Italian-style ‘Taste of Chicago’ revels in Windy City food, sports, and pop culture…
Whatever city you currently reside in, chances are there’s a nearby restaurant serving your hometown cuisine and atmosphere. Chicago natives are a diehard lot, especially when it comes to pizza. Fortunately, Las Vegas has AMORE – Taste of Chicago to satisfy Windy City cravings.
The surprisingly spacious AMORE – Taste of Chicago is nestled within an unassuming shopping center a few minutes north of the new Durango Casino. Memorabilia fills every space not covered by massive video screens. The open floor plan lends itself well to sports-fan gatherings but is just as inviting for casual dining.
AMORE bills itself as casual family fare, albeit with an Italian flare. You’ll find a surprisingly vast menu heavy on pizzas and pastas, but there’s so much more to enjoy. From “Chicago Dogs” and grilled Polish sandwiches to flavorful salads, made-on-site soups, and colorful main dishes, everyone will delight in the selection and variety.
Several VEGAS 411 readers have mentioned AMORE Taste of Chicago as one of their local favorites, so we knew it was worth checking out. There are two locations in Las Vegas, the second being in Henderson. We popped into the Durango restaurant twice last week, and are glad we did.
AMORE‘s menu isn’t just extensive…it’s massive. Sections include APPETIZERS, SOUPS and SALADS, PIZZA, DINNER ENTREES, CLASSIC SANDWICHES, and DESSERTS. You aren’t hungry if you can’t find something to tickle your taste buds.
A visit to AMORE can be very much a social activity. Conversation and game-watching are part of the experience. All the better to enjoy appetizers like Fried Zucchini, Bruschetta, Grilled Sausage and Peppers, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Shrimp prepared in five different ways. Of course, there are four varieties of chicken wings…mild, medium, hot, and BBQ.
Pasta e Fagioli
Minestrone
As mentioned, soups are prepared in-house. Selections are Minestrone, Pasta e Fagioli, and Chicken Noodle. The list of salads includes an Antipasta, House, Caesar, Mediterranean, Caprese, and Southwest BBQ Chicken Salad.
Mediterranean Salad (personal size)
Are you on the go and wanting a quick sandwich? There are plenty of choices, like the Grilled Polish (below), Beef and Sausage, Italian Sub, Meatball, Chicken Parmigiana, Grilled Chicken, Corned Beef, and Reuben. The Chicago-style Vienna Hot Dog is topped with onions, relish, mustard, tomatoes, sport peppers, celery salt, and a pickle spear. It’s served on a poppyseed bun and comes with searing hot crinkle-cut fries.
Italian Beef w/Sweet Potato Fries
Grilled Polish Sausage
Both locations open their kitchens daily at 11 am. A special lunchtime menu features food combos at reduced prices. Doors open for Sunday football at 10 am with bar service only for the first hour. Closing time is 9 pm on weekdays, 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mini-sized versions of Classic Sandwiches are pictured above. Photo by AMORE
The dinner menu features fourteen pasta dishes including Baked Penne, Spicy Rigatoni, Lobster Ravioli, and Homemade Lasagna. You can customize your entree by adding meat sauce, vodka or alfredo sauce, grilled shrimp or chicken, homemade sausage, and meatballs. Additional charges apply.
Chicken Parmigiana and Angel Hair Pasta w/Vodka Sauce
Baked Penne. Photo by AMORE
House Dinners are served with a side of spaghetti, penne, angel hair, or sauteed spinach. They include Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Diablo, Eggplant Parmigiana, and a Sausage/Pepper/Potato Platter. Chicken entrees are prepared in many styles, including Francese, Piccata, Marsala, and Parmigiana.
Above photos by AMORE
A house specialty is Chicken Amore, a boneless breast sauteed in white wine and olive oil with green, red, and banana peppers. It’s topped with cottage potatoes. Wheat and gluten-free pasta can be substituted for any traditional noodle.
“But what about pizza?”, you say. Patience, my friend! Pizzas are made to order, so guests are asked to allow 30 minutes of preparation and baking time. The wait is well worth it. AMORE‘s pizza menu is their proudest achievement:
“Chicago-style pizza is arguably the most popular choice at Amore Taste of Chicago. Our Chicago-style stuffed pizza features a deeper-dish crust with a robust layer of cheeses and toppings, which are covered by a second layer of crust that supports even more toppings. This double-decker extravaganza is the ultimate pizza experience!”
Photo courtesy of AMORE
As with pasta dishes, you’re invited to customize pizza to your liking. Choose from thin crust, deep-dish, double-dough, gluten-free, and cauliflower crust (our favorite). Sizes range from a ten-inch “small” to an extra-large sixteen-inch. Size options vary depending on the style of crust. Personal-size deep-dish and stuffed-crust varieties are perfect for those with lighter appetites.
Ten-inch thin crust
Twelve-inch cauliflower crust
The list of toppings is pretty phenomenal. Check this out:
Homemade Sausage • Pepperoni • Ground Beef • Chicken • Bacon • Meatballs • Canadian Bacon • Roast Beef • Mushrooms • Onions • Fresh Green Peppers • Black Olives • Green Olives • Spinach • Artichoke Hearts • Fresh Garlic • Pineapple • Fresh Tomatoes • Hot Giardiniera • Jalapeños • Anchovies • Ricotta Cheese • Fresh Red Peppers • Red Onions
Photos by AMORE
If your family can’t decide on a combination, let AMORE make things easier with a no-substitution Specialty Pizza. Popular varieties like Margherita, BBQ Chicken, White, Bacon Cheeseburger, and Taco Pizzas come in various sizes, ready to satisfy your family with dine-in or take-out flexibility.
While you wait for that pie to arrive fresh and hot from the oven, why not indulge in a House Sangria? White Peach, Classic Red, Mango Pineapple, and seasonal flavors are available at both locations, as are draft beer, bottled beers, and red and white wines. The Henderson location offers full bar service.
If you’ve saved room for something sweet, AMORE‘s dessert menu should quiet the yearning. You might want to pop in just to enjoy a sundae or brownie. We’ll let your eyes take over for this section.
Along with daily lunch specials, AMORE has a “Free Wings Special” on Mondays, “$14.95 Shrimp Wednesdays”, Happy Hour, and more. Click here for the full list, and check out their Catering Menu for your special event. Some items are sold frozen to bake at home.
The next time you’re craving some Windy City cuisine, head to AMORE Taste of Chicago. You’ll be more than satisfied—you’ll feel right at home. The Henderson location is at 4330 Sunset Road. Call 702-463-9163. The Durango/West Side restaurant is at 2945 S. Durango Drive. Phone 702-562-9000.
