Let me get this out of the way like, right away: I absolutely love this place but I have never considered it a pizza joint.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, because again, I'd be hard-pressed to find another two to three restaurants in the entire city of Chicago I love more.

Let me set the scene, Mashed put out a list of the best pizza joints in each American state.

Canva
Canva
loading...

When I saw their choice for Illinois' I was at first like, "Cool" then I remembered they don't serve traditional PIZZA at the restaurant.

Weird choice by Mashed considering The Oven Grinder was named the state's best pizza joint but it's known for serving pizza pot pies.

I know what you're thinking, "It's a pizza pot pie, How different could it be?" Here, take a look:

ZOKTV YouTube
ZOKTV YouTube
loading...

Other than the ingredients, THIS is not a pizza.

Merriam-Webster defines pizza as "a dish made typically of flattened bread dough spread with a savory mixture usually including tomatoes and cheese and often other toppings and baked."

This is pizza:

TSM
TSM
loading...

Here's the other thing, if you're willing to accept a pizza pot pie as an amazing pizza then what about a pizza puff or a panzerotti? Both have similar if not the same ingredients and I wouldn't consider either "pizza."

top: pizza bottom: panzerotti YouTube
top: pizza bottom: panzerotti YouTube
loading...

Am I making too big a deal out of all this? Probably, yes. The truth is, the food at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. is too darn good to get that angry over.

Matter of fact, I was just there last holiday season. It was a glorious evening with the fam filled with Mediterranean Bread and of course lots of pizza pot pies.

ZOKTV via YouTube
ZOKTV via YouTube
loading...

Bring your patience, (the wait is long, and no reservations) your cash, ("Sorry, no credit cards"), and an appetite to the Oven Grinder, 2121 North Clark Street in Chicago.

Rockford's 25 Best Pizza Places for 2021

If you're looking for good pizza in the Rockford area, you've come to the right spot.

You Cannot Visit Illinois Without Trying These 5 Iconic Foods

Welcome to Illinois. While you're here, we're going to make sure you eat well. Not just delicious food, but the most important foods our state offers.

More From 97 ZOK