Unearth The Voyage
Big pizza chains might dominate the billboards, but Illinois hides some amazing pizza treasures in the most unexpected places. From tiny family-owned joints tucked away in small towns to unassuming spots in Chicago neighborhoods, these hole-in-the-wall pizzerias prove that the best pies often come from the humblest kitchens. Get ready to discover five incredible pizza spots that will make you forget all about delivery apps and corporate chains.
1. Pequod’s Pizza – Morton Grove
Picture this: pizza crust so perfectly caramelized it looks like candy, but tastes like heaven. Pequod’s Pizza has mastered what they call their “caramelized crust” technique, creating edges that are crispy, sweet, and absolutely addictive.
Named after Captain Ahab’s ship from Moby Dick, this unassuming spot doesn’t need fancy marketing gimmicks. Their deep-dish pizzas feature cheese that gets beautifully blackened around the edges, creating a unique flavor profile you simply can’t find at chain restaurants.
Food critics consistently praise Pequod’s as a hidden gem that locals guard like a secret treasure.
2. Papa Del’s Pizza Factory – Champaign
Don’t judge this book by its cover. Papa Del’s modest brick building might look ordinary from the outside, but step inside and you’ll discover what food writers call a deep-dish pizza “wonderland.”
This Champaign institution has been serving up massive, cheese-loaded deep-dish pizzas that make Chicago-style pies look like appetizers. The family-owned restaurant focuses on quality over flash, using fresh ingredients and time-tested recipes that have kept college students and locals coming back for decades.
Their no-nonsense approach to pizza-making proves that sometimes the best experiences come wrapped in the simplest packages.
3. Old School Pizza – Malta
Nostalgia tastes delicious at Old School Pizza, where everything feels like a trip back to simpler times. This Malta gem embraces its small-town roots with pride, serving up pizzas that remind you why local joints beat corporate chains every single time.
The atmosphere screams authentic Americana, complete with checkered floors and vintage decor that tells stories of decades past. But don’t let the retro vibe fool you – their pizza game is absolutely modern in terms of quality and flavor.
Locals treat this place like their personal hangout, creating the kind of community atmosphere that chain restaurants spend millions trying to fake.
4. Razzo’s Family Pizzeria – Rochester
Sometimes the best pizza comes from places that look like someone’s garage got converted into a restaurant. Razzo’s Family Pizzeria embodies this humble charm perfectly, proving that great food doesn’t need fancy surroundings.
This Rochester favorite operates with the kind of family warmth that makes every customer feel like a regular. The owners treat pizza-making like an art form, crafting each pie with the attention and care that only comes from genuine passion for the craft.
Food bloggers consistently rank Razzo’s among Illinois’ top hidden pizza gems, praising both the quality and the down-to-earth atmosphere that makes dining here feel special.
5. Milly’s Pizza In The Pan – Chicago
Thick, fluffy, and absolutely loaded with toppings – Milly’s Pizza In The Pan takes Chicago-style pizza to ridiculous new heights. Their signature “Only Pans” pizza combines cup-and-char pepperoni with peppadew peppers, creating flavor explosions that would make chain pizza chefs weep with envy.
Located on North Ashland Avenue, this spot has gained a cult following among pizza enthusiasts who appreciate creativity and quality over marketing budgets. The combination of ricotta, Calabrian chili honey, and pesto creates taste profiles that corporate test kitchens could never dream up.
With nearly perfect ratings from hundreds of customers, Milly’s proves that innovation thrives in small spaces.
