Caro Mio Italian Restaurant
| Address: | 1827 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA |
| Phone: | +1 773-275-5000 |
| Site: | squarespace.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–11PM 4–11PM 3–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
ST
Stephanie Ciupka
I live nearby and have been here twice now, and the food was really fantastic both times. The garlic bread especially was a highlight for me--they put so much fresh garlic on top that it was almost spicy, so if you love garlic I would highly recommend it. Everything was very flavorful. Atmosphere was a little cramped, but they were very busy both times so I didnt mind. I also appreciate that it is BYOB--while I sometimes love trying new wines or suggested pairings, that can get very expensive, so bringing my own is welcome. Because yes, I am in my 20s and like saving money, which brings me to my only complaint, and the reason I am deducting 2 stars. Being young doesnt make me cheap. The first time I went here, I was with my aunt and uncle, who are older, and service was fantastic even though they were quite busy. The second time, it was just my boyfriend and I, and the service was really bad--even when compared to the table right next to us that had with the same waiter! He would come check on them and not even glance at us, it took forever to order our entrees, and later dessert (we were there for more than 2 hours), I had to ask for more water. And the whole time we were watching someone else get better service from the same person for no good reason. Was it because they were older? Are they regulars? Were they better dressed? When calculating a tip, I always start at 18%, and go up to 20% if service is great, or down to 15% if it sucks. Perhaps our waiter assumed we werent worth the effort, and is now thinking he was right, since after being treated so poorly there was no way were would leave more than 15%. So now the next young couple will get the same treatment. I find this extremely frustrating. Due to the location and the flavor, I really want to love this place, but Im struggling with the way I was treated last time and not sure I want to rush back.
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Lacey Defazio
This one star review is the fact that this place is BYOB with out a corking fee, that is the only reason it will ever get one star from me. This is NOT a bitter review about bad service, this is all about the awful, awful food that is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. If you want to spend this kind of money you might as well go to a Michelin rated restaurant because its on par price wise with some of them. To start they give you the worst bread in the history of bread. Id rather eat a sponge it would probably taste better. I love bread, carbs are my BFF but this was the worst. Giving me a slice of white bread would have been better than whatever that was. Appetizers: Garlic Bread - It had a weird taste. It was okay at best not really garlicy at all. Calamari - okay, again not great. Seemed like it was frozen out of a box. Entree: Chicken Picatta - Lets start with the chicken, it was beaten to a thin tough mess. Then it was coated with too much flour, it was slimy and fell off when I cut the chicken. I had to add salt and other things to the dish to make it edible. Rigatoni with parmesan chicken: This sauce seriously tasted like an adult version of Chef Boyardee. The noodles were fantastic, probably the best thing there all night but seriously the sauce tasted like a can of Chef Boyardee. The chicken on top of it Im not even sure was chicken and if it was Ive never seen chicken of that color. The meat was a dark dark brown (I know dark meat but this didnt really look like dark meat) and it was bland and beaten to death. I was so excited to try this place because its a block away from my new apartment and it had such good reviews. I dont know what you guys were thinking! I would rather eat Olive Garden and THAT is saying a lot.
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Heather Payne
I have found my Italian -go-to finally! Homemade pasta is outstanding. Never realized how much of a difference it makes, but holy canolli, I dont ever want boxed pasta again! To me, its the pasta that made the experience but there were other rewarding aspects as well. *bruscetta made with the freshest most mouthwatering mozzarella ever *extensive menu with so many specials that sounded delightful and made decision-making challenging *BYOB with no corkage fee *friendly, informative (cute with Italian accent) servers that gave us lots of recommendations (he also was nice enough to explain that the portabello appetizer might not be the best option to split between 3 people) *the bread and olive oil that began the meal was also accompanied by crushed garlic and red pepper *the portions were large enough for all of us to take home leftovers The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was merely because they did not have BYOB advertised outside therefore we had no idea and also I dont think the prices are outrageous by any means, but I personally cant afford a $24 plate of pasta every time I crave Italian. Although, saving money on wine probably evens it out in the end. So lets call this 4.5 stars!
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Nancy Moreno
First time experience at the restaurant... food was good... restaurant was cold...someone kept holding the back door open...we had 4 to go containers, we asked for a bag, the waitress asked us if we would be willing to pay 7cents for the bag, we then question why... we were told to read the sign on the front door. Unbelievable!!! In my opinion, I think the 7cents should be figured into the meal, or anything...But coming and asking the customer to pay it...So tacky!! Also, a can of pop $3.50??? Im surprised they didnt want us to pay a recycling fee for the can!...we will never be going back! Big disappointment for my birthday dinner!!!
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J Pitts
To the woman who left a bad review about 7 cents... They HAVE to charge the fee because it is a law to charge the tax for the bags... it is meant to discourage people from using bags... Dont throw a business under the bus for following the law. I dont agree with it, but that is the fact. The food was outstanding and the service was impeccable. Would highly recommend this outstanding BYOB restaurant. The portions are akin to eating at an Italian friends house... And their grandma was making the food and giving you enormous portions to make you eat.
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Sean Boyle
This neighborhood gem is ideal for a romantic date. Ive been here a handful of times, even bringing my mother once to show off the food. The restaurant is a decent size, but a bit on the crowded side. I will say the lighting is at times a bit too dim to properly read the menu. I usually go with one of the homemade pasta specials, which are an absolute delight. The portions are gargantuan, which is to be expected from an Italian restaurant. Leftovers are a guarantee.
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Carlos J Cruz
Homemade fresh pasta. Are you kidding me? The service was ok. I ordered parpadelle porcini homemade fresh pasta. The pasta wasnt homemade, it was sticky, soggy, not even well boiled. The sauce was bland, salty without any flavour and the mushrooms, they didnt cut the tail, so I went found hard mushrooms pieces on my plate. My wife ordered farfalle primavera and the plate was really spice, the pasta was undercook and no flavor. The price is over the top. Dreadful
