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Name: Mambo Italiano
Address: 748 S Butterfield Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060
Telephone: (847) 281-9100
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.24

Mambo Italiano

748 S Butterfield Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060

(847) 281-9100
Store is closed

Mambo Italiano Menu

Appetizers

Vongole Ripiene

Vongole O Cozze Stregate

Bruschetta

Calamari Fritti

Calamari Alla Griglia

Pane Pizzaiola

Pane Aglio E Olio

Salsiccia Con Peperoni

Antipasto Misto

Arancine

Formaggio Fritto

Fungi Ripieni

Gamberi
Zuppe & Insalate Soups & Salads

Zuppa Del Giorno

Minestrone

Antipasto Alla Mambo

House Salad

Pomodori E Cipolle

Bocconcini E Prosciutto

Dinner Salad

Insalata Di Spinaci

Insalata Di Calamari

Insalata Di Cesare

Insalata Caprese

Insalata Speciale
Pollo Chicken

Parmigiana

Vesuvio

Cacciatore

Limone

Giambotta

Marsala
Vitello Veal

Parmigiana

Vesuvio

Limone

Cotolette

Marsala
Carne & Pesci Steak & Fish

Siciliano

Marsala

New York Strip

Tilapia Di Capri Or Marsala

Gamberi Fritti

Whitefish Bruschetta

Petite Filetto Marsala

Ribs Full Slab Only

Seafood Risotto

New Zealand Rack Of Lamb
Create Your Own Pizza

Thin

Each Additional Ingredient
Specialty Pizza

Pizza Alla Margherita

Sal's Special Pizza
Pasta

Mostaccioli Or Spaghetti

Fettuccine Alfredo

Linguine Aglio E Olio

Melanzane Parmigiana

Ravioli

Lasagna

Lasagna Di Spinaci

Zuppa Di Pesce

Melanzane Rotolo

Mostaccioli Al Forno

Gamberi Scampi

Linguine Con Vongole O Cozze

Linguine Con Spinaci O Broccoli

Pasta Carbonara
Side Dishes

Side Of Vegetable

Sauce Options For Side Dishes

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mambo Italiano

Appetizers

Vongole Ripiene [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vongole O Cozze Stregate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Fritti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Alla Griglia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pane Pizzaiola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pane Aglio E Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salsiccia Con Peperoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Misto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arancine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Formaggio Fritto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fungi Ripieni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gamberi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Zuppe & Insalate Soups & Salads

Zuppa Del Giorno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minestrone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Alla Mambo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pomodori E Cipolle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bocconcini E Prosciutto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dinner Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Di Spinaci [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Di Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Di Cesare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Speciale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pollo Chicken

Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vesuvio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cacciatore [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Limone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Giambotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vitello Veal

Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vesuvio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Limone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cotolette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Carne & Pesci Steak & Fish

Siciliano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia Di Capri Or Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gamberi Fritti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whitefish Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Petite Filetto Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ribs Full Slab Only [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New Zealand Rack Of Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Create Your Own Pizza

Thin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Each Additional Ingredient [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Specialty Pizza

Pizza Alla Margherita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sal's Special Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Mostaccioli Or Spaghetti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Aglio E Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melanzane Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna Di Spinaci [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppa Di Pesce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melanzane Rotolo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mostaccioli Al Forno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gamberi Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Con Vongole O Cozze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Con Spinaci O Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Dishes

Side Of Vegetable [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauce Options For Side Dishes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Mundelein for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 1520 S Lake St )

Visit below restaurant in Mundelein for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 1520 S Lake St )

Write An Anonymous Review

Gerald M.

Outstanding family owned Italian restaurant. Caesars salad is huge and a meal in itself. Minestrone is full of goodies and not the typical runny red tomato broth. Plenty on the menu with at least eight daily specials. Something for everyone. Portions are huge and most served with a side of pasta with marinara or meat sauce. Best meat sauce EVER! Veal dishes are the best tenderest veal. Seafood is fresh and prepared perfectly. Prices are reasonable, service excellent and attentive. We love this place and go back every couple of weeks.
(5)
Michael W.

Great Italian food! We can here on a whim meeting a relative who was in town. Let me tell you that they have specials and they are really the best thing available; the menu is standard Italian fare. I read comments about Seafood Risotto and Lobster Ravioli but they were not on the menu, we soon found that some of the most popular meals mentioned were specials. The Lobster Ravioli was excellent; the pasta was great and they were substantive in size. My wife ordered these and loved them, as did my cousin whom we dined with for dinner. I had the Seafood Risotto: fresh shrimp (prepared wonderfully), mussels, clams, Calamari, etc. were all about a large bed of risotto; the meal was delicious. My son (age 11) had their Tilapia and a side of pasta and he got the "clean plate award" as it was all gone. He loved it! Warning: I did had adverse reactions that night to the meal (vomiting, etc.) but I question if this was the restaurant's fault. The Seafood Risotto is a popular dish and if everyone was sickened this would become known. I may be very susceptible to reactions (it has happened more than once) which leads me to believe it is an allergic reaction. You should never eat shellfish that are unopened; I am unsure if my reaction was one had been unopened after cooking, but opened before serving, or if I am potentially allergic to one of those types of shellfish. I have had mussels and clams without reactions on many occasions so I deducted 1 star as a result. Overall: great meal and I would eat there again but not order the Seafood Risotto.
(4)
Chet M.

Service was very slow and had a batch of bad mussels. When I told the manager (Mark?) about it, he apologized and said we get them from a very good purveyor but sometimes things slip through the crack. He said next time you come I'll make it up to you... I'm thinking hey fat ass, what are you going to do for us today?? Well Sherlock, there was no next time!
(2)
Matt And Jess D.

Waiter john was good. Food unfortunately was not. A horrifically bad, rotten batch of vongole and a tiny portion of Vitello, and I was pretty disappointed to be paying my share of a $300+ check. Oh well.
(3)
Diane S.

Just love this place! NEVER had a bad meal there. Everything is delicious!! The best veal parmigiana and I love the scallops. Great service, nice drinks and love the owners Sal and Brianna
(5)
Casey S.

Nice atmosphere. Attentive service. Good food. Look forward to coming back again. My husband had the gluten-free pasta and I have a chicken Cesar salad. Both were very good. The complementary bread was served warm and crunchy but had a little flavor. That's the only reason I didn't give it five stars.
(4)
Kelley M.

Our waiter was a great waiter! Very knowledgable about the menu and had great manners. The food was good quality. I would have given it more stars if it weren't for the fighting going on in the kitchen. You could here them yelling at each other about someone coming into work late. That was a bit awkward. But the waiter and the food made up for it.
(4)
Tony P.

We have stopped there couple weeks ago. First time in several years. Always have liked the place. It is even better now.
(5)
michael w.

Let me list the things I liked - 1) Sat night 8pm-ish, Maggianos at the mall has a 2 hour wait, Mambo Italiano as a walk in, no reservation, and family of four get seated in a booth immediately 2) Nice booth 3) For a strip mall location, this place is bigger inside than it looks 4) The food I experienced was good stuff - had the calamari salad and lemon chicken 5) prices seemed reasonable Now for the things I did not care for - 1) hard to understand our waiter due to heavy accent, when asked to repeat or clarify, he would just say the exact same thing just as fast as he said it the first time. Not bashing the guy but we need to be able to meet on some level, I don't think we ever met 2) The booth we sat in was next to the window and it was freezing, literally a constant draft. Not sure what the source was or if they could do anything about it, I asked, but we were all cuddled up in the booth in an effort to stay warm and it did rush the meal as a result I will be back for another round and hopefully a warmer spot ;)
(4)
alina p.

Food was perfect along with the service and the atmosphere. Recommend for date night and casual dinner. Everything was amazing nothing wrong.
(5)
Camille L.

Great Italian food and extensive menu choices! Three of us split the grilled and fried calamari and our entrees came with a salad that had a nice balsamic dressing. I ordered the shrimp scampi with linguini pasta and red sauce. And we also split the seafood risotto and veal Marsala. All the dishes were good but we liked the linguini noodles better than the risotto. The portions were large and we took some of the veal home. The ambiance was decent and the booths were large with nice leather seats. Overall it was a good dining experience and we would come back!
(3)
Miriam M.

Amazing food!!!! And such a reasonable price! The environment was warm and inviting! The waiters were extremely attentive! Food was brought out quickly! A great experience over all!
(5)
Natasha O.

We had a blast! We celebrated Valentine's Day a week late. We enjoyed a Cucumber Cosmo martini, lobster ravioli special with vodka marinara sauce (which came with either soup or salad), and Heavenly chocolate cake with French vanilla gelato. The food was excellent! The service was timely and he was quite articulate in his knowledge of the food and numerous specials. We docked a star for the expensive price for so little food. We spent $58 including a 23% tip.
(4)
Ed K.

At first you don't realize how big the place until you are seated. The restaurant is located in a strip shopping center. But don't let that deter you. I've eaten there on a number of occasions and I have yet to be disappointed. My most recent meal was the stuffed eggplant with a side Cesar salad. Very nice portions. My waiter was very attentive and the atmosphere was very comfortable. The prices were in line with other above average establishments. I will definitely return.
(4)
Jeff F.

