Mama Marino's, Eastern Style Pizza...What Now?

Growing up in Rogers Park, I always liked Eastern Style Pizza on Touhy for their grinders. They had a 2nd location on Dempster in Skokie. When the Touhy location closed the Dempster spot was still there. A few years ago they changed their name to Mama Marino's. They advertised as same owners, same food, different name. Everything was the same except the prices.

But I was in Skokie today and when I drove by they were closed. Not just closed, but the place was completely empty. There was a small sign in the shop next door saying they would be reopening soon. But considering how empty the place was, I suspect it will have to be in a new location.

So, does anybody know what's going on? I'm also curious about the history if anyone is familiar with that too. Why the name change?

A few months back I noticed that the windows were boarded up. One of the locals mentioned a small fire. I grew up in Skokie and knew both the current and former owners. I hope they reopen soon because they had very good grinders for a good value considering the size and amount of meat they stuffed in them. I'll stop in the bagel shop next to them and see if I can dig up some more info.

Thanks for the followup. I suppose, in a strange way, that fire is the cause of closing. At least there is hope they will open again.

Speaking of stuffed has anyone tried one of the stuffed biayls at the next door bagel store. They are hot and they are stuffed with either cheese or cheese and jalapenos. I don't to the area very often anymore but I stopped and picked up one on the way to the Cubs game yesterday. It was just as I remembered hot, spicy, cheesey and a bit greasy. My only complant is that it was a bit dry was sitting out under the heat lamp for to long, but that was my fault for stopping by so late in the afternoon.

It's been a long time. Does anybody know if this place ever reopened?

midas wrote:It's been a long time. Does anybody know if this place ever reopened?

If you mean Eastern Style Pizza on Touhy, yes they reopened. I was there in January.
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Eastern Style Pizza
2911 W Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
773-761-4070

No sorry, I meant the one on Dempster that had been renamed Mama Marino's. The one Touhy, last time I was there, didn't have the Reuben Grinder.

Looks like they are not coming back, Store has a "space for rent" sign on it.

Thanks for the info.

As a little kid in the 1970's, we used to order from Eastern Style (Skokie) all the time, but I honestly can't remember it at all. I went back there sometime around 20 years ago and the pizza was pretty average. I guess as a kid you only know what your parents order for you! My dad said he thought the pizza was lousy, but he absolutely loved the grinders. He loved how they sliced the sausage length wise. I wonder if they still do it the old way at the Touhy location?

I was shocked the other day to see that Eastern Style Pizza on Dempster is gone!

This is one of those cases where I feel guilty for not having gone more often and perhaps I alone am responsible for the demise of a great place <grin>.

Anyone else here fill a late-night munchie need in the 70's with ESP?

Jill

I wonder if anyone is still looking for this little gem of grinders?
I know it burnt and closed a while ago and yes, signs said it would reopen and never did and a new store is there.
If ANYONE knows the owners, I would love to contact them.
I ABSOLUTELY loved the spicy chicken grinder and have not found anything close.....
Please, if anyone knows the owners, I need the recipe!
I would gladly pay or help them open a new store if need be!

No need. 2911 W. Touhy in Rogers Park, Eastern Style Pizza. Everything is just about the same, right down to the somewhat-surly counter people.

Enjoy!