Mia Francesca

In Short – The atmosphere at this Wrigleyville fave is frenetic and loud with chatter, laughter, clinking glasses and cheers. The contemporary Italian menu offers tasty plates like sirloin carpaccio and asparagus risotto, plus four-cheese or seafood pizzas, pastas, and entrees like veal medallions with porcini mushrooms and roasted chicken with rosemary, lemon and caramelized shallots. For dessert, the gelati (Italian ice creams)--pistachio, cinnamon, raspberry, banana-fudge and vanilla--is a crowd favorite.

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:: Upstairs tends to be less crowded, but downstairs is more fun and festive. In summer, the patio offers a few prime tables under a big, shady tree.
The Extras:: Want to party at Francesca's with your friends? The restaurant's private coach house can accommodate up to 24, and the upstairs dining room can be partitioned for private parties as well.

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User Reviews (35)

ambiance	50.0% positive	“The decor is nice, but the acoustics are awful.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“The food and dessert is just awesome.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“The outdoor bar in back though is really nice and I might go there again next time I am in te mood to eat avergage Italian outdoors.”
food quality	95.64999580383301% positive	“Clean, creative and delicious Italian” “Most importantly, the food is always fantastic ?” “And the food is wonderful--the carpaccio appetizer melts in your mouth and the pasta dishes are always good deals.” “With that said, the food really is rather fantastic.” “You can never go wrong with reasonable prices and fresh cuisine that is a fresh approach on traditional italian.” “the food was excellent and the prices were VERY reasonable for Chicago!” “but, the best Mia has to offer is it's delicious meals.” “It's not expensive and the food is NOT great.” “Mia Francesca is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants, and of the Francesca family, I think it is the best, with the most consistent food” “Amazing food, be prepared to yell.” “This restaurant serves really good, simple Italian food at a great price--no wonder it's packed on weekends.” “You won't get spagehetti and meatballs as my dad complained when I brought him, but what you will get are some of the best pasta, fish, and chicken dishes you have tried.” “The food is delicious from the pizzas to the highly recommended veal medallions.” “This is a wonderful restaurant with great food and a great scene.” “Great food, great deal” “overall, i would go back because i thought the food was wonderful but the scene was a little chaotic.” “the food i had was delicious, i had the salmon and shrimp along with a special appetizer that was a pepper brushetta.” “The food and dessert is just awesome.” “The night ended up alright as our server was very nice and the food was, as always, fine, but after eating here for many years, we will not go back.” “All the servers know the food,how it is prepared, and can lean you in the direction of something your taste buds will love.” “highly recomend Mia Francesca to anyone looking for a great meal for a great price!” “Food was excellent, from melon/prosciutto, to roasted chicken, and--of course--pasta.” “If I may recommend some dishes, actually what I order every time I visit is, Cozze Calamari, delicious pasta dish with calamari, and their calamari fritti is to die for, melts in your mouth not in your hand.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“like the rotating menu.” “good menu and plenty of specials.” “The menu had good variety and featured mostly house specials.” “make for a great menu.” “good overall experience, but would likely not return, with all the other Italian options in Chicago!” “Excellent menu.”
overall	100.0% positive	“my favorite restaurant in chicago” “This is absolutely my favorite Italian restaurant.” “This by far is my favorite restaurant In Chicago.” “This is a great place to bring a date, just be prepared to spend some money.”
return potential	87.5% positive	“overall, i would go back because i thought the food was wonderful but the scene was a little chaotic.” “The outdoor bar in back though is really nice and I might go there again next time I am in te mood to eat avergage Italian outdoors.” “The night ended up alright as our server was very nice and the food was, as always, fine, but after eating here for many years, we will not go back.” “good overall experience, but would likely not return, with all the other Italian options in Chicago!”
service	92.8600025177002% positive	“The maitre'd/manager (Fernando) was startlingly rude and presumptuous.” “Very good service.” “Our waitress was great and we rather liked the high intesity and hustle that was going on around us.” “couldn't wait to try it, however after my experience, I have no idea what it is that people like about this restaurant.” “Portions are more than generous and the service is mostly good and friendly.” “And the staff is attentive.” “The night ended up alright as our server was very nice and the food was, as always, fine, but after eating here for many years, we will not go back.” “Good service and helpful waiters.” “All the servers know the food,how it is prepared, and can lean you in the direction of something your taste buds will love.” “excellent service.” “The staff is remarkable, always friendly and helpful.” “The service was fast & attentive as well.” “The service is incredible.” “The service has always been knowledgeable and pleasant without being over eager.”
value	83.33000183105469% positive	“This restaurant serves really good, simple Italian food at a great price--no wonder it's packed on weekends.” “And the food is wonderful--the carpaccio appetizer melts in your mouth and the pasta dishes are always good deals.” “highly recomend Mia Francesca to anyone looking for a great meal for a great price!” “It's not expensive and the food is NOT great.” “Portions are more than generous and the service is mostly good and friendly.” “You can never go wrong with reasonable prices and fresh cuisine that is a fresh approach on traditional italian.” “Pretty pricey for what we had.” “This is a great place to bring a date, just be prepared to spend some money.” “the food was excellent and the prices were VERY reasonable for Chicago!”

