Ricobene's: Chicago's Iconic Spot for Pizza and Breaded Steak Sandwiches

Whenever I'm going to a Sox game we always try and visit for a Steak sandwich. The Pizza isn't bad either. They are always busy but are always attentive.

Having lived here and visiting multiple times after leaving, hard to believe I'm just visiting this Southside spot that's been around since 1945- better late than never. Busy around 7:30 Saturday night. Ordered for pickup. I shared with the kind Lady who took my order it was my first time -so how do the locals order the sandwich that made this place famous? The King size Breaded Steak Sandwich. Add Mozzarella and Hots on the side-ok! Huge sandwich and enough for two and maybe 3. Tasty Breaded steak smothered with tomato sauce and agree mozzarella took it over the top. Just right crusty exterior/soft interior roll held up well to the Steak and everything else. Kind of like a Chicken Parm but with steak without the Parm-delicious! Hand cut fries were on point. There was a line at the pizza slices counter -next time. Friendly and upbeat people at the pickup area. Don't miss this Southside Gem!

Heard great things about this place so I came to try it. I got the king original breaded steak with giardiniera and mozzarella cheese. To be honest I was amazed by the size and how tender the breaded steak was. The taste of the sandwich didn't amaze me and all this hype about the sandwich wasn't there at least for me. The marinara sauce was a bit of a mess since it was all over the sandwich. The hot peppers gave it flavor if not all you taste is breadcrumbs and marinara sauce. The place has a lot of room to eat inside. It was a bit warm inside. They also have a parking space in front of their building which was a good thing since they were really busy. If you order any sandwich you can upgrade for 3.99 and get a drink and fries,pasta or onion rings. I also ordered the mozzarella sticks and they come 6 in an order. They were good and had a good amount of cheese you can even do a cheese pull. The cheese fries are really good. They are freshly cut there. The Italian ice was delicious and it is not expensive at all. They have a huge selection of food on their wall menu. It would be nice if they made menus for the tables that way you ain't blocking the line to order and you ain't getting pushed around. Almost forgot they have draft beer starting at $4 bucks to $5 bucks which is not that bad and it's good quality beer.

Fast service and friendly staff. I recommend the breaded steak sandwich. Also try their dessert. You will not be disappointed. Can be loud here at times (depending on the time you go) but overall good dining experience. See you on the next visit!

Still amazing as always!!! Their breaded steak sandwich is the best sandwich in the entire city of Chicago. Fast service, chill vibes, you just can't get any better!! You'd be doing yourself a disservice not coming here.

As a Southside staple, I was super excited to try Ricobenes! I truly had no clue what to expect -- I knew the name, but nothing about the style of food/restaurant. It sort of reminds me of a more local Portillo's with its fast casual restaurant layout and menu. The restaurant is no frills, but I think that's part of the charm. I ordered the breaded steak sandwich, a staple at Ricobenes. This thing is huuuuge! And a little....sloppy? I don't know a better word for it, but don't wear a nice shirt here, because you're bound to spill. It is very tasty though! My first time trying a breaded steak sandwich and I will say, I'm a fan. Definitely come hungry, because the food is heavy and will leave you in need of a nap afterwards. The pizza was pretty average, the sandwich was the star of the show for me!

I had been seeing the world famous Ricobene's arm-length sandwiches all over my FYP and I just had to try it. I've been living in Chicago for a long time, and I can't believe I've never been here before. I believe this place was even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives but don't quote me on that. There's a free parking lot right across the street along with plenty of paid street parking. This isn't your typical sit-down restaurant, rather it's order from the counter, wait for your food, and then find a table yourself. The menu is extensive, and there is so much to choose from! I highly recommend you try their subs though. The decor is kinda typical for a pizza place, but they've added a few touches here and there. I spent a few minutes looking around all the photos they had on the walls and it's definitely entertaining. The two most recommended sandwiches were the Breaded Steak and the Vesuvio Italian Classic. The king size is HUGE, but can feed and fill-up two to three people easily. The sandwich is stuffed to the brim, so it can be slightly difficult to eat and it can get really messy. Grab lots of napkins! The Breaded Steak wasn't really all it's hyped up to be, but the Vesuvio was mouthwatering delicious. It was by far the favorite of the night. I don't recommend you get fries because it felt like I was eating oil straight out of the fryer. This was definitely an experience! Worth a try if you're in the area. Till next time!

Felt like I was inside an alternate Portillos. Ordered, went to wash hands, and the food was ready. We got the breaded steak sandwich and the vesuvio Italian classic. When they said the king size was 8" we thought it wouldn't be enough but were we wrong. This came out and was massive. The steak was nicely breaded and plentiful. Cheese melted all over and the bread not too soft. The vesuvio had a perfectly breaded chicken breast with the right amount of onions and tomatoes. It also came with mayo that tied everything together. Both sandwiches were massive and delicious. Not the cheapest but really fast and worth the visit.

We were in Chicago for a business trip, and this joint was recommended by our colleague who is a Chi-Towner. He said, Ricobene's is a South Side staple and a far cry from fine dining, but amazing at the same time. We had just completed a long trade show and needed some substance. My coworker ordered a slice of the deep-dish pizza, which she enjoyed. We were a little caught off guard by the crust which had a cornbread taste, but it was delicious, crunchy and not too soggy. I went with the HIGHLY RECOMMENDED breaded steak sandwich. It was super unhealthy, and super delicious, all at the same time (see picture). The show stealer were the fries, which taste fresh and had the perfect amount of grease, which we all loved. If you just want to grab something quick and you are NOT on a diet, this is your spot. The inside is very family friendly; we were amazed that it was so busy at 9pm on a Tuesday. They have a lot of family portraits hung throughout which was neat to see. Did I mention, they also serve beer. Parking across the street under the overpass also added to the ambience/experience. It is akin to somewhere the mob might bring someone before whacking them. This is a great local spot, I will be back!