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Albano's Pizzeria
- Nearest Transit:
-
Austin-blue (Blue Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 3 pm - 12 am
Fri 11 am - 1 am
Sat 2 pm - 1 am
Sun 2 pm - 12 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Albano's Pizzeria
Review Highlights
-
"seriously good food and out of this world PIZZA PUFF." In 17 reviews -
"Lots of cheese and sause and unbelievably good." In 3 reviews -
"FOOTBALL SIZED PIZZA PUFFS." In 3 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer T.
Chicago, IL
8/3/2011
Italian Beefs and Pizza Puffs are to die for!
Their salads are AWESOME!
TIP:
If you aren't digging the pizza puffs fried, you can request them to bake it. :) -
Review from Scott M.
Helena, MT
2/11/2012
"Pizza Puff"?!? What the heck? OK, I'll try it. The reviews made it sound spectacular, and I'll try almost anything once. I wish I'd paid attention to Jennifer T . . .
It's a calzone. A deep-fried calzone. A monstrous, cheesy-gooey, incredible-tasting deep-fried calzone. And it's deep-fried. Take away the "deep-fried" and I'd have given this place 5 stars, because it really tasted wonderful. But with my cholesterol levels I wish I'd have known it was deep fried before I ordered it, and would have taken Jennifer T's advice and had it baked.
But back to the taste. I wasn't crazy about the crust because it had that tough-fried texture, and I was in massive-guilt-ridden-I-shouldn't-eat-this purgatory. The two pounds of cheese oozing out of the middle didn't help that little guilt trip. But wow was it tasty on the inside! Their sauce is really flavorful, and everything in there (pep., mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, 2 lbs. cheese) was wonderful together. I'm really looking forward to trying their non-fried pizza, and I may even give the pizza puff another try, but have it baked next time. Really good flavor.
The joint itself is pretty divey, but the staff was really, really friendly, and really helpful. No beer, but you can BYOB and they'll give you a cup to enjoy it from. (Note to Yelp: How about a "BYOB" notation in the "Alcohol" category? This is the second or third time that would have been helpful.) Hint - a liquor store is half a block away (at least according to the very helpful staff-person). The puff took about a half hour - exactly what they said it would. Yeah, the parking lot isn't huge, but neither is the inside of the joint, so they should fit each other pretty well.
Definitely recommended, and once I try the pizza I may update this review - I'm betting it goes up. -
Review from Gerry D.
Chicago, IL
1/27/2012
I only get the pizza puffs. They are good but I alway bake mine for 30 minutes longer so that some of the juice inside will evaporate. I had an italian beef from here once, wasnt a fan. I urge you to call your order in, as it will take a while for them to make your food. Also however long that they say your food will take, add 10 minutes to that! This is definitely a carry-out spot, if you can even make it into the cramped ass parking lot!
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Review from Kelly W.
Chicago, IL
5/9/2011
So, when I say I grew up on this place, what I really mean is that my Dad knows their number by heart.
Yes, this was our staple, Friday night tradition. Albano's Pizza. I have grown to have varying taste for pizzas but if you are looking for a sure win with most taste buds, look no further. The sauce is just the right amount of sweet yet tangy. The cheese is killer. The crust is good enough to eat. (I'm picky about my crust.)
The pizza puffs are HUGE and delish. Make sure you pay for the extra cup of sauce, as you will need/want it. Also, if you are not that into salt, I may suggest getting mushrooms to offset the amounts in the cheese.
Like many others, I have also found their BBQ chicken wings & Cheesy Beefs and to exceptionally great as well!
Thanks for making dinner on Fridays while growing up, less complicated Albano's! -
Review from Reanna M.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2012
Food here is amazing! Portions are great prices aren't bad either and staff are friendly and go beyond, "how can I help you?". I always opt for take out because it's very dingy and worn looking inside but hey, who comes for the ambiance? The food is great!
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Review from Rene L.
Oak Park, IL
12/26/2011
Great italian beef but service is extremely slow waited 15 minutes for one sandwich when no one else was there... But the great food made up for the slow cooking
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Review from Daniel C.
Chicago, IL
3/16/2011 6 Check-ins Here
My introduction to this place was when my coworker picked up the italian beef sandwich from this place and we shared it.
