Bricks - Topping pizza with Uncle John's hot links

I grew up in Lincoln Park and my parents still live there. It has been a challenge over the years to find spots for dinner with inexpensive grub, a bar, and a casual environment to enjoy it in. I don't know why we were reluctant to try Bricks Pizza over the many years it's been there, but I'm glad that we finally did. They serve crispy "Chicago thin" style, cut in squares, with a nice variety of toppings choices. Their salads are priced reasonably and big enough to share. I'm not a beer or wine expert, but they offer a sizable list of choices. And the below-ground setting is comfy and all-around appealing to me.

Last night, we sat down and our eyes widened when we read the specials menu:


Yep, Uncle John's hot links right there on top! Having missed the Cemitas Puebla-Smoque collaboration the other night, I felt that this mashup could be a nice consolation prize. And it was. They crumbled the sausage into pretty small chunks, but the spicy, sage-y flavors really popped.

(Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics)

I asked how long they would be offering this special and the waitress said, "Until they run out of hot links." I chuckled a bit, imagining that they had a box in their freezer like I used to:


So yeah, LTHers, I recommend heading over to Bricks next time you're in Lincoln Park. Good to have a taste of Mack up north.

Bricks
1909 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
312-255-0851
http://www.brickschicago.com

Uncle John's BBQ
337 E 69th Street
Chicago, IL 60619
773-892-1233

the spicy, sage-y flavors really popped.

I know i'm in the minority here but I find the sage flavor profile better suited to pancakes w/maple syrup than pizza (or ribs). Never could get past it as a hot link, always reminded me of breakfast sausage.

Bricks offers a date stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto simmered in red sauce. Very good. The pizza is out of this world!

rumor is they are opening another post in North Center where the old Grizzly's Bar used to be.

No rumor...per Metromix's "The Countdown" they are to open on December 28th and will feature an on site smoker, so its likely more smoked meat pizzas could be on deck. We live down the street and though windows are covered, tin ceiling is in, drywall is up and beer garden long since completed.

Looking forward to opening and will report back once finished.

Smokin Joe reported in the opening/closing thread about the location at Lincoln and Berenice
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=33696&p=405943#p405943

Big Bricks
3830 N Lincoln Avenue
773-525-5022
http://bigbrickschicago.com/

We went Saturday night, pre-theater (at American Theater Company just one block north) so we got there at 6 and it was pretty empty. They do take reservations, which is probably more useful later in the evening. We ate in the front, in the bar area, but they have a back dining room and an upstairs which we didn't see.

They had a nice selection of beer on tap and interesting salads. DH got the ribs, I got one of the pizzas. Both were good and we definitely plan to go back. Service was friendly, enthusiastic, and attentive. They do put their smoked meats on the pizza, but you can always do a "build your own" pizza. The pizza was crispy, not floppy, definitely a Chicago style pizza.

tapler wrote:Bricks
1909 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
312-255-0851
http://www.brickschicago.com

Going to Bricks tomorrow night as Mrs Willie & I are doing a 'staycation' with another couple who are not that food adventurous & asked for pizza for dinner. We wanted something close to Second City as we are attending the late show.

I hope Bricks fits the bill, if any other pizza place I should consider near Second City, please post, thanks.

It's a little further than bricks, but I'd give strong consideration to Coalfire.

There's always a wait but I admit to a soft spot for Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinders near there--make sure you get the Chef's Salad and Mediterranean Bread along with the pizza

I love Coalfire but it's nowhere near Second City--not even in the same zip code

Here's the address--it's a bit over a half mile away:

Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinders
2121 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
http://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/

boudreaulicious wrote:Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinders

Appreciate the suggestion, I have no idea why but the cup pizza thing just doesn't do it for me, tastes off, always has to me, I've prob been 5 times but that was enough for me.

stevez wrote:It's a little further than bricks, but I'd give strong consideration to Coalfire.

I didn't think Coalfire was that close to Second City. I will say it was easy to find a parking spot near Second City, then walk north a couple blocks to Bricks. Parking once/location was key factor for our evening last night.

tapler wrote:Last night, we sat down and our eyes widened when we read the specials menu:


Yep, Uncle John's hot links right there on top! They crumbled the sausage into pretty small chunks, but the spicy, sage-y flavors really popped.

This pizza is still being served, in fact I think I got the same piece of paper you took a picture of 2 years ago Mrs Willie was not up for it (I should have just got my own pizza, oh well).

The pizza at Bricks I believe holds potential. Really good crust but the big downer for me was that the pizza didn't seem fresh from the oven, almost as if the pizza had been cooked, sat out a bit, then was served to us. Our group of 4 was having a great time & were happily digging into the pizza so I didn't feel like putting my quality hammer down & asking the pizza to be reheated.

Brick’s Pizza, with locations in Old Town and North Center, continues to expand. The Gruber family is planing their seventh location at 128 N. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, according to Ric Gruber.

https://chicago.eater.com/2017/6/26/158 ... ood-report