Inspired by Bourdain -- Pizza He Would Find Acceptable

As most people here know, Tony Bourdain ripped Chicago pizza pretty well on Monday's show.
I'm usually a deep dish fan (the usual places -- Bacinos, Giordanos, Lou Malnatis) but I'm willing to go in a different direction.
Realizing that this is pure speculation, any thoughts on places that Bourdain might find acceptable?
The only criteria for me is that they would have to deliver to downtown or Streeterville.

considering he only considers pizza tacos the acceptable style of pizza, he'd probably enjoy Coalfire and Spaca Napoli.

But I don't think either would deliver to you... maybe Coalfire?

How about Burt's, the place he actually went to and loved?

yeah i was about to say... bourdain was pretty much floored by burt's

Except the OP is looking for delivery to downtown or Streeterville. Won't get that from Burt's!

OP also seems to be looking for what Bourdain would consider to be pizza, not more deep dish. For as much as AB liked Burt's, he also made it clear he didn't think what he ate there should be called pizza.

The GP wrote:Except the OP is looking for delivery to downtown or Streeterville. Won't get that from Burt's!

That's right. Wife is out of town, so I'm watching my two year old twins.

MBK wrote:yeah i was about to say... bourdain was pretty much floored by burt's

I didn't come to that conclusion at all.

Frankly, I thought he was just being polite when he praised it---As posted above, he liked it but he "wouldn't call it pizza"

He was more self-controlled in this episode than in any of the others that I have watched. He exhibited no typical AB "snarkiness"

DML wrote:As most people here know, Tony Bourdain ripped Chicago pizza pretty well on Monday's show.
I'm usually a deep dish fan (the usual places -- Bacinos, Giordanos, Lou Malnatis) but I'm willing to go in a different direction.
Realizing that this is pure speculation, any thoughts on places that Bourdain might find acceptable?
The only criteria for me is that they would have to deliver to downtown or Streeterville.

Personally, I'm not going to lose sleep over Bourdain's distain over Chicago pizza - I figure that just means more for me.

If you wanted something "like Burt's", there is Pequod's in the city. Similar pan-style with the carmelized crust, although not quite the freshness of ingredients. I know they deliver to River North, so possibly to where you're located.

ucjames wrote:OP also seems to be looking for what Bourdain would consider to be pizza, not more deep dish. For as much as AB liked Burt's, he also made it clear he didn't think what he ate there should be called pizza.

I have not seen the episode but as I have said in previous posts, I was born and raised in Hillside and never heard of Deep Dish until I was in my twenties (early 70's). I grew up on Q's, Villa Marie (Pops), Round up, County Inn and Roberto's in Elmhurst. I'm with Bourdain on this, while I enjoy an occational Deep Dish I don't consider anything you eat with a knife and fork as Pizza.

cito wrote:

MBK wrote:yeah i was about to say... bourdain was pretty much floored by burt's

I didn't come to that conclusion at all.

Frankly, I thought he was just being polite when he praised it---As posted above, he liked it but he "wouldn't call it pizza"

He was more self-controlled in this episode than in any of the others that I have watched. He exhibited no typical AB "snarkiness"

really? his like seemed genuine to me. although, i think he may have too much NYC pride to call it "pizza" i'm sure he was suprised he would like a chicago style pie

ok.....i think the whole point was not to address Bourdain one way or another.

I think what the orignal post was getting as is:

Where is there pizza in Chicago that a pizza-connoisseur from New York would find acceptable?

Here would be a good start but i'm not gonna look through the whole thing to find a place that specifically delivers to Streeterville.

I'm watching my two year old twins.

Two-year-old twins?
Or two year-old twins?
Just curious. Kind of a punctuation geek.

djenks wrote:ok.....i think the whole point was not to address Bourdain one way or another.

I think what the orignal post was getting as is:

Where is there pizza in Chicago that a pizza-connoisseur from New York would find acceptable?

Here would be a good start but i'm not gonna look through the whole thing to find a place that specifically delivers to Streeterville.

I'll stick to my guns - I don't need Bourdain's seal of approval nor do New Yorkers probably care what I consider to be pizza.

Given that rant - maybe the question should be "What Chicago pizza is most similar to New York style pizza?"

Marshall K wrote:

ucjames wrote:OP also seems to be looking for what Bourdain would consider to be pizza, not more deep dish. For as much as AB liked Burt's, he also made it clear he didn't think what he ate there should be called pizza.

