If you're looking for an excellent "chicago style" place, this is it! I have eaten at Buona since I was old enough to order off the kids menu! I haven't physically eaten inside in years, but I frequent the drive thru and catering counter. These days, I love to kick back with a movie and a Buona Beef! I frequent the catering counter about once a month. I always order 1 pound of Italian Beef (w/ Gravy, Hot Giardiniera, and a loaf of Turano) and 1 pound of Hot n' Ready Italian Sausage (w/ Sweet Peppers and a loaf of Turano) to make my own Italian Beef / Sausage sandwiches at home! I simply pour the gravy into a crock pot, heat it up, then put the beef in. Buona Beef never disappoints! The beef is always tender, juicy, and well seasoned. The Italian Sausage is tender, flavorful, and filling! It's always nice to make a "combo" sandwich for a taste that is out of this world! The Turano bread is always soft and fresh & the sweet peppers are INCREDIBLE! I also love the Spicy Giardiniera on my Italian beef! There is always plenty of food for my father and I, usually leaving left overs for the next day. (Nothing wrong with Buona two days in a row! ) The service at the counter is always friendly, quick, and helpful! They even offer to take it to your car for you! We routinely get Buona during football and hockey season! QUICK TIP: Order a small order of their Parmesan chips when you pickup your at-home order at the catering counter. They are fresh made and out of this world! Also, you cannot go wrong with their french fries. Traditional steak fries, served piping hot! You never get a cold order here! Believe me, leave Portillo's in the dust and get yourself a beef sandwich, italian sausage sandwich, or chicago style hot dog at Buona! Buona is CHICAGO.
(5)
Mike A.
A great Chicago style joint to get a beef. What many don't realize is that they put out some pretty great pizzas as well. My fave is the BBQ Chicken pizza that is pretty large for an individual pizza. Only drawback would the fries, which are often served soggy. If you are a fan of Portillo's, add this place to your list as well. They also have prepackaged takeout beef packs(with bread and peppers) that can make a great dinner option for the family
(4)
Gordon B I.
Been going to Portillos for most of my life and decided to see if they had any real chain competitors. It certainly isn't this place! The beef was ok, and the roll was good, but that's about it. The fries were cold and flavorless. The hot peppers were not as good, and the Parmesan chips were cold, soggy, and flavorless. I'd walk if I had to for the closest Portillos over eating here again.
(2)
Patrick S.
I finally decided to try this chain. I wasn't as impressed as i had hoped I would have been. I had their Original 7" beef sandwich, with cheese and sweet peppers. I also ordered an serving of fries. The beef had a nice flavor to it, but the cheese was lacking. I barely notice any on my sandwich and almost thought they forgot to put it on?! Um...oh wait, there it is. The peppers were ok. Not raw, but not overly done either. Not much flavor to them, but they were edible. The roll was a standard Italian roll you get at most places, yet it seemed smaller than i was expecting. I chose to eat there, so my meal was served diner style on a white plastic plate. My serving of fries were placed on the plate, next to my wrapped sandwich. That was kind of confusing. Why would they wrap the sandwich, but leave the fries out on the plate? The serving of fries seemed smaller than most other beef places. The fries themselves were standard diner steak fries. Most likely frozen before hitting the deep frier. The taste was about what you'd expect for those type of fries. The service was ok. If you dine in, they bring your order out to you. That's alright, i guess. The people didn't go out of their way to make sure i had a nice experience, but they weren't rude either. The girl who took my order, did come out to ask how my sandwich was? She didn't ask anyone else, so i suspect it was only because she was cleaning tables near me? Overall, i think I'd skip going back to this place. I'll take Portillo's over Buona any day.
(3)
Jennifer M.
I shamefully admit, I've been eating at various Buona locations for years now but not as often as I was patronizing a Portillo's restaurant. Good-bye Portillo's, Hello Buona! OK, except for their Chicken Chopped Salad... Buona, we need to do something about that. You have been around for as long as I can remember and you have stood the test of time. The quality of ingredients, food preparation and food service have not changed, compromised or become lackadaisical with the shift in how we eat. We have become fast food junkies and careless about what we consume. What costs a dollar or is mass produced, frozen and refrozen saves me money now is guaranteed to bankrupt me with medical bills later. I hope you continue to preserve your integrity by reminding us that fast food can still be good food no matter how big the franchise may become. You don't ask me to wait by the counter contaminating your work space; instead, we take a seat and someone brings our order to us when it is ready, not when it's warmed up. Thank you for not charging me full price when I ask for just a grilled chicken patty and nothing else; which literally means without the buns, condiments, veggies or mayo 'to go" for my dog like Portillo's does. More noteworthy, you never waste my money by serving me rubbery fake shit that I can't cut, tear apart and she refuses to eat! ¡Buona es muy bueno! Go Cubs!
