THE 19 BEST PIZZA PLACES IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF ILLINOIS

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6/24/2015
The 19 Best Pizza Places in the Entire State of Illinois
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THE 19 BEST PIZZA PLACES IN THE ENTIRE
STATE OF ILLINOIS
PUBLISHED ON 2/11/2015 BY JAY GENTILE
CHICAGO
FLICKR/ERIC CHAN
Considering we've already told you about Chicago's best pizza by neighborhood, best
under-the-radar pies, and best slices in town, it might come as a bit of a shock when we
tell you that good pizza exists beyond the Chicago city limits, but... good pizza exists
beyond the Chicago city limits. These are the 19 best pizza places in the whole freaking
state. Pizza road trips: now a thing.
http://www.thrillist.com/eat/chicago/bestpizzainillinoischicago
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6/24/2015
MORE STUFF YOU WILL LIKE
FLICKR/NICK SHERMAN
Coalfire
Chicago
What you’re getting: Margherita w/ fresh basil leaves
The best thin crust pizza in Chicago according to... um... us, the secret to greatness here
is the coal-burning oven clocking in at 800 degrees. The end result is a nicely charred
crust that's crispy and bubbly yet still foldable (in case you eat your pizza like some kind
of NYC heathen). Anything here is good, but the Margherita with fresh basil leaves and
mortadella really stands out.
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6/24/2015
FLICKR/KRISSA CORBETT CAVOURAS
Lou Malnati's
Various locations
What you’re getting: Sausage deep dish
Everyone knows Lou Malnati’s, but did you know that Rick Malnati (Lou’s son) swears by
Lake Michigan water for its dough-making abilities and refuses to make pizza outside of
Illinois? That’s good news for us, resulting in the flaky, buttery, deep dish creations that
your brother keeps making your Mom ship to him long after he moved to Colorado.
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GIORDANO'S
Giordano's
Various locations
What you’re getting: Chicago Classic
The monster stuffed pizzas at this Chicago-area institution (with five out-of-state
locations) guarantee one thing: you won’t walk/slowly roll away hungry. Try the Meat &
More Meat with pepperoni, salami, sausage, and bacon, or the Chicago Classic with
pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions -- all served on the trademark flaky,
almost pastry-like crust.
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6/24/2015
FLICKR/ADAM BURKE
Vito & Nick's
Chicago
What you’re getting: Classic cheese
This South Side institution is known for its square slices and the fact that very little has
changed since the ‘50s, even after it was discovered by Guy Fieri. You need no other
reason to visit here other than the textbook Chicago-style thin crust but, if you feel like
getting weird, you can get egg pizza on Fridays.
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FLICKR/ROBYN LEE
Pequod's
Chicago & Morton Grove
What you’re getting: Pan pizza with meatball and Italian beef
What makes the unconventional deep dish at Pequod's stick in your mind? Try the extrabread-y crust and the ring of caramelized cheese around the edge. The fatty meatiness
of this pie perfectly melds with the crisp crust to feed your cravings at all hours of the
night. Pizza sweats: also now a thing.
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6/24/2015
PIZZERIA DA NELLA
Pizzeria da Nella
Chicago
What you’re getting: Prosciutto e rucola
You know you’re getting top-tier pizza when you’ve got a third-generation Neapolitan and
certified pizzaiola slinging dough in the kitchen. Nella Grassano serves up authentic
Neapolitan with a wood-fired crust that’s chewy and smoky, and the white pizzas on
hand (and everything else, really) are the best this side of Naples.
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PIECE
Piece
Chicago
What you’re getting: Plain pizza
Perhaps most famous for celebrity collaborations such as the Honey Butter Fried
Chicken Pizza (w/ Honey Butter Fried Chicken) and the current Goat Chili Pizza (with Girl
& the Goat superchef Stephanie Izard), any day is a good day for pizza at Piece. The New
Haven-style pies offer a signature thin crust and you can sub out mozzarella for
Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and tomato sauce, or you can even choose a BBQ sauce base.
If you’re into that sort of thing. Which you totally should be.
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FLICKR/STU_SPIVACK
Burt's Place
Morton Grove
What you’re getting: Mixed bell peppers pizza-in-the-pan
No pizza roundup would be complete without mention of the legendary Burt of Burt’s
Place. While it may not be famous for its service, Burt’s is famous for its massive panbaked pizzas with a perfect balance of ingredients served in a crazy lodge-style
environment. Pro tip: Burt is something of a celebrity around these parts, so best to call
your order in ahead.
