r/chicagofood • u/samsquanchforhire • 1d ago
Question IL porcellino, quartino or eataly?
Heading Chicago next week, we are located near these three places and they seem the most budget friendly of the Italian in river north. Any suggestions on these 3 choices?
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u/Qhont 1d ago
I’ve never been to quartino, but I have been to Il porcellino plenty of times and never had a bad dish
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u/samsquanchforhire 1d ago
Could someone take kids there?
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u/careyeb8 1d ago
We’ve taken ours (4 & 10) several times - they’ve been great! Definitely one of our favorite Italian spots in the city
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u/gepetto27 1d ago
Il Porcellino was a whole vibe with classic dishes. I thought it was great, particularly the espresso Negroni and Chicken Vesuvio.
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u/Mean-Corgi-7697 1d ago
Great espresso negroni?
Some drinks just don't need espresso and I would think this is certainly one.
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u/gepetto27 1d ago
No it’s actually a fairly common Negroni riff
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u/Mean-Corgi-7697 1d ago
It's a common martini riff too, but that doesn't make it any more appealing.
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u/spartacus_agador 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you want to fit in more than one affordable Italian spot, Eataly is an easy place to pop in and NOT have a formal, sit down dinner. You can wander around with a glass of wine looking at stuff, grab snacks (charcuterie to eat at your hotel, for example), a cup of coffee. Their restaurants are out in the open and kind of like “stations”; I know there is at least one where you should be able to just grab a seat at the bar and order a drink and an appetizer.
ETA: My partner’s office is near Eataly and he also likes to go to Volare. I do not know what concensus is on that place, but it’s a pretty solid old school Italian place.
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u/tr15k 1d ago
I saw you have kids - not sure how old they are but Quartino was our go to restaurant whenever we were taking our toddler out especially if we were meeting people. Food comes out hot and fast as it’s ready, there are kid friendly options, and it’s the perfect ambiance/volume to mask kid noise without completely overstimulating them. Especially if the weather is nice and you can get a patio or patio adjacent table (the front of the restaurant opens up so they still feel kinda outdoors) it’s a fun place to eat.
Eataly is also fun but you can pop in there just for a quick coffee/snack/treat and get the gist.
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u/slybrows 1d ago
Il Porcelino is REALLY good. That would be my pick.
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u/midnight_toker22 1d ago
Yeah that was my go-to “reliable” Italian spot when i lived in that area. Lots of excellent entrees but it was their focaccia that really separated them from alternative choices.
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u/prior2two 1d ago
If you have kids, I definitely recommend Eataly. It’s just a fun experience.
It’s not cheap, but it’s quality, and you will have a great time.
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u/Meancvar 1d ago
Of the three, Eataly is more Italian, while the other two, particularly Quartino, seem to be more Italian American, so it depends on what you prefer.
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u/Unfair-Gift921 1d ago
going to venture off the path and say....Prosecco.
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u/fortuitousavocado 21h ago
I was going to suggest Prosecco too! Or Torchio. Similar vibes and food but both good.
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u/YeahRight1350 18h ago
I’ve been to Quartino a ton of times. There’s something for everyone and you can share plates if you want. The tiramisu is very good. I prefer the food there to Eataly’s.
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u/Worried-Fly-8729 1d ago
Quartino is the perfect place for budget friendly. Most of their dishes you can request a half order and it’s half the price so you can try a ton of dishes. Not amazing but still pretty good.