Francesca’s
200 N 2nd St, St. Charles, IL, 60174
Francesca’s Menu
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Appetizer
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Salad
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Pizza
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Entrees
Healthy Meal suggestions for Francesca’s
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Appetizer
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Salad
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Pizza
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Entrees
Visit below restaurant in St. Charles for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in St. Charles for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
200 N 2nd St
St. Charles, IL, 60174 - Phone (630) 587-8221
- Website https://www.miafrancesca.com/restaurants/river
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
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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Gary D.
Go here at least 4-5 times a year, always phenomenol food. Classic and newer italian dishes, great wine selection.
(5)Sofia D.
I dined there with my family once and will never return. One of the dishes we ordered came with 3 tiny potato wedges and a piece of chicken; the same fare could have been purchased at KFC, I couldn't believe it! I also found a bug in my glass... for flavor, maybe? Definitely not worth the money. Go to any of the pubs featured along Main Street and you can get better food for half of the price!
(1)lynn s.
This was the first time we have been to Francesca's and went on a Wednesday evening at 5:30p. It was not crowded and were seated right away. The pasta dishes that we ordered were very good, but I have to agree with the other reviews that it was a tad pricey. The portions were generous, but for the price, I would have thought a cup of soup or house salad would have been included. Bread was served and was warm and delicious. I felt the liquor prices, especially the beer prices, were quite inflated. However we opted for the martini's that were on special that evening for $5.00. The place started to fill in as we finished our dinners, but the noise level was not as loud as I had anticipated. Service was fine, no complaints there. We both enjoyed our dining experience, but it will be more of a special occasion place due to the prices.
(4)Kristi P.
I loved the atmosphere. The place was packed full (on a Wednesday no less) The building was rustic and beautiful, and the menu was enticing. I ended up having an assortment of starters. I was so full that I just couldn't do dessert. Well worth the visit next time you are close by.
(4)Connie W.
Love Francesca's! Have had many great meals there and was never disappointed.
(4)Thomas W.
I know Francesca's is a Chicago area chain but their food is wonderful! We have eaten there many times and have never had a bad experience. Every dish they make is fresh and tasty. Portions are generous. The only complaint I have is that the main dining room is noisy due to the building design. We always ask for the back room if possible.
(5)Deanna R.
Awesome food & wine, although I miss the tiny glasses. They do good events, just be careful not to have too many people. They will accommodate you last minute, treat you well and I love that all the wait staff are guys. Very Italian! Go just for cappuccino & dessert even!
(5)Blair S.
This is and has been one of our families favorite places. Food is to me always very good, service is usually top notch, and if you don't order wine, very reasonable. One of my favorite places......but, there is a but. The place has crammed so many tables and chairs into the dining area that you are sitting literally with everyone else around you. What was once my favorite place.....and has great food, sadly is no longer. I fully understand the need to turn tables and make money, they however taken away some of the niceness of a nice meal. Move some tables out and we will be back.
(3)Suzanne D.
I have lived in St. Charles for 19 yrs and had never been to this great restaurant. We went on Valentines weekend and although the retaurant was packed and we had had no reservation, we were treated very kindly and were given a table. The food was outstanding and the service was great. I had a shrimp and scallops entree that was wonderful. The creme brulee was the best I have ever had!!! So happy to know that this retaurant is at our doorsteps. Great job!!!
(5)R M.
This place is great! My friend and I went there on 05/13/11. I had forgotten to make a reservation, but there was no wait during the time we arrived. That said, the place was about 80% full. Later it was 100% full. After we sat down, we were given a paper menu and a thick menu. The paper menu organization could use a little work. In fact, they should get rid of the black and white standard paper thing and instead use a laminated color double-sided menu for better organization. But it's not a big deal. I didn't even look at the thick book menu (could've been drink choices for all I know). They also gave us a folded piece of paper with today's specials. Well, enough about the menus. Also, it was kinda hard to remember the names of the dishes cause they were named Italian (still in English words though). They served us a 5-6" bread sliced into 6 pieces and gave us some butter to share. Well, it was 90% cut...the rest was upto us. We tried using knives but it wouldn't cut. After 2 minutes, I just ripped the bread off with my hands, applied butter, and ate. Not a problem for me :D After 2 minutes, the waiter comes up and asks for our drink of choice. We got two cokes. We also ordered an appetizer: the Bruchette con Ricola, which was 4 slices of bread topped with some special cheese and veggies. Got it within 8 minutes. IT WAS GOOD! Something so simple, yet so tasty. :D After 2 minutes of finishing our appetizer, we ordered our main dishes. I ordered Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo (something like that) and I dunno what my friend got. It took 12-15 minutes for food to arrive. Both dishes were GREAT! The portions were kinda big for both of us, but I finished mine by eating slow towards the end. My friend packed his leftover. I must say, the food is just AMAZING! If you want Good Italian Food, come here! So it was a great experience for me. Though their name is sorta deceptive because "by the River", you expect a river view. They simply mean that they're really close to the river. Still, you have to come and try the great food. You'll love it!
(4)Bill O.
One of my favorite restaurants in Saint Charles. The carpaccio and prosciutto starters are really good, as is the fresh warm bread and olive oil they serve when you sit down. Favorite entrees are tilapia and veal medallions. When I was married, Francesca's was our favorite place to go on anniversaries for a delicious glass of wine and an always delectable dinner. Now I take the occasional girl friend here, (but only if I keep her for more than two months.) The wait staff have generally been very knowledgeable, but quality of service and attentiveness have varied widely. As other reviewers have noted Francesca's by the River is often quite crowded (always a busy place between 5:30 and 8:00 and the tables are close together). Only once in ten years have I been disappointed with a meal at Francesca's (I recall it was a rigatoni dish with sausage in a cream sauce, or something like that). With that one exception, the food has been outstandingly good. Strongly recommended.
(4)David I.
I had never been to St. Charles and when I got there I was impressed with the downtown ambience. What a cool old town style city on the river. This city has big time character! I ate at Francesca's and boy was it good! To start we had the sautéed calamari which was outstanding. The sauce was to die for. For the main course we had the veal medallions and the meal was excellent. I haven't seen medallions that large ever and they were cooked perfectly with another sauce to die for. I would definitely go back.
(4)C A.
We went here for a date night, and I think I pretty much love it. The only reason it doesn't have 5 stars is a minor gaff by the server, and a fairly limited menu--but maybe I'm a tough critic. I had beef ravioli and my husband had penne pasta. The servings were HUGE and tasted delicious. Our server was excellent in my opinion, but forgot to bring my husband's soda (that irked him). However, they brought it when reminded and offered to comp the drink. In my book that makes us even. We were in and out in under 40 minutes (but were welcomed to stay as long as we liked). Everyone seemed busy, attentive and amiable. The food we ordered was very tasty. The prices were reasonable. I will be returning. Probably frequently.
(4)K N.
My fiance takes me here once in a while on date nights and sometimes when we have something to celebrate. Their menu seems to be constantly changing, so if you only go once a season or maybe twice a year (more of our pace), you will have an almost completely different selection of food to choose from. I really like that because it give me opportunity to try new things. They have a very nice wine selection as well. They serve you fresh hot bread and butter, but they have pepper and olive oil at the tables so you can dip your bread if you'd prefer (That's how I do it). I have only ordered one thing from here that I didn't like, and it was my own fault for not looking at what was in the meal I ordered. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great. It's a little on the pricier side. Although you CAN wear whatever you want pretty much to this restaurant, I would suggest dress casual/no jeans/no gymshoes. It's a nicer place and it really is a cute atmosphere. We've also been to the Francesca's in Chicago and it is equally as good.
(5)Brett K.
I got take out this evening. I found it tastey worth every bit of the 20 dollars I spent, but no more. I don't see myself eating inside this place, it is a bit too pretentious and suburban, but I enjoy my salad and pasta siciliana and would get it again!
