There is a reason some restaurants feel familiar even on a first visit, and Il Porcellino creates that feeling through a menu filled with pasta, meatballs, baked cheese, and sauces made for sharing.
Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, the restaurant was created by siblings R.J., Jerrod, and Molly Melman with chef Doug Psaltis as a relaxed Italian concept focused on classic Italian-American comfort food.
Its story reaches beyond the menu, because the restaurant also became part of a Hubbard Street address with a long dining history and an established connection to River North’s restaurant culture.
From its welcoming food to its easygoing setting, Il Porcellino gives diners a place where a casual dinner can feel familiar, generous, and worth returning to.
How Il Porcellino Won Local Hearts
Il Porcellino opened in 2016 at 59 West Hubbard Street in River North, taking over a location with a long history in Chicago’s dining scene.
Before Il Porcellino arrived, the space was home to Paris Club and previously housed Brasserie Jo, giving the address a lasting connection to the neighborhood.
The restaurant was developed by siblings R.J., Jerrod, and Molly Melman with chef Doug Psaltis, combining a family restaurant background with a chef-led approach to Italian-American food.
The team created Il Porcellino as a more relaxed Italian concept than the group’s upscale establishments, with comfort and accessibility shaping the experience.
The result was a dining room built around familiar food, generous servings, and an easygoing atmosphere suited to both planned dinners and casual meals.
Il Porcellino describes itself as a neighborhood restaurant serving classic Italian-American comfort food in a casual setting, an identity reflected throughout its menu and atmosphere.
Its offerings include housemade pastas, vegetable antipasti, daily specials, and familiar dishes that encourage guests to order for the table.
The kitchen also works with food artisans, trusted purveyors, and local farmers when sourcing ingredients, adding care to a menu built around recognizable flavors.
Guests can begin with housemade bread, Tuscan cheese bread, classic meatballs, burrata, or calamari before moving on to pastas and larger plates.
The menu includes rigatoni alla vodka, spaghetti and meatballs, gnocchi Bolognese, and baked ravioli, while the baked burrata lasagna combines prime-beef Bolognese, fontina, asiago cream, melted burrata, and homemade marinara.
Il Porcellino also offers weekday bar happy hour, seasonal specials, cocktails, and an Italian wine list featuring selections from southern and central Italy.
For many diners, the restaurant’s appeal comes from its dependable combination of generous food, an approachable setting, and a relaxed place to gather with friends or family.
Food Highlights
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Tuscan Cheese Bread : Housemade focaccia is served with roasted garlic butter, pecorino, Parmesan, mozzarella, and marinara for dipping, making it a flavorful beginning for a shared meal. 🍞
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Classic Meatballs : Prime beef meatballs are simmered in marinara until tender, offering a comforting starter that reflects the restaurant’s focus on familiar Italian-American cooking. 🧆
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Rigatoni alla Vodka : Imported rigatoni is paired with a classic tomato cream sauce, with optional protein additions available for guests who want a more substantial pasta dish. 🍝
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Gnocchi Bolognese : Tender ricotta gnocchi is coated in a rich prime-beef Bolognese sauce, creating a hearty plate with the soft texture and comforting flavors many diners expect from a neighborhood Italian restaurant. 🥔
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Pappardelle alla Porcellino : Homemade pappardelle comes with a meat ragu made from pork shoulder, prime beef, and short rib, giving the wide pasta a deep and substantial sauce. 🍽️
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Baked Burrata Lasagna : Layers of prime-beef Bolognese, fontina, and asiago cream are topped with melted burrata and served with homemade marinara for one of the menu’s richest and most generous pasta dishes. 🧀
Atmosphere
Il Porcellino offers a casual River North setting designed for relaxed dinners, group meals, and approachable Italian-American comfort food in a neighborhood-style dining environment.
The bar adds a livelier option with weekday happy hour, Italian wines, classic cocktails, and small plates for guests who want a more informal way to enjoy the restaurant.
Bottom Line
Il Porcellino is worth knowing for its Melman family connection, long-standing Hubbard Street address, and generous Italian-American menu that brings familiar food to River North.
It remains a comfortable choice for homemade pasta, baked classics, and relaxed dinners shared around the table with friends or family.
Address: 59 W Hubbard St Chicago, IL 60654
📞 (312) 595-0800
🕔 Open Sun-Thu, 4 PM–9:30 PM | Fri-Sat, 4 PM–10:30 PM