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La Scarola

La Scarola

Italian Restaurant$$$$
Fulton River District, Chicago
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8.9/10
206
ratings
  • Tips
    JJ V.
    "Excellent family style Italian."(3 Tips)
    Anupam S.
    "The pasta vesuvio and the chicken vesuvio are heavenly."(2 Tips)
    Jim E.
    "Veal Chop alla Gabe is outstanding!"(2 Tips)
    Myra R.
    "Grilled octopus, baked clams, gnocchi are among my faves"(2 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon68 Tips and reviews
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  • veal chops
  • eggplant parmigiana
  • great value
  • espresso drinks
  • casual
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  • Elenaheart icon on user image
    ElenaJune 27, 2016
    Don'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!
  • PureWow
    PureWowFebruary 23, 2017
    You don’t just eat at La Scarola, you feast. Still, it’s worth it to save a little room at the start for a cup of pasta e fagioli soup, which brims with cannellini beans, fresh basil and cheese. Read more
    Upvoted Sep 8
  • Taste T.heart icon on user image
    Taste TesterFebruary 24, 2017
    The place to go for REAL Italian! Loved this dish so much that I saved it for the trip back home!
    Upvoted Sep 8
  • Jon B.heart icon on user image
    Jon B.January 20, 2020
    Incredible 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!
  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 21, 2018
    Step 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!
  • Rick B.heart icon on user image
    Rick BendixMarch 12, 2019
    An 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 m.heart icon on user image
    ben mApril 24, 2017
    Wonderfully classic. Wonderfully old school. The staff is great. The food is delicious.
  • Ricardo F.heart icon on user image
    Ricardo FuchsJanuary 18, 2022
    Just amazing Italian food and great friendly service.
  • Darshy N.
    Darshy NAugust 8, 2017
    Anything on the local menu, pasta and seafood, both fresh!
  • Jeremy C.heart icon on user image
    Jeremy CMarch 13, 2016
    Old school Italian that is f***ing delicious. Try the pollo ponzio and get the cannoli for dessert. Boom
  • Shannon J.heart icon on user image
    Shannon JeropkeMarch 31, 2019
    The food is very good! It feels like an old family Italian place.
  • Anupam S.heart icon on user image
    Anupam SharmaMarch 27, 2016
    The pasta vesuvio and the chicken vesuvio are heavenly. The Tiramisu is first class as well.
  • Christopher F.
    Christopher FlossMarch 20, 2017
    Very authentic #Chicago style #Italian cuisine! The eggplant appetizer is a great starter. The #lasagna is amazing!
  • Preston H.
    Preston HerrinOctober 5, 2010
    Quintessential 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"!
  • Crain's Chicago Business
    Unassuming 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 W.
    Stefani WhalenDecember 19, 2013
    Amazing food! Best service! Just like your Italian mothers kitchen! Vodka sauce is phenomenal!!! Ten stars!
  • Cyndie C.heart icon on user image
    Cyndie CarlsonNovember 14, 2015
    Baked clams! Meatballs are great!
  • Trish
    TrishJuly 19, 2015
    Loud typical Italian place. Loved it. Great food! People were wonderful ☺️
  • David S.
    David SmithSeptember 22, 2014
    Say hi to Bumblebee. Look for the Transformer in the bar.
  • Myra R.
    Myra RubinSeptember 10, 2011
    Portions are huge! Charming, totally old school Italian place. Grilled octopus, baked clams, gnocchi are among my faves
  • Teddy C.
    Teddy C.July 17, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Pasta Armani... whether it's on the menu or not, they will make it for you and you will love it.
  • Dustin M.heart icon on user image
    Dustin McQuaryAugust 10, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    It doesn't get more authentic than La Scarola for some old school, red sauce Italian food.
  • isaac
    isaacSeptember 21, 2013
    Great food! Delicious traditional Italian dishes. Jack the waiter is awesome!
  • JJ V.
    JJ VenturiniOctober 18, 2014
    Excellent family style Italian. Must eat here! Great service too
  • Justin D.
    Justin DuffyJuly 28, 2013
    You will not have better, more authentic. My Irish ass felt like an Italian eating that Veal. Real!
  • Tony B.heart icon on user image
    Tony BhallaMay 5, 2017
    Ambiance is great. Shrimp scampi was awesome.
  • Jordan S.
    Jordan ScottMay 12, 2012
    Meat lasagna is delish. Shrimp Armani is the best appetizer anywhere. Good place.
  • April G.heart icon on user image
    April GIApril 27, 2021
    I’ve loved every pasta i have tried
  • Steve K.
    Steve KurasJuly 30, 2013
    Grilled calamari is incredibly delicious. Never fried again!
  • Ada C.heart icon on user image
    Ada ChiuFebruary 16, 2023
    Large portions and delicious pasta
  • David A. C.heart icon on user image
    David A. ChapaOctober 28, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    A hidden Chicago gem!
  • Samantha G.
    Samantha GreenSeptember 4, 2011
    Amazing italian food & service. The owner treated us like royalty. Unforgettable experience.
  • Jodi W.
    Jodi WernikoffApril 25, 2013
    Get the pasta a la cosa!
  • Sheila E.
    Sheila EstradaApril 13, 2014
    The filet wth mushrooms is a must have!!
  • Sean M.heart icon on user image
    Sean McEnteeJune 30, 2019
    Shouldn't have waited this long to go here. Perfect, loud red sauce joint
  • Diego R.
    Diego RufoMarch 29, 2011
    The place is tiny, always bustling, and the food is phenomenal, especially the Penne alla Vodka. Read more
  • ashish r.heart icon on user image
    ashish rastogiJune 8, 2018
    Family style Italian.
  • Sara R.
    Sara R.October 22, 2011
    Be prepared to wait an hour or more on a weekend, even with a reservation- but it's definitely worth it.
  • Amanda L.heart icon on user image
    Amanda LehmkuhlNovember 27, 2018
    Pasta Vesuvio was wonderful
  • Liliana S.
    Liliana SAugust 12, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    One of my favorite spots...expect great Italian cooked by a great Mexican chef!
  • Alyssa B.
    Alyssa BurgeOctober 9, 2012
    If you love fish,the salmon is to die for!
  • Ryan C.
    Ryan CaseyOctober 31, 2011
    Anything from the specials list is money. Amazing italian spot.
  • Keith B.heart icon on user image
    Keith BeckmannNovember 4, 2014
    Veal chop is the best!!!
  • Kevin A.heart icon on user image
    Kevin ArtsDecember 28, 2014
    Old-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.
  • Don C.
    Don ClemensSeptember 8, 2013
    The spaghetti Loquerio al dente is PHENOMENAL!
  • Chris B.
    Chris BroylesOctober 18, 2011
    Escarole and beans? Amazing...so are all of the veal dishes Read more
  • Jeff M.
    Jeff MersereauJuly 30, 2013
    Try the Antipatsta and Chilean Sea Bass
  • Sawyer K.heart icon on user image
    Sawyer KnibbeOctober 28, 2019
    Bobbita-boopy
  • Gozamos
    GozamosMarch 10, 2011
    Good pastas, handmade, I think. They're especially good for vegetarians.
  • Marcus M.
    Spothero dinner!
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