The discussion about some of Chicago's finest pizzerias seems to have left out a couple of notable pizzas. First of all, there are two distinct styles in chicago pizza: the Gino/Uno/Due style and the Giordano's/Carmens/Nancy's style. Personally, I prefer the latter, but you should try both to see for yourself. The 1st style tends to have a less flaky crust and a thinner stuffed pizza in general -not due to a lack of toppings, but due to less cheese. The 2nd style is heavier, has much more cheese :), and has excellent flaky crusts. Mind you, that these are somewhat arbitrary categories of my own creation, so I'm sure they'll be those who disagree with me. In the first category, the most prominent/best places are: Gino's East: 160 E. Superior (~1.5 blocks east of Michigan Ave, a nice 15-20 minute walk from the loop.) -Cool atmosphere -expect LONG lines. Uno's: 29 E. Ohio (~1 block west of Michigan Ave and a block or two north or south of Gino's-I forget which) Due's: 619 N. Wabash (visible from Uno's) ** Uno's and Due's are owned by the same owner, so the pizza is the same at both locations. In the second category: Giordano's: 28 E. Jackson (This is the one most convenient to the loop; as it IS in the loop) Carmen's: Belmont & Sheffield (near Wrigley Field) also: 6568 N. Sheridan (far North side, near evanston) Nancy's: 2930 N. Broadway Connie's: 2373 S. Archer Ave (326-3443) (I have no idea how to get there by public transit from the loop,but I'm sure there is a way) Edwardo's: all over (DON'T try the one in hyde park, on 57th a few doors down from Medici -the service there is the worst in the world!!) location closest to the loop: 521 S. Dearborn. Sorta in between categories: Lou Malnati's: 441 N. Wells (Right downtown, they say they deliver anywhere in the world -frozen pizza, of course). Also of note: Bacino's: 75 E. wacker Drive (right downtown) -I haven't tried them yet, so I can't comment on their pizza, but I've been told it's very good. Suparossa: 4256 N. Central (falls into the 2nd category, ok, but not superb). Probably hard to get to by public transit. Medici in Hyde Park: 1327 E. 57th St. (take the Metra IC train from Randolph and just east of Michigan south to 57th street and proceed west about 7-8 blocks. You can also get off at 59th st. and go north 2 blocks, it's ~15-20 min. walking; $1.75 for the IC) They have EXCELLENT tomato and garlic pizza! I assume the Medici on Surf (Surf and Sheridan; 2850 N. Sheridan) has the same, but I haven't been there yet. I would recommend that you try Ginos or Unos, Lou Malnati's, and Giordano's. If you like stuffed spinach, the best that I've tried (by far) is Edwardo's -they use the best quality spinach. Enjoy! :) -Sarang. [email removed] P.S. Having a phone book nearby is really handy!
Pizza
Chicago Style Pizza
Someone wrote: > > Lou Malnati's: 441 N. Wells (Right downtown, they say they deliver >anywhere in the world -frozen pizza, of course). Lou Malnatti's used to be in Lincolnwood, at least a generation ago when I lived in Chicagoland; back then it was so much better than others of its ilk that we'd often go way out there instead of the much more convenient Unos, Dues, Ginos, etc. If it is still as good, and they'll deliver to Hawaii, I might give them a try again! - David
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41 Nntp-Posting-Host: ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu Jeff C. wrote: > >I wish that someone who recommends Uno would explain why someone who has had the >pathetic product marketed under their name on the East Coast should give them >another chance. Well, I never ate at either Uno's or Due's in Chicago when I lived there, and although I agree that the Franchise stuff absolutely stinks, I'd give the original Chicago haunts a try. >I've had lotsa Chicago pizza over the years, but I never made it to Uno's. (Too >busy eating at the late lamented Big Pickle in Evanston, My Pi at Loyola, Gino's ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Alas, Mi Pi at Loyola was just a block from where I lived. That was indeed my FAVORITE pizza in all of Chicago. And every time I went there, I would order sausage with green olives. MAGNIFICENT! And I've never ever tasted better sausage. But, alas, the My Pi at Loyola (el stop) is no more. There is one in Wilmette, however, but with an unfortunately yuppy atmosphere. Pizza's still good, though, and they have frozen ones to take away. Finally, My Pi had the most wonderful marinated skirt steak sandwich -- reminiscent of the best fajitas I'd savored in the depths of Texas! Yum. Gee, I miss that big warm fireplace at the Loyola My Pi -- where I used to escape when my apartment got too nippy during those 80-below windchill days. Great place. Carol [email removed]
Carol M. wrote: [deletions] > >Well, I never ate at either Uno's or Due's in Chicago when I lived >there, and although I agree that the Franchise stuff absolutely >stinks, I'd give the original Chicago haunts a try. > > >I've had lotsa Chicago pizza over the years, but I never made it to Uno's. (Too > >busy eating at the late lamented Big Pickle in Evanston, My Pi at Loyola, Gino's > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > >Alas, Mi Pi at Loyola was just a block from where I lived. That >was indeed my FAVORITE pizza in all of Chicago. And every time >I went there, I would order sausage with green olives. MAGNIFICENT! >And I've never ever tasted better sausage. But, alas, the My Pi at >Loyola (el stop) is no more. There is one in Wilmette, however, >but with an unfortunately yuppy atmosphere. Pizza's still good, >though, and they have frozen ones to take away. Finally, My Pi >had the most wonderful marinated skirt steak sandwich -- >reminiscent of the best fajitas I'd savored in the depths of >Texas! Yum. Gee, I miss that big warm fireplace at the Loyola >My Pi -- where I used to escape when my apartment got too nippy >during those 80-below windchill days. Great place. > >Carol >[email removed] I believe there is a My Pi in Lincoln Park, on Clark just north of Fullerton. I haven't been, so it may well have an atmosphere like the one in Wilmette. The My Pi at Loyola is indeed gone, but Carmen's has taken that space. Once a pizza place, always a pizza place? ;-) --Brian O'Laughlin --SPSS Inc.
If you like UNO's deep-dish style pizza : If any of you are traveling West & looking for a great deep-dish stuffed pizza you owe it to yourself to try Eduardos. It's a (relatively) new chain that I've frequented in Minneapolis and Cleveland - and more of them are popping up every day. Try the Pesto Stuffed Pizza- it's really good & I really don't care for pesto. Their pizzas are a series of thin pieces of dough layered with suaces & cheese (about a pound) and then covered with fresh tomato sause before going in the oven. They are a bit pricey - but 2 slices of a large will fill the average adult. My suggestion - get the IBC rootbeer to go with it. How good are they? My friend and I are talking about partnering a franchise here in Pittsburgh. They are as good as UNOs _used_ to be. They have already given all of Cuyahoga County in Cleveland to one person! What this company's stock - It's bound to go up........ Don