If you live in the Loop, or south of the Loop—hell, even if you live in Andersonville—this place may not seem worth the hike. But for you Far North Siders out there, it’s an oasis in your own backyard. This 60-year-old gem offers three-dozen beers (including La Fin du Monde, Delirium Tremens and Smithwick’s), addictive, cracker-thin “Chicago bar–style” pizza and herb-flecked garlic fries that have quite the loyal local following. Our only hope is that someone fixes the schizo jukebox that’s been playing Hall and Oates every other song.
As far as pizza styles go, Chicago-style tavern pie is undoubtedly the most blue-collar of the bunch. Devoured everywhere from dive bars to family restaurants, the main signs of tavern ’za are square slices and a crispy, cracker-thin crust. Sausage is the most common topping for this style, which should come as no surprise. After all, what could be more Chicago?
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