Spacca Napoli
1769 W Sunnyside Avenue
(between Hermitage Ave & Ravenswood Ave)
Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 878-2420
- Nearest Transit:
Montrose (Brown)
- Hours:
Wed-Thu 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wed-Thu 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
24 reviews
Neighborhood: Albany Park
"One of the best pizza places in town...honestly. Piece Pizza was my former favortite...but this place--while less attractive and hip--is…" read more »
158 Reviews for Spacca Napoli
Tasty, unique style of pizza. The crust is chewy goodness and the cheese is outta sight. Be sure to get a reservation on Fri/Sat nights because the wait can be over an hour at times. While you wait, you can peruse an Italian magazine, or try some pizza crust bread as the they sometime give it out to people waiting for tables. Nice touch.
I heart Spacca Napoli.
Arrived around 6:45 last night (a Friday) and were immediately seated on their patio. Our server was great. She told us the specials and got our drink orders right away. I had a refreshing glass (or two) of prosecco. Yum yum yummy!! We loved the prosciutto e bufala app! My boyfriend and I were super hungry and we totally destroyed it within minutes. This wasn't a little ball of cheese with a shaving of prosciutto...this was a massive mozzarella ball (we're talking the BIG ball you get at the grocery store) with 5 or so slices of salty prosciutto. It was all drizzled with olive oil and served with a single basil leaf. We could have used more basil, but it was sooo good that I got over it fast.
I ordered the bianca con bufala e rucola pizza. The crust was exceptional (it's what makes a pizza good, or not). I loved the chewy, thin crust.
Save room for dessert, even though we didn't. I saw some mighty fine looking tiramisu being delivered to a nearby table and it looked great!
This place is family friendly. We were sitting next to two families with kids out on the patio. It's nice to see that at a neighborhood restaurant. Arrive before 7 otherwise you'll have a substantial wait time. Also note, they do not take reservations on Fri/Sat nights.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
This Pizza is perfect for a change of pace. Need a break from the Chicago cracker now and again, decor is great and they make you feel as if your in there home. crust is good by itself without the fresh toppings.
This place is great; good prices, good atmosphere and not too noisy given a relatively small space. Plus Ravenswood is always a delight and parking is a breeze.
One thing to note: this place *only* does pizza(plus dessert and appetizers), so if you're thinking "oh, we can get pizza for the kids and maybe some pasta or something else", that ain't gonna happen.
Also, this place gets busy so you might want to call ahead. We were lucky enough to reserve but I heard time quotes of up to a half an hour wait for indoor seating(this was around 7:30 on Friday...the owner was around to hand out samples to those having to wait. He was very friendly and you could tell he loves what he does)
The good news is the pizza here is really good. The "crust" is not your typical bread. It tastes incredibly fresh and chewy without being mushy. I usually skip pizza crust at the end but I ate mine up.
We ordered 3 pizzas which was good for 4 people(plus a small appetizer and a bottle of wine). Standouts were the spinach and goat cheese as well as the prosciutto. The mushroom was slightly disappointing. We were expecting portobello but they were kind of boring button mushrooms. Still tasted good though(again, that bread..). I will say, the flavors were very subtle. We ordered a bottle of Syrah that had some zip and it kind of overwhelmed the pizza a bit. I'm not a big wine snob, but i definitely would have chosen a more mellow wine.
Total bill with dessert and coffee came to about $130 with tip. Not bad at all and we will definitely be back.
Just under the 1 year mark of moving 4 blocks away I finally made it to Spacca Napoli- wooo!
Outdoor seating on a quiet neighborhood street? Pizza crust that's both thin and chewy? 4 Italian beers and an extensive wine list? A prosciutto and mozzarella antipasto with an 8oz ball of cheese? Unnecessary use of question marks?
7pm seems to be the magic point after which you can look forward to waiting for a while before sitting down (one of the chefs brought some pizza around to those poor souls). They're also now open on Tuesdays apparently. Takes reservations, but not Friday and Saturday.
They're very, very close to a 5th star here but for a $13 funghi pizza I want better than button mushrooms. And the aforementioned 8 oz mozzarella ball app ran $15 but only had 2 giant spinch-esque basil leaves. Turn that into a handful of baby basil and life gets real good real fast.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
My boyfriend has been obsessed lately with finding the best thin(ner) crust pizza in Chicago. We've eaten at Spacca Napoli many times and are always pleased with the service and quality of the food. I should add that we've managed to avoid the crowds by going on a Sat-Sun afternoon before/after a visit to the dog beach. I'm not an olive lover but the bowl of green olives (don't know the name) are yummy!
