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Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company
8.8
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
This 1972 Lincoln Park icon invented the pizza pot pie—a theatrical bowl of Wisconsin brick cheese, homemade sauce, and Sicilian dough inverted tableside. The Mediterranean Bread alone has cult status, and the historic brownstone sits across from the site of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pizza Pot Pie, Mediterranean Bread, Oven Grinder Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: The original pizza pot pie, served nowhere else, created by attorney Albert Beaver
Who should go: Chicago visitors seeking an only-here dining experience
When to visit: Arrive early or expect lengthy waits, especially weekends
What to order: Pizza Pot Pie, Mediterranean Bread, Italian Grinder
Insider tip: Monday and Tuesday have significantly shorter waits—arrive right at open (4pm weekdays, 11am weekends) for the best odds
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet $16 for 3 hours; street parking challenging in Lincoln Park evenings
Dress code: No dress code—come as you are, from sightseeing casual to date-night attire
Noise level: Moderate—high-backed wooden booths create intimate pockets for conversation
Weekend wait: 1-2+ hours common; no reservations accepted
Weekday lunch: N/A (opens 4pm weekdays); Monday-Tuesday dinners are slowest
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—Pizza Pot Pie available vegetarian upon request, plus salads and Mediterranean Bread
Vegan options: Very limited—salads only (dressings contain dairy), Mediterranean Bread has butter
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free options available
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice—the cozy high-backed booths create privacy, the tableside pot pie flip is theatrical and conversation-starting, and the historic setting adds romance. Just plan for the wait or come Monday/Tuesday.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Walk-in only—they don't take reservations at all. Arrive when doors open (4pm weekdays, 11am weekends) or embrace the wait. There's a bar to wait at, and most regulars say the food justifies the line.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—families have come here for generations. The pot pie presentation delights kids, portions are shareable, and the casual atmosphere welcomes all ages. High-backed booths help contain the chaos.
Best For
Better for: The theatrical, one-of-a-kind experience you can't replicate anywhere else—this isn't deep-dish, it's a category unto itself with 50+ years of unchanged recipes and genuine Chicago history
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, hate waiting without reservations, want quick weekday lunch, or prefer traditional deep-dish (hit Lou Malnati's or Pequod's instead)
Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company
8.6
Since 1972, this brownstone across from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre site has served its cult-favorite pizza pot pies and Mediterranean Bread in a dark, cozy room. It’s a non-traditional pizza experience that blends Chicago history, dense comfort food, and long-standing ritual.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sausage pizza pot pie (half-pounder), Mediterranean Bread, Chef's Salad with house dressings
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: 1972-era brownstone spot famous for its inverted pizza pot pies.
Who should go: Curious eaters wanting a one-of-a-kind Chicago pizza experience.
When to visit: Weeknights or early weekends to cut down on waits.
What to order: Sausage pizza pot pie, Mediterranean Bread, shared Chef's Salad.
Insider tip: Put your name in early and grab a drink while you wait.
Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company
8.3
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company is a brownstone institution across from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre site, best known for its inverted pizza pot pies and oversized Mediterranean Bread. It’s a playful choice for birthdays, reunions, and out-of-town visitors who want a uniquely Chicago comfort-food ritual.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sausage Pizza Pot Pie, Mediterranean Bread, Chef's Salad
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A 1970s-era brownstone serving cult-favorite pizza pot pies and bread.
Who should go: Groups wanting quirky, Chicago-only pizza for celebrations.
When to visit: Early evenings and weeknights to reduce long wait times.
What to order: Sausage pizza pot pie, Mediterranean Bread, shared Chef’s Salad.
Insider tip: Put your name in early; the tiny bar upstairs helps kill the wait.
Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company
8.6
Since 1972, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder has packed a brownstone just off the park with cash-only crowds for its signature pizza pot pies and Mediterranean bread. It’s more playful than polished, but dim lighting, tight tables, and the ritual of flipping a bubbling crock of pizza at the table make it a memorable, slightly chaotic date night move.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pizza Pot Pie (Half-Pounder), Mediterranean Bread, Italian Combination Oven Grinder
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A decades-old brownstone icon where inverted pizza pot pies and enormous salads turn dinner into a shared spectacle.
Who should go: Couples who enjoy quirky, crowded, conversation-starting pizza nights.
When to visit: Early evening on weeknights to soften the famously long waits.
What to order: Mediterranean Bread, Half-Pounder Pizza Pot Pie, Italian Combination Oven Grinder.
Insider tip: It’s cash-only and waitlist-driven—arrive before opening, put your name in, and plan for a nearby stroll or drink.
Hours
Monday4pm - 10pm
Tuesday4pm - 10pm
Wednesday4pm - 10pm
Thursday4pm - 10pm
Friday4pm - 11pm
Saturday11am - 11pm
Sunday11am - 10pm