Gussie's Handmade Italian
Bessy Tam · 310 Google reviewsGussie's Handmade Italian — clean, consistent italian in Old Town. The mood here leans quiet and romantic. The bar is worth the visit on its own. "The server Brian was one of the best servers I have had" — Aaron meketsy [$$$]
What 540 diners keep saying
What 540 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“We chose Gussie’s primarily for its location across from Second City. We were very impressed by both the quality of the food and the attentiveness of our server, Luke. His recommendations of both food and wine were perfect—especially enjoyed the Spring Ravioli special—cheese/veggie filling with a bright creamy lemon sauce. Quick service, lots of great menu choices, both pasta and otherwise, and reasonably priced good wine. Got out for $70/person including 2 drinks each”
“Service was top notch, spoke to the owner about his inspiration for the restaurant. Beautiful spot. The raviolis were fantastic with a citrus hint and the garlic bread with mascarpone takes the cake!”
“Pleasantly surprised with overall experience here. We split a few apps and pasta dishes, and the flavors were wonderful. Highlight of the meal was the tiramisu!”
“Everything was fantastic - our server Brian was lovely and made great recommendations. I would eat the house bread every day if I could. 10/10 no notes”
“Absolutely loved this place! The handmade pasta is incredible! Every bite was amazing. They also bring out a complimentary bread filled with cheese that is honestly to die for, such a delicious and memorable touch that sets the whole experience apart. Great food, cozy atmosphere, and a spot I would definitely come back to. Highly recommend!”
“Excellent locale. Attentive and capable bartender with a lovely selection of wine and more to pair or counter your menu selection. Phenomenal seafood (my options tonight) with delightful finish to the jumbo shrimp, impressive seared octopus entree across a bed of tasteful sliced garden vegetables (tender throughout with narry a tense thread), and the special tonight balancing the taste and texture of lobster within a ravioli certain to exceed your expectations. Handmade pasta, with my greatest regret being that I had but one type on order from the kitchen. If I had two stomachs I'd be after my usual favorite Carbonara and a possible dessert option. Alas I was solo tonight until my friend was available to help polish off my bites and drinks. The bartender tonight was very much on top of his space, working with each couple at the bar for their pace and drink selection. I started with a red, Pinot Nero, per his rec and added a white, Arneis for the shellfish and pasta entree. Given the show after, an expert espresso martini was ready before I could grab the check and head out. Fantastic spot. On my list of favorites if only to once again go from mascarpone stuffed House bread theough the end of my needs.”
“I’ve been a loyal customer here for 4–5 years, and this place has never disappointed me. The food quality is consistently outstanding — fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. You can genuinely taste the difference. The pasta and bread are made from European flour (as the owner proudly shares), and it truly shows in the texture and flavor. My personal favorite is the Frutti di Mare pasta — it’s always my go-to and never fails to impress. The salads are equally amazing: always fresh, crisp, and beautifully balanced. What really sets this restaurant apart, though, is the owner. He is present on the floor every single day, personally greeting guests and making sure everything runs perfectly. That level of dedication speaks volumes. He ensures both quality service and exceptional food for every customer. This isn’t some massive corporate chain where guests are just numbers. It’s a place with heart, pride, and genuine hospitality — and that’s exactly why I keep coming back. Highly recommended.”
“This place is 10/10! For all your dinner ideas here is a place to be.”
“Great experience and service. We were visiting Chicago and in the neighborhood. Garlic bread and Raviolis were some of the best food we had in the entire city!”
“Had a fantastic meal and found their bread they give you at the start of your meal was amazing! I had been hyped about it and it truly lived up to the legends! Find captions on the pictures to see which great items we enjoyed.”
“Our server Brian was so sweet and the care and quality put into the food was apparent! Everything tasted so good!”
“Overall, Gussie’s was good. Great options for pasta- very unique flavors that they combined. I recommend the chicken parm / chicken piccata. All of the appetizers were excellent. Good flavoring across the table, paired with great service from the waiter/bus boys. Recommend coming here”
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