Master Critic Review
Anto Pizza & Pasta Chicago
8.4
An Italian neighborhood room with a chef-driven streak—Roman-style pizzas and pasta cones that skew richer than they look. It’s at its best when you split one pizza and commit to one signature pasta build, letting the kitchen’s comfort instincts carry the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tortellini vodka pasta cone, Squid ink pasta, Roman-style pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Roman-style pizza plus playful, rich pasta cones.
Who should go: Italian comfort seekers on a date
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for calmer pacing
What to order: Tortellini vodka, squid ink pasta, one pizza
Insider tip: Split one pizza—then go all-in on one pasta cone.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking along Clark Street and nearby side streets. It’s usually manageable on weeknights, but expect slower hunting during peak weekend dinner hours—plan a few extra minutes if you’re arriving after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are totally fine, but the vibe leans a little polished—nice shoes and a clean, put-together look fits the room.
Noise level: Moderate. You can hold a real conversation without shouting, but it’s lively enough to feel like a night out—especially when the dining room is full.
Weekend wait: 30-60 min without a reservation (earlier seating is easier; later prime-time is tougher).
Weekday lunch: N/A - primarily a dinner-focused spot; if open earlier, expect little-to-no wait on weekdays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — solid vegetarian lanes via cheese-forward Roman-style pizza and a few pasta builds (best approach: keep it simple and let quality ingredients carry).
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications (sauce + veg toppings + no cheese), but this isn’t a vegan-first menu and richness is part of the point here.
Gluten-free options: Limited/unclear — some places can adjust toppings/sauces, but pizza + pasta are the core strengths, so gluten-free diners may feel constrained unless you confirm specific options ahead of time.
Best For
Better for: Chef-driven Italian comfort with a playful edge—Roman-style pizza structure and richer-than-expected pasta builds that feel intentional, not generic. It’s a strong choice when you want a neighborhood spot that still delivers ‘occasion energy’ and photogenic plates.
Skip if: Skip it if you want ultra-traditional red-sauce Italian, strict gluten-free ease, or a quiet, slow, lingering fine-dining pace. Also consider alternatives if your group needs lots of kid amenities or you’re trying to optimize purely for value-per-dollar over experience.
Hours
Monday12pm - 9pm
Tuesday12pm - 9pm
Wednesday12pm - 9pm
Thursday12pm - 9pm
Friday12pm - 10pm
Saturday12pm - 10pm
Sunday12pm - 9pm