Taste Chicago

Being a Chicago transplant, it is hard to be in LA without all of my favorite foods. I crave Chicago-style hot dogs and pizza and devour their tasty home goodness whenever I get the chance. A couple of years ago my parents took pity on our hometown losses and sent us pizzas on dry ice to enjoy in the safety and warmth of the golden state.

As luck would have it, Taste Chicago, a restaurant devoted to all things Chicago resides on a corner just blocks from my apartment. I've been there once or twice but this time it felt like a new restaurant to me.

Owned by actor Joe Mantegna, this quick-serve restaurant has just moved up in the world with the addition of more seating and decoration. The restaurant has its own parking lot (a plus), refillable drinks (plus) and a real connection to Chicago food.

The other day we decided to give Taste Chicago another chance. We walked in and noticed immediately that the prices were a little high. Luckily nobody noticed us just yet and we were able to evaluate the menu before making a decision. We considered leaving, in fact, because the prices seemed a little outrageous.

We prevailed, however and ordered a Chicago-style deep dish pizza with pepperoni and 3 drinks. It took a while to make the pizza but I still feel like they don't do everything right on site (although I could be wrong). While we waited we were able to watch the football game on TV.

The pizza came with paper plates that were a little flimsy for the heavy pizza and sauce and plastic silverware. I think an investment in plates would be a good one.

The pizza, however, was good. It was a little salty with the pepperoni, and if you aren't already craving Chicago's finest you might think it's worth it. But if you are, then I recommend it for a special treat. The sauce is like home, a thicker chunkier sauce that is more similar to something you'd have with pasta. The pizza is deep dish and the cheese and pepperoni are mixed together. Think of it as an icebox pie. I think I would have liked it better without the chunky pieces of pepperoni which made the pizza way too salty. If only they offered spinach...

The crust was really what got me going. It was perfect, with a crunchy edge and a dough center it was just what I wanted. I think if they just gave me the crust the taste of home would come with it.

I will be going back to Taste Chicago. I hear great things about the Italian beef and the Chicago style hot dogs looked excellent and large.






Taste Chicago
603 N Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
Map