Appetizing, spontaneous and hopeful: Pizza Friendly Pizza ( 1039 N. Western Ave.; PizzaFriendlyPizza.com ) is serving up one-of-a-kind slices from the former home of Bite Cafe.
Pizza Friendly Pizza opened five weeks ago, and is located in Chicago's Ukranian Village. There's a hidden entrance through the back alley on Cortez Street ( where it intersects with Western Avenue ).
Its menu has a range of specialities that anyoneincluding vegans and vegetarianscan enjoy. Customers can choose their favorite kind of Sicilian-style pizza ordered by the slice or an array of creative flavor combinations for both the salads and sandwiches. If you still have room for dessert, don't skip out on the sweet Italian-ice push-up pops that are perfect for a hot summer day.
A standout dish is the Supreme pizza slice, which is topped with sopressata, castelvetrano olives, maitake mushrooms and calabrian chili relish. The Italian cold-cut sandwich is another hit, with a hearty, savory stack of mortadella, genoa salami, capicola, provolone, giardiniera aioli and basil. For a healthier option, The Other Salad includes a fresh and fruity blend of kale, peach, white balsamic, and chevre.
Chef and co-owner Noah Sandoval is to thank for these excellent dishes that he tirelessly worked on to find the perfect flavor combinations. If you plan on drinking, the spot offers Lu Kolsh, fernet shots and a rotating selection of wine.
The walk-up window and patio provide a pleasant, rock 'n' roll-inspired ambiance, combined with the hidden alley entrance for a cozy, yet open feel. Customers can safely stop in and grab their meal or choose patio seating for up to two or three people. Co-owner Bruce Finkleman spoke about opening up shop during such an unprecedented time in the world.
"We just wanted to come up with something that would give us a fighting chancea chance to survive in the predicament that we're in," he said. "The idea of a full-service restaurant especially without, really the advice of our medical leaders about how to do these things safely and what we can actually dowell this is something we can do safely and we are not really paying attention to the inside space yet. We'll turn our attention to that at some point when it's safe to do so."
In this age of COVID-19, the spot sports social distancing measures, mask requirements and pre-packaged silverware for customers. But rest assured: The delightful, warm environment of courteous staff as well as the delicious, unique menu options will exceed your expectations.
Note: Profiles/events are based on invitations arranged from restaurants and/or firms.