Courtesy of Bar Siena
Pizza is a Chicago tradition. Whether it’s deep dish, crispy-crusted or topped with crazy ingredients, when a Chicagoan talks about “pie,” we know it’s not the dessert. And while there are plenty of nationally-known pizza chains in our Windy City, it’s the neighborhood haunts that have us coming back again and again. From River North to the West Loop and beyond, each area has a favorite haunt. Here are our top spots for a little ‘za right now…
Labriola Cafe & Bakery
There’s a reason their pizza has been our cover star in the past. Labriola {535 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago; 312.955.3100} is part cafe and part bakery, so their pizza crust is second to none. They offer Chicago-style thin crust and deep dish as well as a Neapolitan pizza with a wide range of toppings. Don’t miss “Danny’s Special,” topped with tomato, mozzarella, sausage, mushroom, green pepper, and onions. It’s the quintessential Chicago-style treat!
Riccardo Enoteca
Riccardo Michi’s family has been in the restaurant business since 1943, first in Italy and then in New York and Chicago. You may know him from his sister location Riccardo Trattoria, which received the Bib Gourmand Award from Michelin in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Now, you can also dine on delicious pizza at his classic Italian wine bar, Riccardo Enoteca {2116 North Clark Street, Chicago; 773.549.5010}, right across the street from Riccardo Trattoria. These pizzas are steeped in years and generations of flavor expertise!
Oggi Trattoria
The pizza world is your oyster at Oggi Trattoria {1118 West Grand Avenue, Chicago 60642; 312.733.0442} thanks to a toppings list that includes ingredients like sausage, ground and roast beef, meatballs, anchovies, bacon, BBQ sauce, ricotta cheese, mushrooms, eggplant, hot peppers and even capers (to name a few). This family business is old school Italian in the best of ways, so even if you’re not a pizza fan, they have plenty of other classic dishes you’re sure to love. Also, don’t miss their Baked Clams as an appetizer before digging into their pizza.
Pranzi Chicago
Even the best classic recipes need a little twist now and then, and Pranzi Chicago {434 West Ontario Street, Chicago; 312.944.4340} is bringing innovation to signature Italian recipes. The have a wide range of pizza options from thin to extra thin to “double dough” crusts on their Make Your Own menu. But, in the end, nothing surpasses their signature Da Double D pie, which consists of two layers of crispy dough stuffed with sauce, Italian beef, mozzarella and giardinera peppers, then is finished with sausage arugula made from olive oil, roasted garlic, crumbled sausage, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh arugula. It’s impossible to say “No!”
Courtesy of Bar Siena
Bar Siena
Sister restaurant to River North’s Siena Tavern, Bar Siena {832 West Randolph Street, Chicago; 312.492.7775} caters to the West Loop crowd with classic Italian favorites as well as street food options. Chief among these options are the crunchy crust pizzas that vary from options you’d expect like Heirloom Tomato and Basil, to more creative variations including Prosciutto Fig with truffle honey (above) or the Burrata and Grilled Eggplant. Be sure to save room for dessert—their Bombobar is open late with treats like gelato and housemade bombolonis.
Bar Toma
Dough Bros Pizzeria & Sub Shop
Credit: Kailley Lindman
Green Street Local
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