Casual, Old School Italian Food in Orland Park

Orland Park resident Mary Ligammari is very proud of her family’s restaurant that she describes as "just what Orland needed." 

When Ligammari's parents, who already owned and operated Danny's in Melrose Park and Cuzzin's in Des Plaines, mentioned they were thinking of opening another restaurant in St. Charles, Ligammari had another location in mind. It took a little convincing but Carl and Paula Dote eventually agreed that Orland Park would make a great home for the new .

December will mark one year for the restaurant at the 8600 W. 159th St. location, and Ligamarri couldn't be more pleased with the response.

"Customers say it is just like their grandma used to make," she said. "They are impressed with the quality of food and the portion sizes, allowing them to take home food to enjoy later. I think people enjoy the comfortable, family-like environment they feel at our restaurant."

As for the success of her new restaurant, she attributes it to word of mouth from her loyal customers who tell their friends. She also offered praise to their head chef, Marco Mancha. The family business includes Ligammari's cousin Paula DiLella, who is in charge of the servers and makes sure all runs smoothly in the dining room.

She also offers three key pieces of advice for those seeking to start a business of any kind on their own.

"Just be careful, know your product and just be yourself," she said.

Menu items include fresh rigatoni with crumbled sausage in a vodka cream sauce, stuffed artichoke, lasagna and meatballs. Meatballs stuffed with seasoned ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, parmesan and peas are served as an appetizer with red sauce. A full wine list with a vast selection of imported and domestic wines is offered. $5 red apple martinis are available throughout October and peppermint martinis will be offered in December.

Ligammari is open minded to diners' wide palattes. If customers have something in mind other than what is on the menu, all they need to do is ask. Cuzzin’s offers holiday catering as well for those who wish to take advantage of home cooked food without the hassle of actually cooking at home.

Other interesting information about Cuzzin's

• All ingredients are fresh, not frozen, and all food is homemade on premises.

• Not fancy, no white tablecloths, candles or fancy lighting, just bare bones and good food

• Recipes used in the restaurant date back over 80 years.

• If you like a certain entree at one restaurant, you can order it at any of them and expect the same taste and quality.

• They prepare entrees you cannot find anywhere else in town, such as neck bones and tripe, and are now featuring seasonal items such as cheese ravioli with pumpkin and brown sugar cream sauce.

• The family's restaurants have been featured on Check Please, Hungry Hound and other food and restaurant review venues.