Old World Pizza and Johnny's Diner

Old World Pizza and Johnnys Diner in the top 10
7230 W North Ave

Elmwood Park, IL 60707-4213
708-456-3000

Old World Pizza is located in a narrow strip mall across from Walgreen's on Harlem & North, near the no-man's land where Chicago/Oak Park/Elmwood Park & River Forest all meet. Elmwood Park has a large Italian population and they know pizza, and they like Old World Pizza.This place has been around since about 1990 and thrives largely on carry-outs and deliveries. Don't be fooled by the tiny interior. They have some tables in case you choose to eat in. The nephew took over the place in the last couple of years.
The original owner was so watchful that it could easily be named the BEST pizza in the Chicagoland area and has won awards as such.
It now suffers a little under the nephew but still rates in the top 10 of Chicago.
Their vegetarian style is also one of the best.

Unlike a lot of other pizza places, here you can also order by the slice. I always seem to go for their deep-dish but their thin crust is also good. The owners are great and helpful. Over the years, they added other menu items besides the pizza and Italian fare,. If you really want a great Italian Beef, or hot dog & fries, you can go down the street a few blocks to Johnny's. [b]Don't miss their Italian ice and one of the best Italian Beefs in Chicagoland area.
They make one of the best Chicago style I have been to New York to California, and Italy too. The Original Old World Pizza is UNREAL!!!! Thin crust cooked on what appears to be brick oven. Corn meal, flaky crust is to die for. If you like pizza you have to try the oldworld special. Now i know why the Chicago Tribune and WGN rated this pizza the best in all of Chicago.

You will probably get a moderator reprimand for not divulging any connection you may have with Old World Pizza (and Johnny's Diner, too, if you had gotten to your review of that place).

However, I have to agree with your post for the most part. The deep dish and thin are equally excellent, though the thin is not really distinct in relation to other good places in the area -- Spizzico, Jim & Pete's, etc. The deep dish is really unique though -- including a generous layer of sauce that has the same tangy flavor as tomato paste, but not bitter or too overpowering.

I wasn't aware of the ownership change a couple of years ago and did not notice any difference around that time. Since I moved out of the area, I try to find an excuse to stop in for a slice whenever I'm in the neighborhood (most likely for other Italian specialties at Alpine Food Shop or the world's best Italian sausage at Nottoli on Belmont). In fact, just stopped in this past week and learned Old World has two other locations.

Original Old World Pizza
7230 W North Avenue
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
(708) 456-3000

570 Brook Forest Avenue
Shorewood, IL 60404
(815) 725-1300

660 N Independence Blvd
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 293-2900
http://originaloldworldpizza.com/

Jim and Pete's Restaurant
7806 W North Ave
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
(708) 453-5204
http://www.jimandpetes.com/

Spizzico
7446 W North Ave
Elmwood Park, IL
(708) 524-8218

Alpine Food Shop
7538 W North Ave
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
(708) 453-3505
http://www.alpinefoodshop.com/

The Original Nottoli & Son
7652 W Belmont
Chicago, IL
(773) 589-1010
http://www.nottoli.com/

As a fat guy and Pizza addict, I can highly recommend Old World.....especially the deep dish.....ohhh, good stuff, but too hidden....
BTW, George Nottolli has probably one of the top 3 Ital. Saus. in the area.