John and Tony's Italian Steakhouse Restaurant

"Love this place! Delicious Food!"

2011-04-06T15:36:00.000-05:00

It's no secret that on certain websites, you can buy a good review with little more than the promise of a freebie on your next visit. But on Facebook, reviewers tend to play it straight, because it's easy to track down the person who writes the review. As it turns out, John & Tony's has plenty of sincere fans, who've written some amazing reviews straight from the heart.

Here are some outtakes from the slew of 5-star reviews you'll find on the John & Tony's Facebook page:

"Great food, service and staff!! The pork chops are amazing. We went there the first time on Christmas Eve and my family has been back 5 times already … planning on eating there when I get back into town."

"We went for dinner on Christmas Eve. The service was phenomenal, staff was very friendly, and the owners were in house chatting with guests."

"Love this place! Delicious Food! Very accommodating. Great service - the way you would like it to be - great atmosphere. Quickly becoming our favorite place."

Some restaurants brag about their secret recipes. John & Tony's makes no secret of their success: It's all about taking care of clients and giving them the freshest, finest food available. Owners John and Tony Badway simply love what they do. Stop in, and we'll bet you'll find something to love, too.

We Make Sure Our Guests Get The Best

2011-03-29T11:17:00.000-05:00

When John and Tony Badway shook hands on the deal that created their West Chicago restaurant, they knew making it successful wouldn't happen overnight -- even though crowds filled the place practically from Day One. It's one thing for curiosity seekers to check out the latest dining hotspot ... but how do you keep them coming back for more?

In a throwback to the time when a pre-teenage Tony first carried groceries in from the car for his pop, today the father and son go out on frequent runs for the fresh produce, meats and kitchen necessities that make their restaurant hum. Sure, they could leave it up to one of their trusted employees. But for John and Tony, it's about going that extra mile to make sure their guests get the best. You can rest assured that when they're out on another grocery run, they're inspecting every tomato and slice of steak as though they were buying it for their own dinner tables at home. That kind of attention to culinary detail has gone a long way toward putting John & Tony's on the West Suburban dining map.

So make sure that the next time you stop in to visit, ask the Badways how their last shopping trip went. They'll be happy to tell you all about the fresh finds that'll light up the menu on the night of your special occasion. And who knows? If you're really nice, maybe Tony will help you with your grocery bags sometime.

Wine and Dining in the Western Suburbs

2011-03-23T14:41:00.000-05:00

The wine list at John & Tony's offers something for everyone, and there's no need to be intimidated by any of the wonderful offerings. Whether you get a little help from your friendly server, or owners John and Tony Badway themselves, you’re bound to get a great recommendation that compliments your meal, and makes your night.

Aside from a healthy selection of Chardonnays, Pinot Grigios, Blush, Reislings and more, the wine list also offers you a chance to take off on your own specially-prepared wine flight, ranging from the fun and funky "World Flight" (John & Tony’s Chardonnay, Funky Llama Malbec, Banrock Station Shira; $7.75) to the red-carpet worthy "Premium Reds" (Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir, Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon, Aquinas Cabernet Sauvignon; $13). Remember that anything opened you can take home, so raise a glass and drink to the best of wine and dining in the Western Suburbs -- waiting for you at John & Tony's.

Fine Dining in a Relaxed Setting

2011-03-16T14:02:00.000-05:00

Not many restaurants can pull it off, but John & Tony's manages to deliver fine dining in a relaxed setting, all while offering great value. On Sundays, owners John and Tony Badway invite loyal customers and newcomers alike to their fabulous $12 brunch buffet special, which offers wonderful, flavorful weekend fare at an affordable price.

Included in the price is either a champagne toast or a shrimp cocktail, and the offerings include an omelet station and a roast carving table, along with a wide variety of goodies that include prime rib, French toast with caramel sauce and Eva's Texas chili. Check it out, and you'll not only leave John &Tony's satisfied, but with your stomach and wallet full, too.

Great Food, Great Drink and Great Atmosphere

2011-03-10T11:27:00.001-06:00

John & Tony's knows what their guests love: the trifecta of great food, great drink and great atmosphere. And since music is so much a part of the place -- and of the lives of owner-musicians John and Tony Badway -- the restaurant proudly serves Rock & Roll Martinis guaranteed to put a little shake, rattle and roll into your dining experience.