(5)
Lisa K.
For price, efficiency, and taste, this is the #1 workday lunch choice in my book. The food is a good value, a notch above fast food, but still cheaper (and faster) than a sit-down place with table service. There is something for everyone: healthy salad options as well as pizza and sandwiches for the less calorie-conscious. This is a plus when trying to pick a lunch place for a group of people. My personal favorite is the tuna salad sandwich because it is made with olive oil instead of mayonnaise. If you're not a mayonnaise person, you'll appreciate this! Also, the house-made parm potato chips are awesome.
(5)
Jennifer P.
"You walk in with an appetite; you walk out with a Buona." I feel that Buona is definitely boner-inspring (not that I'd know..): I love their sandwiches. The Turkey Delizioso was my fave when I was eating meat more. Now the Grilled Portobello Provolone Veggie sandwich is my go-to. It's HUGE - I usually divide it in half or thirds and it lasts at least two meals. The fries are delicious steak fries, but some Buonas don't cook them well. (They're great here!) The day we came in, my bf and I had great service. I was very indecisive about getting our order To Go or to dine in, and the girl who took our order was very patient and accommodating. We got bags to go, but she also brought us plates. (She gave us a number and then brought our food out to us.) I LOVE the food, but I hate spending $10 for a sandwich, fries, and a drink. Boo.
(4)
Lefai K.
This is one of those fast-food type setup restaurant. It kind of reminds me of Portillo's as they have the same mic system where they announce the order as you tell the cashier what you want to eat. Their menu is a lot of items and it would take a long, long time for me to try them all out. I ordered the Turkey Deliciouzo which was a turkey sandwich with cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, and mayo (no mayo for me). You have the choice of getting just the sandwich, or the meal, which includes the sandwich, fries, and a drink. The fries were pretty tasty, but I feel it could have used a little bit more salt. Better unsalted, than over-salted! Next time in, I might "splurge" on my diet and go for their delicious-looking pizzas. Once you ordered, they give you a placard with a number on it, and you put the number on the table, in which a server will locate you and deliver the food to your table. The service and staff was friendly and nice. BATHROOM REVIEW: The bathrooms were pretty clean looking, and consisted of a urinal and stall. The toilet looked clean and the urinal was in good working order. The stall doors appear to be nice and sturdy so you can drop your pants and not feel like someone could barge in. Sit or squat? Sit!!
(4)
Jim K.
Varied and tasty menu. Lunch has different specials each day. From Italian beefs, to pizza, salads and more all tasty and with great service. You even have a to go cup for your beverage. Whats not to like
(4)
Anil T.
Went here yesterday, drive thru, first time, I had the 10" Italian beef sandwich, did not order anything else, so I can only comment on what I ordered, the Italian beef tasted average, nothing special, portillo's and al's beef tasted better... Next time I will try something else on the menu.
(3)
Stannon B.
Buona Beef is a local chain that this Bama boy found on a recent Chicago visit. I opted for the Naked Buona (low carb option) - Italian Beef and Sausage in a bowl of au jus with Sweet Peppers and melted Mozz. The meat was perfectly seasoned, and very filling. As a nice surprise, order the Parmesan Chips (homemade chips with a healthy dose of salt, pepper and parm). Regrettably, I was too full to get a Blueberry Pie Shake... The folks next to us got one and it looked great.
(5)
Charice W.
I love this restaurant! Raul Magallanes, the manager, was an extremely patient with me when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to order. I do not come here often; however, I am never disappointed when I order lunch from here. Their beef sandwich was so delicious and my favorite food item is their gluten free pizza. The dough on this pizza bread was absolutely amazing, so yummy and sweet! Don't forget to take advantage of their awesome app, myBuona, where you can receive your own personalized rewards card. Thanks Buona!
(5)
anna p.
employees messed up the order in the drive through and after coming inside to get that corrected they were extremely rude and not helpful. One stated that he needs to review the tapes since he "knows how to count to three" and he would not forget to place a third sandwich in the bag. Great food but the terrible service had lost myself as a customer
(2)
Lyndsay K.
Naked combo = Italian beef, sausage, cheese, peppers, no bread and a whole lot of deliciousness in a bowl. I've dreamed of coming back to Buona since my first time back in October and I was so glad to spot this location when I finished working. Now if only they'd open up a location in Atlanta I could live the rest of my life in meaty bliss. (Skip the chicken penne soup - it kinda sucks)
(4)
Julia S.
Always a good place to eat. Gotta get a jar of those peppers before you leave! Italian beef add mozz cheese, onions, peppers and hot peppers = delicious!
(4)
Joanne B.
