13 Chef-Approved Chicago Pizzerias, Mapped

by Daniel Gerzina Mar 20, 2014, 5:46am CDT

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by Daniel Gerzina Mar 20, 2014, 5:46am CDT

Pizza is a food that crosses many boundaries and connects all different walks of life. Chicago's most acclaimed chefs are lovers of pizza too, eating slices after work, ordering at home on days off, and returning to nostalgic childhood pizzerias. From iconic pizza joints to South Side spots chefs grew up with to artisan hand-stretched Neopolitan pies, here are Chicago chefs favorite pizzerias in the area.

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Spacca Napoli

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Chefs and restaurateurs' love of Jonathan Goldsmith's traditional Neopolitan pies runs deep. The list of admirers includes Tony Mantuano, Nick Kokonas, Ryan Poli, Paul Fehribach, Tony Priolo, and Jared Van Camp, who proclaims that "Jonathan is the master."

1769 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 878-2420

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Pequod's Pizza

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Not only is Pequod's a favorite of many Chicagoans but also chefs, proving that customers and experts often are on the same page. Chefs exulting the famed caramelized at this iconic pizzeria include Grant Achatz, Graham Elliot, Carrie Nahabedian, Lee Wolen, Ryan McCaskey, Brandon Baltzley, and Cary Taylor; Pequod's is probably the biggest chef favorite of them all.

2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 327-1512

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Piece Brewery & Pizzeria

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Jason Vincent, Christine Cikowski, and Chris Macchia are fans of the New Haven-style pies, not to mention the beer, at Piece.

1927 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

(773) 772-4422

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Coalfire Pizza

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The artisan pies at Coalfire are at the top of many chefs' lists, including Bill Kim, Dirk Flanigan, Michael Dean Reynolds, John Manion (who made a collaboration pizza here for Pizza Week), and Blackbird's David Posey, who says "I love the crust there, it's perfectly chewy, and their toppings are good. They use high quality ingredients and it shows."

1321 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

(312) 226-2625

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Dante's Pizzeria

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Dante's has New York-style pies, a Catholic motif, and chef fans in Giuseppe Tentori, Matthias Merges, and Mindy Segal.

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3028 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

(773) 342-0002

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Balena

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The pizzas at this upscale Italian restaurant collaboration between The Bristol and Boka groups are big hits for a few chefs, such as Rick Bayless, Nathan Sears and Pat Sheerin.

1633 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

(312) 867-3888

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Bricks Chicago

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Bricks' pizzas are beloved by Curtis Duffy and Nick Kokonas. Duffy particularly loves how the thin crust pies are well balanced, as well as the quiet atmosphere.

1909 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

(312) 255-0851

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Burt's Place

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Homaro Cantu, The Salsa Truck's Dan Salls, and Jason Chan all love Burt Katz's iconic deep dish pies at Burt's Place.

8541 Ferris Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053

(847) 965-7997

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Jimmy's Pizza Cafe

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Up in Lincoln Square, Jimmy's Pizza Cafe has chef fans in Cleetus Friedman and Gene Kato. Friedman particularly loves the white pies here, which are "straight-up NYC-style kick ass."