- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Stefani's Tuscany Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Italian Restaurants Fast Food Restaurants Sandwiches Pizza, Italian, Fast Food, Sandwiches [Edit]
77 W Wacker Dr(between Macchesneyer Dr & Lower Wacker Dr)
Chicago, IL 60601
Neighbourhood: The Loop
(312) 252-0863
- Nearest Transit:
-
Clark/lake (subway) (Blue Line)
Clark/lake (elevated) (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
State/lake (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Fri 6:30 am - 8 am
Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
Tue 6:30 am - 8:30 am
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
23 reviews for Stefani's Tuscany Cafe
23 reviews in English
-
Review from Blake B.
Chicago, IL
11/3/2009
Stefani's Tuscany Cafe is one of best lunch places downtown. They focus on perfecting a limited number of dishes for the cooked lunch section, so that they can deliver a fantastic pasta dish, made fresh to order in record time. They have a great selection of options for salads. Their sandwiches are the only thing that is on par or slightly below other lunch places.
Tuscany is only a buck or two more than other lunch places for an experience that is close to fancy dining. If you keep that in mind, this is the best value downtown for the quality/speed. -
Review from Kelly K.
12/20/2011
I've come here for lunch a few times. Not bad, but overall ho hum. Great for a quick soup and sandwich, but the pizza leaves something to be desired.
-
Review from Bridget L.
Chicago, IL
12/14/2011
Yeah, no. Not really that impressive and way overpriced. I had a half a sandwich and soup and it was very bland and greasy. Greasy soup? Really? Ew. Not a fan at all.
-
Review from Michael D.
South Elgin, IL
10/3/2011
egh. I hate when I order a Sandwich or a Wrap and it is handed to me within seconds makes me really question the "freshness"... It is quick and decent option for the area. I'm not dying to get back, but in a pinch.. it will do.
-
Review from Amanda Z.
Updated - 9/23/2009 1 Check-in Here
Alright, do the cajun shrimp wrap. Healthy? Nope. Delicious? You betcha.
A half of that wrap plus a side salad (good Italian vineagrette) and a cup of soup ran me about $9. Not too bad, Phil Stefani. Not too bad.Listed in: Places to eat away your lunch…, My favorite Italian…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/5/2008
On the constant quest for reasonably-priced, tasty, and quick lunch in the loop, we happened upon… Read more »
-
-
Review from Amy H.
7/25/2006
I agree that it's a nice place to grab a drink after work...the waitresses are very nice, they serve warm home made potato chips, and it's extremely convenient because I work in the building (my office-mates and I have nicknamed it the Regal Beagle), but the food is not good. The sandwiches are dry and flavorless. The pasta is mushy, however I do admit to craving the mezzaluna on rare occasions.
If I have to eat here, I get the trio salad with no lettuce (they use iceberg and there is nothing I hate more than iceberg lettuce.) They have a nice selection of salads to choose from and it makes a nice meal. But paying almost $10 for salads is a bit much. -
Review from Val B.
Chicago, IL
9/15/2010
Nice spot for a quick, easy, and relatively healthy lunch. I stopped in for a lunch meeting and we both chose salads. You can pick between spinach/greens and iceberg, which is always a welcome choice. You can add as many veggies as you like, plus 1 cheese and 1 protein for $8.95. I skipped the cheese in favor of full-fat Caesar dressing, and added chicken to my greens / black beans / cucumber / broccoli / peas salad. It's a decent size salad - I could barely finish. Add on a soda and you have lunch for about $11.
The place is pretty busy but they bus the tables for you which keeps things neat and moving. They also offer free dessert - today's options were carrot or chocolate cake - but I skipped that since I didn't want to negate the healthy salad I just enjoyed.
It certainly wasn't amazing, but I have no gripes. I'd probably be here once a week if I worked nearby. -
Review from Erin C.
New York, NY
4/24/2007
Not sure how I have worked around the corner from here and just had lunch here the other day. Definitely my kind of lunch place with salad, sandwich, and pasta options. I ordered the Tuscany salad which is basically a Caprese salad on mixed greens. Yum. I agree with some of the other reviewers here that it's a bit on the pricey side for a lunch place.
The restaurant is actually Tuscany Cafe.... -
Review from Zach T.
3/27/2008
I have worked a door down from this place for 7 years and not eaten there; I didn't know it was there.