(4)Alyson W.
This is my favorite restaurant when at home (I no longer live in STC). I have never had a bad meal here. You get tons of food when it comes to entrees. I have never finished a meal in one sitting here. I think even my boyfriend has trouble cleaning his plate. We ALWAYS order the calamari appetizer. Oh wow. If you have only ever had that frozen then deep-fried crap at most restaurants, you must come here to see how calamari should be. You can tell from the first bite that it has not been near a freezer. The batter is light and tasty. The squid is never rubbery. One of us usually orders whatever veal entree they have on the menu at the time. YUM YUM YUM. I am drooling on my keyboard while thinking about it. The pastas here are amazing. I can't wait to come home so I can head out to Francesca's again! For dessert, if we even have room to stuff it in, we usually get the mango sorbet. As for service, I agree with Steve G.'s review. This place is always loud and crowded. I suggest calling ahead for a reservation. It helps. I would never bring kids here, but that's just me.
(5)Tom D.
This is a great italian restaurant. The building is not much to look at from outside but I have eaten there probably 15 times over the years and I have never had anything less than a great meal. Nice wine list and outstanding pasta.
(5)Carey V.
Food was mediocre. Be ready to listen to the conversation at the table next to you... it's set up about 10" away. Overrated.
(3)Jas B.
Okay.... We just moved out here, and I'm trying hard not to be too snobby, but this place is exceedingly average. First of all, the name itself is misleading: it is by the Fox river, yes, but is actually several blocks away. So much for the view. The layout is poorly arranged, and guests are basically packed in like sardines. Sitting elbow to elbow with other diners wasn't a fun experience. In the interests of promoting "ambience," the lighting was quite dim--but without any candles, it made it hard to read the menu. It was just awkward rather than creating any sort of atmosphere. I've been to a couple of the Francesca's in the city, and am actually a fan: the chain makes decently priced, tasty comfort food. I had the orechiette (sp?) with spiced sausage, which when prepared well, is a great italian dish. Mine, however, was ruined by a watery sauce and sausage that was sliced in massive chunks. I thought i needed some crackers for it, it was that amateurishly cut. My girlfriend ordered rigatoni with peas, which was far better than my dish, but again disappointing, with undercooked noodles and large sausage chunks galor. We didn't bother to stay for dessert, and I don't think we will bother coming back.
(2)Krys J.
Being one of the many Francesca's restaurants, you are almost guaranteed to have a terrific meal. The interior is typical for an Italian restaurant but the tables are a bit close and you may find yourself talking over the party next to you, after a few glasses of wine. The service wasn't as good at this location as I have praised some of the others for though. Overall, it is wonderful that I can go home to my parents' and still have a taste of the city...the food is always fresh and authentic.
(4)Stella S.
This place has pretty decent italian food and good drinks. I think the food here is much better than maggianos.
(4)Jack J.
went on a friday night with no reservation and waited only 10 min. food was great, service was great. will go back when back in the area. very pleased with whole experience.
(4)Burbalicious X.
You never get a bad meal at Francesca's - you just never know what you're going to get. The menu changes frequently (daily?) so if you loved that lobster ravioli you had a few weeks ago, don't come back here expecting to see it again (are you reading this, Francesca's? please put the lobster ravioli back on the menu!). But I've honestly loved or really liked every dish I've ever had here - the portions are huge, the ingredients are fresh, and the dishes are creative. Good service, somewhat pricey wine selection, great desserts. The atmosphere is okay (nicely decorated/modern, but very loud) and there's usually not too long of a wait. I just wish I knew what I was getting before I got there!!
(4)Katrina L.
I've visited Francesca's for both lunch and dinner. The owner is extremely friendly and is attentive to guests when they are waiting for a talbe. I enjoy arriving a bit early for a drink at the bar before being seated for dinner with friends. The menu changes frequently based upon what is in season. I really love their pizza with the super thin, crisp crust and fresh mozzarella. It makes a great lunch or an appetizer to share before dinner. The caprese insalata is also a favorite appetizer. I would give them 5 stars but the tables are very tight, as other reviews have mentioned and the open ceiling design format makes the place very loud when they are busy. It's sometimes difficult to have an intimate conversation. I highly recommend Francesca's for a group outing but might choose a more intimate setting for dinner for two. Regardless of the occassion, the food and service will not disappoint!
(4)Chris K.
We went to Francesca's by the River for our 20th anniversary dinner. It was delightful. Although salads are extra, we both ordered one - my husband had the house salad for 4.99 and I had the francesca salad for 7.99,. It was supposed to have more vegetables; it did but not enough to justify another 3.00. My husband had linguine with seafood; he loved it and ate up every drop. I had Penne Butera (sausage, peas, tomato cream sauce) it was absolutely delicious and there was so much. I have lunch tomorrow. We both orderd dessert (husb had creme brulee and I had tiramisu.) Both desserts were average. The creme brulee did not have vanilla bean specks in it, but it was very good. My tiramisu (spelled wrong on their dessert menu) was good, too. Nothing very special, however. Olive Garden's desserts are better. Husb had hosue merlot. I had iced tea and one glass of prosecco. Both adequate. I like this restaurant because it reminds me of a Chicago eatery, not suburban. The floors (even bathrooms) are dark hard wood, gleaming and beautiful. Our waiter (no female wait staff) was Mexican, which I thought was funny. He was attentive and did not hover.
(4)Mark M.
Good food but Zaza trattoria is better
(3)Joe B.
Excellent ever-changing menu and some of the best appetizers around. Good bread and dipping oil, healthy portions for the pasta dishes and excellent desserts. Wait service is generally good overall. Prices are about right for the quality and portions. Good location, good ambiance.
(4)John W.
This was not only great food, but also a good atmosphere. The waiter was very polite and helpful. The prices were comparable to Olive Garden, and the food was of much better quality.
(4)Tom V.
Stopped in Saturday for the first time in years. Had a great meal, the pizza with prosciutto and egg. Really good. Try the profiterole with pistachio ice cream.
(4)Brian L.
I've long been a fan of the Francesca's Restaurant group even though I tend to only be pushed into one or two dishes on their menu due to my picky tastes. We met my parents here on a Friday night. We made our reservation through OpenTable.com and when we arrived we were told our table was ready and we were taken right to it. They even had the high-chair I had asked for already there, so they really weren't b.s.ing us that they had our table ready. There are a few staples on the menu but most of the menu is hand-written daily with a wide variety of pasta, chicken, and other dishes. I never knew they had a kid's menu which is why we probably haven't been to one in a long time. Meal quality is always spot on. Rare to have a meal that stinks here, and yes, as many have said, they've put a lot of tables into this spot so in some parts of the restaurant, you might be a little closer than you like, but I've also found this in their downtown Naperville and Frankfort spots. Prices have seemed to stay the same over the last couple of years, but portions have shrunk to maintain those. Understand that, but they are still using fairly large plates so it's a bit more obvious.
(4)Amanda S.
I found this restaurant relatively enjoyable. I did not like our server because he was really mean to the busser (who was doing EVERYTHING) so that turned me off towards him, but the food was excellent. The crab cakes were delicious and the pasta I had was amazing. The portion sizes are large and I had a lot of leftovers. I enjoyed my dish so much that I attempted to recreate it on my own and did a pretty damn good job if I do say so myself.
(3)Jen T.
Francesca's is good -- not fabulous but good. The calamari and the firey marinara were my favorite part of the meal! I was deciding between two dishes and made my choice based on the taste of the marinara. My main dish definitely didn't have the same kick to it. The ceasar dressing is awful. I don't know if they are trying ot go super-gourmet with it, but it had to zest to it at all! And yes, the name is somewhat misleading. I thought it would be closer to the river too. Oh well. The service here was fantastic. Our waiter was funny and very attentive. We also had several refills on water and dishes cleared several times by the staff. The great service would bring me back. One other minor complaint -- we were seated along the back wall and the table were so close to each other! We could have easily joined in on the conversation of the people next to us or even taken a bite of their food!
