Paulas Cafe and Catering

Carl and Paula are wonderful, accommodating and gracious hosts. I have had neck bone parties at their restaurant with 30 people and the food didn’t stop with the neck bones. Paula’s meatballs taste just like the ones I used to steal off the stove after my grandmother fried them and before she put them in the red gravy. (That’s sauce for the non-​Italians) For those raised with grandparents who came from Italy during the turn of the century, you probably ate tripe and Paula and Carl have that too. Their escarole, sausage and bean soup is wonderful as is Paula’s signature fried sausage and romaine. Try their smelt too! My wife and I use their catering for traditional Italian holiday dishes at Christmas time. Their prices are ridiculously reasonable so it’s not worth making the food yourself and it saves the hassle of having to clean up.

Came in on a Friday night around 600, and we had our choice of tables. They greeted us with warm and open arms. It really did feel like stepping into «grandmas» kitchen.
Right when we walked in, the owner brought over a meatball for my daughter, just like Grandma would. That was just the beginning of the enjoyable evening.
But to make a long story short, I will get down to business. We ordered the stuffed artichoke and it was delicious. Huge and very filling with great flavor. But the Homemade Rigatoni with the VODKA sauce was absolutely amazing!!! The pasta was so fresh and cooked to perfection it seemed like they just made it special for me. Lol.
I thought I had found the best vodka sauce and dish elsewhere, but I was wrong. This is the place to try if you love VODKA sauce like myself. I have no question about it that everything else on the menu is just as excellent. It was so good I can’t wait to bring my whole family next time to enjoy this little hidden gem! Even gave us a small mosticholli to go for free. Nobody does that kind of stuff anymore. Very nice service and all around great people. Try it, you won’t be disappointed if you know anything about Italian food. Thumbs up from all around from beginning to end!

Informal café’ but Paula’s very accommodating. If it were closer, I would be a regular.
Next trip I am ordering the Baccala’ — and I am expecting Baccala’ not white fish like
other places try to pull off.

Paula’s is the best Italian restaurant in western suburbs. It’s worth traveling to get her food. Real cooking like your Nana made for you. Everything on the menu is amazing. Paula was the chef and part owner of Danny’s Place in Melrose Park which got rave reviews. Her new Franklin Park restaurant is even better and less expensive. Go before others find out about this gem and you need a reservations. Tell her john s. Sent you, you’ll love Paula and her food.

Amazing meatball sandwich. Great prices. Great atmosphere. Check it out!

Amazing food! I got the fried meatball sandwich and it was delicious and the people who work there are extremely friendly!

5 stars is not enough to give this gem of a restaurant. I walked in a hungry customer and left a very satisfied member of the family. The severs could not be more helpful. I could not believe the portions. I never have leftovers but some of my dinner had to come home. If you like stuffed artichoke, you have got to try Paula’s! Her red sauce was the best I’ve had since I was a little kid and my father would have his sauce simmering all day in a pot full of neck bones. Guess what the special was this night, that’s right, neck bones. So tender you simply pull the meat with a fork.
I hope I’ve made you hungry. If you grew up in an Italian household, or if you ever wondered what it was like to grow up in an Italian household, you have got to try Paula’s in Franklin Park. My new home away from home.

Paula’s is the best! If you’ve always wanted an Italian grandmother, Paula is your lady. She serves up AMAZING Italian food in a warm and comfortable space. I’ve tried everything from the meatball sandwich to the calamari and it’s all fantastic. I always leave full and satisfied, for much less than other restaurants with the same quality of dishes. They also have deals almost every day of the week. I’ll be back soon, Paula!

Wow, that red sauce!!! So good. The food was great. Our only complaint (still getting 5 stars) is when we went it was a very hot and humid day and the restaurant was just as hot as the outside. I won’t be back during warm weather, but that’s not a problem since we only have two weeks of summer. Loved the food. Service was good and staff was sweet.
Oh that sauce.

Delicious meatball sandwich. Don’t be put off by the frying part it’s just flattened to fit on the ciabatta bread which was very soft. It comes with a side of sauce and you can get cheese or peppers. Ricotta cheesecake was good. Friend had the vesuvio sandwich which also looked yummy. Comes with house made potato chips. Saw the artichokes they were the size of a softball.

If I could give this place more stars I would!!! First of all the atmosphere of the place makes you feel like your at home in your grandmas kitchen. The staff and owners our so welcoming and nice, it was very refreshing compared to some local restaurants where you walk in your just seated and that’s it. I’m 9 months pregnant, Paula one of the owners put her hand on my belly and was asking me questions, it was really cute. The food is outstanding!!! We started off with a bowl of the pasta e fagioli, stuffed artichoke and baked clams… we could have easily made a dinner out of just this but we of course had to order more. The dinners we ordered were pasta with shrimp, the lemon tilapia and a Vesuvio sandwich. We couldn’t even finish everything we had to bring home leftovers. The portion sizes were good for the price. And the overall flavor was just amazing! And the best part was they aren’t in a rush to get you out of there, several times I saw the other owner pull up a chair to the other tables and just talk to them about the food, service etc. This place is great! We will definitely be going back!