Ranalli's Up North

I can't find much on the board about Ranalli's pizza. My coworker has been gushing about the "fluffy quality of their mozzarella," but you guys wouldn't miss a gem, would you? Can anyone comment on Ranalli's deep dish pizza?

Thanks!
Ranalli's Up North
1522 W. Montrose
Chicago, IL 60613

If you do a search for "Ranalli*" you'll get a number of hits. None of them are particularly complimentary. I went to Ranalli's on Lincoln once, years ago, and actually thought the pizza was ok. But I was young. And I think I remembered the day fondly mainly because a friend seemed to think his share of a large pizza and three cokes somehow came out to about $3.50.

My volleyball league congregates at Ranalli's on Montrose weekly after playing. They are able to accommodate our group (which ranges from 6-16) on the patio. With the BYO feature, food costs rarely exceeds $10 per person. However, to your question about the deep dish pizza, I can't help you. We order the exact opposite of deep dish: super-thin. Sometimes, a few will get the double-decker which kind of reminds me of a club sandwich with multiple layers of crust and toppings and cheese. (I'm not a fan -- too much crust.) Ranalli's Up North also has a wheat crust option. I don't advise it unless you like cardboard.

Many years ago, I was a fan of the Panzrotti from Ranalli's on Lincoln. I never cared for their pizza very much. The crust always was prefab and tasted like it, IIRC.

While Ranalli's pizza is ok, or even a bit above average, I have a weak spot for their "rib wich" sandwich. Unlike others who serve you a processed slab of meat in the shape of ribs, slathered in BBQ sauce, Ranalli's serves actual meat, cut (or maybe torn) off of the ribs with just enough sauce, on a soft french roll. I usually add my cole slaw right on top of the sandwich and get the onion rings as your side. Can't go wrong.

there's also a Ranalli's in Andersonville on Berwyn, just west of Clark. The pizza is OK but we've been really loving their Italian ice this summer. They make it in-house and the lemon is perfect for a muggy day like today. Tart but still sweet with little flecks of lemon rind in it.

As far as the Montrose location goes, it is a hit with my son, not because of the quality of the pizza but because the new-ish Comic Vault is next door. And pizza always taste better with a fresh Spidey comic staring back at you. Or so he says.

bjt

Has anyone had the Ranalli's pan pizza option? Is it just a more doughy crust or is it more like a Pizzeria Uno's type crust?

http://www.nbc5.com/health/17054739/detail.html