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Buzzy, long-running Italian nook serving comfort-driven fare in a petite, rustic setting.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 254 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (847) 272-0155
Website: https://holeinthewallnorthbrook.com/
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Francesco’s Hole in the Wall | Local Italian Restaurant
Join us for a meal in this hidden gem of Italian cuisine in Northbrook, IL | Over 40 years of family service.
Francesco’s Hole In the Wall vs Francesca’s North (Northbrook-ish)
Two Italian restaurants near each other. Anyone have a strong preference? Thank you in advance!
Reviews
Jim K
Food and service were great. Got several appetizers, including sausage and peppers, which weren’t even on the menu. The veal chop was delicious and huge; and the cannoli was the perfect way to end the meal.
My only complaint was the spacing of the tables. Because the dining room is so small, they stack the tables on top of each other. All night our chairs were banging against the people behind us, making trips to the restroom a difficult task. Even with this, I’d go back in a heartbeat.
… moreMy only complaint was the spacing of the tables. Because the dining room is so small, they stack the tables on top of each other. All night our chairs were banging against the people behind us, making trips to the restroom a difficult task. Even with this, I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Jen Gosnell
Large and varied menu, and they were quite accommodating to our party of 7. Every person at our table ordered something different and was delighted with their meal. I had the osso buco with risotto and it was delicious. Banana cake and butter cake for dessert were enough to feed the whole table after such a rich meal. It’s the kind of place where you want to try everything on the menu because it all sounds so good. I will definitely come here again the next time I’m in town.
… moreDonna Theimer
What a wonderful restaurant! This little gem is the perfect spot if you want authentic Italian food. My meal was outstanding!
The interior is small, but it adds to the experience of the restaurant. Wonderful service. I loved the decor. Get there early as this place fills up quickly with lines forming at the door by 5.
… moreThe interior is small, but it adds to the experience of the restaurant. Wonderful service. I loved the decor. Get there early as this place fills up quickly with lines forming at the door by 5.
Young Kang
Great food, great service. From appetizers to desert, all are incredibly prepared with fresh ingredients. Highly recommended.
… moreRob H.
This is the place. Hands down the best restaurant in the suburbs of Chicago. Nothing wrong except some people might not like the closeness of your fellow diners at the table next to you. The menu and food will overcome that minor obstacle. Jenny our server was attentive, sweet and fun to interact with. Our second time there when working in Chicago. Just quit looking at other restaurant reviews and go.
… moreKim Nguyen
Wow! Just wow! We recently moved into the area and found ourselves a new go-to Italian restaurant. We haven’t had such great Italian dishes since Italy. My husband made a reservation for our lunch date and to our surprise, the place is quite intimate. I love the atmosphere but it can be crammed for some people. The tables are really close to each other. We definitely didn’t mind that at all. It was so close that the next table can smell our food and asked what we ordered because it looked so good. I love seafood and the Seafood Diavolo didn’t disappoint. It was spicy but very tasty. The pasta cooked perfectly with plenty of lobster tails and a variety of seafoods. Can’t wait to be back and try other pastas on the menu!
… moreJonathon Reckles
This place is small but mighty. The food is always amazing and the service is great. If you don’t want to wait, get there within 15 minutes of the restaurant opening but otherwise it’s worth the wait. We came in town to visit and made it a priority to eat here. Menu rotates via a white board. There’s a large selection and you can ask them to make you whatever you want or change anything to your liking. Tonight we had the artichokes to start. I eat a lot of artichokes and these are my favorite, along with J Alexander’s. We then had the rigatoni with sausage with is always amazing, highly recommend, and then the whitefish vesuvio. We finished off with the butter cake, which is to die for. The staff has very little turnaround and gets to know you over time. It’s a small spot and a little tight but well worth it. If you haven’t tried it yet, please do.
… moreKeith Greenway
Francesco’s: A Hidden Gem Worth the Wait!
Five stars! My coworkers and I stumbled upon Francesco’s Hole In the Wall during a recent work trip, and it was the culinary highlight of our week. Yes, there was a bit of a wait to be seated (it’s clearly a popular spot!), but I promise you, it’s absolutely worth it.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm, bustling atmosphere. The unique, daily menu written right on the wall added to the charm and made it feel like a truly authentic Italian experience.
We started with the bruschetta and calamari – both were incredibly fresh and flavorful, setting the stage for a fantastic meal. For my main course, I opted for the Seafood Diavolo with linguine. It was divine. The seafood was perfectly cooked, and the sauce had a delightful kick of spice that I absolutely loved.
The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and friendly, and the owner even came by to check on us. To top off the perfect meal, we were gifted a round of limoncello – a wonderfully generous touch!
We loved Francesco’s so much that we were already joking about making a return trip before we even left. If you’re looking for amazing, authentic Italian food, a lively atmosphere, and truly exceptional service, Francesco’s Hole In the Wall is a must-try. Just be prepared for a potential wait – it’s a testament to how good this place is!
… moreFive stars! My coworkers and I stumbled upon Francesco’s Hole In the Wall during a recent work trip, and it was the culinary highlight of our week. Yes, there was a bit of a wait to be seated (it’s clearly a popular spot!), but I promise you, it’s absolutely worth it.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm, bustling atmosphere. The unique, daily menu written right on the wall added to the charm and made it feel like a truly authentic Italian experience.
We started with the bruschetta and calamari – both were incredibly fresh and flavorful, setting the stage for a fantastic meal. For my main course, I opted for the Seafood Diavolo with linguine. It was divine. The seafood was perfectly cooked, and the sauce had a delightful kick of spice that I absolutely loved.
The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and friendly, and the owner even came by to check on us. To top off the perfect meal, we were gifted a round of limoncello – a wonderfully generous touch!
We loved Francesco’s so much that we were already joking about making a return trip before we even left. If you’re looking for amazing, authentic Italian food, a lively atmosphere, and truly exceptional service, Francesco’s Hole In the Wall is a must-try. Just be prepared for a potential wait – it’s a testament to how good this place is!
Dude Knows
Cute Italian restaurant; not far from the Botanic Gardens. Open on the weekdays for lunch. Stopped in after the Botanic Gardens for a nice lunch. Menu changes but they can make any pasta combo you want! Have lunch specials too!
… moreMasha Cetnik Berardi
was a little disappointed with the food. The Alfredo sauce was extremely bland, and honestly, all of our pasta seemed unsalted — maybe you have to ask for it. The bread came with butter served in small plastic cups, which doesn’t quite match the dining prices. That said, the service was amazing — you truly feel seen and genuinely welcomed. I’ll definitely go again, hopefully to order something better next time.
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