A Little History

After immigrating to Chicago from Italy in 1969, Vince was a delivery driver for an Italian bread company and Nina hostessed & waitressed in local restaurants. After many years in the industry, they decided to take a risk and open their own restaurant in 1988, Frankie’s Beef & Pasta in Oak Lawn. Named after Vince’s father “Francesco” and their son Francesco, “Frankie”.

As the years passed, Frankie’s Beef & Pasta became a success due to its high quality and tasty homemade meals, and gained much popularity on the Southside of Chicago with their famous beef, sausage, meatball & marinated chicken sandwiches and pastas.

Customer requests for larger orders intended for special events motivated their next venture – Frankie’s Catering – just a few years later. Known for catering holidays, graduations, baby & bridal showers, corporate events, etc. If you saw the “Frankie’s Catering van” you knew it’s a good party!

Their children, Frankie & Angela grew up working in Oak Lawn learning the business. Two decades later, the family opened an old world fine dining restaurant… Frankie’s Ristorante in 2008, which was run by their adult children Frankie & Angela.

On April 17, 2023 Frankie’s Ristorante celebrated its 15th anniversary as the South Suburbs’ preferred spot for authentic fine dining Italian cuisine. The Diner’s Choice by Open Table each year, Frankie’s Ristorante was the upscale “sister restaurant” to the long-time Oak Lawn favorite “fast food” Frankie’s Beef & Pasta.

Through good times and challenging times over the last almost four decades, the Santoro family has found success with its authentic Italian cuisine, high standards of service and decor. They each have their talents that contribute to their success. 

The family decided to close both locations in May of 2023, REBRAND (new name) and renovate the Tinley Park space from floor to ceiling. No longer a white tablecloth fine dining restaurant. The new renovation was more “modern and chic” versus the old world look and also offers a more lively atmosphere with energetic higher volume music. 

Furthermore, a wonderful craft cocktail & mock-tail list and authentic Italian pizza (from a custom gorgeous Marra Forni brick oven) was added with amazing pizzas made by their son in law, Orazio.

“Frankie’s Since 1988” is a combination of the Oak Lawn “fast food” and Tinley Park fine dining “ristorante” concepts and re-born into a new concept. Frankie & Angela run the Tinley location.

The family is all very proud of the new look as it has been a wonderful change for the community. It’s a more fun atmosphere that was needed post-pandemic!

The Santoro family enjoys serving the loyal clientele who have supported them over the last thirty seven years, as well as the new individuals they meet daily. At Frankie’s, you will always find one or two family members, or more continuously mixing and mingling with their guests.

Vince, Nina, Frankie, Angela & Orazio