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Bartoli's Pizzeria
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Bartoli's Pizzeria
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Family Friendly Favorites
A destination-worthy pizza shop known for doing both deep dish and thin crust with real seriousness. It’s the kind of place where a simple plan wins—commit to one style, add one salad or appetizer, and let the pie be the whole point.
Must-Try Dishes:
Deep dish pizza, Tavern-style thin crust, Italian beef + giardiniera pizza (specialty pie)
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A serious Chicago pizza house for both deep dish and thin crust.
Who should go: Pizza-first diners who want a full meal built around a pie
When to visit: Weeknights for easier waits and steadier pacing
What to order: Deep dish, thin crust, one salad
Insider tip: Pick deep dish or thin—don’t split styles in one visit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on Damen and nearby residential blocks; manageable but can take a few loops on weekend nights.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — jeans, sweaters, and sneakers are common.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — easy to talk at the table, but it gets louder during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak hours without a reservation, longer if you’re ordering deep dish.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a very short one.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian topping combinations and salads make it easy to build a meat-free meal.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modified pies (no cheese, veggie toppings), but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free crust may be available, but cross-contamination is possible in a pizza-focused kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or second date — the pizza focus and wait times make it less about quick pacing and more about settling in.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights, but be prepared to wait on weekends and factor in extra time for deep dish.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — families are common, portions are shareable, and the menu is approachable for all ages.
Best For
Better for: Doing both deep dish and thin crust at a high level without feeling like a tourist spot.
Skip if: You want a fast meal, quiet conversation, or a broader Italian menu beyond pizza.
Bartoli's Pizzeria
8.4
A neighborhood destination for deep dish that leans into classic Chicago comfort without turning into a production. It shines when you commit to one style (deep dish or party-cut thin) and let the kitchen execute cleanly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Deep dish pizza, Party-cut thin crust pizza, Sausage deep dish
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Deep-dish execution with a neighborhood, no-fuss feel.
Who should go: Deep-dish loyalists and family-style groups
When to visit: Earlier dinner to beat peak wait times
What to order: Deep dish, party-cut thin crust, sausage pie
Insider tip: Pick one style per visit—don’t mix formats at the table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking on Damen and surrounding residential blocks; can be competitive after 6pm but manageable with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—jeans, sweaters, and sneakers are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate—lively during peak hours but still easy to hold a table conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak hours without a reservation, especially for deep dish.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie topping combinations work well on both deep dish and thin crust.
Vegan options: Limited—can be done with no cheese and vegetable toppings, but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Yes—gluten-free crust available, best suited for personal-size orders.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure date than a romantic one—deep dish is filling and slow-paced, which can be great if you want time to talk but less ideal if you want something light or quick.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights or off-peak hours, but expect a wait on weekends—ordering deep dish to-go can be a smart backup.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—family-style seating, familiar flavors, and shareable pies make it easy for kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: A relaxed neighborhood deep-dish experience that feels less touristy and more family-oriented than downtown-heavy hitters.
Skip if: You’re looking for a fast meal, a lighter pizza style, or a high-energy date-night vibe—thin-crust specialists or Neapolitan spots may fit better.
Bartoli's Pizzeria
8.2
A neighborhood pizzeria that plays well for takeout or a casual sit-down when you want deep dish without turning it into a big production. It’s strongest when you commit to a single pie style for the table so timing stays clean and predictable.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicago Classic, Union Stockyard, Deep Dish Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Deep-dish-forward menu built for repeat neighborhood orders.
Who should go: Families and groups splitting a pie
When to visit: Early dinner to avoid long bake waits
What to order: Chicago Classic; Union Stockyard; deep dish
Insider tip: Order deep dish first; add apps later.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on Belmont and nearby side streets; generally manageable early evening but can get tighter after 6:30pm on weekends.
Dress code: Casual neighborhood spot — jeans, sneakers, and relaxed attire are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during dinner rush but you can still hold a normal table conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes for deep dish if you walk in; shorter if you order ahead for dine-in or takeout.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait; bakes are still made to order.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetable-forward deep dish and thin-crust options, plus build-your-own pies.
