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Vini's Pizza - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza [Edit]
2429 N Lincoln Ave(between Halsted St & Fullerton Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, DePaul
(773) 327-0000
- Nearest Transit:
-
Fullerton (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
Diversey (Brown Line, Purple Line)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Ariana G. said: "Cute prices! Good pizzas! I had the build your own that had: garlic, two cheeses, onions, peppers and black olives with no extra premium toppings... For like $6 and then I had a drink. The cheese was a bit skimpy....The dough was…" read more »
40 reviews for Vini's Pizza
Review Highlights
"OUTSTANDING PIZZA - emblematic of Chicago thin crust."
(in 5 reviews)
"I think it's the best jumbo slice and pop pizza place I've..."
(in 7 reviews)
"They deliver late night which is always a plus and I..."
(in 3 reviews)
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40 reviews in English
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Review from Rick V.
Atlanta, GA
12/30/2010
OUTSTANDING PIZZA - emblematic of Chicago thin crust. I've been away from Chicago for about 10 years, and I've missed the square-cut thin crust pies from home. On a recent trip back to Lincoln Park, we ordered three carry-out pizzas from Vini's. The experience was outstanding.
Each pizza offered a balance between savory and sweet with delicious tomato sauce and perfect amounts of cheese. The lumps of Italian sausage were a delicious counterpoint to the sauce and veggies were cooked just-right.
Best of all, the owner was there to serve our group - this makes all the difference. Some other customers mentioned he's there often to work the operation. What a pleasure - a business that's attentive and committed to a great experience for each customer.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! -
Review from Rich H.
10/31/2010
Great for dining in, but it seems like this place has their timing off for carry-out orders. they said 40 minutes for a pizza and wings, but when we went to pick it up after about 35 minutes, our food was definitely done for at least 10 minutes which led to soggy wings and Za...nothin worse than that.
however, i've dined in before and everything right out of the oven is spectacular. the hot wings are really nice and crisp!
so, beware the carry out, but do try to give Vini's a shot some time. -
Review from Trevor H.
Chicago, IL
2/20/2011
WORST FOOD I have ever gotten from them. Last time I had been there was a little less than a year ago. The pizza used to taste really good and cost about 3 bucks for a pizza and drink. Now its 4.50 or something like that.
I ordered a slice of sausage pizza and mozzarella cheese sticks. When I got home my pizza tasted like it had been under a heat lamp for a few hours. The mozz sticks were literally a pile of mozzarella cheese with empty breading sticks; only one still had the cheese in it.
Place outright sucks now. -
Review from Santiago A.
Chicago, IL
7/6/2010
Meh, if you're in the area and want pizza you'll do ok here. If nothing else, the prices for a pizza, fries, and drink combo is very easy on the wallet.
I would eat here again if I was near by, but I don't know about going out of my way just to visit.
One thing that blew me away about this place what the bathroom. It was very, very clean and very modern looking. I guess "blew me away" is a little strong, but I was definitely surprised why a run-of-the-mill pizza place would have a nice bathroom. -
Review from D. C.
Harwood Heights, IL
5/14/2010
After wandering around the area for a restaurant that didn't have an hour and a half wait thanks to Cinco de Mayo, we wound up here. Pizza did sound good, but the advertised $6 something special for lasagna, bread and a drink finally drew us in.
The three of us all ordered the lasagna and sat down to wait for them to bring our food out. Must have been like 5-10 minutes before the guy came out and said they were out of lasagna but the same special applied to their ravioli or he could give us our money back. We all ordered the ravioli (cheese, meat, or spinach--I had cheese) instead. He then asked if we wanted any appetizers while we waited. We didn't need anything, but he offered to give us a mix anyway--mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and mushrooms. The pizza looked good so we also ordered a slice and split it in the meantime.