(3)Taylor B.
Fantastic service with outstanding Italian food. I enjoy this restaurant more and more every time I go in.
(5)John L.
Food was fresh tasting and the service excellent. The pasta was a tad too al dante. The banquet room we sat in needs to be brightened up a bit. Oh yes, good bread! Dishes were served with fresh basil and rosemary. No shortcuts taken here. Overall, I liked it. IBB
(4)JP P.
I have been coming to Francesca's plenty of times over the years to know the routine. It's time for me to say "Ciao". I stopped ordering pasta and entrees long ago because everything tastes the same. I'm not saying it's bad, it's just the same shit over & over again in a different combination. Some plates cost $14.00 and others cost $41.00...flip a coin & feel lucky! And that's not the real issue. First of all, the seating is uncomfortable because your packed in like Sardines. Secondly, the service here sucks & not because there're slackers! To the contrary, they swarm like "Killer Bees" looking to cash in on a 4-course meal tab. I'm talking relentless, aggravating & obnoxious! If you fail to order a 3 to 4 full course dining experience, the servers just hate you! "I used to like coming here for cocktails, & seafood appetizers".
(1)Nick N.
Socal checking in. I hear they also have a location in San Diego. Anyway, this place is one of the best Italian joints we've ever tried. I don't remember all of the names of the dishes we ordered because they're all in Italian, but we shared everything so I can attest to the taste. I also took a pic of everything to line up what I'm describing. For apps we got the calamari fritti and prosciutto. The prosciutto was good, but over dressed by the sauce. It masked the flavor of the prosciutto, but overall it was delicious. The calamari was perfectly fried and the marinara not overwhelmingly tomatoey. The burger we had was great. People underestimate a quality burger and this place definitely did not disappoint. On par with Kuma's for you Chicagoans. The tilapia was also absolutely perfect. The mushrooms were not overdone and the sauce paired with it in the best of ways. It was probably my favorite dish. The seafood spaghetti was average, but classically Italian. Simple but full of flavor. I wish there was mushrooms in the dish to add a bit of meaty-ness, but I digress. The chicken limonette(?) was super tender and again, had a sauce that matched with it in the most mouth watering of ways. The best part was the affordability. Food like this in Orange County starts in the high teens up to the high $30s. I don't think K there was anything on the menu over $20 If you happen to be in this part of the country, this place is definitely worth a try.
(5)Jen K.
Tried Mia Francesca's in the city and hated it. I went out for my cousin's birthday and he wanted to go here. Since it wasn't my choice, I went. The food tasted nice and the drinks were good and the prices weren't bad. But the next day 4 out of the 6 of us woke up with different scales of food poisoning. So no matter what was good that night, my opinion drastically changed when I spent my Easter sick. Thanks a lot Francesca's.
(1)Adam B.
I've been to this location a couple of times, but I think it had been two years since my last visit. But I received a $10 lunch gift card in the mail, so I figured I'd take advantage of it. I was seated promptly and took a booth. the bread came it out warm and crusty, just like it should. Dipped in herb-infused olive oil, it was a delight. I got the Italian salad, which was fancy mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, salami, capicola, mortadella, and provolone with a balsamic vinaigrette on a round wooden board. The presentation was really impressive. I prefer red wine vinegar over balsamic, but it was still a fine salad. I also got a side of sautéed shrimp, which was four good-sized shrimp with chopped tomatoes sitting in a lot of butter and oil. The shrimp were cooked very well, though I don't think the tomatoes were necessary. I also had a small carrot and walnut bundt cake with candies carrots and cream cheese frosting. For $8, it was a great dessert and not overly heavy. Plus, I have to give the server credit. There must have been ten tables being sat between 11:30 and 12 on a Wednesday and she was pretty much on her own, except for the runner who barely speaks English. She handled everything really well. Now I have the $20 card for dinner that I have to use within 12 days...
(4)Gina V.
I give this Italian restaurant afor the food and for the checks at the end of your dinner. I love their Margherita pizza and roasted chicken. The deserts are very delicious too. I been to all the other Francesca's too. Elmhust will make our pasta al dente. The on in Naperville will make my requests a snap I like my pizza with extra basil and fresh garlic delicioso
(4)Liana K.
I'm not familiar with the saint charles area, but at first I wasn't sure what to expect with this being a little bit to the side and the outside well, not looking to impressive. However, the food was amazing! Had some short rib butternut gnocchi. Amazingly taste and large portions.
(4)Daniel C.
Great Service and Great Food! I had the Pollo Romana and it was fantastic! Others ordered the Spaghetti and Meatball special and they loved it. It was a lot of food. This is a nice place to sit and enjoy time with friends. Will be back soon! DC
(5)Brittnie M.
I have a love hate relationship with Francesca's. The food is amazing, but the service and atmosphere have ruined the experience every time we've been here. During our last visit, we made reservations. Upon arriving to the hostess desk, atleast four different staff members (two who appeared to be in management positions) periodically approached the stand, however would not look up or even acknowledge us. After 15 minutes, my mother finally grabbed someone from the floor and they came over and allowed us to check in for our reservation.. 45 minutes later, we were seated. Why accept reservations if you aren't going to hold them? We were seated at a table with a 6" space (no exaggeration) between the table next to us, which another four person party sat at. I was sitting directly beside a stranger without room to even place my purse or jacket on the seat between us. The lack of space not only felt invasive, but the volume of their conversation and the rest of the restaurant's was exhausting. The only saving grave for Francesca's is the food. Overall every visit has been less than enjoyable. There is no privacy, inadequate space, and horrible service here. I do not recommend this location to anyone, as it has disappointed every time. If you're looking for great quality Italian in a nice, relaxing environment where you are respected by the staff, then I recommend Za Za's.. or anywhere else in St. Charles for that matter. You may be better off saving your money going to Olive Garden.
(1)Punisher J.
This place is great and consistent! It has been since I've been going for years. Try the 7' pizzas. Some of the best around!
(4)Mark D.
Came here with my wife to celebrate our Anniversay. It was much more than I expected! I felt like I was at a 5 star restaurant in downtown Chicago. The tables were formally set and the wait staff dressed very professionally and friendly. Our wine was brought to the table quickly with a basket of warm fresh bread. Both of our entrees were delicious! Tiramisu and coffee was a perfect way to end a perfect meal!
(4)Rebecca C.
The chicken limone lunch special was simply fantastic. Two sizeable breasts with the fresh lemon that's accompanied with a side of fresh spinach. A perfect. filling lunch for $14.00. Not the cheapest deal for a nice Italian suburban venue, but certainly not the priciest either. Everyone's entrees looked delicious!
(4)James P.
5 of us came here for dinner on a Sunday evening before a concert in St. Charles. The restaurant was maybe 1/4 full. Our server was attentive, although if I had to complain it took a while before she initially approached us for drinks. We had Bruschetta, which was amazing, and the Carpaccio with Asparagus was simply divine. I could've eaten either of those for my main course and been totally happy. I selected the evening special of Pork Tenderloin medallions with sun dried tomato, mushrooms, and asparagus. It was superb. I was a bit disappointed that there was no starch served with this, just meat and veggies. So, my mom gave me a couple of her potatoes from the baked chicken dish she was eating. My wife's salmon was woefully undercooked, and she had to send it back. 5 minutes later, it was returned to her liking.
(4)Naomi M.
Delicious salmon it was so good it's ineffable, even the decorative spinach was delicious
(5)Martha M.
The food at Francesca's is good Italian, but it's typical. There's nothing out of the ordinary or special, but some of it is very good. It's very noisy, there are too many tables packed together in a small space, and we felt rushed through our meal. I give this place 4 stars for food but only 2 stars for service and atmosphere.
(3)Dan S.
