Pizza. Chicago. Your expertise.
May 1, 2020 8:25 AM Subscribe
I've been in Chicago for over two years and never had a pizza I loved. This feels like a good day to rectify that. I'm vegetarian and I don't appreciate spicy or overly sweet pizza. Can you help me order something amazing to be delivered to me around Lincoln Park/Bucktown that: has wonderful broccoli/mushrooms/cheese/crust; isn't overly deep-dish; uses a great tomato-based sauce that isn't spicy?
My location is near Armitage and Sheffield.
I'm into a place that appreciates that good ingredients don't need to be overly sweetened or spiced; that knows how to make an amazing crust; and that can deliver to me.
I'm not interested in Chicago deep dish. I usually get broccoli and mushroom pizza with the usual cheese and red sauce.
If you could recommend something reminiscent of the Mellow Mushroom, but maybe with delicious vegetarian sausage, that would be amaaaaazing.
I have tried: Happy Camper pizza (spicy sauce, I think -- it's been a while, and I was really hoping for a good calzone which they also don't have); Roots Handmade (very spicy sauce that they insist 'isn't that spicy' - interesting vegan options, but not balanced flavor-wise); Giordano's in Oak Brook (I think I got a deep dish that overwhelmed me). I did stumble across an AMAZING tiny place near Oak Brook a while ago -- Prima La Pizza -- but it's too far away and looks like it's closed.
Thank you Chicago experts!
My location is near Armitage and Sheffield.
I'm into a place that appreciates that good ingredients don't need to be overly sweetened or spiced; that knows how to make an amazing crust; and that can deliver to me.
I'm not interested in Chicago deep dish. I usually get broccoli and mushroom pizza with the usual cheese and red sauce.
If you could recommend something reminiscent of the Mellow Mushroom, but maybe with delicious vegetarian sausage, that would be amaaaaazing.
I have tried: Happy Camper pizza (spicy sauce, I think -- it's been a while, and I was really hoping for a good calzone which they also don't have); Roots Handmade (very spicy sauce that they insist 'isn't that spicy' - interesting vegan options, but not balanced flavor-wise); Giordano's in Oak Brook (I think I got a deep dish that overwhelmed me). I did stumble across an AMAZING tiny place near Oak Brook a while ago -- Prima La Pizza -- but it's too far away and looks like it's closed.
Thank you Chicago experts!
(Connie's and HRI are on that Eater list? Oooookay, I guess 😆)
D'Agostino's, although you might find the sauce slightly sweet. It's an essential whenever I'm in Chicago.
Source: born and raised in the suburbs, lived on the north side many years.
posted by hijinx at 8:35 AM on May 1, 2020
D'Agostino's, although you might find the sauce slightly sweet. It's an essential whenever I'm in Chicago.
Source: born and raised in the suburbs, lived on the north side many years.
posted by hijinx at 8:35 AM on May 1, 2020
If there's an Aurelio's location near you, that would be worthwhile. It's a thin crust, and maybe slightly on the sweeter side for sauce, but one of my favorite Chicago pizzas.
posted by hydra77 at 9:06 AM on May 1, 2020
posted by hydra77 at 9:06 AM on May 1, 2020
Not currently open, but Piece!
Came in to say Piece as well. It's been a good while since I lived in Chicago, but it was my favorite non-deep-dish while I was there. (Glad to hear it's still around!)
posted by egregious theorem at 9:33 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Came in to say Piece as well. It's been a good while since I lived in Chicago, but it was my favorite non-deep-dish while I was there. (Glad to hear it's still around!)
posted by egregious theorem at 9:33 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Hey, I'm actually hoping to order a pizza _today_, so the closed places are... just making me feel hungry :)
So, I guess a checklist version of what I'm looking for is:
- tomato sauce that is balanced in flavor - not spicy, not sweet
- has broccoli
- medium crust
- not deep dish
- delicious - good ingredients, knows how to make veggie pizza that's not just peppers and onions, chewy crust, etc.