I consider the food average, but that's not a bad thing at all. If you're looking for a nice chewy hand-tossed style pizza, this one was pretty decent and uncomplicated. Fluffy crust, light on the sauce (which I prefer) and heavy on the deliciously gooey cheese; I wanted more after I'd finished off my sliver. The appetizers were pretty standard, but I'm not one to turn down a good mozzarella stick or onion ring. The ravioli were large pillows smothered in sauce and baked. Had to be somewhere between 10 and 12 of them in a serving--pretty generous for the price as far as I'm concerned.
Overall, it's a nice little place--very clean and bright and the staff friendly. For their attention to customer service, I give them a big thumbs up and would totally consider stopping in again the next time I'm in that area. -
Review from Beth P.
Chicago, IL
3/12/2009
(For Lack of 3.5 option)= Not necessarily crave-able, but I wouldn't kick it out of bed.
Vini's reminded me of "Pizza Hut" kind of pizza: crunchy crust, soft dough, and plenty of cheese and toppings. And cut in TRIANGLES for cripe's sakes... Why does Chicago think it's OK to cut every pizza into weird small squares. It's not ok, Chicago... NOT ok.
Back to Vini's- its pretty cheap, fast and fill-ing. You will be in a food coma after 2 or 3 slices. -
Review from Justin W.
Chicago, IL
4/24/2011
Good specials and friendly service.The pizza is not especially great but it is very solid, no complaints. No great detail needed here, a good place to get a quick slice, plus its open late.
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Review from Geoffrey A.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2009
For cheap, greasy, salty late-night pizza, this is the holy grail for thin-crusters. You absolutely cannot find a better pizza on the Northside after normal delivery hours. However, beware the drivers' haste for it may cause cheese-sloshage to occur in a big way. Aside from that, there is too much cheese (good thing) so it melts over the edge and singes on the oven creating an ultra-delectable crust. Garbage fans should note that these thin-crust pies do not hold up well with more than two toppings -- that would be doing Vini's an injustice This version of thin/regular crust is best enjoyed with 0-2 toppings and no more.
Also, they make a decent gyro, cheesburger, fries, etc. Probably a safe bet that if you like greasy & salty food, Vini's will get it right. -
Review from Huzefa H.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 2/6/2010
I had a chance to try this place again, but not for pizza. No never eat pizza here again. But their sandwiches were so good. I had the chicken parmigiana sandwich. It was big delicious and cheap. For 6 bucks you get the sandwich, fries (Okay fries, just a little to oily), and a fountain drink. Actually a really good deal. I cant consciously give it more stars knowing that this place is suppose to do pizza, not sandwiches.
Its a decent lunch special if you are out of other choices.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2010
This place make Bacci's pizza look like a Pizza GOD
Craptastic Pizza for very very cheap. Good for… Read more »
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Review from Reid G.
Chicago, IL
2/4/2010
This place is pretty good. Good sandwiches, cheap food, open late, delivers late. The pizza is not great but check out the sandwiches
Loves: meatball is pretty solid, as is Bubba beef, Gyro and their onion rings [thats all I have tried]
For lunch you can get a sandwich and drink for $6 even, a good deal i think. Free refills on the drink too
Dislikes: Pizza is kinda sub-par, which is odd because its a pizza shop that serves other things. Also taking ribs off their menu was upsettingListed in: Late night around DePaul
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Review from Colleen C.
Chicago, IL
7/19/2009
I would really, REALLY like to know why people love this place. Or even remotely like it, for that matter.
I went once to the LP location, and never again. It was one of those spur of the moment decisions my boyfriend and I made because some other place was too busy or something.
In short, I felt like I was eating a pool of pizza grease on an overly burnt crust. Well, that's because I WAS, come to think of it. Awful pizza. Horrible. You could've rung the grease out of that slice like it was wet laundry. Eckkkk.
Between the cheap, greasy pizza and the DePaul freshman / general douchebag crowd, I felt dirty and ashamed after leaving Vini's.
Almost as bad as any time I unwillingly step foot into McGee's for another one of those goddamned "all you can drink" parties a friend won. Almost. -
Review from Joshua M.
