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Panino's Pizzeria
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Panino's Pizzeria
7.9
A neighborhood pizza shop with a broad menu that works best when you treat it like a pizza-first operation. Order in a tight lane—one style of pie plus one Italian side—and it delivers a reliable, casual meal without overcomplicating the ticket.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sicilian-style pizza, Garlic knots, Meatballs
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A go-to for multiple pizza styles in one easy neighborhood stop.
Who should go: Families and groups who want a casual pizza plan
When to visit: Early dinner hours for fastest turnaround
What to order: Sicilian slice, garlic knots, meatballs
Insider tip: Pick one pizza style per order—mixing styles can slow pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking nearby; can be tight after 6pm, plan to circle or walk a few blocks
Dress code: Casual neighborhood spot—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are all fine
Noise level: Moderate—easy conversation most of the time, louder with families and groups during peak dinner
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie pizza options plus salads and Italian sides
Vegan options: Limited—can customize pizzas without cheese and stick to vegetable-based sides
Gluten-free options: Limited—gluten-free crust may be available, but no dedicated prep area
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-pressure, casual first meet than a romantic date—conversation is easy, but the vibe is relaxed rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are common, especially if you arrive early or outside peak weekend dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—pizza-focused menu, quick service, and a laid-back room work well for younger kids and family groups.
Best For
Better for: Casual group meals, family pizza nights, and situations where you want multiple pizza styles in one place without fuss.
Skip if: You’re looking for a refined Italian dining experience, a quiet date-night atmosphere, or highly specialized artisan pizza.
Panino's Pizzeria
7.6
A broad, style-spanning pizza menu that’s best when you treat it as a single-lane decision instead of a tasting flight. Pick one format you actually want (thin, pan, Sicilian) and build the order around that choice for the most consistent result.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicago thin crust pizza, Sicilian-style pizza, Grandma-style pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: Multiple pizza styles in one shop—choose your lane.
Who should go: Groups with mixed pizza-style preferences
When to visit: Weeknights for smoother pacing
What to order: Thin crust, Sicilian, grandma-style
Insider tip: Don’t mix styles—one format per order improves consistency.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be tight during evening hours, easier earlier on weeknights.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate—lively enough for groups, but still manageable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak dinner hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie pizza options and build-your-own capability.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with no cheese and veggie toppings, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited—availability varies; cross-contamination possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It can work for a low-pressure, casual first date, but it’s more practical than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are standard, especially on weeknights or outside peak dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple menu, flexible seating, and pizza formats that work well for kids.
Best For
Better for: Groups needing flexibility across pizza styles and a no-frills, affordable meal.
Skip if: You want a focused, best-in-class execution of one specific pizza style or a date-night atmosphere.
Panino's Pizzeria
7.8
A Lakeview pizza shop where the most lasagna-adjacent move is ordering their lasagna-style pizza when you want that baked, layered comfort profile in slice form. Keep the order focused—one specialty pie plus one side—so everything hits fresh instead of chaotic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Pizza Rosso, Wood-fired thin crust pizza, Garlic knots
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: A lasagna-flavored specialty pie that’s a non-obvious comfort order.
Who should go: Pizza people chasing a baked-pasta vibe.
When to visit: Early evening before the rush.
What to order: Lasagna Pizza Rosso, thin crust, garlic knots.
Insider tip: Treat it like a two-item order—specialty pie plus one side.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along nearby side streets; availability drops quickly after 6pm, especially on weekends. Rideshare is often easier.
Dress code: Casual neighborhood pizza spot—jeans, hoodies, and sneakers are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate during peak hours; easy conversation early, louder once dinner rush hits.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie-friendly pizzas and sides available.
Vegan options: Limited—can customize some pizzas without cheese, but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited—no dedicated gluten-free crust; cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first meet than a polished date night—think relaxed conversation over slices rather than a long sit-down dinner.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially earlier in the evening or on weekdays. Peak weekend dinner hours may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—pizza-forward menu, flexible seating, and a relaxed vibe make it easy for families with kids.
