If you live at Beacon Hill in Lombard or spend a lot of time visiting residents there, you are in a perfect spot to explore some of the most famous pizza restaurants Chicago has to offer. A quick drive or train ride can take you from the quiet comfort of Beacon Hill to neighborhoods filled with classic tavern pies, buttery deep dish, and modern chef-driven creations.
Our guide highlights Chicago’s best pizza destinations, from old-school neighborhood joints, chef-focused spots, and legendary names that have helped shape the city’s pizza reputation. Each spot is worth the trip from Lombard, and after enjoying a slice of the city, you can return to Beacon Hill satisfied and ready to experience all our community has to offer.
1. Best for the thin-crust diehard: Pat’s Pizzeria on North Lincoln Avenue
If you believe pizza should be crisp, thin, and cut into tidy squares, Pat’s Pizzeria on North Lincoln Avenue belongs at the top of your list. This family-run spot has been around for decades and is known for their classic tavern-style thin crust that many locals grew up with.
The crust is thin, crunchy and strong enough to hold layers of cheese and all your favorite toppings. If you’re in the mood for something simple, you can go for a classic sausage and cheese pizza, or build your own signature pie with onions, green peppers, and olives. Thanks to the light crust, it’s easy to share a large pizza with the table and still have room for dessert afterward.
Pat’s is a great choice for Beacon Hill residents who are looking for a spot with a neighborhood Chicago feel. The atmosphere is casual, the staff is friendly, and the menu is straightforward. It’s a place where you can relax, split a couple pizzas, and enjoy an easy night out with friends or family.
2. Best for a true working-class pizza: The Original Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria
For a classic South Side experience, The Original Vito & Nick’s is hard to beat. The restaurant has roots going back generations and feels like the kind of place where neighbors have been coming for years. Inside, you’ll be met with checkered floors, neon signs, and families gathered around square-cut pies.
Vito’s & Nick’s offers their own spin on a tavern-style thin crust. It’s firm and crisp, generously topped with cheese and sausage, then cut into small squares that are perfect for sharing around the table. The edges come out a little darker giving each slice an added crunch and bold flavor.
For residents of Beacon Hill, a trip to Vito & Nick’s is more than a meal, it’s a trip back in time. You can feel the history in the walls as soon as you walk in. This working-class Chicago gem is all about hearty food and a relaxed atmosphere. Bring along friends who love simple, classic spots focused on flavor, and you might just leave with a new favorite to add in your rotation of must-visit Chicago pizza spots.
3. Best for a chef-driven tavern-style pie: Pizza Matta
If you like the square-cut tavern style but want something more modern and chef-driven, Pizza Matta is an excellent choice. This restaurant takes the familiar thin crust taste and gives it a modern twist with carefully sourced ingredients and thoughtful combinations.
The crust at Pizza Matta is still thin and crisp, but with a bit more texture. Here, you’ll find toppings that go beyond the usual cheese and sausage. Pizza Matta offers seasonal vegetables, specialty cheeses, and bright sauces that show off the chef’s creativity. Familiar flavors are on the menu, but with a more refined style and taste.
For Beacon Hill residents who enjoy trying new restaurants without straying too far from tradition, Pizza Matta offers a nice balance. You can explore something new while still enjoying the comfort of a classic pie. Pair your meal with a salad or appetizer, then stroll through the surrounding neighborhood before heading back to Lombard.
4. Best for a taste of 1940s original deep-dish: Lou Malnati’s
No conversation about famous Chicago pizza restaurants is complete without Lou Malnati’s. This name has become almost synonymous with deep dish and has strong roots in the early days of this iconic pizza style. Today, you’ll find locations throughout the city and suburbs, including convenient Oak Brook and Elmhurst options for residents coming from Lombard.
Lou Malnati’s deep dish begins with a signature buttery crust that lines the pan, followed by a thick layer of mozzarella and toppings, and topped with a bright, chunky tomato sauce. The “Malnati Chicago Classic” with sausage and extra cheese is a favorite, but you can customize your own pie with vegetables or lighter combinations.