10/02/09

Clean, creative and delicious Italian

by jewishstar at Citysearch

This by far is my favorite restaurant In Chicago. Their menu is simple, fun and tasty! You can never go wrong with reasonable prices and fresh cuisine that is a fresh approach on traditional italian. The staff is remarkable, always friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is high energy and exciting. I love going all out here and take all my guests here to experience one Chicago's great places to eat! I always go with the fish entrees....amazing!

Pros: Great prices, great wine and amzing service
Cons: Can be too noisy for some but I love the atmosphere and thee

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08/04/09

good, solid choice...but would not return

by karenmdorn at Citysearch

With a party of 8 on a Saturday night, pre-Sunday morning running race. Food was excellent, from melon/prosciutto, to roasted chicken, and--of course--pasta. Decor was nothing special, but pleasant. Service was good, but then they would not split the check. By-the-glass wine selection fairly limited. Pretty pricey for what we had. A good overall experience, but would likely not return, with all the other Italian options in Chicago!

Pros: food
Cons: none especially

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11/19/08

Best Tuscan Italian in City

by ChicagoSarah at Citysearch

Have been going to this place for 10 years and have never been disappointed. I really do think it is the best Italian in the city. Also love Saporo di Napoli on Belmont.

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08/22/08

Declining Service

by WillO8 at Citysearch

My recent experience has left me very disappointed in Mia Francesca. The maitre'd/manager (Fernando) was startlingly rude and presumptuous. The restaurant was 2/3 empty and yet he refused my 70 year old grandmother a chair to sit in until the rest of our party arrived. When a chair was requested a second time, he refused us by saying, "I see her. She looks fine."

He then proceeded to sit us in the very back near the bus station and bathroom. We said no and he again made my grandmother stand while he chose a new table. Repeat, the restaurant was mostly empty, this was 5:45 on a Wednesday evening. His behavior made me take a look at his seating policy and I realized that he sat couples in the front, women eating together or families in the back. Ridiculous and mean spirited is the nicest way I can term this policy.

The night ended up alright as our server was very nice and the food was, as always, fine, but after eating here for many years, we will not go back.

Pros: good food
Cons: very rude service

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07/06/08

My Mia!

by onenever at Citysearch

I Love this place. Italian food isn?t usually all that exciting for me, but I get excited when I go to Mia Francesca. You definitely want to make a reservation, no matter what day of the week it is. They will usually seat you promptly. The service has always been knowledgeable and pleasant without being over eager. Assorted, changing specials with reliable stand-by?s make for a great menu. Most importantly, the food is always fantastic ? and the price is right on. Try it out, you WONT be disappointed!

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Mia Francesca

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Editor's Tips

10/02/09

Clean, creative and delicious Italian

by jewishstar at Citysearch

08/04/09

good, solid choice...but would not return

by karenmdorn at Citysearch

11/19/08

Best Tuscan Italian in City

by ChicagoSarah at Citysearch

08/22/08

Declining Service

by WillO8 at Citysearch

07/06/08

My Mia!

by onenever at Citysearch

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