Buona Restaurant & Catering

It is this odd hybrid of restaurant and fast food joint but it works well. the burger I had was delicious, but what really sealed the deal was the customer service. We went with some friends and our friends received their food first and then we wait to get our for another 15 minutes. Finally we asked if our food was almost out and the young man (can’t remember his name, longer hair with a piercing) apologized profusely and got my husband and I complimentary fries and shakes. Once we all had our food it was a great time!

Very clean place. happy with the services Italian beef are the best. And they have awesome milkshake 1.99 Monday– Friday happy hour.

Just brought home a large beef and regular beef and an order of fries, have frequented this location on several occasions since their opening and have been very satisfied with the product… today it was very disappointing… my order of fries for $ 2.10, were cold and the container was half full, the sandwiches were no near as plentiful and the sweet peppers were crunchy, we made our purchase around 6:00 p.m., will go back again and chalk this one up…

We have been loving this place, especially in its new location in St. Charles, which is a lot more convenient for us. My one concern, which keeps me at 4 stars for the moment, is why I no longer see the Portobello Provolone Panini on the menu. Has it been replaced by the new Caprese Panini? HELP!

I get a chicken parmesan meal at least once a week since they open the one on Randal & north ave. Basically there doing a good job

Great addition to the beef war in the suburbs. This place has the best beef and sausage in the area, in my opinion. Thing is, Italian Beef is like BBQ, or chili, in that people like it their way and not everyone does it the same. Buena hits all the right spots for me, and I love the «naked» options they offer. Just the meat, hold the bun. I tried the pizza last time in and was quite surprised how good it was. Not top of the line pizza, but for something that is ready in under 10min, it was really good.
Service and atmosphere has been very good each time I have been in. I’ll be back soon!

«Meh» was our general feeling for Buona. The fries are ok, the pizza was ok but I wouldn’t order it again. I got a salad and for the $ 8 I paid I was hoping for more than 2 walnuts. Hubs wasn’t a huge fan of the beef, said it was kind of bland.
The parking lot seems confusing for a lot of people.

I’ve been here a few times since they opened last year. Have ordered their turkey delicioso, cheeseburger, and Italian beefs. The first two were decent, but their beef made more of an impression. Not as good as Portillo’s, but not bad either. Recently went and ordered their maggiore beef ($ 7.95 + $ 0.50 for sweet peppers). Noticeably not as good as previous times, came with less meat. Sweet peppers hadn’t cooked/​soaked up the jus long enough. We both agreed on Portillo’s next time.

4 stars is actually a pretty good rating for us, considering that I’ve been a die hard Portillo’s fan for decades and 10 to compare everybody to them. This will probably be no different.
We’ve been here a couple times, and my wife normally gets the Italian beef which tends to be very juicy flavorful and made exactly how she likes it. In other words, dry not dipped. I usually get an Italian sausage, which they offer with either its own juice or marinara. They tend to be a little on the spicy side, but are really good.
While my wife tends to get into a rut when ordering, which is good for me cuz I’m one of her ruts, tonight I decided to try their burgers. This is the one area where they actually out to Portillos. Portillo’s tends to cook there’s way too long and are always on the edge of dry. Bueno does them perfect, slightly pink in the center like a burger should be.
If I were to take any issue with this location, it’s the clutter off to the side by the bathrooms. It appears that use the tables over there for storage for their catering business. Its not dirty as in a health issue, it’s just clutter with items that while clean, are still unsightly.
Since they don’t allow half stars, don’t have to settle for 4. However if given the choice, this would be 4.5. The only other one that I have been to is located in Lombard, and we were not disappointed there either. When are absolute favorite, which I am faithful to you, is not available which it isn’t in this immediate area, this will be our go to. Highly recommended.

Buona is a chain beef place that just opened a large location in the St. Charles area. They chose wisely, not a lot of food out on the west side– and they have been very busy every single time that we’ve been here. Typically we go through the drive through– so I can’t comment on the inside or service there, but I can comment on food and service from the drive through. My husband enjoys the beef– but says he likes Beef Shack and Portillo’s better. I also enjoy the beef– but would probably have similar views. My favorite item on the list is a breaded chicken salad– delicious with olives, hard boiled egg, tomato, etc. We have also had good service when visiting– the drive through moves very quickly. You should check out this new location if you are looking for a quick meal.

