Buona opened on East Riverside Boulevard in Loves Park in September 2024 and is open every day with a dining room, outdoor seating, a drive-thru and online ordering for carryout or delivery. The menu goes well beyond Italian beef, with Chicago-style hot dogs on steamed poppyseed buns, burgers, grilled or breaded chicken sandwiches, chopped salads, fresh rigatoni, tavern-style pizza cut into squares and plant-based options. Teams, schools, medical practices and offices can place larger orders through Loves Park Catering, and the same menu is available for pickup at the drive-thru.
The first Buona Beef was served in Berwyn in 1981 by the Buonavolanto family, and many of our recipes still come from the family table. The meatball sandwich is our mother’s recipe simmered in her seasoned marinara, and the Italian sausage is charbroiled and served with house-made marinara. Our Top Sirloin is dry roasted for hours until the drippings turn into natural gravy. Loves Park serves the same recipes as every Buona restaurant.
Looking for another Buona? Visit Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, or Algonquin and Lakemoor in Illinois. You can also view all Buona locations.
“Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament returns, and Buona Beef is ready for their title defense.”
An all-beef hot dog on a steamed poppyseed bun, piled with the classic Chicago toppings.
Top Sirloin dry roasted for hours, sliced thin and served in its own natural gravy with sweet peppers or hot giardiniera.
Chicken breast marinated for 24 hours and char-grilled, with a lightly breaded fried version if you prefer.
Buona Loves Park is at 7350 E Riverside Blvd, near MercyHealth Sportscore Two and Rock Cut State Park. The restaurant has a dining room, outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi and a drive-thru, along with parking that includes wheelchair-accessible spaces. Online orders can be placed for carryout or delivery and picked up inside or at the drive-thru. Larger orders for teams and groups go through Loves Park Catering. Free Wi-Fi and gender-neutral restrooms are available as well.
Italian beef comes with sweet peppers or hot giardiniera and can be dipped in gravy. Add Italian sausage or try the meatball sandwich, or choose a Chicago-style hot dog, a cheeseburger, a grilled chicken sandwich, a chopped salad or rigatoni marinara. The tavern-style pizzas are 10 inches and cut into squares, with a gluten-free cauliflower crust option. Cheese Fries and other sides round out any order, and a sandwich can become a meal with fries and a fountain drink.
Browse the full menu to see everything on offer.
Guests come to the Loves Park Buona from Rockford, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Cherry Valley and Belvidere as well as Loves Park itself. The restaurant has a kids menu, and credit cards and NFC mobile payments are both accepted. Buona Rewards members earn free food, big discounts, weekly deals and birthday perks when they join through the Buona app. Catering orders for teams, offices and families are handled through Loves Park Catering.
The entrance, parking and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and plant-based guests can order the Vegan Italian Beef as a sandwich or a bowl.
What is the address of the Loves Park Buona?
Buona is at 7350 E Riverside Blvd, Loves Park, IL 61111.
Is Buona close to MercyHealth Sportscore Two?
Yes. The restaurant is on East Riverside Boulevard in Loves Park, near MercyHealth Sportscore Two.
Is Buona near Rock Cut State Park?
Yes. Rock Cut State Park is nearby, and the Loves Park Buona is on East Riverside Boulevard.
Can I use a drive-thru at Buona in Loves Park?
Yes. The drive-thru takes orders on the spot and handles online order pickup. Dine-in and carryout are available too.
How do I order ahead at the Loves Park restaurant?
Order online for carryout or delivery, then pick it up inside or at the drive-thru.
Are the hot dogs at Buona all beef?
Yes. Buona hot dogs are all beef and served on a steamed poppyseed bun, and the Chicago-style dog comes piled with classic toppings. See the Chicago-style hot dog.
How big are the tavern-style pizzas?
Our tavern-style pizzas are 10 inches, made to order and cut into squares. A gluten-free cauliflower crust is available.
What comes on a Buona Italian beef sandwich?
The beef is Top Sirloin dry roasted for hours and served in its natural gravy. Choose sweet peppers or hot giardiniera, and ask for it dipped if you want extra gravy.
Does Buona in Loves Park serve meatball and sausage sandwiches?
Yes. The meatball sandwich uses our mother’s recipe simmered in her marinara, and the Italian sausage is charbroiled. You can also add sausage to your beef. Browse the full menu.
Are there vegan or gluten-free choices in Loves Park?
Yes. The Vegan Italian Beef comes as a sandwich or a bowl, and the cauliflower crust pizza is gluten-free. Our nutrition and allergens page has ingredient details.
What is on the kids menu at Buona?
Kids meals include the Kids Buona Beef Meal, the Kids Hot Dog Meal, the Kids Cheese Pizza Meal and Kids Grilled Chicken Strips.
Is the Loves Park restaurant wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, parking and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and the restaurant also has outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi.
What payment methods does the Loves Park Buona accept?
The restaurant accepts credit cards and NFC mobile payments.
Which towns do Buona guests come from in the Rockford area?
Guests come from Loves Park, Rockford, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Cherry Valley and Belvidere.
Can a team or group place a catering order in Loves Park?
Yes. Loves Park Catering handles orders for teams, offices, medical practices, schools and families.