I had the pasta special. You get A LOT of pasta and whatever goes with it (chicken in my case). I couldn't finish it. It's a good lunch spot and good quantity for the standard $10 lunch. -
Review from Isabella W.
Chicago, IL
2/29/2008
I had the Tuscany salad which is what I was craving for -- Caprese with mixed greens. It does come with bread & butter, but ends up being $9?!?! It's def. pricey, and the portions aren't big. However, the salad was very fresh and tasty, and I typically don't care much for salads.
It IS only 1 building away from my office, so I can't complain when I'm in need of my greens.
They do have $2 wine specials during lunch, so that is a bonus for Fri lunches :) Among soup & salad specials, they also feature 3 of a kind lunch options, which allow for any 3 salads (including the variety of pasta salads).. so if you are one to like variety, this is a good place for you. -
Review from Amy W.
West Chicago, IL
6/23/2011
Okay, so this was my second time at Tuscany and I won't be going back! I was not impressed this time around. Here's a quick synopsis: way overpriced and small portions. That pretty much sums up my experience. A Cobb salad, a small fountain soda and a chocolate chip cookie all for the ridiculous price of $12.75. And the worst part...wait for it...the salad was made with freakin' iceberg lettuce. REALLY? For $12? It was also drenched in dressing, which I hate - I'll take part of the blame for that one as I should have asked for it on the side, but seriously...nasty. And to top it all off, the guy who made my salad was incredibly rude. This place isn't far from the building I work in and it's an alternative to all the same mundane places I go to all the time, but I still won't be back. As I ate my over-saturated salad today, I just kept wishing I had chosen Taco Bell. Yah, it was that bad!
If you want to spend way too much money on a mediocre lunch, this place is definitely a must! -
Review from Sunil C.
Chicago, IL
12/23/2011
It's not worth ordering or going to this place. If you happen to by walking by it or sitting in it, for some reason, then you could eat their food. Otherwise, imagine that it doesn't exist.
-
Review from Michelle C.
Chicago, IL
3/4/2009
Tuscany Cafe is a decent place to grab a lunch. I usually come for the sandwich/wrap and soup combo, which I find to be of a pretty good value. I like the minestrone soup. They put the cooked pasta in the cup/bowl with the rest of the soup when you order so it isn't overcooked and soggy. I'm also a fan of the veggie wrap, which comes with a generous helping of hummus in there. Yum.
It's a good place to grab food to go, but there is plenty of dining space if you wanted to eat there. It almost feels like a real restaurant. There is a pretty big bar, so I imagine it must turn into a happy hour spot after 5. -
Review from Justin L.
Chicago, IL
5/27/2009
Over priced by a ton but a nicer lunch place to grab a bite and talk than a fast food joint or bar. It is well lit and in a great location. The scene is more hip/chic than other downtown lunch spots. They do have decent food and you really can't go wrong with your order.
The set up is cafeteria style where you wait in line and grab a tray. The food is served very quickly and the only problem you will find it trying to locate seating for your party.
I prefer this place for an after work / pre-dinner drink, but for a lunch spot it is serviceable and clean. However if you are going to try to do the faux healthy I would suggest going for the trio "salad" and loading on the chicken salad (which is really tasty with almond bits), any of the pasta salads and the caprese salad. It makes you feel as though you are health conscious while actually providing substance for mid day hunger. -
Review from Geoff H.
Chicago, IL
8/17/2009
Mixed feelings, in general 3 stars but for their salad pickings, an extra star. The cafeteria style (grab tray, get-in-line, cut around people depending on which 'station' you want--pasta, then sandwich/pizza, then salad) is a little high-maintenance, not to mention you feel like a dufus if you don't know what you're doing. I guess it keeps the line moving a bit quicker. Sandwiches are so-so. Though you actually see them making your panini fresh, by the time you get back to the office, they're dry, cold and generally bland (no oil or butter on the bread, I guess? So the panini is more like a whatever-on-toast), except for the tuna, which is good. The wraps are better. Pasta is OK, nothing special.
Go for the salad....the Trio (three of whatever the hell you want.....from couscous to egg salad to beets to antipasto, tuna w/ or w/out mayo, chicken breast or salad, a wide variety of legumes, EVERYTHING) is fresh and wonderful (make sure you grab your own bread above the salad cooler, or you won't get it). Someone said it's bland and you must salt; I think that's a GOOD thing, indicating lower sodium. How refreshing. Not cheap, you'll probably spend ten bucks on lunch especially if you get a beverage, but for the Loop, that's not out of line (you'd spend seven at McDonald's).