This is one of the pricier italian beef places. As others have said, make sure you tell them how "juicy" you want your beef. I ordered a regular beef yesterday and it was almost falling apart and juice was getting on my shirt. The beef with fries and a drink cost around $10! That just seems a bit much for what I was getting. I have gotten other sandwiches in the past (i.e. a turkey sandwich) and the tiny thing was about the same price. One of the saving merits of this place is that they do cook to order. You know what you are getting is somewhat fresh. It just isn't one of my go-to places because, at least in my opinion, you do not get a good value.
(3)
Yordan I.
average place to eat, the food is alright but don't expect something very delicious! I've been there 2 times, first time I liked it and the second time I didn't so much! good place for a lunch
(3)
Nancy M.
Its nice and clean, the staff is nice but however i didn't find anything special about the food. It was good enough to feed me, but not to make me want to go back.
(2)
Gregory B.
Well, none of us eats beef, so what were we doing in this place? Few places were open on Memorial Day and we were HUNGRY and there it was. The food is fresh, service is great. I'd bet we'd add a star if we ate Italian Beef. The salad was bland, so was the chicken sandwich. Decent Minestrone. Kids loved their dog and pizza. Fries were a-maz-ing! A little pricey.
(3)
Ruoyu S.
Great place to get Italian beef sandwich; and salads. My experience: 1) I got the Buona beef sandwich last summer. It was great. Juicy beef, tasty. Better than I expected. Also a good atmosphere to sit down to enjoy a meal. 2) Yesterday, I went again. I got lite lunch special. A 5'' italian beef sandwich, a salad, and a drink, for only $7.50. Good balance for tasty food and healthy food.
(5)
G E.
When I want a Italian beef or a beef and sausage this is the place, cheese fries are good too.
(4)
Joseph P.
In the last 8 months, we've been here about 30 times - so I guess I'm addicted. Aside from the standard 10" beef, we've added the Beef & Sausage combo to the list of regulars. This is one gigantic sandwich. Branching out, we love the specialty Pizzas, which fall towed the California Pizza Kitchen realm - the Chicken Pinolo, Alfredo Prosciutto, and the Beef & Giardiniera (which is a pizza version of a Italian Beef sandwich) are our favorites. The Buffalo Ranch Chicken salad is also a standout. In the summer they have a Spinach salad that's a winner. Unfortunately, the Pasta Salad has become shoddy lately - missing Artichoke Hearts and some level of vinegar in the dressing. It varies a lot from day to day, unfortunately. The grilled PANINIS can be very good, but the Italiano is just serviceable as a sub. Still, you come here for the Beef sandwiches... just don't overdo it. The staff is particularly helpful - especially for a self serve place - they often clean your table when you're finishing up, and are uniformly cheerful.
(4)
A. L. P.
Everything here tastes good, but most of the foods are very salty. I'd also like an explination as to why their caeser salad has over 700 calories, when similar restaurants' salads are around 300 calories.
(3)
Brent W.
Buona around Chicagoland serves up a decent beef but that's not why I come here, as much better can be found elsewhere imo. Here, it's the variety on the fly and a drive-thru (this particular one is a bit dysfunctional) that will satisfy those on the run. The sleeper here is their Spinach Tortellini soup. Really, really good. And the pizza, seemingly an afterthought at a place like this, is nawt bad at all and frankly pretty damn good. It's also a place to go sans fries + chips....not that the fries are bad but their chippies are excellent.
(3)
Helen W.
Stopped for a beef sandwich for a light dinner. We split a large with an order of fries. The beef sandwich was so so, not much flavor and not much juice to it. Probably should have asked for more au jus. Fries were thick and crispy tho. Pretty much fast chain type food. The homemade beef joints seem to be better tho.
(3)
Tim C.
Went through the drive through today and ordered a Cheeseburger and asked to add bacon on it. I decided to check it after the MANAGER handed it to me, figuring that there wouldn't be any. Surprise, there wasn't. No big deal, I can take the 3 minutes to walk in. Walked in and said "hey there was suppossed to be bacon on here," and hand it to them. Manager passes it behind the counter where I can't see and says "oh there's bacon on there, it's just under the lettuce, tomatoes, etc". I don't appreciate being lied to, I checked under that too. Seriously, man up and admit ya f***ed it up. Portillos has got just as good a burger as this place for a cheaper price.
(1)
Crafty K.
This is a very tasty Italian Beef. There's a lot of seasoning and the meat tastes fresher...not like it's been frozen for a good while like Portillo's! I like those chips too!
(4)
KenofromDetroit S.
I stopped here for lunch for my first time while attending a railroad show last Sunday and got the 10-inch Buona Beef. The sandwich was excellent. I ordered two more to bring home to family members back in Michigan. Sad to say, but we don't have anything here in Detroit that even comes close to Buona's or Portillo's. I will be back the next time I am in the area.
