Giuseppe’s La Cantina Restaurant

No credit cards for larger parties?
We had a memorial luncheon here due to the proximity with the cemetery, but also because the family remembered coming here when it was Nick’s La Cantina. The food and service was fine for our needs, and it was wonderful that they were able to book us a private dining area without a guarantee of exactly how many people. We were able to just pay for the buffet for all who attended without a deposit our guaranteed minimum. I’d recommend based on that.
My main complaint is that when we booked our party of 25 – 35 we were not told that they do not take credit cards. Actually, they do take credit cards, they have the Visa logo displayed, so just not for a large party? This caused some discomfort at the end of the memorial lunch to see who, if anyone, had a checkbook.
It’s my understanding that if you take credit cards at your establishment you can’t then tell your customers that you will not for certain amounts. Usually merchant service agreements say that.

Had a funeral luncheon here and every was wonderful. Staff was attentive, food was delicious, and the prices were reasonable! We will definitely have a party here again!

Best service we have had at a restaurant in a very long time. Hostess, Waitress and Chef (Owner?) were sooooooo nice and friendly. The chef went around to all the tables and checked on everyone – such a nice touch. Food is very good – we love the pizza! Cannoli is great!

Amazing Pizza! Don’t come here all the time but when I want really great pizza I do. You can tell they use fresh ingredients in making their crust and sauce which makes it far superior to the classic pizza chains. A little on the pricey side but well worth it and you can find coupons. Only downside the reason I gave four starts and not five is their service/​atmosphere. The dine in atmosphere is just kind of awkward their is music playing on a radio overhead however there is always static which is annoying. Then when there is only a few people dining in they sit you right next to the other tables… I don’t like overhearing peoples conversation if I don’t have to… so just a few oddities but overall I go for the pizza.

I don’t like pizza!!! :)
BUT: today my boss had bought one from Giuseppe’s and asked me to have a piece… I did not believe my tastebuds!
F.A.N.TASTIC!!! Better than I could imagine. That’s the fact, Jack. It was fantastic, Mr. Bombastic. It was outstanding, Miss Fanding… OK, I’ll stop. :)

We had a delicious meal, just a little room for improvement on service and beverages.

When owner found out about problems, they assured us that the service will improve in the future. Let’s give them another chance

The best lasagna in Chicagoland area. Good sauce, good portions, a good amount of ground beef and just enough ricotta; not too much like an unnamed place in mt. prospect.
The only thing lacking was the service from my server; three tables at once had her frazzled.
Also we ordered two big bowls of soup in addition to the salad and entrée. It was hardly warm. The waitress said it came right out of the pot; but brought it back to the kitchen. I asked that it be warmed or microwaved and brought back hot. After a few minutes, and A few pieces of bread and focaccia later, she proudly returned with the 2 bowls of minestrone. But it was no warmer than before!
This, of course, was not her fault. But we just put it aside and packaged it to go; I can heat it myself tomorrow. All in all good food at a decent price point.
I think it was just an off night. Although it was slow – due to the Nov 21, 2015 blizzard

Class A operation and the Italian favorites can’t be beat. We like the spaghetti carbonara, mostocoli, lasagna and especially the pizza. I keep coming back for the thin crust pepperoni pizza because I can’t find it better. Prices are fair and coupons are available everywhere.

This pizza is delicious!!! I will definitely be ordering again. Not too much cheese, just the right amount of toppings and the sauce is great!

We have had 2 previous celebrations in the banquet room and we are in the process of planning our third occasion here. The attention to detail & great service from the owners and staff is outstanding, from the moment you call to check if a date is available, to the selection of food and planning of your event, they are willing to work with you every step of the way.
The food spread is outstanding (both occasions have been buffet style), the quality of the food is amazing and the quantity is never ending, not to mention completely affordable for all financial aspects — they work with your budget and give you more than you expect for your money.
I recommend Guiseppe’s to all of my friends & family when they are planning events such baby showers, christening, retirement and/​or funeral luncheons — knowing they will receive the best food & service available in DesPlaines.

