Buona opened on North Avenue in Oak Park in 1989 as the second Buona ever, and the restaurant reopened in December 2024 after a full renovation. It is a regular lunch and dinner stop for neighbors from River Forest, Elmwood Park and Forest Park, and school functions, graduation parties and office meetings can be planned through Oak Park Catering.
Everything Buona does traces back to Berwyn in 1981, where the Buonavolanto family opened the first restaurant. The Italian beef is still Top Sirloin dry roasted for hours until the drippings become a natural gravy, and the pasta is fresh, cooked al dente and served with the family marinara handed down through the generations.
Looking for another Buona? Visit Berwyn, Harwood Heights or Hillside, or view all Buona locations.
“Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament returns, and Buona Beef is ready for their title defense.”
Slow-roasted Top Sirloin in a natural gravy made from its own drippings, with sweet or hot peppers available as options.
Italian beef and charbroiled Italian sausage together on one sandwich, the best of both worlds.
A thinly breaded chicken cutlet topped with crisp Caesar salad and shaved parmesan.
Oak Park is known across Chicagoland for its historic districts, architecture and arts scene, and a day among its boutiques, museums and galleries fits naturally around a lunch or dinner stop on West North Avenue. River Forest, Forest Park and Elmwood Park are all close by.
Italian beef is what put Buona on the map, but the Oak Park menu goes well beyond it, with fresh pasta, burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs and made-to-order salads. Chicken sandwiches run from the Buffalo Chicken to the Vodka Chicken Parmesan Cutlet, and the Chicken & Avocado Bowl is a single-bowl meal built on grilled chicken, ripe avocado and cauliflower rice.
Browse the full menu to see everything on offer.
Guests visit regularly for lunch and dinner from Oak Park and surrounding communities like River Forest, Elmwood Park, Forest Park and Galewood. Families split a meatball sandwich, an Italian sausage and a Chicago-style hot dog across the table, kids have a menu of their own, and Buona Rewards members earn free food, big discounts, weekly deals and birthday perks when they join through the Buona app.
Where is Buona on North Avenue in Oak Park?
Buona is at 7025 W North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, on West North Avenue in Oak Park.
When did the Oak Park Buona open?
Buona opened in Oak Park in 1989 as the second Buona ever, and the restaurant reopened in December 2024 after a full renovation.
Is Buona open for lunch and dinner in Oak Park?
Yes. The restaurant opens at 10:30 AM and stays open through dinner, closing at 10:30 PM Sunday through Wednesday and 11:00 PM Thursday through Saturday.
Does the Oak Park Buona have a drive-thru?
Yes. The Oak Park restaurant has a drive-thru.
Which neighborhoods come to Buona on North Avenue?
Guests come from Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Forest Park and Galewood.
What salads does Buona serve?
The menu has the Chopped Chicken Salad, Mediterranean Chicken Salad, Apple Cranberry Walnut (Tuscan Harvest), Char-Grilled Chicken Caesar, Spicy Chicken Ranch, Crispy Chicken Salad, Classic Caesar and a side house salad. See all the salads.
Which chicken sandwiches can I get at Buona?
Choose from the Grilled Chicken, Avocado Jack Chicken, Fried Chicken and Buffalo Chicken sandwiches, or the Vodka Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Caesar cutlet sandwiches. See the chicken menu.
What protein bowls does Buona make?
The bowls are single-bowl meals packed with protein and laced with veggies and cheese. Choose the Chicken & Avocado Bowl, the Beef & Sausage Bowl, the Meatball & Sausage Bowl or the Vegan Italian Beef Bowl. See the protein bowls.
What makes Buona’s Italian beef different from other Italian beef in Oak Park?
Our Italian beef is made old-school. Top Sirloin is dry roasted for hours, and the drippings become a natural gravy, with no bouillon, lard or preservatives added. It is the family recipe the Buonavolanto family has followed since 1981, and it makes an easy lunch or dinner on North Avenue. Sweet or hot peppers are available as options. See the Italian beef.
Does Buona serve Italian sausage and meatballs?
Yes. The menu has a charbroiled Italian sausage, our mother’s Meatball Marinara sandwich and a Combo Beef & Sausage.
What makes a hot dog Chicago-style at Buona?
It is an all-natural beef hot dog on a steamed poppyseed bun with the classic Chicago toppings. See the Chicago-style hot dog.
Are there plant-based choices?
The Vegan Italian Beef comes as a sandwich or a bowl. Our nutrition and allergens page has ingredient details.
What is on the kids menu?
Kids meals include the Kids Buona Beef Meal, the Kids Hot Dog Meal, Kids Grilled Chicken Strips and Kids 3 Piece Chicken Tenders.
Can Buona cater a school function or office meeting?
Yes. Oak Park Catering serves office meetings, school functions, graduation parties and neighborhood celebrations in Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park and Forest Park.
