10 Illinois Pizza Places That Locals Swear Serve The Best Slices In The State
Folded in half, dripping a little, and held over a paper plate, a great slice of pizza can turn an ordinary Tuesday into a small celebration. Illinois is famous for deep dish, but plenty of locals will tell you the real magic happens one slice at a time.
From college-town counters to old-school family joints, these spots serve slices worth a drive across the state. Grab a few bucks, round up the family, and get ready to find your new favorite stop.
1. Joe Gallina’s Pizza, Springfield, IL
Just a short walk from the heart of downtown Springfield, a family-run pizza shop serves slices that would make a New Yorker feel right at home. Joe Gallina’s brings East Coast style to the capital city, and it does so with plenty of old-fashioned Italian charm.
The crust is the first thing you notice. It is light and crispy on the bottom, yet soft and fluffy right under the sauce, which has a flavor all its own.
Pepperoni curls into little cups as it bakes, catching tiny pools of savory goodness. Pizza by the slice sits right on the menu, so a quick lunch never has to turn into a whole pie.
Hungry crews can also branch out into stromboli, lasagna, huge Italian sandwiches, and garlic bread rich enough to count as a treat. Comfy diner booths make the room feel like a neighborhood hangout from decades past.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs, and most meals land between $10 and $20 per person. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM and closed Sundays.
Saturday afternoons get busy, and parking can be tricky, so a weekday visit is the smart move.
2. Hoops Pub & Pizza, Peoria, IL
Since the 1990s, Main Street in Peoria has had a go-to spot for thin crust pizza with a side of good fun. Hoops Pub & Pizza feels like a quaint little neighborhood joint where everyone seems to know the drill: grab a seat, pick a slice, and relax.
Ordering by the slice is a big part of the appeal. Each one is made to order with whatever toppings you like, which makes it easy to sample the specialty pies without committing to a whole pizza.
The plain cheese slice has its own loyal following, and plenty of locals remember it as the best thing they ate growing up.
Beyond pizza, the menu leans hearty. The stromboli is famously massive, and the Italian beef deluxe and nachos topped with Italian beef bring a real Central Illinois flavor to the table.
A meaty pie rounds out the lineup for big appetites.
Prices stay friendly at about $10 to $20 per person. The kitchen runs late, staying open until 4 AM Thursday through Saturday, and the doors are closed on Sundays.
Service moves quickly, games often play on the screens, and the casual, cozy room welcomes families just as warmly as it welcomes college crowds.
3. SliceHub Pizzeria, Peoria, IL
Six dollars. That is roughly what it costs to walk out of SliceHub with a jumbo slice and a fountain soda, tax included, any day of the week.
For families stretching a weekend budget, that number alone makes this Peoria stop worth knowing about.
Located on West Bradley Avenue near Bradley University, SliceHub is all about size. The slices are enormous, the kind that hang over the edge of the plate and make kids laugh before the first bite.
Those feeding a crowd can go even bigger with a 30-inch pizza for around $49, which is basically a party on a tray.
Sausage slices are a house favorite, but the menu also covers pasta, burgers, and sandwiches. Ice cream makes a sweet finish, and the friendly staff keeps things moving fast.
Seating is casual with no table service, so the mood stays easy and low-key.
Most visits cost between $1 and $10 per person, making it one of the cheapest meals on this list. Doors open daily from 10 AM until 3 AM.
Parking is free and usually plentiful, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, which makes a summer evening stop even more fun.
4. Manolo’s Pizza & Empanadas, Urbana, IL
Pizza and empanadas under one roof might sound like an odd pairing, yet one taste at Manolo’s in Urbana makes the combo feel completely natural. Many consider it the best pizza near the University of Illinois campus, and the golden, flaky empanadas are just as impressive.
Gourmet is the best word for the specialty pies. The Spotted Goat Chicken Pesto and Manolo’s Mushroom, offered in a vegan version and a Modena chicken version, show off a creative streak you rarely see at a counter-service spot.
Seasonal surprises appear too, like an apple butter bacon pizza that tastes like autumn in Illinois.
Individual slices are generous, and thin crust and gluten-free choices mean almost everyone in the family can find something. A full vegetarian menu adds even more options.
Save room for a dessert empanada, which tucks a sweet treat inside a warm pastry shell.
Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday and until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with Sundays off.
There is no restroom on site, so plan ahead, and grab a seat outside on nice days, where dogs are welcome.
5. Flingers Pizza Pub, Bloomington, IL
Three slices and a drink for just over seven dollars is the kind of weekday lunch deal that Bloomington-Normal locals guard like a family secret. Flingers Pizza Pub has built a loyal following by pairing that kind of value with pizza that easily rivals pricier spots in town.
Crispy thin crust is the star here. Beyond classic toppings, the menu is packed with craft pizzas you will not find anywhere else, including the White Chick and the Blackjack Mac.
Whatever your family likes on a pie, chances are good there is a slice to match.
Lunch is especially popular because it is so quick and easy. A tasty slice and a fresh, colorful salad make a satisfying midday meal without hurting the wallet.
Jumbo wings, breadsticks, and a warm skillet cookie round out a full family dinner.