(5)
Nick S.
I think Buona serves great food for a an affordable price. The fact that you can enjoy quality food and a nice environment for under $10 is great. In some ways Buona is better than Portillos.
(5)
Julie P.
Yum this place has the best salads! I know, I know they are known for their beef but the salads are really fresh and have creative ingredients. They also serve alcohol which is always a plus :)
(4)
Eric M.
I'm looking to try this place more often. The selection alone is large enough that it'll take a few more tries. Came here with a co-worker and I had the turkey sandwich which was excellent. My co-worker ordered the pepperoni pizza which isn't normally an exciting dish but this tasted great. It's a large space with plenty of seating. The only thing I would say they work on is friendliness. The woman who took our order was very short with us and acted as though she was doing a chore.
(4)
Ben W.
Food is ok, it 's basicly fastfood. We ordered pizza, the dough is thin, which is good. 9' inches is perfect for one person's portion. One thing, all their pizza seem to be very spicy. So be careful with your order, don't order pizza if you don't like spicy food. This place is perfect for group to have a party. Service is fast, they close at 10:00
(3)
Brad F.
Ive always heard good things about this place, so I FINALLY decided to come in. I thought everything was good. The beef was delicious. It was a little pricey for what it is, but it was good.
(4)
Jacob J.
If looking for a quiet lunch try... Buona beef. The Italian beef is OK. Make sure you tell them how you want it. This is a crucial part to ordering it anywhere. Some may find it too different here, for instance, they use a thin long french bread. For the money it doesn't seem like much. But. It has gotten better over the years. I tried this place when it opened a few years back and I hated it! The Italian beef sucked. Today its better. The Supremo pizza is filling and priced about $5.25 for a personal. Bigger than what you would get at Pizza hut. As with one of the other reviews about the condiments.. it is a hassle to go looking around for the condiment needed. Crushed red pepper & parmesan is only found at the pick-up area. While they deliver food to the table, they don't bring any pizza condiments to your table. If you are real hungry try the double cheeseburger. I couldn't get it all down. I was really hungry. Chompin' down the steak fries was easy, they were just right. The burger, I almost had to use a knife. The bun is big and bakery style. The burger looked presentable, this is not a char house burger. Great taste for value. There are many food options, pizza, beef, cold sandwiches, panini's, ribs and I think pasta. The price can get to you, to combo anything is an additional $2.59 +/ -. So, most items that are combo'd could range around $8-$11 bucks and then add tax. Its usually in pristine condition. I've never seen them busy, yet. They have A TV in the back. And they serve beer. The seats are comfy. Would I go out of my way to get it? No. If in the area and its not busy. Fo' sho'.
(3)
Erica S.
Way over priced for the quality of food. I'd rather eat a five dollar footlong. I used a buy one meal get one free coupon for purchasing 2 meals and my bill was still $18!!!! They made my order for "here" when it was suppose to be to go so they basically just dumped everything in to-go boxes. My food was sloppy and just well... not that great. I will not be back.
(2)
Jim P.
I've gone here enough times for a good test. The food and service quality is consistently good. Their Italian beef and sausage is the best in the area. They offer three sizes for beef/sausage alone and two for combos. For me the seasoning is just right. For those that prefer something more spicy Johnnie's in Arlington Heights might be preferable. Good chilli and burgers. Their hot dog is small and overpriced. The fries are rather bland tasting but generally seem to be made to order.
(4)
Tracy K.
Plus one star for their customer service at a corporate level (I had emailed them to verify nutritional info posted on their website) and for the fact that they changed the way the make their fries and now they are on-par as far as fat & calories go with most other fast food chains.
(3)
Steve m.
Honestly, they have great food, but it's too damn high in calories!! Angus burger is out of this world good--probably best fast food burger in the area.
(5)
Colleen K.
We usually go here before shopping at Meijer - it is quick, not too expensive and my 4 year old likes it . The food is okay, some is better than others. The pizza is passable. A couple salads are good - I like mine with lots of toppings. The fries are good - on the thick side. The last time I was there both ketchup pumpers were out, I went to tell them and the manager I assume said, ' yeah we know.' Uh - okay, that is not how I would talk to a customer nor how I would want to be talked to as a customer, but whatever. We will probably be back out of convenience, but dont go out of your way.
(3)
vitas z.
can't say i really enjoyed my experience here. the food was less than i had expected. had the ceasar salad. it ws passable. one friend had the half slab of ribs and complained all the way through. the other friend had the burger and didn't bother finishing. what really bothered me was the availabity of silverware and napkins. took me a little while to find what i wanted. had to make a couple trips up to the counter to get silverware, napkins, and condiments. don't feel like i should work that hard to have a quick bite to eat. choose it out of convenience and curiosity since we had a work project in the area. don't think i'll ever be going back again.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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.
