The Loop Restaurant — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

The Loop is definitely 1 of the best casual dining spots in the Chapel Hill area. We've been a long-tune customer and this is the pizza restaurant we've most frequently-visited in recent years. Affordable, well-maintained space, and welcoming ambiance.

California style pizzas are their specialty here. We have 2 favorites: Portabella Bacon and the Goat Cheese with Fennel Sausage, which cost around $24 each for the largest size (14"). There are 2 smaller sizes: 12" and 8". I also tried their 5-Cheese pizza, which I think is 1 of the best cheese pizzas I've ever tried. We weren't a big fan of the Artichoke pizza - the worst we tried, but if you like artichokes, you might like it.

We've celebrated birthdays and other get-togethers here & regular cheese and pepperoni are fine for the kids.

Their salads are excellent. We usually order the Caesar Salad with Grilled Tuna (you'll have to ask to substitute the default chicken with that). Goes well with the pizza.

They also have burgers, sandwiches and other American and non-pizza Italian items on their menu but I'm not a big fan of The Loop's burgers because of how the patties lacked flavor, but the last time I ordered one was years ago, so hopefully they improved. They also have sides like steak fries and onion rings, which are great with their respective sauces.

Salmon sandwich was not bad; chicken wings were surprisingly good, and there are other sandwiches we haven't tried that look delicious, and it seems they're open to customization. They have good French Onion soup but a bit pricey for the amount.

The milkshakes are good, served in classic tin cup, and they have a reliable standard soda machine, with a good amount of lemon on the side. They also have hot sauces but you'll have to ask for Ranch, other dressings, parmesan cheese & red pepper at the counter. They're usually generous with them but wish they can serve them or ask them up front instead of you having to ask them for it.

Customer service is overall good, no waiters but there's usually 1 guy who cleans well. Just hope someone would come and check to ask if we need anything like the aforementioned sauces & toppings.

Overall, The Loop is a great casual pizza (American + Italian) spot that's affordable and delicious. But if you're looking for yummy burger, I would not recommend The Loop - it's not their specialty. Red Robin and even Five Guys still do that better. Pizzas and salads are the main reasons...

1st experience wasn't so great. After being told by people this was a great spot. With a group of three we waited for our food for almost thirty minutes as we watched others who came in after us get theirs. Two of us received our meals. Waited another 10 minutes and finally asked about the third. We'll they couldn't find the third meal or the order. He showed them his receipt. It was no show of care, just a it's going to be about twenty minutes for us to get that order ready is what they said. A Chapel Hill police officer who order his meal three or four customers after us offerd his meal to him. He took the meal but was still out of a milk shake. At this point we was ready to go. Needless to say I spent twenty bucks on one peice of fish and a shake with a tip and the food wasn't all that great. I've spent less on a fish plate for more fish and better taste. Although the milkshake was good but so is cookout 🤷‍♂️. Definitely bad 1st expression Definitely wouldn't be my 1st choice or recommendation. I'll probably give it one more...

Walking down the long, uninviting , cafeteria style que was a turn off. I almost left. The person taking our order was pleasant but not above and beyond. Everyone else was grumpy looking. Order taken at the counter, cups given, buzzer given. We go around and get our drinks from a fountain. The booth tables are way too small but ample room if you are chunky. Buzzer was pretty quick. 2 large pizzas, a 1 person pizza, a burger and fries. Pizzas were good. Spicy chicken and Bbq chicken is yummy. I loved the sausage n oinion BUT it did need more onion and a touch more sauce. Just a touch. The cheese....WOW!! The crust is tasty. The burger....no. DRY DRY DRY. Maybe perfect for a certain kind of person but no...normal people say DRY. Steak fries are ok but not special. Ore Ida type. No seasoning on them.

I will come back for pizza for sure. It's hard to find a pizza where you like all parts of it. I like to taste each ingredient and not mask it under heavy seasoning. My taste...