Sign In

Sign in to upvote deals and save your favorite spots.

or
or use your phone

View Full Business Page →

La Scarola

Super GemNear West Side · Italian-American Community-sourced, unverified
📍 721 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Co-owners Joey Mondelli and Armando Vasquez opened La Scarola on February 22, 1998, with Mondelli carrying real Chicago restaurant pedigree — he'd already made Kelly Mondelli's on Clark Street a celebrity hangout back in 1980.

★★★★★ 4.6 (2,182 reviews) via Google
Super GemChicago Exclusive Gem$$
Almost thirty years in and the grilled octopus still headlines the table — the penne alla vodka is what everyone quietly fights over.
📈 Scores in the top 19% of Chicago Exclusive Gems on ChicagoSpecials.com

La Scarola's own hand-painted sign started as a napkin sketch by Armando, and the restaurant has drawn its own share of celebrities, sports stars, and politicians in the decades since. Nearly 30 years running; reservations strongly recommended, walk-ins face a long wait.

Holds a 4.6-star rating across over 2,100 reviews. Closed Mondays.

📸 See more of La Scarola

Specials at La Scarola

(2)

⚠️ Heads Up

  • 4.6 stars, over 2,100 reviews — nearly 30 years running. Heads up: reservations strongly recommended, walk-ins face a long wait.

Hours

MonClosed
Tue-Fri 5-11PM
Sat 4-11PM
Sun 4-10PM
📅 Reservations 📅 Reservations not available 🥡 Takeout unconfirmed 📞 (312) 243-1740

Amenities & accessibility

📅Reservations accepted
🥡Takeout available
❔Wheelchair access: unverified
🐕Dog-friendly

Location

Photos

No photos yet — be the first to add one.

Have a photo from a recent visit? — customers and business owners both welcome.

Know about a deal here that's not listed? Add it below — we'll verify and publish it.

to suggest a special.

Own or manage La Scarola? Claim this listing to verify your hours and add real photos.
An editorial collage of Chicago foods from The Bear: Italian beef, deep dish, a hot dog, and a growling purple bear
📰 The Scoop

The Bear Ate Chicago

Every restaurant, dive, diner, bakery, and beef stand that made its way onto the show — plus an interactive map of every stop.

Read the Story →
Chicago's Best — ranked pizza, burgers, BBQ, and more
🏆 Chicago's Best

Pizza, Burgers, BBQ & More — Ranked

The Chicago Specials Score: member votes plus our own editorial judgment, updated as new spots earn their place.

See the Rankings →
Chicago Events — festivals, parades, concerts and more, curated month by month
📅 Events

Festivals, Parades & Concerts — All Year Long

Every real, verified Chicago event worth planning around — browse month by month, from this weekend to next summer.

See What's On →