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Ricobene's
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Ricobene's
8.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Late Night Legends
A Bridgeport institution dating back to the 1940s, Ricobene's is famous for its overstuffed breaded steak sandwich, Italian beef, and pizza in a cafeteria-style space under the viaduct. Thousands of multi-platform reviews and national shout-outs cement it as a must-stop for Chicago-style Italian-American comfort.
Must-Try Dishes:
King-Size Breaded Steak Sandwich, Chicken Vesuvio Sandwich, Deep-Dish Pizza Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.1
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Legendary Bridgeport counter known citywide for its saucy breaded steak sandwiches.
Who should go: Visitors chasing classic, messy Chicago Italian-American sandwiches and slices.
When to visit: Off-peak afternoons or early evenings to dodge game-day rushes.
What to order: King breaded steak, chicken Vesuvio sandwich, a slice of pizza.
Insider tip: Order the breaded steak cut in half and grab extra napkins and sauce cups.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small on-site lot plus street parking along 26th Street and nearby side streets; can be tight during Sox home games and weekend rushes.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and game-day wear are standard.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours; conversation is easy at off-peak times but can be tough near the counter line.
Weekend wait: Typically a 15–30 minute counter line; longer on game nights and late-night surges.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal to no wait outside of nearby office and school rush windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable — cheese pizza, some pastas, and a few meat-free sides/salads depending on daily offerings.
Vegan options: Very limited — most items rely on breading, cheese, or sauce; ask staff to confirm ingredients.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free breading or prep area; cross-contact is likely and options are minimal.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into casual, messy Chicago comfort food — it’s bright, counter-service, and more about the sandwich than the ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with open seating; tables turn quickly, but expect to wait for one during peak game or weekend periods.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly with plenty of booth and table seating; portions are large, so sharing works well for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Iconic, overstuffed breaded steak and classic Chicago Italian-American comfort at value pricing, especially for late-night or post-game meals.
Skip if: You want a quiet or upscale sit-down Italian meal, need strong vegetarian/vegan or gluten-free options, or prefer lighter, chef-driven dishes.
Ricobene's
8.7
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Since 1946, Ricobene's has anchored Bridgeport with massive breaded steak sandwiches, thin-crust pies, and surprisingly strong hot wings served deep into the night. Locals treat it as a catch-all for late-night fried cravings where wings share the table with pizza and Italian American red-sauce staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breaded Steak Sandwich, Hot Wings with Mild or Hot Sauce, Thin-Crust Sausage Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A decades-old Bridgeport staple where hot wings share space with iconic breaded steak and pizza until late night.
Who should go: Hungry groups craving classic Chicago late-night comfort food.
When to visit: Late evenings Friday and Saturday when the room buzzes.
What to order: Breaded Steak Sandwich, Hot Wings, thin-crust sausage slice.
Insider tip: Order wings and a breaded steak to split—portions are big enough to share.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking on and around W 26th St; usually manageable late evenings but can be tight during White Sox home games and weekend rush hours. No valet.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and game-day gear are common.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during late-night and weekend hours; conversation is possible at tables but the room can feel lively.
Weekend wait: Often minimal wait for tables; short lines at the counter during peak late-night windows (10pm–12am).
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; food comes out quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable — cheese pizza, fries, salads, and some meat-free sides.
Vegan options: Very limited — mainly fries and a few sides; most mains contain meat or dairy.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free preparation; some items like wings without breading/specific sauces may work for some diners, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into casual, old-school Chicago comfort food — it’s bright, busy, and counter-service, better for a fun, low-pressure meetup than a romantic first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in and counter-service. Seating is usually available, though you may wait briefly for a table during late-night or post-event rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, shareable portions, and pizza/wings make it approachable for families. Best for school-age kids and up during earlier hours; late nights can be louder and more adult-leaning.
Best For
Better for: Large portions, late-night cravings, and mixing wings with Chicago comfort staples like breaded steak and thin-crust pizza in one stop.
Skip if: You want a quiet, sit-down restaurant, broader healthy or vegan options, or a polished date-night setting.
Ricobene's
8.7
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Late Night Legends
Since 1946, Ricobene's has been a Bridgeport standby for saucy breaded steak sandwiches, fresh-cut fries, and late-night counter service under the viaduct. Fries show up plain, loaded, or alongside massive sandwiches, making this one of the neighborhood’s most consistent fry-and-sandwich combos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breaded Steak Sandwich with Fresh-Cut Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Italian Beef with Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A historic South Side counter spot where breaded steak and fresh-cut fries fuel late nights.
Who should go: Late-night sandwich-and-fries fans craving classic South Side portions.
When to visit: Evenings and late nights, especially post-game or concert crowds.
What to order: Breaded Steak Sandwich with fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Italian Beef combo.
