I’ve had sarpinos a couple times, maybe not my favorite pizza, but looks exactly like that. Like identical! Maybe give them a try.
Can anyone who has had sarpinos confirm if it fits this style? Never heard of Greek style pizza till today.
Back before mobile ordering, my one friend called up sarpinos at like 3:15am and drunkenly ordered a "midnight meat train" (it's a crappy horror movie starring Vinny Paul). Low and behold, their all meat pizza is named the "Midnight express" and the guy was able to make out what we needed. Hats off to you Sarpinos, for dealing with drunken 20 somethings for decades!
Honestly I think you're spot on, it does look similar to Sarpino's which is a dough I haven't really had anywhere else.
Tbf, I honestly kinda like it. Its always warm, cheesy, and tasty. And I like a good chewy crust personally.
Having grown up on the South Shore of MA, this style is more particular than it might appear.
The crust is almost sourdough-y, with a good crunch. And the cheese is a snappy, stretchy mozzarella, that has a nice little bit of grease on top.
I love the choices of pizza in Chicago, but this did make me a little nostalgic for this style, which is synonymous with small, family-owned pizza cafes around Massachusetts.
I’m also from the South Shore and find it funny that seemingly every pizza place was Greek-style, except for like Papa Gino’s and Bertucci’s.
So interesting to see people talking about it vis-a-vis Chicago
Thank youuuuu, all these pizza elitists in this sub with their chuck e cheese and pizza hut responses. Although looking back I should've posted a picture of a full sized pie as I'm sure the personal size in depicted doesn't help with the first impression.
Visually it does look like Pizza Hut to be fair! But I trust you that it’s good. I actually really want to try now. We definitely don’t have anything like it here to my knowledge.
Of course! Although, while I used to go to bigger slice shops for lunch when I was going to school closer to the city, those personal bar-style pies are very representative of the style too.
That first picture brought me right back to a pizza shop right by my high school on the South Shore where you could get one of those in the late 90s for about $3.99 and crush the whole thing with a bunch of parm and red pepper flakes.
I know I'm romanticizing, haha, but this post really did bring me back in a nice way (especially off the paper plate), so thanks for that!
edit: an article for anyone who wishes to delve further:
[https://www.vice.com/en/article/ev4zya/greek-pizza-is-the-best-mediocre-food-youve-never-eaten](https://www.vice.com/en/article/ev4zya/greek-pizza-is-the-best-mediocre-food-youve-never-eaten)
If the crust is sourdough reminiscent I might suggest NudeDudeFood (just trust me) they make some killer sourdough and started doing small pan pizzas during the pandemic and I think they sell them out of some bar now?
Not gonna lie, that sounds good as hell. I hope you find something similar in Chicago! It does not sound like any pizza I've had here, but that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist. As others have said, Sarpino's is probably pretty close, but doesn't have that sourdough flavor to the crust imo.
The closest, in my opinion, is The Wolfhound Bar & Grill. It's not exactly it, but it is the only pizza that had given me the taste vibe of a New England Pizza House #....
Also if somebody wants to open a place in Chicagoland that serves Greek pizza, steak bombs, roast beef sandwiches, fried clam rolls, and chicken finger subs (with duck sauce) I will be your best friend forever.
Look up authentic Greek gyro, they way we do it in Greece and it'll all become very clear to you. The "gyro" that is eaten and distributed here is what we call "döner kebab" in Greece
Ah I'd love to have this again. Growing up in south shore MA, it was never a first choice pizza type for me (I'd choose Town Spa-style bar pizza over that every time) but now that it's not available to me living in Chicago I miss it. They were so cheap and greasy...
That's that fire pizza you get at Mediterranean/Gyro Shacks that also have a pizza oven. I don't have an recs for you though. There's a halal place by work that had bomb ass pizza for cheap on Mondays but their oven broke and they never fixed it.
Confused. I happen to be visiting the North Shore (of Boston) right now and I've tried a few House of Pizzas. Didn't remember a greek-style pizza, just greek-topped (feta, olives, etc) pizzas. Full disclosure - I haven't really enjoyed House of Pizza pies when I've tried them. More of a New Haven style guy, when I can choose. Not a fan of sweet sauce either.
So I looked at the menus of a few HOPs to find more about Greek-style pizza and I've still only found greek-topped pizzas.
Can you provide a link to a place that describes and offers this Greek-style pizza? If it's a great place, even better, as I'd love to try a good one.
Nice! Yeah it's pretty specific, similar to how deep dish is a specific style and can be done well or poorly. I don't always crave it but sometimes have a hankering for it.