I’ve been back to Buona’s twice since this review. I am really sold. I love the huge menu. I had a healthy turkey delizzioso (or of a similar spelling) and it was awesome. I love that you can offer healthy food there, a major plus.
The kids meals are great. Good value. The kids chicken fingers are great, and the kids beef was a perfect size, even for an adult. I confess, I wanted to try the beef so I ordered a kid’s size. It was really good. I did. It need peppers or gardinera, it was great as is. Also, they changed the fries since my first visit. They are now AWESOME. I mean it, really good.
The variety at Buona is a huge selling feature. The whole family can find something. Now if I could just get my Buona card registered I’d be really happy. ;-)

NOT Portillos!!! Here you actually get a nice portion of tasty Italian beef, instead of beef scraps on a gravy sandwich. I prefer Buona to Portillos hands down for variety, taste AND you can refill your soda!!!
Portillos does a good hotdog, but to me that’s where it ends. We will be driving from South Elgin, PAST Portilos and eat yummy food at Buona! Thanks for moving out here guys!

Everyone gets a second chance. And this place gets its 4^th star. Really good. Fast service. The fries were perfect. The sandwich (mine the regular beef, the wife the piccolo) both were great. Not salty as before, peppers on the side. This is the beef joint I remember from long ago. Count me in as a regular!

Was so excited to try this new location! Building brand spanking new. Food was just as great as the other locations. I didn’t order the beef (go figure). It’s the pizza I come here for! Ordered the grilled veggie pizza with artichokes, mushrooms and peppers. So fresh and just perfect for one. Gotta try their brownies. Too die for! The staff very attentive and asked us several times how everything was and even told us about the rewards program and daily specials. Thursdays are $ 6 pizzas. Will come back for sure.

Not sure why all the excitement. Stopped off to get drive-​thru tonight. We ordered as much food as we would have at Portillos. The ordered totalled up to at least $ 12 more. I thought the beefs were good but as good as Portillos. The burgers were pink in the middle. I don’t think you should have to ask for a well done burger at a fast food restaurant. Again, I thought they were good but not as good as others. The fries were not close to being warm when we got home.
All in all, the food was good but definitely not worth the cost.
Also, the parking lot sucks. They had park in a waiting spot and we almost got hit 3 times by people navigating the tight corners.

I AM SO GLAD YOU FINALLY CAME TO THE TRI CITIES AREA!!! THANK YOU. Buona beef sandwiches are the best. I like that you can chose the size and the menu gives you the options for gravy. Such a variety on the menu as there is something for everyone’s tastes and diet. One more time — beef is fantastic.
The staff is friendly. Like that there is a check on the order before it goes to the customer. Now that you are close by I can start to sample the other items on the menu. Welcome to the area

I enjoyed my first visit to buona beef. It tastes exactly like portillos, EXACTLY, and I love portillos, so I’m basically treating it like another portillos location.
Food– Got a 10″ beef baptized (dipped in gravy) and fries. The fries weren’t as good as as beef shack, not fresh cut. I really don’t care about that though. The beef was nice and flavorful and tastes exactly like portillos.
Service– Was normal speed, not fast or slow.

Not impressed with their beer and fry combo. The beef wasn’t nearly filled, no juice, etc. Their fries have an interesting seasoning on them as well.
They had a very large menu so there has to be something on there good. It’s unfortunate they have to be matched up against Portillos.
Good luck fellow foodies

Outstanding first visit. For a restaurant that opened up a couple of days ago, they definitely know what they’re doing. I went at 7:00 and got a parking spot right away. There was a good line for food, that went quick. The food came out really quick and there were people running around, clearing the tables, so people could sit right away. I had the combo beef and sausage. It was the best combo that I have ever had. I got the cheese, but really didn’t notice it on there. I was very impressed. You can tell this isn’t their first opening. I will be back, this weekend!
I went back the next day and had the pretzel burger. It was delicious. I went at noon and it was packed, but I was in and out and full, in about 20 minutes. They have a great staff and food.

Opening day and it is just fine. They have lots of staff and food is good as other locations. Restaurant clean and comfortable.
Only complaint: They have some promo «road crew» from their restaurant outside. Giving coupons? Um, no. Introducing their food? Um, no. Being friendly and helpful? Um no.
Pushing their loyalty program ! Yea and not exactly being nice about it. So not such a good ending to the first day visit.