Insider tip: Order fries extra-crispy and plan to share; portions run large and messy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along nearby side streets and under the viaduct; limited on-site/adjacent spots. Easiest late night, tighter after games and events.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, hoodies, and game-day gear are typical; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to loud at peak hours — conversation is possible but expect counter-service bustle and late-night traffic.
Weekend wait: 5–20 minutes in line at the counter, longer after games; tables usually turn quickly.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, with brief queues during the lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — cheese fries, salads, and a few sides; most signatures are meat-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited — fries may be the only viable option and are prepared in shared fryers.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal — no dedicated gluten-free prep or fryers; cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into casual, old-school comfort food — it’s bright, busy, and messy rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter service with open seating; you order first, then grab a table as one opens up.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — big portions, simple menus, and plenty of families; expect limited high-chair/amenity support and a lively room.
Best For
Better for: Late-night, value-driven comfort food — oversized breaded steak sandwiches and fresh-cut fries with nostalgic South Side character.
Skip if: You want healthy or gluten-free dining, table-service ambiance, or a quiet sit-down meal.
Ricobene's
8.6
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Ricobene’s is a Bridgeport standby where massive breaded steak sandwiches, Italian beef, and combo subs share space with pizza in a bustling counter-service room. Locals treat it as a go-to for heavy, Chicago-style sandwich plates before games or on late casual nights out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original King Size Breaded Steak, Sicilian Beef Sandwich, Combination Beef & Sausage Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Chicago-style breaded steak and Italian sandwiches served at serious volume.
Who should go: Hearty appetites craving classic South Side sandwich comfort.
When to visit: Early evenings and game days before peak sandwich rush.
What to order: Original King Size Breaded Steak, Sicilian Beef, Combo Beef & Sausage.
Insider tip: Ask for hot giardiniera on the side to calibrate heat and crunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small on-site lot plus neighborhood street parking along 26th St; fills quickly on game days and weekend evenings.
Dress code: Casual — jerseys, hoodies, and jeans are fully appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours; conversation is easier at off-peak times.
Weekend wait: Expect a counter line of ~10–25 minutes during game nights and busy evenings.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, with a short counter line that moves quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — options lean toward cheese pizza, fries, and a few meat-free sides.
Vegan options: Very limited — mostly fries or plain sides; most sandwiches and pizzas contain dairy or meat.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bread or prep area; cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, Chicago-comfort-food vibe — it’s counter-service, busy, and portion-heavy rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s first-come, counter-service seating. Order at the counter and grab any open table; turnover is fairly quick outside of game rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, shareable portions, and a lively room work well for families, though peak times can be loud.
Best For
Better for: Oversized breaded steak and Italian beef–style sandwiches with big portions and classic South Side character.
Skip if: You want a quiet, sit-down restaurant, lighter or gluten-free options, or a menu with broader dietary flexibility.
Ricobene's
8.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
A Bridgeport institution since 1946, Ricobene's runs a huge counter-service operation where thin crust, deep dish, and breaded-steak-topped pies share space with its famous sandwiches. Locals lean on it for affordable, heavy Chicago-style comfort food late into the evening, with a separate pizza line turning out slices and whole pies quickly even when the dining room is packed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thin Crust Sausage Pizza, Spinach & Mushroom Deep Dish Pizza, Breaded Steak Pizza
Scores:
Value: 9.3
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Historic 26th Street counter-service spot where Chicago tavern-style and deep-dish pizza are as central as the famous breaded steak sandwiches.
Who should go: Anyone craving classic South Side, late-night Italian comfort.
When to visit: Lunch and early late-night when pizza and sandwiches both move fast.
What to order: Thin crust sausage slice, spinach and mushroom deep dish, breaded steak pizza.
Insider tip: Skip the main sandwich queue and head straight to the dedicated pizza line if you only want slices.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small on-site lot plus street parking on 26th Street; fills during peak dinner and game nights
Dress code: Very casual — hoodies, jerseys, and everyday clothes are standard
Noise level: Loud during rush hours with constant counter traffic; easier conversation earlier in the day
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes for pizza line; sandwich line can run longer at peak
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, occasional short queue
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Decent — cheese and veggie thin crust, spinach deep dish, and some non-meat toppings
Vegan options: Very limited — no dedicated vegan cheese or pizzas
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free crust and shared prep areas
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want casual, nostalgic Chicago comfort food — it’s bright, busy, and more about big portions than atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service and seat-yourself; tables turn quickly but may require hovering during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — spacious seating, quick food, and shareable pizzas; best for school-age kids and families comfortable with loud, busy rooms.
Best For
Better for: Large, affordable Chicago-style slices and heavy comfort classics served late with fast counter turnover
Skip if: You want artisan pies, quiet dining, gluten-free options, or a more polished sit-down restaurant experience