5 Boroughs Pizza Company

3.5 star rating
63 reviews Rating Details

Category: Pizza  [Edit]

1543 N Sedgwick St
(at North Ave)
Chicago, IL 60610
Neighborhoods: Old Town, Near North Side
(312) 988-9009
Nearest Transit:

Sedgwick (Brown Line, Purple Line)

Hours:

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm

Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm

Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
Yes
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
Free
Good For:
Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
No
Noise Level:
Quiet
Has TV:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Review Highlights   

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"Hands down the best NY style pizza in the city." (in 21 reviews)
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"The crust is super buttery and delicious." (in 28 reviews)
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"i highly recommend it for a break from the deep dish style." (in 7 reviews)
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63 reviews in English

  • Review from Amelia B.

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    1/2/2012

    My transplanted New Yorker friends swear by this place for NY style pizza, so I knew that I check it out. I suppose they know what they are talking about, after all.

    Greasy, cheesy, foldable pizza. Excellent. Delivery was super quick for a Friday evening as well.

    Price-wise, however, it's a bit steep compared to other comparable pizza joints. We ordered a large for two of us, and it was barely enough. I know what you are thinking (FATTY), but I'm a pretty light pizza eater. Ok, maybe he ate like 3/4 of it (FATTY).

    Oh oh oh. And put bacon on it. Bacon on pizza typically is underwhelming, but they are pretty generous with their bacon application. Yum.

  • Review from Kyle R.

    •  
    • 38 friends
    • 3 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    2/3/2012

    Seriously?!?  You close at 9:45pm on a Friday night???  I've had pizza from here before, and thought it was close to making me feel like I was back living in NYC...that's the only reason they got 2 stars instead of 1 star.

    Get your act together and you'd have more customers.

    P.S. I don't normally write bad reviews, but I do funny things when I'm hungry

  • Review from Amy A.

    •  
    • 3 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    11/26/2011

    Yummy NY style pizza!  Also had the BBQ wings, they were good too with a nice smokey flavor. I would have given it 5 stars, but they don't have green olives for their pizza. : (

    I will order online again. Delivery was fast too!

  • Review from Kit G.

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    2/9/2012

    8pm on a Wednesday night and we decide to order takeout.  We had received a SeamlessWeb coupon in the mail that day - so decided to order from them.  We wanted pizza and chose 5 Boroughs.  We chose it because we wanted New York Style pizza.  We ordered the Mushroom Madness pizza which was great.  Lots of mushrooms, including portabella mushrooms and a nice crisp thin crust.  My fiance ordered the Chitown pizza - he was excited because it included all of his favorite toppings, and usually he has to build his own pie to get them.  The pizza was great and 5 Boroughs is going to be our go to place.  We also ordered wings, which were not good.  They were skimpy, and overcooked.

  • Review from P. W.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    2/7/2012

    Best thin crust I know of.  And they sell slices.  How can you beat that?

  • Review from Julia C.

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Delicious slices in less than 5 minutes! Perfect!

  • Review from Michael F.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    1/15/2012

    Really disappointing quality. Not good pizza. Step it up guys.

  • Review from Mark D.

    •  
    • 5 friends
    • 23 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    12/27/2011

    My favorite place to order pizza delivery. The pizza and the cheesy bread is DELICIOUS. I love New York style pizza and this is one of the few places I can order it. Delivery is always on time (or early) and the delivery drivers are always very friendly. I highly recommend that you order bacon on your pizza because each piece is like 1/2 a strip of bacon....even the mushrooms are delicious. If you have room for a few extra calories, I would also recommend that you order the pizza cookie. It's a large, hot chocolate chip cookie covered in melted chocolate and caramel.....so $%^@# good.

  • Review from Morgan V.

    •  
    • 33 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    11/1/2011

    Fantastic NY style pizza.  I typically order the buffalo chicken pizza, but have also tried the BBQ chicken and some of the salads.

    The crust is super buttery and delicious.  Definitely not a healthy option, but full of flavor!