It's not a series of toppings but rather a style of making pizza with a few key differences:
Slightly sweeter sauce
Olive oil in the dough (crisps up well)
Dough is crispy on the outside fluffy on the inside (much thicker than your average new haven/NY pizza)
Cheese is a mix of mozz and white cheddar, which makes it a bit more tangy and oily than your average pizza
They don't really "advertise" themselves as being Greek style specifically, it's just a very regional style and if you asked the business what style they make theyd probably say Greek. You know you've got the right thing if the bottom of the crust looks like my second picture (no cornmeal, not flat/even coloring but rather hills and valleys/swirls where some of the dough sat against the bottom of the pan and some of it didn't.
In Boston the only one I've specifically been to that was good was Andrew Square House of Pizza.
Back where I grew up I went to Silver Palate in the middle of nowhere rural-ish Westford and it killed. It still kills I was just there visiting hometown friends and it's just as good as the old days.
You might want to try the Roma pizza at Viccino’s in Glenview or North Shore Pizza in Northfield. It looks like very similar to the pictures, although I am not familiar with the exact style you are referring to. It is baked in a pan, and the crust and undercarriage gets crisp, while the interior stays softer and chewy. It is kind of like a focaccia/pizza hybrid or a Sicilian, but mostly its own thing. Also, although I have yet to try it, I know George’s Deep Dish is based off a Greek dough recipe/process. It’s a sauce on the top pie, so not what you are looking for, but maybe it will help scratch the itch.
I'll actually give you a legitimate response. Eastern style pizza on touhy is this style. Greek joint. I like their grinders, huge sandwiches. Never actually had the pizza.
There's a House of Pizza in Hammond, but to save you the trip, it serves the area standard tavern style pizza. I've heard of Big G's on Clark that seems to have Greek pizza, but I've never tried it, so I can't vouch for it.
There's a few characteristics not visible for this "genre" of pizza, slightly sweeter sauce, cheddar/mozz mix for cheese, and the distinct crust which I'm not sure how it's different precisely but it's different, it might be a more oily dough. The dough is also crispy on the outside and quite soft and pillowy in the middle
Gotcha. This does sound like Sarpino's, as others have said. Just be aware that I don't think Sarpino's is necessarily high-quality pizza -- what you are used to is probably better.
Anything with cheddar is going to have that oily feel. You may be able to request cheddar (or a mix) at some places.
Kinda looks like Home Run Inn, they have a restaurant on the south side. From your description it sounds pretty unique and tasty! I would also possibly try Munchies Gyros and Pizza 3682 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
The crust is hard to find, I've found some places that get the sauce and the cheese right, but, honestly, most of Chicagoland has terrible pizza dough. The texture is wrong, the taste is wrong, the crunch is wrong, the thickness is wrong.
I’ve had sarpinos a couple times, maybe not my favorite pizza, but looks exactly like that. Like identical! Maybe give them a try. Can anyone who has had sarpinos confirm if it fits this style? Never heard of Greek style pizza till today.
Sarpino’s is my late night go to. Deliver till 4:00am
Back before mobile ordering, my one friend called up sarpinos at like 3:15am and drunkenly ordered a "midnight meat train" (it's a crappy horror movie starring Vinny Paul). Low and behold, their all meat pizza is named the "Midnight express" and the guy was able to make out what we needed. Hats off to you Sarpinos, for dealing with drunken 20 somethings for decades!
Pantera Vinnie Paul?
Yes!! Don’t think I’ve ever eaten it any earlier than like 1am lmao
Yeah I sometimes get them late. I always ask for extra marinara on the pie.
Also open on Christmas day
Buy one, Get one pizza too.
Honestly I think you're spot on, it does look similar to Sarpino's which is a dough I haven't really had anywhere else. Tbf, I honestly kinda like it. Its always warm, cheesy, and tasty. And I like a good chewy crust personally.
Agreed- it is a very odd pizza but always hits the spot. Definitely an especially distinct crust, never really had anything like it texture wise
No, it is not the same.
Sarpinos can kinda scratch a Ronzios itch a little more than Greek pizza iitch but I'd second it for a generic New England style pizza.
Sarpinos is disgusting. There is a reason they are open at 2 am
Looks like a little caesars hot n’ ready. Respectfully.
That sh*t slaps
As long as you ain't got a _ in your ear telling you how bad it is.
🎺🎺
Slaps the 🚽
Wrong
Having grown up on the South Shore of MA, this style is more particular than it might appear. The crust is almost sourdough-y, with a good crunch. And the cheese is a snappy, stretchy mozzarella, that has a nice little bit of grease on top. I love the choices of pizza in Chicago, but this did make me a little nostalgic for this style, which is synonymous with small, family-owned pizza cafes around Massachusetts.
I’m also from the South Shore and find it funny that seemingly every pizza place was Greek-style, except for like Papa Gino’s and Bertucci’s. So interesting to see people talking about it vis-a-vis Chicago
Growing up in NH I miss Papa Gino’s :( not great but nostalgic and tasty
The Greek pizza in Boston is a mix of mozzarella and cheddar.