Came for the Easter buffet. Food was fresh, delicious and they had plenty of it and kept it refilled! I had saw people say its tight quarters but it isn't bad (I've seen far worse) mainly the walk ways are tight. Desserts are also scrumpious (we were lucky enough to sit neat that table). Mainly i give this a 4 star review for being $42 dollars a person. You do get your money's worth but for 5 adults is $200 + tip. But servers are great and keep your water topped off.
(4)Paul G.
The food was excellent and the service was quite attentive. My wife and I had chicken dishes for lunch and the serving size was excellent and the sauces were exquisite. Definitely a stop to be made if you are in the area
(5)Melissa B.
I know what al diente means, but this pasta was almost hard. SO chewy. TOO chewy. My pasta dish with vegetables was very flavorful though. I tried my husband's red sauce, very good. My flourless chocolate cake for dessert hit the spot (not super sweet), and lastly my mojito was good. Just a boring menu though. I can't see myself ever going back. It was a forgettable experience. Nothing "wowed" me, and there was nothing I wanted to try for next time.
(3)Steve G.
Still a great place for Italian food. Haven't been here in a while, but they haven't lost a step. Efficient service, hearty, large portions of Italian comfort food. My wife had rigatoni with goat cheese and sausage -- she loved it. I had the Quattro Spagioni (or something like that) pizza and it was also delicious. I ruined it for my wife though because I had the guy cut the pizza for me at the table and he spread the very runny egg that was on top of the pizza all over it. y wife HATES runny eggs. Whoops! Also tried an Italian Mojito (or two) -- very nice and very minty fresh! All in all, still one of the best Italian places in an area full of so-so Italian places.
(4)Steve H.
This has been one of our go-to local Italian restaurants for over ten years but it seems to be in a rut. On recent visits the menu is much less interesting and seemed to have only the basics and nothing that really excited any of us (myself, wife and kids 16 and 18). Historically they have had the traditional items and also some different items. Also on weekends they are packing more and more people in there and the service has gotten very spotty. On our last visit, we informed our server that we had a commitment and there was plenty of time but we barely made it to our play on time. I think Francesca's is off our list which is a pity.
(3)Tyler A.
Great food and drinks. Wife wanted one of the specialty drinks and the bar had run out of one of the ingredients near closing time so the bartender made her a custom drink. Was great. Waitress was friendly and appropriately attentive.
(5)Dennis B.
food was good but we left hungry after spending 68dollars we had a veal dish and a salmon plate we will not go there again...........
(1)Giuseppe D.
My brother recently moved out to St. Charles so I've had the opportunity to extend my reviews further west. One of the first places I tried was Francesca's, and I'm glad I did. Though it looks fairly small from the outside (almost like a small corner diner), it is larger on the inside. I quickly learned how popular of a destination Francesca's is for local St. Charleans(?), though the atmosphere is still comfortable and not overwhelming. The food was great from top to bottom. The highlight of the meal being my entrée (you shouldn't be surprised), the ravioli tre funghetti (three little mushroom ravioli in Italian). It was wild mushroom-filled ravioli in a porcini mushroom cream sauce, drizzled with parmigiano cheese and truffle oil (!!!). This may be slightly excessive for the non-mushroom fanatic, but I loved every bite of it.
(4)Fred R.
Have always enjoyed the St. Charles location. This past Saturday evening was a downer. Noise has always been a factor here. Don't expect to hold a conversation. Saturday the wait staff must of been overload or being paid for speed. I no more then got my salad and a bus boy asked if I was done so he could clear. The entire meal was this way. Hurried, brash, could care less that I enjoyed myself. It will be some time before I return. It is to good of a restaurant to let this happen.
(2)Julie H.
Food was pretty good. It's rather loud in there, had a difficult time hearing my husband or even our waiter.
(4)Dan C.
One of my favorite restaurants. I've been coming here for years. The food is very good and most importantly, consistent. The staff are very knowledgeable and very good at taking care of your needs. The menu has many options, from inexpensive and casual, to unique fancy and flavorful. I love that you can stop by for a quick inexpensive dinner or entertain a group for a special occasion. I recommend francesca's by the river to everyone visiting St. Charles. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Barbara O.
First, let me say that this is BY the river, not ON the river. No river view so if that's what you're looking for, don't stop. That's what we were looking for on our way through the area and we were disappointed. Felt like we were victims of shady advertising. We stayed for dinner since we were hungry and the food was good. We each had pizza and mine, in particular (with spinach and fresh tomato) was really fresh and tasty. The service was ok, not particularly attentive but ok. We wouldn't make a trip to revisit or recommend it, but if we had to eat there again, it would be ok.
(2)Lori A.
We were a little disappointed. I remember eating at Francescas a few years ago and being impressed. This time, however, we found the menu to be pretty small. The food was fairly average. Pricey for average food. LA
(2)James K.
Delicious Italian food - great for the family. Authentic Italian meal!
(5)Jennifer S.
I should have reviewed Francesca's right away. Yet again...I was busy. Happily busy, but CrAzY busy. So now, it's time for the highlights. We visited for my Uncle's surprise birthday party, so I only have experience or even saw the large room at the back of the restaurant. Come to think of it, we walked in through a back door, so I don't even know what the front of the restaurant looks like. The room was very clean with plenty of windows. So much so that we had to cover one of the windows at one point to turn down the 'bright' a notch. The food was predetermined by someone else in the family. My thoughts? The quality was a-ok. I wouldn't have necessarily ordered what we ate, so I didn't try everything. The bread was nice and crusty. Read: There were crumbs all over the table in front of me. The pasta was al dente. These are both good things to me. The not so great was the service. It was inconsistent. Some of the staff seemed pleasant and helpful. Some...not so much. Also, the music was just too loud for carrying on a conversation. We tried to get that fixed and succeeded and eventually it changed again. Finally, I don't think they have any parking of their own. If they do, it's limited. We parked in the large lot set back behind the building. It worked. I would definitely give then another whirl with an opportunity to order directly from the menu. Perhaps I'll have something different to report soon.
(3)Kate H.
Delicious food, never have had a bad dish. Great wine list as well! Chateau Montelena? Yes, please (Bottle Shock)!
(5)Claire L.
Our go to place for family nights out. Excellent food and great service, though on busy nights the service is affected, the service has always been friendly. Menu changes with the seasons and there are some fantastic choices. It's one of the few places I eat where I don't have a go-to dish. I'm always tempted by something new and I've never had a bad experience. Their salads It can get a little loud especially in the front dining room.but otherwise it's a great place to enjoy an evening out.
(4)Tom S.
I come here often. The food is consistently awesome! Very flavorful and always tastes fresh. The pasta dishes are large portions and there is a good variety. The service is usually very good as well. The ambiance is that of a loud bustling restaurant which I enjoy, nothing worse than eating in a morgue.
(5)J. S.
This place is a bit expensive, but the food is AMAZING. I know several people who meet here for business meetings, and it's a great place to take out-of-town friends. The only downside is during the hot summer months, sometimes the odor from the Fox River is smelly.
(4)Roland W.
It's been a couple months so it's time to update my Francesca's by the River review. Sorry, but I'm going to repeat myself. The food is amazing. If you don't see what you want on their menu, ask they may be able to make it for you. Mary Beth always does it for me. Speaking of Mary Beth, she is THE BEST!!! When you go, ask for her and you will not be disappointed. This past week I had Rigatoni with homemade Pesto Sauce and the Francesca's Salad. Both were so good. If you're in St. Charles and you don't try Francesca's you are just plain missing out.
(5)Lisa W.
Francesca's is a wonderful restaurant where we feel comfortable and treated very well consistently. We celebrate special occasions there as well as enjoy mid afternoon leisurely lunches on Saturdays at least once/twice monthly. They have a wonderful gluten-free menu including fresh gluten free pasta that tastes amazing. They accommodate special requests well. Francesca's has THE BEST Caesar Salad ever. We really enjoy "our" waiters there. Brian and Mario make the meal extra special because they are always kind, charming, funny, and professional.
