Less than a year after opening, a pioneering Italian café is pressing pause. Alla Nonna’s at 901 NW 24th St on the West Side has closed as it prepares for its next chapter.“Alla Nonnas is now closed, wrote the restaurant in a social media announcement. “This isn’t goodbye — it’s see you soon. Thank you for every plate shared, every visit, and every bit of love you gave us.”After 28 years of cooking professionally and 13 years rising through the ranks of the classic downtown restaurant, chef and owner Raul Mendoza decided it was time to set off on his own in August 2025. For the former executive chef of Paesanos Riverwalk, Italian-American fare was a natural choice in an area otherwise dominated by Tex-Mex cuisine.The takeout menu didn’t stray too far from the classics, offering choices like chicken piccata, spaghetti pomodoro, caprese salad, tiramisu, and lasagna Bolognese. Still, Mendoza said he wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel with his offerings."I figured with the demographic around the area, [comfort food] is what they're looking for," he explained at the time. "I wanted to show that you don't have to go downtown for $40 a plate, or to Olive Garden."Mendoza may have been going for comfort, but the kitchen team didn’t cut corners, making all of the food from scratch, including the sauces, pizza dough, and even the breading on the chicken parmesan. Even the most familiar dishes had a subtle gourmet touch — like the confit garlic used in the Hawaiian pizza or the creamy burrata pouch on other pies.In a direct message, Mendoza declined to offer further comment as to the reasons behind the reset. It’s unclear if Alla Nonna’s will remain on the West Side when it resurfaces. He did promise that the concept would be back within a year. ...read more read less