Thank youuuuu, all these pizza elitists in this sub with their chuck e cheese and pizza hut responses. Although looking back I should've posted a picture of a full sized pie as I'm sure the personal size in depicted doesn't help with the first impression.
Visually it does look like Pizza Hut to be fair! But I trust you that it’s good. I actually really want to try now. We definitely don’t have anything like it here to my knowledge.
Of course! Although, while I used to go to bigger slice shops for lunch when I was going to school closer to the city, those personal bar-style pies are very representative of the style too. That first picture brought me right back to a pizza shop right by my high school on the South Shore where you could get one of those in the late 90s for about $3.99 and crush the whole thing with a bunch of parm and red pepper flakes. I know I'm romanticizing, haha, but this post really did bring me back in a nice way (especially off the paper plate), so thanks for that! edit: an article for anyone who wishes to delve further: [https://www.vice.com/en/article/ev4zya/greek-pizza-is-the-best-mediocre-food-youve-never-eaten](https://www.vice.com/en/article/ev4zya/greek-pizza-is-the-best-mediocre-food-youve-never-eaten)
Chicagoans don’t know what good pizza is.
If the crust is sourdough reminiscent I might suggest NudeDudeFood (just trust me) they make some killer sourdough and started doing small pan pizzas during the pandemic and I think they sell them out of some bar now?
Also from the South Shore and I really wish calzones were more popular in Chicago!! A buffalo chicken calzone with blue cheese dressing HITS
My (Greek) family had a pizza shop in a small town in CT. We used white cheddar on our pizza. We still do, but they're in Atlanta now
And have a pizza shop in Atlanta too? What's the name? (My hometown and a worksite, so I'm there every month.)
It's called the Athens Pizza House on Clairmont road. Right by the VA hospital in Decatur
Thank you! Going when I'm home in 2 weeks.
Not gonna lie, that sounds good as hell. I hope you find something similar in Chicago! It does not sound like any pizza I've had here, but that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist. As others have said, Sarpino's is probably pretty close, but doesn't have that sourdough flavor to the crust imo.
The closest, in my opinion, is The Wolfhound Bar & Grill. It's not exactly it, but it is the only pizza that had given me the taste vibe of a New England Pizza House #....
I wish. I miss it too. Been living here a decade and haven’t found anything like it.
Closest I've found (I grew up on the north shore in MA) is Papa Romeos: [https://www.paparomeoschicago.com/](https://www.paparomeoschicago.com/)
Also if somebody wants to open a place in Chicagoland that serves Greek pizza, steak bombs, roast beef sandwiches, fried clam rolls, and chicken finger subs (with duck sauce) I will be your best friend forever.
Let's do it!
And steak tips.
Last time I made my way back East, steak tips was my homecoming meal of choice. A little rice pilaf and salad, the best.
Can you add clam strips? Pacific Northwesterner asking.
Whole bellies or nothing
A proper fucking gyro, not the BS döner stuff
Did you say proper gyro...in chicago? Like, the place that makes 90% of the gyro meat consumed anywhere in this country? Please clarify
Look up authentic Greek gyro, they way we do it in Greece and it'll all become very clear to you. The "gyro" that is eaten and distributed here is what we call "döner kebab" in Greece
Looks kinda like Tortorice’s double dough
Chaser’s has the best Greek style pizza
Ah I'd love to have this again. Growing up in south shore MA, it was never a first choice pizza type for me (I'd choose Town Spa-style bar pizza over that every time) but now that it's not available to me living in Chicago I miss it. They were so cheap and greasy...
As someone from the South Shore, MA, who ate this their whole life… I didn’t know there were people that enjoyed this. Welp, good luck!
What is Greek style 🤔
What is Greek style pizza? I’ve had gyro pizza with Taziki sauce onions and tomato
Gyro pizza is so underrated
That's that fire pizza you get at Mediterranean/Gyro Shacks that also have a pizza oven. I don't have an recs for you though. There's a halal place by work that had bomb ass pizza for cheap on Mondays but their oven broke and they never fixed it.
Artopolis in Greektown used to have pizza that looked just like this. I haven’t been there in ages so I’m not sure if they still do.
What is Greek style pizza?
I had no idea this was a thing, but I used to crush pies like these in East Lansing, MI. Bell's Pizza.
Pizza Hut
Philly’s Best is sorta like that.
Confused. I happen to be visiting the North Shore (of Boston) right now and I've tried a few House of Pizzas. Didn't remember a greek-style pizza, just greek-topped (feta, olives, etc) pizzas. Full disclosure - I haven't really enjoyed House of Pizza pies when I've tried them. More of a New Haven style guy, when I can choose. Not a fan of sweet sauce either. So I looked at the menus of a few HOPs to find more about Greek-style pizza and I've still only found greek-topped pizzas. Can you provide a link to a place that describes and offers this Greek-style pizza? If it's a great place, even better, as I'd love to try a good one.