By the way, dogs are allowed on the outdoor patio, which is always a plus for me.
I.just.love.it.
Despite the fact that the Italians have a bad tendancy lately to get rid of the French team of FOOTBALL (I will always refuse to call it soccer, sorry!) - we just got kicked off yesterday from the European Championship..... - I can't stay mad at them for very long because I love their food. I fell in love with it a long time ago and Spacca Napoli is keeping the flame alive. Their dough/crust is the best I've had in a long time, even in Italy, and I love their authentic mozzarella "di bufala"... Their menu is simple and basic but they always have a few specials which I really appreciate. Their appetizers are not quite as good as the pizze but who cares when you have so much love on your plate?!?!? I can't get enough of it.
They do take reservations but not on Friday and Saturday nights....be prepared for a long wait if you come right at dinner time!!!
WHY HEAD SO FAR NORTH?
I was reading Southwest's in-flight magazine and they rated this place as one of the top 5 pizza joints in the country so I decided to check it out.
PLEASE LEARN WHAT REAL PIZZA IS LIKE
This is an okay pizza place. I find it comical to hear people talking about Italian authenticity. Please go to Naples first and then talk about Italian authenticity.
FOOD
The pizzas here seem to use fresh ingredients and the tomato sauce won't give you heartburn because it's made from real tomatoes but overall, the experience was just okay.
Real pizza margherita isn't burn't. Everyone in our group here had pizza that was burnt. That's what happens when you use a 1200 degree oven - there will be parts that burn because you're trying to do it too quickly.
YOUR HEALTH
Also, so much for the healthy ingredients but eating burned food means you're consuming carcinogens. Thanks a lot Spacca Napoli.
AMBIENCE
That being said, the staff was super friendly and the crowd was nice. Everything was clean and well maintained. I want to give them 4 stars but the food was just too average.
VERDICT
Ah, it was nice to explore Ravenswood but I wouldn't go back for it.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Spacca Napoli offers a swell interpretation of "pizza alla napoletana" (or Napoletan' style-pizza), and might offer one of the best pizzas in Chicago. What is the real-world significance of the distinction I made about this pizza as an "interpretation"? I would say that it simply not the same quality of pizza as in Naples, (or even in New York and the real Italian-American pizza, derivative of Naples). Spacca Napoli has the concept of Napoletan' pizza down great, but they could not quite execute a terrific napoletan' pizza.
I know I know... Damn: I'm a major pizza snob. Growing up in NJ, with pizzerias on every other corner, with grumpy siciliani and napoletani with gold chains, speaking dialect, flipping pizzas around... this is real Italian-American pizza. Both types of Chicago "pizza" are really pretty lousy - made to appeal to Chicagoans, a necessary business decision because of the relatively low number of Italians in Chicago. Chicago pizzaiolos found a way to adapt pizza to a more watered-down clientele by greasing it up, adding more cheese, more meat, and buttered crust (yuck!)! - As American as apple pie perhaps?
At the same time, Italian pizza is also very distinct from real Italian-American pizza. In each city/region in Italy, they make pizza differently. The genealogy of New York pizza and many New York immigrants (such as my dad's side) brings us back to Napoli where pizza was invented! I've spent a lot of time in Italy, 6 months or so, and have stayed in Napoli for some of that time where I went on various pizza binges, including one great pizzeria on the actual Spaccanapoli.
I would say that Spacca Napoli (Chicago) has the concept down. Yes, it is Napoli-style pizza. Yet, the texture of the crust was maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10. The chewiness wasn't quite as chewy. The sauce wasn't exactly nailed down.
It was also pretty expensive and way too crowded. I actually haven't been back there but once. I was a little disappointed by it in all honesty.
I was inclined to give it 3, but I gave it an extra star for merely existing.
I'm getting kind of hungry... maybe I'll give it another try.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Absolutely the best authentic Italian wood fired oven pizza I have had outside of Italy. The toppings were delicious, it was very well priced for what you get, and the service was amazing. They do not take reservations, and my friend was late in meeting us, so the staff gave us bread and cheese while we waited to be seated, which made us love this place even more. The crust is perfect - exactly the right combination of chewy/crispy and the topping are fresh and basic. My only knock was the appetizer-we got the antipasti sampler plate and it was 90% meat with some olives, which is not bad, but not what we were thinking it would be. However, the pizza is worth a trek from any part of the city whether you have to drive, bike, hitchhike, whatever- it is that good.
