It’s a common enough question to ask in Chicago: “What’s your favorite pizza and where does it come from?” The answers are usually passionate, opinionated and sometime full of disdain. In our highly unscientific poll, we took to social media, asking locals where they get their pie fix. Here are the answers in order of enthusiasm.
1. Bertolli’s Pizza
7973 Lake St., River Forest
This was the hands-down most suggested pie purveyor. It’s been around since 1963, so they’ve had a good long time to build a following. Thin crust “River Deluxe” was called out several times. It’s sausage, green pepper, mushroom and onion. Italian beef and giardiniera got props too.
2. Old World Pizza
7230 W North Ave., Elmwood Park
Coming in hot was this mainstay for more than half a century. New owners, who were customers for decades, are rededicating the shop to keeping the recipes just how they used to be. One middle-aged diner said, “It tastes exactly like when I was 18,” adding, “I’m so happy!”
3-4. Tied for the next level of pizza passion were:
• Villa Nova, 6821 W Pershing Road, Stickney — Their BBQ chicken pizza was a non-traditional style that got big love.
• Freddy’s, 1600 S 61st Ave., Cicero —Margarita with sausage is a favorite. Thin and thick, subs and salads – walk through the aisles and out the door.
5. La Barra
2 E Burlington St., Riverside
Ciabatta-style dough delivers a crispier crust with ample air bubbles, supporting generous and fresh toppings.
Honorable Mentions
These shops got multiple mentions from ardent admirers:
• Jimmy’s Place, 7411 W Madison St., Forest Park
• Waldo Cooney’s, 6733 Cermak Road, Berwyn
• Mama Barones, 9209 Broadway Ave., Brookfield
• Francesca’s Fiore, 7407 Madison St., Forest Park
• Scratch Public House, 7505 Madison St., Forest Park
• Trattoria 225, 225 Harrison St., Oak Park
Pour out a little marinara sauce for this departed fav:
• Milly’s Pizza in the Pan, Berwyn (though they still have locations in West Town and Lakeview in Chicago)
Newcomer Award
Taglio, 809 South Blvd., Oak Park
Roman-style pizza, similar to what Publican serves up on Harrison Street, but with more toppings on offer. By the slice or whole pie.