pete's pizza on western

Pete's "Neighborhood tradition for 50 years" Pizza is another personal favorite, and I was delighted that the delivery area extends to Albany Park (I'm near 3800 W, 4700 N). Here are tonight's deliveries.

Cheers,
Wade

Pete's Pizza
3737 N. Western Ave.
773-463-7770
http://www.pizzapetes.com



Four-cheese thin-crust pizza (Romano, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Fontina)



Caprese Foccacia (mozzarella, tomato, basil, olive oil)



Eggplant Parmigiana sandwich



Pepper and egg sandwich + side of Italian sausage destined for the sandwich (O.K., I'm addicted to pepper-egg-sausage sandwiches)

Wade -- I admire your good taste. I've been very public regarding my admiration for Pete's in the past -- it is my go-to pizza delivery source (I've probably had over 100 of them since moving to Logan Square two years ago). That four-cheese pizza you picture above is quite good; it gets even better if you have them put some sausage on there, too. Add onions or garlic to that combination and you may have to sleep on the couch, but you'll be in Nirvana. Noting your pizza was cut in squares (not my preferred pattern), you can have them deliver the pie unsliced and do it yourself. This advice has three advantages: (1) you can have properly shaped triangular slices of pizza; (2) portion-control is in your power (little slices, slices fit for a gladiator -- it's up to you); and (3) I think the pizza tends to arrive in better condition if unsliced -- less sliding around, maybe it stays a little warmer.

I also kind of like Pete's braciole; it's not fantastic, but it's solid and they deliver it in an hour, which is a real convenience. Like a lot of delivery foods, I know I could do better than Pete's braciole if I made it myself, but getting real -- when was the last time I had time for that? (Probably sometime before I graduated law school 8 years ago ).

Thanks Wade,

I live about equidistant from Pete's and John's, and I tend to favor Pete's. I love either plain cheese or the nicely photographed four-cheese pizza. I'm not a huge fan of their topping quality (mushrooms are canned), but it's a darn good pizza for a delivery in a pinch.

Best,
Michael / EC

EC -- I agree with your assessment of Pete's non-meat toppings. The mushrooms are canned, as you note. (And why is that? Can't an operation as gigantic as Pete's justify buying even el-cheapo fresh mushrooms and tossing them in a food processor? Will the "waste" really impact the bottom-line? Meh ). Pete's also uses the most vile green peppers I've ever had the misfortune to eat; same issue as above with the mushrooms. That said, "Pete's Knows Its Meats." The sausage is really fantastic; it's because of that topping, ordered on the first of my hundred-plus Pete's pizza's, that I bothered to return.

We are also regular orderers of Pete's. I highly recommend the Italian Beef and Giardinera Thin crust and as a lighter less spicy option, Sliced Tomato and Onion. They slice the onions thin and the tomatoes just thick enough.

When I lived in the Pete's delivery zone, they were a regular delivery pizza supplier. Our usual order was sausage and onion. While the crust is a little short and thick compared to my favorites, it is still very good. In fact, it is good enough that we managed to get more than one "free with 20 coupons" pizzas during the 1.5 years we lived in the area. I actually went to Pete's once for dining in and it was surprizingly good for Italian-American red-sauced dishes.

I also live about equidistant between Pete's and John's, but we tend to favor John's, mainly because my husband likes a thicker crust, and John's gives the option of "double-dough." However, I've noticed that John's is just not as good when it's delivered, and it's better to go there and eat in. My favorite John's pizza is spinach, tomato, and garlic, but - as you were saying about Pete's mushrooms - John's uses a powdered garlic - why would they not use fresh? It's still damn good, though.

atalissa80 wrote:I also live about equidistant between Pete's and John's, but we tend to favor John's, mainly because my husband likes a thicker crust, and John's gives the option of "double-dough." However, I've noticed that John's is just not as good when it's delivered, and it's better to go there and eat in. My favorite John's pizza is spinach, tomato, and garlic, but - as you were saying about Pete's mushrooms - John's uses a powdered garlic - why would they not use fresh? It's still damn good, though.

Aw, jeez, IMO, the reason to go to John's instead of Pete's is that John's regular thin crust is that much thinner than Pete's. In my book, John's "double-dough" is a "double-don't."

At any rate, I have repeatedly cautioned against getting John's pizza delivered or taking it away. John's pizza should be eaten at John's.

Regards,
Erik M.

I agree with you on the double-dough - but, it remains an issue in our marriage that requires compromise, and so we switch off - "Isn't it my turn - Didn't you get your double-dough last time?"

atalissa80 wrote:I agree with you on the double-dough - but, it remains an issue in our marriage that requires compromise, and so we switch off - "Isn't it my turn - Didn't you get your double-dough last time?"

Let me guess, when it is your turn, you request John's "Football" pizza.

Erik M.

Wow, look at all those other items ordered. I live at Addison and Kimball.
We are totally addicted to Pete's, have been for 5 years. I gave up on delivery. I slide over there for pickup now. Delivery on a Monday night
or Tuesday was turning into a 90 minute affair.

Yeah the mushrooms suck, just ask for fresh mushrooms terrific
no extra charge. Sometimes I forget to ask and always regret
when I do. Mushroom problem solved.

I had Pete's cater a couple of parties. I was weary at first but the food was top notch, fried chicken, spaghetti and garlic mashed. Granted hard
to mess that up but my friends still rave about it

Dave

I've eaten there once and the pizza is absolutely horrid. Bland, chewy, tasteless stuff. Almost as bad as Father and Son.

I stick w/ My Pie thin crust, on the well-done side. Now *that* is a thin crust pizza !

tem wrote:
I stick w/ My Pie thin crust, on the well-done side. Now *that* is a thin crust pizza !

Amen to MyPi. I had nearly forgotten about that place. For a 26 year period, I lived around the corner from the Lincoln Park location. I never cared much for their thick crust, but the thin was really thin and cracker crisp. I always ordred it well done and at the time it was my favorite pizza...but I'm fickle. I haven't been there in years. I haven't tried the Wicker Park location either. Is it the same as the original?

stevez wrote:I haven't tried the Wicker Park location either. Is it the same as the original?

The WP/Bucktown location is takeaway and delivery only. I haven't tried the thin crust pie from this location but, as I've said before, I get the dish pie a few times a year, and I find it every bit as good as the original.

Regards,
Erik M.

As for My Pi,

The thin crust at the Bucktown location is my favorite. I've tried John's and find it an adequate, slightly less expensive substitute (Note to John's fans - I didn't eat it there, apparantly a big mistake). I haven't had the thin My Pi in LP, so I can't comment.

One thing that shies me away from My Pi though is the price. Good lord is it expensive. The thin is SO thin that you have to order a size larger than normal to feed yourself. I had a medium vegetarian delivered once and after tax, tip, delivery it was about $22 (pickup runs about $18 for a medium). I know we've discussed this before in the plethora of pizza threads, but $22 is a lot of markup for the 2$ worth of ingredients not to mention a lot of money to pay for a pizza dinner for one.

vegmojo