I've never been to Naples, but this has got to be it. I've made pizza at home with fresh mozz before, and it's a tough gig, it's wet stuff, and these guys tought me to live with the wetness of the cheese. Yes, it puddles in the middle, but when I was a kid we used to soak cake in milk, and dip our bread in gravy. Same gig here. Service is never here nor there, always fine.
In the words of Homer Simpson.....mmmmmmmm.........
Dang, this was some tasty pizza. If you are looking for deep dish or chicago style, go elsewhere. This is for thin crust traditional style Italian pizza, and it is so good.
here's what i ate.
Wine - Greco something or other. I'm not a wine connoisseur, but this went down very easily.
Pizza - Buffalo motzerealla with arugula. It was some of the finest ever. I don't know if it was the olive oil they drizzled on it, or if it was the tasty oil from the cheese, but there was some kind of oil on it that really made it wonderful.
Dessert - baked ricotta. Was good, but i wouldn't get it again after tasting the chocolate thing that my husband ate. I can't remember what it was called, but it was like a combination of chocolate ice cream and chocolate mouse in a wonderful chocolatly goodness wonder.
The food came out so quick, so it wasn't really a great place if you are looking to linger, but it was GREAT!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Absolutely fantastic! And I now have a new love: the owner, Jonathan Goldsmith! He was so friendly and knowledgeable when I quizzed him about the kind of flour they use that makes their dough to perfectly chewy, and he actually sent me home with a pound of the stuff and some how-to tips for me, the amateur home pizza chef! Such a doll.
Gifts aside, this could not have been a better experience. We strolled in early in the evening, plonked ourselves down in the perfect patio seats (Chicago, thank you for answering my prayers and delivering the most outstanding weather I've seen in ages). We ordered our drinks, and pizzas a few minutes later. Before I'd even had a few sips of my bubbly aranciata, the pizzas had arrived!
Fresh gooey buffalo mozzarella, perfectly sweet tomato sauce, spicy arugula, fragrant porcini, and even some runny gorgonzola...everything was divine. We finished with some truly Italian espresso, grappa, and a sublimely good zabaglione. Aah, the good life.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Really wish I could give this more stars. But I don't really get the pizza. Ingredients are top notch, but the spongy sort of crust really does nothing for me. I am a pizza barbarian I guess. I will say that the pizza is much better fresh from the restaurant, do not ever let this thing go in a box, even for a short while. Very nice service, and the space is nice, has an outdoor area in the summer. Prices are a bit high but I guess you are paying for italian authenticity. The pizza is about 4 stars fresh, but gets dragged down by pricing and inablility to keep long.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I loved this place.
First, easy parking on a charming little side street.
Second fabulous food in a comfortable, cozy restaurant. I understand it can be really loud, but it wasn't that crowded when we were there so I didn't experience that. Here's what we had (there were five of us):
Antipasti:
1) Zucchini antipasto. This is perhaps the best zucchini I've ever had. According the waiter, they sautee it then marinade in lemon juice overnight. Then they add the mint. I think I might search the web for a similar recipe.
2) Caprese salad. Very nice. I like that they used small, flavorful tomatoes rather than large ones and the buffalo mozz was nicely tangy.
3) Arugula & prosciutto salad. Yum.
Pizza:
1) I had the artichoke & porcini special pizza. It was lovely and very earthy.
2) My husband had the sausage & rapini. That spicy / rich / bitter combination is fabulous. It reminded me of my favorite pasta at Anteprima.
3) My daughter had the sausage pizza. Good sausage with lots of fennel seeds.
4) & 5) Our dining partners had the four cheese and the plain tomato sauce one... didn't try them myself, but they seemed pretty happy.
Dessert:
1) I had the zabaglione... it was fabulous and we were all fighting over it.
2) My husband had the risotto gelato... it was very interesting and good.
3) The Tuscan Chocolate gelato was good... we liked the hint of spicy and the chocolate pieces, but were less excited about the raspberries as they made it a bit too sweet.
4) The ricotta cake was the least favorite... it was light, but a bit bland and dry. We did like the raspberries with balsamic sauce that came with.
So all in all an absolutely terrific place and I can't wait to go back.
Authenticity, extraordinary quality, enthusiasm and sincere appreciation of your patronage--the reasons why Spacca Napoli is among my favorite restaurants in the City of Chicago.
