Chicago is known for dishing out some of the best pizza pies in the country. From deep dish to thin sliced, Chicago knows no bounds in providing endless opportunities to enjoy the age-old Italian favorite. With such a buzz around pizza, the well-known restaurants serving up the slices are often crowded and standard – that’s why it’s important to find the small neighborhood eateries that are both authentic and unique in their approach to creating prized pies.
Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Pat’s Pizza is the kind of local spot that is best kept a secret. The authentic Italian eatery serves up some of the best pizzas at a reasonable price. Without the crazy crowds, I’m able to focus on the matter at hand and order exactly what I want in a pizza – which usually includes an array of the fresh vegetables available at Pat’s. If I’m feeling the cheese craze, I’ll order the Quatro Formagi Thin Crust Specialty Pizza ($16.95), which combines ricotta, Parmesan, gorgonzola, mozzarella and garlic onto one perfectly-cooked crust.
Not in the mood for Italian? Add some authentic Mexican flare with the refried beans, salsa and seasoned hamburger meat that comes on the Taco Thin Crust Specialty Pizza. Regardless of the toppings, ordering a pie from Pat’s is one of the best ways to enjoy an authentic Chicago pizza.
2679 N Lincoln Ave
Meat lovers:
USD
17.50
+1
7732480168
Find your way with 116 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The lentils are filling and creamy; the veggies are lightly cooked and nourishing; the injera bread is the perfect balance of slightly tangy and spongey.
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OMI has many good menu options, but their Japanese dessert toast is their all-star. Think of it as a fluffy French toast served with vanilla ice cream.
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Choose from multigrain sourdough, their house sourdough and miso rye sourdough; pastry choices include croissants, morning buns, and fruit danishes.
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Momos are bite-sized dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, usually filled with meat that is seasoned with spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers.
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Their bread that has the perfect ratio of chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The 1979 multigrain sourdough is some of the best bread I've had!
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They are arguably most known for their "Kurdish breakfast" an elaborate spread of cheese, jams, fried cheese, olives, fries, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread.
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The tent is run by Adan, who mans the booth entirely alone. His ingredients are kept fresh in coolers which are grilled on the spot in front of customers.
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There are many pastry options like croissants, an assortment of macaron flavors, fruit danishes, quiches... My favorites are the fruit-stuffed beignets!
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While most croissants are buttery and flakey, the ones at Hendrickx are denser and chewier. In my opinion, this makes them even better.
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BULSHO serves a traditional Somalian breakfast that is comprised of seasoned meat or veggie stew served with anjero - a fermented flatbread.
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Start with a freshly steeped cup of sweet mint tea, a staple of any Senegalese meal. Then order fataya, triangular fried pastries with a savory filling.
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I absolutely adore coming to Chiu Quon Bakery right when it opens and devouring their sweet and savory buns and steamed dumplings. Delicious!
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116 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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