Choosing just one of these drinks is like deciding which headliner to check out at Lollapalooza: Martinis run the gamut from Smoke on the Water (Skyy Vodka and olive juice, $8.50) to Let's Get it On (a seductive chocolate martini, $9.50). Rounding out the rock-star lineup: Mellow Yellow (Lemon Drop Martini, sugared rim, $9.50); T.N.T. (Skyy vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, sour mix and cranberry, $9.75) and the Rocket Man (light rum, dark rum, amaretto, lime, lemon, orange, and pineapple juice, $9.75).

See the Badway Boys Lighting Up the Stage

2011-03-02T11:46:00.001-06:00

As father and son owners of John & Tony's Restaurant in West Chicago, John and Tony Badway take painstaking care to guarantee not just the high quality of the food they serve, but the entertainment they book as well. That might not sound like a big deal -- until you show up at the restaurant and see the Badway boys lighting up the stage with blues music.

Way back when, John was a Detroit-based musician at one point invited to audition for Motown Records during its 1960s glory days. And Tony has proven himself a versatile player as well, equally adept on drums and guitar. When the owners play, you'll not only hear something special, but also experience first-hand that unique family feeling that has made John & Tony's a West Suburban draw in a relatively short time. The same love and care that shapes every entree from the kitchen makes for mighty musical cooking on the stage, too. Drop in on the Badways, and you're bound to return to John & Tony's for an encore.

Bear Down with our Brunch Buffet

2011-01-21T12:33:00.001-06:00

Can’t afford the $500 ticket price to get you inside Soldier Field, how does $11 sound for the best seat in the house?

At John & Tony’s, we get the magnitude of the NFC championship game, so we are pulling out all the stops for a special restaurant event, our Bears Brunch.

For only $11, this extensive buffet includes breakfast staples like scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon and sausage as well as gourmet selections like prime rib sandwiches with horseradish sauce, pan roasted potatoes with garlic butter and a carving station featuring roasted turkey breast and pork roast.

Recognizing the importance of a Bears versus Packers battle, we’ve upped the ante. The brunch spread also features tailgate classics from our lunch menu such as regular and spicy wings, Eva’s Texas Chili and a Chicago favorite, polish sausage with peppers and onions. Plus, your brunch also includes your choice of a champagne toast or shrimp cocktail at no additional fee. That’s right, all for $11 and there’s not a bad seat in the house.

Once you’ve feasted, sit back and enjoy the game with drink specials like $5 SKYY Bloody Mary’s and $3 domestic drafts in our spacious sports bar with great sight lines to our numerous HD TVs.

It’s John & Tony’s two-point conversion for a perfect championship Sunday.

We Love #90 - The Julius Peppers Steak

2011-01-10T12:33:00.003-06:00

Chicago, Italian food, and the Bears.

It’s a simple formula. Because at John and Tony’s Steak house, we not only have the pulse on what Chicagoans want to eat, but what gets them excited. This January, it’s da Bears.

Any true football fan knows that a strong defense lies at the heart of Bears football, and since we’re a steak restaurant, we’re paying homage to the playoff-bound bears by adding a gourmet tribute to one of the best players, defensive end Julius Peppers.

The Julius Peppers steak at John & Tony’s adds the appropriate vegetable moniker to one of our most delicious cuts of meat for delicious fine dining. Starting with a 22 ounce cut of ribeye that is seasoned with peppercorns and then seared to lock in flavor, it’s grilled to your liking and then topped with a medley of sautéed bell, jalapeno and poblano peppers to bring the same amount of sizzle and spice that Peppers brings to the football field.

Served with a choice of sides for the great price of $32.95, it’s the defensive equivalent of a multi-pick, multi-sack shut-out.

If peppers aren’t your passion, there are plenty of other delicious items on the restaurant menu that can satisfy every appetite, from a carnivorous middle linebacker to your seafood loving mom.

Deconstructing the Family Dinner

2011-01-04T16:52:00.004-06:00

John and Tony’s Italian Steak House welcomes the challenge to not only feed, but to exceed the culinary expectations of every family with their extensive menu of expertly prepared dishes.

Dad wants a perfectly prepared steak, mom’s a vegetarian, older sis just came back from Europe and she’s all about food with an International flare, and the younger brother, he will only eat things that come on a bun. Can one restaurant satisfy this family’s schizophrenic cravings?

Delivering the best cuts of meat to the most dedicated carnivores, dad can enjoy everything from 22 ounces of the primo-prime rib to the most tender filet complimented by a delicious parmesan or horseradish crust.

