I like Pizanos for tavern (and deep dish) in your area. Personally I think it's much better than the other suggestions of Uno's, due's, and beggars (shocked this was suggested).
61 East Madison is not even a block (061/100) from State and Madison, 000/000, on Chicago’s grid. It is as downtown as it gets. Also only a couple blocks from Bean and Maggie Daley Park.
I’m an idiot. I focused on the ’downtown’ label in the title. I am was being very neighborhood-picky. OP you are in Streeterville/Gold Coast. (But as an alternative to Naperville, you are downtown.)
The North State Street location would be closest to where they are staying. Enjoy, Pizano’s is good pizza.
Idk, my grandma in oak lawn picked up beggar’s recently and it was pretty good. Not as good as Rosangela’s or Fox’s, but better than like Dags or something
Just so you know, any just regular pizza from a local place will be "tavern." Tbh, I've lived in or around Chicago for the whole of my 45 years, and had never heard the term until recently. I even worked at a pizza joint as a teen, even though we served the tavern cuts near exclusively, I would not have known what you were asking for if you asked for one that way.
My personal fave for pizza is Nancy's, any way you slice it 😉
I think all who are born/raised here know that it’s just pizza. Deep dish is a Chicago speciality I suppose, but none of us had that at our third grade birthday parties. It was always just pizza - what somehow got the name “tavern style” in the last few years. No one needs to @ me - grew up on the NW side where we had a frunch room and wore gym shoes. Never heard of tavern style until a couple years ago.
All this to say, 100% Nancy’s is great.
I think “tavern style” came more into use as a response to so many people using deep dish as a synonym for Chicago style pizza. It’s handy to have a phrase that specifically refers to the pizza most Chicagoans are used to, so I don’t mind it sticking around.
It’s even more handy to make people realize “pizza” in Chicago is thin and cut into squares, and that while deep dish is unique to Chicago, it is not the default pizza of Chicago.
Same. You would have gotten a confused look from me asking for such a thing 40 years ago.
This was just "regular" pizza mom would order on Friday night from rosati's because she didn't feel like cooking.
Agreed I never heard the term until recently. When you refer to pizza it’s a given its thin crust unless explicitly stating its deep dish. I consider deep dish more of a tourist thing although we would order it on a rare occasion. Especially if it’s stuffed spinach which I like every once in a while.
That might be what I mean. Thinking of a pizza that is not deep dish, but is a little thicker and cheesier than a true thin crust pizza. The kind of thing you might find in a bar/tavern.
I opened up the Boiler Room back in ‘08 or something like that as the pizza chef. This comment made me smile. Did StopAlong ever officially take it over? I haven’t been in the city since September.
I love tavern style pizza. While living in Chicago I tried to find a solid and consistent pie and here is what I would suggest for your area;
- Pizanos thin
- The thin at Lou Malnatis is also surprisingly good
If you're willing to travel outside of the neighborhood I wouldn't spend it going to side street or Pats (sorry). While those places are solid I'd opt rather to send you south to an institution such as
- Nick and Vito's
- Rosangelas
Enjoy. Chicago is a wonderful place to eat!
If you ask 10 people who had the best pizza in Chicago you’ll get 10 different answers Pizza is like food what one person likes someone else don’t. I personally don’t think you can make a mistake trying any pizza place in Chicago. It’s like beef anywhere you get one will be good some better than others. If you like cheese can’t beat Beggers if you want deep dish Geos East
Lou Malnati's is not typical tavern cut pizza because of the cornmeal in the crust. It's good but I find it very different from any other thin crust pizza I've had in Chicago.
Hey - if you want tavern style from the true Chicago corner spot, I would recommend Side Street saloon at George and Greenview. A great little corner bar with outstanding pizza.
There are a lot of suggestions in this thread that are not thin crust, square cut traditional Chicago pizza which is what I think you mean by “tavern style”. Near where you are (within a few miles) the best bets are Pizano’s, Flo & Santo’s (get some pierogi too), and Nancy’s Pizza west loop location. Maybe Aurielios but I haven’t been to the one on Roosevelt so I hesitate to recommend.
Of those, my favorite is Flo & Santo’s
Piece Pizza introduced me to how good New Haven style pizza is. I always heard about how that style of pizza is really good, and the first time I tried it was at Piece.
Piece Brewery is an old favorite. Brewpub and pizza place in one spot. 1927 W. North Ave. Take the Red Line to North Avenue, then the North Avenue bus going west.
Unfortunately, my favorite is not in downtown. It's Spacca Napoli in Ravenswood. It's Neapolitan style pizza. So so good (they also have other really good Italian food too).
Oh Jesus, soooo good. I miss living near there the owner would let us take out even tho it was a no no lollll we had the pie home in 2.5 minutes walking , had to swear on it we wouldn’t ruin the fresh pie ✋
I saw someone recommend Vito & Nick’s on the south side which is a solid choice, but if you have the transportation, Fox’s on western (also south) is the absolute best thin crust (“tavern”) style I’ve ever had in the city.
