Buona, The Original Italian Beef, Announces Its First Chicago Location

Buona, The Original Italian Beef, has announced its first official location within Chicago's city limits. The restaurant group, which celebrates its 35^th anniversary this year, opens its 17^th location on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 10659 S. Western Ave in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

To celebrate Chicago's first Buona restaurant, any Buona beef lovers can post a selfie on Buona's Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter using #BuonaBeef and @BuonaBeef in front of the new location between now and March 17^th. All selfies must be photographed with Buona's official signage at the Beverly location and include proper hashtag. 100 lucky social media participants will receive an exclusive invite to be one of the first customers and receive Free Beef For A Year. The odds or receiving an invite depend on the number of social media posts received. Other festivities include a prize wheel with Buona SWAG and gift cards, complimentary coffee for Italian beef lovers who endure the long line, and more.

The Buona restaurant group began in 1981, and remains the last family-owned restaurant group serving Chicago's original Italian beef. The first Buona Beef began with a secret family recipe and a determined, close-knit Buonavolanto family with a legacy that stems back to the original beef stands that emanated from the stockyards, and eventually dotted neighborhoods throughout the area. The Buonavolanto family plans to open five new restaurants per year over the next five years, extending its reach into Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

"After 35 years, Buona is excited to open its first City of Chicago location," says Joe Buonavolanto. "We are proud of our roots in this great city and are eager to bring Chicago's original Italian beef to residents throughout Chicagoland and beyond."

While its original Italian beef recipe and the company's commitment to family values, quality ingredients and a penchant for giving back have remained constant, the menu and the restaurant design have evolved over the years. In addition to the Chicago classics that made Buona famous, guests can choose from a variety of scratch-made sandwiches, salads and beer and wine to accompany any meal. The menu also features gluten free options and "Skip the Gym" options that enable consumers to build meals that come in under 500 calories.