In the timeless words of Shakespeare, "What's in a name?" Naming a business is both an art and a science, blending creativity with strategic thinking. One must carefully think of something that's catchy and will stick for years to come. Oftentimes, it comes from a family name, a memory, or something unique to the establishment. When the name is well-chosen, it creates an instant connection.

Founded in 1981 by Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto in Berwyn, Buona began as a family-run restaurant rooted in tradition—and remains that way today. Now operated by second- and third-generation Buonavolantos, the business continues to honor its heritage while expanding across the Chicago area.

Italian beef has long been a staple of Chicago's culinary identity. In the 1950s and 1960s, when the city was known as the meat capital of the world, resourceful Italian immigrants began creating hearty, flavorful sandwiches using lean, tougher cuts of meat. These were slow-cooked for hours, thinly sliced, and served on fresh bread dipped in savory gravy—often at weddings and large gatherings to ensure every guest was well fed. The Buonavolanto family proudly counts themselves among the pioneers of this now-iconic Chicago dish.

When Buona opened its doors more than 40 years ago, all five Buonavolanto sons worked in the restaurant, taking on everything from prepping ingredients to managing the kitchen. More than 40 years later, Buona remains the last fully family-owned Italian beef chain in the city. Their signature seasoning blend—developed in those early days—has never changed, and their commitment to doing things the right way hasn’t either. With no shortcuts and the same time-honored cooking process at every location, Buona now serves its famous beef across 32 restaurants, including several in DuPage County: Bolingbrook, Darien, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Itasca, and Naperville.