(5)Jessica N.
Loved it. My husband and I each had pasta dishes and they were fantastic. I couldn't wait to eat my leftovers for lunch the next day! My only complaint is that it's small and the tables are extremely close together. We were seated in the tables along the wall (booth on wall side w/ chair on dining room side) and the tables next to us were so close that I felt like we were having dinner with a bunch of people we didn't know. In the future I will ask to be seated in the main dining floor and not against the wall.
(4)Sabrina M.
The waitress was horrible she took forever to get us our drinks. She only came to the table one time to take our order. When she took our order I pointed to the dish I wanted, but I got the complete opposite dish. She did repeat the name and I thought it sounded funny but she ran away before I could even stop her and tell her that was the incorrect . She didn't even drop off the food, and there was no one to flag down to tell them I wanted a different dish, so then I was stuck with this disgusting chicken breast that was undercooked and tasted like rubber. When I placed the dish on the side of the table to be taken away, because it was so gross, the bust boy took my FULL drink. He then ran away and at that point it wasn't even worth asking for another drink. The lady finally came back only to give us the check. There was not even a manager or anyone that I could complain to about the crap service we received.
(1)Chris G.
Great food, excellent atmosphere and the service is friendly and helpful. Perfect place for a special event like a birthday, anniversary, new years eve, etc. Helmut, the manager, rocks!!!!
(4)Bridget V.
This 2 stars is being a bit generous. It started out looking small and cramped when you walk in. Like, bump elbows with strangers cramped. And it was extremely loud. So we sat down and looked at the menu and literally couldn't read it. There also weren't any drink choices shown at all. So I went simple and ordered plain buttered pasta, cause they can't mess that up right? Wrong. It just tasted weird and there were random substances in it, including something red and squishy and a weird hard black thing. But the portions were huge so I continued to eat. If not for the large portions and ok-ish service and decor, I wouldn't have rated it a 2. Will not return
(2)Lindsay B.
Went her for dinner because we received a gift card as a gift- and wanted to try it out. We were seated near the kitchen, so it was noisy and super crowded (it was Valentine's Day weekend- I didn't realize I had not written a review). The service was very good despite it being busy. Our meal was delicious- and the portions were huge! I ate 3.5 meals out of my one dish. I would definitely go back, gift card of not- but would probably try and pick a quieter evening is those exist!
(4)Adriana F.
No wait on a Friday at 7:00 pm was a treat. The server was friendly but that helpful. I order the pork shoulder with mashed potatoes, it was delicious. Pork was very tender and mashed potatoes very creamy. My husband ordered some pasta with sausage, I thought the sausage was a hard and the sauce could have come from a jar. We had profiteroles for dessert, the pistachio ice cream was good, the pastry was not fresh and the chocolate sauce also could have been from a jar, it could have use more cocoa and butter and less starch. Ambiance was good, the music a little loud even though we were on the back room.
(2)Sindy R.
Went there with three of us. Two people had the steak salad. The steak was like leather For a 14.00 salad you would expect the steak to be tender Very disappointed
(2)Joann S.
This was our first time at this particular Francesca's. I liked the energy of the place and our server was delightful. However, the food left something to be desired. I ordered the linguini alla Genovese which contained shrimp and scallops. The scallops had a definite ammonia taste so I had to push them aside. I would have sent the meal back but the place was so crowded and we had other plans so I did not want to wait for another meal. I ate the shrimp which were fine and the pasta was good. My husband ordered the ravioli with mushrooms. The meal was gritty which indicates that the mushrooms were not rinsed well enough. We will not be in a hurry to go back but if we do go back we will only order a very simple pasta and tomato sauce type of dish that is hard to mess up. I will never order seafood here.
(2)Kevin K.
We've had dinner at Francesca's a few times before heading over to the Arcada theater for shows there. The Arcada is either a long walk or a short drive from there. Excellent Italian food, good variety, very good service.
(4)Lucas C.
Disgusting. Party of 5 and not one edible meal.
(1)J H.
One of the more popular restaurants in the area. Generally good Italian food, though I only gave three stars since the selection and quality seems less than it use to be. It's often crowded and the tables are close: it's not uncommon to run into people you know there.
(3)Sue B.
After dining throughout the Geneva and St. Charles areas, Francesca's by the River is still on the list as one of my favorite places for authentic Italian fare. The pasta Bolognese is absolutely the best, and I wish they had it permanently listed on the menu. The service is also impeccable. While it can get a little loud on occasion, I would still select to go here any time of the week for dinner.
(5)Reed N.
There are a few nit picky reviews that bring this place down, but it is actually quite good. That cook pasta just right. My Tutto Mare with a zingy red sauce was a dish I could eat every day without complaint. Delicious. The mussel and little neck clams were just right. The shrimp and squid maybe a tad overcooked... but not bad. Service was VERY good. Plenty of wines by the glass and an extensive wine list, too.
(4)Sandy A.
Why do I only come here for a special occasion? The food is incredible. I had a bleu cheese, asparagus, tomato salad before my entree of scallops, shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach. It was all superb and I must have said 4 times on the way home....wow! My meal was so good! We drive about 30 minutes to come to this oh, so special restaurant. The fact that they take reservations is a big plus.
(5)Kathryn R.
The ambience is, at once, convivial. The waitstaff attentive and friendly. Drinks were delivered promptly. Appetizer off calamari served with efficiency but was sadly lacking the freshness expected. Entrees were inexcusable. Fish with a glycerin-like sauce. Salmon with guacamole in an Italian bistro? Please. Desserts were so predictable--- This is not much different than an upscale Olive Garden.
(2)Gretchen E.
Francesca's is a good ol' standby in St. Charles. The food and flavors are above average, though not superior. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. The small bar area is nice to meet up with friends for a cocktail. The service is efficient, sometimes too efficient: The waitstaff has a tendency to hover and hurry (my best friend once gave our waitress "the hand" because she kept lurking around our table non-stop). Overall Francesca's is a fairly tasty, reliable Italian restaurant in the Fox River Valley.
(3)Maura S.
Looking for nice date spot on a Monday night, we happened upon Francesca's. The space in the restaurant is warm and inviting- dim lighting, white table clothes, brick walls, and a wood-beam roof. We started with the mushroom polenta and it was absolutely delicious (and also my favorite dish of the night). Next we had the pollo arrosto- a roasted half chicken. It was also very nice. The skin was a little crunchy and the inside was moist. We also had the spinach ravioli, which definitely fell short. Boring. The dinner was finished with apple tart served warm and with ice cream. Mmmm. Also, just an FYI- do not park in the lot next door or you may be towed!
(4)Joe C.
It was a while ago but in this case it's not the food that prompted me to give a bad review, it was the overall experience. The food was OK at best but I always believe that a kitchen can have a bad night & if I enjoy myself otherwise I'm always willing to return for a second but not in this case. The location is far from being acceptable as a romantic restaurant so if you're trying to impress a date or loved one, blind fold them before getting here. The street looks like there should be a junk yard, a liquor store & a gun shop lined up right next to the restaurant. OK, that's nitpicking but it's a bad first impression. We were 20 minutes early but we had to wait 30 minutes past our reservation time. When I asked the hostess why such a long wait when there were clearly open tables she said that the owner is expecting a last minute party and those tables were reserved. I asked when the party called in because we had reserved a table for two, two weeks earlier. Hostess apologized and was quite embarrassed as the line of people waiting for their tables was beginning to grow. I asked to speak to manager or owner. She went and found a man named Helmut. Helmut? Must be a real authentic Italian Restaurant. I asked Helmut why we can't be seated when there are many tables open. He basically said the same thing about a POSSIBLE party coming in any minute. The couple behind me began to complain that nobody should have to wait for a POSSIBLE party when they have definite reservations. Helmut, the owner & businessman replied,"It's my restaurant & I'll seat who I want when I want", then he stormed off. Don't know why I stayed when everyone behind me walked out. But I stayed & ate an average meal for above average prices. Wait staff was wonderful, hostess was great & apologetic but the ownership...they should be embarrassed. So remember, if you go there make sure Helmut is having his friend dropping by because you won't get seated when you are supposed to.
