Connie's Pizza — Restaurant in Chicago

I write this review with a heavy heart. I say this because Connie's was established the same year I was born in 1963. Since I can remember as a child my parents took my family to Connie's for regular times and also for parties. But yesterday 3/24/24 was the very first time I was disappointed. Myself and 19 family adults and 2 children went to celebrate my and my sisters birthdays together. My sister informed me a couple of days before that Connie's had a newer policy that for 20 or more people (adults and kids) you MUST do a party package of $27.99 per person 5years and older. So whereas the 2 kids (4 years each) and not charged, they still counted them to total 21 so we had to do a package. My sister chose the package # 2 which is House Salad, a pasta dish and Pizzas each with one topping and sodas and lemonade. The salad was just that, salad. Then came the wait, about 20 minutes for the pasta to come. But once it did come the pasta was HORRIBLE. It was supposed to be Rigatoni Alla Vodka, what it was is giant hard (undercooked) rigatoni in a cheddar drying cheese sauce. On top of that it was cooled off like it had ben sitting for a while. Then the pizzas came about 10 minutes after the pasta which meant that the crappy pasta was still on our plates when the pizza arrived. There were whole plates of pasta not eaten it was so bad. The thin crust pizzas were good but the pan pizzas were gooey. The sausage pizzas were set with a decent amount of sausage but the pepperoni pizzas had you searching for the pepperoni. Overall very disappointed to the point that I actually felt I had to say to my family, I'm sorry the dinner was not as good as I had hoped. Many said, oh it was fine, and it's not the food as to why we were there but to celebrate our Birthdays. But you all know it's more than just that when you invite family to a celebration the food is a huge part of it. And to this point, Connie's (for the first time) really left a bad taste in our mouths. side note The bill charged for 20 people and I did not notice since i just whipped out my credit card to pay without really analyzing the bill but when my sister asked me if they had discounted the $100 required deposit, I saw they did deduct the $100 but they charged for 20 people = $559.80 instead of 19 people = $531.81. My sister called Connie's and they said they would credit me the difference...

Horrible Experience I came all the way down from Rolling Meadows and went there to celebrate my cousin's birthday, who lives near this place. We spent well over $150 on lunch plus tip. The food was not what I remember it was subpar. Plus, I accidentally left a pair of expensive glasses on the table on the way out. In the 2 minutes it took to walk to my car and come back the table. It was being cleaned, and my expensive sunglasses had disappeared mysteriously. The servers were still there cleaning the table, so I inquired with them if they had seen the glasses they proceeded to pretend like they didn't speak any English acted like they knew nothing. Fortunately, I know Spanish, so I asked to see the manager Edgar, who didn't seem to care much either and treated me as if i was lying. He even asked me if maybe I left them in the car and didn't know it I told him no cuz as I was getting in my car I realized I didn't have them because it was so sunny outside that's when I ran back in here to search exactly where I left them on the table. I also explained that took me all of 2 minutes to walk from my car back to the table because I was parked right outside the front door so there wasn't enough time or people in The Establishment for anyone else to have taken my glasses. The only other family that was near us was the black family they tried to blame. But I ran outside and caught them. But they were holding women's sunglasses that were not blue, like I explained. I thought that was rather low life for them to blame another family. I even asked Mr. Vincent, maybe if I step outside and double-check my car, then possibly my glasses would mysteriously turn up, giving them an option to return them without admitting they had taken them. Instead, Mr Edgar followed me outside which told me he did not talk to his employees or double check with them as to whether or not maybe they had accidentally found them on the floor or something like that. It's been over a week since, & I still haven't heard from Connie's or this manager concerning my very expensive sunglasses. I do not recommend going here for any reason whatsoever as the STAFF & MANAGER are...

Update: 3/12/23 There is a $20 fee for any dessert that you bring in yourself.

For example if you are celebrating an event and decide to bring in cake or cookies or cupcake... you have to pay $20 to celebrate using your own dessert. This is the first time I've seen this policy anywhere. I don't like it.

They have also started charging $3.50 for hot bread. Used to be free.

I didn't take out any stars because their food, service and atmosphere is that good, but the management should understand that this type of nitpicking does not make them look good.

I have been coming to this Connie's for many years. It's right by Chinatown. I definitely believe this is the best location 👍 for Connie's in the Chicago area.

Today I tried something that a friend of mine introduced me to that I did not even know existed in the menu. Stuffed pizza 🍕 with sauce on the side - pictures attached.

Basically you have a top crust with the tomato 🍅 sauce on the side. Eating this pizza feels like eating a Calzone and Deep Dish pizza combined.

On the positive side, it is a crispy pizza. On the flip side, it is a bit dry because there is no tomato sauce inside. Not something I liked and I will probably stick with the deep dish and thin crust next time but you might have a different experience so worth a shot one time at least.

Now regarding the atmosphere inside, it's very bright and lovely. Beautiful decor that really opens your eyes and lifts your spirits as you walk in and see people having a great time having a meal and talking with their friends and family. The service at this place is also wonderful and you feel like you are being served by family and friends and not just work people.

My vote for this place has always been and continues to be a big Yes. Definitely...