Imagine your team’s faces when a Frato’s chef walks in with a full Chicago spread — slow-roasted Italian beef piled on Turano bread, Vienna hot dogs with all seven toppings, sausage and peppers sizzling, thin crust pizza cut in squares. Not dropped off in bags by a delivery driver. Set up by a trained chef who makes sure everything looks and tastes exactly right.
That’s what Frato’s Chicago-Themed Catering delivers. Every item scratch-made in our Schaumburg kitchen. Never factory food. Never reheated from a bag. The kind of Chicago food that makes your out-of-town clients say “now I understand what the fuss is about.”
⭐ Italian Beef Sandwich Bar
The anchor of every Chicago event. Slow-roasted with natural spices, sliced thin, piled on Turano bread. Frato’s hot giardiniera, grilled sweet peppers, and rich au jus on the side. Your guests build it their way — dipped, wet, dry, sweet, hot.
Not the factory version. No pre-cooked beef reheated in holding tanks. The real deal.
By the pound or full sandwich bar.
🌭 Vienna Hot Dog Bar
All-beef Vienna dogs on poppy seed buns. Yellow mustard, neon green relish, chopped onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers, celery salt. All on the side. No ketchup. Ever.
Your guests dress their own — though anyone reaching for ketchup may be escorted out.
Your Chicago Event Starts Here
Tell us your headcount and date — we’ll build a custom Chicago menu and quote.
🍕 Chicago Thin Crust Pizza
Cut in squares. Crispy bottom. Scratch-made dough. House sauce. Voted Best Pizza for Caterings — and we’ve been making it for nearly 40 years. Custom toppings available.
Beat Rosati’s in a blind taste test. Deep dish is for tourists. Thin crust is what Chicagoans actually order for a group.
🍔 Black Angus Burgers
Thick, hand-formed Angus patties. Smoked bacon, aged cheddar, grilled onions. The backyard cookout anchor — done at chef level. Regular or whiskey-glazed.
Not thin frozen discs from a box. Real burgers your guests actually remember.
More Chicago Classics on Our Menu
Italian Sausage & Peppers
Grilled Italian sausage on French bread with sautéed peppers and onions. The Chicago street fest classic — mild or hot. Pairs perfectly alongside the beef bar.
Italian Meatball Marinara Subs
Handmade meatballs, scratch-made marinara, fresh Italian bread. Subs or standalone tray.
Maxwell Street Polish Sausage
Grilled Polish on a bun with yellow mustard and grilled onions. The real Maxwell Street experience.
Baked Mostaccioli
If you grew up Chicago-Italian, this was at every gathering. Penne baked with scratch-made red sauce and mozzarella.
Chicken Vesuvio
The Chicago-Italian restaurant classic — roasted with garlic, white wine, oregano and olive oil. Elevates any Chicago event from casual to memorable.
Want a Chef to Design Your Chicago Menu?
Tell us your event type and headcount. Your chef will build the perfect combo.
Round Out Your Chicago Spread
Every great Chicago event needs sides and desserts that match. These belong on the table:
| Item | Why It Belongs | |
|---|---|---|
| Handmade Mozz Sticks | #1 in Illinois — handmade, never frozen | Details → |
| 4-Cheese Lasagna | Sunday dinner at every Chicago-Italian table | Details → |
| BBQ Ribs | Windy City backyard staple | Menu item |
| 3-Foot Giant Party Subs | American or Italian — the crowd feeder | Details → |
| Wings (Bone-In or Boneless) | Tossed to order, your choice of sauces | Details → |
| Mac n Cheese | Aged cheddar — the ultimate Chicago side | Details → |
| Beer Brats | Soaked in beer, grilled — picnic essential | Details → |
| Eggplant Parmesan | The vegetarian Chicago-Italian classic | Menu item |
| Grandma Frato’s Brownies | Triple chocolate, legendary since Day 1 | Details → |
Three Ways to Go Chicago
Not sure where to start? Pick a vibe. We’ll customize from there.
“The Loop”
Italian Beef Bar + Vienna Hot Dogs + Italian Pasta Salad + Brownies
“The Tailgate”
Italian Beef + Angus Burgers + Sausage & Peppers + Brats + Polish + Pizza + Wings + Mac
“Taylor Street”
Chicken Vesuvio + Mostaccioli + Meatball Marinara + Lasagna + Caesar
Ready to Make Your Event Unforgettable?
Custom quote in 24 hours. Personal chef delivery included.
Factory Caterers vs. Frato’s — You Decide
Chicagoans know the difference instantly. When you’re throwing a Chicago-themed event, you either commit to the real thing or you don’t bother.
| Factory Caterers | Frato’s Chefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Beef | Pre-cooked, reheated from bags | ✓ Slow-roasted fresh |
| Hot Dogs | Generic brand, plain buns | ✓ Vienna Beef, poppy seed |
| Pizza | Frozen from commissary | ✓ Scratch-made, stone oven |
| Giardiniera | Generic jar | ✓ Frato’s signature blend |
| Bread | Cheapest available | ✓ Chicago Turano |
| Delivery | Bags at the door | ✓ Chef delivers & sets up |
| On-Time | No guarantee | ✓ 15 min late = FREE |
| Portions | Run out? Too bad | ✓ 10% extra, no charge |
Why Choose Frato’s for Chicago Catering
Personal Chef Delivery
A trained chef delivers, sets up, and makes sure everything is right. Not a random driver.
On-Time Guarantee
15 minutes late? You don’t pay. No other suburban caterer offers this. See guarantee →
39 Years in Schaumburg
Featured on Fox News Chicago, WGN, ABC 7, and AP News. This is what we do.
10% Extra Food
We include 10% more than your headcount at no charge. Nobody runs out.
Perfect For
Chicago-Themed Office Parties
Client Appreciation Events
Bears, Cubs, Sox & Bulls Watch Parties
Super Bowl Parties
Graduation Parties
Wedding Rehearsal Dinners
Late Night Wedding Snacks
Backyard Cookouts & Reunions
Company Picnics
Out-of-Town Guest Welcome Events
Fundraisers & Galas
Frequently Asked Questions
Give Them the Real Chicago Experience
Tell us your event — we’ll build a custom menu and quote within 24 hours.
On-Time Guarantee
Scratch-Made Everything
Personal Chef Delivery
Featured on Fox, WGN, ABC 7