Alternative to Coalfire for a large group

I'm organizing a birthday dinner for a friend this weekend, and Coalfire is our first choice. The combination of fast, incredibly delicious pizza and BYOB is irresistible.

However, the space is quite small and our group quite large (10-12 people), and if I recall correctly, Coalfire doesn't take reservations on weekends. I still plan on calling Coalfire and seeing if they can accommodate us, but if the prospect of waiting in the cold for a long time for a table discourages us, I am looking for alternatives.

So, what other places can you recommend that offer cheap good eats (preferably pizza or other standard american fare, the birthday boy's preference) and BYOB status? Preferably accessible by CTA and not too far from the near north area.

Thanks!
MR

Just for the record I've seen groups that large @ Coalfire.

The way to beat the prospect of a wait for the best pizza in Chicago, is get there as close to the time they open as possible.

If BYO is your main focus then I would say Punta Cana on Ashland/Augusta.

We did my sister in law's birthday dinner (15 of us) at Punta Cana in September and it was perfect. They are very nice there and the food is terrific. I don't think they charge corkage, while I believe Habana Libre does. Punta Cana took a reservation and had the table all ready for us.
Also it is quite inexpensive for food.

I'd say to call Jonathon (the owner) at Spacca Napoli- and ask him for a table. 773.878.2420
YES SATURDAY night is always busy- anywhere in the Restaurant business- but- no restauranteer worth his chefs whites wants to see someone eat elsewhere.....
If it's not just Pizza- and the BYOB is the driving force....The Mexican Seafood restaurant I like called El Abuelo y Yo, 3752 S. Kedzie- serves some very tasty Shrimp Cerviche,awesome Shrimp Empenadas,etc. AND they are open to BYOB. http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t= ... ght=abuelo

Alternatively- on the Northside, in Albany Park, Al Kyameih- serves some of the tastiest Lebanese/Middle Eastern food in town....the Chicken Shwarma ROCKS! - & , is owned by Lebanese Christians, who are BYOB-copacetic......(as opposed to those other Middle Eastern restaurants that ban alchohol for them selves and others).

Hope you have fun!

I'm sure Pizza D.O.C. in Lincoln Square would take reservations for a party that size. In fact, I'm sure I've been there with a group of 10.
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 62e8fbf262

Also, you could try Piece in Wicker Park. I've been to a birthday party there, and they were very accomodating.

This was awhile ago, but for posterity, we called to warn them we would be coming, then we showed up right when they opened and it worked out great! They were extremely accommodating and a great time was had all around.