ZipPicks Awards
Best Italian in Wicker Park & West Town
Best Family Friendly Italian in Wicker Park & West Town
Best Date Night Italian in Wicker Park & West Town
Master Critic Review
Tortello
8.6
Chef Dario Monni's counter-service pasta shop produces some of Chicago's finest handmade pasta, crafted daily with imported Italian flour and Wisconsin farm eggs. The open kitchen lets diners watch artisans shape tortelli, tagliatelle, and bucatini while the signature tortelli di burrata with brown butter and sage has become a destination dish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tortelli di Burrata, Focaccia with Ricotta & Honey, Cacio e Pepe
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Daily handmade pasta crafted using Old World Italian techniques with eggs from a dedicated Wisconsin farm
Who should go: Pasta purists seeking authentic artisanal Italian
When to visit: Weekday lunch to avoid weekend crowds
What to order: Tortelli di burrata, focaccia with honeycomb, squid ink bucatini
Insider tip: Grab a bar seat overlooking the pasta-making station for dinner theater
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - can be difficult on weekends or during neighborhood events, plan extra time
Dress code: Casual - it's counter service, come as you are
Noise level: Moderate to lively - small space gets buzzy during dinner rush but conversation is easy
Weekend wait: Lines out the door common; owner Dario may open prosecco for the queue. Reservations now available via Tock
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, food arrives in ~10 minutes after ordering
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple pasta options including cacio e pepe, spaghetti pomodoro, and tortelli di burrata
Vegan options: Limited but thoughtful - fennel/orange salad, fagioli vento beans, olives; spaghetti pomodoro and aglio olio can be made vegan on request
Gluten-free options: No GF pasta available - only starters and salads are gluten-free
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, with caveats. The food is impressive and romantic (handmade pasta, Italian wine), but it's counter-service in a tiny 35-seat room that gets crowded. Grab bar seats overlooking the pasta station for better ambiance, or hit the sidewalk patio in warm weather for a more intimate vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but reservations are now available via Tock and recommended for dinner. Walk-ins work best for weekday lunch. Weekend dinner without a reservation means potential lines - arrive early or embrace the wait with a glass of wine.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - owner Dario explicitly welcomes families and kids. Counter-service format keeps things low-key, and the lumache (snail pasta) with butter and parm is a kid-approved favorite. Quick meal times work well for shorter attention spans.
Best For
Better for: Pasta obsessives who want to watch artisans hand-roll noodles while eating Michelin Bib Gourmand-quality tortelli at counter-service prices - cheaper than Monteverde with comparable quality
Skip if: You need gluten-free pasta, want full-service fine dining, or hate tight quarters - the 35-seat room can feel cramped during peak hours
Hours
Monday4:30pm - 9pm
Tuesday11:30am - 9pm
Wednesday11:30am - 9pm
Thursday11:30am - 9pm
Friday8am - 9pm
Saturday8am - 9pm
Sunday8am - 9pm