Buona, The Original Italian Beef, announced the opening of its newest restaurant location in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The last of the family-owned Italian beef restaurant groups will officially open its 21st location on Wednesday, December 6 at 6235 95th Street in Oak Lawn. The restaurant marks the group’s third new opening in 2017, a year that also saw Buona open its first downtown location near Chicago’s Gold Coast, expand its deep connections with Chicago sports, celebrities, grocers, local charities and more. Buona is celebrating this opening by giving away free Italian beef sandwiches to any one in line at the Oak Lawn location by 10 a.m. on December 6—adding to the over 100,000 free sandwiches the company has given to its customers or donated to charitable causes and events benefitting organizations like JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, Misericordia Heart of Mercy, Easter Seals Chicago, the United Rescue Mission (Los Angeles), and many more.

The family-owned fast casual chain serves a blend of old-school Chicago classics, including their signature Italian Beef, Italian Sausage, Beef & Sausage Combo, Meatball and Pepper & Egg sandwiches, alongside fresh, scratch-made fare including pizzas, salads and more. The menu also features Chicago-style hot dogs and seasonal shakes, sandwiches and more.

Buona is the last of the 100 percent family-owned restaurant groups serving Chicago’s original Italian beef. The first Buona restaurant began with a secret recipe and a legacy that stems back to the beef stands that emanated from Chicago’s famous Union Stockyards. Founder Joe Buonavolanto, Sr. was among a group of Italian immigrants who made the Italian beef sandwich a staple of Chicago’s culinary scene, taking a second mortgage on his home in order to open the company’s first restaurant in Berwyn, IL. His focus on family and tradition, and his dogged adherence to the original method for making Italian beef have been essential in driving the company’s expansion. Today, Buona is the Official Italian Beef of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, and is proudly served at Wrigley and Guaranteed Rate fields, as well as at all home Chicago Bears football games.

The Oak Lawn location’s design is evocative of Chicago’s meatpacking district, with the exterior covered in turn-of-the twentieth-century style brick. The interior features an exposed industrial looking ceiling, polished concrete floors and subway tile throughout. The space is bright and inviting, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and seasonal outdoor seating. As with every Buona location, the Oak Lawn restaurant offers dine-in, carry out and delivery services, along with catering options that include ready-made sandwiches, heat-and-eat options and platters of Italian favorites such as Mostaccioli and Lemon Chicken.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday December 5 at 3:30 p.m. Buonavolanto family members will be joined by Oak Lawn Village President Doctor Sandra Bury and members of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce.