Category: Pizza

Now this place has nowhere near the best pizza in Chicago or Italian cuisine for that matter, but for the cost and ambiance, it sure is a great place to take a date! You almost literally walk through a time capsule here, where every aspect of this restaurant is very late 60s / early 70s mobster scene. One has to wonder if ole boy Quentin had scoped this place out when he was looking for a place to film the bar scenes in Pulp Fiction! In fact, I believe the juke box even has some Marvin on the play list!

The food is pretty decent, but again, nothing to write home about; it’s certainly not egg noodles and ketchup like Henry Hill complained about in Goodfellas! They do a pretty good job with the steaks, and the mozzarella sticks are huge and pretty tasty. And if you’re looking for a classic drink concoction, that’s what they do best around here, so feel free to go with the flow and go totally retro - good and strong! If you want something more on the modern side of things, the bar staff are very accommodating and will take their time to make sure they mix your drink to your specifications.

What diners go for is the very charming, laid back and dim atmosphere, where the service is by far superior than just about any other Italian place in the city. Each patron is made to feel like an old friend that has been coming here for years, offering up just the right amount of service. And those big, round booths in the bar area serve as the perfect spots for getting in some PDA time!

If you decide to keep it at home for the night, this place does a great job with their delivery service. The prices are pretty reasonable, the portions very large, and the drivers are pretty fast. An added bonus is their drivers will stop and pick up beer and cigarettes for you, so if the weather is pretty lousy or you don’t want to lose the moment by having to get up and hit the liquor store, that bit of info is a gem within itself. Also, keep this place in mind for parties, since Congress sells a Stadium Pizza that’s bigger than two large ones for a really low price!

If you have spent more than a single week in Chicago and have not tried a deep dish pizza, you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself! This is the stuff we're known for, so take pride in where you're at and dig in! That first bite should be artfully crafted by one of the members of the Big Four*, and Lou Malnati's is certainly one of them.

What sets apart Lou Malnati's from the other members of the deep dish board is the fact that it's just a little bit different and a little bit... well, more. The owner honed his craft from working at Uno's, where the deep dish idea came from, and then embellished on it. Since Chicagoans are partial to sausage rather than pepperoni, the pizzas from here really focus on that. One full layer is laid out, so not a single bite misses out on that greasy, spicy goodness. The other signature ingredient is loads and loads of big, chunky tomatoes! These pizzas really add a whallop of flavor!

Personally, I prefer to go with a pie that is heavy in onions, and this is one of the few places that not only supplies its customers with the right amount of ingredients (which is A LOT!), but has a working knowledge of how to slice and cook them. This may seem pretty elementary or even nit picky to the pizza novice, but to us pie experts, this is critical! Otherwise, why bother adding toppings if they can't be tasted?

Perhaps the one oddity with Lou Malnati's is its main location, in the northern border burb of Lincolnwood, instead of the city proper. Perhaps the founder unwittingly opened his business here just to prove he really could whip up a pie better than his mentor, and he wanted to prove it with being as far away as he could and still get great business!

So, if you like your pizza so big and dense that it can be exchanged for a spare tire, then be sure to give Lou Malnati's a try. And yes, try the others, too, at least for comparison! Your diet may hate you, but your taste buds will be forever grateful.

* The other three, in no particular order, are: Uno's / Due's, Gino's East and Giordanos.

While the bulk of their business stems from their banquets and pizza delivery, La Villa does an excellent job at serving up wonderful, authentic Italian dishes, and the only thing inflated is their portions.

This dimly lit restaurant, complete with a full bar and tucked away, high backed booths sets the tone for a casual night out, more on the quiet side on later week nights. White linen table cloths and napkins adorn the well used tables and booths, lit by small candles, accompanied by quality olive oil for bread, setting the tone for something a little more special. Though the d?cor is very much a 70s throwback and could use a little sprucing up, there is a certain little bit of charm here that really doesn't seem to require they act all that fast on a total gut rehab.

Even when the adjacent banquet hall is booked up solid, the service is quick but not pressured, and everything prepared is fresh and home made. The basket of hot bread and focaccia is simply divine, the minestrone soup has a lot of flavor, and the pasta dishes are top notch. Their vast menu of steaks, ribs, chops and seafood are all grilled to perfection, and the small, fresh salad bar is quaint yet very tasty.

Of course, it's their pizza that made them a local favorite, and this is just the sort of place folks enjoy dining out for a pie. Sausage lovers will especially love their home made variety, and the sauce is right on time, even for picky Chicagoans who love their saucy pizzas! A decent selection of wines and brews are available, and the bar staff do a fine job of mixing just about anything guests could ask for.

It's little wonder folks have made this charming Italian restaurant part of their regular routine. La Villa makes folks feel right at home and even know their regulars on a first name basis. Just be sure to dine there after 7pm to ensure the families have already cleared out.

In a city renowned for very good pizza, it can be really difficult to pinpoint even a dozen extremely notable locations. Pequod's manages to do just that, due to its main feature, which can really throw people off on a first try. “They burnt my pizza!” people exclaim, but in actuality, the crust has been caramelized, inviting a whole new taste sensation even traditionalists enjoy.