If mom’s happy, the whole family’s happy, and John & Tony’s promises to please her with the flavorful Penne alla Verdura. A veritable vegetarian pasta heaven, with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts in a herb broth.

Refined, rich and savory in flavor, the baked escargot can satisfy the sister’s Francophile’s cravings. In addition to the abundance of items from the Italian restaurant menu, she can dine on dishes that pay a delicious homage to other parts of Europe, including the Greek favorite flaming saganaki and Spanish olives and cheese.

An adventurous palette takes time to develop, so John & Tony’s recognizes that it’s important to have an extensive kids menu. Well-priced and good tasting, the mini cheeseburger and fries for $5.95 can please even the pickiest of eaters.

Next time, bring back the demanding, seafood aficionado aunt with you to John & Tony’s. We’ll wow her too with our scallops wrapped in bacon and coconut shrimp.

Sharing our Prime Secret

2010-11-24T15:20:00.004-06:00

We’re a steak restaurant, so we can’t be intimidated by the king of beef.

At John & Tony’s Italian Steakhouse, we’ve perfected prime rib and serve up the delicious dish daily for dinner on our fine dining menu in 10, 16 and 22 ounce cuts. Chef Carlos Hernandez has perfected the recipe and shares his tips for making prime rib at home, because we recognize that even with our extensive restaurant dinner menu, you can’t dine at John and Tony’s Italian Steakhouse every night of the week.

Pick the most prime, prime rib. There should be an abundance of marbling throughout the meat, and while it’s easier to control doneness with larger cuts, two-bone roast are available for smaller groups.

Clean up the roast. But remember, the fat is what gives the prime rib its flavor and only needs to be removed when more than an inch thick. Remove the underlying rib bones before roasting and then reattach with kitchen string so you can maintain the flavor while avoiding a carving catastrophe.

Cook it low and slow. After a simple seasoning of salt and pepper, cook the prime rib for over 4 hours at 225˚. For a rare prime rib, look for an internal temperature in the thickest part of the roast at about 110˚-115˚ (125˚-130˚ for medium).

Let the roast rest. The most important part of the prime rib cooking process is covering the roast with aluminum foil and allowing it to rest after removing from the oven for about 20 minutes.

Carving with care. After you’ve allowed the meat to rest, remove the side “feather” bones, string and rib bones. Cut the meat across the grain in about ¼ to ½ inch thick pieces.

Now that we’ve prepped you, there’s no need to be intimidated by cooking with this choice cut of meat. If you need a refresher, come dine at John & Tony’s and try the prime rib with our au jus (made from the drippings from the pan), garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli.

The Piano Man (and the drummer too).

2010-11-17T12:59:00.001-06:00

“Its 8:00 on a Friday. The regular crowd at John & Tony’s Italian Steakhouse rushes in….Play us song you’re the piano man.”

The piano man obliges, he can play Billy Joel. In fact, the piano man at John & Tony’s Italian Steakhouse can play everything from Sinatra to Bon Jovi. The piano man can also provide a recommendation for the perfect cut of thick, juicy steak or which small plate appetizers would be delicious starters for your meal. Better yet, the drummer can too.

John Badway is the piano man AND the owner of John & Tony’s Italian Steakhouse, while the drummer is none other than Tony Badway, John’s son and the restaurant’s co-owner and operator. Did we mention that Tony sometimes plays the bass too? Impressive? Yes.

This father-son combo will take the stage Friday, November 26th and will entertain the crowd for the first time together since they opened John & Tony’s Italian Steakhouse in March. This cross-generational pairing allows for the musical selections that run the gamut of genres, from 80’s and 90’s cover tunes to crooner classics. However, with an added guitar player, this trio actually focuses on playing the blues.

Riffing on the musical theme, John & Tony’s signature cocktails available in the lounge or with dinner are inspired by well-know song titles such as Smoke on the Water, Purple Haze, Uptown Girl and more.

Good Times : Exceptional Food : Events

2010-11-12T17:10:00.005-06:00

Smart, contemporary decor and jazz music sets the mood. The food is simply to die for. Master Chef Carlos Hernandez, previously from Emilio's Tapas, blends exquisite presentation with absolutely marvelous flavors. Tapas style and traditional dining is offered with a list of over 25 unique appetizers and plenty of classic American dishes.

John & Tony were on FOX News!

2010-11-11T17:12:00.002-06:00

FOX News Deal of the Day

John and Tony interviewed by Cory McPherrin and Anna Davlantes