Strapoli Pizzeria and All Day Cafe is an Italian eatery serving Neapolitan style pizzas and sandwiches. When I went there for the first time, I was impressed by the quality of their ingredients and warm hospitality.

Strapoli is based in Lincoln Park and is owned and run by Marcial Bereciatu. Bereciatu learned how to make pizza from his family’s pizza business in Venezuela — and his lifelong passion shows in the quality of the pizzas.

The first distinguishing feature of their Margherita pizzas is the tomato sauce — which tastes just like the blended tomatoes picked straight from a farm in Italy! The crust is just as fresh tasting and is fired to perfection in their massive oven that customers can view just behind the checkout counter.

Besides Margherita, another popular flavor is pistachio pesto, which is topped with crushed pistachios and mushrooms. I enjoyed both kinds but personally liked the Margherita more because I’m a tomato sauce gal. Another option is to customize your pizza and add your own toppings!

For those with a sweet tooth, you can also order a Nutella pizza for dessert.

Pro-tip: Mon – Thu, Strapoli offers “happy hour pizzas” at a discounted price.