And...a damn fine pizza pie, the likes of which I have experienced only in the shadows of Rome's pantheon.
For an authentic taste of true Neapolitan-style pizza and to experience a true original in the city of Chicago -- Spacca came early in the wave of these woodfire pizza joints -- I skip the scores of impostors and take friends to Jonathon Goldsmith's masterpiece of pizzerias.
Goldsmith has perfected the art. Crusts are thin, tasty and rich with perfectly semi-charred heals. Ingredients are fresh, the bufala mozzarella so creamy and juicy, the sauces phenomenal and the choice exceptional.
I always recommend going with friends and preparing yourself to share. Order a white pizza, order a red pizza, make sure you get something with the bufala and get a chance to experience their lovely prosciutto di parma.
Appetizers also consistently blow my mind. Something as simple as a grilled marinated vegetable plate comes so full flavor and perfect when set atop their crusty bread and tasty olive oil. I'm losing my mind.
After another great experience this last weekend, I know now not to go elsewhere for dessert. I'm a Scooters guy, but the gelati at Spacca is downright evil. Hazelnut is creamy, soft and addicting. They had a chocolate gelato this weekend that had flecks of spicy peppers in it! Unreal, spicy like a chocolate gingersnap, and delicious! Finally, the zabaglioni was truly indulgent, smooth and heavenly.
Beyond it all is a sense that this place prides itself of tradition, excellence and faithfulness to customers and to the art of Neapolitan style pizza. Jonathon wanders the floor, checks in on customers and is always excited to share his insights and learnings. This weekend, while we waited outside for walk-in seating, he stepped outside and greeted guests with samples of a new smoked cheese and friendly conversation. Midway through dinner, he served complimentary bowls of pasta to tables--just to try something new! He seems to do something special like this each time I stop in. His staff share the same friendly demeanor. Peak into the open kitchen and his people welcome you in to view their beautiful imported wood-fire oven (pretty cool!).
This kind of business wins customers for life. I would honestly wait an hour and a half to be seated for, what I think, is the best thin pizza I've ever had. Grilled vegetables, the Bianca con Bufala e Rucola (White pizza with bufala mozzarella, arugula, basil and olive oil) and a crisp glass of white wine is my idea of heaven in Chicago.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I really wish this place weren't so far from where I live. I could eat here every day! Last night was only my second time there because of the distance, and now because of $4.39/gallon gas, I probably won't be driving up there just for dinner despite the deliciousness.
The pizzas are fantastic. I love the crispy, chewy, lightly charred, and slightly salty taste and texture of their crust. They've got wood-fired oven, Neopolitan-style pizza down to perfection. We had two pizzas: the Marguerita, which is simplicity itself with good quality Italian tomatoes, buffalo mozzerella, and a sprinkling of basil. Then we had a white pie with arugula. Also delicious. The arugula was lightly dressed and sitting of top of the pizza like a little salad. It did not have the piquancy of the dressed arugula that came with our pizza at Francesca's but that's just fine because the arugula was very fresh and flavorful.
Speaking of fresh, the salads are wonderful here. The insalada mista is a large plate of springy mixed greens, tossed just right with a balsamic based dressing. The anchovy appetizer was to die for. Beautiful little white anchovy fillets sitting on a bed of arugula salad. these are not the super-salty canned or bottle anchovies that you get in the store--absolutely not! These anchovies are a revelation. they taste like the sea and the texture is soft and tender, like a piece of sushi. If you've never had this appetizer before, you're missing out.
Anyway, five stars. The only thing that marred our experience and was not at all the fault of the restaurant was that a car alarm went of across the street while we were dining outside; then a souped up pickup peeled off down the street. There was also some event nearby that brought a herd of overdressed teens in our direction. They proceeded to get into their cars and peel off one after another, to our utter irritation. If we had known about these potential disturbances, we probably would have opted to sit inside...
We went, in part, because of the review of my trusted cher amiga, Lindley E. - and I have to disagree with her on one matter: ANY of the appetizers that involve Bufala Mozzerella (especially when joined/combined with the Insalata Mista) can be scrumptious...!