IT WAS SO GRANDE! it filled an entire 9 inch pie pan.
WE shared it and it was still more than enough.
Since that moment I have been obsessed with this place and the italian beef sammy and got it twice in the past 8 days!
They have a pizza puff that I am really excited to try after reading all of these reviews. -
Review from Edwin M.
Chicago, IL
9/30/2010
Top 5 things I order at Albano's
1) Italian Beefs w melted cheese(enough for 2 people) The best in the area!!
2)Pizza-- Great tasting thin crust
3) Fried Chicken Sandwich w mixed cheese on garlic(enough for 2) Amazing and gigantic
4) chicken wings- enough for 2 people huge and tasty
5) Pizza Puff-- Be ready to share
Portions are huge and the food taste really, really good! -
Review from Melissa T.
Oak Park, IL
3/20/2011
First time I've had a pizza puff - it was good but nothing outstanding. It's definitely enough food to feed 70 (ok, 2-3 but the exaggeration hopefully expresses that this puff is freaking huge); I just wasn't impressed by the toppings.
Also, I liked the pizza, but my total ended up being more expensive than I was expecting despite having looked at the menu and the prices when ordering.
Some people have suggested the italian beefs - the pictures look amazing, so I'd definitely return to try one.
All in all, this place was good - and it would have been awesome had it been located in St. Louis where pizza more or less sucks - but it's just not outstanding compared to other delicious places in the area. -
Review from Robert R.
Forest Park, IL
4/26/2007
Ordering from Albanos might become your next party tradition. Let me tell you why, football sized pizza puffs. Thats why. Wait, let me capitalize that just to get the attention of the person who's skimming through this review..FOOTBALL SIZED PIZZA PUFFS. Okay, so now that I have your attention, these things are phenomenal. You can
believe me on that one because I only bring out that word on special occasions.
Looking at the menu, Stella Albano's Pizzeria has the same fare as any Italian restaurant but they have a whole lot more.They effectivly took a favorite from every type of food and put it on the menu. I haven't been in the restaurant in years and the last time I went there it was a dark place with or 5 booths. The inside may have changed but I think this restaurant is great for the delivery.
Remember that one time that you were at home with your friends and wished that you could get a burger, cheese sticks, chicken strips, rips, a pizza, fried chicken, fried shrimp, Italian beef, a six pack of coke, Twinkies, maybe one of those chicken things at 7-11, and an oversized cowboy hat delivered to your door? Well, this place would have been your answer...except for the Twinkies, the 7-11 thing and the cowboy hat. Your on your own with that.
So all that stuff is good but the thing that you should order first is the pizza puff. It's not on the menu for some reason but whenever I order it I always ask for it by that name.
It is actually a pizza that is folded over, closed, and then fried until golden brown. When you first bite into it, the fried pizza dough crunches and then mixes in with the other ingredients. Spicy tomato sauce, sausage (or whatever topping you want - some like pepperoni for some reason), and tons of gooey cheese will shock your taste buds into life.
Portion Size:
So it isn't super healthy but you don't have to eat all of it at once. My dad will order a few, cut them up, and freeze them. If you can eat a 12 inch pizza all by yourself this will do you fine, for the rest of us I suggest cutting it in half and putting the other half in the freezer to have another day.
////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////
Something you should know for Oak Park and Forest Park Residents
////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////
The delivery doesn't suck - they are consistently slow.
As long as they are consistent with the slow time I'm happy ordering an hour and a half before I want my food...and I can count on it. If they get it to me before an hour I'm one happy dude. They are always still too hot to touch when they get to my place.
Bottom Line:
Delivery is slow but worth it for the PHENOMENAL PIZZA PUFFS. They will become a party favorite.
Order again for large portions of great lasagna and chicken parm.
They don't have a website so here's some info:
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
DELIVERY $2-$3 (DEPENDING ON DISTANCE)
HOURS
Monday - Thursday 3:00PM - 12:00AM
Friday - 11:00AM - 1:00AM
Saturday - 2:00PM - 1:00AM
Sunday - 2:00PM - 12:00AM
AND WHAT?! -
Review from Sarah J.
