In the summer of 2020 they debuted Foxhole, a walk-up window serving authentic Italian bites and, of course, show-stopping pies. The pizzas are cooked in a wood-burning oven and have the perfectly-charred crust you hope for in a Neapolitan pie. Ten different specialty pies make up the menu, with favorites like their Hot Honey Pepper (with goat cheese, mozzarella, basil, pepperoni, and locally sourced honey infused with hot pepper flakes) or their sausage, with mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, and spicy, house made Italian sausage. The crispy dough can be topped with a plethora of ingredients, ranging from shrimp and anchovies to sliced beef and sausage. This pizza stand specializes in the spinach souffl which comes with gobs of cheese and spinach stuffed into a pie topped with a sweet and tangy sauce. And this place has a variety of options to choose from - like fennel with pepperoni and honey, and sausage with caramelized onions. Coalfire comes out among the top of the thin-crust pizza joints in Chicago. Burt's has a backstory. West Loop. A recent survey of Chicago transplants proved that Pequods was a contributing factor in their decision to relocate here. Just grab a number, wait to be called, and dont be afraid to experiment. While reservations are always recommended for Spacca Napoli, the restaurant does have the occasional walk-up spot and is open for lunch, so there's always a way to get in at the last minute. The heats present but mild-mannered, the thin crust is pleasantly chewy, and the thing is huge. Fired in a coal oven, Piece's New Haven-style pizza comes in a variety of traditional iterations, including a tomato pie that features no mozzarella at all. Each pizza is stuffed with fresh mozzarella cheese from Wisconsin, vine-ripened California tomatoes and an exclusive sausage blend. Pep fans should definitely try the Deluxe Pepperoni, which comes loaded withcups plus whipped ricotta and hot honey. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The crusts are crackly, with an airy interior. That is only the case for delivery. The Diablo is loaded with hot soppressata, crumbled hotItalian sausage, hot giardinera relish, crushed red pepper while the Tie Dye comes topped with homemade red sauce, vodka sauce and pesto. 2. After jumpstarting his career in his native Palermo, chef Salvatore Sal Lo Cascio brought his pizza skills to Chicago, gaining a loyal following around town before teaming up with Gage Hospitality and Ballyhoo to open Coda di Volpe, a Lakeview restaurant known for its Southern Italian specialties. This means Millys has the same kind of pan-style deep dish with a caramelized crust that we all know, love, and keeps increasing our census numbers. Paulie Gee's 6. The best pizza in Chicago ranges from saucy deep dish to flame-kissed Neapolitan piesand everything in between. A post shared by MyPiPizzaChicago (@mypipizzachicago). You'll want toslide into their DMsfor pickup or order viathird party delivary apps. That philosophy extends to the kitchen with their pastries and pizzas, for which they lacto-ferment a variety of fruits and vegetables. See More 3/ Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar Yelpers are especially partial to the white pizza, the margarita, and the prosciutto and arugula pizza, but you can't really go wrong. on a West Loop rooftop and will have outdoor seating for the first time when weather permits. With ambiance thats casual, homey and approachable, its the perfect spot for families, and even take-out. That style of pizza is known as "tavern style" and it dates back to around World War II, where it was popularized in the city's many, many corner bars and watering holes (via Chicago Magazine). Paisans Pizzeria and Bar (Cicero, Berwyn, Brookfield, Lisle) The crispy, cracker-thin crust, tangy sauce and top-quality sausage separate this pizza from its peers. At this small Edgewater spot, the deep dish pizzas are unlike any other in town. Pizzeria Bebu Image Address: 1521 North Fremont Street, Chicago, Illinois 60642 Tel: 312-280-6000 In normal times, Pizzeria Bebu offers great pizza for dine-in, pick-up or delivery. Best Pizza in Chicago, IL - Pequod's Pizzeria, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Giordano's, Naudi Signature Pizza, Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana, Shy Slice, Craft Pizza, Paulie Gee's Logan Square, Piece Brewery and Pizzeria Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Chicago deep dish this is not. At Pequods, order pies loaded with sausage, spinach, ground beef, giardiniera, and more and see how a burnt, cheesy crust can drastically enhance an already-great classic. Take, for example, the Hipster, with fresh whole-milk mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, arugula, and prosciutto, or the hotly ordered (and hot, overall) Devil in the White City, with peppers, onions, garlic, spicy capicollo, and a base of either olive oil or tomato sauce. Keep an eye out for special toppings like confit pork, black garlic, and miso onions. The best authentic Italian woodfire pizza I have had outside of Italy.. While the toppings-to-crust ratio is pretty high, these pizzas never get soggy and retain their original crunch while you're eating them. They have bubbled, puffy edges and the thin crust is just perfect. But the edge of the crust is crunchy like a cracker, which creates an enjoyable contrast with the soft center. The pizzas are also available at Doms Kitchen and Market in Lincoln Park and Old Town. The Essential Pizza Restaurants in Chicago Chicago's pizza scene features a myriad of styles from deep dish, to tavern, to Neapolitan by Ashok Selvam and Eater Staff Jan 24, 2023, 12:58pm. A neighborhood spot situated in the Ashburn neighborhood on the city's south side for over a century, Vito & Nick's started churning pizzas in earnest in 1946, right after the end of WWII. A post shared by Pequod's Pizza (@pequodspizza). The NY pie has a flavorful crust, with a puffy edge and a beautifully charred undercarriage. . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Temporarily Closed While Moving To New Location. Paulie Gees is from Brooklyn and might at first seem like an unnecessary addition to the Chicago pizza scene. But all the pies use great ingredients, and have just the right amount of sauce so the flavor of the sourdough crust shines through. Their long menu has fun varieties like vodka sausage, PBJJ (topped with pepperoni, bacon jam, and jalepenos), and spinach and artichoke. The restaurants serve both deep dish and tavern-style pizza, with signature pies including the Union Stockyard made with Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, prosciutto and Italian beef, and The Diavolo, a spicy blend of soppressata, capocollo, ricotta, Calabrian chili peppers and Mikes Hot Honey. Availability is limited, so its best to order ahead. Giordano's 9,661 reviews Open Now Italian, American $$ - $$$ Menu Great pizza, great location The Great, The Good, The Bad, and The. Super crispy and with premium toppings, this is artisan Chicago style. This corner spot is styled after a New York pizza joint, with a big emphasis on catering to neighborhood diners. The crust is crafted with dark-roasted malt, which gives it a subtle sweetness and great chew. This listhighlights Chicago institutions, New York imports and everything in between so you can take your taste buds on a tour around the world when you try the best pizzas in Chicago. But be warned, only a number are available any given day, so make sure to visit early. Owner George Bumbaris uses a sourdough starter and recipe thats based on laganaa Greek flatbread similar to focaccia. If youre a transplanted New Yorker searching for big pieces of pizza you can fold, this is where youll find them. The restaurant offers a number of other incredible combinations, including a robust menu of vegan options. Via Carducci is a restaurant that pairs regional Southern Italian cuisine with the finest imported wines. The pizza is similar to Pequod's, but more consistent because Milly's doesn't deal with such high volume. After years spent working in fine dining restaurants, chef Brett Nemec, together with his family, decided to pivot to doing all things pizza. 1. Emily Hotel. The team from West Loop hangout, Kaiser Tiger, is behind this Lincoln Park space that has served as a neighborhood bar since 1937. . A haven for East Coast transplants, Crushed serves 12- and 16-inch pies with favorites including the Louie made with sausage, spicy capicola, pepperoni, roasted red peppers, cremini mushrooms and their signature crushed tomato sauce and the Venus, which features sausage, shaved parmesan and caramelized onions. (John J. Kim / Chicago. The weight of it when the delivery person puts it in your arms might make you nervous, but just go with it. 546 reviews. Believe it: Unlike other deep-dish joints, My Pi's crust is relatively thin and light on its toes. 1. From deep dish to thin crust, Chicagoans have historically debated which spot has the best pizza in the city, and a new ranking has narrowed it down. After baking in the oven, each pie is cut into long strips with a pair of scissors. You can order them in several varietiesincluding New York, Detroit and Sicilian-stylebut our favorite is the grandma-style. Located just steps away from Osterman Beach (aka Hollywood Beach), Rewired Pizza Cafe & Bar serves customizable personal-sized pizza with crispy, hand-tossed dough plus creative signature pies like the Jalapeno Popper topped with cream cheese sauce, cheddar, jalapenos, bacon and chipotle drizzle. 4 reviews of Backyard Pizza "This is absolutely the best Pizza I have ever had. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria 7077 Pizza Italian Sandwiches $$River North The thick crust is incredibly light and airy with a slight sourdough-y flavor, and the tomato sauce is rich and spicy. Monteverde. They only make 45 pies a day, so you should place your order a day or two in advance, which you can do right here. Variety is the spice of life, and thats a lesson the professor stresses. A post shared by Roots Handmade Pizza (@rootspizza), The Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars in Chicago. Dante's Pizzeria (1938 W Chicago Ave) Zazas Pizzeria (3037 N Clark St) Crushed Pizzeria (1607 W Montrose Ave) Cafe Luigi (2548 N Clark St) Paulie Gee's (1566 N Damen Ave) Max & Issy's (1028 W Diversey Pkwy) Pizza Lobo (3000 W Fullerton Ave) Craft Pizza (1252 N Damen Ave) 22. 