    Definitely more of a to-go kind of place as the seating is just a few tables in the front. They usually have decent coupons that you can find through Google.

  • Review from jay d.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 19 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    1/2/2012

    ordered pizza for the big giants cowboys game sunday night.  bottom line this is a poor excuse for NY stye pizza and not a very good food product.  I was very disappointed.  Bricks and Ranalli's are both better in the neighborhood in my opinion.  If only Piece would deliver in this area! I won't order from 5 boroughs again.

  • Review from Adam D.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 3 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    6/10/2011

    Great NY-style pizza.  We just had it for the first time tonight.  We had the Margherita pizza (fresh moz, tomatoes, basil).  Perfect crust.  Delicious.  The kids devoured the cheesy bread.

    While I don't prefer my wings baked, the wings were also solid.  We'll be back.

  • Review from Valerie B.

    •  
    • 11 friends
    • 20 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    5/5/2011

    Each time I've been here (twice) it was late in the evening and I was hungry. I only get cheese pizza because I'm a simple woman who enjoys the little things in life.
    Plus I figure how can you go wrong with cheese and sauce on some bread? Which is why I give 5 Boroughs 3 stars.

    There was nothing spectacular about this place. I mean yes, I am a Chicagoan but i live pizza just the same. I get NY style is supposed to be greasy and floppy which is what it is. Where's the sauce?

    My real gripe is that the slice is too damn expensive to be so average. I think they would strive better in a neighborhood with a bunch of bars in it. This is food for drunk people with their guts full of vodka and pockets full of money.
    I'm not totally giving up on them because I want to try the sausage one day and next time I will eat it slowly instead of on the el platform while I'm waiting for my train.

  • Review from Jeffrey Y.

    •  
    • 3 friends
    • 8 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    9/9/2011

    Best option in Chicago I have found for a New York style slice.

  • Review from Dean K.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 83 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    9/4/2011

    This is why NY style pizza is simply better than Chicago style.  Sorry.  The crust is crispy on the bottom, doughy throughout, with a slightly sweet sauce and the right amount of grease.  Plus, they serve it by the slice, which is key if you want to just "grab and go" on the way home.  This is so much more satisfying than what is more like a pizza casserole you have to wait 45 minutes for.  I don't feel like I'm on Mulberry Street or anything, but the pizza at this place is really, really good.

  • Review from Marjorie F.

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    4/9/2011

    I don't know much about NY style pizza except for what my brother, a pizza aficionado, tells me.

    Sweet and tangy sauce
    Texture (floppy - needs to fold)
    Just enough cheese

    5 Boroughs pizza is exactly like this and I actually LIKE it.  Don't get me wrong, I love Chicago pizza (not deep dish, the thin kind), but I can see why folks who prefer NY pizza like this place.

    I bought a slice of the cheese and a slice of the veggie to go after a pulling a 13 hour day at work.  (Welcome to management!)  It was just the therapy I needed to make me feel normal again!

    There was only one thing about my veggie slice that threw me off.  Some of my green peppers were still cold.  Did they just throw veggies on top of a cheese slice and throw it in the oven for a quick reheat?  Hmmmm...  One star off for that.

    The restaurant is small and low key --- nothing fancy.  Service was fast and friendly.  I haven't tried anything else on their menu, but will probably be back to sample the rest.

  • Review from Nella D.

    •  
    • 7 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    10/15/2011

    From start to finish, I received excellent service.  The online ordering system is fast and easy.  I ordered a small pizza w/pepperoni.  My order was placed by 12:46pm and I received a call at 1:05. I assumed they had a question about my order, but nope. The order was here.  I went down to receive my order where I was greeted by a friendly driver.  The pizza is delicious and hot!  I will definitely be ordering form here again.  I may even go as far to say that after a year of living in Chicago, I may have found my goto pizza place!

  • Review from Michele W.

    •  
    • 6 friends
    • 26 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    3/6/2011

    Normal pizza - FINALLY!  I'm sorry, Chicagoans, but the crap most of you call pizza....well, it just isn't!  In the 6 months I've lived in Chicago, I have been so desperate for a normal, NY style slice of pizza, I even ordered Domino's one day ( I know, I know - don't tell anyone).