(1)Tina E.
Second visit to a Francesca's location. Solid good food & service. Bruschetta is always a hit. Had a pasta dish with shrimp that was to die for! Looking forward to going back again while the current menu is on. I think they are one of the few good places that are open on Mondays. What a way to start the week!
(5)Matthew H.
This could have been 5 stars but the service was good, not excellent. The food on the other hand was phenomenal. The calamari was by far the best I've ever had where it just melted in your mouth. I had gnocchi and my wife had the half chicken, both were very good. I absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some good Italian.
(4)Chris B.
Higher-end Italian comfort foods done simply and very effectively. My wife pointed out that the host made an effort to say hello to us before seating the party in front of us. Not hard to do, but overlooked at many places. Our server had good suggestions and I don't think our water glasses ever got half empty. I had pasta in a tomato-cream sauce with vegetables and goat cheese. It was so good (and plentiful) that I had to force myself to stop eating at a point. My wife got the veggie lasagna (special of the day) and it was sublime. I've not tasted a lasagna like that before, but I'll order it if it's a special next time we go. I imagine we both would.
(4)Karl C.
So it's not on the river. Big deal. Francesca's is a fairly nicely decorated place in St. Charles, two blocks away from the town's main drag. However, it was a packed house when we came in for dinner. And it was the "crowded" kind of full. If it's busy in there, it's really, really difficult to hear anyone in your party speak. It's obvious that they try to come as close to legal capacity as possible -- the tables are all very, very close to each other. The service is attentive, although they seemed to back off their politeness when no one in my party ordered wine off the bat. Francesca's menu is a bit limited. Most of the items are run-of-the-mill, which strikes me as odd seeing as they print the menu in-house. This perk doesn't have the customized feel of other places. Their menu looks hurried, with scrunched edits or additions near the demarcations. I ordered their variation of Lemon Chicken, and my mouth frothed at the thought of it. I felt more like a rabid teenager, eager to sink my teeth into Robert Pattinson gossip. And that's how it ended up: an eagerness for ordering rather than for the meal itself, which disappointed. The chicken was piercingly bland. Continually ordering wine helped blunt my Twilight-like food angst which, luckily, made the waitress happier. All-in-all, it's a nice place to go if you're looking for a busy spot to have common appetizers and some wine. There are better places to have an Italian entree though.
(3)Kate D.
Note: there are TWO listings for this restaurant. Check the reviews at the other listing (address: 200 S. 2nd Street instead of 200 S. Second Street) too. I'm a fan of this chain so I finally made a res on savored.com and headed over to the St. Charles variation on a Saturday night. Verdict: good but room for improvement. As noted in other reviews, this place is NOT on the river so don't expect a view. Also, be careful not to park at Kevin's Auto Repair across the street or at the Blue Goose or you'll be towed. There's a big public 3-hour lot, you just need to make sure you're in it. The host staff was very friendly, and happily honored my request for the best table in the restaurant: table for two in front of the fireplace. Make sure you ask for it, especially if you tend to get chilly all the time like me. Nice atmosphere and volume. Our server Pablo was friendly and fast and attentive. Our waters were never empty and the plates came out quickly. HOWEVER, what's up the bar??? We ordered signature cocktails off the drink menu, only to be told the bartender could not (?) make anything listed except one random berry concoction. My date had intentionally ordered a drink with ginger to calm an upset stomach, so he asked that the bartender make something else with ginger, anything really. Response: We don't have ginger. Really? At all? Baffling. These vague, strange issues with the entire drink menu costs them a star. I had gnocchi, a personal fav, and thought it was done well, with an almost creamy consistency. My portion was a good size too. My date ordered fettuccine with scallops, which he liked but couldn't eat due to the upset stomach. Even with drinks and a cappuccino, our bill was a reasonable $56 before the savored.com discount. Speaking of, our check came without our discount. The whole point of savored is that you're not supposed to have to ask. Sigh. Our waiter had no idea what we were talking about but the manager fixed it. Minus 1 star for the hassle. I'd go back, but they have a bit of work to do before they get those fourth and fifth stars.
(3)Andamanc A.
Still my go-to place for Italian in the the Fox Valley. Went there last night (tues) hoping to get a jump on the Valentine's Days crowd - not! Place was packed but luckily did not have to wait for a table. Our mushroom risotto appetizer was great - cooked perfectly. I had spinach raviolis - my wife had the Salmon - both were great. Service was splendid also - i'll be back!
(4)KiKi I.
I probably come here once a year and that is enough for me. The food is wonderful, as well as the service. It's quite loud though, with open seating and high ceilings, like most places are now a days. The menu is small, one page, and I always struggle to decide what to get because I always want the fish on the bed of spinach but I struggle to think it's worth $24 even though it's delicious. This last time my in-laws took me here for my 30th birthday. We did not tell the waitress it was my birthday but she noticed a small present on a chair and brought out a dessert and candle for me. Our waitress was wonderful, friendly and made us feel like we were regulars, even though we're not.
(4)Dianne S.
We held our wedding rehearsal dinner here, more for location than anything, but we were pleasantly surprised. I had been in constant contact with Gabriella, their event coordinator, and always found her available and eager to answer any questions that came up. The food that night was delicious and plentiful (endless family style)! Their tiramasu was to die for! Some cons-small parking lot (but you can find street parking) and the stinky Fox River. Other wise, will definitely come back when keeping it local on date night with the hubby.
(4)Brent M.
I have to say Francesca's is very good. Our family went last night to celebrate my daughters birthday and they do a great job with service. I had the pork chops and they were the best I've had in a long time. Everyone at our table thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The bruschetta was out of this world. I will be back.
(5)Jennifer G.
I would give this 2.5 stars, but not an option. The good: service was excellent, could relax, enjoy and take our time. we were not rushed. and when the kitchen messed up one of the 6 orders at our table, the restaurant comped us the plate, which I thought was the right thing to do. my husband had veal medallions which were over done. they should have been med rare and they were more med well. the pasta side was ok, nothing special. i had pork loin which was over cooked and dry and the shitakke wine reductions sauce was salty. speaking of salty, the mashed potatoes were almost inedible. i think they salted the water the potatoes were cooked in, used salted butter, then added more salt to the mash. the braised cabbage lacked flavor. the tiramusu was not good, my husband thought his lava cake was ok. i most likely will not go back. i really don't understand how this places gets 4-5 star reviews
(3)John-Paul E.
I always look forward to going to this place every time i go. I have been to a few of Francesca's and never had a bad experience. This place is truly one of my all time favorites.
(5)James F.
I have been here maybe 5 or 6 times for dinner with friends and business meetings but recently for lunch with my wife. What a fantastic place! The food was great, very fresh. We started with the special bruschetta with fresh mozzarella, amazing. I could have ordered another one of those and stopped right there but got the shrimp and scallop salad. The scallops were perfectly seared and the shrimp were well-grilled and tender. The mixed greens had a great balsamic glaze. To me the best part of a salad like this is that the hot stuff was hot and the cold stuff cold. The wait staff at Francesca's is very friendly and impeccably attentive. I can't wait to get back to this place. Until then I will think about trying the gnocchi. I was able to only steal a single delicious nugget from my wife's plate. It was firm yet fluffy and the sauce was rich and bold - an amazing combination!
(4)June D.
Another great night at Francesca's By the River. It is my favorite place to go on Valentine's Day with the family. Families are sat in the back room so that couples can enjoy the night up front. The offer a kids' menu but have made smaller versions of things off the main menu when requested. My favorite item are the heart shaped ravioli!!