Vegan options: Limited — vegetable pizzas can be customized, but vegan cheese availability varies and should be confirmed before ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free crust availability may vary and cross-contamination is possible; best for gluten-sensitive diners rather than strict celiac needs.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure date than something intimate. Deep dish is filling and slower-paced, which works if you want time to talk but not if you’re aiming for quick energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights. On weekends, expect to wait unless you arrive early or are flexible on seating while the pie bakes.
Is it kid-friendly? Very. The menu is approachable, portions are shareable, and the atmosphere works well for families with elementary-age kids and up.
Best For
Better for: Reliable neighborhood deep dish that’s easier to order and less chaotic than destination-style Chicago pizza institutions.
Skip if: You want a fast meal, thin-crust-only focus, or a more polished date-night atmosphere — this is about comfort and consistency, not spectacle.
Bartoli's Pizzeria
8.4
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A neighborhood pizza room where families do best by ordering one deep-dish and one thin-crust pie to cover both cravings at the table. The classic Chicago styles land when you keep toppings traditional and let the kitchen focus on bake quality and timing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Deep Dish Pizza, Thin Crust Pizza, Stuffed Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Classic Chicago pizza styles that work for mixed-age groups.
Who should go: Families who want pizza everyone agrees on
When to visit: Early dinner to avoid peak rush
What to order: Deep dish, thin crust, stuffed pizza
Insider tip: Do one pie per 2–3 people for cleaner pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Irving Park Rd and nearby side streets; can be tight after 6pm but usually manageable with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual and family-friendly—jeans, hoodies, and sneakers are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy table conversation but not a quiet room.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak hours if you arrive without a plan
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie toppings and meat-free pies are easy to build.
Vegan options: Limited—can do no-cheese pies with vegetable toppings, but no vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Yes—gluten-free crust available, though prepared in a shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or low-pressure dates than romantic ones—great if pizza is the point, less ideal if you want a quiet, intimate vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—especially on weekdays. On weekends, arriving early or ordering carryout can save time.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—families with young kids feel comfortable here, portions are shareable, and the menu is familiar and forgiving.
Best For
Better for: Mixed-age groups and families who want classic Chicago pizza styles done reliably without hype.
Skip if: You’re looking for upscale Italian, a quiet date-night atmosphere, or experimental toppings.
Bartoli's Pizzeria
8.6
A neighborhood pizzeria that plays both Chicago lanes well—deep dish when you want the full sit-down commitment, and crisp tavern-style thin crust when you need something faster for kids and groups. The move is to pick one style as the anchor, keep toppings classic, and let the bake do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nonna Bartoli’s spinach and cheese pizza, Deep-dish sausage pizza, Tavern-cut thin crust pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Two strong Chicago pizza styles in one family-friendly room.
Who should go: Families and groups who want classic Chicago pizza.
When to visit: Early dinner for the smoothest timing.
What to order: Deep-dish sausage, thin crust tavern-cut, spinach-and-cheese pie.
Insider tip: Commit to one pizza style per order—timing stays tighter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking on nearby residential streets; availability drops during peak dinner hours, so allow extra time.
Dress code: Casual and family-friendly—jeans, hoodies, and everyday attire are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate to lively, especially during dinner; conversation is easy at the table but the room gets energetic.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours if you arrive without a plan, shorter if you’re early.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie-friendly pies and the ability to customize toppings easily.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with no-cheese custom pies, but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited—availability can vary; best to ask about current options before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual dates than high-stakes ones—it’s relaxed, a bit loud, and more about comfort than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—most guests walk in successfully, especially if you arrive early or are flexible on seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—families are common, portions are shareable, and the vibe is forgiving for kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Balancing deep dish and tavern-style thin crust in one spot, making it easy for mixed groups and families to agree.
Skip if: You’re chasing a quiet, romantic pizza night or want experimental toppings over classic Chicago styles.