Chicago, IL
2/23/2010
So I went there after I saw them on Travel Channel for #5 best place to eat for their home made pizza puffs. So I walk in and its a neighborhood, family run spot, I like that. The Son was the one who explained how the puffs work and what comes with it and etc.. very helpful and friendly. We both got 2 different puffs with 5 ingredients and a can of pop. Its a small dining room, but I was there for the puffs.. everything was clean and that was most important. So they do take about 25 mins, but when they came to the table my mouth dropped. Its like a medium sized pizza folded in half and deep fried. I got meatballs, green peppers, onions, mushrooms and garlic. It was TO DIE FOR!!! Bring an army with you or be prepared to bring home leftovers. I had meals for 2 days.. its was o so yummy.
I will def be back again and again. Its right down the street from Depot Diner so when the lines are too long there.. come here. -
Review from Natalie R.
Chicago, IL
5/11/2007
Stella Albano's, I have to dock you two stars for the flying ant we found in our food today.
I think my pizza puff (ordered based on Robert R's review) was everything I hoped it would be, and more. I kept eating it after my co-worker found the ant in her salad. I figured that if nothing else, if there were ants mixed up with the ooey gooey cheezy heaven loaded with spinach, mushrooms, and just the right amount of sauce, then those ants were probably high quality to begin with. It was a damn good puff. I snuck a bite of my friend's beef and cheddar, too, and had another foodgasm.
I might try you again another day. It is Spring....maybe you just haven't had Orkin Man out yet this season.....but it will require at least five more delicious encounters, ant-free, before I can give you the stars I think you might deserve. I only docked two stars because it was just SO good. Way better than Dimenzo's. -
Review from Rhonda G.
2/27/2010
God i'm full.
It's been 3 days and I'm still stuffed from the insanely large pizza puff that boasts the #2 spot in the Travel Channels top 5 pizza places to chow down. Kudos to this small town with a seedy past for being famous for something other than corruption and that Capone fella :)
About this puff: Seriously bigger than my head. DO NOT order an individual one for everyone in your group thinking that you might be able to finish in one sitting...you won't!
The shape of it reminds me of a huge empanada (though I wish it were more flaky). Inside you'll find some gooey goodness created by whatever filling you have selected. My cheese and mushroom was 3 kinds of awesome!
Overall, really good but almost too big because I was eating this thing for 3 days. $6.50 for 3 days worth of eating isn't bad but I kind of got sick of it around day 1.5
Wait time can be kind of ridiculous (20-25 minutes) so calling your order in is encouraged.Listed in: As Seen On TV
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Review from Dusty P.
Chicago, IL
3/24/2010
Food: I can speak for the pizza puffs and chocolate shakes only - and I have absolutely nothing bad to say. It's like unsweetened donut wrapped around pizza fillings. I can echo pretty much everything that everyone else has said - they're HUGE, they're inexpensive, they could use a little more sauce but it's not bad enought to make me complain. I got mine to-go. I tossed it in the oven when I got home to reheat a little, and the crust was still crispy. They are - in a word - aMAHzing. (I do wish they would get their liquor license, though.)
Atmosphere: I love dives like this. Order at the counter, shoot the shit for 25 minutes at a red-n-white checkered tableclothed table, and then attack the football sized deep fried goodness. No pretense, just laid back relaxation and gorging.
Parking: Private lot - easy.
Price: These puffs are a steal at $6.50... I don't want to give the owners any ideas, but I would probably spend $8 for what you get.
Service: There isn't a whole lot of service needed... but what you get has a friendly, small-town feel to it - total win, in my book.
I will definitely be back. -
Review from AllAround C.
Forest Park, IL
6/27/2010
Yes, the pizza puffs are gigantic!!! However, it was ok, but not outstanding. I read that it was actually a pizza folded over and that person is correct. It was messy to eat and too large (if that is possible).
I felt like a pig and guilty trying to eat it. I thought the quality of the ingredients was average.
Smart idea to beat the competition, but not really worth the hype. -
Review from Ang R.
Chicago, IL
8/30/2009
This is a dive. In the best possible way; the pizza puffs are HUGE (at least two meals, at least) and tasty. And cheap! You're not at this place for atmosphere; I don't think you're even here for the other food, though don't take my word on that, because we didn't eat anything else. The pizza puff is the star here, so get one. I had sausage and mushroom, and it was great. Nothing makes me happier than actual fresh mushrooms in/on pizza, and these were fresh. Some were even slightly crunchy, in a good fresh mushroom kind of way. There's a LOT of meat in these puppies, so you've got to really like that. If I go again, I'm going to go veggie, and see how that works for me. Either way, the sausage is tasty, so don't avoid it.
