I would like to visit the Little Italy area of Chicago. Any good casual restaurants recommendations? Is Taylor Street the heart of the little italy.

My favorite in Little Italy is Rosebud on Taylor, menu tends towards red sauces and meat. Lots of other people like Tuscany (Northern Italian, white sauces and seafood) or Francesca's. And there's a hole in the wall that I've been dying to try called Tufano's (cash only).

We were there last week and ate lunch at Tuscany's. Great food and the atmosphere is just what you would want in an Italian restaurant.

Curious

Tuscany is also nice; for Italian Ice, you must go to Mario's. Its a little walk up place on Taylor. For Italian Beef, its Al's right across the street.

I like Francesca's, but most people like Rosebud better.

The Little Italy in Chicago is so small now. I remember when it was much larger and my favorite was on 26th and Western. It was called Febo's. Oh, do I miss that restaurant. It had the best Veal Marsala in the universe.

The "heart of Little Italy" is really gone now. It would be extremely close to where the U. of I. Chicago Campus presently stands. No more.

My family loves Pompei Bakery - you order at a counter and they bring food to your table. The pizza is made on a huge cookie sheet and they cut it in rectangles. Good sandwhiches, salads, specials, and a bar. Very reasonable. Marios for Italian ice is a must - especially lemon and watermelon withpieces of the actual fruit in it.