2/14/2010
Vini's Pizza is incredibly good. It's not the type of pizza I'd order for someone coming into town as a representation of what "Chicago-Style pizza" is, but it's really good in its own right.
Try the double decker pizza. It's not as disgustingly tall as it sounds like it'll be...But it IS exactly what it sounds like... It's two layers of crust, sauce, toppings, and cheese. The ingredients taste really fresh, and their mozzarella is really good.
I think Vini's is going to become my staple place for pizza from now on... They have some good coupon deals on grubhub as well, so that's a plus. Their crust is good, and it gets really crispy on the outside, which I like a whole lot. -
Review from Nik B.
2/24/2009
Come on, serving pizza like this? In Chicago? Tsk tsk.
This was bad. Below mediocre.
Crust: too thick, floury, gross.
Sauce: Tasteless.
Cheese: Pretty much just tasted low quality.
When I went, this place was empty. I wouldn't be surprised if it stayed that way. (It only gets the second star because it was cheap.) -
Review from Courtney P.
Chicago, IL
7/21/2009
It's pretty darn good! And for the price it gets an extra star! Yay extra star!
Okay, so it's not the best pizza in the world, but it serves by the slice (which is hard to come by in this neighborhood) and is cheap and big and tastly!
3 bucks for a giant slice and a drink. 5 for the same plus fries. Now that's a great great deal. I actually like their think crust (not the one they use for slices) the best, and I'm not usually a thin crust fan. And the sausage is great. My favorite sausage in the city...so far.
Maybe I just love it cause I live by pie hole, and am comparing the two...and I'm happy to nat wait 35 minutes for a slice of gross pizza for 4.50. -
Review from Gloria E.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2010
There are so many pizza places in this city, but Vini's is great for it's late hours, and addicting pizza. Once you start eating it, you just can't stop. The cheese is melted on thick and gooey, so you have strings when you pull the slices apart, and the crust/dough is pretty great in texture, no greasiness in the dough. As others said though, it's not the best. It is pretty darn good though, and I probably couldn't have found any other place close by to deliver me a pizza at 3:15am.
I got a plain cheese 14" for about $20. -
Review from Jake C.
Chicago, IL
1/14/2010
For a place with Pizza in the title, the pizza is pretty disappointing here. I'm talking about the in-store slices. I have never had delivery or take-out of an entire pie.
Where they earn their four stars, though, is for the sandwiches. The Italian Beef and Italian Sausage are both quite good, and nice and large. The "daily special" gets you a sandwich, fries, and a drink for less than the menu price of the sandwich alone, so that's the way to go. Every time I've been there, this special has been on the hand-written specials board, so I'm assuming it's pretty much permanent.
The place is tiny, so unless you are there alone, you can expect to be sitting elbow-to-elbow with other patrons. But the nice brick interior is pleasant, and the view out the window is always interesting. I also give them credit for bringing your food out to your table when it's ready, which is unusual for a counter-joint like this.
One more thing: is "Vini" supposed to be a person? I've known people who spell the name Vinny and who spell it Vinnie, but never Vini. I could also note that in the famous quote from Julius Caesar, "Vini, Vidi, Vici," the first part means "I came." So I'm guessing that the name of this joint is probably a sly reference to that. But who really knows? -
Review from Tish N.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
11/13/2010
I had a slice, fries and pop for 5 bucks and some change. The sauce was soooooooo good and I'm crazy about that type of crust. Mmmmm. The fries were fresh out of the grease and amazing. The man at the register (I'm guessing is the owner) was very friendly and inviting. Customer service means a lot to me and that was top of the line. I will be back.
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Review from Ram J.
Hometown, IL
8/9/2009
While I've experienced much worse, the pizza here is just too greasy. Almost absurdly greasy.
I'm not a health nut, but this is pretty much indigestible.
The prices are decent, and everything else is pretty good. Mr. Vini, just tone down on the grease about 300% and you'll be my #1 jam. -
Review from Jimmy S.
