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.
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