Chicagoland’s Ultimate Pizza Spots for Families

Thin crust or deep dish? Get your fill of both at these kid-friendly pizza joints.

Got a hankering for the ooey, gooey goodness of pizza?

Chicagoland is brimming with so many sensational pizza options, from wood-fired creations to crispy, buttery crusts. If you’ve already tried all the go-to Chicago pizza places (cheers to Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s and the like), we have a few new-to-you spots for your family to check out.

 

City

Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co.

This spot is unique because it offers pizza pot pies, which are cooked upside down in a bowl and spooned out for you to enjoy the stringy, hot mozzarella cheese. Choose from a half-pounder or a one-pounder.

Dimo’s Pizza 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)

If you want to pop in for a quick, yet flavorful, slice of pizza, Dimo’s is the place to go. Imagine dishes like chicken curry, mac & cheese and hamburger with tangy pickles on a pizza crust, and that is the deliciousness that Dimo’s serves up. Not for the finicky eaters, this is a place for those that truly want to try something totally different. They heat up flavorful slices fast, including vegan, and have some inventive options, like Chicken n’ Waffles.

Easy Street Pizza

Addresses: 3750 N. Central Ave., Chicago; 2922 W. Irving Road, Chicago

You can build your own pizzas here or choose from one of their many specialty pizzas including shredded beef, BLT, Taco, Hot Hawaiian and more. They also offer plenty of appetizers, salads and sandwiches. 

Giordano’s Pizza

  • Multiple locations in Chicago 

This pizza spot specializes in Chicago-style stuffed pizza and was founded in 1974. Since then, it has expanded to over 65 locations including some in Indiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Florida and Minnesota. 

Homeslice Pizza + Patio

This pizza place divides their menu into meats, veggies, chicken or build-your-own options to make things easier when ordering. All of the locations host events as well.

Parlor Pizza Bar

Check out this pizza place which offers Neapolitan-inspired pizzas in Italian wood-burning ovens. Enjoy the dog-friendly patio during the summer. 

Paulie Gee’s 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)

There are multiple Paulie Gee’s locations, but only two in the Chicago area. Paulie Gee’s Wicker Park is a slice shop where you can create-your-own half or whole pizza pie. They also have red pizzas, white pizzas, calzones and vegan pizzas. Paulie Gee’s Logan Square has wood-fired pizza in flavors like Big Bad Wolf, Beef-A-Roni, Red Hot Cherry Jones, Netflix and Chilee, Ricky Ricotta and more, along with “Logan Squares,” which are Detroit-style pizza squares. 

Pequod’s Pizza 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)

If you like focaccia, then Pequod’s is your place for pizza. They serve up deep dish and thin crust, and are known for their caramelized cheese crust. The deep dish is airy like focaccia and is served up in Chicago and Morton Grove.

Piece Brewery and Pizzeria

Piece Brewery and Pizzeria serves up New Haven style pizza in red, white, BBQ and other varieties. Pick your pleasure from the creative topping choices, including meatballs, clams, mashed potatoes and banana peppers. Our kids’ favorite was the Chocolate Pizza, with homemade chocolate hazelnut sauce and mascarpone cheese on the soft, wood-fired crust. Fresh from the oven, it is heavenly—a melt-in-your-mouth, memorable way to finish a family meal, plus there are plenty of pieces for sharing. I can’t recommend Piece and not bring up their beer. Order an award-winning brew to go with your dinner, or bring a growler home for your honey. These suds take the edge off any tough parenting day.

Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta

With four locations across Chicago, Pizano’s lays claim to being Oprah’s favorite thin crust. It’s crispy, buttery and oh-so-delicious. With just the right crunch and caramelization, their pizza provides the perfect base for your favorite, traditional toppings. Run by Rudy Malnati, Jr., son of the Chicago-style pizza creator and brother of Lou Malnati, this powerhouse pizza family sure knows what they’re doing, from deep dish to thin crust.

Pizza Friendly Pizza

This pizza spot is a bit newer than some of the others since it opened in 2020. This Rock-and-Roll-inspired eatery features Sicilian-style pan pizzas. They come by the slice or by the whole pie.

The StopAlong

This 1980s and 1990s-inspired spot opened in 2016 and offers arcade games throughout the establishment. They serve New York-style pizza, burgers and thin crust pizza. 

North/Northwest Suburbs

Barnaby’s

This suburban staple has been serving up cornmeal thin crust pizza for decades. I devoured pizza at Barnaby’s as a kid, so it’s heartwarming when my kids request their gatherings there now.

Seat yourself in a wooden booth, then order at the counter for a no frills, budget-stretching experience. Pitchers of soda and beer are available at the bar. Listen for your number and soon you’ll be savoring a family tradition.

Dominick’s Vila Rosa Pizzeria

Established in 1967, the Dominick’s may have changed a bit over the years, but one thing has remained constant – their pizzas. The establishment serves up tried and true family recipes passed through the family for generations, taking pride in the deep rich flavors of their classic Chicago thin, pan or stuffed pizzas.

Easy Street Pizza

Address: 711 Devon Ave., Park Ridge

You can build your own pizzas here or choose from one of their many specialty pizzas including shredded beef, BLT, Taco, Hot Hawaiian and more. They also offer plenty of appetizers, salads and sandwiches. 

Giordano’s Pizza

  • Multiple locations in the North/Northwest Suburbs

This pizza spot specializes in Chicago-style stuffed pizza and was founded in 1974. Since then, it has expanded to over 65 locations including some in Indiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Florida and Minnesota. 

