A Guide to Local Pizza Places
By Kristin Boza
The stress of the holidays is fast approaching, so make it easy on yourself and indulge in the hot, cheesy goodness of pizza. Beverly/Morgan Park is lucky to be home to so many different types of pies, all of which are family-owned neighborhood staples that support the community while also keeping us fed. Looking to mix up your pizza night routine? Check out these delicious spots.
Barraco’s Beverly
2105 W. 95th St. 773-881-4040
From numerous locations on the south side, Barraco’s offers thin crust, stuffed crust, deep dish, and its Sicilian style pizza which has a traditional fluffy crust topped with fresh sauce, cheese, and toppings. Sicilian pizza is traditionally served on Dec. 7, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Barraco’s pizza is frequently purchased or donated for parish fundraisers and school fun lunches.
Fox’s Beverly Pub
9956 S. Western Ave. 773-886-1616
Since 1964, Fox’s has been a neighborhood favorite. As the restaurant expanded its locations, the original Beverly location is still one of its most popular destinations. “We appreciate our business here and all the generations of Beverly residents that have dined here or worked here for these past 55 years,” said Thomas Fox, owner. “Serving this community for so many years makes you realize how strong and wonderful the families are that make up Beverly!” Fox’s signature thin crust pizza is made fresh on site daily with fresh ingredients, and the recipes are carefully crafted to ensure the best pizza every time. The original pizza recipe is still in use today — why mess with perfection?
Home Run Inn
10900 S. Western Ave. 773-432-9696
Still using the original family recipe developed by Mary Grittani and Nick Perrino in 1947, Home Run Inn has established a Chicago pizza empire. Pizzas are made with 100% all-natural ingredients, ensuring the freshest and pizza. The dough, made daily from scratch, is known for its buttery flakiness, and pays homage to the founders’ Italian roots. Patrons come for the crust, but stay for the sauce, for which tomatoes are peeled, pasteurized, and mixed with Home Run Inn’s propriety spice blend within two hours of harvesting in Modesto, Calif. As they say, “All you need is love and pizza.”
Milano’s Pizza
10945 S. Western Ave. 773-445-4010
Consistently ranked highly in neighborhood pizza polls, Milano’s is a carry-out or delivery pizza service that just celebrated 35 years in Beverly/Morgan Park. Fresh, imported mozzarella and a secret family sauce recipe make the extra-thin crust, thin crust, and stuffed pizzas some of the best in the area. For something truly unique, check out their chicken alfredo pizza or fajita pizza to up the flavor ante.
Pizzeria Deepo
1742 W. 99th St. 773-840-3087
Pizzeria Deepo stormed the southside when it opened in 2012. The deepest of deep dish, their pizza is made with fresh ingredients and an incredibly thick, yet somehow light, crust. Pizzeria Deepo also serves a vegan pizza that is cheese-less and made with a special egg-less crust. The spot offers carry-out pizza, but many patrons enjoy the patio and BYOB options.
Waldo Cooney’s
2410 W. 111th St. 773-233-9781
Since 1981, Waldo Cooney’s has served solid slices and a ‘just-right’ doughy crust to customers. Branch out from the typical pepperoni and sausage and try their BBQ chicken pizza, made with cfoohicken breast, onion, bacon, and BBQ sauce. Or their signature Mexicana pizza, made up of ground beef, onions, chili peppers, fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, and mozzarella cheese.
Calabria Imports
1905 W. 103rd St. 773-396-5800
Head to Calabria Imports to grab a pizza set-up — all the best ingredients are available to make a pie at home. Customers can head to the refrigerator section to choose their cheese, sauce, crust, and a variety of toppings and head home to enjoy creating their own perfect pizza. Calabria has been in business since 1988 and specializes in authentic Italian and American food and deli goods.
Open Outcry Brewing Co.
10934 S. Western Ave. 773-629-6055
New to the pizza scene, Open Outcry’s Chef Cesar has perfected wood-fired pizza. These pies are some of the most innovative in the area, blending typical South Side ingredients with high-end options. Three Pigs pizza, for example, includes Open Outcry’s house sausage, plus pepperoni and prosciutto. The Chi Town is topped with braised beef, giardinera and fries — essentially a beef sandwich on top of a fired-up crust.
Which pie is on the menu at your house tonight?