(4)Gerald K.
My wife and I have been here 2 times for anniversary celebrations, and have not been treated better anywhere over the last 11 years of wedded bliss. (Well maybe Smith & Wollensky downtown Chicago matched, but at much higher cost). We wondered why we don't go more often. Could not say enough positive about the service. Right level of attention, without being intrusive - and at the right times. This seems to be a lost art in some places. Food was great. I had a salmon dish, couldn't tell you what the wife had after a couple of comped glasses of champagne, nice bottle of italian red, and the gluttony of profiteroles to top off the night. Only slight beef was with parking, but we went early enough so we could snag a spot diagonally in a city lot (the on-site parking lot was completely full already). But that was quickly forgotten as as we sat down (which was immediate due to advance reservation, which is highly recommended). In the top 2 of St Chuck eateries in my book.
(5)Michael S.
This place STINKS. I have been here 5 times before, 4 as a child and once as an adult. The food is run of the mill Italian food, the quality of which is easily matched by the likes of an Olive Garden. Just to give you an idea of the nothing-special cuisine. The host staff are jerks. This restaurant has no concept of what it means to make a reservation. I had not been to this restaurant for 8 years because of the way we were treated last time and now that I am back, nothing has changed. I will not return for another 10 years, or maybe not ever. You don't stand a party in a cramped corner of your restaurant for a full 20 minutes past their reservation time and then act like you are doing a favor when you finally seat them. This was not the first time; we had this exact problem years before, and would have prevented us from repeating the mistake if not for the fact that a client of mine gave me a hundred dollar gift card to this joint. I can't believe how this restaurant is still in business. Salerno's is right down the street, has way better service, and they are better in every way. Do not waste your time or money at this snob den. Oh. And parking is a nightmare.
(1)alicia b.
I ate here on Sunday for my BFs cousins suprise 50th b-day party! We had the back room reserved and sucessfully suprised the hell outa Teri, it was great!I wasnt excited for the food because I have had Francescas in Elmhurst before and I wasnt impressed at all but this Francescas was different! I'm going to start off by saying that the waitress (mad I didnt catch her name) was extremely helpful and did a really great job of guiding the party and serving the food. Now to the fun part, We started off with apps. Bruschetta and Calamari. The bruschetta was so freaking good! The mozarrella on top was sort of ground up instead of the usual slab of cheese on top.I had like 4 of them! I asked around and the calamari was also top notch. We then were seated.The seating set up was awesome, there was like 25 or so of us and they set up the tables in a giant rectangle so we could all sit together and still see each other. The first round of food came out, it was a ceasar salad and fresh baked bread.The entrees that were served were a penne pasta with chicken and a cream sauce, and lemon chicken with potatoes was the second entree.I couldnt dine on any of this and the nice waitress I was talking about before was so sweet she got me a house salad and had the chefs make me a special vegetable linguine with oil.All of it was wonderful! I was super stuffed. The only downfall I would say is if I were to go back there really arent any vegetarian choices on the menu for me.All the sauces are made with vegetable stock so I would have to be a pain in the butt and request a special dish again.
(4)Jordan B.
Francesca's is one of the things I miss most from my current displacement from the Midwest. A beautiful building tastefully decorated, Francesca's is perfect for a date night. It can be a bit loud as they can get very busy, so maybe not the best place for a first date. Food is always delicious. The Bruschetta Tre Colore is by far the best bruschetta I have ever eaten- and it is consistently that good. Their menu is handwritten and changes often. Their descriptions are very thorough which makes trying something new less scary. Stay for desert! The flourless chocolate cake is wonderful paired with a cappuccino. Definitely one of my favorite places in the suburbs.
(5)Rhonda G.
We went here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty empty so we had the full attention of the waitstaff. Everything was done in a timely fashion, drink orders taken promptly, food brought out quickly, dishes cleared away, do we need doggy bags? yes one. I was impressed. I had the Pasta Primavera and the sauce was excellent. I also loved the plentiful amount of veggies mixed into the dish. My friends ordered shrimp entree and were not so pleasantly surprised to see that the dish did not include pasta. I think they just assumed it would from the description but all they got was a few shrimp, a couple of tomatoes and a few asparagus tips. Be sure to read closely so you're not surprised. The place seems nice but not overly fancy. Pretty large but yeah I too thought we would actually be on the river.
(4)pbarp M.
I always order the mussels in spicy tomato sauce. And salmon for the main course is always a winner.
(4)Vivian Y.
Hands down, one of my WORST dining experiences in my life. I'm a HUGE fan of Francesca's in the city and have dined at three of their locations. I was really looking forward to a company dinner here on Friday but the entire experience was a failure. If you read my other posts, I seldom care about service - I'm there for the food. But when the lack of service impedes on my dining experience, then I'm completely unforgiving. Granted - we were a group of 19 people but we weren't difficult at all. We all wondered if our server's lack of attention to us was due to the fact that her gratuity of 18% is already automatically added to the bill? First and foremost - my biggest complaint is that in our THREE HOUR dining experience, our server came around twice to ask about drinks. All of us sat there drinkless most of the evening. It was a Christmas party - we had an unlimited budget for wine and beer and we only ordered two rounds! This is not entirely our servers fault but also the manager's fault (although she should have asked for help) as there was no bartender on duty for a full dining room in the back! Aside from our group, there were at least another 10 tables and NO BARTENDER? Each server was responsible for making drinks too. We made these reservations WELL IN ADVANCE - there is NO excuse as to why no one was around to help out. Second complaint - this is something I took for granted but I definitely am acutely aware of now after my experience here. Even at the most simple of restaurants like Chili's or Applebys, the coordination between server and waitstaff is impeccable. Ever notice at these restaurants and even higher end restaurants, the server knows what dish is yours when it is time to serve? Remarkably, the dish you ordered lands in front of you without anyone asking? Well at this Francesca's location, we had about 4 servers come around with arms full of hot dishes, screaming out the dish and asking us to identify what dish belonged to whom.... At restaurant at this level should have better experience with this! As I mentioned earlier, when the service impedes on the experience with the food - I'm unforgiving. My husband ordered their special, a $33.95 beef tenderloin, cooked medium-rare topped with morel mushrooms and a reduction. Hmm...no wine. He had NO WINE to enjoy with his meal? We asked the busboy TWICE to get our server so we could order drinks. He either didn't like our table (I don't know why he wouldn't like us) or he didn't understand me or my husband when we asked. We just saw him walk back to the bar area and though he stood next to our waitress, nothing was said to her. I ordered the Tilapia which is the fish I order every time I go to Francesca's - it was just "ok". Most everyone said their food was good but not outstanding. It's such a shame because I love Francesca's on Taylor. The last straw in dining experience was really an awkward one. My husband ordered the second bottle of wine (about two hours into our meal and we had been sitting empty for about 1 hour and 20 minutes by now). The waitress exuded lack of experience with this move. Here's how it worked: The waitress came around with the bottle for my husband to taste. She poured a taste, hubby tries it, give the nod to go ahead. Meanwhile, the wine glass he had been using was still in front of him. She pours everyone else a drink, then pours the wine into his FIRST glass of wine, then pours the balance of the TASTE into the FIRST glass of wine!!! and whisks the taste glass away. Extremely poor wine etiquette! This entire dining experience left such a bad taste in my mouth that I will never come here again.
(1)Critic D.
This place is a stand by for us. The food is decent, not remarkable. The service is great, both waitresses and bus staff. They are there filling up water, checking in to make sure everything is ok. The place is attractive albeit noisy! Decent wine list. Today they had a special salad - tomato, red onion, avocado, bread cubes etc - it could have been great but it was obviously made in advance the bread was soggy and had no taste, even the avocado was slimy. A shame. String bean salad good! I had ravioli in a cheese sauce, it was good but bland. Partner had the linguini with shrimp - said it was really good. We will go back. Wish they had a standard selection to compliment the unusual offerings and by that I mean - variety of pasta with variety of sauces, veal parm, scalloppine etc. Sometimes, it is nice to just get a tradtional plate of Italian food. Just a thought!
