We want to hear from you!
Since starting our trek, we have had several people give us recommendations on where we should take our pizza tour this year. Please comment on this post and give us your pizza recommendation. We're sticking to Chicago and the suburbs for now.
At the end of February we will also be heading out to Arizona and welcome recommendations for the Phoenix/Glendale area while we are there visiting family and seeing the first White Sox Spring Training game. Hopefully we will be able to keep our weekly streak going!
Thanks for your help and GO SOX!
Recent recommendations from:
C.V. & J.V. - The Silo Restaurant (Lake Bluff)
C.H. - Barones of Glen Ellyn
M.K. - Palermo's (Oak Lawn)
J.K. - The Big 4:
Giordano's
Gino's East
Lou Malnati's
UNO's
Mr. K - Beggar's
Paisans Pizzaria & Bar (Lisle)
Bacino's (Naperville)
Fat Ricky's (Plainfield)
As always, if you'd like to join us, just let us know!! The more the merrier!
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Stop #3 - Elio Pizza on Fire (Addison)
Neapolitan is pretty common.
Chicago is known for deep dish pizza but Neapolitan pizza can be found more places than I would have ever thought. If you have read the blog thus far, you know that our first experience with Neapolitan didn't turn out how we hoped. CJ also joined us and we had a great time observing and chatting about our favorite pies.
Hide and Seek
We sat toward the back of the restaurant. It started to get a little more crowded closer to 1 pm and we observed several carry out orders.
Although we didn't order a salad this time it did look delicious as our table neighbors ordered one and for the 2 of them, let's just say there was enough there to feed 4. We also ordered bruschetta (traditional). You get 6 pieces of bread with a heaping mound of tomato deliciousness.
Chicago is known for deep dish pizza but Neapolitan pizza can be found more places than I would have ever thought. If you have read the blog thus far, you know that our first experience with Neapolitan didn't turn out how we hoped. CJ also joined us and we had a great time observing and chatting about our favorite pies.
If you attempt to visit EPoF, just know that it is in a strip mall and not as visible from Lake Street as you would think. The front of the restaurant sits behind a McDonalds. There is a parking lot and at 12:30 pm, plenty of spaces.
Sitting at the bar would give you the perfect view to watch them make your pie and of the wood fire oven.
The restaurant is longer than it is wide but plenty of choices whether you are a single diner or a group of 10.
We sat toward the back of the restaurant. It started to get a little more crowded closer to 1 pm and we observed several carry out orders.
Plenty to Share
Although we didn't order a salad this time it did look delicious as our table neighbors ordered one and for the 2 of them, let's just say there was enough there to feed 4. We also ordered bruschetta (traditional). You get 6 pieces of bread with a heaping mound of tomato deliciousness.
A Pizza for You, A Pizza for Me
These pizzas come on a plate (as seen above next to the oven) that is approximately 12" in diameter. It was suggested to us that each person order their own pizza, in which we did. I ordered a Biancaneve - no sauce, EVOO base, with fresh mozzarella, garlic, oregano and fresh basil. Rhode ordered a pepperoni and CJ ordered sausage.
The crust was delicious on all of the pizzas but we agreed that the toppings made each pizza a little soggy in the middle. The sausage wasn't fresh as my first impression on taste was that it was Jimmy Dean's cooked in a pan and crumbled on top of the pizza. Although it was still tasty, it was a little disappointing that it wasn't more fresh. The pizzas cooled off fairly quickly and after having bruschetta, I had more than half of my pizza left over.
Dessert?
Tiramisu. I am a big fan of tiramisu and recommend it from EPoF. I did get it to-go and the whipped cream had melted by the time we got home. There were fresh strawberries and chocolate had been drizzled over the top of everything. It is the perfect size to share, or not.
Total people: 3
Total bill: $53 - appetizer, 3 pizzas, 2 Cokes, 1 Sprite & tiramisu
Rhode's Recommendation: Yes, if we are in the area.