It's in an odd location, though if there's no traffic, it's still only 20 minutes from Lakeview by Lake Shore and the Ike. And you can definitely do pub trans if you're into that. All in all, worth the trip. -
Review from K. T.
Deerfield Beach, FL
8/2/2011
I just got back to my hotel after having a late lunch at Albano's Pizzeria with their old owners. Their pizza puff was to die for! Huge portion. Cheesiest, meatiest, biggest pizza puff. So delicious. Well worth the 25 minutes for them to make it. If I lived near this place, it would be on my speed dial and my weekend nosh pizzeria. I'm sad we don't have a place like this in FL. I loved it!
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Review from Ken T.
Chicago, IL
4/27/2011
I live in the neighborhood and have been going there for last 10yrs. The best pizza and pizza puffs in Chicago. I like that they r friendly and nice for pickup or delivery everyone should try this place they won't be disappointed.
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Review from Rickey L.
Chicago, IL
I work nearby ans Albanos is def my Fav of the neighborhood food joint. The Italian Beefs are awesome.
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Review from Harrison C.
Niles, IL
11/30/2010
I saw this place on the Food Channel and had to check it out. Now I can see why it was on TV. I've only had the pizza puffs from there but that's all you really need. It's huge! The crust on the pizza puff had that perfect balance between crispy and flake on the outside and warm and soft on the inside and the taste was excellent as well. I usually get the Italian beef, bacon, mushroom and onion and it'll take me breakfast lunch and dinner to finish one. It's sooo good I like to say, "Albano's: worth the drive. worth your life."
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Review from Justin G.
Oak Park, IL
8/11/2007
Pretty much what everyone said so far. Yes the pizza puff is awesome. I actually find it to be more of a calzone than what you normally think of when you hear pizza puff, and it makes sense if you read Robert's detailed review.
In Wisconsin, I have had larger ones for the money, but let me say that for whatever reason, whether it is calzone or pizza puff we're talking about, this is the only one that actually tastes like a pizza. I can't wait to trek back through here and try other things too. They also have burgers and regular fast food items in addition to Italian food, so if you have a group and someone wants American fast food, you can get it all in the same place.
Just a warning, I came here for lunch on Friday and Friday happens to be the only day they are open at 11am. The rest of the week they don't open until 3pm and 2pm on weekends. It is also easy to pass up. It is about a block or two east of Austin on the south side of the street and they have their own lot, so if you come from the west, keep you eyes open once you pass Austin. Everything seems to be made fresh here too, so it might take a little while for them to make it. Carryout or delivery might be better options than stopping in on a whim. -
Review from Rosalinda F.
Berwyn, IL
6/19/2009
Review for Pizza only
Update:DiNico's pizza has gotten worse, so given a choice I would rather buy and Albano's pizza than a DiNico's pizza.
Original Reveiw:
I thought their pizza was good, but I much prefer DiNico's pizza.
I can't explain why, I guess it's different strokes for different folks.
Anyways the cheese was good, the thin crust was good, and the sauce was good. But I just did not like it compared to DiNico's. I think DiNico's had better cheese, sauce, and crust (more crispy which is what I like).
They give you good portions on the pizza so it does not feel like they are skimping on the cheese or sauce. Like many places, you get a free pop depending on the order amount and they had Dr Pepper (and RC) which totally rocked!...Sorry for my overenthusiasm, but it just seems I can never get Dr.Pepper at pizza places.
The rest of my family (my mom and three brothers) also agreed with me for what it's worth. -
Review from Shartese P.
Oak Brook, IL
11/5/2011
Best Italian beefs in town. And 3 people can share one.
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Review from Allison K.