Prices typically fall between $10 and $20 per person. The pub opens daily at 11 AM and stays open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Parking is free and plentiful, high chairs are available, and reservations are accepted. There is even a drive-through and curbside pickup for nights when pajamas sound better than going inside.
6. Bennie’s Pizza Pub, Belleville, IL
Forget dainty triangles. At Bennie’s Pizza Pub in downtown Belleville, a single slice equals one quarter of a whole pizza, which is fun, filling, and surprisingly affordable all at once.
The location on East Main Street puts you right in the middle of one of the prettiest downtowns in the Metro East. Inside, the vibe is chill and groovy, with live music on some nights and a nice back patio for warm Illinois evenings.
It feels relaxed enough for a family night out and lively enough to feel special.
Specialty pies are where Bennie’s shows off its personality. The Hawaiian Hog slice has a big fan base, and the Dill Pickle pizza is a quirky pick that adventurous kids love to brag about trying.
Classic pepperoni, supreme, and meat lovers keep traditional eaters happy, while garlic cheese bread makes a great starter. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean nobody is left out.
Most meals land around $10 to $20 per person. Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Wednesday, later Thursday through Saturday, and the doors are closed on Sundays.
Many people order an extra slice to go, and honestly, that is a very smart plan.
7. Pagliai’s of Carbondale, Carbondale, IL
Road trips through Southern Illinois have a way of including a detour to Pagliai’s. For many families, no visit to Carbondale feels finished until someone stops in for a slice, and that tradition says a lot about this family-owned favorite.
Sitting on South Illinois Avenue near the Southern Illinois University area, Pagliai’s offers something rare: a choice of crust styles. Thick, thin, pan, and brick are all on the table, along with gluten-free options.
The slices run pretty big, so splitting one in half to share is a common and very practical move.
Italian classics fill out the rest of the menu. Lasagna is a hearty pick, a salad bar adds something fresh, and tiramisu makes a sweet ending.
A fireplace gives the dining room a cozy glow, especially on chilly fall and winter evenings, and the easygoing staff keeps service quick.
Meals generally cost $10 to $20 per person, and a kids’ menu and high chairs make family dinners simple. Weekday lunch runs 11 AM to 2 PM, with dinner from 4 PM to 10 PM, and Sunday hours are 4 PM to 9 PM.
Parking is usually easy to find.
8. Simply Slices, Carbondale, IL
Pizza and shaved ice make a combo that sounds like it was dreamed up by a ten-year-old, and that is exactly why kids adore Simply Slices. This fast-service spot on East Main Street in Carbondale keeps things wonderfully uncomplicated.
Thin crust slices are the whole focus, and they are huge. One ooey-gooey, cheesy slice is enough to fill up most people, so a family can eat well without spending much.
Convenient slice and drink specials make the deal even sweeter, and the crisp crust holds up nicely under all that melted cheese.
After the pizza comes the fun part. Refreshing shaved ice makes a perfect cool-down on a hot Southern Illinois summer day, and picking a flavor quickly becomes the highlight for younger eaters.
It feels like a little treat stop wrapped inside a pizza shop.
Prices run a budget-friendly $1 to $10 per person, putting this among the most affordable stops on the list. The shop opens Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and closes on Sundays.
Parking is free and usually easy, and a drive-through means you can grab slices on the go when the schedule is packed.
9. The Slice Spot, West Chicago, IL
In a region famous for tavern-cut squares and towering deep dish, a true foldable slice can be surprisingly hard to find. The Slice Spot on Roosevelt Road in West Chicago fills that gap with authentic East Coast style pizza sold by the slice.
Balance is what sets these slices apart. The thin crust is crisp, the cheese is high quality, and the sauce, cheese, and dough come together in just the right ratio.
Slices are big, with an impressive cheese pull that kids love to stretch as far as it will go.
Pepperoni and sausage slices have earned legendary status among western suburb pizza fans, thanks to generous toppings and fresh ingredients. It is a nice change from the usual Chicagoland style, and that difference is exactly why so many people consider it the best slice in the area.
Most visits cost $10 to $20 per person. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 4 PM to 9 PM on Sundays.
Parking is free and plentiful, outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. Friday afternoons and Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds, so a Monday stop is calmer.
10. Gigio’s, Evanston, IL
No frills, no fuss, just a long-standing counter on Davis Street in Evanston turning out some of the best pizza by the slice in the Chicagoland area. Gigio’s has been a dependable stop for years, and its simple setup is part of the charm.
Sausage is the slice to get. The homemade sausage pairs with good cheese, a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, and a crunchy crust that delivers a satisfying bite every time.
Gigio’s Super Sausage takes that idea even further for serious fans. Slices are big, so one goes a long way.
Not in the mood for pizza? The menu also covers tacos, Italian beef, and even an Impossible Burger, with a full vegetarian menu for those skipping meat.
Big New York style pies are available too, making it easy to feed the whole family after a day exploring Evanston or the nearby lakefront.
Meals usually run $10 to $20 per person. Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 7 PM on Sundays.
High chairs are available, service is fast, and the casual, quiet room makes it an easy, low-pressure stop for families.