Chicago, IL
2/14/2009
The Medal of Honor is one awarded to soldiers who go above and beyond the call of duty. Given my recent run-in with Vini's Pizza, I wish there was an equivalent in the pizzeria field.
Bouts of intense hunger may strike when you least expect them, and when one hits at 1 AM, you're left with very few options. According to Grub Hub, Vini's was one of five places--mostly pizzerias--which we settled on due to their 4.5 star rating. There are a ton of options on their menu, but nothing out of the ordinary for a pizzeria/sandwich shop.
After foaming at the mouth with a building hunger only exacerbated by considering all our choices, my roommate and I settled on each getting a Bubba Beef sandwich, and a side of fries. Grub Hub gave us a waiting time of about an hour--generally food arrives 20-30 minutes early than said estimate.
After about an hour and 10 minutes, we gave Vini's a call to make sure our order hadn't gotten lost in the void that is the interwebs. After apologizing profusely, informing us that they just recently hopped on the Grub Hub bandwagon, thus increasing their business tenfold and leaving them swamped at that hour, he told us our order would be arriving in approx. 15 minutes and he'd throw in a couple free liters of Pepsi. Not being a soda drinker, this didn't entice me at all, but the gesture and explanation were fair enough to content me.
As promised, the food arrived about 15 minutes later. After tipping the delivery guy and bounding up the stairs, I discovered that one of the Bubba Beef sandwiches was missing. We called Vini's back, talked to the guy there who explained they were closing and that if we called back today, they'd give us our other sandwich and an additional large cheese pizza.
Flash forward to present day Chicago, after calling back, the manager apologized profusely and said that instead of just giving us a sandwich and pizza, he would refund us the money and give us our next order completely free of charge. So, tonight we placed an order for a large Chicago deep dish with chicken and spinach, and an order of chicken fingers. Between the two orders, we were given nearly $50 worth of free food--the largest compensation I've ever had from a restaurant for their mistake(s).
As far as the food is concerned, it's a solid three-star restaurant. The Bubba Beef was plain tasting, lacking any real zazz from the hot peppers and beef sauce--the red sauce might be the better choice if you decide to get this. The fries are your basic crinkle fry, but aren't too shabby. The chicken fingers were decent, but there were only four, so if we were actually paying for them, this would've been a complaint--though the Hot 'n' Spicy Honey Dijon dipping sauce was awesome. The best thing we had was the Chicago deep dish, seeing that it was both tasty, covered in a lot of toppings and sauce, and could be stretched to make 4-8 filling meals.
So, in summary, if you want amazing pizza, this might not be the place to go--there are better options in the city--though Vini's is solid, especially being one of the few places open ultra-late night, and I'd probably eat there again. But, if you want a place that you know cares about its customers, going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure they're completely satisfied, Vini's Pizza is the way to go. -
Review from Matthew F.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 3/7/2011
The price is still at 4.45 a slice with a drink, however the quality and service has returned to its former greatness! I'm on the texting list so I always show a text get 20% and it is glorious!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/25/2010
Please note: the price of pizza and a drink has increased to $4.45 this is only the start. I even… Read more »
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Review from Benjamin B.
Gainesville, FL
7/6/2009
If you are one of the people that gets broccoli or spinach or some of that other shit on your pizza, don't order from Vini's. It's not for you. You have brainwashed many other restaurants (that may or may not have been respectable before) into ruining Our Lady of Cheese with your unnatural hippie trash.
Vini's is for you if you like GREASE and SALTY CHEESE. I mean that in the best way. I got a double decker with pepperoni and holy CRAP it's exactly what I wanted. Plenty of cheese and LOTS of pepperoni. You know what else? The cheese didn't slide all over the place when I was eating off a slice, either. It stayed right where it was supposed to be.