Chicago, IL
4/27/2007
I can't believe that only one other person has yelped Albano's! Since I have only have had their delivery, I'm going to only rave about what exactly made me love Albano's Pizzeria. All I can say is PIZZA PUFFS. These pizza puff at Albano's are huge, and just like Robert R. had said, they ARE the size of a football. These pizza puffs are stuffed with lots of cheese, meats, and sauce and they are absolutely cooked to perfection. After having one of these pizza puff's you'll never want to get one of those "tiny" pizza puffs again. Next time I'm craving Albano's Pizzeria I'm definitely going to eat at their restaurant so I can try more items on their menu.
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Review from mike k.
2/23/2009
It's a small, crappy, out of the way pizza place....and it serves these giant, football-sized pizza puffs, pizza puffs that will make you drive 30 minutes out of the way to get one. Lots of cheese and sause and unbelievably good. It literally took an hour to actually get there and get it, but its sooo worth the trip!
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Review from Ted o.
Chicago, IL
9/17/2007
Albanos!!!!.....i spent my formative years in Cicero and this place will always be in high regard because of the juggernaut of a pizza-puff.....at least once a month we all order dinner from Albanos and it is all good stuff.....the cheesy beef is served open-faced in a massive foil container....i love seeing a foil food container...it shines like silver!....MY PRECIOUS!!!!!!......sorry about that.....seriously good food and out of this world PIZZA PUFF....
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Review from SJ B.
Chicago, IL
4/18/2010
OMG, I'm still full from eating 1/2 of it yesterday and the other 1/2 this morning. Heard great things about this "dive" and after spending a few hours walking around Oak Park (Frank Lloyd Wright architecture), I was hungry! Just a few miles away and not terribly inconvenient, I tried it out. Yes, it was a 1/2 hour wait for my freshly made, well-stuffed, GYNORMOUS pizza puff. When it was brought out, I literally exclaimed, "holy crap that's huge!". It really is the size of a football and weights a bit more. I had mine stuffed with sausage, onions, and mushrooms and in EVERY bite, there were those goodies. It tastes just like a pizza should and puffed, it's brilliant.
During my wait for the GYNORMOUS puff, I saw all ages and colors walk in for pick-ups. Everyone seemed rather excited with the bounty they were taking home and I get it. This place is a dive gem and is a perfect compliment to the neighborhood, thus the incredibly reasonable, dare I say, cheap prices.
Alas, it's too far for me to become a regular, but anytime I'm out in that part of Chicago, I'll be back. Reheated this morning, the leftovers were delightful. Just wonderful! -
Review from Arlene G.
10/10/2009
I'm only reviewing their pizza puffs cuz it's the biggest pizza puff I've ever eaten in my life! It's like a medium size pizza folded in half with lots of cheese and whatever topping you ask for. I can split it with somebody and still have leftovers for the next day! Wooo hooo!
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Review from Cesar M.
Cicero, IL
7/23/2011
albanos never disappoints me. always leaves me with a smile on my face. get the pizza-puff or just a chesse and sausage pizza. its all good
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Review from Jasmin M.
Oak Park, IL
6/1/2010
The pizza puffs are huge! I was starving when I went there and only finished about half of it. I shared with my children and there was still pizza puff left over for the next day. My friend told me they were the size of the football, and I was sure he was exaggerating.
Not only are they huge, they're actually pretty good and you can choose your own fillings. My oldest is a picky eater, so I was surprised when he was begging to get another one two days later.
It's a small "dive" sort of place as others have said, but it was still pretty decent. It was clean, fairly quiet, and not at all crowded when we went. We'll definitely be back there again.
I've passed it a thousand times, and never would have thought to go in there if my friend hadn't taken me. -
Review from Colonel M.
Chicago, IL
Huge pizza puffs... Really not bad for the price... I'll go here again but next time I'll aak for extra sauce in my puff
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Review from H H.
Alexandria, VA
5/12/2010
Service was nice, but it does take about 30 minutes for them to make the 'largest pizza puff in the Chicagoland area.' Now, for all of your pizza puff lovers out there, it is not the typical awesome puff you get from Iltaco - it's actually just like a regular pizza, folded over, that comes out piping hot and barely sitting on the plate. I had the cheese, onions, sausages, and green peppers, and it tasted good. The crust itself was slightly crunchy, and the filling was pretty decent - tasted like a regular pizza with a good amount of tomato sauce. The price was decent (about $10), and dining in is an option. Don't expect to finish it, and you can probably share one between two people. They do have a lot by the side of the restaurant.