However - the pizza is grand - and plan on ordering (at least) two for a party of two... You really can't miss with any of the selections - but our personal favorites are Funghi e Salsiccia (mushrooms and sausage) and Proscuitto e Rucola (arugula) - both are totally delish! Desserts? They sound good - but who has room? BTW - parking has never been a problem.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
I've never eaten a bad thing here. Fresh salads, yummy Italian pizzas, and an affordable wine list. The service is great and although the place gets crowded, it still has a laid-back vibe. We like to go and have everything - salad, pizza, wine, dessert, and espresso - and while it's not cheap (hey, if you want cheap, order Domino's) , it's still a high-quality meal at a reasonable price.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I must say that this pizzeria is far from authentic. Living in FL, my girlfriend and I go every Sunday night to a pizza joint to experience the best pizza maker this side of the Atlantic. I will not mention that restaurants name nor his name because I want to validate my displeasure with Spacca.
Both of us have spent time in Italy and know the flavor, taste and experience of an authentic Italian flat pizza. We were excited to have Spacca recommended to us from the same chef in FL. He assured us that the owner did his apprenticeship and purchased his equipment from Napoli, thus making him a good cook.
So, we made the trip from River North on the train. Once we got there, the owner of the restaurant was running himself tired. We knew right away that if he was the owner, he couldn't be possibly making the pizzas.
We put our names in and waited a short 15 minutes. Seemingly because other people were told the same thing we were told, that the pizza was authentic. After we sat down, we were greeted by a nice server. Ordered some frizzante and two pizzas, one margherita and one margherita with proscuitto.
WHAT DISAPPOINTMENT!
The pizzas were undercooked, and you could tell, if you feeble people knew anything about authentic Italian Pizza, that they had been pass producing them, turning them too fast, thus being undercooked. The owner has obviously been confronted with an enormous amount of business and has hired 2 or 3 cooks from central america making $10/hr to ruin the pizzas. I will tell everyone I know that this place is fake and should be put on the worst restaurant list in Chicago.
We gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because the server was nice and the place was clean. What a waste of time. The owner needs to either get back to the oven and hire someone to host or give up the job he has been acclaimed for doing. He is a fake.
We had planned to go here at 7pm on a Saturday night, which is the only reason why this has 4 stars instead of 5 - we showed up around 6:30pm and were told that it would be a 45 minute wait. During this time, however, there was someone from the restaurant coming out to offer us free snacks!
My husband and I shared a pizza - it was just big enough. Next time we might each get our own and then we'd have a bit of leftovers. The crust was crisp, but towards the center of the pizza it was a bit more soggy (but in a goof way).
There was also a pretty large wine list - we ended up having a bottle of red that cost under $30, although there were some that cost as much as $80.
Now that I've been to this restaurant I will be sure to go back again and again.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Oh...now this is pizza. If you're looking for cheesy pan pizza or big Chicago style portions, you'll probably be better off at Giordano's but this is one of my favorite places for spectacular Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizza. The crust doesn't really hold up in transit so I don't think they deliver but, no matter, the restaurant is friendly and lively and they have a pleasant outdoor seating area in warmer months so it's a pleasure to dine in rather than take out in this case. Sometimes there is a wait but I usually hang out on one of the benches outside and chat with friends to pass the time. I've been here about three times and each time has been exceptional.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
UPDATE: Former Italian prof (authentic Italian lady) says this is the best Italian pizza in Chicago. Need I say more?
------
Before evening sitting down here, I knew this had to be a good place. The first time I went there was a wait for a table for two... on a Sunday night!
The "soggy" pizza that someone mentioned in the review below is what makes this place great. It's called fresh, Neapolitan style pizza. It's thin, non-crispy crust and is soooo good.
My criteria for good pizza is thin-enough crust that you can eat a whole pizza and not feel stuffed. The pizza here definitely meets that criteria.
I have also never had problems finding parking in the area either. Extra points for that alone!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
I'm not a pizza fan. The words "let's order a pizza" have never come from my mouth. I'll eat it if it's around. But I was looking forward to Spacca Napoli because of all the great reviews and a friend's recommendation.
I started with the minestrone soup. It came on a plate with pieces of Parmesan and bread drizzled with olive oil. I was in love before I tasted it and it didn't disappoint. I had the Bianca con Bufala e Rucola -Pizza Bianca with Mozzarella Di Bufala, Arugula, Basil, Olive Oil. After my first bite I felt that it was too salty, but after my third bite I was in love. The mild saltiness of the cheese along with the peppery Arugula was a match made in heaven.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (3)
Cool (4)
i give 4.5 stars. if you don't like the crunchy dark parts of the crust then i don't think i trust you as a person. this place has great pizza and the ownership is really nice. i can't speak to the 'authenticity' of it, but who cares if it tastes great? maybe jasbir can buy me a plane ticket to italy so i can truly agree with my real, italian-speaking italian friends from italy--who like this place a lot--that it's authentic. i think it's beside the point. check it out, but be warned: expect to wait a while for a table if you come in with a group (the drawback of nearly all great food joints)...
