Categories: Restaurants

At The Table: Pizza

Author: Jody Robbins

There's nothing fancy going on at The Art of Pizza, but the classic Chicago deep dish pizza served here, either by the whole pie or the very affordable slice, has been ranked as one of the best more than once. A pizzeria of a totally different sort, Piece has introduce New Haven-style pizza to Chicago, and the house-made beers on tap here add to the already festival-like atmosphere here. The scene (Saturday night karaoke, anyone?) large, barn-roofed space is often packed, but the thin pizzas here are the real draw, and are offered in three varieties: red sauce, plain, and white.

A Chicago deep dish operation with lots of history (and momma still making the secret recipe dough balls in the basement daily), Pizano's Pizza & Pasta is a must-stop on any tour of Chicago-style pizza. It's about the pizza here, but the classic Chicago décor just adds to the experience. Turning to the earth-is-thin-and-flat crowd, D'Agostino's River West is an offshoot of its sister restaurant in Wrigleyville, and both locations offer a circular, thin crust pizza with a unique tomato sauce that's slightly sweet.

You can't talk about pizza in Chicago without paying heed to the ubiquitous Giordano's, and you can visit at any one of their more than 40 locations. At each one, you'll have a massive selection of toppings from which to choose, and you can go the thin crust route here, as well, and thick or thin, you can't go wrong either way. A pizzeria that has been slinging pies to Chicago residents since 1947, Home Run Inn is also well known to locals for the frozen pizzas. The pies here are of the thin crust variety, and come with a nice slathering of sauce.

Fitting neither the thin crust, nor the deep dish pizza categories, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. is like no other in that it serves "pizza pot pies," which is basically pizza in a bowl with alternating layers of the classic pizza ingredients and toppings. It's casual, but nearly always packed to the gills, so go early or expect to wait. One of the best thin-crust pizzas in the city is proffered at Pat's Pizza. While still very thin, the crust here is a little moister, and less like flatbread and a wild array of toppings finishes off the reasons you should visit here, or have it delivered.

aving one of the best for the last of our Chicago-style deep dish pizzas, we now bring it all back home to Pizzeria Due, the sister restaurant to Pizzeria Uno, where founder Ike Sewell introduced deep dish to the world in 1943. The 45-minute baking time for his pies put off some early customers, but others learned to sit and salivate while waiting their reward. Set adjacent to one of the city's busiest retail districts, the Magnificent Mile, the crowds here can be as extravagant as this gut-busting pizza that started it all in Chicago . But, trending quite a bit back into history, Pizza D.O.C. takes inspiration from Italy , the cradle of the pizza craft. Thin, crispy offerings are baked in a wood-burning oven and include the classic margherita pizza (mozzarella, basil, tomatoes) and the Quattro stagioni.

Check out places of interest near At The Table: Pizza:

Alinea
1723 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614

Chef/owner Grant Achatz's Alinea has quickly proven itself one of America's most unusual, provocative, challenging, and sought-after restaurants.

Carlucci
1801 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, IL 60515

Carlucci is an authentic, Chicago-based Italian restaurant owned by brothers Joe and Charlie Carlucci. There are two Chicago locations: Downers Grove and Rosemont. Fresh, plentiful Italian cuisine, comfortable atmosphere, and gracious service remind one of an evening at home with family and friends. 

 

Carlucci
6111 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018

Carlucci is an authentic, Chicago-based Italian restaurant owned by brothers Joe and Charlie Carlucci. There are two Chicago locations: Downers Grove and Rosemont. Fresh, plentiful Italian cuisine, comfortable atmosphere, and gracious service remind one of an evening at home with family and friends.

 

Chicago's Pizza and Pasta
3114 N. Lincoln, Chicago , IL 60657

Chicago's Pizza and Pasta offers a wide array of pizza and pasta items for lunch, dinner and dessert. 

 

Crofton on Wells
888 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This contemporary American restaurant headed by executive chef Suzy Crofton, a long-time and much-acclaimed Chicago chef. Expert a nicely balanced menu pulling on French and other influences in style and with an emphasis on organic ingredients.

Crust
2056-58 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622

Certified organic, the entire concept that is Crust boils down to super-fresh organic ingredients, whether on the flatbread-made pizzas or in the (literally) garden-fresh salads.

 

Devon Seafood Grill
39 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Selecting only the best aquatic cuisine, Devon Seafood Grill features creative dishes from Chef Scott Barrow.

Gino's East
162 E Superior, Chicago, IL 60611

This is the original location of Gino's East, the now-famous Chicago-style pizza restaurant chain.

Gino's East
2801 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Gino's East
820 S. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048

Gino's East
633 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

Gino's East
1590 E.Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174

Gino's East
1321 W. Golf Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Gino's East
9751 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL 60018

Gino's East
315 W. Front St., Wheaton, IL 60047

Gino's East
561 W. Main St., Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Gino's East
1807 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL 60565

Gino's East
15840 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462

Giordano's
310 W. Randolph St.,, Chicago, IL 60606

Two brothers hailing from a town near Torino, Italy opened the first Giordano's outpost in 1974, and now the delicious stuffed pizza is available at over 35 locations in Illinois and Florida.

Il Mulino
1150 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610

This high-level Italian fine-dining spot isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for. Set in the Gold Coast neighborhood a couple blocks away from the Rush Street nightlife scene, it's impressive for a date or a business dinner.

Pizano's Pizza and Pasta
864 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60610

Pizano's is a relative newcomer to the Chicago pizza scene--they opened in 1991--the Malnati family has been involved with the pizza business since 1943.

Pizano's Pizza and Pasta
1808 N. Waukegan Rd., Glenview, IL 60025

The latest addition to the Pizano's family has opened up at this Glenview location. 

