I’ve spent years exploring the backroads and side streets of Illinois, searching for authentic Italian food that makes my taste buds sing. The Prairie State holds more culinary treasures than most people realize, with family-run trattorias and pizzerias serving up recipes passed down through generations.
Most of these aren’t the big national chains you’ll find in every strip mall, but rather regional favorites and local institutions.
I’m talking about places where the hospitality feels personal and the staff quickly make you feel like a regular, where the aroma of fresh garlic and basil hits you the moment you walk through the door, and where every bite tastes like someone’s nonna made it with love…