Labriola Italian Specialties to Open in Fulton Market Spring 2026

Doughboy Restaurant Group, led by Chicago artisan baker, restaurateur and entrepreneur Rich Labriola, announced the upcoming opening of Labriola Italian Specialties, a new concept arriving at 852 W Fulton Market on April 22,2026. The restaurant will bring Labriola’s pizza, house-made pasta, and signature bakery favorites like Sicilian cannoli to the neighborhood.

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At the heart of Labriola Italian Specialties is a menu rooted in authentic Italian flavors with a modern Chicago twist. Labriola West loop will be a neighborhood spot where guests can expect fresh baked bread and Italian specialties along with a craft cocktail and wine menu. There will be late-night artisan pizza slices, authentic Sicilian cannoli made with Italian sheep milk ricotta, and spumoni from a convenient walk-up window.

The restaurant will feature seating for over 100 guests in the dining room, with an additional 30 seats at the bar. Flexible layouts — including booths, banquettes, and outdoor seating— create a space for everything from casual lunches to celebratory dinners. Renderings reveal a warm yet modern interior, where pizza ovens anchor the open kitchen and design elements frame the bar as a centerpiece.

“Labriola Italian Specialties is the culmination of everything I love about Italian food and hospitality,” said Rich Labriola, founder of Doughboy Restaurant Group. “From pizza and pasta to the walk-up cannoli window, we want this space to feel like a true gathering place in Fulton Market — fun, welcoming, and built on quality. It’s about honoring tradition while creating something fresh and exciting for Chicago.”

“Our design for Labriola Italian Specialties celebrates the dual personality of Fulton Market — playful by day and moody, energetic, and vibrant at night,” said Heidi Lightner, principal of Heidi Lightner Architects. “With flexible seating, layered textures, and bold lighting, we wanted to create a dining room that feels just as comfortable for a weekday lunch as it does for a late-night slice or a celebratory dinner.”

Rich Labriola’s journey began in his father’s south suburban Chicago pizza shop, where he developed his appreciation for both hospitality and pizza. His passion for artisan breads launched a wholesale bakery, supplying Chicago restaurants. Over time, his entrepreneurial spirit gave rise to concepts including Labriola Café in Oak Brook, Labriola Chicago on Michigan Avenue, and LaBarra Ristorante in Oak Brook.

In 2014, Rich partnered with Stan’s Donuts to bring the brand from Los Angeles to Chicago. Today, Stan’s operates 18 Chicagoland locations and over 20 licensed stores throughout Illinois.

Labriola Italian Specialties represents the continued growth of Doughboy Restaurant Group, a hospitality company that oversees full-service restaurants, fast-casual concepts, and multi-facility manufacturing operations. Its commercial production facilities supply fresh bread and donuts to its own restaurants as well as prominent retail partners.

“Labriola Italian Specialties represents the next step in Doughboy Restaurant Group’s commitment to Chicago,” added Labriola. “With our team growing year over year, this project allows us to showcase both our culinary creativity and our dedication to the city.”

For more information, visit https://www.labriolaitalian.com/ (website currently under development). Labriola Italian Specialties will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Follow along on Instagram at @labriolaitalian and on Facebook at Labriola Italian Specialties.