DeSalvo's Pizza — Restaurant in Evanston Township

We tried DeSalvo’s for the first time on 1/27/24, a Saturday afternoon. It was busy but not overly crowded (no major Evanston or NU events happening). The atmosphere is comfortable, modern, spacious, and well lit even on a gray January day. The service was efficient and pleasant. They did call out our name to pick our appetizer from the counter but brought our entree to the table. The food is excellent. The dough (saw one cook tossing it) and marinara seem to be house made. The kitchen is open and in plain sight which is always preferred. We ordered the garlic knots and each had a calzone; she had the veggie and I ordered a byo. The garlic knots were tasty but the calzones were great. The dough is light, with a well proportioned amount of toppings, cheese, and sauce. If you’re a sauce fan, fear not as it comes with more warm marinara on the side. The calzones took about 20 minutes as they are made fresh. We cannot comment on the slices or salads but if the calzones are any indication, those will be great as well. I thought the prices were fair considering overhead costs of running a restaurant with freshly made ingredients. The sodas are free refills if you’re dining in. The counter along the windows is a good place to eat and watch life go on along central street but they have various table sizes as well. We did notice that people who did not come in together/did not know each other, did sit at tables together. Definitely patronize this business even if it’s just for a quick ready-made slice. I’ll be trying the pan...

I have been eating here almost daily for lunch or dinner for a few months now. I absolutely love the pizza here. I had Alex make me a Sicilian pizza to celebrate completion of a painting project. I grew up in New Jersey and ate pizza made by generations-established Italian family owned restaurants. I know good pizza. The Sicilian pie Alex made me was the BEST I ever have had. It was unbelievable. The crust was perfect: crispy, full of flavor. The cheese and sauce balance was exact, and the quality of the different flavors of the sauce, cheese, spices and oils was superb. It was truly a work of art what he made me.

Alex DeSalvo and his co-chef Kyle are absolutely brilliant. They make pizza with passion and exquisite skill. Stacia, Alex's wife, is an amazing restaurant co-owner and runs the place with grace, humor and utmost profesionalism. She handles rushes and stress with ease. She is very skilled at getting things right and ensuring their customers are pleased with their orders. The place is always full of people and somehow they get the pizzas out very efficiently and often, there are long lines of people waiting for to-go orders alongside whoever is in the restaurant. Stacia speaks to her staff with utmost respect and she and Alex and Kyle run the place with care. I highly recommend this place. And it's an honor and joy to know you all. Thanks for everything you do, Alex, Stacia,...

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to love this place as much as I did, but everything was super fresh and packed with flavor. You can tell they really care about their ingredients.

We tried the Green Dreams pizza, the Rabbit (veggie) slice, a Detroit Square, the seasonal salad, the seasonal vegetables, and the garlic knots. The seasonal salad was crisp and refreshing, and the seasonal vegetables were roasted perfectly with this creamy aioli that just brought everything together—such a good combo. The pizzas were absolutely delicious, and my favorite was the Detroit-style pie—crispy edges, cheesy, and just the right amount of sauce. You can really taste the freshness in the dough and toppings. And the garlic knots? Next level—soft, flavorful, and honestly, some of the best I’ve had.

Beyond the food, the vibe inside is cozy and bright, making it a great spot for a quick bite or a casual hangout with friends. The staff is super friendly and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even better.

Definitely a must-visit if you’re in Evanston—whether you’re grabbing a slice or sitting down for a full meal, you won’t be...