta | $4.95 |
| Italiano | our version of the Italian sub with thin slices of genoa salami, provolone, capicola, mortadella and sliced cherry peppers served on rustic Italian bread | $4.95 |
| Tuna Genovese | premium tuna in olive oil, roasted artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, balsamic vinegar, leaf lettuce and basil served on multi grain wheat ciabatta | $4.95 |
| Lite Lunch Special | ||
| Monday to Friday, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | ||
| Half Panini, Half Cafe Sandwich | choose one of our side dishes - parmesan chips, fries, cup of soup, fresh fruit - $0.50 extra, side house salad, side caesar salad side premium, salad $0.69 extra. Get a fountain drink | $6.19 |
| Half Panini, 4 Inch Buona Beef | choose one of our side dishes - parmesan chips, fries, cup of soup, fresh fruit - $0.50 extra, side house salad, side caesar salad side premium, salad $0.69 extra. Get a fountain drink | $6.19 |
| Salad and Soups - Hand Tossed Salads | ||
| freshly baked bread served with every entree salad. Complete your meal with a side and a drink for only $2.69. Add grilled chicken breast to any salad $1.50 | ||
| Bouna Chopped Salad | lettuces, cucumber, carrot, black olives, roma tomato, red peppers, gorgonzola, penne pasta and garbanzos in a sweet red vinaigrette | $5.75 |
| Blueberry Verde Salad | greens, fresh blueberries, goat cheese, candied walnuts and a blueberry pomegranate vinaigrette | $6.25 |
| Crispy Chicken Salad | crispy chicken, hard boiled egg, roma tomato, black olives and warm honey mustard dressing | $6.50 |
| Tuscan Harvest | hearty mixed greens, granny smith apple, dried cranberries, candied walnuts and gorgonzola cheese, tossed in our fat free raspberry dressing | $6.25 |
| Fresh Fruit Salad | a mixture of melons, grapes, pineapple, apple or seasonal fruit and yogurt dipping cup | $3.25 |
| Classic Caesar | romaine lettuce, parmesan garlic croutons, parmesan cheese and our creamy caesar dressing | $4.95 |
| Classic Caesar with Side | romaine lettuce, parmesan garlic croutons, parmesan cheese and our creamy caesar dressing | $7.25 |
| Old Neighborhood House | mixed greens, roma tomato, cucumber, pepperoncini, tossed with our Italian vinaigrette dressing and topped with fresh made croutons | $4.95 |
| Old Neighborhood House with Side | mixed greens, roma tomato, cucumber, pepperoncini, tossed with our Italian vinaigrette dressing and topped with fresh made croutons | $7.25 |
| Salad and Soups - Soups and Chili | ||
| Minestrone | pasta and vegetable | $2.25 - $3.25 |
| Tortellini and Fresh Spinach | in a light tomato broth | $2.25 - $3.25 |
| Chicken Penne | Italian chicken noodle | $2.25 - $3.25 |
| Cheddar Broccoli | in a creamy broth | $2.25 - $3.25 |
| Chili | with ditalini pasta | $2.25 - $3.25 |
| Thin Crust Pizzas | ||
| served in only 5 minutes. The best thin crust pizza side of naples handmade when you order. Complete your meal with a side and a drink for only $2.69 | ||
| Quatro Formaggi | our cheese pizza made with a blend of four Italian cheeses | $4.75 - $11.00 |
| Sausage | $4.95 - $12.00 | |
| Pepperoni | $4.95 - $12.00 | |
| Margherita | with plum tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil | $4.95 - $12.00 |
| Rustica Mediterranean | with plum tomato, olives, capers and goat cheese | $5.25 - $13.00 |
| Chicken Pinolo | roasted chicken, roasted peppers, alfredo pesto and pine nuts | $5.25 - $13.00 |
| Verdura Misto | with a mixture of roasted vegetables, black olives and cheeses | $5.25 - $13.00 |
| Bianco | with alfredo sauce, spinach, prosciutto and cheeses | $5.25 - $13.00 |
| Supremo | sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms and onions | $5.25 - $13.00 |
