Business Details
45 Years
experience
Authentic Chicago Italian Beef Since 1981
Since 1981, Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille has been dedicated to preserving Chicago's culinary heritage through our authentic Italian beef sandwiches. Our family-owned business was founded by Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto, who learned traditional methods from the pioneers of Chicago's first beef stands. We maintain the original recipe that made Italian beef famous, using slow-roasted top sirloin seasoned with our proprietary blend to create all-natural gravy from meat drippings. Our commitment to quality means no fillers, additives, or shortcuts - just hand-trimmed beef and hand-cut Italian bread. With multiple locations across Chicagoland and catering services nationwide, we continue serving generations of customers who appreciate our dedication to tradition.Our team of third-generation family members oversees daily operations, ensuring every sandwich meets our exacting standards. We've expanded our offerings to include catering, a mobile beef truck, and retail products while maintaining the same preparation methods that earned us recognition as Chicago's Best Beef. Our partnerships with local grocers and national distribution networks allow us to share this Chicago tradition beyond Illinois. Customer satisfaction remains our priority, as evidenced by our decades-long relationships with corporate clients and event planners who rely on our exceptional service and quality.
Services
Italian Beef
Catering
Beef Truck
Grocery Products
Rewards Program
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 1981 with three generations of beef expertise
- Original recipe using traditional Chicago beef preparation methods
- Dedicated catering team serving events from 10 to 500 guests
- Nationwide shipping for corporate gifts and special occasions
- Commitment to all-natural ingredients with no additives or shortcuts
What people say
Best Italian Beef in Chicago
Family-run tradition
Authentic preparation methods
Exceptional catering service
All-natural ingredients
Services
Italian Beef
Our signature Italian beef sandwich features slow-roasted top sirloin seasoned with secret spices. The meat is hand-trimmed and sliced thin, served on hand-cut Italian bread with all-natural gravy made from meat drippings. Customers choose between Hot (with giardiniera) or Sweet (with bell peppers) preparations. This Chicago tradition has remained unchanged since 1981, offering both dipped and baptized sandwich styles for optimal flavor.
Catering
Full-service catering for events of all sizes includes classic holiday buffets, game day trays, and boxed lunches. Our dedicated catering team handles setup and delivery, offering customizable menus with traditional Chicago-Italian dishes. Corporate clients appreciate our reliable service and ability to accommodate 10-500 guests. We provide all-inclusive buffets with warm, freshly prepared food and optional Rainbow Cone dessert packages for special occasions.
Beef Truck
The Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille Truck brings our authentic Italian beef to events across Chicagoland. This mobile service offers the same quality ingredients at festivals, corporate events, and private celebrations. The truck serves individual sandwiches and classic sides, providing a unique dining experience while maintaining our traditional preparation methods. Ideal for locations without permanent restaurant access, the truck maintains our commitment to all-natural ingredients and Chicago-style presentation.
Grocery Products
Our retail line includes frozen Italian beef products available at Midwest grocers and Central Market in Texas. Customers can prepare authentic Chicago-style beef at home using our pre-seasoned, slow-roasted meat. The product line maintains the same quality standards as restaurant offerings, with step-by-step preparation instructions. We offer both fresh and frozen options that preserve the all-natural gravy characteristics of our original recipe for home consumption.
Rewards Program
The Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille Rewards program offers points for every purchase redeemable for free menu items. Members receive exclusive specials, free delivery on orders over $40, and early access to seasonal promotions. The mobile app tracks points and provides personalized offers. Catering customers earn rewards through bulk purchases, while regular patrons benefit from accumulating points on daily transactions, creating ongoing value for frequent visitors.
People
Joe & Peggy Buonavolanto
Founders
The founding couple established Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille in 1981 after learning traditional methods from Chicago's original beef stand families. They developed the secret seasoning blend that remains unchanged today.
Carlo Buonavolanto
Family Member
Second-generation family member overseeing daily operations and maintaining original preparation techniques. Ensures consistency across all locations while preserving traditional methods passed down from the founders.
John Buonavolanto
Family Member
Active in business expansion efforts while maintaining commitment to quality standards. Works with third-generation family members to ensure continuity of traditional beef preparation methods.
Joe Jr. Buonavolanto
Family Member
Third-generation representative managing catering operations and special events. Focuses on maintaining authentic experience while expanding service capabilities to accommodate large-scale corporate clients.
Jimmy Buonavolanto
Family Member
Product demonstration expert who educates customers about traditional preparation methods. Featured in cooking demos explaining the proper way to serve Chicago-style Italian beef at home.
Questions
What makes Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille Beef different from other Italian beef restaurants?
We use the original 1981 recipe with no additives, maintaining traditional preparation methods including slow-roasting top sirloin to create all-natural gravy from meat drippings.
Do you offer catering services for large events?
Yes, we provide full-service catering for groups of 10-500 with customizable menus including holiday buffets, game day trays, and boxed lunches with delivery and setup included.
Can I order Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille Beef outside of Chicago?
We offer nationwide shipping for select products and operate grocery distribution in the Midwest and Texas, with detailed preparation instructions for authentic home cooking.
What are your most popular menu items?
Our signature Italian Beef sandwich remains the top seller, followed by char-broiled cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and chopped chicken salads.
Do you have a loyalty rewards program?
Yes, our rewards program offers points for every purchase redeemable for free food, with exclusive member benefits including free delivery and special promotions.
How can I book the Joey Buona's Pizzeria Grille Beef Truck for an event?
Contact our catering team to schedule the mobile beef truck for corporate events, festivals, or private celebrations across Chicagoland with our traditional menu offerings.