We didn't feel rushed and were able to enjoy our meal. There were 3 people working total - host/server and 2 cooks (we believe one was the owner, Elio). The service was just ok. They did get a little busier and had a large party that was being seated when we first walked in. An additional server would have been helpful. EPoF would be a place that we would revisit if we were in the area and wanting pizza. Otherwise we wouldn't make the 40 minute drive if we were craving a slice of pie.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Stop #2 - Pizza Barra (Oak Brook) 1/24/16
Deep Dish? Thin Crust? Neapolitan?
They have it all.
On our second stop we had a few friends join us which was a lot of fun! Always good to see Chad, Jen, the boys, and Rob even joined us too!
First Impressions
For a Sunday during lunch it wasn't too crowded. The perfect time to go in our opinion. Service was fine but would like to see what it would be like during Friday or Saturday nights as the biggest gripe in the reviews say that their service is horrible. We didn't have an issue.
Food
The one thing that we noticed is that there was inconsistency with the baking of the deep dish pizzas. For the whole table, there were 3 deep dish pizzas ordered and 1 thin crust, mostly so that we all had some to take home and because of wanting to try several different kinds. There was plenty left over for sure!
Chris and I had a deep dish pepperoni and sausage that we shared with Rob and also ordered a thin crust sausage to share with the table.
They have it all.
On our second stop we had a few friends join us which was a lot of fun! Always good to see Chad, Jen, the boys, and Rob even joined us too!
First Impressions
When you first walk in it's the smell that captivates you. The plus side is that if you use open table, you can make a reservation (which we did) and the hostess was very polite. They weren't very busy but there was enough room to accommodate another larger group next to ours and with plenty of room to spare.
You get to watch the crew making the pizzas which can be entertaining if you have to wait for a table.
For a Sunday during lunch it wasn't too crowded. The perfect time to go in our opinion. Service was fine but would like to see what it would be like during Friday or Saturday nights as the biggest gripe in the reviews say that their service is horrible. We didn't have an issue.
Food
The menu was pretty typical of an Italian restaurant. And if you like Labriola, Pizza Barra has the same owner.
Our initial impression of looking up pictures online was that it looked like Pequod's caramelized crust with Lou Malnati's chunky tomato sauce in regards to their deep dish pizza. We had already decided that we wanted to try the deep dish and the thin crust. We decided to skip the Neapolitan.
The one thing that we noticed is that there was inconsistency with the baking of the deep dish pizzas. For the whole table, there were 3 deep dish pizzas ordered and 1 thin crust, mostly so that we all had some to take home and because of wanting to try several different kinds. There was plenty left over for sure!
Chris and I had a deep dish pepperoni and sausage that we shared with Rob and also ordered a thin crust sausage to share with the table.
Total people: 7 (3 on our tab and a to-go pizza)
Total bill: $92 - 3 pizzas, 2 craft beers, & a Coke.
Rhode's Recommendation: Yes!
As much as the crust looks like it will taste like our favorite caramelized crust, it was close but not as close as we were thinking. We would definitely make this one of our recommended pizza places. It will be one to compare to along the way.
Stop #1 - Coalfire (Chicago) 1/16/16
Neapolitan.
That is a common type of pizza that was taste tested in the article at several different pizza places and after having one experience at this type of pizzeria I think we were ready to make some changes to our pizza taste test strategy.
Parking
We ended up passing Coalfire and driving around the block (gotta love one-way streets) until we parked just up a side street.
There was a small strip mall at the corner of Grand and Ogden which we quickly passed up.
If you needed a city parking sticker, we didn't see a sign for one, and you're in and out of the restaurant so quickly that you probably don't have to worry about it.
Main course was a specialty pizza that was Pepperoni and Whipped Ricotta. This consisted of fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, thick cut pepperoni, whipped ricotta, and garlic. From order to table it was less than 10 minutes with the coalfire oven.
We ended our experience by sharing a peppermint hot chocolate cupcake made by a local bakery.
That is a common type of pizza that was taste tested in the article at several different pizza places and after having one experience at this type of pizzeria I think we were ready to make some changes to our pizza taste test strategy.
Coalfire was an hour drive from our house (one way) and not far from the United Center. If we were going to the UC for something in the future, and wanted pizza in a hurry, this would be the place to stop. Just keep in mind that parking is not easy and getting a table might be difficult.