My family and I had a horrible experience last night so I called up to talk to talk to Sal the owner about the situation. He reviewed his cameras and saw everything that took place. He was very professional and exactly the kind of person you want running a business. Thank you Sal for making it right. We went back a week ago and let me tell you, it was the complete opposite experience we had the first time. The waiter was incredible and attentive, and the manager not only stopped by our table many times but I saw him stop by the other tables to make sure everyone's experience was top notch. Thank you, we will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Annie P.

Great food! Great place for a family dinner, date night. I often have customer meetings and staff meetings for lunch - the food and service are excellent!
(5)
Janet K.

We went out at the last minute, on a Saturday night, to Mambo Italiano, and we were able to get a seat at the bar as the restaurant was booked. Which I think is typical for a Saturday night. If you want to sit in the restaurant, reservations, I think would be a great idea. For cocktails we ordered chianti, based on the bartender's recommendation and it was delicious. For an appetizer we decided on calami, and it was one of the best I've had in recent memory. We both ordered a side salad with me with getting creamy garlic dressing and my husband ordering the vinaigrette, both salad dressings were delicious. Here the bartender recited the dinner specials and although many entree's sounded, amazing, we decided on the same entree. we both got the lobster ravioli which was savory, rich and delicious, We ate every bite. For an after dinner drink I ordered a Rum Chata. (Don't judge me) It was delicious! The bar crowd was engaging, and friendly, we totally enjoyed ourselves. I don't think you get better Italian food in the northern suburbs, And I'm married to an Italian.
(5)
Brad H.

Had a passable Italian meal here. The service was very good and I liked the ambiance. The salad we split was greens with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto. It came with a really good vinaigrette. I would come back for this. I ordered pasta, because I was really craving it, and was disappointed in it. The sauce did not taste particularly great, and the pasta - I am fairly certain - was barillo and about one minute overcooked; not quite al dente. My friend had the lemon chicken which I tasted and was very good. I will go for that next time. Solid place overall.
(3)
Adelita H.

Great food. Great service! Used them as our rehearsal dinner for a group of 40 after dinning there a few times and they did not dissapoint. Huge portions and really great selection of authentic Italian!
(5)
Barbara F.

The food here is as good or better than any Italian food you will get in NYC. It is one of our favorite places to eat. We were there again yesterday and our dinner was outstanding!! So nice to find such a lovely restaurant in our community. The owners are great! They catered a party for our family and everyone raved about the food. To Mary J who submitted her review on 6/1/15, you should try getting over yourself and your rude comments. These people are trying to make a living! How about writing something nice and not making such a big deal out the ridiculous nonsense you wrote about...
(5)
Matt D.

Wonderful, attentive service and friendly people took this from three stars to four. I enjoyed the food, but I found it a bit overpriced for the quality. The lasagna and meat raviolis were perfectly good, but not great. That was the overarching theme of the restaurant, and they get away with it, because of the service. All of the patrons seemed to be having fun, and we never felt like we were encroaching (particularly in their Wheel of Fortune watching). All-in-all, a great place to go if you're looking for a relaxing dinner consisting of good, but over priced Italian food.
(4)
Luna M.

I really wish I was Italian but I'm not. I love the Italian culture, the language, their food & those cool Italian songs. Whenever I hear Rosemary Clooney sing "Mambo Italiano," I can not help but sing along. So when I saw an Italian restaurant named "Mambo italiano," I had to check it out. Of the few times dining at Mambo, it's been hit or miss. The place is quaint, the staff is great, the piped in music is enjoyable but I can't give them 5 stars for the food. I'm not saying its bad, I'm just saying it doesn't always 'Wow' me. The one plate that I really liked was a special --- Ravioli with 3-4 cheeses & spinach with Vodka sauce. Wow, that was good but that is not on their basic menu. I have had their Eggplant Parmesan (which is my favorite Italian dish) but it was OK. I would now like to comment on their Specials--- the servers recite it to you & it takes about a minute or two. My big complaint is that customers would rather see the specials typed up & handed out along with the menu. This way, I can review the ingredients & make a better decision. There have been times that I forgot the ingredients to the 1st special out of 6 or 8, & I have to ask the server to repeat the ingredients. I wish the owners would change that process. Our last server was John. He was so professional, polite & informative. I should request to have him as our server next time. Now, to their desserts. Wow, yummy and delicious!!!!!! I give their desserts 5 stars. I will still come back to Mambo & would like to try their seafood next time.
(3)
David J.

Always, always, always terrific. We have been going to Mambo regularly since they first opened. We are crazy for the scallops, the seafood risotto, braciole, lamb chops, and the veal chop, not to mention the mussels and clams, grilled calamari and gnocchi, along with the great staff and warm welcome every time. They are extremely attentive and terrific hosts. They have a nice selection of wines, nicely made cocktails, and marvelous desserts. If you want, you can put on an elaborate set of specials, or you can get away with a simpler and inexpensive meal. Sal, Brianna, Jeff and company have a great thing going, and we are hoping it goes on for a long, long time.
(5)
Armil B.

My family and I had lunch there. Sal actually attended to us. We ordered our meal but had a misunderstanding on the veal parmigiana...I actually pointed to the sandwich instead of the large meal. Instead of taking it back they suggested keeping it and we would only pay for the sandwich price. Overall, the food was excellent. The grill calamari was delicious. My wife loved the seafood risotto. We will definitely visit Mambo again!
(5)
Michelle D.

The food here is amazing. We order from there at least once a week. The restaurant is also great. I love the atmosphere and the service.
(5)
Mary J.

Here's the thing. It's a restaurant in Mundelein. Not Chicago. Stop. I got suckered into trying it again. I told myself I would keep my mouth shut and not say a word because as I've said before we LOVE the food. So, when we walked in on a Saturday night I literally laughed out loud when I saw the hostesses. I was waiting for the club music to turn on and the strobe light to start. They looked like they were going to take us to the VIP room. Ridiculous. That's how you want to represent your restaurant that's fine, personally that's not what I want to see. The whole night we couldn't stop watching them, it was like a train wreck when you can't stop staring. And I'm guessing you as the owners are reading this saying 'oh she's fat, she's jealous, etc' Not the case. But thanks for the insult... While we waited for the table we listened to the boss give a hard time to one of her servers about the food she eats, and how she would NEVER eat this or that....its not natural, blah blah etc. If you are so dead set on eating a certain way but making fun of your staff maybe you should work somewhere that is all natural or don't let your customers hear that your food is not!! The couple next to us at the bar whispered 'oh their food has no GMO?' The bartender answered....Probably not. None of us need to hear that we are making bad choices when filling up your bank account!!!!!!!!!! Strike 2 for me, until we got to our table. We had Nate. The one waitress I like doesn't work on Saturdays and the other waiter that I've had in that past was not there. For obvious reasons Nate is adorable, but he made the night so fun. He was attentive, he wasn't pushy, he made up for the night hands down. I had the scallops and asparagus and it will always be my favorite dishes. If I decide to return I will have to have a pep talk with myself to make sure I'm ready for the hot mess that is the welcoming party.
(3)
Laura B.

We have ordered 3 times from this restaurant from GrubHub before to our home, and the food was great every time. The food was good when it was delivered, but you get a way better experience in the restaurant itself. The staff is attentive and kind and you feel comfortable in the ambiance (our waiter Manuel was great!). I wish we would have stopped in the past few times! Definitely coming back... I feel like it is somewhat of a hidden gem!
(5)
Shana J.

food is decent.... amazing for mundeslime but not anything special in the grand scheme of things. not really sure what the point of making a reservation is as my family has repeatedly been forced to wait 15 or more minutes regardless. I only have time to write this review because they are making us stand again.
(2)
Rob S.

Great food, great service, awesome bread! We really enjoy the paste dished at Mambo. A small mom n pop set in a strip mall. Portions are good and prices are reasonable.
(5)
Kelly M.

When my husband and I couldn't get a reservation at Maggiano's on our anniversary without waiting more than 90 minutes (and the staff was incredibly rude to boot!), we opted to try Mambo Italiano as it is closer to home and we've heard great things from others. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the service and quality of food is more than impressive! I was greeted on the phone cheerfully as well as at the door. Our waitress was prompt and clearly had great knowledge of the menu, our waters were never lower than 3/4 full, and she replenished fountain drinks without us having to ask. The bread is phenomenal and came out still warm. The oil for dipping tableside was phenomenal. We each ordered the minestrone with our meals, and it was fabulous. The fried mozzarella was delicious and the marinara served with it was perfection. Hubby had the stuffed peppers special and said it was to die for; my spinach lasagna was great, albeit a little too cheesy for my taste (but I'm a particular eater, so I don't hold that against the restaurant). Portion sizes were very large and we each were able to take enough leftovers home for lunch the next day and then some... It is a little pricier than you might expect, especially for meat dishes, but the portion size and quality of food is well worth it. After our dining experience at Mambo Italiano the other day, I think we'll forever choose to patronize this local establishment rather than larger chain Italian restaurants. Delicious and highly recommended!!
(5)
Paola B.

