Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Company

Reviews

• Ashley A.

  star star star star star 10 June 2026

  Truly an unforgettable experience! Pizza pot pie is so unique to Chicago that I take all my out of town friends here when they're visiting! It's cash only so be prepared!
  
  Beware, the wait times for this place are insane so I highly recommend coming during odd times or just be prepared to wait 1.5-2 hours. There are plenty of shops, bars, and Lincoln park zoo not too far away. My friend and I came by on a Sunday at 3pm with a fortunate 30 min wait.
  
  The food: we shared the Mediterranean bread and definitely could not finish it because it was HUGE! It's a great appetizer because it's thin bread with great herbs/seasonings on top. The pizza pot pie takes awhile to prepare because they make it fresh so you'll need an appetizer if you're hungry. The pizza pot pie half pounder was a good size for each of us. The whole button mushrooms with the meat and marinara sauce were to DIE for. Did I mention the globs of cheese as well?? literally SO good. I had to choose between showing my friend deep dish or pizza pot pie, and.. I don't regret my decision at all.
  
  Parking: street parking. Either get lucky with free parking around Lincoln park or find street parking nearby.
  
  Overall: I'd come back more often if the wait wasn't ridiculously long but I will make the trip especially if a friend is in town because it truly is special!

• Gloria E.

  star star star star_border star_border 6 June 2026

  Finally got in here to try the flatbread and the sausage and veggie pizzas.
  
  Firstly, when you walk in, expect a wait. Even though I was in the area early, I didn't know the place was open early so I waited in my car only to find out that people were being sat down at tables as early as 3:30. By 4, the wait was already 35 minutes. After a reasonably priced margarita and being pushed around the small bar area by groups and passers, we were called to a table. The flatbread drapes over the edge of the plate, touching the table that I watched being cleaned just 10 minutes before (the cleaning being nothing more than a moist rag pushing crumbs off the sides of the 3 tables in a row.)
  Flatbread was pleasant, but got kind of boring since there are no dips or anything that come with it and none recommended by the waitress.
  The pizza, finally the infamous pizza! it was definitely interesting, with tasty cheese and huge button mushrooms inside, but the crust wasn't as flavorful or special as I was expecting. It reminded me of a Connie's pizza crust.
  The waiters are nice, the service is pretty quick (in order to turnover tables quickly) and I'm glad I got to try it one time so I know that it's an interesting pizza, but nothing crazy special.

• Geraldine B.

  star star star star star_border 2 June 2026

  This place is getting a 4 for atmosphere and experience. It's a place where any Chicagoan would know that is a piece of history.
  Located just blocks away from Lincoln Park Zoo and two other awesome restaurants RJ Grunts and Geja's Cafe. This place is a gem.
  Yes, you wait in line if you're not in there early enough.
  
  The spicy ginger ale is a Chicago brand from Goose Island - so it's definitely well thought out and well played.
  I assume the Root Beer on the menu is the same.
  They frost their glasses before bringing it to you, so that is pretty classy.
  
  The building is the equivalent of a true Chicago garden apartment. Anyone that has lived in Chicago would understand.
  
  We ordered the one pound pies with meat and mushroom.
  Yes, based on previous reading of reviews, I can agree the sauce tastes like spaghetti sauce. A really good bolognese that's given thought and hours to simmer.
  The pies are worth it. I took half home, reheated it in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 400, added some garlic to it and had the rest for dinner.
  The bread pies would be even better if they offered a different type of flavor crust - but that's just one person's opinion.
  Either way, it's still a must visit.

• Jade L.

  star star star star star_border 27 May 2026

  4 stars for the atmosphere and service. Everyone is very friendly here and the decor is almost like an old winter lodge, very cute.
  
  We all had the pizza pot pie.
  The food itself is average, just tastes like some bread with bolognese sauce. However you go for the experience. It's pretty fun to see them tip the pizza out of the pot with all the Ooey cheese.
  
  If you're looking for that classic Chicago deep dish I would not recommend this place but I would recommend for the experience and atmosphere

• Faith H.

  star star star star star 13 May 2026

  SO GOOD!
  We came here for a friend's birthday and I'm so glad we did.
  There was not a single thing that I did not enjoy.
  The salad was big and enough for 4 people to share, as was the Mediterranean bread. Gawd, was that bread amazing. I wish I could buy like 20 and freeze and thaw whenever I want.
  The pot pies were amazing too. Super flavorful. I will say, this was not like a pizza at all. The sauce tasted more like spaghetti sauce than pizza sauce and I just didn't think "pizza" while eating it.
  Still very much worth the money though.
  
  My only complaint is that the wait is too much.
  TAKE RESERVATIONS. You'll still get walk ins....I'm sure of it.