Pat’s Pizza and Ristorante
12” Pat’s Thin Crust Pizza – Mozzarella, Tomato Sauce, Italian Sausage
8” Chicago Pan Pizza – Mozzarella, Tomato Sauce
Owned and operated by the same family since 1950 it seems fair to call Pat’s Pizza and Ristorante an “institution,” and although both Chicago’s Pizza scene as well as the world itself have undergone unprecedented change over the last few years the Pizzeria at 2679 North Lincoln Avenue continues to focus on the fundamentals that have gotten them to where they are today.
Open seven days a week in Lincoln Park, just a few blocks from the Diversey Brown or Purple line, it is upon entry to the storied space lined in black & white photos that guests are greeted, socially distanced seating demarcated with all staff appropriately donning PPE.
Known for Tavern Style Pizza, or “Thin Crust” as Pat’s lists it on the menu, diners are additionally offered an array of Appetizers and Entrees plus three sizes of “Chicago Pan Pizza,” IE Deep Dish at about half the price of Lou’s, Uno or Gino’s.
Opting for the best of both worlds, the Pan taking longer to prepare and thus allowing adequate focus on each style hot from the oven, locals say one has not tasted a true “Cracker Crust” until they visit Pat’s, and far be it for this author to argue as the crisp base crackles to the tooth with pockets of air giving way to herbaceous Sauce, melted Cheese and crumbly but moist Fennel Sausage.
Apparently not the Restaurant’s original location, though the same oven is still responsible for each and every Pie, Pat’s deep dish comes extricated from its pan unlike other Chicago staples, and with Cheese better melted plus Crust richer with Butter the overall effect is a significant upgrade on more famous places without the tourists or lines.
www.patspizza.info
