Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company — Restaurant in Chicago

I really don't know how food reviewers write their reviews or what criteria they follow so they can end up with a "idk how many star reviews", but as far as my experience, here it goes. First of all, please to anyone that calls them and gets come as a walk in answer, "We're sure we'll find a way to seat you." DON'T GO, please, for the love of God. That was my answer when I called for a reservation cz they're booked for days which I don't have a problem with, but why have me drive all the way from Wisconsin and tell me I have to wait 3 hrs 45 mins to sit. My wife and I still made a reservation on the spot 20 days in advance. We came back on our date, and their reservation timings are soooo inaccurate. Like black and white inaccurate. Came at 7 45 sat at 8 45. On our way to our table, the floor was unbelievably dirty. It was grimy and greasey. You can literally slip and fall it was disgusting. The toilets are soooo dirty, I didn't even want to go back in and wash my hands. The waiters and waitresses want you to just eat and leave like in minutes. I guess that's what they're told to do. The waitress came and asked us TWICE if we were ready to order 2 3 minutes after we just sat. My wife and I were eating, and you know, sometimes you gotta take a little short break. Guess what ? They come and ask, "Are you done? Do you want to pack your food to go? That was the worst part, i would say. I was furious. The food was sooo normal . We ordered the Mediterranean bread, which was mediocre. We also ordered 2 half pound pizza hot pies. My wife had the vegetarian. I had the meat one because who doesn't, lol. The pizza sauce was good, but the pie itself barely had meat. The dough was okay. We ate, and as soon as we finished, we wanted to be out. So, for those reasons, my experience was poor at this place. I guess everyone that went there put a good star review just for what. For the SHOW. Just because it's famous on social media. Plus, the million dollar question: would I go back and revist that place again? 'NO'. PS: Literally facing, across the street from this restaurant, there's an Italian restaurant as well called 'Ricardo's'. Go there. Trust me, it won't disappoint that place is literally amazing, I don't need to explain. When they told me there were no tables at the Oven Grinder the first time, my wife said I didn't come all this way for nothing. Let's go across the street. And there it was. A star was born. And yes, I will revist Ricardo's again, and I'm taking my parents and my sisters with me...

Hanging out in Chicago for work and I HAVE to check out some pizza right? So I was met with a pleasant surprise! Here's what happened. CASH ONLY.

Atmosphere/Appearance: This place is right on the street so there is no private parking lot so you'll have to find a place on the street or in a nearby parking structure. Once at the restaurant you walk straight in and make a left. You're immediately taken back to like, the early 1900s. Lol. The lighting is very dim, very yellow, with reddish, heavy wood EVERYWHERE. It gives me tavern vibes for sure and is a little on the cramped side. I did not have a reservation, but because I was by myself, they made some room for me.

Service: Devin took excellent care of me and made sure I had everything that I needed.

Food: During my visit I had the chance to check out the Mediterranean Bread. It it enormous, fluffy and thin. The menu doesn't really tell you what's in it, so you're left to explore the flavors all on your own! The edges are super crispy and the flavors are EXPLOSIVE. I was expecting a lot of butter, but it wasn't terribly greasy! I got a lot of garlic and parmesan flavors, delicious. So I wanted to check out a traditional deep dish pizza, however, that's not what they sell! They sell a pizza pot pie which takes at least 35 minutes to make. So when you order yours you can get it in one of 2 sizes. The half-pounder or full-pounder. It's quite the show when they bring it out to you. They have to take it out of it's cooking fish and flip it onto your plate. So the pizza is is all made from scratch. It also comes with sausage, cheese and mushrooms, but you can have it without some of those things if you like. It was so cheesy, creamy and heavy. The flavors were very well balanced on top of the soft Sicilian-style crust. It was so thick though. Lol. It was very delicious and I see why this place has been in business for so long.

Value: The Mediterranean Bread will cost you $13.00 and the full pound pizza pot pie is $35.00. That is a bit steep, but it's so much food that you can split it between 2 people.

This isn't a place I'd go seeking out, but I'm so happy that I ran into it! Please check this place out if you're...

Valentine’s Day has demarcated the relationship paths for many people over the years. On this day some relationships move forward, some backwards, and some end altogether.

In the 1920’s the city of Chicago had simultaneous relationships with multiple crime bosses, and 96 years ago today Al Capone put an end to that and made his relationship with Chicago exclusive.

Although never convicted of the crime, Al is generally considered to be responsible for the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” that eliminated his remaining rivals and consolidated his control as a merchant of vice.

Local legend has it that 2121 North Clark Street was utilized to serve as the lookout to plot the crime that took place across the street. Now the home of the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company, its relationship interests with Chicagoans have been “strictly honorable” and while that relationship has evolved over the past 53 years, their recipes have never needed to.

Perhaps most famous for their “Pizza Pot Pie”, this cheesy masterpiece elicits groans of satisfaction with each bite. Inspired by deep dish pizza, the sauce is cooked for a staggering 9 hours, the Sicilian dough is triple-raised, and the Wisconsin brick cheese is made specifically for this restaurant. The enjoyment of this dish is further accentuated by its presentation when being removed from its pan by your server once it arrives at your table.

If you share the half-pounder pot pie you should have room left to also share a grinder (which features the same cheese and the vegetarian version of their amazing sauce).

Cash is the only form of payment that is accepted (Al would have ❤️ that), the dining room is slightly darkened for ambiance with period music playing (also for Al?), and reservations are recommended unless you can arrive near opening (or have connections to Al 😳 ).

And that’s…Henry’s Take.

#chicagopizzapotpie

Recommendation credit @ct_miller19

Editor’s Note: A special thanks to our server Caroline for not only excellent service, but also for the helpful background...