who has good arrenchini in chicago [arancini]

Please help. Purple Pig used to have it on the menu. Someone please suggest a restaurant in Chicago that cooks good arrenchini.

I recall having one at Panozzo's that I thought was very good, though I find most of their items to be excellent.

I have it at Due Lire and (I believe) Anteprima. No idea if it's currently on the menu.

I'm not sure it's exactly what you're thinking of but Perrenial Virant has a take on it.

I've had very nice ones at Eclissi in Skokie and 3 Aces on Taylor St. I have no idea if either place is still serving them.

Also, a search here for arancin* yielded 91 results

=R=

Eclissi
8020 Lincoln Ave
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 675-8800

3 Aces
1321 W. Taylor St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-1577

Thanks so much. I called and received some good info.

We used to get them at Monastero's on Devon when my partner's gay uncle threw his semi yearly opera cocktail parties. He was a good long time friend of the owner, Joe Sr. whose wife (? daughter ?) sung opera with the Met. I think they still do opera dinners. Joe Jr. runs the place now and our uncle passed away a few years ago so no clue. They where fun parties even if they were pretenious! BTW, all the food we ever had a Monastero's was excellant! We're talking over 10 years times 2 of aged steaks from Joe Sr's farm in Italy, osso bucco, seasonal ravioli, lamb and so many good things. Our uncle was a dear friend and spent many $$$ there.


http://www.monasteros.com/

edit to add that their dinner menu has arancina on the app menu.

Among grocery stores, Riviera and Caputo's have them. Cuputo's are outstanding, cheap, and come in several varieties (as well as different shapes associated with the various fillings).

For Take-Home:

Tony's Italian Deli & Subs
6708 Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 631-0055
http://www.tonysdeliandsubs.com

For Eat-In:

Via Veneto Ristorante
6340 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 267-0888
http://viavenetochicago.com

I'm thinking Roberto's might have very good arancini?

Freddie's.

1600 South 61st Avenue
Cicero, Illinois 60804

And the Taste of Melrose Park, which just happens to be this weekend.

I'll second Freddie's.

A week or so ago I had a different but good one at...

Stefanelli's Italian Imports
1250 E 9th St, Lockport
(815) 834-0200

Not meat filled but creamy with cheese (and a few peas).

A little far to drive? I'll bet they make them at...

Stefanelli and Sons (the mother store)
13012 Western Ave, Blue Island
(708) 389-0300

(a little closer)

D'Amato's Bakery on Grand, next to Bari foods sell's them. Get a couple to go with a slice or 2 and not a bad combo. They will heat them or you can warm up at home....

DB

I'll third Freddy's and add that Pasta Fresh makes some good ones as well.

Pasta Fresh
3418 North Harlem Avenue, Chicago

In case you're still looking, I had an outstanding spinach arancini yesterday at Panozzo's. (They also have a meat version). It was served hot, not the least bit greasy, topped with just a small amount of tomato sauce, and absolutely delicious.

Love Panozzo's

I'll fourth Freddy's.

Sicilian Bakery at 4632 N Cumberland Ave. always has the meat/tomato sauce ones & frequently have the spinach/ricotta variety.

Now that Palermo Bakery on Harlem is not in the daily bakery business, this has become my go-to Sicilian-type bakery in the NW. Not that I refuse things from Conca d'Oro, but I like the pastries at Sicilian Bakery better.

Giovanna

Let me toss Minelli's Meat & Deli in Niles into the good arancini ring. I really like their meat/pea/cheese filled ones. I've never tried the spinach, which they also carry. Another great spot is Gio's in Bridgeport.

Minelli's Meat & Deli
7900 N Milwaukee Ave
Niles, IL 60714
847-965-1315

Gio's Cafe & Deli
2724 S Lowe Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-6368

Three Aces has a very good version

I know I am going a little off topic but I had to mention...

Papas Rellenas at Borinquen.

Very similar but with potato instead of rice. Very good too!

