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Pete's Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Pete's Pizza
8.0
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Serving North Center since the 1950s, Pete's Pizza pairs its thin-crust pies with baked cheese and meat lasagna trays that feel tailor-made for family dinners. The room stays casual and busy, with regulars ordering lasagna for dine-in, carryout, and catering alongside old-school pizza combinations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked cheese lasagna, Baked meat lasagna, Thin-crust sausage pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Decades-old neighborhood pizzeria where lasagna pans are a staple.
Who should go: Families and groups craving classic pizza, pasta, and leftovers.
When to visit: Early evenings and weeknights for fastest seating and pickup.
What to order: Baked cheese lasagna, baked meat lasagna, thin-crust pizza.
Insider tip: Order a half or full lasagna tray for game nights at home.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the neighborhood; allow a few extra minutes during dinner rush.
Dress code: Casual and family-friendly; jeans and everyday wear are common.
Noise level: Moderate – lively during peak hours but usually fine for conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes depending on party size and game nights.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – cheese lasagna, pizzas, and several pasta options.
Vegan options: Limited – most dishes include cheese or dairy.
Gluten-free options: Limited – check availability for gluten-free pasta or pizza crust.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works best for casual, low-pressure dates where shared comfort food feels natural.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially on weeknights, though peak weekend dinner hours may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Very – relaxed service, familiar food, and plenty of booth seating make it great for families.
Best For
Better for: Classic, family-style Italian-American comfort food and big portions meant for sharing.
Skip if: You’re looking for modern Italian, chef-driven menus, or extensive vegan options.
Pete's Pizza
8.4
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Serving Chicago since the 1950s, Pete’s Pizza on Western is a North Center standby where thin-crust tavern pies and baked lasagna trays feed generations of families. The dining room leans casual and noisy in a good way, with kids, teams, and multi-table groups working through pizza, red-sauce pastas, and leftovers-friendly pans.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thin-crust sausage pizza, Baked cheese lasagna, Baked meat lasagna
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Decades-old pizzeria where families share tavern-style pies and lasagna pans.
Who should go: Families, teams, and groups craving classic Chicago thin-crust.
When to visit: Early evenings or weeknights to avoid peak game-time crowds.
What to order: Thin-crust sausage pizza, baked cheese or meat lasagna.
Insider tip: Order a half- or full-pan lasagna for parties; it reheats well next day.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Western and nearby residential blocks; can fill up during peak dinner hours and game nights.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, team gear, and kid-friendly wear are all common.
Noise level: Lively and family-friendly — expect conversation-level noise with busy peaks that can get loud.
Weekend wait: 20–45 minutes during peak times, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Plenty of options — cheese pizza, veggie pies, salads, and pasta with marinara.
Vegan options: Limited — marinara-based pasta and salads can work, but most menu highlights rely on cheese.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free pizza crust availability can vary; pasta options are generally not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure hangs than romantic first dates — it’s lively, busy, and more family-style than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are the norm. Expect a short wait during weekend dinner rushes or big sports events.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high chairs, big tables, forgiving noise levels, and menu favorites like pizza and pasta make it ideal for families of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Classic Chicago thin-crust, big family meals, and nostalgic neighborhood pizzeria energy.
Skip if: You’re looking for upscale Italian, craft-cocktail programs, or a quiet, romantic setting.
Pete's Pizza
8.5
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Pete’s Pizza on Western is a 1950s-era tavern-style institution where thin-crust and deep-dish pies share space with fried chicken, pasta, and big family platters. The sprawling dining room, TVs, and forgiving noise level make it an easy default for birthday dinners, post-game teams, and multi-generation family nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thin-crust Party Pizza (sausage, green pepper, mushroom, onion), Margherita Pizza, Wise Guy Pizza (Italian beef, sausage, giardiniera)
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Decades-old family tavern serving Chicago-style pies and big family-style plates.
Who should go: Families wanting roomy booths, TVs, and crowd-pleasing pizza.
When to visit: Weeknights or earlier weekend dinners for easiest seating.
What to order: Thin-crust Party Pizza, Margherita, Wise Guy with Italian beef.
Insider tip: Use the family specials for affordable big-group dinners and leftovers.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Western and nearby side streets; can fill up during peak dinner hours but usually manageable.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, jerseys, and family-night attire are all normal.
Noise level: Lively — conversation is possible, but it can get loud during busy dinners and game nights.
Weekend wait: 15–45 minutes during peak family hours depending on group size.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — cheese, veggie pizzas, salads, and pastas available.
Vegan options: Limited — customization possible but few fully vegan menu items.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free crust typically available on select pizzas; ask staff when ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual hangs than romantic dates — it’s lively, family-oriented, and focused on comfort food over ambience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, though larger groups may wait during weekend prime time.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high-energy dining room, big booths, TVs, and a forgiving noise level make it great for families of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, family celebrations, and classic Chicago tavern-style pizza in a relaxed setting.
Skip if: You’re looking for trendy decor, craft-cocktail programs, or upscale date-night vibes.