Megan Z.
If you're looking for an excellent "chicago style" place, this is it! I have eaten at Buona since I was old enough to order off the kids menu! I haven't physically eaten inside in years, but I frequent the drive thru and catering counter. These days, I love to kick back with a movie and a Buona Beef! I frequent the catering counter about once a month. I always order 1 pound of Italian Beef (w/ Gravy, Hot Giardiniera, and a loaf of Turano) and 1 pound of Hot n' Ready Italian Sausage (w/ Sweet Peppers and a loaf of Turano) to make my own Italian Beef / Sausage sandwiches at home! I simply pour the gravy into a crock pot, heat it up, then put the beef in. Buona Beef never disappoints! The beef is always tender, juicy, and well seasoned. The Italian Sausage is tender, flavorful, and filling! It's always nice to make a "combo" sandwich for a taste that is out of this world! The Turano bread is always soft and fresh & the sweet peppers are INCREDIBLE! I also love the Spicy Giardiniera on my Italian beef! There is always plenty of food for my father and I, usually leaving left overs for the next day. (Nothing wrong with Buona two days in a row! ) The service at the counter is always friendly, quick, and helpful! They even offer to take it to your car for you! We routinely get Buona during football and hockey season! QUICK TIP: Order a small order of their Parmesan chips when you pickup your at-home order at the catering counter. They are fresh made and out of this world! Also, you cannot go wrong with their french fries. Traditional steak fries, served piping hot! You never get a cold order here! Believe me, leave Portillo's in the dust and get yourself a beef sandwich, italian sausage sandwich, or chicago style hot dog at Buona! Buona is CHICAGO.
(5)Mike A.
A great Chicago style joint to get a beef. What many don't realize is that they put out some pretty great pizzas as well. My fave is the BBQ Chicken pizza that is pretty large for an individual pizza. Only drawback would the fries, which are often served soggy. If you are a fan of Portillo's, add this place to your list as well. They also have prepackaged takeout beef packs(with bread and peppers) that can make a great dinner option for the family
(4)Gordon B I.
Been going to Portillos for most of my life and decided to see if they had any real chain competitors. It certainly isn't this place! The beef was ok, and the roll was good, but that's about it. The fries were cold and flavorless. The hot peppers were not as good, and the Parmesan chips were cold, soggy, and flavorless. I'd walk if I had to for the closest Portillos over eating here again.
(2)Patrick S.
I finally decided to try this chain. I wasn't as impressed as i had hoped I would have been. I had their Original 7" beef sandwich, with cheese and sweet peppers. I also ordered an serving of fries. The beef had a nice flavor to it, but the cheese was lacking. I barely notice any on my sandwich and almost thought they forgot to put it on?! Um...oh wait, there it is. The peppers were ok. Not raw, but not overly done either. Not much flavor to them, but they were edible. The roll was a standard Italian roll you get at most places, yet it seemed smaller than i was expecting. I chose to eat there, so my meal was served diner style on a white plastic plate. My serving of fries were placed on the plate, next to my wrapped sandwich. That was kind of confusing. Why would they wrap the sandwich, but leave the fries out on the plate? The serving of fries seemed smaller than most other beef places. The fries themselves were standard diner steak fries. Most likely frozen before hitting the deep frier. The taste was about what you'd expect for those type of fries. The service was ok. If you dine in, they bring your order out to you. That's alright, i guess. The people didn't go out of their way to make sure i had a nice experience, but they weren't rude either. The girl who took my order, did come out to ask how my sandwich was? She didn't ask anyone else, so i suspect it was only because she was cleaning tables near me? Overall, i think I'd skip going back to this place. I'll take Portillo's over Buona any day.
(3)Jennifer M.
I shamefully admit, I've been eating at various Buona locations for years now but not as often as I was patronizing a Portillo's restaurant. Good-bye Portillo's, Hello Buona! OK, except for their Chicken Chopped Salad... Buona, we need to do something about that. You have been around for as long as I can remember and you have stood the test of time. The quality of ingredients, food preparation and food service have not changed, compromised or become lackadaisical with the shift in how we eat. We have become fast food junkies and careless about what we consume. What costs a dollar or is mass produced, frozen and refrozen saves me money now is guaranteed to bankrupt me with medical bills later. I hope you continue to preserve your integrity by reminding us that fast food can still be good food no matter how big the franchise may become. You don't ask me to wait by the counter contaminating your work space; instead, we take a seat and someone brings our order to us when it is ready, not when it's warmed up. Thank you for not charging me full price when I ask for just a grilled chicken patty and nothing else; which literally means without the buns, condiments, veggies or mayo 'to go" for my dog like Portillo's does. More noteworthy, you never waste my money by serving me rubbery fake shit that I can't cut, tear apart and she refuses to eat! ¡Buona es muy bueno! Go Cubs!