    5 Boroughs is solid.  To the people who complain about it being undercooked, you're crazy!  Your pizza should be foldable, and these guys get the job done -- the crust is DELICIOUS!  

    Is it as good as some of my favorite NY pizza? No.  But I realize we're not in nyc anymore.  Am I excited about finally finding a tasty pie (and quick delivery!)?  HECK YES.

    Thanks, 5 Boroughs!

  • Review from Jeremy B.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 45 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    4/20/2011

    i will say its the BEST NY style pizza i've had. I was a little sketchy because it never seems busy when I get off work at the sedgwick brown line.

    i guess people just dont know about it, because this place is great. friendly staff, excellent pizza (i've had the cheese, chicken pesto, and greek). everything has been great. i highly recommend it for a break from the deep dish style

  • Review from Mark V.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 11 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    12/3/2011

    It's not my favorite pizza in the city, but for a NY-style neighborhood slice it is more than adequate.  The crust is crispy thin and overall, it hits the spot.  The location is convenient for those in transit as it is right across the street from the Brown Line.  I recommend stopping in when you're hungry and in a hurry.

  • Review from John K.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    5/1/2011

    I liked their pizza. Had a quick lunch and tried the veggie pizza. I thought it was very good, friendly folks, clean place, very reasonably priced.
    I'll go back or have it delivered.

  • Review from Jim F.

    •  
    • 47 friends
    • 55 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/4/2010

    I've seen the place when I get off the brownline at the Sedgewick stop many times. Today I grabbed a single slice of cheese and coke. $4.50ish. The slice was a bona fide NY slice.  It had a sweet and tangy sauce, crisp but thin crust with the right balance of cheese, sauce, and crust. They reheated it in the pizza oven but it was still a pretty good NY slice.

    The place is on the smaller side but you could probably get away with a small group.

    Don't go to far south on Sedgewick. The neighborhood gets dicey/shady/ghetto.

  • Review from gfiddy f.

    •  
    • 28 friends
    • 765 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    8/27/2011

    FINALLY some good pizza by the slice.

  • Review from David R.

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    8/30/2010

    Good stuff--very good.  I'm not quite ready to declare them the equal of Cafe Luigi, but they serve a very satisfying slice, and friendly too.

    One veggie and one pepperoni, both delicious.  The slices came out in two minutes but tasted as good as a fresh pie and were PIPING hot.  The cat behind the counter was quite solicitous, offering to let me leave off one of the veggie toppings when I expressed a disinclination for olives, cluing us into the combo deal, and volunteering plastic cups of ice for our cans of soda.  

    Crisp, fresh vegetables; tangy pepperoni with minimal grease; and all the attendant characteristics of a great NY-style pizza slice...mmm.  Like I said, close to the best.  

    They were somewhat randomly showing a Phillies-Astros game in the middle of a Thursday afternoon, which only broadened my delight, as the Phils are my team.  I'll definitely be keeping 5 Boroughs in mind when I get a slice craving, even after baseball season.

  • Review from Adair T.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 24 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    9/12/2011

    The most authentic New York pizza I've ever had outside of Manhattan.

  • Review from lisa p.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    11/16/2011

    The location is a little sketchy near the brown line and I admit that kept me away from the place for a while.  This is one of the best pizzas in the near north side and Lincoln park.  The pizza is not sitting under a heat lamp all day like bacci pizza.  It tastes fresh and hot and is super cheesy and saucy.  The crust is delicious and the service is really great.  They have slices to go and pizzas to order so it's really convenient, affordable, and good.

  • Review from Tish N.

    •  
    • 91 friends
    • 104 reviews

    Rancho Cucamonga, CA

    2.0 star rating
    4/18/2011

    I went in during my lunch hour to grab a slice. I should've went to Subway. I got a slice of veggie pizza and when I got to work I realized it was just some raw veggies thrown on an already made cheese pizza. When I fold the slice to eat it, all of the veggies slid off. I'd rather them just say they were out of veggie and I could've gotten a cheese slice for cheaper. I'm not going to totally write them off, it might have been a fluke. That wasn't a good first impression though. Not at all.

