Joe's stone is trash imo. Gene & Giorgetti, Volare, & Bionda are all overrated imo and most certainly tourist traps. Not off the beaten path whatsoever.

Head to Gio's in Bridgeport, La Luce at Lake St & Ogden Avenue, or any of the better places near 26th & California (Heart of Chicago) for truly off the beaten path Chicago Italian fare.

For more upscale Italian fare, Piccolo Sogno in the Patch (Grand & Halsted) & Spiaggia are excellent choices. But also, Google an establishment called A Tavola, an incredible spot near Chicago Ave & Damen. Best goddamn Ossobuco in the city.

If you really want to visit a "little Italy" district, Elmwood Park & Berwyn (to a much lesser extent) are the only places relatively near the city where wops who live in the area are congregating & bullshitting in numbers on the street. Taylor St is all yuppie/student trash & Grand Avenue (the Patch) is all yuppie & Mexican. Very unfortunately.

Sorry for blasting down anyone else's suggestions. Just don't want the fella to be disappointed.