Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. is clearly a well-known spot, and it’s easy to see why. I visited with my family of 5 and we ordered the Mediterranean bread (a must-try) along with the famous Pizza Pot Pies. We got three one-pound meat and mushroom Pizza Pot Pies, and that was plenty of food for all of us, with leftovers to take home.

As for the verdict: the pot pies were definitely tasty—rich, cheesy, and satisfying. That said, I’m not sure I’d wait more than an hour for it. At the end of the day, it felt like a glorified calzone, and the novelty didn’t quite justify an extended wait.

Still, the food is solid, the interior has a cozy, old-school charm, and the location across from the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (as someone who loves mob history) adds a cool historical twist. I’d happily return—but only if the line isn’t too long.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

My top place for pizza. You cant beat pizza sold by the pound and the Mediterranean bread is SO good!! On weekends in the evening you will have to wait for anywhere from 1 to 1.5hrs and I will be the first to say, IT IS WORTH IT!! You have to try it!!

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Half Pound Pizza Pot Pie, Mediterranean Bread Hand for Reference

My family has been going here for years, about 40 to be exact. It has always been cozy and authentic, but most importantly the food has been consistent and not “modernized”. Recently we went and the Mediterranean bread wasn’t cooked all the way, didn’t have enough seasoning and there was a puddle of butter in one spot. The cheese on my pot pie was slightly browned. They changed the liquor menu, especially the beer options and they no longer pair well with the flavor profiles of the food. It was just a list of the “usual” suspects that you can find at any other restaurant or bar, instead of thoughtful options. They also had a cheap plastic menu instead of the authentic paper printed menus. The male host with blonde hair and a mustache didn’t look well groomed and his hair was messy. Far off from the original aesthetics expected for the staff. He also seemed frazzled, rushing through the restaurant.

Sadly someone close to me knows who the new owners are, said they weren’t planning to change anything, but already seeing cracks. Is this the beginning of the end of this beloved Chicago landmark? Seems to be going down the same sad path Portillo’s went down with their ownership change. I would recommend going while it is still close to the original and before they start changing ingredients or trying to “improve” the food.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

This was the second time we went and their pizza fell off. It was a tomato soup bowl. Barely any cheese and they increased the cost ontop of that! Ya im not going to pay almost $50 for a tomato sauce bowl. Bring back the mozzarella cheese.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 3

An incredible hole in the wall spot. They have VERY limited seating but the food is one of a kind. They have a very unique menu but every option is the best thing they have. The pizza and oven grinders for entrees are great but the flatbread and salads for starters may be even better. The two dressings make the entire salad, especially how they recommend you mix them. They have an Italian ice cream that wraps the entire meal up nicely. Make sure you have time to wait, this isn’t something you can usually just pop in at get seating for. I can’t recommend them enough, this place is worth the wait!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Outstanding, authentic, unique and original.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wait was 1hr and 15mins can’t reserve ahead and if you have a big party you will not be seated until the entire party is present otherwise you will be skipped

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

The pizza pot pie is AMAZING but nearly as amazing as Samantha. You should clone her and fire the rest if your staff (jk, they're also amazing and wonderful).
All hail supreme leader Samantha!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Super crowded and tiny inside the restaurant. Food was decent but nothing special. Definitely not worth the 1.5 hr wait. Waitress and bussers were nice.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Well. First time I’ve ever not tipped in my entire life. Came in at 6 and dropped out name. He said 1.5-2 hours so we went to the zoo lights and came back. Got back at 7:30 and he said 30-45, no problem. Grabbed a bite at RJ Grunts. Went back at 8:15 and he said maybe another 20 minutes. Slightly annoyed but whatever. Ave was our server. Very polite but perhaps unfortunately she was the issue. We ordered a salad, bread, a pound pizza and a half pound. Everything came out correct except she set down two identical sized pizzas and before we even mentioned anything she said “oh you ordered a half pound not a pound.”

In my mind, easy mistake we definitely won’t eat at all but at least the ingredients are correct.

Avi says “it’ll be another 45 Minutes for them to remake your half pound pizza…”

We say “are the ingredients right?”

She says “yes”

We say “then it’s no big deal”

She says “I can take it back and see if they’ll be able to cut it in half for you so I don’t have to charge you for the whole pound but it might be like ten minutes”

We say, very confused “well no we have a screaming hungry child just leave it”

As expected. We eat slightly less than half the pizza. She asks if we want it to go. But we are from out of town and have no where to store it.

She charges us the $40 instead of the $20 for the pizza. Bill is $131. Normal tip would be $26 but she overcharged us $20 so I left her nearly exact change. Felt kinda bad but common sense was so far from present I just couldn’t believe it.

Oh - and she brought the side of olives we ordered with and for our pizza ($3 charge) basically after we were done eating.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 1

Cocktails were surprisingly on point. Always an experience and the food was great. We didn't get dessert but got this lil cute honeycomb treat

Fantastic! First time and had a great time with the ambiance. Highly recommend leaving time for a longer wait to be seated.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food and drinks only complaint which ia not entirely there fault is parking sucks !!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lives up to it's reputation as a staple Chicago restaurant. Absolutely massive portions which more than justify the prices Delicious and fresh ingredients for everything. Most things are made in house where possible.
Staff is friendly, informative and helpful.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Just awesome!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5