I have not seen the episode but as I have said in previous posts, I was born and raised in Hillside and never heard of Deep Dish until I was in my twenties (early 70's). I grew up on Q's, Villa Marie (Pops), Round up, County Inn and Roberto's in Elmhurst. I'm with Bourdain on this, while I enjoy an occational Deep Dish I don't consider anything you eat with a knife and fork as Pizza.

gotta agree...I always felt the thick stuff was for the tourists..I hate the fact that "chicago style pizza" will forever be considered a pizza that sits 3-4 inches high!
I grew up on Ceasers Pizza in Forest Park in the 60's and dont think i had a deep dish until Slicker Sams and Salernos during the high school years in the 70's..ok stuff but give me a regular thin crust anyday..and keep it cut in squares too

I don't think he was necessarily asking for New York style pizza, but something that, perhaps, an Italian wouldn't be embarrassed to call a pizza. There are a couple places near Streeterville, although I doubt that they deliver (perhaps they're in walking distance?) In any case, both Quartino and Madia have wood-burning ovens and put out respectable versions of the real thing.

jbw wrote:I don't think he was necessarily asking for New York style pizza, but something that, perhaps, an Italian wouldn't be embarrassed to call a pizza. There are a couple places near Streeterville, although I doubt that they deliver (perhaps they're in walking distance?) In any case, both Quartino and Madia have wood-burning ovens and put out respectable versions of the real thing.

Not to reahash the same old argument again, but Chicago pizza is the real thing, and it happens to be my preferred style of pizza (both thin and thick). It's just a different style than what they serve in New York or Los Angeles or Naples or Topeka or...

jbw wrote: both Quartino and Madia have wood-burning ovens and put out respectable versions of the real thing.

I like Quartino, but I'm virtually certain there's no wood-burning oven in that kitchen. The place is, however, decorated with tons of NYC subway tile - in case that helps create an authentic experience for anyone.

order from pizano's on north state. you won't be disappointed.

Katie wrote:

I'm watching my two year old twins.

Two-year-old twins?
Or two year-old twins?
Just curious. Kind of a punctuation geek.

For the past two years, I've done without the dashes, but since I will expect this to be a ongoing issue, I'm open to suggestions.

Muttster wrote:I'll stick to my guns - I don't need Bourdain's seal of approval nor do New Yorkers probably care what I consider to be pizza.

Neither do I. Still, since I really like food, I'm willing to try foods that I otherwise might not, particularly when somebody who I generally respect has strong views on the matter.

That being said, I also believe that L20 is far inferior to Charlie Trotter's fish place in Las Vegas (at The Palazzo) so I realize that I may hold many opinions that are not widely shared.

DML wrote:

Katie wrote:

I'm watching my two year old twins.

Two-year-old twins?
Or two year-old twins?
Just curious. Kind of a punctuation geek.

For the past two years, I've done without the dashes, but since I will expect this to be a ongoing issue, I'm open to suggestions.

Considering that "twins" has a numerical component to it and thus "two twins" would arguably be redundant, the meaning seems clear to me.

Kennyz wrote:

jbw wrote: both Quartino and Madia have wood-burning ovens and put out respectable versions of the real thing.

I like Quartino, but I'm virtually certain there's no wood-burning oven in that kitchen. The place is, however, decorated with tons of NYC subway tile - in case that helps create an authentic experience for anyone.

Sub "A Mano" and "Folia", then I agree.

Kennyz wrote:

jbw wrote: both Quartino and Madia have wood-burning ovens and put out respectable versions of the real thing.

I like Quartino, but I'm virtually certain there's no wood-burning oven in that kitchen. The place is, however, decorated with tons of NYC subway tile - in case that helps create an authentic experience for anyone.

I guess I went too far with "wood-burning." They both seem to have stone or brick ovens (altho I'm not sure what they combust inside) and they both advertise "classic" or "authentic" Neapolitan-style pizza, the intent of which, I assume, AB would approve.

DML wrote:

Katie wrote:

I'm watching my two year old twins.

Two-year-old twins?
Or two year-old twins?
Just curious. Kind of a punctuation geek.

Considering that "twins" has a numerical component to it and thus "two twins" would arguably be redundant, the meaning seems clear to me.

You never know--could be two sets of year-old twins. At that point I'd skip the pizza and move on to hard liquor though.

I understand now:

Two [year old twins] v.
[Two year old] twins.

The first might imply four children.

What I've learned the past two years: Sitting at the computer in the early morning, enjoying a nice cup of coffee [we have a Nespresso maker -- not exactly the best, but at the price point, very good] almost becomes a fantasy. Quiet, calm, relaxing, pretty much the opposite of every waking moment usuallly.

Marshall K wrote: I'm with Bourdain on this, while I enjoy an occational Deep Dish I don't consider anything you eat with a knife and fork as Pizza.

Who said you had to eat Deep Dish with a knife and fork?

DML wrote:

Katie wrote:

I'm watching my two year old twins.

Two-year-old twins?
Or two year-old twins?
Just curious. Kind of a punctuation geek.

For the past two years, I've done without the dashes, but since I will expect this to be a ongoing issue, I'm open to suggestions.

This shouldn't be too much of a problem once they turn three

You could do like me and just call them the evil twins!
Of course mine are 12, so they truly do have their evil moments...
especially since they are BOYS
and for about 30 seconds at bed time they have their sweet moment too.
or is it two?