Michael's Pizza: Joliet's Most Underrated Pizza?

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet area has an abundance of great-tasting pizza restaurants. That so many pizza places have remained in business for so many years speaks volumes to their quality and customer service.

But with SO MANY excellent pizza options in our area, it's easy to overlook some.

Last week's carryout order that I placed with Michael's Pizza was a reminder of why Michael's needs to be in the discussion for one of Joliet's finest pizza institutions. I called Michael's on a whim, ordering one of their specialty pizzas: The Triple Double.

The Triple Double comes with double cheese, double crust and double sausage. I went with the 12-inch pizza for $16.95. Michael's Pizza also sells a 14-inch Triple Double for $19.95, a 16-inch for $22.95 and an 18-inch for $25.95.

When I called in my carryout order, I did not tell anyone with Michael's Pizza I was considering their restaurant for my next food column because I wanted to observe the Michael's staff at Essington Road in a natural setting.

I just told them my name was "John."

"Your order will be ready in twenty minutes," the voice on the other end of my phone said.

Around 8:30 p.m., I arrived at the Michael's Pizza near the corner of Essington and Caton Farm Roads to pick up my pizza. When I walked inside, a courteous young man behind the counter was ready and eager to hand over my pizza box as I paid for my food.

"Just came out of the oven," he smiled.

The Triple Double was as great as advertised. My kids also thought the pizza was terrific.

After moving back to the Joliet area three summers ago, the most obvious question on my mind afterward was, "Why didn't I think of ordering Michael's Pizza much sooner?"

The Joliet Michael's is open 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The number for carryout is 815-436-0707.

One of the pleasant surprises, I realized afterward, was the Michael's Pizza coupon brochure stapled to my box. I counted eight separate coupons in my Michael's Pizza advertising flier, and the top of the brochure notes, "Collect 20 Menus & Get A 16 inch 1-Topping Pizza Free!"

The coupon flier includes a rundown of all the Michael's Pizza appetizers, salads, sandwiches (Italian sausage, meatball, BBQ beef, chicken breast, etc.) and 10 specialty pizzas. There's also original pizzas and Michael's Famous Stuffed Pizza that comes in 12-inch and 14-inch pies.

But if you're not in the mood for pizza, salad or sandwiches, Michael's still has you covered. There's a large array of pastas: baked mostaccioli, spaghetti and meatballs and family-size lasagnas.

This week's temporary shutdown by Gov. JB Pritzker of all indoor restaurants and bars in the Joliet area because of rising coronavirus cases is bad news for many places, but Michael's Pizza is not one of them.

Michael's only does carryout, plus it offers a limited delivery area to Joliet, Plainfield and Crest Hill. For more, visit the Michael's Pizza website here.

"Family owned since 1983," the advertising flier reads. "Michael's Pizza began in 1983 in the kitchen of a tavern."

Michael's Pizza gets my vote for one of Joliet's most underrated pizzas. But how about you? Were you already a big fan of Michael's? If so, what's your favorite item on their menu?