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Italian · Casual Dining

Francesca's Restaurants Menu Prices 2026: Full List & Best Dishes

Francesca's Restaurants has been a cornerstone of Chicago's Italian dining scene since 1992, when founder Scott Harris opened Mia Francesca in Lakeview with a focus on the rustic, earthy flavors of Rome and central Italy. Today, 14 locations across the Chicago suburbs and city offer handmade pastas, wood-roasted proteins, and antipasti that stay true to the founding vision of honest, ingredient-forward Italian cooking at approachable prices.

14 Chicago-area locationsFounded 1992Roman-inspired Italian cuisine
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Rigatoni alla Vodka$28.00
Pollo Arrosto alla Romana$35.00
Salmone alla Fresca$34.00
Calamari Fritti$21.00
Jump to: Quick answers Full menu Cheapest items Most popular Compare prices About FAQ
Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Cheapest pasta
Linguine Arrabbiata $26.00
Most popular
Rigatoni alla Vodka $28.00

Signature dish at all locations

Best seafood
Salmone alla Fresca $34.00
Signature entrée
Pollo Arrosto alla Romana $35.00
Full menu with prices

Francesca's Restaurants full menu and current prices

Prices sourced from delivery platforms and verified menu sources as of 2025–2026. Confirm with your location before visiting.
Antipasti10 itemsInsalate5 itemsPasta9 itemsSecondi6 itemsContorni (Sides)6 itemsDolci (Desserts)6 items
Budget picks

Cheapest items on the Francesca's Restaurants menu

  1. 1Linguine ArrabbiataSpicy tomato pasta — cheapest pasta on the menu$26.00
  2. 2Ravioli ai Spinaci$27.00
  3. 3Rigatoni alla Vodka$28.00
  4. 4Spaghetti alla Carbonara$28.00
  5. 5Dana's Bolognese$28.00
  6. 6Calamari FrittiAntipasto — most affordable starter$21.00
  7. 7Melanzane ParmigianaVegetarian main$32.00
  8. 8Salmone alla Fresca$34.00
Prices at a glance

Most-ordered Francesca's dishes: category and price

A quick reference for key verified prices across all menu sections.

ItemCategoryPrice
Calamari FrittiAntipasto$21.00
Linguine ArrabbiataPasta$26.00
Ravioli ai SpinaciPasta$27.00
Rigatoni alla VodkaPasta$28.00
Spaghetti alla CarbonaraPasta$28.00
Dana's BolognesePasta$28.00
Melanzane ParmigianaSecondi$32.00
Salmone alla FrescaSecondi$34.00
Pollo MilaneseSecondi$35.00
Pollo Arrosto alla RomanaSecondi$35.00
Price comparison

How Francesca's prices compare to similar Italian restaurants

Like-for-like comparison of signature categories at comparable Chicago-area Italian restaurants.

CategoryFrancesca'sCarrabba's Italian GrillMaggiano's Little ItalyBuca di Beppo
Pasta (signature)$28.00$18–$22$24–$28$20–$26
Chicken entrée$35.00$20–$26$28–$36$22–$28
Seafood entrée$34.00$22–$30$30–$40$24–$32
Appetizer (calamari)$21.00$14–$16$16–$18$15–$17
About

About Francesca's Restaurants

Francesca's Restaurants traces its roots to 1992, when Scott Harris opened Mia Francesca in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago with a singular vision: serve the rustic, earthy cuisine of Rome and central Italy in a warm, neighborhood setting that felt like a family table. The name itself was a tribute to the matriarchs behind the recipes — a story captured in the brand's enduring tagline, "a dream, a grandma, and a whole lot of pasta."

From that single Clark Street storefront, Harris built one of Chicago's most respected Italian restaurant groups. Today the Francesca's family comprises 14 locations spread across the city and suburbs, from the original Lakeview flagship to outposts in Barrington, Naperville, Lake Forest, and beyond. Each location carries the same Roman-rooted culinary DNA — house-made pastas, whole roasted proteins, and antipasti built on seasonal produce — while adapting the dining room character to reflect its neighborhood.

The group's longevity in a notoriously competitive restaurant market speaks to its discipline: menus change with the seasons, quality sourcing remains non-negotiable, and the dining rooms avoid the trend-chasing that dates so many concepts quickly. Francesca's celebrates its 34th anniversary in 2026, a milestone Harris attributes directly to loyal guests and the kitchen and front-of-house teams who have stayed with the brand across multiple decades.

14Chicago-area locations
1992Year founded
$$Price range

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How many Francesca's Restaurant locations are there?

There are 14 Francesca's Restaurant locations across the Chicago metropolitan area, including the original Mia Francesca in Lakeview (Chicago), Lincolnwood, Francesca's on Chestnut (Chicago), Lake Forest, Barrington, Northbrook, Arlington Heights, St. Charles, Forest Park, Elmhurst, Naperville, Frankfort, Oak Lawn, and Palos Park.

Who founded Francesca's Restaurants?

Francesca's Restaurants was founded by Scott Harris in 1992. The group began with Mia Francesca on N Clark Street in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Harris has described the founding as built on "a dream, a grandma, and a whole lot of pasta," emphasizing the family and Italian heritage behind the concept.

What type of Italian food does Francesca's serve?

Francesca's focuses on the rustic cuisine of Rome and the surrounding regions of Lazio, Tuscany, and Umbria. The menu features house-made pastas, wood-roasted proteins, fresh antipasti, and classic Italian desserts. Dishes lean toward simplicity and ingredient quality rather than heavy cream sauces — think Rigatoni alla Vodka, roasted half chicken, and branzino.

Does Francesca's Restaurants take reservations?

Yes, Francesca's locations accept reservations. You can book through OpenTable on the official website at miafrancesca.com. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends, as the dining rooms are popular and can fill quickly, especially the Lakeview flagship near Wrigley Field on game nights.

What are Francesca's Restaurants' hours?

Hours vary by location. The Mia Francesca Lakeview flagship is open Monday–Thursday 4:00 PM–9:00 PM, Friday–Saturday 4:00 PM–10:00 PM, and Sunday 4:00 PM–9:00 PM. Suburban locations may differ. Check your specific location on miafrancesca.com for current hours.

Does Francesca's Restaurants offer private dining or events?

Yes, several Francesca's locations offer private dining rooms and event packages suitable for corporate dinners, rehearsal dinners, birthday celebrations, and other gatherings. The official site at miafrancesca.com has a private events inquiry form with details on capacity, menus, and pricing.

Does Francesca's offer delivery or takeout?

Yes, Mia Francesca and other Francesca's group locations offer takeout and delivery through third-party platforms. The Lakeview location can be ordered through the Toast online ordering system. Check the official site or platforms like Uber Eats for your nearest location's delivery options.

Is there a Francesca's Restaurant gift card?

Yes, Francesca's Restaurants offers gift cards that can be used at any of the 14 locations in the group. Gift cards are available for purchase through the official website at miafrancesca.com and make a popular choice for Chicago-area Italian food lovers.

Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options at Francesca's?

Francesca's menus include several vegetarian-friendly dishes, including the Linguine Arrabbiata (vegan), Ravioli ai Spinaci, Melanzane Parmigiana, Bruschette con Spinaci, and most salads. For gluten-free diners, dishes like the Pollo Arrosto alla Romana, Salmone alla Fresca, and several antipasti are naturally gluten-free; consult your server about preparation and cross-contamination for your specific location.