FANTASTICO'S HISTORY

Chef owner, Sam Abdelnour was born and raised in Egypt. When he came to the United States in 1989, it was Italian cuisine that tickled his taste buds. And it's strictly Italian fare that leaves the kitchen of the restaurant he now owns. On December 30, 1997, Sam opened Fantastico Italian Cuisine at 102 N. River Street in Batavia. He operated at this location until moving to his current location at 227 W. Wilson Street on May 21, 2006.

Being a chef and owning his own restaurant were Sam's dreams, nurtured since youth. He graduated from the Hotel and Management College in Luxor, Egypt, before coming to the United States. One visit here and he knew he would make this his home. "I came to visit as a tourist and I liked it, so I stayed." A Batavia resident, Sam has lived in the Chicago area since he left Egypt.

His first restaurant experience, and first job here, was working as chef at Luigi's in West Chicago. It is a restaurant that, as the name signifies, specializes in Italian food. It was there he mastered not only his Italian dishes, but also the Italian language. And, after nine years at the restaurant, he decided to make a go of it on his own.

The restaurant's name reflects what people say when they taste one of the dishes: it's "Fantastico." We have fair prices, large portions, and a cozy atmosphere with Italian music playing. It's not to fancy, but not too plain. It's a family atmosphere and the restaurant is family run.

Sam arrives at the restaurant early in the morning and stays until late at night seven days a week. He spends most of the time in the kitchen, assuring every dish is perfect, but you will often see him sitting at a table visiting with customers.