Fausto’s Italian Kitchen and Catering This pizza restaurant has absolutely delicious pizza Sandwiches Subs and Italian food Which would include an awesome stand out turkey sandwich and a meatball sandwich They use the freshest ingredients Very generous portion sizes With reasonable pricing A very friendly atmosphere With personable service and a family vibe I have to say from the moment I walked in the door. I was just blown away. It feels like you walked into a storefront in Italy that gives very mom and Papa vibes from just the time of me doing a video review and just kind of checking the store out. It seems like every customer that came in the door. They knew them by name personally, which was very impressive. Many people came and went looking to do catering for their party. Major shout out to Leonard for letting me walk around the restaurant and shoot some video reviews again thank you brother for the cannoli and the lemonade. They were absolutely delicious. I shared some with my wife and she was pleasantly impressed as well. This is an absolutely charming Italian kitchen brings the old country to you here in the US. I’ve made it my personal mission to bring my wife back to this location and to try a few more of the menu items just because everything here is just so delicious. They also have a very nice patio area for outside dining As umbrellas and such to cover the tables and it is very nice. If you have not tried Fausto’s Italian kitchen and catering I highly recommend that you do from my own personal experience, enjoying it personally, as well as the many clients that I saw come and go that complemented the food as well. As in the videos you’ll hear a customer complementing the food that they’ve tried the food that they’re currently ordering and the food that they’re coming back to get so if you haven’t tried Fausto’s yet I highly recommend you do your taste buds well thank you!
Overview
Walking into Fausto's Italian Kitchen at 16 S Evergreen Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, United States feels less like entering a restaurant and more like stepping into a neighbor’s dining room where something good is always simmering on the stove. The first time I ate here was after a long workday, and what stood out immediately wasn’t just the aroma of garlic and slow-cooked tomato sauce, but how relaxed everything felt. Servers greeted regulars by name, families lingered over plates, and nobody seemed in a rush to leave.
The menu leans heavily into classic Italian comfort food, the kind built around recipes that have survived generations. You’ll find familiar staples like handmade pasta, veal, chicken parmigiana, and seafood dishes that taste like they were cooked patiently, not rushed. I once watched a cook roll fresh dough near the open kitchen area, which explains why the pasta has that slightly chewy, just-right texture. According to culinary research shared by the Italian Culinary Institute, fresh pasta absorbs sauce more effectively than dried varieties, which aligns perfectly with how rich and balanced the dishes taste here.
One standout experience involved ordering the daily special, something the staff often recommends based on what’s freshest. That night it was a slow-braised meat sauce served over house-made rigatoni. The flavor reminded me of what many Italian chefs describe as slow Sunday sauce, a method where sauces simmer for hours to deepen flavor. The National Restaurant Association notes that over 60% of diners value scratch cooking and traditional preparation methods when choosing where to eat, and this place clearly understands that expectation.
What makes Fausto's Italian Kitchen especially appealing is how it balances authenticity with accessibility. You don’t need to know Italian cuisine inside and out to enjoy the food. The staff explains dishes clearly, offering guidance without sounding rehearsed. On one visit, a server broke down the difference between two similar sauces, helping a nearby table choose based on richness and acidity. That level of service builds trust, and it shows in the reviews left by locals who consistently mention friendly staff and reliable quality.
The dining room itself is cozy without feeling cramped. Warm lighting, simple décor, and the quiet clink of plates create an atmosphere that works just as well for a casual dinner as it does for a small celebration. I’ve seen birthday dinners happening alongside quick weekday meals, which speaks to the flexibility of the space. While there may not be multiple locations, the Arlington Heights spot feels rooted in the community, which many diners prefer over large chains. A 2024 consumer dining study from Yelp highlighted that independent restaurants often score higher in perceived authenticity and customer loyalty, something reflected in the steady stream of repeat guests here.
Trustworthiness matters when recommending a restaurant, and while no place is perfect, consistency goes a long way. Occasionally, wait times stretch during peak hours, especially on weekends, but the staff is upfront about it. That honesty makes the wait easier to accept, and most diners seem to agree it’s worth it. Portions are generous without being excessive, prices are fair for the quality, and the overall experience feels thoughtfully put together.
From the menu choices to the service style and the steady positive reviews, everything points to a restaurant that understands its craft and its customers. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick plate of pasta or settling in for a longer meal with family, the experience feels genuine, well-executed, and grounded in real culinary care.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Quick bite ✓ Small plates ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ CosyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairsParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
Location
Reviews
The baby shower was such a beautiful celebration, and the food truly made it unforgettable. Every dish was prepared with so much care and flavor, from the savory bites to the sweet treats that everyone kept going back for. Guests couldn't stop complimenting how delicious everything was, and the variety made sure there was something for everyone to enjoy. The meal perfectly matched the joyful atmosphere of the day, adding warmth and comfort to the gathering and making the celebration feel even more special.
Fausto’s Italian Kitchen is amazing! The food is fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The staff is friendly and the service is quick. The place is clean and has a great atmosphere — you can really tell they care about quality. Definitely one of my favorite spots to eat. Highly recommend!
My wife and I are so glad that we chose Fausto’s to celebrate her parents’ birthday .celebrations. My only regret is that the place couldn’t accommodate more people. The restaurant can sit around 32 guests with room for dancing.The food was amazing, well presented and served. We had a custom made menu that we negotiated with chef and owner Leo. He was very flexible and accommodating. Appetizers were buffet style and the salads, main entry were served individually at the tables. The tables had nice linen black tablecloths with linen napkins, nice porcelain plates and silverware. The service was outstanding and at the end the staff even joined us dancing. All of our guests complimented how delicious the food was. We would highly recommend the place for parties and gatherings.
I ordered delivery yesterday for the first time at Fausto’s. Their pizza was delicious and the lasagna is the best I’ve ever had. Everyone loved it and we are so happy we found this gem in Arlington Heights. We will be back soon.
First time here with my husband, we each had a sub on focaccia bread and split the pesto pasta. Everything exceeded our expectations, very very fresh ingredients!
Just wanted to have a delicious special birthday party and we got it thank to the best in town, Fausto's Kitchen! Seafood dishes were majestic, aesthetic excellent and at the end everything was like enjoying a magical journey through a universe of unique wonderful tastes. Thank you Fausto's Italian Kitchen for such a great day!
More people should know about this place! The pizza I had was incredibly good. The selection of desserts is unmatched as well. In general, there is just so much authentic food to try from salads to pasta dishes. The atmosphere is nice too and the service was impeccable! I will definitely be back!