We have uncovered a delicious option for you if you’re looking for someone to cater your holiday party, your next corporate event or simply your weeknight dinner. It’s Frantonio’s Italian Deli, Café and Catering, a longstanding local restaurant that’s preparing to celebrate 20-years in business in 2013. The popular lunch and dinner spot on Northwest Highway is owned by Franco and Patti Bruno and has recently increased their dining space, expanded their catering service and are now offering the option to have your order delivered to your doorstep.
Frantonio’s food and the man behind the menu, owner and chef Franco Bruno, are among Barrington’s best-kept secrets.
We are excited to welcome Frantonio’s as the most recent member to join the Barrington Online Marketplace here at 365Barrington.com because we feel privileged to share the offerings that await you just a short drive or a phone call away from home. Franco recently took us behind-the-scenes at Frantonio’s to show us how he creates some of his most popular homemade foods. We’ll share details and a generous helping of photos in a minute. But first, in case you’re new to 365Barrington.com, here’s how our Marketplace works..
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At the beginning of each workweek, we introduce you to the latest local businesses, professionals & organizations to join our Barrington Online Marketplace by featuring them here at 365Barrington.com and via our weekly email newsletter. If you’d like to receive those emails, which will also include information about upcoming events in Barrington, just enter your email here and click “Submit”.
You’ll find the new community resource at 365Barrington.com/Marketplace. To have your business, organization, home or event featured, visit 365Barrington.com/Advertise for more information or call Liz at 847-691-3150.
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Now back to Franco Bruno’s signature brand of convenient, delicious and homemade Italian dining at Frantonio’s in Barrington. 
The restaurant is a popular spot to grab a quick lunch or dinner in Barrington and their sandwich menu offers an exciting selection of classic Italian subs. Deciding on one sandwich is the hardest part, with choices like the Buon Appetito, Calabrese, A La Delecto and the popular Magnifico sub, with layers of Prosciutto, homemade mozzarella, basil, tomato and Italian spices. 
They offer dozens of homemade salads, gourmet meats, pizzas and hot pasta dishes to choose from with friendly counter service and easy seating to ensure hot, homemade meals without a wait. 
And, as of recently, they now offer home deliveries of food ordered by phone. And their catering menu is also extremely popular, especially as the holidays approach….
Catering options include a wide selection of Italian classics that are also crowd favorites, like this unique baked mostaccioli dish with smoked mozzarella and mushrooms. 
Caprese salad (layers of fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes) is one of the hottest dishes around and Franco makes all of Frantonio’s mozzarella in-house and from scratch. 
He also makes their Caprese Salad uber-Italian and extra delectable. 
Their signature touch is adding array of grilled vegetables to the platter, like artichokes, red peppers, eggplant and zucchini. Offer this with fresh Italian bread and you’ve got a great start to any meal. Other starters include bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms and mini-meatballs. Frantonio’s also offers a wide range of pre-made sandwich platters, but also an interesting selection of cold cuts and cheese platters. Both include traditional American meats but also premium Italian meats such as prosciutto and cappiciollo. Then there are hot meats such as platters of sausage or meatballs handmade by Franco himself, and Italian beef. Per person pasta is just $3.95/person, and you can pick your pasta and pick your sauce.
Options include homemade gnocchi and tortellini and famous marinara and vodka sauces. Delicious entrées include chicken Marsala and eggplant Parmesan, and desserts include fruit platters and homemade tiramisu and cannoli you’ll come to crave. 
365Barrington.com reader, Dawn Reno has ordered from Frantonio’s for years. She has used them to cater work events and many a family party. We asked Dawn what she likes to order from Frantonio’s and coming up with a short list wasn’t easy. ”I actually like everything, but my favorites are ravioli, chicken Parmesan, Italian beef (it’s THE BEST!), Caprese salad and lasagna.” 
“A typical order for our company or family party would be Italian beef, mostaccioli with large homemade meatballs and a fresh garden salad with homemade dressing. Franco saves and satisfies us every time, often coming in on a Sunday (his day off) so that the dishes are fresh if that’s the day we need them. He also makes special dishes upon request to accommodate some special food needs in my family.” 
In addition to using Frantonio’s to cater, Dawn is one of the many regulars who stop in weekly to grab dinner to go. “I stop in there during the week, and grab lasagna from the cooler, a salad, a tin of Bolero Lemon Wafers and a fresh loaf of bread and my dinner is done in minutes! I am so grateful to Franco for the service and smile he provides every time.”
We are fortunate to have Frantonio’s family-run deli, take-out, delivery and catering services in Barrington, providing us with delicious Italian menu options, caring service and fresh-made food.
You’ll find Frantonio’s Italian Deli, Café and Catering at 421 N. Northwest Highway in Barrington, you can reach them by phone at 847-382-2997 and you’ll find them online at frantonios.com.
And to learn more about Frantonio’s and some of Franco’s most popular menu items, CLICK HERE for the special feature page we just published about the Bruno’s business in the Barrington Online Marketplace here at 365Barrington.com.
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About the Author
Kelly Donlea is a Barrington mom, chef, cookbook author the owner of Organizing Dinner, a company that brings sensible cooking solutions to busy people. She has published several cookbooks and one of her specialties is helping parents plan family meals with fewer trips to the grocery store. Kelly also offers cooking classes and demonstrations in your home or public facility. To learn more about Kelly, her recipes and her services, you’ll find her Facebook page by clicking HERE and her website at OrganizingDinner.com. Kelly is going to be sharing recipes, cooking tips and special features about chefs and popular menu items at area restaurants right here at 365Barrington.com. Please join us as we discover local culinary treasures and new kitchen classics in our regular Friday food feature here at 365Barrington.com called “Barrington Eats” with Kelly Donlea! If you’d like to us to feature you favorite chef, restaurant or food store or if you have a food related question that you’d like Kelly to answer, make a quick stop at the 365 Barrington Suggestion Box and leave us a note in the form which you’ll find by clicking HERE or simply leave your comment in the box below.
We’ve eaten at Frantonio’s for many years. My husband John occasionally surprises me with a Magnifico for lunch—mmmm, mmmm, mmmm.