| Extra Cheese | $1.00 | |
| Extra Sausage | $1.00 | |
| Extra Pepperoni | $1.00 | |
| Extra Mushroom | $1.00 | |
| Extra Green Pepper | $1.00 | |
| Extra Black Olive | $1.00 | |
| Extra Spinach | $1.00 | |
| Extra Artichoke | $1.00 | |
| Extra Roasted Red Pepper | $1.00 | |
| Extra Capers | $1.00 | |
| Extra Chicken | $1.00 | |
| Extra Prosciutto | $1.00 | |
| American Classics - Burgers and Chicken | ||
| complete your meal with a side and a drink for only $2.69. Extras American cheese $0.40, bacon $0.65 | ||
| Hamburger | served with ketchup, mayonnaise, pickle, onion, tomato and lettuce. 1/3 lb | $3.25 |
| Double Hamburger | served with ketchup, mayonnaise, pickle, onion, tomato and lettuce. 2/3 lb | $4.25 |
| Cheeseburger | served with ketchup, mayonnaise, pickle, onion, tomato and lettuce. 1/3 lb | $3.65 |
| Double Cheeseburger | served with ketchup, mayonnaise, pickle, onion, tomato and lettuce. 2/3 lb | $4.65 |
| Grilled Chicken | with dijon mustard, mayonnaise, tomato and lettuce, served on a multi grain ciabatta | $5.25 |
| American Classics - Hot Dogs | ||
| complete your meal with a side and a drink for only $2.69 | ||
| Vienna Hot Dog | served with mustard, relish, onion, peppers, pickle, tomato and celery salt | $2.25 |
| Vienna Chili Dog | served with mustard, relish, onion, peppers, pickle, tomato and celery salt | $2.90 |
| Vienna Double Dog | served with mustard, relish, onion, peppers, pickle, tomato and celery salt | $3.25 |
| Maxwell Street Polish Sausage | served with mustard and grilled onions | $3.25 |
| American Classics - Barbeque | ||
| BBQ Beef | finely shredded buona beef baked with our sweet and tangy BBQ sauce on a gourmet bun | $3.75 |
| BBQ Baby Back Ribs | $9.45 - $14.95 | |
| Rib Dinner | includes fries, house salad and roll | $2.50 |
| American Classics - Kids' Selections | ||
| includes a fountain drink | ||
| Buona Beef with Fries | $3.95 | |
| Hot Dog with Fries | fresh fruit salad instead of fries $0.50 extra | $3.95 |
| Chicken Strips with Fries | $3.95 | |
| Pizza | cheese, sausage or pepperoni | $3.95 |
| Other Great Stuff - Sides | ||
| Fries | $1.50 | |
| Cup of Soup | $2.25 | |
| Cheese Fries | $2.00 | |
| Side Caesar | $2.25 | |
| Parmesan Chips | $1.50 | |
| Side House Salad | $2.25 | |
| Other Great Stuff - Drinks | ||
| beer and wine available at most locations | ||
| Pepsi Fountain Drinks | $1.59 - $1.79 | |
| Bottled Water | $1.39 | |
| Reduced Fat Milk 2 % | $0.89 | |
| Lavazza Italian Drip Coffee | regular or decaf | $1.50 |
| Other Great Stuff - Desserts | ||
| Hand Filled Cannoli | $1.95 | |
| Ghirardelli Fudge Brownie | $1.95 | |
| Assorted Fresh Baked Cookies | $0.99 | |
History
This restaurant was founded by Joe Buonavolanto Sr. and Peggy Buonavolanto. Its first restaurant opened in Berwyn, Illinois back in 1981.
Today, Buona has 18 restaurants and two catering facilities. Berwyn has recognized its combo sandwich as the best in the area. Meanwhile, its Italian beef was named the best by the Chicago Tribune and The Daily Herald. It also ranked number two on the USA Today’s best Italian beef in Illinois.
Review
Buona is a casual restaurant. It has large windows, abundant seating, brick walls, and wooden floors—all of which lend to a cozy industrial theme inside.
Food is wonderful! A must try here in Buona is the barbeque beef sandwich. If you’re a little bit health conscious, then you should order the strawberry avocado chicken salad.
Buona is known to have long lines, especially during the lunch rush. But the service is fast and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. If you don’t fancy waiting in line, you’ll be happy to know that they also deliver.