Best For
Better for: Lasagna-style comfort in pizza form, fast-moving group orders, and casual neighborhood meals.
Skip if: You want a traditional plated lasagna experience or a quieter, more date-focused Italian restaurant.
Panino's Pizzeria
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
A straightforward neighborhood pizzeria that’s most useful for no-fuss delivery or a casual table when you want familiar Chicago-style formats without chasing trends. It performs best when you keep the order classic—one primary pie style and a single pasta side if needed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double Crust Pizza, Chicago Style Pizza, Margherita Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Classic Chicago pizza formats optimized for easy ordering.
Who should go: Families wanting dependable neighborhood pizza
When to visit: Busy weeknights when you need low friction
What to order: Double crust; Chicago style; Margherita
Insider tip: Pick one pie style for the whole order.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking nearby; can be tight after 6pm but usually manageable with a short walk
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are standard
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak dinner hours but still easy to hold a conversation
Weekend wait: 20–30 minutes during peak hours; shorter if you’re flexible
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian pizza options and meat-free pasta choices
Vegan options: Limited — some veggie pizzas can be modified, but no dedicated vegan menu
Gluten-free options: Limited — availability varies; best to confirm when ordering
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works if you want something casual and low-pressure, but it’s not a destination spot or particularly romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations aren’t typical here, and most tables turn over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly menu, flexible seating, and an atmosphere that’s welcoming for kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Reliable neighborhood pizza, easy delivery orders, and straightforward group meals
Skip if: You’re looking for trend-driven pies, a date-night vibe, or a standout dining experience
Panino's Pizzeria
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
A straightforward, family-friendly pizzeria that works best as a simple dine-in or takeout play when you want classic slices and familiar Italian staples. Keep the order tight—one pie and one side—so everything lands hot and on pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thin Crust Pizza, Cheese Pizza, Stuffed Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Simple, kid-friendly pizza built for easy weeknight meals.
Who should go: Families who want quick pizza and takeout
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for easiest pickup
What to order: Thin crust, cheese pizza, stuffed pizza
Insider tip: Skip the huge order—one pie per 2–3 people is ideal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; typical Lakeview residential metered parking nearby can be tight during dinner hours.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and kids-in-tow all fit in comfortably.
Noise level: Moderate — lively but manageable for family conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during peak hours, shorter for takeout.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese pizza and basic veggie toppings are easy to order.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with no-cheese pizza and vegetable toppings, but not a focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited — may offer gluten-free crust, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date — it’s casual, quick, and more about convenience than atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations aren’t typical here; walk-ins and counter ordering are the norm.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — simple menu, quick service, and familiar flavors make it easy for kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Affordable pizza nights, fast takeout, and feeding families without overthinking the order.
Skip if: You want sit-down Italian, a polished dining room, or a destination-style pizza experience.
Panino's Pizzeria
8.0
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
A straightforward neighborhood pizzeria that works best as a simple, family-friendly slice-or-pie stop when you want classic flavors without a long production. Keep it tight—one pie (or a couple of slices per kid) and one side—so everything stays hot and reliable.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese pizza, Pepperoni pizza, Sausage pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Classic, budget-friendly pizza built for easy family meals.
Who should go: Families who want quick pizza and takeout.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for smoother pickup.
What to order: Cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, sausage pizza.
Insider tip: One pie per 2–3 people keeps pacing clean.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on side streets but tighter during evening rush hours.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate — families and takeout traffic create background noise, but conversation is easy at the table.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak hours; longer if ordering multiple pies.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese pizza and veggie-topped slices are easy options.
Vegan options: Limited — no dedicated vegan cheese; plain crust with sauce and vegetables is the only workaround.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free crust availability varies and cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date — it’s more functional than atmospheric and better suited for casual meals than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s mostly walk-in friendly, and seating turns quickly if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — great for kids of all ages, especially elementary-school age and up; simple menu, quick service, and no pressure.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable family pizza with minimal wait and no-frills reliability.
Skip if: You want a sit-down experience, specialty pizzas, or a more polished dining atmosphere.