Beggars Pizza: "We lay it on thick"

Based on some mentions on the forum, I now understand that this is a local chain, and the loop location I stumbled on this week is the latest outpost. Hungry and hurried, I stopped in for a quick slice even though the clad-wearing staff, over-the-top kitsch, and heat-lamp setup all should have pointed me elsewhere. The veggie thin crust was the worst pizza I've ever had, with a congealed pound o' cheese hiding canned mushrooms, a listless freezer-bag-style veg medley, and pointless crust. Fresh out of the oven, perhaps this pizza is better, meaning merely horrible.

Beggars Pizza
310 S. Clinton St.
312-588-0055

Do they take reservations?

Funny, but useful, post.

How were the portions?

i think they cut there pizza in squares if you order a hole pizza . slice's might be pie sliced.
they have a few location's in south burbs.

G Wiv wrote:How were the portions?

on a price per calorie basis, Beggars has to be one of the better deals in town.

stevez wrote:Do they take reservations?

Maybe I should have let them know in advance that I'd be stopping in. Surely if they knew someone of my stature would be coming, they'd have stepped up their game. I didn't have to just order the veggie slice either; I could have asked the cook to send out his best pizza. You know, just have him cook for me. I take blame for the whole experience, as I violated all of the rules.

Are you sure you went to Beggars Pizza?

What's with all these restaurant reviews all of a sudden? Why can't everybody just shut up and eat?

Beggars can't be choosers. Next time try the crack whore special w/open sores garnished w/loose teeth.

The Beggers pizza at 127th &western ave. serves a VERY respectable pie. Don't knock it til ya tried it! anyone agree? disagree?

that is the only one i would go to . think that is the org.

Beggar's Pizza has several franchises located all over the south side. It's been quite a while since I've had anything from them because they aren't that close to me but I've had pizza at the Blue Island (Western location) several years ago and it was good. The one thing that I do have to say is that I remember having to ask them to not use as much cheese as they normally do because it was just too over whelming on the pizza.

I'm going to assume that the quality might differ between location to location (they look to have like 17 or so locations) and apparently they claim to have been voted the #1 pizza in Chicago - albiet the details on how/who this was ranked by seem a bit vague according to the very old menu that I have.

Beggars is OK. I have been there a few times last year. Oak Forest, Blue Island and the Mokena shop. They do lay it on thick. Very heavy with the cheese!
The overall quality of there ingredients/toppings are poor as mentioned in a post above.
Based on past pies I had there I dont think any of there stuff is made in house or FRESH with there pies. All in all its just OK....thats it.

http://beggarspizza.com/

I think Beggar's is one of those pizzas better lukewarm than fresh, actually. At room temp you can at least mop off some of the congealed fat from the top. A pizza to be avoided, unless you truly have no other options.

My wife grew up in Lansing, and the Beggar's Pizza there is somewhat of a local institution. It is in a converted theater with a pipe organ. I only was there once (years ago, when we were dating), and I don't recall if the pizza was good or bad...I don't recall it being especially memorable. There are better choices in the area (Sanfratello's, Aurelio's), but I believe that Beggar's in Lansing still is going strong and has a local following.

Taken all together, this may be the most depressing thread I've read in quite a while. Based on the remarks of even its quasi-defenders, I think philw's advice to

philw wrote:order a hole pizza,

must be the way to go.

Ron A. wrote:My wife grew up in Lansing, and the Beggar's Pizza there is somewhat of a local institution. It is in a converted theater with a pipe organ. I only was there once (years ago, when we were dating), and I don't recall if the pizza was good or bad...I don't recall it being especially memorable. There are better choices in the area (Sanfratello's, Aurelio's), but I believe that Beggar's in Lansing still is going strong and has a local following.

I would sum up the pizza at that location as mediocre or average. If you're someone who likes a ton of cheese you'll be happy,if not,you'll be disappointed.

I happen to like Rico's. Classic thin crust crispy. Carryout and delivery only.

Rico's Great Pizza & Sandwiches
3651 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL 60438-3340
(219) 972-2630‎

mtgl wrote:At room temp you can at least mop off some of the congealed fat from the top.

This is disgusting, and I am not easily disgusted by culinary commentary.

My family likes Beggar's Pizza. We've only been to the original in Blue Island and the Lansing locations, but we've never had a bad pie at either one. We have had to wait a long time to get our order, though, which is why we only dine there infrequently.

The problem may have to do with the franchise you visited. I was really surprised when I read this thread.

Suzy

The most interesting thing to come out of Beggars Pizza in Lansing is a karaoke rendition of Poker Face by two girls who, generously, might have been 8. Dinner AND a show, ladies and gentlemen!

In all seriousness, I eat there on occasion. I appreciate the ponderous amount of cheese they lump on - I even order it with ricotta in addition. The crust is useless, the toppings aren't great, the sauce is nothing to write home about... but hoo-boy! When I want to see shockingly inappropriate karaoke while enjoying a metric butt-load of cheese, I go to Beggars in Lansing.

I had Beggars Pizza ONCE and once was more than enough for me. It's one of those places people actually make comments like "there's a lot of weight to it, they really pile on the ingredients, not like VITO & NICK"! Typical attitude of so many these days. Forget quality and taste, at least you get "good portions" and its "inexpensive".

MincyBits: "metric butt-load"

I was in the S. Suburbs last night trying to do some specialty grocerey shopping. Needed dinner so the Beggars in Mokena was the choice( i dont know the area well, and didnt feel like searching around for once)...

Not very good I gotta say. Sauce was really layered on and by the 2nd piece the sickly sweet taste just wasnt good. Lots of cheese, and the sausage was what it was. Pretty expensive as well. $20 for a Large thin crust. Crust was crisp though.

Best deal of the night was the bucket of High Lifes for $10 (5 bottles in the bucket).

Cant say Id go back, and wished we had gone somewhere else.

I walk by this place everday and never ate there-although tempted. Thanks for the warning!

White Sox drop DiGiorno for Beggars Pizza

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... gars-pizza