I can't picture going here after work for a drink, the space is a little too sterile and corporate for my (admittedly low-brow) tastes, but the space is light, bright and attractive. -
Review from Disillusioned X.
Chicago, IL
12/19/2006
I would recommend this location of Tuscany Cafe for after work drinks- as has already been noted, the chips they serve with the drinks are awesome- they taste like fries they are so fresh and potatoey. I would say stop by just to try these once, you may find a new love. The drinks are very good, although pricey, but great for happy hour if you work in that area, as its pretty chill and the drinks were quite strong as far as I can remember!
The food is hit or miss - I've tried the pizza, which was good, and some of the pasta, which was also good- not quite as good as a real tuscany, but for a fast lunch definitely pretty tasty! Seems like you should still stick with a pizza or pasta if you want to try this place out though- even the side dishes don't look all that great. Expect a fairly long line at lunch time, but where aren't there lines at that time of day?? It gives you time to decide what you want to order I guess!Listed in: Lunch!
-
Review from Brad C.
Chicago, IL
7/25/2006
So I went to Stefani's Tuscany Cafe twice for lunch but only eat there once. The first time I ended up waiting 15 minutes and the line never moved. The second time it was after 1 pm so there wasn't any line. It still took them about 10 minutes to make my sandwich. The sandwich wasn't anything special and I don't think I'll be making it back anytime soon.
-
Review from Quantas G.
Chicago, IL
2/18/2009
Stefani's decor makes you feel like you are going to have an awesome Italian-inspired meal. The high ceilings, the beautiful food displays, the smells of the fresh baked bread...I ordered the salad trio for a higher-end Loop lunch price. I chose the pasta pesto, caprese salad, and three-bean salad. All of the dishes were visually appealing but all around bland. I felt like I needed to pour a bucket of salt to bring out the flavor of the fresh veggies. Despite my experience, I definitely want to go back to try some of their hot dishes.
-
Review from Bill M.
8/6/2005 2 photos
Stefani's Tuscany Cafe serves upscale fast food Italian items like tasty mini-pizzas, panini sandwiches, and pastas. The food is definitely a cut above stuff you would get at Sbarro, with slightly higher prices to match. Located on the ground level of the slick R R Donnelley tower designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, the interiors are pleasant enough for the lunch hour.
-
Review from Emma L.
Chicago, IL
2/28/2006
I've come here for drinks after work and think it's a cute place to grab a drink. However, yesterday I decided to try their lunch and don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. My chicken sandwich was disgusting- the chicken was very fatty and hardly resembled chicken. If i make it back to Tuscany it will just be for drinks after work- I don't plan on ever eating there again.
-
Review from Ryan W.
IL
6/20/2009
This is one of the things I miss most about working in the Loop! The food is always amazing - I usually have the daily lunch special.. you can't go wrong with it! The decor is gorgeous, and the mainstay menu is what you would expect.
-
Review from Chris H.
Chicago, IL
12/5/2008
This is a great place to get an above average lunch in the loop on the go. Prices are reasonable and service is fast. Tuscany Cafe offers a wide range of options and occassionaly provides complimentary desserts.
Check it out. -
Review from James S.
Chicago, IL
8/6/2008
Decent spot, I've been trying to come here for a while but my lunch buddy had a serious vendetta against it. Finally after 5 months I broke him down and was quite glad I did. I opted for the turkey wrap, what I don't like is it was pre-made, not hard to make a turkey sandwich and have to specify no mayo. As a nice touch, it came with a side of pasta salad, usually not a fan but it was pretty good. So the total came to $7.50 (after tax), which isn't a bad price for a wrap in a loop, not the $10 you'll spend at Rosati's (although for some reason I still go back). Sandwich was decent, nothing special, no tomato and only had Dijon mustard... gross. Dining area is nice, in the lobby of an attractive building and a bar there too. Didn't drink because it was lunch on a Wednesday but I like the option. To boot for some reason they had free pieces of cake, not sure if that is usual or why but free carrot cake (my favorite) okay. I was happy with the meal although it will probably be the last because the reason for going was "just to get it out of my system".