(3)JP D.
My bosses bought me lunch here on my first day of work. My coworker goes her often and thought it would a great first experience for me. It was awesome! The service was amazing, by far the best service I have had in a very long time. The hostess that sat us must have been a manager or something, she was totally running the show. She even called us "pretty ladies." - how flattering. We were sat at the front at a 4 Top, the table setting was paper, but it wasn't like "its okay to draw on paper." It was nice clean, thick, crisp paper, with the typical setting of water glasses. A food runner quickly filled our water glasses and brought us bread and olive oil. The bread was fresh and warm. The olive oil was good quality and tasty. The menu is hand written daily, which shows you that they always use fresh ingredients. For an entree I had rigatoni pasta with a spicy tomato sauce and spinach. It was awesome. The pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was light, but had a perfect salt and tomato ratio. It was so good. I ate the entire plate. My coworker had pasta with shrimp, I honestly can't remember what was in it exactly but she loved it. The food runners were so great, they were constantly filling our water glasses, and asking if we wanted more bread. Our server was attentive but not overly attentive since the she had the runners to help her. The place was pact for lunch on a Wednesday. Our meal lasted a little less than an our which was good since we only had an hour for lunch. Our bill couldn't have been over $30 including tip. For Christmas my boyfriend and his brother bought their parents a gift certificate here. When I went to purchase it the same hostess was there and just as pleasant as ever. I would 100% eat here again and recommend it to anyone!
(5)Steve M.
We had a team dinner there last night. The food was good, the wine was very good, and the service awesome. The lead server to our group had a great attitude. I would definitely do another team event there again, or take my wife for a time together.
(4)Christopher B.
This place is fantastic! The ambiance is nice and the food is excellent & very authentic. I had the pizza (which was only around $10) and it was yummy & filling. The service was also decent and most prices are around $20. I would definitely return and recommend it!
(5)linda j.
All I can say is don't go here on any Holidays!! we went on Valentine's day...big mistake! we were sent to the back room. We were sat a 2 round tables for 3 of us, and then told, NOPE we could not have a square table, none of the EMPTY ones were avvailable. The waitress got snotty after we ask her and from then on, we got crappy service. We got mediocre food, luckwarm, and bland. This was not our first visit, and we were hoping for the nice attentive person we had the first and second time, but, no such luck. THEN as we were waiting for dessert, we got the "when are you leaving" staredown from the matre' de... He ask our waitress "how long?" very loud and pointed to us... who must have informed him that we were not even done, and he left. How rude! It will be a very long time before we go back and dump over $150.00 for dinner in that place again! I mean, the pasta was OK, I had the lobster and linguine, the lobster was not fresh, and my husband has gnocchi, it was good, and my Son had ravioli in cream sauce which, was wonderful! too bad the service sucked! and so rude! Oh, andd take note of teh parking, it is terrible, just don't even try the lot, go park behind the place, and walk.
(2)Matt B.
Being an Italian man myself I can appreciate good Italian food and this was great. Only a 1 mile from our home My wife daughter and I found our new hot spot. We took My wife father with and he actually said it was the best meal he has ever eaten. He's hard to please. The menu is small which is great because you'll probably want to try all the meals at some point. The best of the best. The price was reasonable and well worth it. The atmosphere is quiet and cozy which makes for a nice evening. My family and I are now loyal and will come back again and again.
(5)Sue K.
It's the river location that makes this place. Of course it delivers the usual Francesca's goodness. The photo someone posted here doesn't really look accurate.
(5)Ed C.
I've been going to this restaurant for many many years and, yes they can have their bad days but the service is consistently great and the food has never been anything less than fantastic. I would recommend this for anyone on any occasion.
(5)Maria B.
Francesca's has, by far, the best Italian food around. Super large portions of pasta ...enough for next day leftovers. Their bolognese sauce is the most authentic I've tasted. I've eaten there many times and I've never had a bad experience. Even when I've veered off the menu, the servers have always been accomodating and the kitchen is right on point. They will make you anything you want as long as they have the ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed...with tons of regulars...and that alone says alot . Servers are super friendly...and the bar is always fun. Other restaurants nearby have tried to duplicate their food and atmosphere...unsuccessfully !
(5)Matthew W.
BLECK, HORRIBLE on a Saturday night, BRUTAL, NEVER AGAIN........ Headed here on 3/6 for dinner with 6 couples.....arrived around 6:30 pm and were confronted with the WORST BARTENDER EVER - not only was she unable to smile, she was downright MEAN. Its really too bad as the place was hopping, its a decent bar, and the atmosphere is FUN. Unfortunately we had to wait for a table with such a large group and were forced to deal with her surliness (even our waitress commented on how angry she was......) We did have the BEST SERVER EVER - and if you go you must ask for JENNIFER.....but if you go you must also realize that the FOOD SUCKS. Every person in our group thought their entrees were awful!!!!!!!!!!! (And that is saying a lot because we had LOTS of drinks.....) I thought the calamari was pretty good, crispy and not full of grease, but I ordered the "pot roast on gnocchi Special" and it was just very plain...hardly any meat at all....same with John who ordered the same thing....pasta was so plain that there was no reason to finish it. Katie had the scallops and said they were awful! Funny thing was Katie bought a bunch of gift cards at Costco for the place.....I think it was $75 gets you $100 in the restaurant....even with that deal...I WOULD NEVER RETURN. Effen up 11.00 Bottle Erratic (5 @ $33) 165.00 Hacker Pschorr (5 @ 6.50) 32.50 Scallops (2 @ 12) 24.00 Bruschette Romana (2 @ 5.99) 11.98 Calamari fritti (2 @ 7.50) 15.00 Insalata Alla Francesca 7.25 Peapod Salad 6.95 Insalata di Caprese (2 @ 6.95) 13.90 Tomato, Onion and Blue Salad 6.95 pasta Nonna (2 @ 16.99) 33.98 Pollo Spec (4 @ 15.99) 63.96 Shrimp (2 @ 3) 6.00 Sscallop and 5.00 Salmone (2 @ 20.99) 41.98 Pasta Sora Assunta 16.99 Mahi Mahi 21.99 Patron Silver Rocks 10.50 (yeah, it was mine and it was awesome!) Baileys (6 @ 7) 42.00 Coffee (2 @ 1.95) 3.90 Decaf Coffee (2 @ 1.95) 3.90 apple-granny 7.98 Brownie 8.00 Total - $560.71 tax - 44.85 Gratuity 18% 100.93 Total - $706.49
(1)John O.
Have you ever been to one of the many Francesca's before? I suggest it if your not in a hurry or don't mind a loud atmosphere that you thought might be romantic. I love there food here and have never had a bad meal. It's just a little tight and very loud. I Also went there for Valentine's Day once and it wasn't the right time to go. Any other time would be best.
(4)Craig R.
I went their with my girlfriend at the recommendation of a St. Charles local. We loved it! Staff was friendly and prompt. Food was great and the portions were huge. Bruschetta with garlic, roast sweet onions, goat cheese and asparagus was amazing! Their wine list i sok - prices for wine were a bit high but not crazy. To other reviewwers points - yes it isn't on the river. The place is relatively small but i did not find it too crowded like others had - i did not feel ontop of other customers nor did I hear their conversations (unless I was trying :) ). Our server was great - friendly and so ontop of things. I will definitely return to this establishment - most likely frequently.
(4)Mary P.
Gluten-free full menu! Choices! Taking family members with gluten intolerance where they can order without having to ask for modifications for entrees tipped the scale to a 5. Wonderfully made pasta for everyone, appetizers we can share without analyzing, almost beyond belief for what we usually experience. Go, enjoy and be catered to.
(5)