Chicago may be known for their deep-dish pizza, but Vito and Nick’s Pizzeria is a game changer. Here, thin-crust reigns supreme. Vito and Nick’s is over 100 years old and a quintessential Chicago stop…if you have the time for it. I drove quite out of my way to try their signature pies, but, in my opinion, it’s worth it.

When you walk into Vito and Nick’s, it’s like stepping back in time, what my friends and I like to call “old Chicago.” Right on the outside façade is an “Old Style” beer sign, a classic decoration for any Chicago dive. You’ll be greeted by the front register and notice right behind it is the bustling kitchen, where pizza dough seems to be constantly tossed up into the air. You may opt to sit at one of their teal-colored booths, at the bar covered by hanging blue lights on the ceiling, or take this thin crust masterpiece to the comfort of your home/hotel.

What makes their pizza exceptional is the low-density, crispy crust, signature toppings (though I chose to be simple with just pepperoni), and how it’s baked just right: not burnt, not underdone, but somewhere right in the middle. The proof is in the picture. To top off the experience, their prices are extremely reasonable, making this a local, traditional, and mouth-watering hidden gem pizza stop.