  • Review from Shannon C.

    •  
    • 15 friends
    • 104 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    Updated - 6/4/2011

    Since my last review, I've become vaguely addicted to this place. I think they've changed something because while still not true NY-style, it's damn tasty.

    Was this review …?

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 2.0 star rating
      12/6/2009

      I was very excited to see there was a another NY style pizza place opening up, and that it could be… Read more »

  • Review from Steve L.

    •  
    • 19 friends
    • 46 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    4/30/2010

    I haven't even finished my mushroom and onion slice and I'm dishing out 5 stars.

    Authentic New Yorker Approved!

  • Review from Mary T.

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    1/23/2010

    I was in the mood to be a little bad...

    Not THAT kind of bad; stuff myself with pizza because I'm too tired to cook and deserve a reward for eating healthy, kind of bad.

    I'm no expert on NY-style pizza, but when compared to Cafe Luigi, Luigi's the star of the team and 5 Boroughs is the equipment manager.

    I ordered a large Mediterranean: garlic, olive oil, cheese, goat cheese, spinach, and sun dried tomatoes.

    Here's what I liked:
    *Online ordering
    *Fast, friendly delivery
    *Reasonable prices
    *The pizza wasn't greasy, at all. I actually was hoping for a little grease; if I'm going to be bad, I don't want to half-ass it.

    Here's what I didn't like:
    *My pizza wasn't piping hot.
    *The crust was really airy and not very crispy, I'd recommend getting it well done if you like it a bit crispymore doughy.
    * The spinach wasn't cooked, it looked like it was tossed on top of an already-cooked pizza as an afterthought. Have you ever tried eating a pizza with big, raw, fresh spinach leaves covering every inch? It ain't pretty.
    *The pizza was very one note, the goat cheese seemed to eclipse all of the other flavors. I didn't even get the slightest hint of garlic.

    I was unimpressed with my pizza, it definitely fell short of my expectations taste-wise. My large will probably cover 2-3 meals so the value is there, the actual product just needs to step it up. I'm not saying I'd never get another pizza from here, just that I'd need to get a sweet coupon to motivate me.

    I miss Nonna's :(

  • Review from Brenna M.

    •  
    • 26 friends
    • 90 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    10/12/2009

    I'm a native new yorker, so when this opened across the street, I thought, "Uh oh, this could be a bad thing."  For two reasons, 1) if the pizza is bad, I'm going to be PISSED because I would have my hopes for good ny style crushed. and 2) if the pizza is good, I'm going to be PISSED because I will be coming here every other day.

    Drum rolllllllllllllllllll, the pizza is GOOD! Actually, really good. Especially for New York style in Chicago.  The slices are foldable; they have a chewy crust but the bottom still has a nice crunch to it.  I tried the mushroom madness, and the shitakes, buttons and white mushrooms were all fresh. The garlic oil under the cheese was aromatic and wonderful.

    Oh and the XL it was ready in 15 minutes, booyah.

    I'll be going back for sure. Probably more than I should.

  • Review from Jake C.

    •  
    • 8 friends
    • 33 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    2/28/2010

    I have to disclose up front that this is a two-faced review.

    My girlfriend is a transplant to Chicago, and I am a die-hard life-long Chicagoan.  As you can well imagine, our journey through life in the pizza-lane is fraught with issues.

    Surprisingly, we BOTH liked 5 Boroughs.  She thought it reminded her enough of real NYC pizza to be thoroughly enjoyable.  I, on the other hand, thought that it was DIFFERENT enough from NYC pizza to be thoroughly enjoyable!  It isn't nearly as flat, limp, or greasy as authentic NYC style.  The crust is a bit more substantial and tasty, and the grease quotient is well under control.  And (even more important to a cheapskate like me), it is very affordable.

    Bottom line: it is a good middle ground where a mixed-couple (Chicago/NYC) can find some good pizza happiness.