After making a long drive from Champaign, IL and visiting a dear friend involved in a tragic accident at the hospital, my two buddies and I were in desperate need for food. We looked on Yelp and decided to try out this restaurant. As we arrived, we were surprised to be the only ones in the restaurant. But as we looked at the time, we realized it was barely 3pm. The waiter, John, has got to be the most formal and attentive waiter I have ever received service from. After John went through the special, I couldn't help but drool over all the ingredients he mentioned. As he walked away to get our drinks, I still had some questions about the menu but was able to ask the busboy, Miguel. He was also very attentive and helpful in explaining some of the items, as well as making excellent recommendations. I ordered 3-cheese ravioli and it was pretty good. The highlight of our experience there was dessert. John recommended the tiramisu and the cannoli. We decided to order both for the three of us to share. The tiramisu was ok, but that's just because I'm not too big of a fan in general. My friend tried using his fork to break a piece of the cannoli off, but he ended up breaking the entire thing. We ate it in random small pieces, but it was probably the best dessert I've ever had in my life. We couldn't help but order three more so each of us could have our own. If I lived in this town, I would make it a habit of eating there at least once a week! Hands down, the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to!
(5)
Steve M.

Now That's Italian Dining It was a typical Friday after work. My wife and I wanted to go out for something to eat but we couldn't decide where to go. So we played our typical childish game of: Me: What do you want to eat? Wife: I don't know, what do you want to eat? Me: I don't know, I asked you first. Wife: What do you have a taste for? Me: I don't know, what do you have a taste for? So after our game of a thousand questions we decided to get in our car and start driving in the general direction of where there are several restaurants. My wife started to make some calls and the first place we called didn't understand English when we asked if they have openings or do we need to make a reservation. Her second call was to Mambo Italiano. They said that they had an open table for us so that was it, we are going out for Italian. The Layout: As we walked into the place it was a little awkward as the desk isn't near the main door. You have to walk past people already dining on their food to be greeted by the staff. They sat us right away by a booth located by the door. It was cold outside so every time someone came in or when someone was leaving the cold air would rush in on us. The Meal: The menu is very extensive with your typical Italian food choices. Our server also came to our table and rattled off about 6-8 specials that weren't on the menu. They all sounded great but trying to remember everything wasn't as easy as you would think. I already made up my mind so I knew what I was getting (Veal Parmesan) but my wife ended up changing her mind and going with one of the specials (Gnocchi and Scallops). Both of our meals came with a soup or salad and a choice of pasta or potato. They bring out a warm basket of bread with butter. The tables also have olive oil and parmesan as well. Our food arrived and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. The veal was very tender and the sauce was chunky with tomatoes and had a very nice flavor. The Bottom Line: * 3 stars for the layout of the desk and the dining area. They should reconsider the location of the reception desk. * 5 stars for the food and the staff (service). Our server (Ana) was very good and made the experience enjoyable. The music was Mob Hits (love it). We will be back but will need to sit away from the front door.
(4)
David F.

Well, this is an interesting one. High marks for food and service; the decor, though, is really distracting. Our server was fantastic. She was clearly knowledgeable and knew how to guide to the perfect, personalized recommendation. Very attentive and helpful. Top tier service. The food exceeded expectations for what I was expecting from a strip mall in mundelein. To start, the bread is outstanding and there is a ice selection of wines. The homemade salad dressing were excellent. Everyone in my party raved about their entre. The highlight were the homemade pastas. They make their own special pastas. If you eat seafood, make sure tho try the lobster pasta, which is presented as a special but is always available. The homemade ravioli was also a high note. Ok, so great food, but it have to say the atmosphere is really weird. The faux plaster and stone walls look DIY. I my be the only person in the world who notices this but the carts the food are brought out on seem out of place. Finally, the lighting was really harsh. I couldn't even look up because of how bright the spotlights were. I will definitely go back and highly recommend the food. I would hesitate to take a guest or out of towner there because of the look. Because of the positives about the food and service, I hate to say that, but they are worthy of a far better environment,
(4)
Dale R.

On my visits to our Corporate Headquarters in Vernon Hills it is always my hope that a group will want to go here. I've never had a bad meal here and I've been here 2-3 Dozens times over the years. Their specials are always worth trying or you can go for something straight off the menu. If you have a favorite Italian dish, try it here. I am certain you'll not be disappointed. They have a special with Butternut squash, if you can get that jump on it! An off the menu favorite is their ribs, they are very tasty. I am a big fan of Lasagna and theirs is awesome! I love the cheese! Another favorite of mine is their Ravioli. When we have a group we will order the Zuppa di Pesce, very tasty clams, mussels, Calamari and shrimp and the sauce that it is in! Honestly I think I could name every dish they make as a favorite. Most times however I tend to listen for the specials. Good wine selection and some awesome deserts. And believe it or not, one of my favorites is to get their homemade Balsamic Dressing with the salad.
(5)
Mad I.

Okay, this is one of those reviews that may take me a minute to ponder and write carefully... I will try to choose my words wisely.... But if you read nothing else, you need to know that a coke here is $3.50... $3.50?! Really? We are in a strip mall in Mundelein right? yup, that's right...... and beer is $4. Think of that Seinfeld episode when Jerry makes a reservation and says "see anyone can take the reservation, the point is you have to KEEP the reservation....." lol Started off bad....pretty bad..... We walked in and went to the host stand to tell them our name and reservation. My husband is mid sentence when the host (older, male, manager?) yells out "Excuse me!!!" in a very harsh and urgent tone. He is hauling a booth through to the front and was not happy we were at the host stand. Sooorrrrrryyy buddy! Well, I heard & moved and my poor husband, who was mid sentence telling the hostess about our reservation was oblivious and then another urgent "excuse me!!!" rang out. Might as well have said, get the hell out of my way. Sorry you are re arranging furniture on a Saturday night while I'm checking in. At this point I am turning into snarky yelper, I know.... So we have an 8:30 reservation, later in the night, thinking it would be quieter.... We sit...we wait....by 8:45 I'm getting a tad antsy...then I see a couple who walked in after us & get seated. Stop. I know what you are thinking. I worked in a restaurant for forever so I know how it goes...but it was another 2 top and they came in after us...what, did they have an 8:15 reservation that they were very late for? I wanted to know, so by 8:50 I sent hubby up to ask. At that point one of the hostesses sees my frustration and swoops in to attempt to save the night! She offers us a free appetizer which I thought was really great of her. So we then got seated and enjoyed the best Calamari I think I ever had. YUM! Bread on the table was a bit stale/ too hard and wasn't really meant to be that hard... But the up side is that the 2 chicken dishes we had were pretty tasty, (Chix Parm and the lemon Chix) and large portions. Back to the down side which was that the marinara was not great...and the Alfredo was not good at all.... Back to the up side, the Tiramisu was bomb. So....all in all thinkin we prb won't be back...
(3)
Larry H.

The restaurant can be easily missed as it is located on a smaller street in a strip mall. That being said, once inside, it is very inviting. The service was terrific. Simple booths that use paper for tablecloth which is smart in an Italian place. The menu was good and a very nice selection. That beings said of the menus, they all need to be freshened up and replaced. They were all old and decrepited. We ordered our food and had warm bread and salad to start. The specials were all looking good, in the seafood, pasta and meat section. We chose the special 'Materazzi' plate. This consisted of small pieces of chicken breast, filet mignon, Italian sausage with peppers and onion's served with fresh cooked potatoes and a great sauce that has a nice bite to it. It was absolutely delicious and would highly recommend it.
(4)
Christina S.