(5)Lisa K.
For price, efficiency, and taste, this is the #1 workday lunch choice in my book. The food is a good value, a notch above fast food, but still cheaper (and faster) than a sit-down place with table service. There is something for everyone: healthy salad options as well as pizza and sandwiches for the less calorie-conscious. This is a plus when trying to pick a lunch place for a group of people. My personal favorite is the tuna salad sandwich because it is made with olive oil instead of mayonnaise. If you're not a mayonnaise person, you'll appreciate this! Also, the house-made parm potato chips are awesome.
(5)Jennifer P.
"You walk in with an appetite; you walk out with a Buona." I feel that Buona is definitely boner-inspring (not that I'd know..): I love their sandwiches. The Turkey Delizioso was my fave when I was eating meat more. Now the Grilled Portobello Provolone Veggie sandwich is my go-to. It's HUGE - I usually divide it in half or thirds and it lasts at least two meals. The fries are delicious steak fries, but some Buonas don't cook them well. (They're great here!) The day we came in, my bf and I had great service. I was very indecisive about getting our order To Go or to dine in, and the girl who took our order was very patient and accommodating. We got bags to go, but she also brought us plates. (She gave us a number and then brought our food out to us.) I LOVE the food, but I hate spending $10 for a sandwich, fries, and a drink. Boo.
(4)Lefai K.
This is one of those fast-food type setup restaurant. It kind of reminds me of Portillo's as they have the same mic system where they announce the order as you tell the cashier what you want to eat. Their menu is a lot of items and it would take a long, long time for me to try them all out. I ordered the Turkey Deliciouzo which was a turkey sandwich with cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, and mayo (no mayo for me). You have the choice of getting just the sandwich, or the meal, which includes the sandwich, fries, and a drink. The fries were pretty tasty, but I feel it could have used a little bit more salt. Better unsalted, than over-salted! Next time in, I might "splurge" on my diet and go for their delicious-looking pizzas. Once you ordered, they give you a placard with a number on it, and you put the number on the table, in which a server will locate you and deliver the food to your table. The service and staff was friendly and nice. BATHROOM REVIEW: The bathrooms were pretty clean looking, and consisted of a urinal and stall. The toilet looked clean and the urinal was in good working order. The stall doors appear to be nice and sturdy so you can drop your pants and not feel like someone could barge in. Sit or squat? Sit!!
(4)Jim K.
Varied and tasty menu. Lunch has different specials each day. From Italian beefs, to pizza, salads and more all tasty and with great service. You even have a to go cup for your beverage. Whats not to like
(4)Anil T.
Went here yesterday, drive thru, first time, I had the 10" Italian beef sandwich, did not order anything else, so I can only comment on what I ordered, the Italian beef tasted average, nothing special, portillo's and al's beef tasted better... Next time I will try something else on the menu.
(3)Stannon B.
Buona Beef is a local chain that this Bama boy found on a recent Chicago visit. I opted for the Naked Buona (low carb option) - Italian Beef and Sausage in a bowl of au jus with Sweet Peppers and melted Mozz. The meat was perfectly seasoned, and very filling. As a nice surprise, order the Parmesan Chips (homemade chips with a healthy dose of salt, pepper and parm). Regrettably, I was too full to get a Blueberry Pie Shake... The folks next to us got one and it looked great.
(5)Charice W.
I love this restaurant! Raul Magallanes, the manager, was an extremely patient with me when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to order. I do not come here often; however, I am never disappointed when I order lunch from here. Their beef sandwich was so delicious and my favorite food item is their gluten free pizza. The dough on this pizza bread was absolutely amazing, so yummy and sweet! Don't forget to take advantage of their awesome app, myBuona, where you can receive your own personalized rewards card. Thanks Buona!
(5)anna p.
employees messed up the order in the drive through and after coming inside to get that corrected they were extremely rude and not helpful. One stated that he needs to review the tapes since he "knows how to count to three" and he would not forget to place a third sandwich in the bag. Great food but the terrible service had lost myself as a customer
(2)Lyndsay K.
Naked combo = Italian beef, sausage, cheese, peppers, no bread and a whole lot of deliciousness in a bowl. I've dreamed of coming back to Buona since my first time back in October and I was so glad to spot this location when I finished working. Now if only they'd open up a location in Atlanta I could live the rest of my life in meaty bliss. (Skip the chicken penne soup - it kinda sucks)
(4)Julia S.
Always a good place to eat. Gotta get a jar of those peppers before you leave! Italian beef add mozz cheese, onions, peppers and hot peppers = delicious!
(4)Joanne B.
