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PizzeriaWest Loop
Bonci Chicago is Gabriele Bonci's West Loop pizza al taglio counter on Sangamon, the first US outpost of the Rome bakery, with rectangular pies cut by weight.
OrderMortadella and pistachio cream; potato and rosemary; whatever seasonal vegetable is current.
TipWalk up at 11:30 for the widest selection. By 14:00 the popular cuts are gone for the day.
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Tavern-cut Thin PizzaAshburn
Vito & Nick's in Chicago is the Ashburn tavern serving the canonical tavern-cut thin pizza on South Pulaski since 1949, family-owned across four generations.
OrderLarge sausage tavern thin, party-cut, with a side of giardiniera.
TipCash and the bar are the rhythm; first come first served. The kitchen closes at 22:00 sharp; arrive by 21:00.
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Tavern-cut Thin PizzaLincoln Park
Pat's Pizza in Chicago is the Lincoln Park tavern-cut thin room on Lincoln Avenue since 1950, with the cracker-crust pies locals send out-of-town visitors.
OrderMedium Pat's Special, party-cut; the meatball sandwich as a backup.
TipDelivery is the locals' move. The dining room is small, the carryout window quick.
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AmericanRiver North
Portillo's in Chicago is the Ontario Street flagship of the chain founded 1963 by Dick Portillo, with Chicago hot dogs, Italian beef and the chocolate cake.
OrderA Chicago dog, an Italian beef dipped, a small chocolate cake shake.
TipDrive-thru is faster than the counter. The chocolate cake shake is a chocolate shake with a slice of chocolate cake blended into the cup.
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Italian BeefRiver North
Mr. Beef on Orleans in Chicago is the no-frills Italian-beef counter that inspired The Bear, opened by Joe Zucchero in 1979, with a sandwich line out past.
OrderItalian beef, dipped, hot peppers. The combo if you want sausage on top.
TipCash only and counter only. Closes by 16:30 on weekdays, earlier on weekends.
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Italian BeefLittle Italy
Al's Beef on Taylor Street in Chicago is the original 1938 storefront opened by Al Ferreri, the Italian-beef sandwich on Gonnella bread that defined.
OrderItalian beef, double-dipped, sweet peppers. A side of fries to mop the jus.
TipEat standing at the counter with the lean-rail. The sandwich does not survive a sit-down booth structurally.