I hate to do this. But three times in a row there have been mistakes with our order. I’m taking my business else where. I’ve been ordering from here for a year since I’ve moved up here. The pizza is good. However when we order delivery the cheese is usually slid. We always order the same thing. Mushroom with half green olive. The pizza makers must not know how to read. Ticket says green and we get black. Tonight they got it right but the whole pizza was stuck to the top of the box. And cheese slid yet again.

Lunch today was fresh, cheesy, and delicious. We had their 10″ individual (but easily serves two) Florentine pizza and eggplant parmigiana, so it turned out to be a vegetarian lunch for us (yikes!). Back to 4 stars for the place — old school, but great food and generous servings at great prices.

I got carryout — I got there and they brought me my food in a timely manner. I got cheesecake and IT IS amazing! The mosticolli was alright but i think Id have liked it with just the pasta and cause and i got it baked. My fault. They did a great job, not the best ever but still a good place to try!

Never had a problem with this place as it had decent food:
Pizza — usually made well, sauce is good, cheese is plenty, and toppings decent too. The take out pizza slices are good though it takes them a bit to cook up.
Pasta — well made and decent. Sauce is also good and pasta cooked well, not rubbery.
Italian beef — I like the sliced meat they used but it seems dry, even with the included au jus. Just seems inadequate compared to Mr Beef, Portilllo’s, or Johnnie’s.
Cannoli — decent and sweet. I don’t think its hand made since it seems the same as Rosati’s or Giordano’s.
I’d really rate it a 3.5, but still good to go with, and the delivery is timely and reliable.

2÷21÷15
We arrived for a table of 16 at 6:45 and by 8:45 still had not received our main dish. A table of 10 came in after we were all seated and was served and eating dessert when my wife and I left at 8:45. The soup and salad were good, but both of our main dishes value did not meet the price point at which they were listed Giambota and Vesuvio– we took them to-​go.
Our to-​go Giambota leaked on the way out– they then repacked, with plastic, and somehow it still got all over my car.
I am giving them 1 star because the food I did eat while in the restaurant was good– focaccia, soup and salad.
If the server knew it would be 2 hours– he could have supplied more bread, perhaps complementary soup, soft drinks or a small pizza for everyone. They had multiple late parties and a banquet and were substantially understaffed.

Growing up in Des plaines this place was always a staple, growing up we would have team outing for baseball and family parties.
The past few times I’ve gotten takeout have really been disappointing. This past Sunday we ordered a large pizza with a fried combo app with a double side of ranch. The app was fine, the ranch never made it, double side of red sauce instead. The pizza was AWFUL, completely uncooked in the middle and way over priced. They have officially lost a lifetime customer. I was planning to contact them for a family party but we will be looking elsewhere. Thanks for the childhood memories though!

Center of pizza was under cooked, far too much cheese attempts to covers the flavor of the sausage, bacon was chopped but poorly distributed, sauce flavor was completely absent. The only thing good about my pizza was the Giardinera, good vinegar flavor and just the right amount of heat, vegetables were crisp and good, not overly greasy.

Long time standard for my wife, and the past five years for me since we’ve been married. ;-)
The food is good, and prices slightly on the high side for what you get. Décor is dated but clean.
My wife ordered the Caprese Pasta and I tried the Calamari Salad with a lemon vinaigrette dressing. The Caprese was good, though very oily. Tasted good, with a heavy emphasis on the garlic. The Calamari salad was basically some greens with the appetizer dumped on top. No dressing, as they chef said you just pour some balsamic and squeeze some lemon over it. Not bad, but no seasoning or artful chef’s creation. I’ll keep this in mind when I’m rushed for lunch — microwave some calamari, toss it onto some greens, and douse with lemon and balsamic. :(
Service was very good, though our server seemed a little flustered once in a while. She has been there several years, but still seemed to miss some basics. We handed her a
certificate, and she came back with our bill, without removing the credit. She was totally surprised, as she thought she did that! I wonder if the next table got a bonus…
Overall, Giuseppe’s is a decent place for a coupon, or to hang out with a couple friends. There are other excellent Italian restaurants in the area, which I would recommend more.

Automatic five stars for seating and serving us when they aren’t even technically open!!! The mother and I wandered in with a two year old
certificate not knowing they closed in between lunch and dinner and not only was the certificate honored but they accommodated us an hour early. Although I feel super awkward here right now, I can’t wait to eat in an empty dining room lol.