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Connie's Pizza
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Connie's Pizza
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Since 1963, Connie’s flagship Archer Avenue location has been a south-side standby for deep-dish, tavern-style pies, and red-sauce pastas. Mama Sue’s Homemade Lasagna sits alongside pizzas and vodka rigatoni, giving groups a way to build a classic Chicago-Italian spread under one very large roof.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mama Sue's Homemade Lasagna, Rigatoni alla Vodka, Original Pan Sausage Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Flagship south-side pizzeria where deep-dish and lasagna share the spotlight.
Who should go: Families and groups craving classic Chicago red-sauce comfort.
When to visit: Weekend evenings and game days; reserve for large groups.
What to order: Mama Sue’s Homemade Lasagna, deep-dish sausage pizza, rigatoni alla vodka.
Insider tip: Use the on-site parking and call ahead for large-party reservations.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Large on-site surface lot at the flagship Archer Avenue location; typically easy on weeknights but can fill around United Center / game-day rushes
Dress code: Casual and family-friendly — jerseys, jeans, and everyday wear are all common
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak family and group dining hours; quieter in side rooms and earlier evenings
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; large parties should call ahead
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or short seating window
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple meatless pizzas, pastas, salads, and a cheese lasagna variant depending on availability
Vegan options: Limited — salads and a few customizable pizzas without cheese; confirm ingredients with staff
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free pizza crust available on select sizes; cross-contact possible in a shared kitchen
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, nostalgic, or shared-plates dates than intimate ones — the dining rooms are lively and portion sizes are built for sharing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for small parties, especially outside peak hours; on weekends and game days, expect a wait or call ahead for faster seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — spacious dining rooms, large booths, shareable pizzas and pastas, and a relaxed atmosphere suit families with kids of most ages.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, family celebrations, and classic Chicago red-sauce comfort where pizza, lasagna, and pasta can all hit the table at once under one roof.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic dinner, cutting-edge Italian, or strictly gluten-free/vegan menus with dedicated prep controls.
Connie's Pizza
8.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family-owned since 1963, Connie's Archer Avenue flagship serves Chicago deep dish, pan, tavern-style, stuffed, and Sicilian pies in a cavernous dining room just off the Dan Ryan. Prices aren’t bottom-of-the-barrel, but for large-format pies that feed groups and a full-service setting, it functions as a relatively accessible way to do classic Chicago pizza near Chinatown and the Loop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Special Thin Crust Pizza (sausage, mushroom, onion, pepper), Italian Meat Lovers Pizza, Margherita Original Pan Pizza
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Long-running South Side flagship where Chicago deep dish, pan, and tavern-style pizzas are served in a sprawling, family-friendly room.
Who should go: Groups wanting classic Chicago pizza near Chinatown and McCormick.
When to visit: Prime dinner hours before or after games and conventions.
What to order: Special thin crust, Italian Meat Lovers, Margherita pan pizza.
Insider tip: If you’re cost-conscious, split a large tavern or pan pizza and skip appetizers—the pies are sized to feed a crowd.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Large on-site surface lot behind the building with additional street parking along Archer; fills quickly during games and convention traffic.
Dress code: Casual — jerseys, jeans, and family-outing attire are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak dinner hours; conversation is possible at most tables but big groups and TVs add buzz.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak event nights; shorter on non-event weekends.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short wait for larger groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — multiple veggie pizzas and customizable toppings.
Vegan options: Limited — cheeseless red-sauce pies and salads are possible, but no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free crust available on select sizes; shared kitchen means possible cross-contact.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, shared-pie meals than an intimate date — the room is lively, TV-friendly, and geared toward groups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, but expect waits before games and conventions; call ahead for large parties to shorten the delay.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — booster seats, roomy booths, large pies for sharing, and a forgiving noise level make it well-suited for families of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Feeding big groups with multiple Chicago-style pizza formats in one place, plus easy parking and a full-service dining room near Chinatown.
Skip if: You want ultra-cheap slices, a quiet date-night environment, or boutique artisan pies with experimental toppings.