Dear Blue Fairy, I want to live here til I can sample each special & item on the menu. I want to be a real live Italian. Can u make that happen Blue Fairy? Hello? Hmph. Snubbed by the Blue Fairy, but that doesn't change that this is an Italian restaurant even Geppetto could love. Arrived on a Fri night at 6:30 w a res to a dimly lit, already bustling, live guitar-serenaded (seated, not strolling & hovering) charming & cozy dining room. Immediately forgot we're in a strip mall. We're promptly served stellar fresh, soft crusty bread w olive oil for dipping (I concur with other reviewers tho- where's the FRESH parm?) I always peruse the menus prior as I take too long deciding, + I've started tracking everything- a ridiculous & annoying combo I try to minimize for the sake of my companions. I'd decided on Arancine (stuffed risotto bites, fried) & carbonara. Done. But that's before I heard the bevy of specials our fantastic server (Jamie) was offering: braciole, lobster & crab filled (from scratch) ravioli, Sicilian pork chops & more. All sounded amazing. My plan-out the window! Please consider the specials. We were blown away. What to have to drink? My friend orders her usu moscato but mocks my indecision, so I got my usu tea- no, not a Long Island. (hangs head in shame) Our 2 risotto balls (yup, that's right & don't they always come in pairs? Sorry can't help myself, I'm secretly a 13-yo boy), arrive within 10 min. Very good, but not the star.Ooh, I think the lights dimmed a bit just now- did you see that? Next, entrees include soup or salad. Arugula & cherry tomatoes dressed w balsamic vinaigrette, just what the doc ordered. This small bed of green leafy stuff, makes the rest of the meal possible. ;) Simple & perfect. Hey, did it just get darker again? Right about now...the funk soul brother, check it out now...oh sorry, I'm easily distracted (Squirrel! Only Sam will get that)...anyhoo, right about now I see a cosmopolitan coming toward me, alas, it's for the table behind me. But, it's allure was unstoppable, so I peruse the extensive martini list, opt for the French martini- that's Chambord, pineapple juice & 'wawdkah', mon amis. I'm feeling very int'l in my Italian restaurant, sipping a French martini, made with Russian vodka. I don't get out much. None the less, I'm imbibing now & my honor, restored. THIS time I'm certain, it DID get darker. But that's ok, cuz this martini's workin' its magic. And now, the very special specials arrive. In hind-sight, clouds should've parted to a choir of angels. We each take a bite; the sighs were audible. Molto bene! My Sicilian chop (you get 2) was juicy with a good sear, cooked perfectly tender. The spices used were so balanced & perfect. Any carnivore would've enjoyed this. Kind of hard to place the flavors, but it was very good! The au jus would've paired perfectly w the garlic mashed potatoes had I not opted for pasta. I requested it tossed w garlic & olive oil, which they happily did. The caramelized & nutty (not burned!) garlicky goodness was spectacular. On another night I'd go w mashed potatoes simply to sop up that au jus- they def set the pairing up right. When I look up, peering thru the darkness, I vaguely make out my friend offering me a bite of ravioli w a look on her face that simply said, "you must"! She was right. Holy crap on a cracker! That was straight up pillowy perfection. I'm not a lobster/crab person really, but even I would order that! This is the one, people, this is what you need to order- delicious, light & melted in my mouth. From what I understand, the specials that include pasta are made in house, as opposed to the pastas on the everyday menu. You might confirm that, cuz what an amazing difference it makes. Also, ask the prices of unwritten specials if you're at all concerned as I was surprised mine was $27, tho considering quality on every level, the price is fair & I'd happily pay again. Portions weren't huge but more than adequate & we each took 1/2 our entrees home. Our server Jamie was kind enough to bring us a mini cannoli dessert that wasn't too sweet. A nice way to round off the meal without going overboard. So, to make a long story longer, I enjoyed the hell out of this restaurant. The bartender is a genius- I was one-drink giggly, service is friendly, well paced & fantastic, & the setting is beautiful. Most importantly, the food was phenom! I already have plans to bring my husband, girlfriends & in-laws. And if it's unclear, I really like all those people, so this is not about punishing the in-laws. This is about some delectable Italian cuisine in a charming, albeit dark, intimate setting. I don't know if they always have live music, or if just weekends, but it was a nice touch. I recently reviewed another restaurant which wasn't good first date material. So, for that first date, or a little wow factor if you're trying to make an impression, bring your guests to Mambo Italiano. Just don't forget your Lira, too.
(5)
Leticia B.

One of the best Italian restaurants outside of Italy. Food and service were spectacular. Appetizers were devoured by everyone. We had the calamari both grilled & fried along with the sausage & peppers. All to die for! The homemade Italian sausage is really one of a kind. The kids had pizza which was thin crispy and perfect. I had scallops...yumm, my fiancÃ© had the veal Parmesan which I must note he is a VP snob and he has claimed this is THE BEST HE HAS EVER HAD. Stupendous place. I can't wait to go back
(5)
Kim B.

I was going to give this place 4 stars... Until they brought me my check. It's not that the food isn't good. Everything we ordered, apart from the desserts, was very good. The calamari was lightly breaded and perfectly fried. The cream of mushroom soup was rich and flavorful. The pastas (lobster/crab/ricotta cheese ravioli in vodka sauce and squid ink pasta with clams/shrimp) were homemade and delicious. My issue is with the cost of dinner for 2 = $80. To put it into perspective, dinner for 2 at Francesco's Hole in the Wall (a much nicer restaurant) was $120. What did that include? Salad appetizer, fresh oysters on the half shell, THREE entrees (2 pastas, 1 meat), 2 desserts and a bottle of wine. I'm not sure about you, but I'd prefer dinner at Francesco's over Mambo Italiano any day.
(3)
Melli B.

Yelped up local restaurants in the area that delivered. I know Chicago is famous for their deep dish pizza but I wasn't in any mood for pizza. I had worked long hours out in the sun and I wanted comfort food. I browsed the yelp menu and saw a dish made with eggplant and lots of cheese with a side of pasta. It was called Rotolo Eggplant. I called them up, ordered and they arrived much faster than their scheduled time. The delivery guy was so nice I tipped extra! The food was still steaming hot when I opened the aluminum container and when I cut off that first bite and brought it to my mouth, I had a long strand of delicious, stretchy cheese that stretched from my plate to my mouth!!!! Mmmmm Mmmmm! The Rotola was delicious and there was so much food there that I had leftovers for dinner the next night.
(4)
Notah K.

Amazing place I love it !!! Great ITALIAN family restaurant!!! Yummy food and affordable prices !!!
(5)
Tony M.

Fantastic service from Ann!!! The food was awesome! Everything we ordered was excellent! I always had my drink refilled before I finished. Everyone was so attentive to our needs. The plates were taken away when everyone was done with their food and always a clean table. The place has plenty of room if you have a big party. This reminds me of other restaurants in Chicago and has that Chicago feel in the suburbs. No waiting in line on a Saturday night at 8pm. The specials were so tasty, especially the seafood risotto! Everything here tastes great! It is not that loud that you can actually have a conversation here. It has a romantic atmosphere with lots of fine wines to choose from!!! I will come again to try their many choices of entrees and specials! Each entree comes with soup or salad. The desserts were freshly made! The tiramisu was excellent! Tasted authentic! Plenty of free parking and you can eat outside if you like. This place is hidden in the plaza next to red lantern Chinese restaurant.
(5)
Sheila G.

Look no further for excellent, and i mean EXCELLENT italian food. I am 100% italian, and my expectations are always set VERY HIGH. the ambiance/the staff/ the quality of food!!! A++++++++ we are nowhere near regulars there, but we are treated like regulars all the time!!! best italian without having to go into the city or highwood. LOVE LOVE
(5)
Stacy O.

We had a lovely dinner here on a Saturday evening. Heeding the recommendation of Yelpers, we called ahead and -- oddly -- that turned out to be the biggest snafu of our evening. We always give a fake last name because ours is Polish and complicated. Somehow the person answering the phone misunderstood Wilson as Logan; my husband corrected them once. And yet when we arrived, it was still listed as Logan, making finding our reservation a comedy of errors. Maybe we should have gone with the Polish name? I will say this -- the host stand is six feet into the restaurant, which can make it difficult to navigate your way there if the tables in the center are occupied. I'm sure there's a reason for this design, but getting to the stand felt like playing restaurant-grade frogger with servers, busboys, and other patrons. Our server was attentive if not a little rushed. He tried to skip giving us the specials, which would have been disappointing because my husband ordered one of them. But he was quick with drink refills, clearing of plates, and eager to check in on us periodically without appearing overbearing. The house salad is a little bland -- spring mix and spinach with two cherry tomatoes. Some onions or a couple of croutons could really take that up a notch. The house creamy Italian dressing was great. I had the spinach lasagna, which was a huge portion with a healthy pour of marinara sauce over it. It was heavenly -- perfectly cooked layers of pasta, ricotta, and spinach with melted mozzarella over the top. My husband ordered the seafood risotto, which was prepared with mussels, lobster, clams, calamari, and shrimp. I'm assuming he loved it because he nearly licked the plate clean. Though we declined coffee and dessert, we ogled those being devoured at the table next to ours. They looked awesome, especially the cannoli. We'll have to save room next time. It's the best Italian food we've found in the northwest suburbs. Both the owner and his wife stopped by the table and were extremely friendly. We'll back for sure (and until then, I have a half piece of the spinach lasagna in my fridge).
(4)
Angie M.

I wanted to eat the shit out of everything on the menu. AND every single one of the specials. For serious. If you're in the mood for rockin', traditional Italian fare, this is your spot. They probably have every stereotypical Italian dish on the menu. Tons of pastas, veal/chicken marsalas, parmigianas, lots of fish and such. And entrees come with a soup or salad, which I love. I'm a bit of a purist, and if I'm going to stuff my face, I always want to stuff it with chicken parmigiana. And believe me, the Mambo Italiano version delivers like Dominos. It's a very thick, juicy breast smothered in a lovely, rich tomato sauce and just enough cheese to not be overkill. THEN you get a side of pasta, which I highly recommend getting topped with the meat sauce. It's so good. So, so good. What I didn't love is the ambiance. It's kind of whack. Cheesy fauxtalian to the max complete with lame wallpaper and uncomfortable chairs. The layout isn't the best either. You have to walk through 1/3 of the dining area to get to a host stand, which probably doesn't lead to the best dining experience for folks seated in the front. If at all possible, request a table in the back of the house. Service, however, was very nice and I give total props to our waiter who gamely put up with our large, wine-pounding dinner group. Cheers!
(4)
Allison M.

