#46 Pal Joeys

On a recommendation from our Cathy's sister and brother-in-law were went to Pal Joey in West Chicago. They even went with us so they had to be confident that it was going to be good pizza.
Started with Fried Match Stick Zucchini Strips with lemon and Onion rings. Both were very good with the highlight being the zucchini strips, they were very tender. Our pizza was a sausage, green peeper and black olives pan pizza. The crust was very light and crispy. The ends of the crust was especially crispy and had a nice flavor to it. The sauce was sweet, sausage had some spice to it and the veggies were fresh. Overall a very good pizza but I would have enjoyed more and larger pieces of sausage.

3 pizza cutters

#45 Buona Beef

Went for a quick lunch at Buona Beef. They have a good selection of gourmet thin crust pizzas. Cathy had the Verdura Misto solo pizza. How cute, solo instead of personal for the size of the pizza. See, I did say gourmet pizzas. I had the BBQ chicken solo pizza, sorry no fancy name.
We did share a slice of each pizza with each other, how sweet! The BBQ Chicken - Solo (Individual) consisted of tender pulled chicken, sweet barbecue sauce, sliced red onion, chopped tomato & cheeses. The Verdura Misto - Solo (Individual) was a mixture of roasted vegetables, black olives & cheeses. The crusts of both pizzas were a basic crust that was thin and crispy. It reminded me of the crust I buy from Traders Joe and bake at home. The other ingredients were fresh and good. Overall, a good lunch pizza if you don't want a sandwich.

2.5 pizza cutters.

#44 Ed & Joes Pizza

On a very rainy Sunday afternoon we traveled to Tinley Park To Ed & Joe's that is known for it's Thin crust pizza. Of course, we started with onion rings as our appetizer. They were crispy and very good. They came with a BBQ sauce with was a little to sweet for our taste. We had a sausage, mushroom and green pepper thin crust pizza. Overall, I thought the pizza was very good. The crust was very thin and crispy. The sauce was sweet, the sausage was spicy, veggies plentiful and big, and the cheese had a nice "burnt" top. Overall, not top 5 but was very very close, Top 10 for sure. While waiting for our pizza we watched rain delay theatre as the Cubs were being rained out and they showed a picture of my hero, Don Kessinger (see above)

3.5 pizza cutters

#43 Barraco's Pizza

A local family business with a south side of Chicago history. They have a carry out store in Lisle.

Ordered a deep dish special (the norm - sausage, mushrooms, green pepper and onions). Being a Friday night and planning on having a pizza and watch a baseball game, we needed beer. Guess what! Right next door to the pizza joint is a liquor store! So pay for pizza, run next door and get beer, come back and be handed a piping hot pizza and off home we head. Let's get right to the pizza, it was good but not top 5. Done. Well I guess I should go in more detail. The crust was crispy, light and was very tasty. The rest of the ingredients were also good but nothing special. the sausage was bland and not spicy. I would recommend more spices to be added to the sauce.

2.5 pizza cutters

#42 Ledo

I am afraid I am seeing a trend in the restaurant business, no wait service. We went to Ledos in Countryside and the hostess stand simply said "seat yourself". No wait staff in sight. Oh No! this is one of those places! I have go to the counter and order and bring my own beer back to the table. I do not enjoy this trend, when I go out I want someone to bring me my beer. I need someone to bring me my beer. Well I will to get off my soapbox and get to the review of their pizza. Their menu shows the prices for thin crust but they do offer a thicker crust so we went with a thick (would be considered a meduim crust at most places) crust with sausage, mushrooms and green peppers. Of course, we had to go and retrieve the pizza from the counter when our number was called (they dont even use your name). The pizza was very good with a nice crispy crust. the sausage was not spicy but was still tasty. The veggies and cheese were fresh. However, the best part was the the sauce as it was sweet but not overpowering the pizza.
Overall, the pizza was very good, not top 5 but probably top 6. Of what I would I would consider "neighborhood pizza places", not the deep dish or famous chains, this would be #1. If I lived nearby I would have this pizza again.

3.5 pizza cutters

#41 Ricobene's

For part two of our lunch we went to Ricobene's for a slice of pizza. Now I must say that they are known for a breaded steak sandwich, so went in not expect a great slice of pizza. Decided on a slice of a deep dish sausage pizza. It had a cornmeal crust covered with chunky tomatoes, cheese and sausage. The chunky tomatoes were a little too tart for my taste. However, the pizza was ok but seem to remind me of another pizza. It was as if I was eating a copy of a Gino's East. So I will have too deduct a half of a pizza cutter for copying. A good pizza but needed to be hotter and a more mild tomato sauce.

2.5 pizza cutters.

#40 BACCI Pizza

Time for lunch so we decided to go to BACCI pizza for a slice of pizza. They have a huge sign that says "Home of the huge slice and a free pop." We the intention of hitting another pizza place for lunch we agreed to share the huge slice. It was a huge slice and a small cup for the pop, all for $5.00. Went with a slice of sausage. To review the pizza I can be quick and to the point. A typical thin crust with a little oregano, tomato sauce, sausage and a good amount of cheese. It was a good value, would be a good quick lunch but just an OK pizza.

2 pizza cutters.

#39 Nonnies

Nonnies is on 75Th st with their parking in the rear. It always appears that no one is there so we decide to go on a Friday Night. We were surprised that it was packed! Hopefully a good sign as a lot of pizzas were being ordered. Ordered a thin sausage pizza. The pizza was good with the crust being crispy, maybe a little too crispy. The sauce was a basic tomato base with a a hint of basil and oregano. I believe the spice was a little too much. The cheese was good but not enough of it. Overall, a good pizza but too crispy need more cheese and less oregano. However, I did learn something, I should have included a rating of how the pizza tastes the next day as this pizza's taste improved the next day.

2.5 pizza cutters