Antioch Pizza Shop - Antioch IL — Restaurant in Antioch

Today, for lunch, I went to Antioch Pizza to support the Penny's Purpose fundraiser, and because I like your pizza. I'd really like to like you, Antioch Pizza, but your service always falls short. I wanted the 2 slices & a soda deal with 2 slices of cheese pizza. The girl says, "We only have one slice of cheese." And then she just stares at me. So I say, "Okay, so do you have anything veggie with no meat?" More staring and then she says "No" & asks a co-worker how long before cheese pizza will be ready. The other girl says, "A few minutes." I say, "Okay. Thanks. I'll wait." I pay for my meal, remind the girl that I'm here because of the Penny's Purpose (I'm still not sure she credited my order to the fundraiser; she mumbled something about having to do something mumble mumble mumble.), and go around to sit down to wait for my pizza. I didn't stress, at first, because I saw how busy you were, but, after 10-15 mins, I went up to the counter to find out what was going on. Waited about another 5 minutes before anyone acknowledged me & I said, outloud, that I wish I could take my tip back, but the tip cup was not on the counter anymore. Finally, the second girl, who is at the cash register, says something to the effect of can she help me and I explain that I've been waiting for cheese pizza to be done because I had paid for my meal, was told it would be a few minutes, but it was now much later than that. She just stared at me, too. The first girl finally looks at me, and I explain my situation, again, and honest to Pete, they both just still stared at me! A guy came out of the back, put two slices of pizza in a box, put it on the counter in front of me and walked away without looking at me or saying anything. No sorry for the wait, no apology, no acknowledgement of me as a customer or a human being. I was going to get dinner for my 5 member family tonight, which would have been at least 2 large pizzas and probably some appetizers to support the Penny's Purpose fundraiser some more, but after my experience this afternoon, I'll donate directly to TTP and skip Antioch Pizza from now on. Again, I gave Antioch Pizza the benefit of the doubt on their service and again, I was definitley disappointed. Oh, well. I'm glad you're not the only good pizza...

Of all the places in Antioch with pizza on the menu, Antioch Pizza had always been the #1 place. Over the past few years their quality has stayed consistent, but taste is beginning to suffer. I don't eat pizza with meat on it, usually, because of the grease factor that is unavoidable. I do, however, like the supreme pizza from Antioch Pizza because it's never been really greasy. Yesterday I grabbed 2 supreme and 2 pepperoni slices for myself and my son. The supreme was a sad attempt at good pizza. Heavy onions, normal green pepper, virtually invisible mushrooms and maybe 6 pieces of sausage between the 2 slices. I also ordered garlic cheese sticks, which had way too much garlic. I could see the minced garlic chunks through the cheese on top. The other issue is the pizza has become salty over the years. I've tried different options for pizza and they have also been salty, so crust, sauce, or cheese are the culprit. It doesn't take away the flavor of the pizza completely, but it does bump it down to the #2 pizza establishments in Antioch, for me. The counter staff has always been nice and respectful, and keep their positivity during the rush and in the face of rude customers. The atmosphere used to work, now that they are busier, they need to rethink their flow. My opinion, direct all walk-in traffic to the front door have them order and pay at the counter that is now customer seating, then direct them to the current pickup/pay counter to get their orders. Carry-out orders that paid online can skip the line and go to the pick up counter to grab their order from a self serve warmer, then out the door to the patio, to eat or leave. Last night was busy and people were stepping on each other, bumping into the kids eating at the counter, tripping over others waiting to fill their drinks, and either not hearing that their pizza was on the ice cream counter, or grabbing the wrong order from there. Put simply, it's madness at the dinner rush or the lunch rush. The cannoli were amazing and if I didn't have to be an example of good adulting, I would have eaten them first and then I wouldn't care what the pizza...

I was a little surprised to have received a postcard in the mail that read "Random Resident Pizza Giveaway." Apparently I was a part of a chosen few that had won a sweepstakes.

A little weary, I dailed up Antioch Pizza and ordered a 16 inch sausage for me and my pregnant wife. She's got a ridiculous craving for all things pizza, heading into her final trimester, so this was a welcome surprise.

In almost no time and a short hop from my house, I pulled up to Antioch pizza. From the outside, it looks like any small pizza joint in America. But inside, was the most professional operation you'll ever lay your eyes on. Like an incredible machine, you have many moving pieces of controlled chaos working on delicious pizzas and other handmade recipes. The staff was incredibly friendly and professional, and they fielded my order quickly and efficiently.

We got home, opened up the box and behold a delicious square cut Chicago style thin crust. I also ordered a large order of wings, because it's bowl season and the Huskies are playing. Digging in, the pizza is perfect. It's the perfect amount of cheese, meat and bread. Crust so perfectly crispy and cheese done just right. I don't even like crust, and these guys have me enjoying what I despise about pizza. The wings were well sauced with a perfect compliment of ranch dressing.

I'll be back for my other pizzas, but you guys have my business for all of the other Chicago favorites I've been missing since moving here from the city a few months ago. If they are anything like the pizza, I'm sure it will be just right. Please, let me pay you for this great food.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!...