Buona Beef, Original Rainbow Cone now open in Loves Park

LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) – When Buona Beef opened in Berwyn more than 40 years ago, it did so with secret ingredients that have made it a Chicago food staple.

“It’s been handed down, and we are holding it close to our hearts and bringing it to all the different places we are opening now,” said Joe Trombino, a corporate trainer with Buona who’s overseeing the opening of the Loves Park location.

Buona Beef , along with The Original Rainbow Cone, another Chicago favorite Buona now owns, opened Tuesday at 7350 E. Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park.

“We wanted to hit new markets in this area, so we picked the Loves Park area, a shiny new area,” Trombino said. “We figured we’d capture new market share, obviously in the Italian Beef segment.”

Customers say waiting for almost a year for both brands to come to the Rockford area has been worth it.

“I’ve never had it,” said Rockford resident David Hooks. “I see it a lot when I go watch the Chicago Cubs play. And this is our first time here. I just loved it.”

After a hearty Italian beef sandwich, customers say nothing hits the spot better than a slice of ice cream. That’s right, not a scoop, a slice.

“It comes with five flavors,” said Buona trainer Ceira Amburgy. “We have our chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio and orange sherbet.”

Rockford residents Brenna Walant and Spencer Jacobsen work near Buona and have already been back for seconds.

“We had it once before and we came back,” Walant said.

Jacobsen topped off Thursday’s meal with a cone and plans to a regular.

“The food’s too good to just be one time,” he said.

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, Buona Beef will hold a special “sandwich cutting ceremony” Tuesday Sept. 17, to mark its grand opening.

Buona Beef is open 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The Original Rainbow Cone is open from noon to 10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and noon to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

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