We Ranked The Top 7 Pizza Places In Illinois And Here Is Who Made The Final Cut
A great pizza can turn an ordinary dinner into a family debate, especially when everyone insists their favorite slice deserves the top spot. Illinois has plenty of restaurants inspiring that kind of loyalty, and I wanted to find out which ones truly deserved the hype.
My search took me through busy city neighborhoods and smaller college towns, where the smell of baking dough was often enough to get my attention. I discovered longtime favorites with generations of history behind them, along with restaurants serving pizzas that made me reconsider my usual order.
Crispy crusts and generous toppings certainly helped, but the memorable flavors kept me thinking about these meals long after the last bite. I narrowed my favorites down to seven pizza stops that gave me plenty of reasons to hit the road again.
1. Pequod’s Pizza
Burnt cheese sounds like a kitchen mistake until you taste the crust at Pequod’s. On North Clybourn Avenue in Chicago, this local institution bakes its deep dish in cast iron pans so the cheese along the edge turns into a dark, crunchy, caramelized ring.
That crispy halo is the whole reason people line up.
Inside the pie, the crust stays soft and chewy with a buttery flavor, while the outside gets that satisfying crackle. The balance of dough, sauce, and cheese feels just right, and toppings like pepperoni come piled on generously.
Cheesy garlic bread, ravioli, and a house salad round out the menu for anyone sharing a big table.
Families will feel at home here. The setting is casual and cozy with a touch of history, and kids get their own menu plus high chairs.
Expect to spend roughly $20 to $30 per person.
A little planning goes a long way. Weekends get packed from afternoon into evening, so weekday lunch is the calmer play, and reservations are recommended.
Parking nearby can be tricky, so budget a few extra minutes. The doors stay open late most nights, which makes it a fun stop after a day exploring the city.
2. Agatucci’s Restaurant
Back in 1926, Calvin Coolidge was president and a little Italian restaurant opened its doors in Peoria. Nearly a century later, Agatucci’s on North University Street is still feeding Central Illinois families, and it has kept the warm, mom-and-pop spirit that made it a favorite in the first place.
The pizza here is thin and crunchy, with a crust that tastes fire roasted and cheese that melts into a rich, buttery layer. Hamburger and mushroom is a classic combination worth ordering.
Spaghetti is another house favorite, so splitting a pie and a plate of pasta makes for an easy family dinner.
Walking into the dining room feels like flipping through an old photo album. The space is cozy and casual, packed with nostalgia, and the service is quick and friendly.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready to go.
Prices land around $10 to $30 per person, which keeps it friendly for a whole crew. Note the schedule, though.
Agatucci’s opens only in the evenings and closes Mondays and Tuesdays. Friday evenings get busy, so arrive early or grab a half-baked pizza to finish in your own oven at home.
3. Lino’s | Italian
Spot a Leaning Tower on the east side of Rockford and you have found Lino’s. The Pisa-inspired decor gives this Italian restaurant on East State Street a playful, eclectic personality, and it has served the neighborhood from the same location for about 50 years.
Here is the fun twist. The cheese on Lino’s pizza comes from a local Amish farm, and it stays soft even after the pie cools to room temperature.
That makes leftovers surprisingly good the next day. The thin crust is the house specialty, and locals treat it as their go-to order.
Beyond pizza, the menu covers gnocchi, sausage, ravioli, veal parmigiana, and garlic bread. Save a little room, because pints of ice cream are on the menu too.
The staff know the dishes well and can steer first-timers toward a winner.
Lino’s works nicely for birthdays and big family gatherings thanks to its private rooms and lively, kid-friendly atmosphere. Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are allowed outside.
Plan on $20 to $30 per person. Weekend evenings fill up fast, so reservations help, but parking is usually plentiful once you arrive in this northern Illinois favorite.
4. Harris Pizza #1
Quad City-style pizza is its own thing, and Harris Pizza #1 in Rock Island is one of the best places to learn why. Over on 14th Avenue, this family-friendly institution serves pies with a crisp, slightly chewy crust, a flavorful sauce, and finely ground sausage spread edge to edge.
