Looking for VEGAN - no cheese - pizza in Chicago..

Does anyone know or have a recommendation of a restaurant in Chicago or the burbs that will make a pizza pie with no cheese (no fake cheese either)? I am specifically looking for pizza pie with red sauce or garlic/olive oil and a bunch of random veggies thrown on top.. like a focaccia without cheese.

There are obvious choices like Karyn's, Mista and Native Foods but if you're trusting on the dough ingredients then artisanal joints (or really any pizza place) will make a cheeseless pizza. Spacca Napoli, for example, does a great and simple black truffle and olive oil pizza. I have every confidence that if you walk in and spell out your likes/dislikes, you'll get what you want from any number of establishments. Heck, even Homemade Pizza will throw whatever you want (and leave off what you don't) on their crust. Best to stick with the thin-crust or Neapolitan-style places. Some of the thick crust or foccaccia-style may use butter or lard.

Won't most places be happy to do this; leave the cheese off? That's been my limited experience. That said, I know Great Lake used to have a (cheeseless) Marinara on their menu. I have no idea if it's still on, though, and this is one place I would definitely not ask for anything that isn't on the menu.

=R=

Great Lake
1477 W Balmoral Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 334-9270

We get orders for "no cheese" pizzas all the time at Burt's, whether it's for vegan eaters or people with lactose intolerance. The key is to throw on three or four veggies to keep it moist. Spinach, mushroom, garlic and sliced tomato would be my recommendation.

Buddy

Revolution Brewing always has some sort of Vegan pizza on the menu. I'm sure they'd be happy to put together something you requested as well.

Any pizza place will do a cheeseless pizza. I frequently order pizzas without cheese. Just say, hold the cheese. Done.
Not sure if everything else will qualify as vegan, but a pizza with no cheese is no big deal.

Apart Pizza has a vegan pizza

seebee wrote: but a pizza with no cheese is no big deal.

Whether or not I'm taking your comment out of context is of no consequence. It's kind of a big deal.

Seriously though, a friend accidentally ordered the Gorgon at Dante's Pizza not knowing it was vegan, and we accidentally liked it.

"Gorgon spinach, portobello, red onion, green pepper, tofu, black olive (no cheese)".

just make sure if it is deep dish , that there is no butter in the crust. I am sure Burt probably makes a fine vegan pizza, but it just wouldn't be the same without that lacy caramelized edge.

Thanks everyone for your replys. I guess I was naive into thinking that a majority of pizza houses which cheese is as an integral part of the pie would not make the pizza without cheese.

Also, be aware that some places uses milk in their dough, too, (like Vito & Nick's.) But, yeah, leaving cheese off? Never heard that to be a problem anywhere, as the pizza is made and topped to order, and it's just a matter of not reaching for the cheese before you put it in the oven.

Paulie Gee's has multiple vegan pizza options, cheeseless and with house-made cashew "ricotta". Also homemade vegan sausage.

2451 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
http://www.pauliegee.com

Coalfire on southport also has two vegan pizza options.

Smassey wrote:Paulie Gee's has multiple vegan pizza options, cheeseless and with house-made cashew "ricotta". Also homemade vegan sausage.

2451 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
http://www.pauliegee.com

out of curiosity how is cashew "cheese"

I generally enjoy vegan replacements for everything but cheese and I've never been in a scenario where I was able to try it because vegans tend to have the same disposition regarding vegan cheese. I can see vegan sausage being good because it's a blend but cheese is supposed to be what it is.

Vegan cheese is getting better. The hard/empty vegan cheeses still suck but fresh cheese like ricotta is a really tasty substitute .

Kite hill is my favorite. http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/02/two- ... -love.html


I say this a a non-vegan cheese lover.

mclarksox wrote:

Smassey wrote:Paulie Gee's has multiple vegan pizza options, cheeseless and with house-made cashew "ricotta". Also homemade vegan sausage.

2451 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
http://www.pauliegee.com

out of curiosity how is cashew "cheese"

As of today, there is precedent to say you should have known I didn't really mean it because I put it in quotes.

I haven't tried Paulie Gee's vegan product so can't personally speak to quality or cheesiness or taste. A friend whose opinion I respect spoke favorably of it. I liked their regular pies, and appreciate that they're attempting a homemade substitute. Also suspect that going for a ricotta texture might give more flexibility than a drier, shreddable "cheese".