Buona — Restaurant in Addison Township

While Buona's food as a whole is great, I love it, actually: the kitchen staff or even QC people at this specific location deserve less stars. I wish I could rate them individually. Buona as a restaurant would receive 5 stars while the Elk Grove Village location's kitchen staff would receive 1 star.

I don't understand why it's so difficult for them to get a fairly simple order correct. If I could attach pictures I would. I'm not one to complain especially when I really like the food.

I visit this particular location once a week for lunch because it's close to work, it's double point Tuesday, I just genuinely love italian beef, and it's closer than portillo's. I typically order the same thing and it's never correct. EVER. The saving grace is because it's Buona, it's still good, just not what I asked for.

Here's my order: Regular Italian beef, dry, with red sauce and hot giardiniera and a side of fries.

Every single time the beef is SOAKED in beef juice, so much so you can barely tell there was red sauce added and the sandwich just falls to pieces when you pick it up to take a bite. Sorta like when you order it dipped. Now if I ordered it that way, I'd be pleased as can possibly be however, it's not what I wanted and it's not what I ordered. The fries weren't and typically aren't fresh. I see them sitting under the heating lamp. I know the fries, today specifically, came from under the heating lamp because I watched from the moment I got there to the moment I received my food, there being 2 orders of fries sitting under the heating lamp, a 3rd was added after I placed my order, and I got the unlucky draw apparently and watched the QC person put the ones that had been sitting into my bag and walk it out to me. On top of all that: the side of fries I received would barely qualify to be a half order. Almost as if they were eating them before hand(I did not see this happen and I'm not saying it did).

All-in-all it's just a matter of paying a premium for better food and supposedly better service and not getting what you asked for. Shouldn't make these customizations options to the consumer if you can't keep up your end...

Oder take out tonight and we arrived a bit early. While we wait for our food, a couple of bags of food to-go we're placed by the register. Another patron walks in and the kid behind the counter proceeds to open one of the bags and takes out a sandwich. The customer states "I did not order all that food but I will take if you are giving it away". The kid behind the counter clearly has no clue on to even ask the name it is under or if it was a online order. He proceeds to fumble with the sandwich and then another associate hands him a pizza that is to go with this order. Confusion sets in as he proceeds to walk back to the register with the other 2 bags and the removed sandwich that he wanted to hand over to the other customer. I then ask if that order was for "Bryanna" as that was my order and we also had the pizza. I asked the other customer if her name was Bryanna as well and she said no. I then told the kid behind the counter that the order he wanted to pull apart and give away was mine. He then mentioned to the other customer that her order was in the pick up cabinet by the door. We then started to look thru the order to make sure it was all there as it looked as if something was missing. The kid goes said " it is all there, trust me I checked" I proceeded to check anyway and said it again. I am now thinking that he was just about to give away my sandwich and now I need to go on his word it is all there? I checked and we were short a sandwich and as I am letting him know of this, he was walking away what appeared to be to the kitchen as they forgot to put a sandwich in the bag. Disappointed to say the least and definitely lack of training and customer service. No one takes pride in what they do anymore and just want to push customer away with an attitude. Mind you there were no other customers in the establishment and 8 associates were there including the manager. So unfortunate that long time customers like us have to accept this...

I occasionally use the Buona app to order carryout for lunch from the Itasca Buona Beef location, and I am consistently impressed. My orders are ready on time, and the food is excellent.

The fries are a standout—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and absolutely addictive when paired with their rich, creamy cheese sauce (aka liquid gold). A must-try combo!

I also appreciate their plant-based option: the Vegan Italian BeefLESS sandwich. Made with seitan, it offers a surprisingly satisfying texture and flavor that’s perfect for those avoiding red meat for dietary or religious reasons. You can even customize it with several cheese options, including vegan cheese, which is a thoughtful touch.

My only reason for giving 4 stars instead of 5 is the packaging. The cheese topping—an extra $1 charge—often sticks to the sandwich wrapper, and the wrapper tends to fall apart if you try to scrape it off or don’t transfer your sandwich to a plate right away. It’s a small but frustrating detail, especially when paying extra for the cheese.

Still, I wholeheartedly recommend the Itasca Buona Beef location, whether you’re a meat lover or a vegetarian. Great food, quick service, and solid options...