On top of all that sits a thick blanket of real mozzarella. The sausage is the signature, so the large sausage pizza is the smart first order.
Picky eaters can stick with plain cheese, while adventurous ones can build a loaded supreme or a custom creation with creative toppings.
Kids will spot plenty of favorites beyond pizza. Corn dogs and fries, waffle fries, homemade chips, and a taco salad fill out the menu, along with bottled orange cream and grape sodas that feel straight out of a summer memory.
Budget-minded families will love the numbers. Most meals run about $10 to $20 per person.
The restaurant is clean, the service moves fast, and parking is easy. Reservations are not taken, so Friday evenings can get busy.
A weekday lunch is the relaxed way to enjoy a true taste of the Illinois Quad Cities.
5. Bernie & Betty’s Pizza
Look up when you walk in. The vintage tin ceiling at Bernie & Betty’s sets the tone for this unassuming neighborhood spot on South Spring Street in Springfield, just a short drive from the state capitol.
Nothing flashy happens here, and that is exactly the charm. The kitchen turns out thin crust pies with a perfect crunch and a sauce that carries a gentle kick.
Pepperoni and beef is a crowd-pleaser, and the veggie pizza comes out hot and fresh. For something different, try the sourdough crust, especially on the Pizza Guy Special.
Sides deserve attention too. Toasted ravs and fried mushrooms are the kind of starters that disappear before the pizza even lands.
A chef salad offers a lighter option for anyone who wants balance.
The atmosphere is cozy and quiet, which makes it a relaxing pick for grandparents and little ones alike. High chairs and a kids’ menu are available.
Most visits cost about $10 to $20 per person, and parking is easy. Keep the hours in mind, since the restaurant closes Sundays and Mondays.
A Tuesday lunch after touring Lincoln sites around Springfield makes a simple, affordable family outing.
6. Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza
Ask anyone who went to school in Carbondale about pizza, and the name Quatro’s tends to come up fast. On West Freeman Street, this straightforward fixture has become a Southern Illinois tradition, famous for its deep pan pies.
So what makes it special? The thick crust holds a mountain of toppings, the sauce leans sweet, and cheese seems to burst from every bite.
Around the rim, the cheese bakes into crispy edges that fans fight over. The Cheezy Cheese Famous Deep Pan Pizza is the classic, though Philly cheese steak, buffalo chicken, and chicken bacon ranch pies bring plenty of variety.
Thin crust is available too.
Do not forget the famous yellow cup fountain drinks. They are practically part of the experience, and kids tend to remember them long after the trip ends.
Prices stay friendly at roughly $10 to $20 per person, and parking is usually easy. Quatro’s opens every day from 11 AM to 10 PM.
It does not take reservations, and Friday and Saturday evenings can bring a wait. Going at lunch on a weekday is a smart move, especially if you are pairing the meal with a day trip to the Shawnee hills nearby.
7. Papa Del’s Pizza Factory
Garlic doughnuts. Yes, really.
That quirky starter is just one reason Papa Del’s Pizza Factory in Champaign has become a must-stop for families visiting Champaign-Urbana.
The main event is the deep dish, heaped with thick melted cheese, a sweet sauce, and some of the most generous toppings in town. The Original Pan Pizza with pepperoni is the go-to choice.
Not everyone at the table wants a knife-and-fork pie, and that is fine, because Papa Del’s also bakes regular thick crust and thin crust options. Stuffed mushrooms and lasagna round things out, and there is even a full vegan menu.
The spacious location on South Neil Street feels stylish yet relaxed. A fireplace adds warmth on chilly Illinois evenings, which makes it a cozy fall or winter treat after a campus walk or a game day.
Families get plenty of thoughtful touches here, including high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person, and parking is usually plentiful.
Reservations are accepted, a handy perk for weekend evenings when the dining room gets busy. Doors open at 10 AM daily, so an early lunch is easy to fit into a day trip.