 

Pizano's Pizza and Pasta
61 E. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60603

Thin, deep dish, or pastas are available at this classic Italian eatery. 

 

Pizzeria Due
619 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This is the sister restaurant to Pizzeria Uno, whose founder Ike Sewell is credited as the inventor of deep-dish pizza. The substantial pizzas are loaded with over-the-top amounts of meats, veggies and cheese.

Pizzeria Uno
29 East Ohio, Chicago, IL 60611

Pizzeria Uno's founder Ike Sewell is credited as the inventor of deep-dish pizza. Definately a must visit.

Pompei Pizza
2955 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Pompeii Pizza offers a variety of pizzas, pastas, and desserts.

 

R.J. Grunts
2056 N. Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614

A comfortable atmosphere with American fare is served at this historic restaurant--historic because it was the very first Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, the company founded by culinary entrepreneur Rich Melman. Another interesting note is that R.J. Grunts was the original restaurant to establish the theme that has been followed by other, more commercial "flair" restaurants.

 

Ra Sushi
1139 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This outpost of Ra, a chain of contemporary, if somewhat commercial, sushi restaurants, is conveniently located along Steakhouse Row in the Viagara Triangle area of the Gold Coast--a lighter alternative to the heavier fare nearby.

 

Ra Sushi
310 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL 60148

Located in the new and fabulous Shops on Butterfield, this latest RA Sushi location has happy hour Monday through Friday 4-7.

Rainforest Cafe
605 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

Kids love this restaurant. The menu contains a mish-mash of fusion fare, but the real attraction to this scene is the tropical fauna and animals feigning life through mechanistic motions.

Ranalli's
1522 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60613

Ranalli's
2301 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Red Light
820 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

A pan-Asian eatery with a focus on seafood and vegetarian dishes.

 

RL
115 E. Chicago Ave. , Chicago, IL 60611

All the sophistication of Ralph Lauren and his style-making career come into play at this Mag Mile restaurant. American fare is served and executed by the kitchen at a high level. Service is always on its game and the hanging-everywhere art collection is all over the place and featureds some of Lauren's personal collection.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

This Chicago brewpub is an outpost of the nationwide chain; the top draw here is the rotating selection of handcrafted beers brewed on-site.

Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

Roditys
222 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60661

One of Chicago's long standing Greek restaurant, expect classics and old school service, as well.

 

Room 21
2110 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

Room 21, late-night dining/drinking spot dripping with the mystique of Al Capone and Chicago's old red light district, is the latest outpost from colorful restaurant mogul Jerry Kleiner.

RoSal's Cucina
1154 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607

This contemporary Southern Italian restaurant features dishes like broccoli and shells, chicken cacciatore, eggplant Parmesan and spinach lasagna.

Roy's
720 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This Hawaiian fusion spot has outposts all over the world. It serves American cuisine with a Hawaiian cultural viewpoint.

 

Russian Tea Time
77 E. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60603

This full-of-frills tea house has been giving visitors to Chicago a taste of Russian culinary luxury for years now; a great spot for a special meal or snack with that special someone.

 

Saloon Steakhouse
200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611

A top Chicago steakhouse right off Michigan Avenue, expect a classic steakhouse when you stop in here. It's not all about the steaks, though; expect lighter choices, as well.

Salpicon
1252 N. Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614

This eatery serves contemporary Mexican fare in a colorful and cozy dining room, plus there's outdoor dining in the form of a covered sidewalk cafe in the summer months. Executive chef Priscilla Satkoff turns out some of the best Mexian and Latin food in Chicago while her husband, Vince, manages the wine list and an excellent tequila selection.

Salseria Cantina & Grill
233 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606

Full service Mexican restaurant brought to you by the people behind Taco Fresco and Fuego Loco: Cantine & Salseria. 

Schwa
1466 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

A crashingly original BYO restaurant headed by Food & Wine Best New Chef Michael Carlson. The surroundings are simple, yet elegant, and the food is of a level with top kitchens practicing avant garde dining mixed with a dose of molecular gastronomy. If that confuses you, this might not be the right experience for you unless you're heartily open to new things.

 

Shochu
3313 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657

Named after the famed Japanese liquor, Shochu, this restaurant is trendy in nature with their Asian-inspired small plate recipes. 

 

Shor
2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616

This classic, Chicago-style grill operates out of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. It's a perfect, convenient stop for those attending a convention or a performance at the Arie Crown Theater.

Tapas Las Ramblas
5101 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640

This traditional Spanish tapas restaurant is perfect for kicking back and relaxing. Set in a casual neighborhood away from glitz and glam, feel free to stroll in wearing jeans and a T-shirt and enjoy culture that won't break your wallet. 

Zest
525 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This globally influenced contemporary American restaurant is located in the luxurious Intercontinental Chicago hotel.

Pizano's Pizza and Pasta
864 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60610

Pizano's is a relative newcomer to the Chicago pizza scene--they opened in 1991--the Malnati family has been involved with the pizza business since 1943.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

This Chicago brewpub is an outpost of the nationwide chain; the top draw here is the rotating selection of handcrafted beers brewed on-site.

Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

Room 21
2110 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

Room 21, late-night dining/drinking spot dripping with the mystique of Al Capone and Chicago's old red light district, is the latest outpost from colorful restaurant mogul Jerry Kleiner.

Blue Chicago
736 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60610

Sample the sounds of the sultry saxophone, the bold bass, the thundering trumpet and the  daring drum beats at Blue Chicago, one of Chicago's best blues clubs. Open seven nights a week, Blue Chicago features some of the best names in blues and jazz. 

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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the heartbeat of Chicago. The CSO has numerous concerts and special events throughout the year. See the full list at their website. Tickets range from $10 to $200.