Oct 17, 2024 - Culture

Chicago's best pasta for National Pasta Day

pasta on a table — A night on the town at Bruna's on S. Oakley Ave. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

Thursday is National Pasta Day and this town is here for it. We sifted through your recommendations, avoiding some of the tried and true spots that everyone loves (looking at you, La Scarola) and tried three.

Justin tried S. Oakley, duh. We got recommendations for Bacchanalia and Ignotz, also in the Heart of Italy, but I went with Anne W.'s excellent suggestion of Bruna's Ristorante.

She pointed me to the gnocchi bolognese ($24) and I devoured the fantastic, hearty dish while soaking up the old-school decor of one of the longest-running Italian restaurants in the city.

Seashell pasta with red sauce and peas with two slices of bread on the plate. — Yummmm free bread at Topo Gigio. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios

Carrie tried Topo Gigio in Old Town, which was packed on a rainy cold Tuesday night (always a good sign). I followed Kelly L.'s suggestion of conchiglie alla sarda ($20.95) without the sausage.

I love a tomato cream sauce especially this one that combined with the peas tasted more earthy than sweet.

plate of ravioli covered in a cream sauce — Pistachio ravioli from Anto in Rogers Park is filled with cheese and bathed in an ultra rich alfredo like sauce. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Monica tried Jenni S's pick the pistachio ravioli ($19) at Anto Pizza and Pasta just outside the Jarvis "L" stop in Rogers Park.

Jenni wrote "Tony makes the best cream sauce ever" and she wasn't kidding. A great dish for vegetarians if they're not avoiding fat.

Chicago's best pasta for National Pasta Day

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