Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to go downtown to experience delicious cuisine. Tinley Park is a hub for delicious food. If your family is searching for the best Italian fare in the area, we’ve compiled a list of the best of the best.
Ottimo
- Address: 16111 S. La Grange Road, Orland Park
Ottimo specializes in simple rustic food prepared with the highest quality, fresh ingredients grown by local farms specifically for the restaurant. Comfort food at its finest, guests flock to Ottimo for their Braciole (beef rolled and stuffed with hard-boiled egg and Parmesan cheese, slowly braised in San Marzano tomato and red wine sauce), fettuccini Alfredo and Parmesan-crusted sea scallops. Although daily specials rotate by week, every Sunday night is always the best, as children 12 and under eat free!
Frankie’s
- Address: 9501 171st Street, Tinley Park
Frankie’s Ristorante recently combined their closed Oak Lawn “fast food” location along with their previous “white tablecloth Ristorante” to form Frankie’s, a casual chic concept that serves the best of both worlds. Customers love authentic homemade pastas, Italian pizzas (from a Marra Forni oven) and popular dishes, such as ciambotta (sausage and peppers), meatballs, Alaskan wild king salmon and chicken limone with a lemon butter and caper sauce.
Bella Mia
- Address: 4648 W. 147th St., Midlothian
This contemporary eatery boasts Italian classics, occasional live music and a white-tablecloth vibe. All dishes at Bella Mia are made to order. Their signature dish is Italian pork chops, grilled and covered with garlic and white wine sauce, served with roasted red peppers and vesuvio potatoes. Bella Mia also specializes in veal, as their chef personally inspects every piece of veal to ensure it is fresh in quality.
Gatto’s
- Address: 8005 W. 183rd. St., Tinley Park
Walking into Gatto’s feels like you are walking into a friend or family member’s home — a familiar and cozy place that’s been serving up family recipes for more than two decades. Kiddos will be satisfied with child-friendly menu staples like chicken fingers and grilled cheese, as well as half orders of pasta, while grown-ups can enjoy fan favorites from an extensive menu like garbage salad, eggplant parmesan and fried calamari.
Isabella Italian Café
- Address: 17211 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park
Isabella’s Café is an intimate, family-owned Italian restaurant in the heart of Tinley Park. Around for more than 20 years, Isabella’s specializes in traditional Northern Italian dishes, utilizing fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce. Chef Carlos prepares an impressive stuffed portabello mushroom appetizer with duck and cream cheese stuffing and red wine peppercorn sauce. Other notable entrees include roast lamb shank, veal marsala, grilled wild salmon and stuffed chicken breast.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