- currently delivering pizza to my location :)
--
It looks like Pequod's has thin crust and deep dish -- is there any chance their "thin crust" is what I think of as "medium crust"? That is, thin only relative to the deep dish casserole thing that some people call Chicago style?
Middlebrow kits - what's the sauce like?
Table/Donkey/Stick - Sounds good overall, but their veggie pizza offerings seem to center on peppers and tons of cheese.
D'Agostino's - no broccoli :(, and I can only choose thin crust or deep dish. Is thin actually medium crust?
posted by amtho at 9:41 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
So, I guess a checklist version of what I'm looking for is:
- tomato sauce that is balanced in flavor - not spicy, not sweet
- has broccoli
- medium crust
- not deep dish
- delicious - good ingredients, knows how to make veggie pizza that's not just peppers and onions, chewy crust, etc.
- currently delivering pizza to my location :)
--
It looks like Pequod's has thin crust and deep dish -- is there any chance their "thin crust" is what I think of as "medium crust"? That is, thin only relative to the deep dish casserole thing that some people call Chicago style?
Middlebrow kits - what's the sauce like?
Table/Donkey/Stick - Sounds good overall, but their veggie pizza offerings seem to center on peppers and tons of cheese.
D'Agostino's - no broccoli :(, and I can only choose thin crust or deep dish. Is thin actually medium crust?
posted by amtho at 9:41 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
This won't help you right now but Piece in Wicker Park is absolutely amazing. New Haven-style. It's also a brewery, but sadly closed right now due to the pandemic. Dante's in Logan Square is also great for NY-style. Those have been my two choices since moving here as someone who prefers how the East coast does pizza.
I believe Dante's is open, or was last I checked.
posted by signondiego at 9:46 AM on May 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
I believe Dante's is open, or was last I checked.
posted by signondiego at 9:46 AM on May 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
Jimmy's Pizza Cafe is highly underrated! 5159 N Lincoln Ave.
posted by steinwald at 10:13 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by steinwald at 10:13 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
If Roots's sauce is too spicy for you then Dante's will be absolutely nuclear.
I would ordinarily second Jimmy's Pizza Cafe but they are struggling mightily to keep dough in stock right now and are not a good option for a Friday night.
Calo Ristorante in Andersonville might fit your bill. I am pretty sure they deliver out to LP/Bucktown.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:42 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
I would ordinarily second Jimmy's Pizza Cafe but they are struggling mightily to keep dough in stock right now and are not a good option for a Friday night.
Calo Ristorante in Andersonville might fit your bill. I am pretty sure they deliver out to LP/Bucktown.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:42 AM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
BONCI. https://bonciusa.com/
posted by something_witty at 10:50 AM on May 1, 2020
posted by something_witty at 10:50 AM on May 1, 2020
D'Agostino's - no broccoli :(, and I can only choose thin crust or deep dish. Is thin actually medium crust?
It's pretty thin. I wouldn't consider it medium, which for me is a pan pizza style. This is pub style.
posted by hijinx at 11:28 AM on May 1, 2020
It's pretty thin. I wouldn't consider it medium, which for me is a pan pizza style. This is pub style.
posted by hijinx at 11:28 AM on May 1, 2020
Does La Gondola deliver to you? Their thin crust might not meet your desires ( I also don't know what you mean by "medium") but their sauce is not spicy and their choice of vegetables for pizza is good.
posted by crush at 11:48 AM on May 1, 2020
posted by crush at 11:48 AM on May 1, 2020
Dante's!
Also a different kind of pizza but I dig Armand's as well.
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:04 PM on May 1, 2020
Also a different kind of pizza but I dig Armand's as well.
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:04 PM on May 1, 2020
Best answer: Try Pizzeria Serio. AFAIK, no broccoli, but a good selection of veggie toppings. Their pizza sauce is fantastic, not spicy, and their pizza dough is close-ish to Mellow Mushroom, but better IMO. Also, if they don't deliver to you, they do contact-less pick up if you want an option for a different day.
