At the St. Charles restaurant on West Main Street (Route 64), the Italian beef is Top Sirloin dry roasted for hours until the drippings become a natural gravy, with sweet or hot peppers as options. The Combo Beef & Sausage adds charbroiled Italian sausage, and the Vegan Italian Beef comes as a sandwich or a bowl. Buona opened here in August 2015, and St. Charles Catering serves offices, schools, sports groups and families across St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, South Elgin and Elburn.
Buona’s marinara is a family recipe handed down through generations, and the pasta that goes with it is cooked fresh to al dente. Both trace back to the first restaurant the Buonavolanto family opened in Berwyn in 1981.
Looking for another Buona? Visit Montgomery, Glendale Heights or Naperville, or view all Buona locations.
“Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament returns, and Buona Beef is ready for their title defense.”
Buona is on West Main Street (Route 64) near Randall Road, in the part of St. Charles that also holds Geneva Commons and the Kane County Fairgrounds. Italian beef is what the restaurant built its name on, and the menu around it covers charbroiled Italian sausage, char-grilled burgers, chicken sandwiches, pasta and tavern-style pizza.
Downtown St. Charles, the Fox River Trail, Pottawatomie Park and the Arcada Theatre are all close to the restaurant. Buona has indoor seating and outdoor seating, and the menu runs from Chicago-style hot dogs and the Meatball Marinara sandwich to the Chicken & Avocado Bowl and made-to-order salads.
Browse the full menu to see everything on offer.
Buona welcomes guests from Geneva, Batavia, South Elgin, West Chicago, Elburn and Campton Hills. The Vegan Italian Beef is labeled vegan on the menu, the cauliflower crust gives the pizza a gluten-free option, and kids have meals of their own.
Where is Buona in St. Charles?
The restaurant is at 2425 W Main St, St. Charles, IL 60175, on West Main Street (Route 64) near Randall Road. Parking is on site.
Is there a Buona near downtown St. Charles?
Yes. The West Main Street restaurant is close to downtown St. Charles, the Fox River Trail and Pottawatomie Park.
Is Buona near the Arcada Theatre or the Kane County Fairgrounds?
Yes. The Arcada Theatre, the Kane County Fairgrounds and Geneva Commons are all close to the St. Charles restaurant.
Which nearby communities does the St. Charles Buona serve?
Geneva, Batavia, South Elgin, West Chicago, Elburn and Campton Hills are all part of the Fox Valley area around the restaurant.
How is Buona’s Italian beef made?
It starts with Top Sirloin, dry roasted for hours. The drippings become the natural gravy, with no bouillon, lard or preservatives added, following the original recipe the Buonavolanto family has used since 1981. Sweet or hot peppers are available as options. See the Italian beef.
Does Buona have sausage and meatless Italian beef options?
Yes. The Combo Beef & Sausage puts Italian beef and charbroiled Italian sausage on one sandwich, and the Vegan Italian Beef, labeled vegan on the menu, comes as a sandwich or a bowl. The Beef & Sausage Bowl and the Meatball & Sausage Bowl are single-bowl meals laced with veggies and cheese. See the protein bowls.
Does the St. Charles Buona have a drive-thru?
Yes. The St. Charles restaurant has a drive-thru, along with indoor seating, outdoor seating and parking.
Does Buona serve lunch and dinner in St. Charles?
Yes. Buona serves lunch and dinner every day, and the current hours are listed in the Restaurant Hours section at the top of the page.
What kind of pizza does Buona make?
Tavern-style pizza comes in a 10-inch size, made to order with fresh whole milk mozzarella. A cauliflower crust is the gluten-free option.
What goes on the Chicago-style hot dog?
Buona’s all-beef Chicago-style hot dog is made with all-natural beef and topped with yellow mustard, neon relish, onion, sport peppers, fresh tomato, celery salt, and a crispy kosher pickle. Served on a fresh steamed poppyseed bun.
What kind of salads does Buona have on the St. Charles menu?
Salads are made to order and served with Chicago French bread and all-natural house dressings, with no artificial colors or flavors. The lineup includes 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.
What chicken sandwiches does Buona make?
The menu has Grilled Chicken, Avocado Jack, Fried Chicken and Buffalo Chicken sandwiches. The Vodka Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Caesar cutlet sandwiches use thinly breaded cutlets. See the chicken menu.
Is the pasta fresh at Buona in St. Charles?
Yes. The pasta is fresh, never dried, and cooked to al dente. It is served with the family marinara that has been handed down through the generations. See the pasta menu.
What vegan and gluten-free choices are there?
The Vegan Italian Beef is the labeled vegan item, offered as a sandwich or a bowl. The cauliflower crust pizza covers gluten-free. Pastas and salads are not vegan, and the nutrition and allergens page has the ingredient details.
What is on the kids menu?
Kids meals include the Kids Buona Beef Meal, the Kids Hot Dog Meal, the Kids Cheese Pizza Meal, Kids Grilled Chicken Strips and Kids 3 Piece Chicken Tenders.
Can Buona cater events in St. Charles?
Yes. St. Charles Catering opened on West Main Street in August 2015 and serves offices, schools, sports groups and families across St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, South Elgin, Elburn and the rest of the Fox Valley.