This pizza joint is the real deal, residing in a converted two flat building with charming exposed brick, giant TV's and a juke box. There are a few appetizer, sandwich and pasta selections also available, which are excellent in their own right, but some would argue they exist merely to fill a menu, as the pizza itself needs no help - it's honestly just that good! In fact, the other surprising feature left out of the picture is Pequod's make their specialty in only two fashions, thin crust and pan, excluding what put Chicago on map in the first place, Chicago style deep dish, also known as stuffed.

Upon entering, the mouth will immediately begin to salivate, as the smell of baking cheese, crust and toppings fill the air. The décor is light and friendly, and since Pequod’s occupies both floors, those looking for a more intimate setting would enjoy the quieter area upstairs. Its location is right across the street from the popular Webster Place Cineplex and plenty of nearby shops, book stores and boutiques. It is therefore an ideal hot spot to do a little shopping, stop to eat and grab a pitcher, followed up with that blockbuster everyone is raving about!

While street parking can be difficult just about anywhere in Lincoln Park, the Webster Street lot offers plenty with store or movie validation, making the night a package deal all the more enticing. Of course, locals can get their burnt… no, carmelized, pizza delivered at home, should they decide to take the night indoors!

So remember: the next time you wander into the western section of Lincoln Park of that pizza place with the quirky name and their unusual crust for a casual night in the 'hood! It's worth a thousand trips more!

Next time you find yourself walking down North Avenue in Wicker Park, make sure you stop at Santullo's Eatery. Its outer appearance doesn’t quite hint at all the yummy goodness that can be found inside, which is why you have to check it out for yourself.

When you first walk in, delicious smells reach your nose and you realize that you’re suddenly really hungry. You’ll notice, too, the stylish but casual way that this place has been decorated. You have your choice of dark cherry-colored booths or high tables with chairs. Black and white photographs of people from generations gone hang high on the walls, and you can often hear quaint old-fashioned tunes while you eat. Tarnished wood floors add to the vintage feel.

But what’s most important is the food. Not only does Santullo’s serve classic sandwiches on fresh baked bread, but they also have homemade soups, salads, beer and wine, and sides like potato or pasta salad prepared daily! And who could forget their pizza; Santullo’s does, after all, boast “a slice of New York in Wicker Park.” They offer daily specials by the slice, too, and even a pizza “happy hour” Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm. A personal favorite is “Thee Hipster,” an amazing combination of fire roasted red pepper and goat cheese. Get a slice and you’ll be surprised by how it barely fits on the plate. For dessert, try the homemade Tiramisu or their signature “Big Apple.” And if by some chance you don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home, you can order one of Santullo’s 20-inch classics and have it delivered.

Best of all, Santullo’s Eatery is open until 3:00 A.M. on Fridays and Saturdays. That means you’ll be able to satisfy a late night craving without having to leave the bar early. Next time you’re in the area, stop in and have a slice. Your stomach will thank you.

If your date happens to be the antiquing type who simply adores authentic turn of the century, functional light fixtures, statuaries, moldings, beveled glass and paintings and also happens to love a good Chicago pizza, then Gulliver's on the far north side is a must!

Hearts flutter and jaws lie agape simply walking in the door, as the ambiance is absolutely breathtaking, many layers thick in stunning beauty. The owner boasts as having the largest such collection in the country, making the wait for a nice, thick pizza seem to fly right on by. The wooden bench tables adds to the flair, the delicate lighting is set just right and the HUGE outdoor garden makes for a beautiful, romantic evening.

Fresh, inventive and exhaustive toppings abound like artichoke hearts and eggplant are complimented with a perfect sauce, thick with tomatoes. The crust is thick, hearty and yes, crusty, and in true Chicago fashion, they don’t hold back on the cheese!

For those looking for something different, Gulliver’s offers a huge selection of authentic Italian entrees even staunch foodie critics rave about, and their steaks are cooked to perfection, with Mexican and even Chinese fare thrown in for a surprise bonus. Even their appetizers think big in terms of variety, like their avocado egg rolls. No stone has been left unturned, be it in its museum-quality decor, the expansive menu or in the pride and love put into the food.

So, while Chicagoans have a plethora of pizza places to choose from, all boasting to be the best, it’s Gulliver’s overall experience that makes it the best place for food and dining.

On the outside, this Mt Prospect pizza joint and bar adjoin its neighboring businesses in a reminiscent display of a classic European village. On the inside, Ye Olde Town Inn is a mish-mash of kitschy old school Americana can be found the walls, while the game area in back offers a glimpse of the kitchen preparing the pizzas that made this establishment a local standby.

Friday and Saturday nights feature hard rock and heavy metal acts, both local and touring, and an excellent selection of micro brews and imports are available at the adjacent bar. Free WiFi and large satellite TV’s are also present, making YOTI a great spot for catching the game while munching on wings, sticks and other appetizers. Those looking to avoid the fat can chow down on their pastas featuring their own sauce or the super fresh Ye Olde Garden Patch salad that serves as a meal in itself!

The thing that makes this place a stand-out above all of the hundreds of other pizza shops around Chicago is its unassuming and caring staff. Every customer is treated as an old friend, checking superficial and otherwise fancy nuances at the door. Also, an extension to their commitment to the community is displayed by donating all of their proceeds for shows, as well as collecting non-perishable food for the hungry.

So, for those who like it loud and proud, Ye Olde Town Inn (or YOTI as regulars affectionately like to call it) serves up a rockin’ good time while treating its guests to some of the best thin pizza and biggest burgers in all of Chicagoland!