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Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen
8.0
SABA Italian Bar + Kitchen is a modern Italian spot in the heart of Logan Square with a full bar, weekend brunch, and a dedicated kids menu. It balances crowd-pleasing classics like chicken parmesan and rigatoni with a comfortable room that works as well for family dinners as for relaxed date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Buttera with sausage, peas, and tomato cream, Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti and marinara, Calamari Fritti with garlic aioli and marinara
Scores:
Value: 6.2
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Full-service Italian with brunch, a kids menu, and cocktails under one roof.
Who should go: Families wanting classic pastas and chicken parm in a lively room.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early evening before peak bar crowd builds.
What to order: Rigatoni Buttera, chicken parm, calamari starter.
Insider tip: Ask for kids’ menu options up front and share a couple of pastas family-style.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking on nearby residential and metered blocks; availability tight after 6pm and during weekend brunch; no dedicated lot or regularly advertised valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sweaters are common, but many guests lean slightly dressy on weekends.
Noise level: Moderate-lively — conversation is comfortable earlier in the evening and at brunch, but it trends louder during peak dinner and bar hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during primetime; earlier tables are easier to secure.
Weekday lunch: Hours vary and lunch service is not a core focus; when open, waits are uncommon — check hours in advance.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pastas, salads, and appetizers can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but options are relatively small compared to vegetarian choices.
Gluten-free options: Selective accommodation — some dishes and salads can be prepared gluten-friendly, but cross-contact is possible and there is no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the space is comfortable and lively without feeling formal; earlier seatings work best for easier conversation, while later hours skew busier and louder.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are feasible for early dinner or smaller parties, but expect a wait at peak times and on weekends; reservations are recommended for families or groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the kids menu and flexible service make it a strong fit for families; earlier seatings are the most relaxed for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Family dinners, mixed-age groups, and crowd-pleasing Italian classics in a comfortable, modern setting with brunch and a full bar under one roof.
Skip if: You’re seeking ultra-quiet fine dining, strictly traditional regional Italian cooking, or extensive vegan/gluten-free specialization.
Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen
7.9
Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen is a lively Logan Square corner spot where chef Juan Chavez pairs crowd-pleasing pastas and pizzas with a strong cocktail list. It reads more as a buzzy Italian bar than a white-tablecloth ristorante, which makes it useful for birthday groups, casual dates, and pre-show meetups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle mushroom pizza, Shrimp scampi linguine, Arancini with marinara
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: A cocktail-forward Italian bar where pastas, pizzas, and spritzes fuel loud, social nights.
Who should go: Groups and date nights that prioritize energy and drinks.
When to visit: Happy hour or prime weekend evenings when the bar is busiest.
What to order: Share a truffle mushroom or soppressata pizza, a shrimp scampi or bolognese, and tiramisu.
Insider tip: Sit near the bar for faster drink refills and better people-watching; larger groups should reserve the back room in advance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking in the surrounding blocks; availability can be tight during peak dinner hours, so plan extra time or rideshare on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy when visiting at night.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours — conversation is doable at smaller tables, but the bar area can be high-energy.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait (limited daytime service depending on day).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes can be made or ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be adjusted, but most pastas and pizzas include dairy by default.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some menu items may be modified; ask staff about current gluten-free accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a fun, high-energy setting with strong drinks and shared plates — less ideal if you prefer a quiet, intimate conversation spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially at off-peak times, but expect a wait on weekends; the bar area is a common fallback for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally more adult-leaning, especially at night — early evening visits with older kids are fine, but it’s not geared toward young children.
Best For
Better for: Lively group dinners, cocktails-first Italian nights, and social celebrations where energy and atmosphere matter as much as the food.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional trattoria experience, white-tablecloth service, or a menu with extensive vegan or gluten-free coverage.
Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen
8.4
Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen brings a louder, cocktail-forward take on Italian to Logan Square, pairing duck lasagna and spaghetti-and-meatballs with spritzes and a long wine list. Guests lean on it for group dinners and birthdays where the atmosphere matters as much as the baked pasta on the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Duck Lasagna, Salt Cod Arancini, Seafood Linguine
Scores:
Value: 6.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A sultry, lively dining room where duck lasagna, pizzas, and spritzes fuel long, social Italian dinners.
Who should go: Groups wanting cocktails, lively music, and modern Italian comfort.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for full bar energy and dining-room volume.
What to order: Duck lasagna, salt cod arancini, a pizza or seafood linguine.
Insider tip: If you prefer a calmer experience, ask for a table away from the bar side and closer to the back of the room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only — metered spots nearby and residential side streets; availability tight after 6pm, especially on weekends
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine but most guests elevate with jackets, heels, or going-out outfits
Noise level: Loud and high-energy near the bar; conversation is easier at tables toward the back of the room
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is limited/varies; when open, there is typically little to no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options — pizzas, pastas, and a few antipasti can be ordered meat-free
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of dishes can be modified, but menu skews dairy-forward
Gluten-free options: Partial accommodation — some dishes can be prepared gluten-aware; confirm pasta and fried items with staff
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, high-energy night than an intimate first date — it works if you want a lively, buzzy room, but quieter back tables are preferable for conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect a wait on weekend evenings; walking in earlier in the night or closer to closing improves your chances, and bar seats turn over faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — older kids and teens are fine early in the evening, but the space trends loud and social and is not oriented toward young children or highchairs.
Best For
Better for: Lively group dinners, birthday celebrations, cocktails-first Italian outings, and baked pasta dishes with a social, nightlife-adjacent vibe
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional trattoria, very budget-conscious pricing, or a meal where conversation and low noise are the priority