We tend to come here after classes at Lillstreet during the summer and the food is always delicious. It's one of the few places that actually has Campari!
The service can be a little uneven from time to time but for the most part this place is always a treat. Highly recommended.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I was really tempted to return to Spacca Napoli tonight, even though I just ate dinner their last night; it's that good. But let's get the "why this isn't a five-star review" tidbits out of the way first, though, shall we? It's always much better to end with a bang. First of all, climate control, or lack there of. I know that it was really friggin' cold last night, especially for the end of May, but the restaurant had this arctic draft blowing across it, except for two brief moments when the brick oven's 900 degree heat wave became way too apparent, and the air smelled burnt. Hours later, when I was still relishing the prosciutto, the tiramisu, the crust, my core body temperature was still below normal. Secondly, the waitstaff was brusque; our server did not smile once. I guess I expect at least a little warmth from Italian restaurants.
But, ah, there is so much to love about this place, even if my druthers require a sweater and a smile! Walking into the space is like walking into Naples. I have never even been to Italy, much less Naples, but Spacca Napoli has a downright foreign feeling to it. I have never gotten the "we're not in the U.S. anymore" vibe from non-Devon Avenue restaurant before. With a great deal of the menu in Italian , red wine served in juice-like glasses, and four Italian bieres and espresso only, this place smacks of Euro-authenticity. The "Vero Pizza" banner sealed the deal. Apparently, this is the only restaurant in the United States to belong to this exclusive Italian restaurant association, in addition to winning the "True Pizza" award at a competition which is held each year in May. And perhaps our server's cool attitude was really one of genuine jejune. After all, who among us has had an enthusiastic server over on the Continent? Pas moi! The service was precise and punctual, which is what really matters anyway.
We began our meal with the buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto platter. When the astronomer Galileo sent his daughter, who was living in a convent, mozzarella cheese, he called it a "buffalo's egg." The mozzarella that arrived on our platter was accurately the size of an egg, if buffaloes actually laid them! It was artfully cut into so that a slice of prosciutto bloomed from its center. Two large slices of prosciutto framed the ball of mozzarella, and the whole arrangement was drizzled with olive oil and garnished with pungent basil leaves. It was accompanied by five thin slices of baguette, also drizzled with olive oil. The cheese was so creamy and fresh, the prosciutto was perfectly salty and smoky...it was heavenly.
Next came our pizza. Spacca Napoli offers about 12 pizzas and 3 special pizzas, all with simple, variation on a theme-type toppings. For the neophytes: 'bianca' pizza does not have any tomatoes. The pizzas that include tomatoes still do not have a true sauce, more like juicy pockets of tomato goodness. My boyfriend and I decided upon the Funghi e Salsicca, mushroom and sausage. I'm guessing that 'fior di latte mozzarella is not made from water buffalo milk, but it was still delicious. While the toppings were fresh and flavorful, the crust was the real showstopper. "The charred bits taste like those I would expect from a steak," my boyfriend declared.
Next came our dessert, a creamy, appropriately rich, marsala-wined moistened but not too sweet tiramisu. Mmm! Washed down with thimbles full of sharp espresso, and the evening was a success. A bitterly cold one, but still a success. I mean, where in this city can two enjoy wine, antipasti, pizza, dessert, and espresso for $50? As the Carter Family sang, "Keep on the Sunny Side, always on the Sunny Side."
When I can enjoy my meal in the warmth of the summer night in their outdoor seating, I will certainly return.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Quality ingredients prepared in a good oven make for a pretty darned good pizza. I prefer thin crust pizza to the Chicago style and Spacca Napoli, to this point, has been the better pizza I've had so far since I've been in Chicago. Everything on the pizza was fresh and full bodied. The crust was cooked well and not overburdened by the toppings. I definitely plan on going again.
I went to Spacca Napoli last Saturday night after reading many of the reviews here, both good and bad. I recommended this place to my party, figuring if there's a wait to get seated every weekend, there's gotta be a good reason. We were not disappointed...
