Restaurant

Franco's Ristorante

Name: Franco's Ristorante
Address: 300 W 31st St, Chicago, IL, 60616, US
Telephone: (312) 225-9566
Price range: value

Italian•Bridgeport•value

Franco's Ristorante is one of the best italian restaurants in Chicago for dinner, especially if you want a strong option in Bridgeport.

Franco's Ristorante has been holding down the corner of 31st and Princeton since 1989, which in Bridgeport terms means it's basically infrastructure.

Editorial review•Dec 9, 2025

Franco's Ristorante has been holding down the corner of 31st and Princeton since 1989, which in Bridgeport terms means it's basically infrastructure. Franco Sr. built the place on unapologetic south side Italian, and when his son Frankie took over in 2016 at 23, he made the kinds of changes a smart heir makes — wood furniture and Edison bulbs in place of white tablecloths, the room brought forward without touching what the regulars came for. The red button-tufted leather booths are still there. The brick walls are still covered in family photos. There's an open window into the kitchen that reportedly makes the whole operation feel like someone's extended family is cooking for you personally. This is a restaurant with a constituency, not a concept. The menu centers on the kind of Italian-American cooking that Bridgeport has always taken seriously. The Handmade Gnocchi represents what Frankie kept from the original kitchen and why that instinct was right. The Chicken Vesuvio — crisp skin, white wine, garlic, peas — is a dish this city has strong opinions about, and Franco's is known for delivering it without hedging. The Shrimp fra Diavolo has a reputation for heat that's deliberate rather than decorative, and the Veal Marsala is the sort of mushroom-and-wine preparation that diners consistently point to as a reason they keep coming back. Start with the Whipped Ricotta Tuffo; it appears on enough repeat-visitor orders that it's clearly doing something right as an opener. Practical reality: the room is small and weekends fill fast, so a weeknight visit is the move if your schedule allows. At a price-point-one operation with this track record, you are almost certainly getting more than the bill suggests.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team

dinner

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Taste ID

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Rating (Google) 9.2

891 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

9.2

Rating

Based on 891 reviews

Best used for

dinner

Price and pace

Good value

Neighborhood

Bridgeport · 300 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

Price

Good value

Google rating

9.2 from 891 reviews

Phone

(312) 225-9566

Watch

Franco's Ristorante on video

Video: Barstool Chicago (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Video: Chicago's Best (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Video: America's Best Restaurants Roadshow (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: Jonna N (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

What to order

Signature dishes at Franco's Ristorante

Grilled Calamari

Mixed Greens, Balsamic Drizzle

Baked Clams

One dozen per order

Whipped Ricotta Tuffo

Ricotta, Orange Marmalade, Honey, Crostinis

Shrimp fra Diavolo

Linguini, Shrimp, Zesty Marinara Sauce

Pan Seared Salmon

Spinach, Tomatoes, Garlic, Roasted Potatoes

Why go

What makes Franco's Ristorante worth the move

Franco's Ristorante is a reliable italian choice in Bridgeport in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Grilled Calamari and Baked Clams also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 891 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.2 from 891 Google reviews

Best used for

dinner

Style

Italian in Bridgeport

Spend

Good value

Best for

dinner

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.2 from 891 reviews

Price point: value

Popular dishes: Grilled Calamari, Baked Clams, Whipped Ricotta Tuffo

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for Franco's Ristorante

Google snapshot

9.2 from 891 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez

Dhanteraz Indian Fusion occupies the former Savannah Supper Club space on West Roscoe Street, and the transformation matters: what was once a supper club is now one of Roscoe Village's most talked-about Indian kitchens, a BYOB spot where…

Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 300 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
Phone: (312) 225-9566
Price: value
TastyPals score: Coming soon
Google rating: 9.2 (891 reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Neighborhood: Bridgeport

Restaurants in Bridgeport

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Franco's Ristorante serve?

Franco's Ristorante is a Italian restaurant located in Bridgeport, Chicago. Franco's Ristorante has been holding down the corner of 31st and Princeton since 1989, which in Bridgeport terms means it's basically infrastructure.

What is Franco's Ristorante best for?

Franco's Ristorante is best for dinner. Franco's Ristorante is a reliable italian choice in Bridgeport in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Grilled Calamari and Baked Clams also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 891 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Franco's Ristorante?

Franco's Ristorante is in the Good value price range (value). Google rating: 9.2 from 891 reviews

What should I order at Franco's Ristorante?

Start with Grilled Calamari, Baked Clams, Whipped Ricotta Tuffo and Shrimp fra Diavolo. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Franco's Ristorante worth visiting?

Franco's Ristorante holds a 9.2 Google rating from 891 reviews. Franco's Ristorante is a reliable italian choice in Bridgeport in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Grilled Calamari and Baked Clams also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 891 Google reviews.

Where is Franco's Ristorante located?

Franco's Ristorante is located at 300 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

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