Chicago

[chiguy]

 Hi everyone,
 I finally had the chance to try Vito & Nicks2 in Hickory Hills. Its in the back of the plaza on 95th & Roberts. The place was alive and the take-out looked busy, even for a Thursday night. This is always a good sign for a pizzeria. As i entered the place there was a long bar with about 6 patrons having a beer and watching of all things, Dancing with the Stars. A strange choice of TV viewing for a south side bar. My family ordered two 14"pizza's, one was a cheese and garlic and the other cheese & sausage. The pizza over all is very good, one of the best thin crust i have had. The crust is not too dry and not too soggy, which is the usual problem with Chicago thin crust. Although many people love those soggy middle slices, i do not. A Chicago thin is cut in squares for those who do not know, and the middle can hold alot of liquid when cut. The best part about the pizza is the sausage which was excellent in my opinion. The crust and sausage carry this pizza. The sauce and cheese were very common and nothing stood out. I think Vito & Nicks is very good and if anyone is in the area you should give them a try.  Chiguy

[itsinthesauce]

I knew you'd like it. Consistantly good.

[chiguy]

 Hi fellow Chicagoans and Suburbanites,
  I had the chance to try a couple of south side places, the first was Simply Slices on 142nd & south Cicero. I do not want to be hard on this place but he is way off for both a Chiacgo thin or a N.Y style.
 I did not try but noticed Beggers Pizza south Cicero, has anyone tried this place and what is you're opinion?

 A better choice is Ken and Dicks in Midilothian, originaly from Roseland Area, a very good thin crust with giant chunks of sausage on the pie. The place is carry-out only and is on 158th & Central. Not the original owner but the same recipe, the new guy who bought the place definetely shares a passion for pizza.     Chiguy
 

[itsinthesauce]

Beggar's isn't my cup of tea. Lot's of ingredients, but low quality IMO.

[chiguy]

 Hi itsinthesauce,
 I thought i would ask about Beggars, the building looked big i figured they do alot of business so they must be pretty good. Oh well.
                                                                                                                                                      Chiguy
 

[lilbuddypizza]

Beggar's is an excellent pizza and the ingredients are top notch. I am in a position to know all of the suppliers to them, and they do not cut corners.

[noon]

I am a transplant to Chicago (7-8 years now) via Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., and Detroit (where I grew up).  I love Chicago style pizza (Giordano's stuffed is among my favorites).  I have also found some other great 'zas along the way -- Pequod's deep dish is very high on the list! -- while it is deep dish through and through, it's carmelized crust hints at Sicilian style I remember from Detroit (Buddy's, Shield's).  As for something approaching NY style, I have only found Luigi's (Lincoln Park area), Chi-Town (Gold Coast) and Atino's (South Loop).  Since I now live in the South Loop area, Atino's is my go-to place when I want something other than Chicago style.

My question is, does anyone have any recommendations for any family-owned places in Chicagoland that does American-style pizza a la Little Caesars (yes, there are Little Caesars, but I'm looking for something more mom & pop that does that style of pizza -- or something along the lines of Mother's that we used to go to across the Detroit River in Windsor, ON) -- what I would love to find is a place to get a pitcher of beer and an american style pizza, but such an animal does not seem to exist in Chicago that I've discovered.  Anyone?  Anyone?  Buuuuueller?

[noon]

bump.

"normal" american style pizza in Chicago -- anyone?

[chiguy]

 Noon,
 Not exactly sure what you are looking for, sounds like something other than thin or deep dish. Since you are in the south loop, you might consider taking a trip to the south side, Midway area. There is Connies on 26th&Archer who serve a medium pan pizza. Also there is a new Home Run Inn(medium crust) location at about 6200 S. Archer ave. If you would like to try something different Palermos( a sweeter sauce) at 3751 W. 63rd st. has a very big following. I am not sure if this type is what you are looking for but they are all unique in there own way.     Chiguy 

[LabRat]

Noon,

My girlfriend told me about Pequod's, so I went there for lunch one day I was off work and was rather disappointed.  The crust was flat, had little flavor and a poor texture.  If that had been my only experience I probably would not have gone back.  Luckily, Betty talked me in to going back a few months later and the pizza was EXCELLENT!!  I'm not sure what happened the first time, but they certainly redeemed themselves every time since then.  As for your request for a good American style pie in Chicago?  I don't think I've really seen much like that up here except from the chain shops.  I live and work on the north side of town so I doubt I'll be of any help finding something around where you live, but if I see anything like you are looking for up here I'll post it for you.  Good excuse to go pizza hunting!  Could you give some more details on what you are looking for?

[noon]

Hey LabRat, glad to hear that you went back to Pequod's -- I've never experienced anything like you describe with your first experience -- that's too bad, but really glad you enjoyed your subsequent visits.  Although it'd be tough to pick, I'd probably vote it my favorite pizza in the city.

As for trying to provide more details as to what I'm looking for, I guess all I can say is in the style of a Dominos or Little Caesars, but not a chain.  In every city I've lived before moving to Chi-town, but most pervasively in the Detroit area, there are, what I would consider "standard american style" delivery pizza joints, but I guess what I consider "standard" might be more elusive/regional than I thought.  Perhaps it is no coincidence that Little Caesars and Dominos both have their origins in Detroit, where that style of pizza is pervasive.

I do need to try Home Run Inn to see how that compares, but I've had their frozen and it just isn't what I have in mind at all.  Nor is Connie's "medium" crust -- which is way too dense.  Among the defining characteristics of the style I seek are larger air bubbles throughout the dough/crumb making it relatively soft and chewy, also it will be sliced like a pie, not in squares.  Again, think something like Dominos or Little Caesars as far as style goes.

Thanks for the input!