I would emphatically not recommend Pequod's thin crust. And Dantes, while delicious and excellent, will be too spicy based on your comments.
I will be following for any Chicago Mellow Mushroom dupes, we are southern transplants and share your opinion of the majority of pizza here.
posted by ailouros08 at 12:09 PM on May 1, 2020
I would emphatically not recommend Pequod's thin crust. And Dantes, while delicious and excellent, will be too spicy based on your comments.
I will be following for any Chicago Mellow Mushroom dupes, we are southern transplants and share your opinion of the majority of pizza here.
posted by ailouros08 at 12:09 PM on May 1, 2020
Response by poster: ailouros08 - You've got me thinking that Southern Pizza might be A Thing. A thing that I am missing. Huh. I'm missing the pizza in Chapel Hill and in Atlanta. Pizzeria Serio looks pretty good! No broccoli, though, you're right... I might try a spinach pizza anyway.
crush - Looking seriously at La Gondola. Their menu is very promising. Thank you.
posted by amtho at 12:34 PM on May 1, 2020
crush - Looking seriously at La Gondola. Their menu is very promising. Thank you.
posted by amtho at 12:34 PM on May 1, 2020
These are the places I have tried in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area.
I don't know if they are all still open. I know Piece is closed, otherwise that is always a good option.
Coalfire -- New England style Pizza. One of the top five thin crust in Chicago for me.
Dimo's --- NY (ish) Pizza with wonderful sauce and toppings.
Parlor Pizza --- Good Bar Pizza, thin crust.
My Pi -- I have not had their thin crust; but their Deep Dish is top five in Chicago for me. I am guessing their thin crust is good as well. This is one of the few places in Chicago (other than Art of Pizza) that you can get Deep Dish by the slice. Which is why I get that everytime. Plus their sauce is fabulous.
Bonci --- Roman Pizza by the pound. but I don't know if you can order your own toppings etc.
Etta -- If open, really decent thin crust. But I don't remember my Pizza having sauce., or if it did it was not memorable. The toppings kick ass.
Spacca Napoli --- Ravenswood, may not deliver to you. One of the best in the city.
Knead --- Also decent thin crust.
Personally, I would have you try the My Pi Deep Dish. You can get it by the slice, so you don't have to order a whole pizza and if you don't like it, you are only out a bit of moolah rather than mucho dinero. For my money, this along with Art of Pizza are good ways to try and see if you like this style of Pizza. And if you want to splurge and get the whole pie; I always go to LaBriola or Bartolli. Nothing else really compares. Pequod is not really deep dish.
I really don't like Roots. I think it's terrible. Same with Craft. I like the owner so I go there a bit, but I am never happy. The crust lacks flavor. It's not as bad as Roots, but I would rather go somewhere else.
Edited to add: Pizzeria Bebu near North/Clybourn is also in the top five for me. A new place near North and Wells was supposed to open, but I have a feeling it is shut down now.
posted by indianbadger1 at 2:01 PM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
I don't know if they are all still open. I know Piece is closed, otherwise that is always a good option.
Coalfire -- New England style Pizza. One of the top five thin crust in Chicago for me.
Dimo's --- NY (ish) Pizza with wonderful sauce and toppings.
Parlor Pizza --- Good Bar Pizza, thin crust.
My Pi -- I have not had their thin crust; but their Deep Dish is top five in Chicago for me. I am guessing their thin crust is good as well. This is one of the few places in Chicago (other than Art of Pizza) that you can get Deep Dish by the slice. Which is why I get that everytime. Plus their sauce is fabulous.
Bonci --- Roman Pizza by the pound. but I don't know if you can order your own toppings etc.
Etta -- If open, really decent thin crust. But I don't remember my Pizza having sauce., or if it did it was not memorable. The toppings kick ass.