Really high quality, delicious Italian food kind of in the middle of nowhere. I had a special that night (they had like 12 of them, we couldn't even remember them when our waiter finished describing them)-- lobster-filled pasta with a vodka cream sauce. It was phenomenal. Both of my parents had eggplant dishes they also raved about. Portions are super generous and the prices are not outrageous.
(4)
Alan L.

We have eaten there several times. Everything is great. The ribs, chicken, and pasta are all worth ordering. I enjoyed the wedding salad and the Caesar salad. The service was great, very attentive. Worth adding to your regular list of spots to eat.
(5)
Sally M.

I came here with my colleague earlier this week for dinner and ordered the rack of lamb from New Zealand and a glass of the Axis (Russian River) Pinot. The food was delicious, and our server was superb! Attentive, experienced, rare. Reminded me of Frank at Kokkari in San Francisco. * A Note on Statistical Normalization * - 4 stars on the national stage (the rack of lamb at Kokkari is better) - 5 stars per the local aggregate (this is one of the rare good restaurants in the area) Comparison: yelp.com/biz/kokkari-estâ€¦
(4)
Cynthia B.

Love their food, but feel rushed but some of the servers. Sean (a server, is an exception though). Great guy every time. It would be nice if the owner took time to say hello to his patrons. He used to, but now seems too bothered to do so. You lose people that way... No matter how good your food is. Don't ever forget that customers are what got you where you are today.
(3)
Lynda L.

High priced for bland food. Suburbanites may like this place, but there are countless restaurants that are tastier in Chicago. This place is pedestrian. I had a veal entree, all I can say is this: the calf died to be made into a tasteless, bland, breaded and unfavorably remembered dish. RIP baby cow.
(2)
Joshua F.

Had to be the worst service I have ever experienced. Showed up and asked about the appetizers and the waiter showed up 9 appetizer for 12 people. Waiter then said that he will only take 2 off. It was a joke what the waiter did.
(1)
K G.

Dinner with two friends on April 23 2013. I was suprised when I walked in given its in a strip mall. The interior was very nice and inviting. We arrived at 6pm and it was rather empty. I'd never eaten there so that didn't seem like a good sign though my friends had both eaten there several times. The restaurant filled up by 7pm. Waitress was friendly. We were chit-chatting until 9pm and we never felt rushed. The side salad with the entree was a nice size. I had the boneless chicken cacciatore it was a huge serving. I though there was far too many green peppers and the sauce was too oily/greasy. The opted for the potato and it ended up being four large steak cut style French fries, which were greasy. I left having a belly-ache, too greasy for my tummy. My two friends both enjoyed there entrees for fettuccine Alfredo and spinach lasagna, which they both seemed to enjoy. I doubt I'll return.
(2)
Steve S.

Great service, funny/friendly bartenders, really good food and amazing specials! My second visit and just as good as my first - I'll definitely return!
(4)
Colie L.

My boyfriend and I have been going to Mambo Italian for years. We love everything that they have to offer. The staff is so great, the food is delicious and the cooks are aware on how to cook food gluten free for me. I've eaten there many times and the gluten free pasta is delicious! I highly recommend it.
(5)
Nancy B.

We took our son here for dinner after his high school graduation. Everything was great--from the service to the food. We had a very attentive waiter who was very knowledgeable with the menu. We will definitely be coming back here again. This is now one of our favorite places--will be telling others about it!
(5)
Leslie C.

Yummy! I got the Giambotta for delivery. It was delicious! 2 chicken breasts, italian sausage, potatoes and peppers in a garlic sauce. It was enough for 2 people though so I had a lot of leftovers. It came with some italian bread. I could have made the bread dipped in the sauce a meal unto itself. Whoever took my order over the phone was very pleasant and even made me aware of an available coupon for 15% off that I was entitled to. Delivery man was very nice as well.
(5)
Pattie U.

I came here on a weekday for late lunch and it was absolutely dead inside. I didn't mind though. I had an eggplant parm sandwich with a side of fettucine alfredo. It was perfect. I loved it! I'm never really in the area, but if I were, I'd come back.
(4)
Josh M.

Some of the best Italian food I have had in the states.
(5)
Jeoff D.

I was in town for a few days for a work related trip. So after a long flight and ride from the airport naturally I was feeling quite hungry. I came across this place after doing a cursory Yelp search for nearby restaurants close to my hotel. I saw that it got 4.5 stars so presumably it must have been pretty good. Furthermore, it was one of the few places that stayed open till 11 pm on a Monday. So after catching a cab from my hotel I walk through the door at approximately 10:30pm. I was greeted kindly by the hostess and before she sat me she asked if it was OK to verify first with the staff that the kitchen was still in fact open. I said sure and she stepped away. Upon returning she stated that everything was fine and I could order food. Next I was seated and shortly thereafter the waiter came to take my order. He recommend the veal parmigiano which I ordered. After he took my order I stepped away to use the restroom which was located in very close proximity to the kitchen. When I walked out of the restroom I over heard a gentlemen from behind the kitchen door loudly and unmistakably say "any guy who comes in to eat 30 mins before closing has no consideration at all for human beings." Now this comment couldn't have been directed at anyone else other than myself since I was the only male customer in the restaurant at the time. After the initial shock sudsided I approached the hostess and retold her what I had just overheard. She apologized profusely, which I appreciated, and tried to talk me into staying. At that moment no one in their right mind would have hung around to eat anything prepared out of that kitchen knowing what horrific and vile things that could have ended up being done to my food out of pure retiliation (had I of not over heard what was said). Bottom line, besides committing the obvious cardinal sin of bad mouthing your customers while they walk within ear shot of the kitchen, if you don't want to serve food beyond a certain hour then just say that upfront before seating someone. Or perhaps even easier, just post a sign that says the kitchen closes at XYZ time. I sincerly hope the owners read this and react quickly. Employee's like the one I encountered tonight are literally destroying your business. God only knows how many other customers they've scared off simply because they wanted to get home at an earlier time. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that I'm not out to get anyone's job or get a free sympathy meal. But if these instances continue unreported then that's exactly what they'll do...CONTINUE!
(1)
Nicole B.

First time ordering, and we had it delivered. They told me it would be an hour, and it arrived within 40min, perfect! I'm first generation Sicilian and know my food. I ordered arancine, different from how we make it, but still delicious. My dish was veal cotolette, it was just like nonna's, simple and tasty. It's one of my comfort foods. The portion was HUGE, came with breaded green beans, which were cooked perfectly and side of pasta. My husband ordered the pasta carbonara and loved it. We will definitely order again. It's authentic Italian just like home.
(5)
Bill B.

We were looking for a nice night out before a long business trip. This place hit the spot! It was recommended by a friend a confirmed with Yelp reviews. Fantastically run and tucked away in a strip mall. Much bigger and nicer than it looks from the outside!
(5)
Kevin P.

On top of their game lately. If you can afford it, you'll get great food and great service.
(5)
Ashlee V.

This will be my first and only time eating here. We tried it Valentine's weekend. That would account for the 20 minute wait. But that's not the reason I won't be returning. It's not even the fact that our waiter made us wait another 20 minutes before we were able to order (he listed off the specials very quickly and then walked away without asking us if we were interested). What did bother me was the following: The food is overrated. I got the Veal Limone, which tasted exactly like lemons with a hint of overcooked veal. If you expect patrons to pay over $20, I think it is fair to expect basic understanding of cooking meat instead of inconsistent cooking (two of the three medallions were overcooked; to their credit, there was one that was decently well cooked). I've made lemon curd and the taste of the lemon sauce was similar to that. But the biggest insult was trying to pass the "house" marinara sauce off as original, according to our waiter. I've had my fair share of crappy cafeteria marinara sauces before--I know a spade when I taste it. You will know this taste as having a sort of soapy aftertaste, which is what I experienced here. And maybe that's because the plates weren't cleaned well enough, but I'm erring on the side of having a mediocre marinara sauce when even a crappy Ragu from the jar would have tasted better. My significant other was annoyed at the fact he had to ask for extra bread when ours was empty, which is something we have not experienced at other Italian restaurants. However, Mambo Italiano is not other Italian restaurants and they may have different standards. This did not bother me too much, personally. If you want to pay medium prices for mediocre food, by all means. But when there's better options for the same prices (Enzo and Lucia's, for example; or a cheaper option of Bonta in Lincolnshire)? Go for it. Sorry Mambo Italiano, three strikes and you're out.
(2)
David N.

