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La Scarola
Italian Restaurant$$$$
Fulton River District, Chicago
"Excellent family style Italian."(3 Tips)
"The pasta vesuvio and the chicken vesuvio are heavenly."(2 Tips)
"Veal Chop alla Gabe is outstanding!"(2 Tips)
"Grilled octopus, baked clams, gnocchi are among my faves"(2 Tips)
68 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- veal chops
- eggplant parmigiana
- great value
- espresso drinks
- casual
- (15 more)
Sort:
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ElenaJune 27, 2016Don't judge a book by its cover with this place. It's a hole in the wall, but the food is great! It is casual and perfect for a big Italian dinner with the family!
Taste TesterFebruary 24, 2017The place to go for REAL Italian! Loved this dish so much that I saved it for the trip back home!
Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 21, 2018Step back in time with this old school Italian offering. Huge portions. Great staff. Great value spent. And, you are surrounded by Italian iconic photos and art work. YO-more garlic please. Awesome!
Jon B.January 20, 2020Incredible atmosphere, full of energy, and awesome food. My favorite so far was a daily pasta special featuring scallops and shrimp with squid ink pasta in a red sauce. Excellent!
Rick BendixMarch 12, 2019An outstanding family style Italian restaurant. I have been going there for years and I tried many items on the menu. I have never had a bad meal.
ben mApril 24, 2017Wonderfully classic. Wonderfully old school. The staff is great. The food is delicious.
Jeremy CMarch 13, 2016Old school Italian that is f***ing delicious. Try the pollo ponzio and get the cannoli for dessert. Boom
- Anupam SharmaMarch 27, 2016The pasta vesuvio and the chicken vesuvio are heavenly. The Tiramisu is first class as well.
Preston HerrinOctober 5, 2010Quintessential Cicago old-style Italian. Excellent food and atmosphere. Don't let the neighborhood scare you...it just the less-adventurous tourists away. This is a "must try"!- Christopher FlossMarch 20, 2017Very authentic #Chicago style #Italian cuisine! The eggplant appetizer is a great starter. The #lasagna is amazing!
Crain's Chicago BusinessMarch 8, 2011Unassuming broccoli salad is magically more than the sum of its parts: crisp-tender florets, oil-cured olives and strips of roasted red pepper with lemon and olive oil. Read more
Stefani WhalenDecember 19, 2013Amazing food! Best service! Just like your Italian mothers kitchen! Vodka sauce is phenomenal!!! Ten stars!
- Myra RubinSeptember 10, 2011Portions are huge! Charming, totally old school Italian place. Grilled octopus, baked clams, gnocchi are among my faves
Pasta Armani... whether it's on the menu or not, they will make it for you and you will love it.
It doesn't get more authentic than La Scarola for some old school, red sauce Italian food.
isaacSeptember 21, 2013Great food! Delicious traditional Italian dishes. Jack the waiter is awesome!
Justin DuffyJuly 28, 2013You will not have better, more authentic. My Irish ass felt like an Italian eating that Veal. Real!
Jordan ScottMay 12, 2012Meat lasagna is delish. Shrimp Armani is the best appetizer anywhere. Good place.
Samantha GreenSeptember 4, 2011Amazing italian food & service. The owner treated us like royalty. Unforgettable experience.
Diego RufoMarch 29, 2011The place is tiny, always bustling, and the food is phenomenal, especially the Penne alla Vodka. Read more
Sara R.October 22, 2011Be prepared to wait an hour or more on a weekend, even with a reservation- but it's definitely worth it.
One of my favorite spots...expect great Italian cooked by a great Mexican chef!
Kevin ArtsDecember 28, 2014Old-school Italian place. But the food wasn't anything special and the service was rushed. It's a clearly a turn-factory at this point.
135 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Our restaurant is open for business 7 days a week for dinner, weekdays for lunch, and has been around for twelve wonderful years. Our friendly valet service will ensure that parking during lunch and dinner hours is never a problem when you visit us.
Closed until 4:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sat
- 4:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sun
- 4:00 PM–10:00 PM
(312) 243-1740
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner
Drinks
Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 9.1
"Sandwiches. Italian speciality groceries like cheese, olive oil, pasta. The best customer service. Make you feel like family."
Sarah K. - 9.1
"Dining here is a magical experience ♥️ Admire the Chicago skyline while you drink wine, eat the world’s greatest truffled cacio & pepe 🍝 and delight yourself with seared rare Italian steak 🥩..."
Sofia Case - 8.5
"Food is so delicious. Great options if you are just interested in a drink and a couple of apps. They also made me a delicious mocktail. This mama is thankful"
Jenn LeFlore
Places people like to go after La Scarola
- 7.5
"Great jukebox, people, and smoke. This place is a time warp in a great way. When bars were bars, not libraries. $.75 hard boiled eggs. Get in on that! :-)"
Marty Merida - 8.8
"Great deviled eggs with white anchovies and deviled eggs. Great old school Manhattan"
Loren Morris - 9.3
"Great seats matter your seat. It's made for sports for 360° view so, concerts are great."
TT isTami
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