Restaurant of the Week: Tufano's Vernon Park Tap, A Little Italy Table Since 1930

Painterly illustration of a warmly lit Italian-American dining room, with family-style platters and chalkboard hints

Artistic depiction, not a photograph of Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap.

Welcome to CIAP’s Restaurant Spotlight. This week, we’re heading to Little Italy’s Vernon Park Place for a nearly century-old, family-run table: Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap. It’s a Chicago Italian-American restaurant with a story rooted in family, a tradition of chalkboard menus, and classic dishes that generations of diners have come to know.

Whether you live nearby, are planning a meal in the neighborhood, or simply enjoy learning about the places that make Chicago special, we’re pleased to share a little of Tufano’s story, and some practical details to help you plan a visit.

A family restaurant since 1930

Joseph and Teresa DiBuono established Tufano’s in 1930. From the beginning, it was a family operation, and the restaurant remains in the hands of their descendants. Today, the third generation includes grandson Joey DiBuono, his sister JoAnn, and daughter Darci Pinello.

That continuity is part of what makes Tufano’s story stand out. The restaurant has remained in the same building in Chicago’s Little Italy, in the University Village and Taylor Street area. Its history isn’t just a date on a sign; it’s a family’s connection to a place and the work of continuing that operation over time.

For nearly a century, Chicago has changed around Little Italy. Tufano’s, by contrast, is known for holding on to an old-school Italian-American identity. That kind of staying power is a meaningful part of the neighborhood’s story, and a reminder that local businesses can become gathering points across generations.

Painterly still life of lemon chicken and family-style platters on a checkered tablecloth

Artistic depiction of classic Italian-American dishes, not a photograph of Tufano’s food or its actual presentation.

Chalkboard menus, family-style service, and familiar classics

Tufano’s is known for writing its menu on chalkboards rather than presenting a conventional printed menu. It’s a distinctive, old-school touch that keeps the menu part of the room and the meal. The restaurant is also known for family-style service. A way of sharing food that suits a table where everyone is ready to pass a dish and settle in.

Among its well-known classics are lemon chicken and eggplant Parmesan. The Chicago Sun-Times has noted the lemon chicken as a Chicago favorite, and the James Beard Foundation has highlighted both dishes in its coverage of the restaurant. They’re familiar Italian-American choices, but at Tufano’s they’re also part of the story people associate with this family-run place.

In 2008, Tufano’s received the James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics Award. The award recognizes restaurants with timeless appeal and a strong place in their communities. National recognition for the quality and community spirit that have helped make Tufano’s a Chicago institution.

For a local restaurant, that kind of recognition has a particular meaning: it honors not only what’s served, but also the place a restaurant holds in people’s lives. Tufano’s history, family operation, chalkboard menus, and enduring presence in Little Italy all help explain why this restaurant has become such a familiar name.

Painterly Little Italy street scene at dusk, with brick storefronts and warm streetlamps

Artistic depiction of a Little Italy neighborhood streetscape, not a photograph of Tufano’s or a specific location.

Planning a visit

Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap is located at 1073 W. Vernon Park Place, Chicago, IL 60607, in the Little Italy area. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays. Its posted hours vary by day:

  • Tuesday–Thursday: Opens at 11 a.m.; kitchen closes at 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday: Opens at 11 a.m.; kitchen closes at 9 p.m.
  • Saturday: Opens at 4 p.m.; kitchen closes at 9 p.m.
  • Sunday: Opens at 3 p.m.; kitchen closes at 8 p.m.

Tufano’s currently does not accept reservations, so plan on walking in. Before you head over, check before you visit: hours and service details can change. You can confirm the latest information on the restaurant’s website and its Location & Hours page.

A meal at a long-running neighborhood restaurant can be a lovely way to experience a piece of Chicago’s Italian-American history. If you go, take a look at the chalkboards, ask about the current menu, and enjoy the shared-table spirit that has helped define Tufano’s over the years.

Stay connected with CIAP

CIAP welcomes Italian-American professionals across Chicagoland. If you’re looking to meet people, support local businesses, or become more involved in the community, we’d be happy to have you connect with us. Our weekly Italian wine features offer another way to explore Italian traditions, and our monthly breakfast meetings resume in January 2027.

Explore the CIAP Business Directory to discover members and their businesses, or learn about membership. And if there’s a local restaurant you’d like us to spotlight, send your suggestion to Salvatore at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com.

If you've been searching for a Chicago Italian American club or professional network, we invite you to get to know CIAP and the people who make this community welcoming. We hope you'll discover a new local favorite, and stay in touch with us for more stories from around Chicagoland.