Went there on 02-14 with another couple, this was our first time not theirs and it turned out to be a good pick, my wife and I loved the food as well as the service. I had the chicken parm and she had the veal parm, large portions and very tasty, we also had grilled calamari, hard to find grilled and it was delish. The only complaint I had was the specials, I wish they put them on paper as there are too many to remember. All in all good food, good prices and healthy portions, we will be back.
(4)
Brian G.

ok. I need to qualify that I know and love the owners. I live close so we eat here all the time, thusly I'm well taken care of... but I love mambo. some of the best Italian in Lake County. great service , great bartenders and warm a cozy decor. awesome well rounded and interesting menu. they knock out of the park all the traditional Italian dishes - especially the baked clams, calamari (try it grilled), and pizza. yes it can be a little pricy but last time I checked they printed the prices on the menu. there's always pizza, pasta and a meatballs and house red wine for the dollar conscious consumer. if I had one criticism it would be they need to change the curtain Separating the bar from the kitchen, it's worn out and shows. Grazie and see u soon Mambo.
(4)
K D.

We were not happy that the waiter rushed us through the meal. It will be awhile before we return here. We had early reservations (5:30) as we know this restaurant gets crowded pretty quickly on Fridays and Saturday nights. We had seats in the bar area, which isn't too bad, as the booths are nice. However, we felt very rushed from the start. Every course was quickly removed and the next one followed immediately. We weren't finished with our wine, and the waiter was pushing coffee and/or dessert. When we finally ordered coffee, the check soon followed without the waiter asking if we were ready for it. To be honest, we would have ordered a dessert, but there was no way we were going to at that point. The food is pretty good here; the pasta is very good and the vodka cream sauce is excellent. But, when you are rushing a good paying and generous tipping group of people out, that will hurt you in the long run. If service doesn't improve, this restaurant will be in trouble once Maggiano's Vernon Hills opens for business at the end of July..
(3)
ellen a.

So, this has become our go to place for Saturday/Sunday lunch s/p errands. Have introduced friends to the great food here for lunch and dinner. Food remains awesome, large portions, decent price point. Love the expanded single malt scotch selection. Desserts a must. Chicken saltimbocca, lobster ravioli, stuffed peppers, bruschetta topping on any of the fish offerings, and the eggplant are the go to dishes. Can get very busy at dinner but service is great (thanks, John). Still the occasional pounding of veal and beef for the braciole for dinner which can be a bit annoying when trying to enjoy lunch. I will put up with that minor fail and continue to come for some of the best Italian food ever.
(4)
T Z.

Finally made it to Mambo. We had the Arancine as an appetizer and it was very good. The entrees were the braciole and the lobster ravioli. The braciole was very good and a large enough portion for two. The lobster ravioli tasted good, but like most outside the east coast, the lobster was scant and you were basically eating filling which was tasty. I agree with other reviews, the specials are so numerous they need to be written instead of recited. I will return again because the meal overall was very good. Note: When I made a rez i was asked if it was a special occasion. It happened to be our anniversary, so I responded yes it was an anniversary. However, we had dinner and left with no mention of it to us or anything. Odd question to ask if you are not going to acknowledge it.
(4)
Justine L.

I give Mambo Italian 2.4 stars (i.e., in between 2 and 3 stars, but I wouldn't round up... haha) Everything was just okay. Service was good, but it took a really long time for us to get our dishes. It was to the point where we were looking at everyone else's food and tracking who ordered first. I had a seafood fettuccini dish, which was good but nothing that blows your socks off. Flavors were present, but not empowering. My favorite item was the margharita pizza because the crust was so crispy (just how I like it). My family had a variety of dishes, and same deal, nothing wowing. Many of the dishes I actually felt like we can or already do make at home with the same success. Not to mention, prices were pretty high at $18-30 per entree. At the end of the day, I wouldn't come back to Mambo Italian because there are just too many other options in the category that offer more, whether they be chains or other mom 'n pop shops like this one.
(2)
Kelli W.

While looking for an Italian restaurant that offers more than the typical pizza delivery place, I came across Mambo Italiano. The menu is huge and the quality is excellent. I ordered Veal Marsala, shrimp with Alfredo sauce, a Caprese salad, and tirimisu. Although priced standard for dine-in fare, the food quality was uncompromised even though it was delivered.
(4)
Kim F.

We discovered Mambo years ago and it has been our favorite sit-down restaurant ever since. Sal and Jeff keep things running smoothly and the wait staff is very friendly. Most importantly - the food!! Never a bad meal. Their eggplant parmesan is excellent and their tiramisu is incredible. LOVE this place.
(5)
M C.

First timer at Mambo and was not disappointed! The establishment is a little noisy, but once you get seated, the food and the service is really on par. Our server, Jamie, was awesome and nailed their extensive list of Friday night specials. I ordered the scallops in lemon butter and homemade gnocchi which was excellent. The others at my table loved their pasta carbonara and mushroom ravioli, along with all of us commenting on how good the appetizer of bruschetta was (crispy toasts loaded with the fresh bruschetta). Dessert took us over the edge, as their tiramisu was creamy and just soaked enough not to be overpowering. Service was fast and polite and I would highly recommend Mambo Italiano for anyone looking for a reasonably priced dinner and homemade flavor.
(4)
SleepyInIL -.

My absolute favorite Italian restaurant in the area. I`ve become a regular. Sal and Jeff are great! Jeff even lets me use their WiFi. One of these days I`ll try something other than the ravioli. Live guitar music on the weekend occasionally.
(4)
Kathleen W.

Mambo is my favorite local restaurant. I've never had a bad meal here. The owners and staff are hard working and pleasant. The service is exceptional, always check out the specials, creative and delicious. Sal gets inventive with the veggies that are in season. The Melanzane Ritolo and the scallops are two of my favorites. I find Mambo reasonably priced for the quality of the food and excellent service.
(5)
Mike C.

I live in Downers Grove Illinois, and I have to say that this place is well worth the trip. Finest pizza I ever had in the 847 Area code. I would recommend this place to anybody. Service and the ownership rocks. Great job guys, keep it up!
(5)
Dilara M.

This is a hidden gem in the middle of Lake county because while it is in the middle of a strip mall it's one of the best Italian restaurants around! It's a locally owned family restaurant that is elegant on the inside, great homemade food and excellent service. There is not a meal that I've had here that I did not like. I highly recommend that if you choose a salad over soup before your meal, choose their homemade creamy Italian dressing because it is very tasty. I'm usually not a fan of Italian dressing but this is awesome! Be sure if you go on a weekend to make reservations because it is a small place that is popular thus it's always full.
(5)
Melissa C.

Went there for lunch today to support small business saturday. Have never been there before, but it was excellent. The food was so good. Calamari was very good, and the specials were fantastic. Service was also excellent. Bathrooms very clean, which is always a plus. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Elaine C.

Walk- in with 5 adult and 1 high chair 8pm. Luckily got a table. The restaurant was packed. The restaurant waiter/waitresses were friendly and talkative. The owner came by to say hi. Very nice people. Good food and large portion for sharing.
(4)
Maggie C.

Stopped in for drinks with a friend on a weekday night. Had a couple of very tasty martinis, followed by the Arancine from the appetizer menu. I was a little hesitant at first, as a rice ball just didn't seem very appetizing, but I was pleasantly surprised! This was very tasty and enjoyable. The atmosphere here was also very nice, ample parking, and appears to be family friendly. Highly recommend!
(5)
Natasha N.

We love Italian. There are so many great restaurants in Chicago, but not many in the burbs. People think you can slap an Italian sounding name on your building and that will be enough to make the food good. This is exactly the opposite. It's in a strip mall, so initially you aren't sure what to expect. But it's cozy, everyone is happy to be there and there are tables full of people truly enjoying their food; the way a true Italian restaurant should be. I keep getting variations on the same thing (linguine, garlic, olive oil, shrimp/chicken, spinach, broccoli, parmesan), but it is the best I have tried outside of Chicago. They bring fresh, crusty bread to the table. Olive oil and parm at the table for dipping. I don't know what kind of parm they have at the table, but I put a gallon on my leftovers every time because it is so flipping good! My husband has had the veal and a squid ink pasta dish that was so awesome. I'm going to try something different next time, but I know it's gonna be amazing as well, so I can't wait. The owner and his wife are fantastic. Servers are great. You'll be back..trust me.
(5)
Gerald M.

Love love love this place. It's in a random location - strip mall but its oh so good. Prices are not cheap but well worth it.
(5)
Dan D.

Comfortable atmosphere, good service, excellent food. Order the calamari and ask for spicy red sauce (not cocktail sauce, spicy marinara) for dipping. Decent salad. Outstanding veal limone. One key indicator of the quality of Italian food is the marinara sauce. Mambo's sauce is memorable and blends perfectly as a side with the limone dish. I will definitely be back anytime I am in the Waukegan area.
(5)
Michael Z.

Amazing service and the food was even better. We are brining our families here to celebrate our recent engagement. I have brought clients and also friends, awesome experience. Only thing that they could improve is allowing you to bring your own wine for a corkage fee. Other than that minor detail...outstanding!!!
(5)
Chiris R.

Been there twice. Both times the chef made me a great pomodoro dish that was not on the menu. Excellent service and food.
(5)
Ellen A.