I have held off on Vini's because the online ordering doesn't work, and I can get consistently good pizza from many places around the neighborhood, but I am very happy that I tried Vini's. It isn't Chicago style pizza, but it's really, really tasty. This isn't pizza to eat with a knife and a fork with your friends from out of town who want to taste Chicago. This is pizza for sitting on your couch in your underwear and belching while you eat, and maybe drink with some Miller High Life.
You are probably going to drip some grease on your shirt. That's OK, it was an old t-shirt anyway. If you wear nice clothes and then order Vini's, you are a traitor to your class.
Relax and have some of this great pie...save the broccoli for your girlfriend when you want to show your sensitive side. -
Review from Matt K.
Chicago, IL
11/1/2010
I'm pretty sure I actually saw a picture of Vini's Pizza next to the definition of "meh" in the dictionary.
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Review from Gata D.
Chicago, IL
4/12/2009
Love Vini's! Make sure you get the crust extra thin and well done.
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Review from Steve H.
Chicago, IL
5/16/2010 1 photo
Delivery was prompt but the pizza wasn't so great. It's not the taste was bad, it just lacked cheese. I was also dissapointed with the double decker. Maybe I'm just partial to the double decker pizza I'm used to from my childhood but there were no ingredients between the layers. :( The delivery guy was cool. He was super friendly and we chatted about tattoos for awhile. I probably won't eat here again, any pizza that remains in my fridge for a week without being eaten isn't worthy of a second shot.
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Review from Angela Z.
Chicago, IL
6/29/2010
I've only had the jumbo slice here but so far so good! The mozzerella is a good quality soft kind that remains white even when it cools off so bonus points there for not being the greasy cheap kind. Crust was good, not too thin or thick, and the pizza sauce very decent. As far as jumbo slices go, this one is my favorite!
I'll be back to try other food items as well! -
Review from Taylor P.
Chicago, IL
10/14/2010
Decent pizza place. Prices have raised in the past year which people have definitely noticed. Many of my friends used to swear by this place for cheap solid pizza. In my opinion the chicken Caesar pita is the hidden gem on the menu.
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Review from Rosie R.
Chicago, IL
11/4/2009
I think it's the best jumbo slice and pop pizza place I've been to and the pizza is very tasty and exactly what I look for in buying jumbo slices. I've had the Baci jumbo slice and Village Pizza's jumbo slice and they suck! they cheap out on the dough which I think is already premade and not hand made... Vini's is really good pizza for cheap too...
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Review from Cory P.
Chicago, IL
8/11/2009
The pizza was very good and even better reheated. Don't go there expecting a large restaurant as there are only 2-3 tables in their tiny seating area. We went there with 6 people and were fine. They even kept our beer in their fridge for us! This is definitely a great alternative to the touristy "other" pizza places.
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Review from Jason F.
Chicago, IL
6/12/2009
3am: So just got out of the hospital with my girlfriend. After seven hours there and not having eaten all day, we were hungry. Ordered from here as it was only place open. Waited for an hour and a half and still no food at 4:45am. Can't call because they closed 45 minutes ago and still starving. Never again. Sorry.
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Review from Ruud F.
Chicago, IL
1/12/2010
I love this place. Where else can you get a jumbo slice of quality pizza, a bag of krinkly kut freedom fries and a drink for $5? The people who work there are usually pretty cool and friendly. Try it if it sux big woop you're out $5 and in this city that's as cheap as it gets...
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Review from Alissa B.
Chicago, IL
3/13/2009
I just had this pizza tonight and thought it was great! They deliver late night which is always a plus and I thought the cheese was amazing!
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Review from Eric L.
Chicago, IL
5/24/2009
With My Pie gone from Lincoln Park, this is the best alternative around for southside style (thin crust) pizza. Although I would never want to quit living on the lakefront, this sad state of affairs makes me mourn my old inland southside neighborhood.
At least they cut it in squares like at home. -
Review from William C.
Chicago, IL
9/28/2010
Crust was so thin you couldn't even pick up a piece. Very watery too. Will not be ordering from here again.
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Review from Justin S.