Upon arriving at just past seven, the place was indeed packed and we were told the wait could be up to an hour and fifteen minutes. We decided to wait it out (turned out to be a little under an hour), and it was decidedly worth it. The owner came over twice while we stood in line serving appetizers of flat breads and cheeses to the patiently waiting (and hungry) crowd. And even though they didn't have a sit-down bar, the hostess was more than happy to take all of our drink orders while we waited, uncorking the bottle of Italian wine we purchased right there on the spot...
The hostess (who I'm assuming was also the proprietor's wife) told us that while a few other places in the city tried to prepare and cook pizza in the Neapolitan tradition like they did, they just didn't compare. When asked why, she informed us that not only did Jonathan become accredited by attending school in Naples for three years, but that their oven was imported from Naples as well (and what a beautiful oven it was--completely tiled in mosaics)...
We started out with two appetizers made with water buffalo mozzarella, and let me tell you that was some of the best mozarella I've ever tasted! We followed that up with a couple of delicious pizzas (no leftovers to be found here), and concluded with several of their decadent desserts (I wish I could tell you the names, but I was fairly drunk by this point). The waitstaff even brought us a round of complimentary dessert wine after dinner, which I thought was a really nice touch...
In short, we were impressed by everything about this place, from the decor to the service to the food. If you don't mind the longer wait on a weekend night (which can be half the fun if you're with the right people and drinking), I think you'll find this place is well worth it. We'll definitely be going back soon...
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Love this place! cant wait to go back.
today the bf and i went here after cruising some of the antique shops in ravenswood- which were also amazing and soo much fun!
Anyways... we decided to stop in for some pizza and good italian food. we were not disapointed. we walked in and were seated not even 5 minutes after ( we went in around 5pm right before the BIG dinner crowd tot. reccomend going at this time) and were greeted by a very nice waiter. he reccomended somethings and then took our order- we had the "white pasta and added some italian sausage onto it- yummy! the italian iced tea was delish- the bf couldn't stop talking about it- and i had the limonata :) very tasty. we also had the antipasto very good and the meats where the right amount.
then the pizza came- wow! i loved it... truly wooden oven cooked... no overwhelming cheese, the sausage was a-mazing. we did deceded that next time we would opt for a pizza with the tomato base. needless to say..we will be making another trip to this fabulous location and resturant. seemed very kid and family friendly...
go get your pizza on!
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
This pizza is awesome, it's just like i had in italy. The owner and wait staff are very nice and answer any questions you have. This pizza takes no time to make, yet you feel like you can stay there for hours without being rushed. I will go back, again and again!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
I've never been to Italy, but if I had a gun to my head asking for the most genuine (not Americanized) Italian pizza in Chicago, Spacca Napoli is the first place I'd think of.
We started with the basic salad with oil and vinegar, and it was perfect. The right amount of dressing over top of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes and olives .... mmm! And the bread with olive oil that comes to the table is just as amazing (and I'm not usually into oil on my bread, but they do it right here).
And the pizza was spot on. I've been to other places in Chicago that do coal/brick oven pizza and it comes out totally black on the edges and you can't escape the burnt flavor. Not here! Perfect chewy-doughy crust with a hint of smoky coal, topped to perfection with delicious sauce and really fresh ingredients. We shared the margherita and funghi pizzas and we loved them both. I'd say that one pizza per person is a good portion if you get a salad or appetizer. If you pass on the salads/appetizers, I'd definitely go for three pizzas per two people. They're smaller than I expected, and because they're thin, they won't fill you up as fast.
The service was also excellent. My poor waiter had to describe all the salads to me because the names are in Italian, so I had no clue what to make of them. He knew exactly how to describe each of them and made great suggestions and didn't sound or look at all annoyed by my ignorance.
Overall, an excellent meal.
My only complaint is that the pizzas could have been a bit larger for the price, I thought. I'm still used to getting a 16-inch pie for 12 bucks in NY, so that always gets me when it comes to the table and it's only 10 inches or so.
For many months last year, Friday nights were pizza nights. My brother and I started this tradition in an effort to find the best pizza in Chicagoland. Spacca Napoli is the best. It's unbelievably good--perfection, really.
We're big pizza fans--I, more than anyone. I could eat it every day: cold, hot, toppings, no toppings. And since I'm feeling especially daring, I might as well tell you my culinary exploits have involved my making every imaginable substance into its own kind of pizza. Crusts I've tried: store-bought dough, homemade dough, pita, Italian bread, crackers... I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say, each has its pluses and minuses. Each, that is, except the one I'm about to describe.