Stopped in for lunch today. Came from Skokie to run an errand in the area. Very pleasant for the most part. Food was hot, flavorful, good portions. Service was attentive, staff all very nice. Atmosphere was quiet until the kitchen started pounding away at what - meat, dough? Getting ready for dinner, I suppose. That was the only fail that I could see. Marinara was quite good, tilapia with bruschetta topping was very tasty. Linguine with scampi, totally garlicky and yummy. The absolute best was the creme catalano dessert - WOW. When in the area we usually go to Tacos el Norte for the pozole but now we will have to make a difficult decision as this place is a winner. Nice to see a mom/pop place with character and flavor in the burbs.
(4)
Melanie P.

After our first visit, our family of four left with smiles and a promise to come back often. The service was absolutely phenomenal and the ambiance was intimate and warm. The menu selection, while traditional, offered choices to suit many tastes. We ordered a range of entrees from pizza to eggplant part and were very satisfied with the preparation, amount, and flavors. We walked out with plenty of leftovers. I would recommend this restaurant to people who are looking for a hearty Italian meal for a reasonable cost. I think that it is intimate enough for couples but has enough space to accommodate larger parties. Definitely a hidden gem in the Mundelein and Vernon Hills area!
(5)
Todd M.

Wow.. what a great find in the heart of suburban strip mall darkness!! For a born and bred east coaster like myself, now years removed and living in Oregon, this place was a like a breath of garlicky fresh air from my nonna! This restaurant is in a strip mall ( natch ), and it looks like all the rest you drive by on the way from your soulless hotel to your corp HQ or vice versa. However, once you sit down, you realize that this place is different... better service. Professional and responsive, not some pimply college kid sitting down at your table to tell you all about themselves. It's the food where they really shine... specials are fantastic, but I've been there about 4 times now and everything I've had off the menu shines. Be forewarned... unless you're a xxl you're not going to be able to finish everything.. and if you do, you're done for the night. My special fav is the flank stake pounded thin, stuffed with lots of good stuff, rolled up, and cooked slow... its' a 2 pound brick of italian love, and my only complaint is that I finished one all by myself one time and had to be rolled back to my hotel. How about a 1/2 portion for those of us on the road? LOVE this place.. as does my non sushi eating boss. :)
(4)
Kim H.

Have always enjoyed each dish. Can get crowded but worth it! Take your time and enjoy the fresh cuisine ! Local easy parking and the bread is fresh and hot!!!
(3)
Melissa H.

Two words: grilled calamari. Yum and yum. Plus outstanding soup, especially the mushroom soup. My (Italian) husband ranks their lasagna and their bolognese sauce as number one. And his heart was truly won the first night he heard the word BRACIOLE on the list of specials. Truly better than his mother made. And woe betide him on nights they have roast duck and braciole on the menu--why choose? Order both and take one home! Me? I just stick with my soup and grilled calamari. My only minor complaint is the noise; the din is deafening. And our experience with waitstaff has been hit or miss; we've had both the best and the worst of waitstaff experiences here. But the management and front desk staff are always great. And even some of the more fumbly waiters were at least trying.
(4)
Tommy L.

Greatttttttttttt food and friendly services!
(5)
Pamela M.

The Best Italian Food. I always have problems deciding what I want. Have never had anything I did not like. Very fair pricing and nice portion sizes. Great family environment. The owners and waitstaff are top notch. I cannot say enough good about Mambo Italiano!
(5)
Sy S.

I was extremely impressed with the food and service at this restaurant. I would never have found it if it wasn't for yelp.com as it is tucked into the corner of a strip mall. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough especially the pizza which has an amazing crust like a delicate pastry.
(5)
Daoud G.

FOOD + vodka / pasta / lobster was spectacular + noodles (spaghetti & mostaccioli) w/ marinara sauce was ok, the tomato sauce was a bit thick + veal lemon sauce was tender and balanced + Italian wedding soup was spectacular + canoli must have been great because the guy next to me swallowed it down w/o bothering to even ask if I wanted any + gelato was excellente! - tiramisu -- don't order it, it is too cake tasty like they got it from Jewel's bakery + bread was toasted interestingly ATMOSPHERE + very family oriented, can also be cozy + nice lighting + called at 9:20 pm, was advised to be open till 11 and was asked if we were dining. When arriving at the restaurant greeted us and thank us for visiting them. At the time of departure thanked us for the business. - strip mall restaurant (usually those turn out to be little gems) - walls could you some art work, maybe the are trying to achieve the southern Italian bareness - that Frank Sinatra CD, hope it gets stuck or scratched LOGISTICS + ample parking + easy to get to - no public transportation CREATIVITY + quite a few different dishes that you commonly don't see in other Italian restaurants. - dessert menu's photos need some help, but does it really matter? - music could use some room, Frankie gotta go, especially not pleasing when you don't care for his aura. Had Barolo, was hoping that I could order by the glass, but wishful thinking. The waitress was cunning enough to offer us the unfinished portion to be corked back for taking home. Nice try, but didn't want to force the plastic card to sweat too much. Great service! YELP + thank you Yelp, was driving back from Lake Forest and needed a decent restaurant in the vicinity.
(4)
david s.

I took out the chicken vesuvio, a dish I have had from many places. This version is in the upper tier. ORDER IT! My wife had the pasta aglio olio (in garlic and olive oil), and said it was very good
(5)
Meghann O.

Went here on a Saturday night without a reservation. We just moved to the suburbs and had never noticed this restaurant until a friend recommended. The restaurant was busy, but we waited at the bar. The wait was not too long, but boy was it worth it. The food was delicious! Everything tasted fresh and homemade! I cant wait to go back and try different dishes. I would highly recommend this italian eatery. The staff were all friendly and helpful and made the experience even better.
(5)
Kymberly J.

Huge variety of dishes to choose from on their menu. Large portions - some were enough for two. Everything was very fresh and delicious and the service was excellent. They even opened early for Mother's Day and gave my mom a rose. They would not accept a coupon my mom had because it said it wasnt valid on Mothers day because that is considered a holiday....really? They could have accepted it anyway. Its family owned so I dont think they have a corporate office to answer to. Besides the coupon ordeal I enjoyed my food.
(4)
Laura O.

Not impressed at all. We had a reservation and were seated in the bar at a booth in the corner big enough for 6 people. There was 3 of us. The live music was way too loud and the staff kept going in and out thru a door right next to us that led to tables on the sidewalk. Our waiter rattled off his memorized list of about 15 specials. I was lost after he said Hi my name is. We did ask to move to another area of the dining room and the level of service dropped dramatically. The fried Calamari is excellent but other than that I feel the food is just ok. Probably won't be going again. Their prices are way too high for what you get.
(2)
Ronald D.

Went there for the first time last night. What a very pleasant surprise! This place is a gem. It is owned and operated by a husband and wife. She was at the hostess stand and was a pleasure getting to know. She told us the story of the restaurant and went through the specials and the menu with us. Her enthusiasm and passion were both evident! You could tell she loved the rest business. The waiter went through the special with an. Excellent understanding of each item. I had the seafood risotto. This dish was great! Others at our table had chicken vesuvio, as well as the breaded seafood special. No one had any complaints. The place was full till after 9:30. This is really a good restaurant. I friend of mine has been raving about it for years. He goes there at least once a week. Now I understand why. Take a drive and eat here! You will enjoy it from start to finish!
(5)
Peter D.

OK...place is kinda tight. Can be a just a tad pricey. BUT....one of the best spots in Central Lake County. All the "hey, I left Chicago and all I can see in the burbs is Pizza Hut for Italian food" should come here and be happy. Good service, great specials, wine/cocktails, awesome. First class, family run, work hard type staff that makes sure you have a great experience.
(5)
Donna L.

I really love this restaurant. I have brought so many people here and clients. No one is disappointed. Being an Italian myself it really is a compliment. I usually do not like to eat Italian food since I make it all the time, but I cannot pass this one up. Keep up the great job!
(5)
Trena V.

This is by far the best italian restaurant I have been to. I don't mind the 35 min ride to get there at all. The food was terrific. I got a pasta dish anf If I wasn't in a restaurant I might have licked the dish. My husband got the chicken parmesan and is hard to please and he ate all of his dish as well. The staff was nice and attentive. The best was the desert I don't remember what they were called but I think they were like cannoli puffs and they were delicious!!! I wish I had a few more on my plate. I will definitely return over and over again!!
(5)
John O.

Stay away from this place! The wine by the glass was watered down. This was a first for me at any restaurant. We had four in our group, three of us ordered different wine by the glass and all three were diluted. The fourth had a beer that was bottled so they could not cheat on that one. I asked to talk to the owner but was told he left. It was 8PM. The food was average but at a price point that was high.
(1)
Michael N.

Amazing restaurant, unbelievable food. This is the only place I think to go when I'm in the mood for Italian.
(5)
Joe B.

This is a tough review to write, considering I'm the first person to give Mambo less than four stars (minus that one odd filtered review, but who reads those anyway?) To be blunt, it's completely average Italian fare at best. I don't understand the rave reviews... The veal parmigiana sandwich was enjoyable, but they could have cut that beast in half and lowered the price, because nobody needs that large of a sandwich. The chicken giambotta was alright, but I'd rather head down the road and get it from Salerno's. You'll most likely enjoy your meal, but that's because everything Italians do is great. Fact.
(3)
Jacob J.