This is one of the pricier italian beef places. As others have said, make sure you tell them how "juicy" you want your beef. I ordered a regular beef yesterday and it was almost falling apart and juice was getting on my shirt. The beef with fries and a drink cost around $10! That just seems a bit much for what I was getting. I have gotten other sandwiches in the past (i.e. a turkey sandwich) and the tiny thing was about the same price. One of the saving merits of this place is that they do cook to order. You know what you are getting is somewhat fresh. It just isn't one of my go-to places because, at least in my opinion, you do not get a good value.
(3)Yordan I.
average place to eat, the food is alright but don't expect something very delicious! I've been there 2 times, first time I liked it and the second time I didn't so much! good place for a lunch
(3)Nancy M.
Its nice and clean, the staff is nice but however i didn't find anything special about the food. It was good enough to feed me, but not to make me want to go back.
(2)Gregory B.
Well, none of us eats beef, so what were we doing in this place? Few places were open on Memorial Day and we were HUNGRY and there it was. The food is fresh, service is great. I'd bet we'd add a star if we ate Italian Beef. The salad was bland, so was the chicken sandwich. Decent Minestrone. Kids loved their dog and pizza. Fries were a-maz-ing! A little pricey.
(3)Ruoyu S.
Great place to get Italian beef sandwich; and salads. My experience: 1) I got the Buona beef sandwich last summer. It was great. Juicy beef, tasty. Better than I expected. Also a good atmosphere to sit down to enjoy a meal. 2) Yesterday, I went again. I got lite lunch special. A 5'' italian beef sandwich, a salad, and a drink, for only $7.50. Good balance for tasty food and healthy food.
(5)G E.
When I want a Italian beef or a beef and sausage this is the place, cheese fries are good too.
(4)Joseph P.
In the last 8 months, we've been here about 30 times - so I guess I'm addicted. Aside from the standard 10" beef, we've added the Beef & Sausage combo to the list of regulars. This is one gigantic sandwich. Branching out, we love the specialty Pizzas, which fall towed the California Pizza Kitchen realm - the Chicken Pinolo, Alfredo Prosciutto, and the Beef & Giardiniera (which is a pizza version of a Italian Beef sandwich) are our favorites. The Buffalo Ranch Chicken salad is also a standout. In the summer they have a Spinach salad that's a winner. Unfortunately, the Pasta Salad has become shoddy lately - missing Artichoke Hearts and some level of vinegar in the dressing. It varies a lot from day to day, unfortunately. The grilled PANINIS can be very good, but the Italiano is just serviceable as a sub. Still, you come here for the Beef sandwiches... just don't overdo it. The staff is particularly helpful - especially for a self serve place - they often clean your table when you're finishing up, and are uniformly cheerful.
(4)A. L. P.
Everything here tastes good, but most of the foods are very salty. I'd also like an explination as to why their caeser salad has over 700 calories, when similar restaurants' salads are around 300 calories.
(3)Brent W.
Buona around Chicagoland serves up a decent beef but that's not why I come here, as much better can be found elsewhere imo. Here, it's the variety on the fly and a drive-thru (this particular one is a bit dysfunctional) that will satisfy those on the run. The sleeper here is their Spinach Tortellini soup. Really, really good. And the pizza, seemingly an afterthought at a place like this, is nawt bad at all and frankly pretty damn good. It's also a place to go sans fries + chips....not that the fries are bad but their chippies are excellent.
(3)Helen W.
Stopped for a beef sandwich for a light dinner. We split a large with an order of fries. The beef sandwich was so so, not much flavor and not much juice to it. Probably should have asked for more au jus. Fries were thick and crispy tho. Pretty much fast chain type food. The homemade beef joints seem to be better tho.
(3)Tim C.
Went through the drive through today and ordered a Cheeseburger and asked to add bacon on it. I decided to check it after the MANAGER handed it to me, figuring that there wouldn't be any. Surprise, there wasn't. No big deal, I can take the 3 minutes to walk in. Walked in and said "hey there was suppossed to be bacon on here," and hand it to them. Manager passes it behind the counter where I can't see and says "oh there's bacon on there, it's just under the lettuce, tomatoes, etc". I don't appreciate being lied to, I checked under that too. Seriously, man up and admit ya f***ed it up. Portillos has got just as good a burger as this place for a cheaper price.
(1)Crafty K.
This is a very tasty Italian Beef. There's a lot of seasoning and the meat tastes fresher...not like it's been frozen for a good while like Portillo's! I like those chips too!
(4)KenofromDetroit S.
I stopped here for lunch for my first time while attending a railroad show last Sunday and got the 10-inch Buona Beef. The sandwich was excellent. I ordered two more to bring home to family members back in Michigan. Sad to say, but we don't have anything here in Detroit that even comes close to Buona's or Portillo's. I will be back the next time I am in the area.
