Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.

On the morning of Valentine's Day in 1929, the brownstone where this pizza eatery resides was apparently used as the lookout for the St. Valentine Massacre occurring at the garage across the street. The building burned to the ground in early '70s, but was resurrected in 1972 when a lawyer purchased the property. Decades after that historical and notorious day, the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder was born.

Everyone in the neighborhood flocks here, but the wait is worth it. The main attraction is the pizza pot pies--basically pizza in a bowl. It's made from scratch with homemade sauce, fresh herbs, veggies, cheeses, and sausage. Substantial portions come in a half-pound or a full-pound perfect for sharing with a group of people. On the healthier side, the menu offers salads overflowing with heaps of greens and dressing. Don't want pizza? Try one of the Italian oven grinders: bread stuffed with gooey melted ingredients including salami, ham, or meatballs.  Enhanced with spices, the Mediterranean flat bread is the most popular item. Save room for the dessert, the Tortoni: a frozen cream dessert flavored with rum and crushed macaroons and sprinkled with toasted almonds. Capone would've loved it.

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Lincoln Park restaurants, Chicago restaurants, Chicago restaurants, Italian restaurants, Pizza restaurants