Chicago, IL
1/18/2009
Hungry like the wolf. YEAH I was and it won me some pizza here. My roommate thought the title to this Duran Duran Classic was hungry like a fox. A bet was made and I like all food addicts forgo the typical monetary bet and wager lunch. Well I was right so free lunch. Then came the task of finding a place. We saw this place and thought, why not. Well I was VERY surprised. The place was small but nice and clean and it didn't take long for the pie to get to our table. It looked spot on, thin crust, excellent amount of cheese and sauce, plus the true test of a good pie...When a napkin was placed on top in no time it was soaked with delicious grease. The sauce was the best I've had here in chi town. GREAT GREAT GREAT. I still prefer a hand tossed pie, but this thin crust was delicious. I will be back and then, if its still as great, this four stars might become a five. I also might need to bring in my own garlic salt. The staff there didn't seem to know what I was asking for.
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Review from chuck m.
Chicago, IL
6/28/2009
Definitely not one of the best pizza places in Chicago. Not even one of the best pizza places in Lincoln Park. But it's decent food. And who else has $3 (!) jumbo slice & drink combos and is open after 11pm on a Sunday night? Hmm? That kind of deal is unheard of in LP. I'll be back.
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Review from Grace C.
Chicago, IL
3/12/2010
$4 for a jumbo slice & drink! & the jumbo slice is pretty big, got me full. There's limited seating but a nice view out on the street (I guess). It won extra points from me for having a picture of The Johnny Depp posted up on their wall from the Chicago shooting of "Public Enemies". Mmmhmm. Happened right outside!
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Review from Gabby R.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2009
3.60 for a huge slice of pizza and a drink! i'll be back because of that. it was a little hot in there and pretty small but you can't really beat that price for lunch.
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Review from daniel s.
Chicago, IL
9/29/2009
I like getting pizza from here, it tastes good and very reasonably price. The staff could use a little help. They are rude and sometimes I get the feeling I'm being talked about. And I'm not a big sports fan and all they have to watch is baseball or whatever other games the staff like. There are a couple of older guys who I believe own/run the place and they are very friendly. Will be back, but not because of the service
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Review from Clayton J.
Chicago, IL
1/12/2009
The pizza was about as mediocre as it gets. The crust was way too bready, the pizza was a bit cold. I was very hungry, so I ate most of it, but I still didn't really enjoy it. I don't know why it is so tough to make decent pizza in this city, but I feel like a majority of these pizza restaurants aren't worth a shit. Vini's is in a nice new facility, with lots of new equipment, but I can assure you if they keep serving sub-par pizza, they will not last long in Lincoln Park. There is way too many high quality pizza joints in Chicago to be serving mediocre pizza. Please use less bread in your crust, and serve your pizza hot, not cold. The sauce was very salty and tasted like out of the can tomato sauce and salt mixed together. The cheese tasted cheap as well. The service was great, and I appreciate their good intentions, but I"m rating the food in this review, and I think it needs help. I'm going to give you a 3 star rating because you were nice to me.
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Review from Rebekah R.
Chicago, IL
10/6/2010
epic fail. i walk in to get the jumbo slice + free pop deal. cheese, sausage or pepperoni, the sign says. i ask for a slice of cheese. he says it is a 9-minute wait and all they have is pepperoni. i sigh, not wanting to eat meat, and order the pepperoni, which is being sliced behind the cashier as i order. he gives me the wrong change -- stiffed me 10 cents, but i don't say anything. the guy who ordered before me (RIGHT before me) asks how long his food will be. "uh, what did you order again?" and after being reminded he walks away to get the fries for the person. i watch him linger and loiter for another minute or so and have to ask him for my slice of pizza. i get it, and it's definitely less than "jumbo" (not even just by bacci standards). it's a mess of gooey cheese, way too much sauce, and a crust made from frozen dough. i sigh to myself again and go to my table, and fill up my drink. no ice. this is the final straw (star). spend like 2 dollars more and go to qdoba next door, seriously.
