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Dough Bros Pizzeria & Sub Shop
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Dough Bros Pizzeria & Sub Shop
8.4
Since 2014, Dough Bros has been the go-to New York–style slice window in 60654, staying open as late as 4 a.m. on weekends. Counter service, foldable slices, and subs make it the quintessential post-bar pizza stop near the State & Hubbard cluster of nightlife.
Must-Try Dishes:
Artichoke & Spinach Slice, Mushroom Slice, Custom Build-Your-Own Whole Pie
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: True late-night New York–style slices and subs steps from River North bars.
Who should go: Bar-hoppers needing fast, New York-style slices after midnight.
When to visit: Thursday through Saturday after midnight for peak slice traffic.
What to order: Artichoke & Spinach slice, Mushroom slice, custom whole pie.
Insider tip: Expect a cramped counter and street crowds—grab slices to-go and eat outside.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive at night; nearby paid garages along Hubbard and State are the most reliable option. No valet.
Dress code: Very casual — bar attire, jeans, and hoodies are all normal.
Noise level: Loud late at night with bar traffic and street crowds; quiet to moderate earlier in the day.
Weekend wait: Usually 5–15 minutes for slices, but lines can stretch to 20+ minutes after midnight.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 2–5 minute queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple veggie slice options (e.g., mushroom, spinach & artichoke) depending on availability.
Vegan options: Very limited — no dedicated vegan cheese and offerings vary by day.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free crust or dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, post-bar slice stop — the space is cramped, mostly grab-and-go, and can be loud late at night.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations and seating is minimal; expect to stand or take slices to-go, especially during late-night rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? During the day it’s fine for quick counter-service pizza; late at night it skews bar-crowd and isn’t ideal for young kids.
Best For
Better for: Late-night, foldable New York–style slices near River North nightlife, quick service, and strong value for the price.
Skip if: You want sit-down dining, quieter ambiance, gluten-free or vegan options, or upscale artisanal pizza with longer menus.
Dough Bros Pizzeria & Sub Shop
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Dough Bros is a counter-service slice shop in River North turning out big New York–style pies, subs, and late-night slices a few steps from the State/Grand hotel cluster. Locals use it as a reliable, inexpensive option for grab-and-go pepperoni, artichoke, and mushroom slices well past typical dinner hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni Pizza Slice, Spinach Artichoke Pizza Slice, Build-Your-Own Cheese Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: New York–style slices and subs at true budget pricing right in River North.
Who should go: Travelers and locals wanting quick, cheap slices.
When to visit: Lunch, pre-show, or late night when you need fast fuel.
What to order: Pepperoni slice, spinach artichoke slice, a basic cheese to compare.
Insider tip: Order at the counter and eat standing or to-go to skip delivery delays on busy nights.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare, especially at night.
Dress code: Very casual — walk-in slice shop vibes; jeans, hoodies, and travel wear are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during rush and late-night windows; fine for quick conversation but not a lingering meal.
Weekend wait: Usually no true wait for a slice, but short lines can form during bar close and late-night rush (5–10 minutes).
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait — brief queue during peak lunch but moves quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese, mushroom, spinach/artichoke, and occasional veggie slices are available depending on the day’s pies.
Vegan options: Limited — may have sauce-only or veggie slices, but no dedicated vegan cheese program.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free dough and no separate prep area; cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual bite than a first date — it’s counter-service, quick, and practical rather than atmospheric.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; expect limited counter seating with most guests eating standing or taking slices to-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick stops with older kids or teens; space is tight and seating is minimal, so it’s not ideal for strollers or long sits.
Best For
Better for: Fast, inexpensive New York–style slices in a central River North location — especially useful for late-night or grab-and-go meals.
Skip if: You want a sit-down pizza experience, specialty dough options (gluten-free or vegan), or a quieter, linger-friendly setting.
Dough Bros Pizzeria & Sub Shop
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Dough Bros is a counter-service slice joint and sub shop a block off the river, slinging New York-style pies and sandwiches at kid-friendly prices. Families use it as a quick, informal option before shows or after sightseeing when everyone just wants a big slice and a booth, no reservations required.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni Pizza Slice, Artichoke Pizza Slice, Italian Sub
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Grab-and-go New York-style slices and subs priced for casual family stops.
Who should go: Families and travelers needing fast, affordable pizza near the hotels.
When to visit: Lunch, pre-show, or late night when you need quick fuel.
What to order: Pepperoni slice, Artichoke slice, an Italian sub to share.
Insider tip: Order a mix of slices instead of a whole pie so everyone can sample different toppings without over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited metered street parking and nearby paid garages — easiest to walk from hotels or rideshare.
Dress code: Casual — hoodies, jeans, and tourist-wear are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively during rush hours; conversation is fine at booths but the counter can feel busy.
Weekend wait: Often a short line at peak times, but orders move quickly (5–15 minutes).
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait beyond a brief order line.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese, veggie, and artichoke slices plus customizable pies.
Vegan options: Limited — may be able to request sauce-only or veggie toppings without cheese, but no dedicated vegan cheese.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free crust or prep area; not recommended for strict gluten avoidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-stakes bite than a formal first date — counter service, quick seating, and a laid-back vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with first-come booths and tables; turnover is quick even at busy times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — big slices, simple menu, and booth seating work well for school-age kids; no table service or kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: Fast, inexpensive slices and subs near River North hotels when you want convenience over ceremony.
Skip if: You’re looking for a sit-down Italian dinner, gluten-free pizza, or a quieter, linger-longer experience.
Dough Bros Pizzeria & Sub Shop
7.9
Dough Bros is a compact counter-service slice shop turning out New York–style pies, subs, and late-night slices steps from the State/Grand hotels. Families on a budget use it for quick, shareable slices at lunch or pre-show, while night owls rely on it for post-bar pepperoni and artichoke slices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni Pizza Slice, Artichoke Pizza Slice, Sausage Pizza Slice
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Downtown slice counter for New York–style pies at true budget pricing.
Who should go: Families or groups needing fast, affordable slices near hotels.
When to visit: Lunch, pre-show, or early late-night before lines spike.
What to order: Pepperoni slice, Artichoke slice, sausage slice for meat lovers.
Insider tip: Eat slices on-site right out of the oven; the thin crust loses its crunch if you walk too far.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and metered; nearby garages along State and Dearborn are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Very casual — walk-in slice counter where hoodies, jeans, and casual wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during rush and late-night hours; conversation is easy at off-peak times.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes for slices; brief lines late night after bar close.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short counter line that moves quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese and rotating veggie slices are typically available.
Vegan options: Very limited — pizza is cheese-based and vegan options are not consistent.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free crust or prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re going for a casual, no-frills slice stop — it’s counter-service with limited seating and leans functional rather than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is first-come and limited, so most guests eat quickly or take slices to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick, inexpensive meals — best for school-age kids who can handle a tight space and counter seating; no high chairs or play area.
Best For
Better for: Fast, budget-friendly New York–style slices near downtown hotels and theaters, especially for grab-and-go or late-night stops.
Skip if: You want a sit-down pizzeria experience, gluten-free or vegan options, or a quieter meal with full table service.