Parking
We ended up passing Coalfire and driving around the block (gotta love one-way streets) until we parked just up a side street.
There was a small strip mall at the corner of Grand and Ogden which we quickly passed up.
If you needed a city parking sticker, we didn't see a sign for one, and you're in and out of the restaurant so quickly that you probably don't have to worry about it.
Dining Experience
It wasn't the worse experience we have ever had but it also wasn't the best experience we have ever had.
In the picture to the right, the tall bar on the left side is where the dining room ends and the kitchen/drink station/pickup counter/hallway to the bathroom starts.
There were around 12 tables in the restaurant total ranging in 2-tops to 6-tops.
If you plan on going here with a group, they will only take 1 credit card per table (no splitting the check!) and may ask you to leave when you/your group is finished especially if they have groups waiting to eat.
Food
Our initial thought was to order 2 different pizzas - one a specialty and another that was what we wanted. We're glad we stuck with the one specialty pizza.
I had a glass of wine and Chris opted for Mexican Coke (see his review video below if you're wondering what this is). We then started with a ceasar salad which the waitress said we could share - actually 4 people could have shared. Ask for extra dressing as where I was sitting, I could see how he made the salads - pile the lettuce in a bowl, put on the toppings, and squeeze a little bit of dressing over the top of everything. No mixing.
Main course was a specialty pizza that was Pepperoni and Whipped Ricotta. This consisted of fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, thick cut pepperoni, whipped ricotta, and garlic. From order to table it was less than 10 minutes with the coalfire oven.
We ended our experience by sharing a peppermint hot chocolate cupcake made by a local bakery.
Total bill: $55.00
Total attendees: 2
Rhode's Recommendation; Maybe
We got to the restaurant at noon when it opened and were back in our car by 12:30 pm. We had 2 pieces of pizza each (8 pieces total) and took our time. Everything moves so fast thought that this isn't the place you would want to go on a date night or bring a big group with you to hang out.
Why PeppeRhodes?
What would we do if we won the PowerBall?
Nikki: Pay off our bills, buy an island, and move!
Chris: Pay off our bills and open PeppeRhodes.
Whenever we drive by a vacant strip mall or one that is being built, Chris never fails to question if they will be opening a Pequods. So as we discussed in depth what we would use the money for if we had won the lottery, I wasn't surprised that Chris said he would open a pizza place. I immediately thought it would be Pequods but instead got the answer of PeppeRhodes.
Makes sense though considering that his favorite pizza is pepperoni.
This also happens to be his favorite commercial right now.
And unfortunately for me I have replaced "pepperoni" with "peppeRhode" when the commercial comes on tv.
Nikki: Pay off our bills, buy an island, and move!
Chris: Pay off our bills and open PeppeRhodes.
Whenever we drive by a vacant strip mall or one that is being built, Chris never fails to question if they will be opening a Pequods. So as we discussed in depth what we would use the money for if we had won the lottery, I wasn't surprised that Chris said he would open a pizza place. I immediately thought it would be Pequods but instead got the answer of PeppeRhodes.
Makes sense though considering that his favorite pizza is pepperoni.
This also happens to be his favorite commercial right now.
And unfortunately for me I have replaced "pepperoni" with "peppeRhode" when the commercial comes on tv.
How it all started...
Some people have a sweet tooth.
Chris has a pizza tooth.
We have tried several pizza places over the years that we have been together but after reading an article about the top 38 pizzas in the Chicagoland area, an article that named our beloved Pequods as a least favorite, it was CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
Just about every weekend we will pick a new pizza place either in Chicago or the suburbs to try and then give you our review. We encourage our family and friends to join us and have created a Facebook group so we can set up event invitations.
We hope you enjoy our adventures to come!
Read this article to see what made us start our journey.
Chris has a pizza tooth.
We have tried several pizza places over the years that we have been together but after reading an article about the top 38 pizzas in the Chicagoland area, an article that named our beloved Pequods as a least favorite, it was CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
Just about every weekend we will pick a new pizza place either in Chicago or the suburbs to try and then give you our review. We encourage our family and friends to join us and have created a Facebook group so we can set up event invitations.
We hope you enjoy our adventures to come!
Read this article to see what made us start our journey.
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