Skip to main content

ZipPicks Awards

Best Pizza in Chatham

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Smoke's Bistro 7.6
Calumet Heights
A neighborhood bistro where pizza shows up as a non-traditional but real part of the draw—especially for dine-in nights when you want comfort food with a fuller menu behind it. It’s a solid pick when your group wants more than just pie (seafood, pastas, and mains) but still wants a pizza at the center of the table.
Must-Try Dishes: Lamb sausage pizza, Shrimp Alfredo (non-pizza add-on), Wings (as the table starter)
Scores:
Value: 7.4 Service: 6.8 Consistency: 7.3 Food Quality: 7.9 Atmosphere: 7.2 Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: A full-menu bistro where the pizza can be the shared centerpiece.
Who should go: Groups who want pizza plus broader dinner options
When to visit: Early dinner to avoid the longest waits
What to order: Lamb sausage pizza, wings, one pasta to split
Insider tip: If you’re adding pizza, order it first to pace the meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking in the surrounding neighborhood; easiest move is to arrive a little early for a closer spot. If you’re coming at peak weekend dinner time, expect a bit more circling and plan a few extra minutes.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but this is a nicer neighborhood bistro vibe—clean sneakers or boots and a step-up top fits the room.
Noise level: Moderate. You can comfortably talk across the table, but it gets louder when the dining room is full (especially with larger groups).
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation (longer if you need a larger table).
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–15 minute wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—you can make it work with veggie-leaning pizzas and sides, plus a few menu items that don’t require meat.
Vegan options: Limited. Expect to rely on modifications (no cheese, no creamy sauces) and a couple of simpler sides rather than a deep vegan lineup.
Gluten-free options: Limited/unclear. If you’re gluten-free, call ahead and confirm whether they can do a gluten-free crust and how they handle cross-contact in the kitchen.
Best For
Better for: Groups that want pizza as the centerpiece but also want real backup options (wings, pastas, mains) so everyone can find a lane. It’s a stronger dine-in pick than most neighborhood pizza spots because the full menu lets you build a broader dinner.
Consider Alternatives If: You only want a classic, pizza-first experience (thin-crust specialist energy) or you need strict vegan/gluten-free reliability. If pizza is your sole priority, a dedicated pizza shop will usually deliver a more focused pie.