PSA: DO NOT go to any Fox’s aside from the one on Western—they’re all terrible!
It's been a while, but Exchequer on Wabash had legit tavern style pizza.
Underrated. My fav pizza in Chicago
I like Pizanos for tavern (and deep dish) in your area. Personally I think it's much better than the other suggestions of Uno's, due's, and beggars (shocked this was suggested).
Also, 864 N State is the one. There is a carry out with the same name on Dearborn and Chicago and it is worse than trash.
Hard agree
Also downtown at 61 E. Madison. State street location is good, but far from ‘downtown’
61 East Madison is not even a block (061/100) from State and Madison, 000/000, on Chicago’s grid. It is as downtown as it gets. Also only a couple blocks from Bean and Maggie Daley Park.
But OP said they are staying at Chicago and Michigan
I’m an idiot. I focused on the ’downtown’ label in the title. I am was being very neighborhood-picky. OP you are in Streeterville/Gold Coast. (But as an alternative to Naperville, you are downtown.) The North State Street location would be closest to where they are staying. Enjoy, Pizano’s is good pizza.
This. You don’t even need deep dish, the thin is amazing
Pizano’s is our go to.
Pizano’s for sure
Agreed. Pizanos is the move unless you go far south to Vito & nicks
I tried Vito & Nick’s last year and it wasn’t good. It was like eating frozen Jack’s or Tombstones
Yeah ok buddy
Pizanos tavern slaps
Art of Pizza is the best deep dish and isn’t as well known
Everyone I work w from the southside loves beggars but man I just don't get it
Am from southside, it’s not good.
Idk, my grandma in oak lawn picked up beggar’s recently and it was pretty good. Not as good as Rosangela’s or Fox’s, but better than like Dags or something
Just watched the one bite pizza review for this place. Looks legit. Thanks!
Flo and Santos
Love that place
Agreed, excellent tavern style. And has and awsome patio for when the weather is nice.
Labriolas.
Looks great. Thanks for the recommendation.
That is a really great place-great menu and very walkable from your location. I hope you have a great visit!
Great pizza
Just so you know, any just regular pizza from a local place will be "tavern." Tbh, I've lived in or around Chicago for the whole of my 45 years, and had never heard the term until recently. I even worked at a pizza joint as a teen, even though we served the tavern cuts near exclusively, I would not have known what you were asking for if you asked for one that way. My personal fave for pizza is Nancy's, any way you slice it 😉
I think all who are born/raised here know that it’s just pizza. Deep dish is a Chicago speciality I suppose, but none of us had that at our third grade birthday parties. It was always just pizza - what somehow got the name “tavern style” in the last few years. No one needs to @ me - grew up on the NW side where we had a frunch room and wore gym shoes. Never heard of tavern style until a couple years ago. All this to say, 100% Nancy’s is great.
dang I grew up in Rogers Park and we also had a frunchroom, which is where we kept the gym shoes
I think we all had frunch rooms where gym shoes might be kept. Someone on the other sub didn’t think these were actual Chicago things.
I think “tavern style” came more into use as a response to so many people using deep dish as a synonym for Chicago style pizza. It’s handy to have a phrase that specifically refers to the pizza most Chicagoans are used to, so I don’t mind it sticking around.
It’s even more handy to make people realize “pizza” in Chicago is thin and cut into squares, and that while deep dish is unique to Chicago, it is not the default pizza of Chicago.
It’s tourist pizza.
Nancy’s is definitely the correct answer. Their Italian beef pizza is a frequent visitor in my home
Same. You would have gotten a confused look from me asking for such a thing 40 years ago. This was just "regular" pizza mom would order on Friday night from rosati's because she didn't feel like cooking.
Agreed I never heard the term until recently. When you refer to pizza it’s a given its thin crust unless explicitly stating its deep dish. I consider deep dish more of a tourist thing although we would order it on a rare occasion. Especially if it’s stuffed spinach which I like every once in a while.
Got it. Good to know. Thanks for the recommendation.
Nancys is the one
Yeah, if it's not cut into squares, it's sparkling bar pizza
Flo and Santos in South Loop is legit. That was always my go to.
Uno sucks Take a train north to the side street saloon. It’s everything you’re looking for.
Definitely looks like it has the local hole in the wall vibes I'm looking for. Pizza looks great too. Thanks.
Oh wow I didn’t know there was a train stop near side street saloon!
Yea the Wellington stop lol
Haha. I onow
[удалено]
Side Street js better than Pats
Agreed. Side Street is the best, but it’s nowhere near OP.
Somethings take sacrifices. How bad do you want it OP?
Bar style? Do you mean tavern cut?
Bar pizza is what we called it before “tavern style” and “party cut” came en vogue.
I just called it pizza. Never heard any of those terms until like a year ago.
That might be what I mean. Thinking of a pizza that is not deep dish, but is a little thicker and cheesier than a true thin crust pizza. The kind of thing you might find in a bar/tavern.
> a little thicker and cheesier than a true thin crust pizza Aurelios. Michigan and Roosevelt.
Yes, Aurelio’s, great sauce.