For Beacon Hill residents, a trip to Lou Malnati’s can easily become a regular tradition with grandkids, relatives, or close friends. It’s a perfect introduction to the very best of Chicago’s deep-dish pizza.
5. Best for a great deep-pan pie: Labriola
Labriola is an Italian restaurant near Michigan Avenue that has earned a loyal following for its deep-pan pizza. The dough is treated with bakery-level care and often double proofed to develop extra texture and rich flavor before it goes into the oven.
The crust here is thicker than a typical thin crust yet lighter than some of the heaviest deep-dish pies. It has a crisp exterior, airy interior, and caramelized edges where the cheese meets the pan. Toppings are well balanced, so each bite feels rich and flavorful without being too heavy.
For residents of Beacon Hill, Labriola offers a chance to combine city sightseeing with a memorable meal. Spend the day shopping along the Magnificent Mile, visiting a museum, or strolling beside the Chicago River, then settle in for a relaxed dinner with deep-pan pizza at the center of the table. You can enjoy the energy of downtown Chicago while knowing you will return to the calm comfort of Lombard afterward.
6. Best for the tastiest crust: George’s Deep-Dish
At George’s Deep Dish, the sourdough crust takes center stage. The pizzeria serves a deep dish that sets it apart from many other spots in the city, making it a must-visit for bread lovers.
The sourdough process gives the crust a subtle tang and a layered, complex flavor. The edges bake until they are deeply golden and crisp, while the interior stays airy and tender. With each bite, the cheese and toppings complement the pizza without overpowering it, letting the sourdough flavor in the crust shine through.
For Beacon Hill residents who enjoy talking about food and comparing different styles, George’s is a fun place to visit.
7. Best pie for true pizza indulgence: Nancy’s (West Loop)
Nancy’s Pizza is closely associated with stuffed pizza, a style that takes indulgence to another level. Instead of a single layer of dough topped with cheese and sauce, stuffed pizzas are built with a bottom crust, a thick layer of cheese and toppings, then a second crust on top, finished with tomato sauce.
The West Loop location is especially appealing if you like pairing food with a bit of exploring. Before or after your meal, you can browse nearby shops, walk through the neighborhood, or simply enjoy people watching in one of the most energetic parts of the city.
Cutting into a stuffed pizza at Nancy’s feels like opening a gift. It’s rich, filling, and perfect for sharing over a long conversation. When you want a full “pizza night out” from Beacon Hill that feels celebratory, Nancy’s is just the right spot.
Planning Your Next Pizza Adventure From Beacon Hill
One of the best things about life at Beacon Hill in Lombard is having the best of both worlds. You can enjoy a peaceful, maintenance-free lifestyle on a tree-lined campus, while still being close enough to Chicago to take advantage of its world-class dining scene. In less than an hour, you can be seated at a table in one of the most famous pizza restaurants Chicago has to offer.
When grandkids visit, spend an afternoon at a Chicago museum or exploring a nearby neighborhood, then end the outing with pizza at one of our top 10 kid-friendly spots. When longtime friends come to see you at Beacon Hill, make one of Chicago’s standout pizzerias the centerpiece of the visit—great food, time to catch up, and an outing to remember.
Living at Beacon Hill makes it easy to enjoy these experiences without the stress of city living. After a delicious meal, you can return to a home where someone else handles the maintenance, housekeeping, and everyday details. That leaves you free to focus on what matters most: good food, good company, and the chance to keep exploring the region you love.
Beacon Hill also makes group outings effortless. Residents can join organized trips into the city, with comfortable transportation provided by Beacon Hill, so there’s no need to worry about driving, navigating traffic, or finding parking.
From tavern-style thin crust to buttery deep dish and stuffed pies, Chicago’s pizza scene offers something for every taste. With Beacon Hill as your home base, you have a seat at the table for it all.
Choosing a senior living community is a big decision, and at Beacon Hill, we can help make it an easy one. Our continuum of care and flourishing community ensure you’ll feel supported every step of the way. Plan your visit to Beacon Hill and explore your options.
Featured Images: Andrei Iakhniuk, Rui Elena, Rabbitti, Joseph Hendrickson, Luan R L Marques, Supitcha McAdam, rocharibeiro / Shutterstock
