Pizza City Fest is coming up this weekend. It’ll feature over 30 pizzerias from across Chicagoland, from deep-dish to crispy tavern-style, plus other specialty slices.
Here on the City Cast Chicago team, our favorites cover a similar range. These are our heartfelt, greasy-fingered recs.
Jacoby, City Cast Chicago Host
Favorite pizzeria: Italian Fiesta off 71st or off 81st: large sausage or ground beef. Maybe some onion and garlic. This is the picture I see in my head when I think Chicago pizza.
Runners-up: Novel Pizza Cafe in Pilsen. Best slice I had this year was when they were doing the jollof and chicken pizzas. Nancy’s stuffed pizza is also a classic that deserves its shine.
Emmi, Hey Chicago Editor — Wait, That’s Me!
Favorite pizzeria: D'Agostino's, the ol' Wrigley location. The sauce is sweet and full of oregano. The crust is oh-so-crispy. It tastes even better the next day after leaving it in the oven a little too long.
Go on Wednesdays for a half-price, large, thin-crust pie. I personally just get cheese. Don't bother with their to-go slices.
Runners-up: Candlelite for Italian beef pizza. Martino's for green pepper pizza and pizza bread. Middle Brow if you can handle froufrou vibes. (I sometimes cannot.)
On Tavern Style Tuesdays at Middle Brow, the crust is the thinnest I’ve ever seen. You can easily polish off the whole thing. But be warned: Tuesday lines are long. (Emmi Mack / Hey Chicago)
Simone, City Cast Chicago Executive Producer
Favorite pizzeria: J.B. Alberto's in Rogers Park. Their giant pizzas would feed me and my roommate for days post-college. Not as cheap as they used to be, but still reasonable.
Runners-up: For deep dish, Pequod's. Pizza Lobo for a chewier crust. Mazala Pizza for my fave fusion slice. And by slice I mean personal pizza 🤣
Michelle, City Cast Chicago Producer
Favorite pizzeria: Phil’s Pizza. It's delicious, and the people there are kind. Every time I order Phil’s, my friends get so happy. I get a large pepperoni and giardiniera.
Runners-up: Vito & Nick's, Novel Pizza Cafe, and Naty's Pizza (the Gage Park location).
Rick, Social Media Manager
Favorite pizzeria: Vito-Angelo’s on Fullerton. Ask for it well-done, and no more than three toppings, lest you compromise the structure. I get pineapple, bacon, and giardiniera. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Runners-up: Kim’s Uncle in Westmont: Call right when they open at 3 p.m. to place a pickup order, then bring your pizza to the Morton Arboretum. Dante’s also holds a special place in my heart. And, believe it or not, Jet’s might be my favorite chain.
Green pepper deep dish from My Pi. The beloved Bucktown business closed recently — your last chance to get it is Sunday at Pizza City Fest! (Jason Little / Washington Post via Getty)
