Meet us where the beef brings the family together
Italian beef is legendary in Chicagoland and the Buona Beef recipe is an important part of the sandwich’s legacy.
This sandwich story begins in Chicago’s Italian neighborhoods in the early 1900s. The thinly sliced meat made it easy and economical to feed a large crowd, so the slow-roasted beef drenched in gravy made from the drippings soon became a delicious staple at Italian-American weddings.
In 1981, Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto opened the first Buona Beef restaurant in Berwyn, banking on the good reputation of a family recipe that was already well-known in Chicago.
Four decades and more than 20 Buona restaurants later, the third generation of Buonavolantos is joining the family business and Buona is the largest family-owned Italian beef producer in the United States.
Buona Beef is open seven days a week from 10:30am to 10:00pm.
The classic Italian Beef served up at Buona with its thin-sliced meat marinated in gravy starts at about $7.50. Make it a Cheddar Cheesy Beef Sandwich (with layers of creamy, sharp cheddar cheese sauce) starting at about $8.50.
Add crispy, salty fries for about $2.50 and a hand-spun milkshake for about $5.
Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto took a risk when they opened their first restaurant in Berwyn, taking out a second mortgage on their home to begin what would soon become a beef empire.
The couple dreamed of a restaurant where their children could learn and grow. That dream came true when each of their five sons worked their way up through every position in the family business.
The founding sons Carlo, John, Joe Jr, Jimmy, and Donny Buonavolanto are integrally involved with building the Buona Beef brand.
With more than 20 locations throughout Chicagoland, it is easy to find a Buona restaurant location, serving up authentic Italian beef.
We recommend the Berwyn location at 6745 Roosevelt Road, the Oak Park location at 7025 West North Avenue, and the Hillside location at 2135 South Wolf Road.