It's a gem located far, far away in the burbs. From the photos I'd found on the Internet, I expected this place to be huge. In person, it's a restaurant in a strip mall, but with warmth, flavor and pizazz. I don't typically go for Italian food, I was lucky to join with some very awesome friends who'd heard about this place and were willing to share the treat. There are a plethora of great dishes to get, but the one dish that stuck out for me, home made pizza puffs made my way! Yes, I'm such a kid. Made fresh and in fifteen minutes. Filling and tasty. It's a bit pricey, but if you live by the saying, let every meal be a great meal, you'll appreciate this one. Waitstaff was average, actually I thought the runners did a better job than our waitress.., but it was a lunch rush. Speaking of lunch rush, if going on the weekdays, go early. Try to get there around 11ish. I think this dude was a supervisor or in management, came around asking how everything was. Straight out of a movie in looks, tight black shirt, Z. cavaricci type pants, pointy shoes, slicked back hair and a gold chain. Although he was warm when he approached to ask about our food and gave some tips on ordering next time.
(5)
lew b.

I was taken here for the first time about 8 months ago. I was at first thinking Mundelien,strip center, oh boy what a waste of time & money!!! Boy was I wrong this place is amazing,the service was top notch without being overbearing. The salad was great ,the minestrone ,rivals Sabatinos ( one of my favs) from grilled calimari to the main courses salmon ,scallops & veal parm . This place stands on its own .Give it a chance ,you will be coming back!!!
(5)
Phillip D.

Food was really good. Portions are big. I recommend that everyone try this spot if you love Italian food.
(5)
Rusty S.

What a gem of a place in Mundelein of all places! This is a small restaurant in a little mall right across from Greg's Landings. When you walk in you feel like you're in Italy. The food is great and tasted home made, the soups are delicious and aromatic. We come here every once in a while for lunches and dinners. 1 caveat is to be careful where you sit at lunch time, the kitchen staff tends to prepare the meats at lunch time. They're slicing, beating and god knows what else and it can get loud. Don't forget teramisu!!!
(5)
Tiffany P.

The food is way overpriced for the quality. If you want good italian food at a good price there are several other restaurants to find it in. It is a shame because the restaurant is nice and the wait staff is top notch.
(2)
margaret s.

Excellent, excellent food! The grilled calamari appetizer was to die for. The service was good, it was a little weird to have so many special choices, they should either make a written menu of them, or add them to their regular menu. I had gluten free noodles in my spaghetti, yeah! It was disappointing that there was no freshly shaved parmesan available, just a shaker on the table, like a pizza place.
(4)
Annie C.

WOW! great food!!! Friendly staff-- good time.... We keep going back!!
(5)
Marie B.

We have eaten here at least 10 times and the food is great! Atmosphere is great! Owner is hands on and you can tell. This is the real deal. Try it you will love it! Make sure you finish with the cannoli! It's the best in the city!
(5)
Fred F.

I live in Mundelein and this restaurant is a breath of fresh air in a town that doesn't have many good restaurants. Service and food were excellent and the drinks were strong.
(4)
Tony G.

As a frequent diner at many of the restaurants that Taylor Street has to offer, I typically don't have high expectations for any other Italian restaurants. I was Extremely impressed with the food and service at this restaurant in the north suburbs - in a strip mall, of all places. I cannot recommend this restaurant strongly enough - it is great for a business lunch because the service is great. It would also be a great date spot. I've never been for dinner, but I would be surprised if the restaurant wasn't absolutely packed - it's that good! The sauces and pastas tasted homemade, the service was among the best I've had, and the menu is varied.
(5)
Christine V.

My parents first went to this place back when I was away at school and RAVED about this little italian place back by a liquor store where the owners are straight out of the movies. They all wear black and have their hair greased back with gold chains. AND I LOVE IT THAT WAY. I've had every special they have to offer and it's all yummmmmmmy. The scallops with asparagus comes with a lemon butter sauce that is delish, petite filets are awesome, brushetta tilapia was light and flavorful. I highly reccomend. Ask for Dino.
(5)
Matt E.

Definitely in an odd place. I was a little leery about a restaurant in a strip mall, but this place is quite amazing on the inside. The food is great and the atmosphere and staff are wonderful. If you go early enough, you can hear them tenderizing the meat for the evening, which was pretty cool.
(5)
Shelly M.

Loved the ambiance! We have lived close to this restaurant since it opened and have never gone. We finally decided to go and we weren't disappointed! What a great little find! It won't make it into our regular restaurant rotation because of the price, but it was so good! My husband had the pork chop special. Fabulous! I had the Fettucini Alfredo which was so good! Will definitely go back for a special occasion. Ask for Ryan, he was great!!
(4)
Keith F.

I have been there several times and the food is very good, fresh, and the service is great. The only complaint is that they are a bit pricey for Italian. Service for 4 people, no appetizer, no drinks other than coke, plus dessert put us at $158.00 + tip = $188.00. I am from Chicago and frequent Calo on Clark ( calorestaurant.com ) and their food is just as good and no where near as expensive.
(4)
Mike J.

Mambo is a great family-owned Italian restaurant. I've been to Mambo on several occasions and have never been disappointed! The food is great and the service is good. And, it is not a chain restaurant! One of my favorite places to eat.
(5)
Amanda S.

Everything from the bread to the cannoli is DELICIOUS!!!! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. The staff is very friendly too. This has become my favorite restaurant!
(5)
Bob B.

What a great find. Thank you Yelp. My wife had the eggplant rotolo and I had the chicken giambotto, both wonderful. Portions are large, prices are fair, service is terrific. Although it was jammed on a Saturday night, we were seated at our reserved time and we could actually carry on a conversation with our friends! Four stars instead of five because the bread and olive oil were essentially tasteless.
(4)
jeff J.

Great Italian in the NW burbs. Atmosphere is good for a strip mall location. All entrees ordered were very tasty. Margaritas were decent bout have had better. The menu has a lot to pick from and the service is good. I will be back soon.
(5)
V S.

This place is our family spot. I wasn't sure about reviewing Mambo only because I want to make sure I can still get in for dinner without having to wait. I can't be selfish though, this restaurant is a gem. The menu is extensive and the wait staff reels off a list of specials that brings you from hungry to starving by the time they finished. Each dish is described completely and they have a really fresh and creative approach with the specials. I love the regular stuff, chicken vesuvio, sausage and peppers, eggplant parm, OMG I'm hungry just from writing this up. Try the fried ravioli appetizer. Easy texture with a slight crunch and a flavorful marinara and parmesan sauce. The tira misu is unbelievable, not too liquory and light enough that you could eat the whole damn plateful and still scavenge after your neighbor's when they're not looking. Great selection of creative decently priced wines and well researched spirits. The owners have worked very hard to make this place happen and never skimp an inch on quality or their efforts to make you feel welcome.
(5)
Mike C.

This is the real deal. You will never find this place unless you actively look for it. It's in a strip center and looks very non-descript. In fact, you probably won't even expect much if you go. But once you sit down you'll enjoy every minute. The waitresses are passionate about the food and seem like they genuinely like the place. The menu is very diverse and the food is excellent. Plenty of specials to choose from as well (although it would be nice if they gave you the prices of the specials, my veal cutlet was more pricey than I expected - but delicious too). Service is outstanding. My son mis-ordered, and when we told the waitress, she was so happy to make a change for us. We will return often. This is a terrific place to get great, passionate service, a nice environment, a well-paced meal to allow for good conversation, and really, really tasty Italian food.
(4)

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Address : 748 S Butterfield Rd
Mundelein, IL, 60060
Phone (847) 281-9100
Website https://www.themamboitaliano.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Mambo Italiano

748 S Butterfield Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060

Mambo Italiano Menu

Appetizers

Zuppe & Insalate Soups & Salads

Pollo Chicken

Vitello Veal

Carne & Pesci Steak & Fish

Create Your Own Pizza

Specialty Pizza

Pasta

Side Dishes

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mambo Italiano

Appetizers

Zuppe & Insalate Soups & Salads

Pollo Chicken

Vitello Veal

Carne & Pesci Steak & Fish

Create Your Own Pizza

Specialty Pizza

Pasta

Side Dishes

Gerald M.

Michael W.

Chet M.

Matt And Jess D.

Diane S.

Casey S.

Kelley M.

Tony P.

michael w.

alina p.

Camille L.

Miriam M.

Natasha O.

Ed K.

Jeff F.

Annie P.

Janet K.

Brad H.

Adelita H.

Barbara F.

Matt D.

Luna M.

David J.

Armil B.

Michelle D.

Mary J.

Laura B.

Shana J.

Rob S.

Kelly M.

Paola B.

Steve M.

David F.

Dale R.

Mad I.

Larry H.

Christina S.

Leticia B.

Kim B.

Melli B.

Notah K.

Tony M.

Sheila G.

Stacy O.

Angie M.

Allison M.

Alan L.

Sally M.

Cynthia B.

Lynda L.

Joshua F.

K G.

Steve S.

Colie L.

Nancy B.

Leslie C.

Pattie U.