  • Review from Michelle H.

    •  
    • 43 friends
    • 191 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    1/31/2010

    New to this place, we ordered their specialty salad (cranberries, apples, great goat cheese, walnuts) - plenty for two and very fresh!!  We also ordered the mushroom pizza - 3 types of mushrooms and was delicious!! It's definitely NY style, but even better than your average street pizza.

    We ordered and it was delivered hot in under 30 minutes on a Saturday night.
    I'm a fan!

  • Review from Jeff L.

    •  
    • 15 friends
    • 10 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    10/31/2010

    My wife and I decided to check this place out tonight after I'd seen it from the Sedgwick L station across the street a couple times.  The $3 pepperoni slice is presented simply, on a paper plate, but this is fitting for what it is: nothing complicated, just very delicious New York style pizza in a clean, well-run establishment.  I found one generously-sized slice and a couple breadsticks to be quite filling, and my wife took home leftovers.  I look forward to returning in the future, especially with it being so close to the Brown Line.

    They have a big screen TV if you want to watch the Bears, and Coke by the can.

  • Review from Chaz A.

    •  
    • 51 friends
    • 91 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    6/3/2010

    Breakdown

    Crust: Delicious, Crispy, chewy, Mmmmmmmm.   2 stars

    Sauce: Slightly Sweet, slightly tangy, yummy. 1 star

    toppings: Always fresh, great fresh mozzarella. 2 stars

    Price: too expensive for the size. $15 for a small. man.

    Overall: 4 stars.

  • Review from Travis M.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 10 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    6/19/2011

    Hands down the best NY style pizza in the city. Keep it simple - cheese or cheese and pepperoni and you will be addicted.

  • Review from Tom K.

    •  
    • 11 friends
    • 47 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    10/17/2010

    I went on a Sunday afternoon. I don't think anyone had been in there for at least an hour. Not the friendliest service.

    I got the meatball sandwich and it was pretty good. They make their own meatballs and bread so it's better than ones where they just slap the meatballs on Italian bread.

    I would do take out or delivery. Limited space inside to sit; just 4 small tables almost right next to each other and a ledge by the window.

  • Review from Jennifer S.

    •  
    • 10 friends
    • 30 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    2/14/2011

    I LOVE this pizza. It's NY-style. The crust is great--chewy and thin. The sauce is really what sets this pizza apart, though. It has a nice zest to it. Order from their website and you can free delivery.

  • Review from Mike K.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 14 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    6/5/2011

    I ordered delivery the other day by http://GrubHub.com.  Prices were about what I'd expect.  Quick and friendly delivery.  The pizza?  Well, average.  I've never had a "true" NY slice.  I'm also not the sort of guy that requires everything to be deep dish.  I'm a fan of Dags, Aurelio's, etc for thin crust pizza.  

    5 Boroughs seemed like the best Domino's pizza I've ever had.  Know what i mean?  Doughy, undercooked crust.  Little sauce or cheese.  The toppings were fresh and plentiful.

    I just finished a slice cold and it seems better now that it did two nights back.  

    All in all, there are plenty of other places to try.  Unless you already know you love this pizza, try someone else.

  • Review from Loren C.

    •  
    • 3 friends
    • 10 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    5/3/2010

    This is a new find for me that my neighbors told me about... Soo happy that they did!   I moved to Chicago from NYC 3 years ago and have missed New York pizza since.  Now, I've finally found a place that is almost as good as a New York slice.  

    They are also pretty fast with their delivery which is a plus!

  • Review from A R.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 45 reviews

    Cook, IL

    5.0 star rating
    5/10/2011

    I love you 5 Boroughs Pizza.

    I am from NY. I like deep dish, but I need my NY fix too. Pizza is fresh, hot, sauce tastes like actual tomatoes, delivery is fast and it is quite affordable. And the crust.....oh chewy and a bit crispy. Regular or the Margherita...Magic.

    The salads can feed 2 or 4 as a side salad. Lettuce is fresh, cheese and toppings are plentiful. Overall an affordable menu.

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