I should also tell you, in the interest of full disclosure, that, while I wouldn't refuse it of course, I don't especially prefer Chicago-style pizza. Call it sacrilege if you must, but this Chicago girl likes her pizza thin-crusted, Neapolitan-style.
A while back, Chicago Magazine did an issue that highlighted the best Neopolitan-style pizza places in Chicago. We've tried as many as we could. Some have been good, some great--but none could top Spacca Napoli, the first we visited and I daresay the best pizza in the city.
When you go, if at all possible, get the Pizze Margherita. It's covered with just enough ripe tomatoes, Italian mozzarella, fresh basil and perfect olive oil. The crust is soft--not too soft, but easy to break off and chew, and crunchy--not cracker-crunchy but crisp. The flavor is sweet in a deliciously olive oil way, which, I'll just say it, is the best kind of sweet in the world of pizza. It's pizza perfection and, top this: it's ready in minutes. Their ovens cook it up quickly and I mean quickly.
Other reasons to visit: a beautiful atmosphere, complete with al fresca dining, should you choose; great service--our waiter was completely charming; and easy parking just a block or so away.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
I love Italian and I love pizza, so I am head-over-heels with Italian pizza and this is the real deal. Slightly different then D.O.C which is my favorite, hands down, but still very good.
I have been here many times and the only thing that is keeping me from giving it five stars is unfortunately the service. And I don't mean dining-during-peak-business-hours service. I have dined here at 5pm and put in a corner table when there was not another person in the room (nor was there when we finished) and watched a gum chewing bus boy/kitchen guy glare at us (it was obnoxious to the point I almost asked him to spit it out). We've ordered antipasti which was wonderful but a little pricey for the portion, only to get our salad before when we specifically staged the meal and courses differently. No biggie, but still, why ask if you can't do...
Then there is the wine service issue. No big deal, but could you at least do a drive-by and see how we're doing, even if you don't want to pour for us? We really wanted to order that second bottle but the server never checked on us to pour, let alone sell us another. Normally that would be a two star reduction in my book but the pizza makes up for that and he probably saved me from a headache in the morning. And then there is the pizziola-I don't know if she is still there- but we were once seated directly in front of the pizza station and the woman just glared at us with a scowl on her face. I asked her a question and she just glared. Language barrier, perhaps? I then asked in Italian, and again, just a little scowl of misery. We even gave espanol a whirl, still, no answer. Busy, again, only people in t he place, so nope, not possible. Wow. Why have an open kitchen then. Some sights are better left unseen.
So, pizza, delightful. Wonderfully fresh ingredients, although kind of limited on choices given that this is the main draw. Method, perfetto! Taste, amazing. Pricing, fair. Worth it though if it skews high.
Please Spacca, I'm coming back-please be nicer so I can give you the fifth star! I don't ask for much and always tip at least 25%, even when you ignore me and scowl!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
So I went there for a business lunch. The first impression by the hostess was great. I was about 20 minutes early and she immediately sat me instead of my having to wait on a bench. Asked if I wanted anything to drink, I got it. Everything was great,, for a while...
...fast forward 20 minutes. Asking the waitress here opinion was useless. As neither myself of my associate had ever been there, we asked for suggestions for appetizers, etc. She was woefully uneducated. So we just ordered what seemed like a good idea.
We were NEVER asked if we wanted something to drink aside from when I initially sat down. We had the mozarella and pruscioutto combo as well as the grilled vegetables for appetizers. They were pretty good.
Then we ordered our pizza. I have no idea how this was managed, but somehow our pizza crust was soggy! After reading all the accolades and the press releases on the wall, we were really looking forward to a superior pizza and found it to be on par with Domino's. For $50 for lunch in Ravenswood, this should have been a superior meal. Unfortunately, it was one of the more disappointing ones I have experienced in Chicago..
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
EDIT 3/4/08
Buffalo mozzarella you can have your way with me, all night long. We indulged in the prosciutto and mozzarella app and it was way too good. I'm pretty sure I will crave this everyday. Thanks a lot for the torture.
We finally braved the trek to the north side to indulge in Spacca Napoli. It was worth the trip. Coming on a whim and near closing time I was relieved to see that the place wasn't super packed. Our server was pleasant and did a good job explaining the pizzas to us. I chose a special that had pepperoni and crushed peppers. The companion had a pizza with sausage and mushrooms.