Borinquen Restaurant
1720 N California Ave
(773) 227-6038
www.borinquenoncalifornia.net‎

I dont necessarily think Romano Brand's in Franklin Park has the best but they're very good in the traditional way of fillings and cost damn near nothing in portion to price ratio. They supply many local bars, restaurants and grocery stores with theirs. So odds are you might have had one somewhere else. They have a popular fast food type outlet with residents around the area.


Grand Avenue in Franklin Park

Menu is limited with their Arancini, Panzerotti and Pizza making up most of it with a few sandwiches and also daily specials. I like what they do and the prices are ridiculous. The Beef and Rice Balls are huge and for $1 + change cant be beat. They also have a ham and cheese and a spinach one as well. I use them for social gatherings pre-ordering a bunch ahead of time as they re-heat well. Pizza always smells pretty great but I have yet to try some. The fresh fried Panzerotti's are a real treat.


Romano Brand Arancini


Nutella Panzerotti

Romano Brands
10000 W. Grand Ave
Franklin Park, IL 60131
(847) 451-9900

Da Beef wrote:I dont necessarily think Romano Brand's in Franklin Park has the best but they're very good in the traditional way of fillings and cost damn near nothing in portion to price ratio. They supply many local bars, restaurants and grocery stores with theirs. So odds are you might have had one somewhere else. They have a popular fast food type outlet with residents around the area.


Grand Avenue in Franklin Park

Menu is limited with their Arancini, Panzerotti and Pizza making up most of it with a few sandwiches and also daily specials. I like what they do and the prices are ridiculous. The Beef and Rice Balls are huge and for $1 + change cant be beat. They also have a ham and cheese and a spinach one as well. I use them for parties pre-ordering a bunch ahead of time as they re-heat well. Pizza always smells pretty great but I have yet to try some. The fresh fried Panzerotti's are a real treat.


Romano Brand Arancini


Nutella Panzerotti

Romano Brands
10000 W. Grand Ave
Franklin Park, IL 60131
(847) 451-9900

You are right as their prices are crazy good. I have stopped in for the daily sandwich special and the arrenchini and have enjoyed it every time. The touch of tomato sauce brings a nice moistness.

I think they are opening a deli across the street?

23 posts and not one mention of Gio's?!

Gio's
2724 S Lowe Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-6368

A real neighborhood place. And the arancini - both meat and vegetable, personally I prefer the spinach & ricotta - are wonderful. BYOB.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:23 posts and not one mention of Gio's?!

Gio's
2724 S Lowe Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-6368

A real neighborhood place. And the arancini - both meat and vegetable, personally I prefer the spinach & ricotta - are wonderful. BYOB.

I mentioned them just five posts up from yours, but yes, Gio's deserves to be on any Chicago arancini list.

19 posts before someone mentioned Gio's?! I am marginally less shocked.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:19 posts before someone mentioned Gio's?! I am marginally less shocked.

LOL

Da Beef wrote:I dont necessarily think Romano Brand's in Franklin Park has the best but they're very good in the traditional way of fillings and cost damn near nothing in portion to price ratio. They supply many local bars, restaurants and grocery stores with theirs. So odds are you might have had one somewhere else. They have a popular fast food type outlet with residents around the area.

Romano Brands
10000 W. Grand Ave
Franklin Park, IL 60131
(847) 451-9900

Stopped by today and they were pretty darn good!

Arancini with a splash of red sauce

and at a buck and a quarter (3 varieties available)


They do have a special of the day which is their sandwiches where they add a bag of chips and pop for $3.00


The sandwich is very good and a value.

Meatball Sandwich

Different sandwich every day on the special.

What is not to like?

As I thought they have a deli across the street but when asked it does not have regular hours.

We had some really nice ones a Spacca Napoli over the weekend. The were available as the "fried street food" appetizer.

Thanks for posting about the place in Franklin Park. Passed it many times but did not know if it would be worth it. Will try. I love those things.