(5)Nick S.
I think Buona serves great food for a an affordable price. The fact that you can enjoy quality food and a nice environment for under $10 is great. In some ways Buona is better than Portillos.
(5)Julie P.
Yum this place has the best salads! I know, I know they are known for their beef but the salads are really fresh and have creative ingredients. They also serve alcohol which is always a plus :)
(4)Eric M.
I'm looking to try this place more often. The selection alone is large enough that it'll take a few more tries. Came here with a co-worker and I had the turkey sandwich which was excellent. My co-worker ordered the pepperoni pizza which isn't normally an exciting dish but this tasted great. It's a large space with plenty of seating. The only thing I would say they work on is friendliness. The woman who took our order was very short with us and acted as though she was doing a chore.
(4)Ben W.
Food is ok, it 's basicly fastfood. We ordered pizza, the dough is thin, which is good. 9' inches is perfect for one person's portion. One thing, all their pizza seem to be very spicy. So be careful with your order, don't order pizza if you don't like spicy food. This place is perfect for group to have a party. Service is fast, they close at 10:00
(3)Brad F.
Ive always heard good things about this place, so I FINALLY decided to come in. I thought everything was good. The beef was delicious. It was a little pricey for what it is, but it was good.
(4)Jacob J.
If looking for a quiet lunch try... Buona beef. The Italian beef is OK. Make sure you tell them how you want it. This is a crucial part to ordering it anywhere. Some may find it too different here, for instance, they use a thin long french bread. For the money it doesn't seem like much. But. It has gotten better over the years. I tried this place when it opened a few years back and I hated it! The Italian beef sucked. Today its better. The Supremo pizza is filling and priced about $5.25 for a personal. Bigger than what you would get at Pizza hut. As with one of the other reviews about the condiments.. it is a hassle to go looking around for the condiment needed. Crushed red pepper & parmesan is only found at the pick-up area. While they deliver food to the table, they don't bring any pizza condiments to your table. If you are real hungry try the double cheeseburger. I couldn't get it all down. I was really hungry. Chompin' down the steak fries was easy, they were just right. The burger, I almost had to use a knife. The bun is big and bakery style. The burger looked presentable, this is not a char house burger. Great taste for value. There are many food options, pizza, beef, cold sandwiches, panini's, ribs and I think pasta. The price can get to you, to combo anything is an additional $2.59 +/ -. So, most items that are combo'd could range around $8-$11 bucks and then add tax. Its usually in pristine condition. I've never seen them busy, yet. They have A TV in the back. And they serve beer. The seats are comfy. Would I go out of my way to get it? No. If in the area and its not busy. Fo' sho'.
(3)Erica S.
Way over priced for the quality of food. I'd rather eat a five dollar footlong. I used a buy one meal get one free coupon for purchasing 2 meals and my bill was still $18!!!! They made my order for "here" when it was suppose to be to go so they basically just dumped everything in to-go boxes. My food was sloppy and just well... not that great. I will not be back.
(2)Jim P.
I've gone here enough times for a good test. The food and service quality is consistently good. Their Italian beef and sausage is the best in the area. They offer three sizes for beef/sausage alone and two for combos. For me the seasoning is just right. For those that prefer something more spicy Johnnie's in Arlington Heights might be preferable. Good chilli and burgers. Their hot dog is small and overpriced. The fries are rather bland tasting but generally seem to be made to order.
(4)Tracy K.
Plus one star for their customer service at a corporate level (I had emailed them to verify nutritional info posted on their website) and for the fact that they changed the way the make their fries and now they are on-par as far as fat & calories go with most other fast food chains.
(3)Steve m.
Honestly, they have great food, but it's too damn high in calories!! Angus burger is out of this world good--probably best fast food burger in the area.
(5)Colleen K.
We usually go here before shopping at Meijer - it is quick, not too expensive and my 4 year old likes it . The food is okay, some is better than others. The pizza is passable. A couple salads are good - I like mine with lots of toppings. The fries are good - on the thick side. The last time I was there both ketchup pumpers were out, I went to tell them and the manager I assume said, ' yeah we know.' Uh - okay, that is not how I would talk to a customer nor how I would want to be talked to as a customer, but whatever. We will probably be back out of convenience, but dont go out of your way.
(3)vitas z.
can't say i really enjoyed my experience here. the food was less than i had expected. had the ceasar salad. it ws passable. one friend had the half slab of ribs and complained all the way through. the other friend had the burger and didn't bother finishing. what really bothered me was the availabity of silverware and napkins. took me a little while to find what i wanted. had to make a couple trips up to the counter to get silverware, napkins, and condiments. don't feel like i should work that hard to have a quick bite to eat. choose it out of convenience and curiosity since we had a work project in the area. don't think i'll ever be going back again.
(1)