Business & Tech
Pick Up or Delivery? We've Got Your Pick for Thin Crust Pizza
This week, our taster took readers' suggestions and tried thin crust from three Lincoln-Way pizza joints.
See future food challenges at the bottom of this column, comment below and you could receive a $50 gift card to a local restaurant in a random drawing. For more rules and details, see the guidelines.
I'll admit that I'm not a fan of thin crust pizza. I just don't see the point of little squares; I like my pizza in sturdy triangle slices, able to handle ample toppings. Pleasing me is no easy task for any thin crust pizza. I do not envy these challengers.
, Mokena
If you ever order from Nancy's online, you'll start getting their monthly coupons via email (often a very good deal). With their huge menu of specialty pizzas, sandwiches and pastas, it's hard to just order a thin crust cheese pizza, but that's what I did. When I got it home, it was still very hot. It's a good pizza on a flavorful crust, but the sauce is a little sweeter than my taste (I never noticed that problem on their stuffed pizzas, which is the only thing I'd had from Nancy's before this) and the cheese was a bit dry and browned more than I like.
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The good: A flavorful crust is a must, especially for a wimpy thin-crust pizza.
The bad: Slightly dried out cheese and sweet sauce was a letdown, especially after the amazing stuffed pizza I've had from Nancy's New Lenox location.
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, Frankfort
After competing in several challenges in the past and even winning a couple (, Lincoln-Way's ), I had planned to stay away from Pizza Mia! for a bit, but because of reader input, I found myself there once again. (You can't ignore a reader who says it's the best pizza in Chicagoland).
I was skeptical of this pizza when I opened the box. The cheese didn't cover the whole pizza and the cheese that was there was so shiny that I was convinced that the crust would be soggy from the grease. I was wrong though. Once again, Pizza Mia! showed me that they know what they're doing.
The good: A flavorful crust, perfect amount of nicely seasoned sauce and gooey, fattening cheese just might make me a convert to thin crust pizza.
The bad: It's not the prettiest pizza, and the tiny edge pieces were largely missing cheese.
, New Lenox
A reader also suggested Papa Joe's, so I went on Monday, when pizzas are half off. The pizza was lovely it when it arrived: the cheese was gooey and I could see just a touch of oregano over the top. The sauce was tasty and savory. The one problem: the crust. The consistency was fine (not too thick, not overdone) but it had the flavor of cardboard. It reminded me of the crust mix that comes in packets from the grocery store. If only Papa Joe's toppings were put on Nancy's crust: that would be a winning pizza.
The good: Great sauce and cheese.
The bad: The crust was a bland, disappointing holder for an otherwise tasty pizza.
THE WINNER: Pizza Mia! Again. Even with its minor flaws, the thin crust pizza at Pizza Mia! hit the spot.
Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.
In upcoming Chowdown Showdowns, we will be looking for the best stuffed/deep dish pizza and local bar with the best tap beer selection. Please comment below with your suggestions!
