La Scarola

(312) 243-1740

721 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL | Directions   60610

41.891101 -87.646300 View Website

La Scarola view & upload
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Neighborhoods:
West Side, Goose Island

Cuisine:
Italian

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At a Glance ?
100% ambiance
“Bring your patience and enjoy a glass of wine outside while you wait for your table - its worth every second you are waiting to enjoy the food, drink and cozy atmosphere.”
100% drinks
“Outstanding authentic Italian menu, Great wine menu”
100% food quality
“Outstanding food, the shrimp Armani appetizer was outstanding.”
100% menu variety
“Everything on the menu is delicious and they give you alot of it.”
100% overall
“This is a great place for great pasta.”
100% return potential
“Aside from the noisy table next to the kitchen, our experience was fantastic and we will definitely be back!”
100% service
“The staff is very friendly and helpful.”
100% value
“Portions are substantial and prices reasonable, which makes for a crowded but fun little place to dine.”

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La Scarola

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From The Owner of La Scarola

Craving Mom's Italian cooking? Second best just might be this River West storefront.


What Our Expert Scouts Say

La Scarola
February 13, 2013

Wow I didn't expect this place to be as good as it was. Little hole in the wall off of Grand but definitely make a reservation and then stalk your table early! Love the grilled calamari.

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La Scarola
February 10, 2013

One of the city's most beloved Italian restaurants with a steady stream of Chicago's well-known foodies dining in and taking out.

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La Scarola
January 04, 2013

Serious old-school charm gushes from this cramped yet cozy Italian gem. Plan to share and leave fat and happy.

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Tips for La Scarola

4.0
June 24, 2012

Not the most comfortable place. No real bar to wait at. All that said....the food is fantastic. Well worth going to over and over again.

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3.0
February 09, 2012

Brutal Owner. Misogynistic owner. The interior is trashy and dirty. The food is authentic and good. Would only take food to go

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5.0
September 02, 2008

Great Italian dining. This is a great place for great pasta. The calamari is amazing and the pasta dishes are equally as amazing. This place is packed almost all the time. Bring your patience and enjoy a glass of wine outside while you wait for your table - its worth every second you are waiting to enjoy the food, drink and cozy atmosphere.

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5.0
August 29, 2008

A absolute must. This place is absolutely fabulous. Everything is extraordinary. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I moved out of the city and will miss this place. I come back everytime I come home to visit. I love it.

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5.0
July 07, 2008

Mangiare. I think I could live off of the Pasta Fagioli and Chicken Vesuvio from La Scarola. They are two of the best versions of these two dishes that I've ever had. The grilled octopus and calamari are wonderful appetizers, as well. The host/owner is always walking around giving patrons a shot of tequila. I'm not sure how the tequila fits in at an Italian restaurant, but it's befitting of the good times had at La Scarola. Be sure to make reservations, or you'll be waiting for a table at nearby Emmit's, which isn't too bad of a punishment. The wines leave much to be desired, but an abundance of tequila will make you forget all about the lacking wines.

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5.0
February 19, 2007

Outstanding authentic Italian menu, Great wine menu. Outstanding food, the shrimp Armani appetizer was outstanding. The food is reasonably priced, the wines by the glass are lacking, but the wines by the bottle are superb. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who thoroughly enjoys authentic Italian cuisine. Make a reservation, I was there at 6:00 for drinks and the place was packed, I didn?t leave until around 8:30 and people were still coming in the door.

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5.0
November 20, 2006

Hands down best Italian in the City. This place is great!! Sometimes even if you have a reservation you have to wait but it is well worth it. Everything on the menu is delicious and they give you alot of it.

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5.0
July 27, 2006

Seriously - Why bother with anything else. I've gone to La Scarola a few times over the last few years and this place is dynamite. I still remember the first dish I ate there 6 years ago. It's that good. Not a single dish is just ok or normal. Every dish has a personal feel to it and the opposite of generic. Make sure you try the Shrimp with Mash appetizer!!

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5.0
July 17, 2006

THE BEST ITALIAN IN THE CITY. MAYBE THE BEST PLACE TO EAT IN THE CITY!. WHAT CAN ANYONE SAY ABOUT ARMANDO AND JOEY'S PLACE EXCEPT, WITHOUT A DOUBT A GREAT PLACE TO EAT. FROM THE PASTA FAGIOLA TO THE SHRIMP ARMANI, ITS ALL GOOD.

ENJOY THE FOOD, THE PEOPLE WATCHING, THE AMBIANCE AND WHILE YOU WAIT YOU CAN LOOK AT ALL THE PICTURES OF THE VISITING(AND REGULAR CUSTOMERS) LOCAL AND NATIONAL CELEBRITIES WHO ADORN THE WALLS.

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5.0
July 15, 2005

Al Dente!. Great little joint serving up big time Italian cuisine. Veal dishes are superb and come with a side of pasta. Lasagna is like what grandma used to make. Portions are substantial and prices reasonable, which makes for a crowded but fun little place to dine.

The wine list can use some help, but was really the only noticeable flaw on a most recent visit. Pictures of the famous line the walls here, a great conversation starter for those on dates. If you in the mood for quiet dining, this place is not it, however.

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Nominated for:
Italian Food (2011)
Italian Food (2006)