1. Well, the pizza is just too good to ignore. For the pickier patrons who prefer to have something tried and true, Via Carducci also has an extensive pizza menu. Bucktown / Wicker Park. The result is a 16-inch pie that has the thickness of a New York-style slice but the puffy crust found in Neapolitan pizzas. Families have been coming to Phil's for ages, especially if they're on their way to a White Sox game at nearby Guaranteed Rate Field. It's not hard to see what all the fuss is about. Add veggies to lighten it up a bit, or go all in, with the sausage pie, dotted with perfectly spiced, ping-pong ballsize pieces of seasoned ground pork. Pep fans should definitely try the Deluxe Pepperoni, which comes loaded withcups plus whipped ricotta and hot honey. Whether its deep dish or thin crust, staunch supporters on both sides will never relent. And because the dough's made in-house daily, there's not a dud on the menu. While the restaurant does have restaurants in other cities, that doesn't mean it's just a chain pumping out boring pizza. Be the first to get expert restaurant recommendations for every situation right in your inbox. Save room for dessert and order a pizza topped with nutella, bananas, strawberries and powdered sugar. The pies come with a ring of caramelized cheese, the sauce is a nice balance between sweet and bitter, and the crust is rarely soggy. Online ordering is available here. It creates a deliciously yeasty crust thats very similar to focaccia, and has a crispy cornmeal base. Focusing on fermentation, Bungalow by Middle Brow makes exceptional breads along with wild and experimental brews. 8) La Leggenda Pizzeria - Miami, Florida. Chicagoans seem to prefer Vito & Nick's classic cheese, sausage, and half cheese/half sausage pizzas most of all. Best Italian restaurants in Chicago. $$$$ 2207 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago View Website Earn 3X Points Save to a list (If youre really going New Havenstyle, try one with clams and bacon.) Owner George Bumbaris uses a sourdough starter and recipe thats based on laganaa Greek flatbread similar to focaccia. Fast forward dozens of years to 2015, when Katz decided he was done with the biz, even though he'd just found fast fame after being featured on an episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations." Enjoying a sunny afternoon by the river. Open now 3PM - 10PM. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Perhaps it's a self-contained casserole instead. With the rise of Oonis, Gozneys, and backyard pizza-making culture (it seems like everyone is . Photograph: Courtesy Paulie Gee's Logan Square, Anthony Scardino, affectionately known as Professor Pizza, is a champion pizza maker whos been quietly turning out some of the best pies in the city. It's closed temporarily due to covid restrictions, but check the website for details of its reopening. The rotating menu includes a bacon ham pie (red onions, Calabrian chili, cotija cheese, Sichuan garlic oil, scallions), a white pie (garlic, olive oil, whipped ricotta, mozzarella, basil, sesame seed crust), and a truffle mushroom pie (shiitake mushrooms, rosemary, garlic truffle cream, goat cheese, sea salt). Two reasons we really enjoy Bobs is that theres no Bob (the chef just likes the name) and this place boldly claims it makes Pilsen-style pizza (which isnt a thing). For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicagos COVID-19 dashboard. Vito and Nicks has been around since the 1950s and is a Southside institution worthy of its place in the Chicago Pizza Hall of Fame (which doesnt actually exist but probably should). Here at Lou Malnati's, you'll get the best of both worlds. Orders can be placedhere. As this spot's name has given away, Professor Pizza's focus is on pizza. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here. No deep dish herethese discs of golden crust and seasonal toppings are the real deal. Piece stands alone in Chicago by offering New Haven-style pies, which originated in Connecticut and is kind of a crispier, greasier take on Neapolitan pizza. Were not advocating taking Roger Eberts advice on pizza, but we will give some credence to his claim that theres a good thin-crust pie to be found here. Best pizza in chicago downtown .. by far !!! La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana / Pizzeria, Italian, Restaurant. The menu is rife with far-out flavor combinations that totally work, like the Spanish Monster, with mushrooms, chorizo, cream sauce, scallions and mozzarella. Chalk it up to chewy, crispy crust and creative toppings like Berkshire guanciale, pickled pineapple, and orange blossom honey. A post shared by Genuine Italian Pizza Reviews (@chicagopizzareviews). Giordano's 3483 Pizza Salad Italian $$The Loop "I ordered two medium pizzas, one Chicago Classic (for myself) and one Cheese (for my wife, who is." more Outdoor seating Delivery Takeout 2. Pizza can become a heated topic in Chicagofamily feuds spanning generations have been started by people giving their opinions on deep dish vs. tavern-style. Owned and operated by a New York native and certified pizzaioli Robert Garvey, Robert's is obsessed with perfect crust and pizza that "when folded, cracks but does not break.". While takeout makes up the majority of the business here, the team sees its fair share of onsite guests, tooand guests are welcome to BYOB. 9) Pizzana - Los Angeles . Developed by the late Burt Katz (before he opened Burts Place), a legend in Chicago food lore, the style features a fluffier dough that is airier than most, with a dark ring of crispy caramelized cheese, thanks to the high-sided pan the pizza is cooked in. Developed by Dan Snowdenthe former executive chef of Bad Hunterand Heisler Hospitality's Matt Eisler and Kevin Heisner, Pizza Lobo features grab-and-go 'za and a lengthy bar menu plus a 4,000-square-foot patio. The crunchy crust holds lots of cheese and tomato sauce, and is adorned with topping combinations like Que Suerte (pineapple, cherry tomatoes, jalapeno, brown sugar bacon) and Craigslist.org (peppadew peppers, sausage, mushrooms, red onions, tomatoes, spinach, ricotta). You have two pies to choose from (a margherita and a white) and about eight toppings to choose from. The sausage is mixed in-house and always a satisfying bite. This beloved stalwartwhich is part liquor store, part pizza parlorhas been around since the 1940s, and it's not hard to see why it's still kicking.