Club Lago is a very cozy diner with a warm and inviting interior. I reckon that everyone coming here has been coming here for the past several decades. Service is prompt and welcoming, no issues there at all. I already knew that the menu was quite basic, but I wasn't expecting 'frozen-food-aisle' level of basic. First of all, the marinated calamari salad has nothing on Rosebud's equivalent, where the peppers and every other ingredient in the salad were also perfectly pickled in the same marinade/brine. Club Lago's salad only had the few pieces of calamari marinated. The rest was just chopped washed salad with olive oil. Speaking of which, I applaud their efforts to recycle items and use a ketchup bottle for the olive oil, but my issue was how bland the olive oil tasted. Honestly, could have been canola oil. The bread was cold and at least 1 day old. Didn't bother throw it in the oven for a few seconds before serving it. The 'best in the city' Onion Rings, are not even the best in the block. Bland and oily, soft and soggy. I don't get it. Back to the main meal, I had the Vitello Parmigiana. Honestly, it's the same tier of frozen aisle veal parm. The cheese was tasteless, the sauce felt like it was poured out of a jar, with too much sugar to dilute the blandness. The pasta isn't fresh nor are they advertising it as fresh, but the meat sauce again tasted like something either out of a jar, or something your mother would put together in a hurry before leaving. The fish was nice and flaky, but spiced using a store-bought spice mix my wife immediately recognized. The fish came with a side of Broccoli. We love fresh broccoli. We steam it everyday and it tastes just incredible. This on the other hand didn't have the taste of broccoli. It tasted like... raw garlic. We couldn't even go through all five florets. I'm guessing they weren't fresh, and frozen broccoli is kindof tasteless, so they cooked it with garlic instead. The Espresso Gelato was really good, however. This review would have been a 3* one if they didn't price their items as if it belonged to a different tier, whereas this was just extremely basic diner-quality food with an Italian theme as opposed to the normal American diner food, but priced as if they were much higher end meals.

The sandwich was supposed to be the best with succulent Italian beef. It was ok to me. This place was one of the stops for the Chicago walking food tour.

If I could give this place zero stars I would. Went with a group of friends and 5 out of the 8 of us got food poisoning, myself and another ending up in the ER. On top of that, the food was well below average, I could’ve made something better at home and not spent over $20 on a plate (not to mention all the medical bills). I’m no chef and no food critic either. I’ve seen so many positive reviews for this restaurant so maybe they’ve changed some recipes or could be under new management within the last year or have just lost all ambition to make good Italian food?? Not sure what explains this place having 4.6 stars or whatever but I will not be going back. I highly encourage you to consider going elsewhere. Years of good history do not excuse what this place has become.

Club Lago is a unique, old-school, charming experience. The decor is somewhere from the 50's with random bits of 80's thrown in. The staff is laid-back and welcoming. The drinks are strong, generous and fairly priced. And the food... OMGosh the food. We started with the fried mushrooms and zucchini and they were super fresh, not overly cooked, lightly breaded and lighltly fried. So good! We also had veal parmesan that melted in our mouths and baked Mostaccioli that had the best "gravy" on it that we've ever experienced. The food is incredible. We finished with a cannoli that was literally the stuff dreams are made of. I highly recommend Club Lago. Bring your appetite and expect a charming, laid-back experience with the best food ever.

Traditional Italian in the cutest space. Feels like I’m in my grandmas kitchen! Everything we had was phenomenal and the service was impeccable. The owners came by to see how we were doing and just felt so welcomed. Not to mention, I have never eaten so much in my life it was so yummy!

Me and my son walked in for a quick snack for him and a quick brew for me. We were immediately welcomed by multiple workers! Everyone here was super friendly and the atmosphere is warm. We got butter noodles for my boy, and he loved them. I can't wait to come back!

Old school Italian. Highly recommend. Not fancy or chic, but solid food and drink. 3rd generation family business. Can't wait to go back

Nostalgic Chicago style Italian restaurant with attached bar. I had pasta and salad. I went with an Italian friend and he said it tastes just like his momma. Keep supporting these types of family owned restaurants before they disappear.

This is the best restaurant for kids in Chicago. We brought a group of 3 girls under 10. The food was portioned by the half for them, they cut up our kids steak, and the owner was a joy - he memorized their names and played fun games with them. Thank you Guido.

I've patronized Lago for years but yesterday I celebrated my 40th birthday there with my family. The food blew us away. The music and ambiance made it so special. Every single person there, from owner to staff to other diners seemed nothing short of family themselves. The best Chicago has to offer.

Great hospitality. Presently greeted at the door along with a nice breakdown of the menu. Food was great was well, ordered the chicken parmigiana.

Traditional Italian food in a classic 1950's Chicago neighborhood. (The 90's movie Mad Dog and Glory with DeNiro had scenes inside this restaurant.) Enjoyed the tender chicken saltimbocca, side of pasta with tasty meat sauce but also found the marinara extremely smooth. Good table bread, and most perfect cannoli I ever had!