Lou Malnati’s 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)

  • Multiple locations in the North/Northwest Suburbs

This legendary pizza chain has been serving its world famous, Chicago-style deep dish since 1971. Along with its 61 locations in Illinois, it has locations in Indiana, Arizona and Wisconsin. They also ship nationwide through Tastes of Chicago. For deep dish flavors, they offer The “Lou,” The Malnati Classic and Cheese Deep Dish, along with their gluten free deep dish pizzas. They also have thin crust pizza, chicken wings, garlic bread, Minestrone soup, salads and more.

Panino’s Pizzeria

The Chicago pizza debate is definitely real. For those who can’t choose a team, Panino’s serves up pizza style’s from across the globe including Chicago-style thin crust, pan, Sicilian, grandma, East Coast and Neapolitan style pizzas. Panino’s chefs regularly compete worldwide as esteemed members of the United States Pizza Team.

Pequod’s Pizza 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)

If you like focaccia, then Pequod’s is your place for pizza. They serve up deep dish and thin crust, and are known for their caramelized cheese crust. The deep dish is airy like focaccia and is served up in Chicago and Morton Grove.

Tievoli Pizza Bar

At Tievoli, all of the pizzas are made the same way as they are in Naples, Italy – fresh dough, San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. They also have a pizza truck that caters wood-fired pizzas.

Village Inn Pizzeria Sports Bar and Grill

They say the best things in life are worth the wait. Take it from Village Inn, which takes 45 minutes to bake its stuffed cheese pizza to pure perfection. Packed with just the right amount of sauce with an awesome cheese pull, this menu item is second to none. We’re big fans of their specialty pizzas, which include everything from buffalo wing sauce pizza to Hawaiian pizza.

White Cottage Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine

The spot is known for its panzerotti, which is a pizza and a calzone combined. They also use homemade pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, seasonings and toppings.

Looking for more pizza spots? Check out some of our favorites near the North Shore and in the northwestern ‘burbs

South Suburbs

Durbin’s of Tinley Park

Voted best pizza in Chicagoland by The Score, Durbin’s claim to fame is its taco pizza, topped to the brim with taco meat, cheese, black olives, tomato, lettuce and sour cream. Stop by on Mondays where every pizza on the menu is half price off.

Fat Ricky’s

Fat Ricky’s has been around for over 60 years and they know a thing or two about deep dish pizza. They also have burgers, subs, pastas and more. You can also purchase a slice of pizza for $3.99. Other Illinois locations are in Plainfield and Romeoville.

Giordano’s Pizza

  • Multiple locations in the South Suburbs

This pizza spot specializes in Chicago-style stuffed pizza and was founded in 1974. Since then, it has expanded to over 65 locations including some in Indiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Florida and Minnesota. 

Lou Malnati’s 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)

  • Multiple locations in the South Suburbs

This legendary pizza chain has been serving its world famous, Chicago-style deep dish since 1971. Along with its 61 locations in Illinois, it has locations in Indiana, Arizona and Wisconsin. They also ship nationwide through Tastes of Chicago. For deep dish flavors, they offer The “Lou,” The Malnati Classic and Cheese Deep Dish, along with their gluten free deep dish pizzas. They also have thin crust pizza, chicken wings, garlic bread, Minestrone soup, salads and more.

Nonna’s Good Life

Voted Chicagoland’s best pizza by WGN, Nonna’s is known for having the world’s largest slice of pizza. At 63-square-inches – or a pound in a half of cheesy goodness – one slice barely fits in a to go box. Available in the cheese, sausage, pepperoni or supreme variety, all guests are invited to take the Nonna’s challenge – eat two slices of pizza in under 30 minutes and score a free t-shirt.

Find even more family-friendly pizza spots in the South Suburbs

Western Suburbs 

Dan’s Pizza

For more than 40 years, Dan’s has served up authentic thin crust Chicago style pizza. Their flagship pizza – The Dan’s Special – is loaded with mozzarella, housemade Italian sausage and is finished with mushroom, onion and green pepper. Other fan favorites include the BBQ pizza (homemade BBQ sauce, mozzarella, sausage, thick cut bacon) and the buffalo chicken pizza (white meat chicken, mozzarella, onions, buffalo sauce). All crusts are made to be crispy on the bottom and soft on the top to soak up all of the sauce.

Giordano’s Pizza

  • Multiple locations in the Western Suburbs

This pizza spot specializes in Chicago-style stuffed pizza and was founded in 1974. Since then, it has expanded to over 65 locations including some in Indiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Florida and Minnesota. 

Little Pops New York Pizzeria

This spot offers its customers New York-style pizza in Chicagoland. They also feature homemade Minestrone, Pasta Fagioli, Acini De Pepe and Italian Wedding soups.

Lou Malnati’s 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)

  • Multiple locations in the Western Suburbs

This legendary pizza chain has been serving its world famous, Chicago-style deep dish since 1971. Along with its 61 locations in Illinois, it has locations in Indiana, Arizona and Wisconsin. They also ship nationwide through Tastes of Chicago. For deep dish flavors, they offer The “Lou,” The Malnati Classic and Cheese Deep Dish, along with their gluten free deep dish pizzas. They also have thin crust pizza, chicken wings, garlic bread, Minestrone soup, salads and more.

Find more kid-approved pizza joints in the West Suburbs


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Chicago Parent Editorial Team
Chicago Parent Editorial Team
Since 1984, the Chicago Parent editorial team is trained to be the go-to source for Chicagoland families, offering a rich blend of expert advice, compelling stories, and the top local activities for kids. Renowned for their award-winning content, the team of editors and writers are dedicated to enriching family life by connecting parents with the finest resources and experiences our community has to offer.
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