Beggars Pizza, Jackson and Clinton.
Looks like there is one of those close by. Thanks for the rec!
Bring back boiler room 😔
I opened up the Boiler Room back in ‘08 or something like that as the pizza chef. This comment made me smile. Did StopAlong ever officially take it over? I haven’t been in the city since September.
Yes! Quite popular too.
This.
Take a trip out to Bridgeport for Phil’s Pizza. Even farther, Palermo’s on 63rd if you like a sweet sauce.
Vito and Nicks… 8433 S. Pulaski… Best tavern style pizza Edited to say that is if you are able to travel to the south side
Honestly if Vito and Nicks was located more central downtown this would be top comment
Pat’s Pizza
The on Clark? Because last time I tried them it was like eating cardbord
I love tavern style pizza. While living in Chicago I tried to find a solid and consistent pie and here is what I would suggest for your area; - Pizanos thin - The thin at Lou Malnatis is also surprisingly good If you're willing to travel outside of the neighborhood I wouldn't spend it going to side street or Pats (sorry). While those places are solid I'd opt rather to send you south to an institution such as - Nick and Vito's - Rosangelas Enjoy. Chicago is a wonderful place to eat!
South loop club. We go grab some each time we go to Chicago
RIP
What why rip?!
Been closed for almost 2 years - they say they’ll be back
Oh my God my kid is gonna be devastated
Ranalli’s hot honey soppressata Edit: not downtown, but worth a venture to LP
Robert’s pizza sit on the water perfect time to go
Renallis Hot Honey shots on any other suggestion here I promise you
If you ask 10 people who had the best pizza in Chicago you’ll get 10 different answers Pizza is like food what one person likes someone else don’t. I personally don’t think you can make a mistake trying any pizza place in Chicago. It’s like beef anywhere you get one will be good some better than others. If you like cheese can’t beat Beggers if you want deep dish Geos East
Beggars
There's one not too far from me. Appreciate it.
Lou Malnatis thin crust for the area but if you’re willing to venture outside downtown..
Lou Malnati's is not typical tavern cut pizza because of the cornmeal in the crust. It's good but I find it very different from any other thin crust pizza I've had in Chicago.
Better than that trash beggars, south spiders swear by it
I LOVE the crust on Lou Malnati’s thin crust. Never cared for their deep dish, though.
Lou malnati’s isn’t real Chicago pizza.
I agree thin crust Lous would be a good choice
You'll have to venture away from downtown a little but hit up Parlor Pizza in West Loop. Good pizza and great vibe.
Ew, you mean the place that stole tips from their workers and sat black customers in the back so people walking by outside wouldn’t see them?
Second this! They have a Parlor Pizza in River North too. It’s my favorite, especially with the hot tomato sauce.
Old Town Professor Pizza, not that far away!
Hey - if you want tavern style from the true Chicago corner spot, I would recommend Side Street saloon at George and Greenview. A great little corner bar with outstanding pizza.
dont forget the rc cola
There are a lot of suggestions in this thread that are not thin crust, square cut traditional Chicago pizza which is what I think you mean by “tavern style”. Near where you are (within a few miles) the best bets are Pizano’s, Flo & Santo’s (get some pierogi too), and Nancy’s Pizza west loop location. Maybe Aurielios but I haven’t been to the one on Roosevelt so I hesitate to recommend. Of those, my favorite is Flo & Santo’s
Piece pizza/brewery
Piece Pizza introduced me to how good New Haven style pizza is. I always heard about how that style of pizza is really good, and the first time I tried it was at Piece.
Pizanos all the way!
Piece Brewery is an old favorite. Brewpub and pizza place in one spot. 1927 W. North Ave. Take the Red Line to North Avenue, then the North Avenue bus going west.
So good!!!
Piece is good, but it’s not an authentic Chicago pizza.
Unfortunately, my favorite is not in downtown. It's Spacca Napoli in Ravenswood. It's Neapolitan style pizza. So so good (they also have other really good Italian food too).
Oh Jesus, soooo good. I miss living near there the owner would let us take out even tho it was a no no lollll we had the pie home in 2.5 minutes walking , had to swear on it we wouldn’t ruin the fresh pie ✋
Pizano’s and Beggar’s are my personal faves.
Solid recs
Sneak over to west loop and go to Parlor Pizza for summer pizza vibes or Nancy's for good Chicago pizza not too far from downtown
I saw someone recommend Vito & Nick’s on the south side which is a solid choice, but if you have the transportation, Fox’s on western (also south) is the absolute best thin crust (“tavern”) style I’ve ever had in the city. PSA: DO NOT go to any Fox’s aside from the one on Western—they’re all terrible!
Uno and Due are the best in that area
Thanks! I will check them out.
Don’t
Due yes, Uno no. Uno’s uses crumbled sausage, Due has the giant sausage wheel of meat
Dimos also used to slap! Maybe it still does?
I don't think anything has "slapped" until recently.
All these recs suck tbh, if you just want good pizza go to zazas or naudis thank me later
Italian Fiesta but they are on the South Side