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6/24/2015
PAPA DEL'S PIZZA
Papa Del's Pizza
Champaign
What you’re getting: Original Sicilian with pepperoni and green peppers
Offering pan, stuffed, and thin crust pizzas, this local Champaign hangout has been
slinging pies for more than 40 years. The Original Sicilian Pan is a favorite among U of I
students and locals, and legitimately gives Chicago deep dish a run for its money.
Timpone's Restaurant
Urbana
What you’re getting: Smoked duck pizza
The constantly changing menu at this local Urbana favorite offers a variety of pizzas,
from classic Italian combinations like the wild mushroom with Italian sausage,
caramelized onions, Gorgonzola, and oregano, to more experimental combos like the
smoked duck pizza with hoisin sauce, mushrooms, scallions, garlic, and mozz.
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PIZZA VILLA
Pizza Villa
DeKalb
What you’re getting: Taco pizza
It all starts with the homemade dough at Pizza Villa. For nearly 60 years, this pizzeria has
been serving it in thin crust and pan pizza form to the surrounding population. Customize
your pizza or try one of the specialty pies like taco, Buffalo chicken, and the Pizza Villa
Special, which's loaded with sausage, mushroom, green pepper, and onion.
Gabatoni's Restaurant
Springfield
What you’re getting: Bacon chicken Alfredo pizza
Named the best pizza in the area by the Illinois Times, Gabatoni’s specializes in the ultrathin style. Choose your toppings or select one of the specialty pizzas, like bacon chicken
Alfredo or the Meat Lovers.
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MICKIE'S PIZZERIA
Mickie's Pizzeria
North Pekin
What you’re getting: The “M”
As far as Mickie’s Pizzeria is concerned, the secret to the perfect thin crust is in the
dough. And as far as you're concerned, the secret to the perfect perfect thin crust is The
"M", w/ sausage, pepperoni, and TWO types of bacon. Order that times infinity, or build
your own.
Agatucci's Restaurant
Peoria
What you’re getting: Hamburger and shrimp pizza
Known around town for its Tiger Sauce, a garlic-infused oil and vinegar mixture that
tastes way better than it sounds, the family-owned "Aggie's" has been serving the Peoria
community since 1926. Toppings include the usual sausage and pepperoni, plus slightly
off-the-wall-but-OMG-YOU-NEED-TO-ORDER-THIS options like hamburger and shrimp.
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QUATRO'S PIZZA
Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
Carbondale
What you’re getting: Bianca Quatro’s w/ virgin olive oil, ricotta, and spinach
Southern Illinoisans worship their deep dish almost as much as their brethren up North,
but what really hits the spot at Quatro’s is the signature homemade buttermilk ranch
dipping sauce. This sweeter spin on the classic dressing complements Quatro’s toppingcovered pizzas effortlessly. Say hi to owner Steve Payne, who has been running the
place for nearly 40 years.
Alfano's Pizza
Rock Island
What you’re getting: Stuffed pepperoni
Claiming to serve the most authentic stuffed pizza in the Quad Cities, Alfano’s is truly a
diamond in the rough, and home to not just awesome choose-your-own-topping pies, but
also calzones and garlic cheese bread.
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PAPA VITO'S
Papa Vito's Pizza
Belleville & Waterloo
What you're getting: Mac & cheese pizza
Papa Vito’s has been serving up pizzas, ribs, and sandwiches in Southwestern Illinois for
almost 25 years. Their signature pizzas are delicious but what you really have to try are
their monthly pizza specials, like the Mac 'n Cheese pizza topped with sliced brats and
bacon crumble.
Joe's Pizza
Paris
What you’re getting: Pepperoncini and anchovies, extra thin crust
Joe’s Pizza is truly the place where everybody knows your name... even if you don’t want
them to. Locals rave about Joe’s tangy pizza sauce, an often overlooked yet paramount
ingredient for any great pizza. Joe's also does an excellent la nuova crosta extra thin
crust with a kick of spices.
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LINO'S ROCKFORD
Lino's
Rockford
What you’re getting: Double sausage
Lino's has been a Rockford fixture for over four decades. And for good reason. Rockford
natives swear by the thin crust pizzas, and the décor is second-to-none -- why eat pizza
at home when you can go to Lino’s and dine next to a replica of the Leaning Tower of
Pisa?
Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in
town.
Jay Gentile is Thrillist’s Chicago Editor and he has plenty of room in his 1997 Nissan for
you on his next road trip. Follow him @ThrillistChi.
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THE 19 BEST PIZZA PLACES IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF ILLINOIS

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