Chicago: Nonnina vs. Volare Squid Ink Pasta Showdown! 🖤🍝

Since I really love Volare’s squid ink pasta, I was curious when I saw posts saying Nonnina’s version was even better. So I went to try it myself — and here’s the take: The flavor profiles are very different between the two, and personally, I still prefer Volare’s. Nonnina’s squid ink pasta comes with lobster and shrimp, but no crab or scallops. The sauce didn’t cling to the noodles well — it felt like eating noodles with sauce on the side, not infused together. 😕 We also tried: 🍝 Mafalde Bucatini with Black Truffle — a classic and pretty solid. 🦐 Fritto Misto (Fried Seafood) — which ended up being… a letdown. ⚠️ Big warning on the fried seafood: Maybe it’s because I usually eat lighter, but the whole plate felt super greasy. Even with dipping sauce, it didn’t help — a few bites and I was already full. It’s probably meant for sharing in a bigger group, so I wouldn’t recommend it for small parties. 😐 Overall, Nonnina is still a nice spot for a casual meal (just skip the fried seafood!). The location is central, the dining space is beautiful, and sitting on the terrace is really pleasant. But is their squid ink pasta better than Volare’s? [🙅‍♀️] I don’t think so! #ChicagoEats #SquidInkPasta #ItalianFood #FoodComparison #Nonnina #Volare #ChicagoFoodie