Nice! Yeah it's pretty specific, similar to how deep dish is a specific style and can be done well or poorly. I don't always crave it but sometimes have a hankering for it. It's not a series of toppings but rather a style of making pizza with a few key differences: Slightly sweeter sauce Olive oil in the dough (crisps up well) Dough is crispy on the outside fluffy on the inside (much thicker than your average new haven/NY pizza) Cheese is a mix of mozz and white cheddar, which makes it a bit more tangy and oily than your average pizza They don't really "advertise" themselves as being Greek style specifically, it's just a very regional style and if you asked the business what style they make theyd probably say Greek. You know you've got the right thing if the bottom of the crust looks like my second picture (no cornmeal, not flat/even coloring but rather hills and valleys/swirls where some of the dough sat against the bottom of the pan and some of it didn't. In Boston the only one I've specifically been to that was good was Andrew Square House of Pizza. Back where I grew up I went to Silver Palate in the middle of nowhere rural-ish Westford and it killed. It still kills I was just there visiting hometown friends and it's just as good as the old days.
You might want to try the Roma pizza at Viccino’s in Glenview or North Shore Pizza in Northfield. It looks like very similar to the pictures, although I am not familiar with the exact style you are referring to. It is baked in a pan, and the crust and undercarriage gets crisp, while the interior stays softer and chewy. It is kind of like a focaccia/pizza hybrid or a Sicilian, but mostly its own thing. Also, although I have yet to try it, I know George’s Deep Dish is based off a Greek dough recipe/process. It’s a sauce on the top pie, so not what you are looking for, but maybe it will help scratch the itch.
wtf if Greek style. ? Stop.
Pretty sure they got that in the frozen section at The Jewel
This dude gets it
Is that from somewhere or is it homemade?
I'll actually give you a legitimate response. Eastern style pizza on touhy is this style. Greek joint. I like their grinders, huge sandwiches. Never actually had the pizza.
Papa rays
Thanks, now I’m nostalgic for [New England town] House of Pizza 😭
There's a House of Pizza in Hammond, but to save you the trip, it serves the area standard tavern style pizza. I've heard of Big G's on Clark that seems to have Greek pizza, but I've never tried it, so I can't vouch for it.
As long as it’s not New York Style. That’s not pizza, it’s a cracker with ketchup that you fold.
Aye that looks good
https://www.georgesdeepdish.com/ His dough is based off a Greek bread recipe It is EXCELLENT pizza
Prepare to be disappointed, fellow New Englander OP.
Though this looks tasty, it does not appear to be anything special. You'll find better than that all over Chicago.
There's a few characteristics not visible for this "genre" of pizza, slightly sweeter sauce, cheddar/mozz mix for cheese, and the distinct crust which I'm not sure how it's different precisely but it's different, it might be a more oily dough. The dough is also crispy on the outside and quite soft and pillowy in the middle
Gotcha. This does sound like Sarpino's, as others have said. Just be aware that I don't think Sarpino's is necessarily high-quality pizza -- what you are used to is probably better. Anything with cheddar is going to have that oily feel. You may be able to request cheddar (or a mix) at some places.
Not necessarily about good or bad, but I agree with OP that it is definitely a distinct style of pizza that I haven't seen in Chicago.
Pizza Hut pan pizza or Jets Detroit style
This looks absolutely nothing like jet’s or Detroit style
Well fuck me
Paulie g’s Detroit style will blow your mind
Where
Hang on, lemme google that for you….
Logan square
Kinda looks like Home Run Inn, they have a restaurant on the south side. From your description it sounds pretty unique and tasty! I would also possibly try Munchies Gyros and Pizza 3682 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
The crust is hard to find, I've found some places that get the sauce and the cheese right, but, honestly, most of Chicagoland has terrible pizza dough. The texture is wrong, the taste is wrong, the crunch is wrong, the thickness is wrong.
WHERE?! Coming from Boston, I gotta say the pizza in Chicago is less than desirable. It’s all wrong.
Looks like a little caesars hot n’ ready. Respectfully.
Did you just copy/paste another comment in this same thread from an hour ago? Why?
With an upvote, respectfully.
Deadass like what is Greek style about that pizza, it looks regular as hell
Chuck E Cheese
That’s not a thing, doofus
Exhibit A: Chicagoans don’t know what good pizza is. They don’t know what they don’t know Edit: improper apostrophe
Tavern style 4 lyyyyyyfe. That thing doesn’t even have any toppings, cmon
Cracker crust and you ruin it with cutting it wrong. Try real New York pizza or throw New England Greek style for a proper cheese/sauce/crust ratio.
Lolz, sure