Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder

If I had to pick just one food to eat for the rest of my life, it'd be pizza. Mostly because it's so versatile. Lucky for me, Chicago has amazing pizza in many forms. Stuffed. Pan. Thin. New Haven-style. Neopolitan. Even pizza pot pie.

That's right. Pizza in pot pie form: it does exist! So it's about time that I write about one of my favorite places for less than traditional -- but still delicious -- pizza. That place is Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder, located in Lincoln Park at 2121 N. Clark Street.

Laura Cavoto originally introduced me (and a host of our former teammates) to this glorious place a few years back and I can't thank her enough for doing that. So naturally, when we strolled past on our way home from work today, we decided to stop in for some dinner. Every time we go, we get an order of the Mediterranean bread, a chef's salad and some half-pounders. (A half-pounder refers to the smaller half-pound version of Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder's pizza pot pie. You can also opt for the one-pounder, but good luck with that if you're planning on eating anything else that day.)

When you order the Mediterranean bread, you get to choose between regular and wheat. Once you've made this selection, the Mediterranean bread arrives, piping hot, brushed lightly with olive oil and topped with a mixture of herbs, spices and cheeses. It's amazing. (So amazing that we couldn't wait to dig in before Laura remembered I needed to take a picture.)


The Chef's salad is comprised of cold, crisp iceberg lettuce, roasted red pepper, green pepper, cucumber, pepperoncini, red onion, black olives, green olives, and an artichoke heart. (I know, I know, the picture doesn't do it justice. That's because we served it before I remembered about the photos... I am not a food stylist. I just love food. Give me a break.)


It's a great salad. I don't make my salads at home with iceberg lettuce, due to the fact that there are certainly more nutrient-packed options, but iceberg's got a great crunch that I really appreciate every once in a while. The salad is served on chilled plates, along with a pepper grinder, a jar filled with the same spice mixture that tops the Mediterranean bread and multiple delicious salad dressing options.


One is their classic Italian, made from olive oil, presumably red wine vinegar and a blend of spices. Then there's also the dynamic duo that is their sweet and sour poppyseed dressing and their sour cream garlic dressing. Now, given my aversion to all condiments that are white and creamy, I have never had the sour cream garlic dressing. However, Laura swears that it's fabulous -- especially if mixed with the poppyseed. I personally like a mixture of the Italian and the poppyseed -- no creaminess required. Just a more extreme and delicious combination of sweet and tart.

And then there are the decisions associated with the pizza pot pie. You can choose between original and whole wheat crust, sausage or vegetarian, and mushrooms or no mushrooms. I like the whole wheat crust and I generally opt for the vegetarian with mushrooms, which are whole Creminis, and which I think add something a little heartier to the vegetarian option.

The creation comes to your table straight from the oven, in a bowl with the round golden top adored by pot pie lovers everywhere. Your server takes a spoon and magically inverts the pot pie to reveal a little pizza! The top of the pot pie becomes the crust and reveals a whole lot of delicious cheese atop a pretty tasty tomato sauce. There are all sorts of veggies in this sauce, which make it flavorful without being overly chunky. (Unless you get the mushrooms, which do add some bulk to the interior. Those are the lumps in the photo below.)


Put simply, Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder makes me happy. I love to go there with good friends and eat until I can barely move. Whether we're drinking wine or Diet Coke with our little (ok, big) pot pie meals, I always have an amazing time.

Two caveats:
1) CPOG (as we've affectionately deemed it) does not take reservations. It does, however, serve amazing food. This means that there's generally a long wait to be seated on weekends. Just warning you. Come hungry, but not too hungry. Or you'll get crabby. (Ok, maybe that last part only applies to me.)

2) CPOG is cash only. Come prepared. There is, of course, an ATM conveniently located nearby. But for those of us who get extremely irritated by paying up to $6 in ATM fees for not using a Chase ATM, you may want to BYOC. (Bring Your Own Cash)

All in all, though, CPOG is worth it. I love these pizza pot pies, their simple salad and delicious Mediterranean bread to come back again and again. You should, too.