I've turned into a big fan of Pizanos. Now open in Glenview (in addition to N. State and E. Madison). But it's expensive.

I'm new to this website and forum. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to weigh in on the pizza discussion. I have no connection to these restaurants, but am a big fan of Traverso's at about 156th and Harlem in Orland Park. Their thin crust sausage pizza beats any pizza I've ever tasted in the last 63 years anywhere in the country! How's that for an endorsement!? Papa Joes on LaGrange Road in Orland Park is a close second. It's a little drive from Chicago, but worth it. The crust isn't the Edwardo's type crumbly-thin kind (Edwardo's is also great, we eat there a lot, too), but I assume this topic here refers to non-pan-type pizza. And parking is free. Has anyone else here tried them yet?

a late welcome to you
That is some tall praise, I actaully am headed that way this week and will give them a shot.

Best value in a thin crust pizza has to be Beer Bistro's (Madison/Carpenter) $5 fourteen inch pizza (cheese) on Mondays. Toppings are a buck each. The pizza isn't the best I've had, but it's good and at that price, unbeatable. And to top it all off, they're a member of Mileage Plus Dining!

Went to Spacca Napoli last night (1769 W. Sunnyside Ave.; 773-878-2420) with some other FT'ers. Spacca Napoli served some of the best mozzarella di bufala I've had and the prosciutto with arugula pizza was delicious as well.

Check out Antica Pizzeria in Andersonville. I like it even better because there's rarely a wait, and the owner (Mario) will sit with you and chat your ear off if you let him. The pizza is, IMO, on par with Spacca Napoli if not better.

A top-rated pizza place where there's never a wait and the owner sits around waiting to talk to people who wander in? Not for me. Those examples give the impression it's not highly regarded nor does it see much of a repeat business. There's generally a reason the best places sometimes have waits and the owners are busy baking pies. A good reason. They're good.

Lots of pizza choices in the city, though - something to meet the needs and wants of everyone. I don't think I have just one favorite. I do like the thin crust at Lou Malnati's, and the cracker crust at Candlelite (both on the N. side of the city).

Last time I went was in '06: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/5247398-post57.html at that time found the pizza topping heavy.

Wow, rush to judge much?

I think it's at least as good as Spaca Napoli. Add to that the fact that, while it gets crowded, I've never had to wait and a friendly owner (who probably only talks to us because we're regulars), and why wouldn't you want to at least try it?

Some people just need their snob appeal I guess...

FWIW, Art Smith of Table 52, makes the rounds, visits with guests, signs autographs etc. I don't think the quality suffers too much.

For my money Piece is the best place to go for thin crust. Besides the awesome pizza and variety of toppings (I love the fact that the bacon pizza has entire strips of bacon instead of bits) they also have top-notch beer and a great atmosphere to meet people with the shared tables.

True story - a few years ago I ordered 2 pizzas for pickup. When I got them and paid I took a peek and noticed one of the toppings was incorrect. I pointed it out and they were super-apologetic and nice about it and asked me to wait while they made me a new one. Ten minutes later I had my corrected pizza and they gave me the entire order for free, even though I did not ask for it or complain about their mistake. Now that's customer service!

The thin-crust pizza at Great Lake in Andersonville was rated the best pizza in the US by GQ:
http://www.gq.com/food-travel/alan-r...deshow#slide=1

Be prepared for long waits and for your pizza to be served with a side of attitude.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/great-lake-chicago

I agree piece is a fabby place, especially their white smoked chicken pie but my fave hands down has to be D'Agostino's right in my back yard in Wrigleyville. If you go to the Cubs games, they are now the vendor of all things pizza in the park.

Had dinner there last Friday -- still as good as it was and it's still my favorite thin crust place in Chicago.

I"m looking forward to trying this one on my next trip to Cgo in a few weeks. Love their burgers and I"m fully expecting the pizza to meet expectations (good company won't hurt, either).

I was there not too long ago. (Heard it was Rahm's favorite pizza in Chicago.)

The Mozzarella app I had was outstanding. unfortunately, the pizza itself was mediocre. Crust was one soggy mess in the middle.