Spacca Napoli --- Ravenswood, may not deliver to you. One of the best in the city.
Knead --- Also decent thin crust.
Personally, I would have you try the My Pi Deep Dish. You can get it by the slice, so you don't have to order a whole pizza and if you don't like it, you are only out a bit of moolah rather than mucho dinero. For my money, this along with Art of Pizza are good ways to try and see if you like this style of Pizza. And if you want to splurge and get the whole pie; I always go to LaBriola or Bartolli. Nothing else really compares. Pequod is not really deep dish.
I really don't like Roots. I think it's terrible. Same with Craft. I like the owner so I go there a bit, but I am never happy. The crust lacks flavor. It's not as bad as Roots, but I would rather go somewhere else.
Edited to add: Pizzeria Bebu near North/Clybourn is also in the top five for me. A new place near North and Wells was supposed to open, but I have a feeling it is shut down now.
posted by indianbadger1 at 2:01 PM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
I haven't had it, but it's on the Eater 20 Essentials list so I'd trust it. The Art of Pizza has pan pizza ("medium" crust), broccoli as a topping, and is close to you. Probably your best bet.
posted by hwyengr at 2:13 PM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by hwyengr at 2:13 PM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Oops ... I just reread your requirements for NO Deep Dish. But seriously, if your only introduction to Deep Dish was the usual Giodano's/Lou Malnati /Gino's East/Uno; I can see why you wouldn't like it. :-)
And I saw that your place is near Armitage/ Sheffield. Pizzeria Bebu or Stella Barra Pizzaria (Lettuce restaurant) are probably your best bets. I would recommend Bebu. I put it in my top five thin crust in the city. Just fantastic. It's not a Neapolitan crust, more like a Roman crust like Bonci; but the ingredients take it to the next level. I think the people who run it used to work for Trotter or Achatz. Plus when I was there, they allowed me to do a half and half on the pizza for no extra charge.
Edited to add: Sorry about all these edits, but Bebu is closed. :-(. Stella Barra is however, open. That may be your best option really close, so you can get the Pizza piping hot. :-)
posted by indianbadger1 at 2:22 PM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
And I saw that your place is near Armitage/ Sheffield. Pizzeria Bebu or Stella Barra Pizzaria (Lettuce restaurant) are probably your best bets. I would recommend Bebu. I put it in my top five thin crust in the city. Just fantastic. It's not a Neapolitan crust, more like a Roman crust like Bonci; but the ingredients take it to the next level. I think the people who run it used to work for Trotter or Achatz. Plus when I was there, they allowed me to do a half and half on the pizza for no extra charge.
Edited to add: Sorry about all these edits, but Bebu is closed. :-(. Stella Barra is however, open. That may be your best option really close, so you can get the Pizza piping hot. :-)
posted by indianbadger1 at 2:22 PM on May 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Pat's Pizza in Lincoln Park does very good very thin crust pizza and they have broccoli; our favorite combination from there is artichokes, garlic, onion and fresh tomato. It's an old-school place and their tomato sauce is not spicy.
posted by sencha at 8:32 AM on May 2, 2020
posted by sencha at 8:32 AM on May 2, 2020
Maybe a bit farther than you want to travel, but Village Pizza in Elgin is the gold standard for thin crust.
Also, surprised no has mentioned Lou's! They do more than just deep dish...
posted by jmfitch at 3:35 AM on May 5, 2020
Also, surprised no has mentioned Lou's! They do more than just deep dish...
posted by jmfitch at 3:35 AM on May 5, 2020
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Paulie Gee's in Logan is closed, but does amazing Detroit style pizza.
Table Donkey Stick is doing fantastic pizza during shelter-in-place.
Middlebrow is great, but during shelter-in-place, they are offering pick-up take-home pizza kits. My oven doesn't get hot enough so it's not the same.
Working your way through this list is probably worthwhile, but no specific recs from there.
posted by quadrilaterals at 8:29 AM on May 1, 2020