Amazing Italian food, authentic place filled with history! Lovely people. Get the carbonara!

Had lunch and my God it was delicious. Excellent service and recommendation from Johnny. He even give us information and recommendations on places to visit in Chicago for views and cocktails. The restaurant is retro decorated and cozy. Food was yummy with generous portions. I even got a cannoli on the house as it was my birthday.

Club Lago is...in a league of its own. You can't really compare it to anything else. It's cozy, warm, and delicious. It's so laid back it's just a relief to sit down and eat and feel taken care of, unlike any other restaurant in the neighborhood. I love the atmosphere. Vintage mismatched diner china, wine in little short glasses - but it's not something someone is doing to be a hipster - that's just the way things are here. It's old school American-Italian food - but everything is freshly made and it's not too heavy. The Chicken Parmesan is light as a feather - crispy, tender, and incredible. Calamari and veal limone are also amazing. You gotta go.

When you want an old school genuine experience and some scratch made Italian fare that will keep you full for days, come here. Try any of the parm dishes, it is their specialty. I had the manicotti, which was perfect and amazing.

Family dinner to celebrate a Northwestern graduation. Ages 2-85 in attendance. Fabulous sauces. Subtle, attentive and friendly service. House Chianti is sublime. Atmosphere is vintage Italian with some Chicago thrown in. All in all, my new favorite restaurant in the Windy City. Great value too. I’ll be back. Often I hope.

Really great food and drinks , I’m ready to go back !

Great place for dinner! A true gem. Our waitress Natalie provided great service and gave a great recommendation for dinner. Would go back again! Great atmosphere!

Been going there for over 25 years.Nothing fancy.but that adds to its charm.Never had a bad meal.Not gourmet just good old Italian comfort food.

Yum! Visited for the first time today! I highly recommend the sausage pizza bread, the chicken parm, and the chicken marsala! The onion rings were okay. The menu is pricey- $$ my only disappointment was my $11 glass of wine served in a whiskey glass 🍷but overall, the service was fantastic and the food was good! Thanks Paulie!

Club Lago is a great neighborhood bar and restaurant - a real classic. The food is excellent and the staff are extremely attentive and friendly. It's a family-run place with real care put into everything they do. I will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago!

A small family place , good food , everyone minds his business. It’s perfect They got an old fashion toilet with the pull chain… wait,sorry, that’s a different restaurant. Back to Club Lago. Outstanding food and service. Was lucky enough to be there the first time they offered Carne Asada. I would not have expected in a million years , that the best representation of this dish would have been Club Lago! I promise this will be your favorite and most authentic Chicago dining experience

Family feel. Quality ingredients (incl today’s homemade squash soup). Simple elegance. Friendly and (beyond) efficient staff attention. Returning as often as I am able.

Wonderful neighborhood spot! Just what you want! Friendly and accommodating. You’ll chat with staff and owners and other customers/regulars. So pleasant and easy. Food is simple (a good thing!) and delicious. So glad I found this place!

This place is a true Chicago gem - outstanding food and wine list - love the Pasta Galassini- and the atmosphere is so cozy and romantic. We were tucked in a booth eating delicious food and just outside the window it was snowing downtown - like a movie!

OG Italian joint in River North. I’ve been coming here since I first moved to the city in the days of yore. It is an institution, and it hasn’t changed but the the neighborhood has gone high class. Club Lago has remained a family owned business and you experience it in so many ways. The service is causal but attentive. The ambiance is like a friendly but boisterous extended family dinner. The food is spectacular and it is the reason that this place survives & thrives to this day. The food recipes, the quality, and the flavor is from mamma’s kitchen. Buon Appetito!

We came in for my daughter's First Communion lunch. Delicious food, great atmosphere! It was a special treat to meet the family who owns the restaurant and hear a bit about the history. We'll definitely be back!

What a gem of a place. Walking through the front door you're transported back at least 60 years. The service was excellent in the food was really good. You can't go wrong at Club Lago.

Lovely homemade Italian cuisine, and the folks were very kind when I noticed that my credit card did not work. The interior too is fun, makes you feel at ease directly

This place was my favorite stop when my crew had a Chicago food tour. Such delicious and juicy sandwiches. I had no idea about its history of it, so it was definitely an awesome experience, and the waiter who was also the owner was a great guy!

The best italian dinner I’ve had! The salad came with a special home-made dressing, pasta was just perfect with tomato-meat sauce and the veal with veggies was my favorite! I enjoyed to be there!

Club Lago is in the heart of River North but has the atmosphere of a small town, dive bar full of regular locals where all the bartenders know your name and drink. The food is great traditional Mama's homemade Italian dishes. If you're looking for a place where you can sit and converse with the person sitting next you without shouting and get affordable drinks, this is your spot!