10 Illinois All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Spots That Still Keep It Old-School
Remember when pizza buffets were the highlight of every family outing? The excitement of piling your plate high with slices while the aroma of fresh dough filled the air.
While many all-you-can-eat spots have disappeared, Illinois still harbors authentic pizza havens where unlimited pies remain a cherished tradition.
These nostalgic establishments serve up not just endless pizza but also a taste of simpler times.
1. Aurelio’s Pizza – Tinley Park
Walk into Aurelio’s and time stands still. The brick walls and checkered tablecloths transport you to pizza’s golden era.
Their weekday lunch buffet showcases their famous thin crust alongside pasta classics and an impressive salad bar. Locals swear by Tuesdays when the Italian sausage makes an appearance.
The staff knows regulars by name, creating that neighborhood joint feeling that chain restaurants just can’t replicate.
2. Cicis Pizza – Naperville
Value reigns supreme at this Naperville staple where the buffet never stops. Pizza varieties rotate throughout the day, from classic pepperoni to mac and cheese creations that kids adore.
The genius of Cicis lies in their custom ordering system. Don’t see your favorite combination? Just ask, and they’ll add it to the buffet line.
The dessert pizza, topped with cinnamon and icing, provides the perfect sweet ending to your unlimited feast.
3. Chicago Dough Company – Bourbonnais
Chicago Dough Company feels like stepping into 1985, in the best possible way. The wood-paneled walls have witnessed decades of family celebrations and team parties.
I still remember my first visit as a kid, eyes wide at the sight of both thin and deep-dish options available without limit. The salad bar alone deserves recognition, stretching longer than most buffet tables.
Tuesday dinner buffets become community gatherings, with neighbors catching up between trips to the pizza line.
4. Happy Joe’s – Aledo
The taco pizza at Happy Joe’s has achieved legendary status throughout the Quad Cities. Crisp lettuce and tomatoes top seasoned beef on a Mexican-inspired masterpiece that keeps locals coming back.
The Aledo location maintains that small-town charm where servers greet guests by name. Kids watch in wonder through viewing windows as dough flies through the air in the open kitchen.
Weekday lunch buffets fill quickly with farmers, office workers, and families all sharing in this beloved tradition.
5. Happy Joe’s – East Moline
Nestled near the Mississippi River, this Happy Joe’s location serves as a riverside institution. The lunch buffet draws workers from nearby factories who plan their shifts around pizza availability.
Unlike trendy pizza spots with artisanal pretensions, Happy Joe’s embraces classic comfort. Their BLT pizza appears on rotation, causing mini celebrations among regulars who know the schedule by heart.
The pasta section features perfectly al dente noodles swimming in rich marinara that hasn’t changed its recipe in decades.
6. Happy Joe’s – Coal Valley
Coal Valley’s Happy Joe’s serves as the unofficial community center where Friday lunch buffets become impromptu business meetings. The restaurant’s wood-beamed ceiling and vintage arcade games create an atmosphere of nostalgia.
My grandpa used to take me here after Little League games, teaching me the strategic approach to buffet eating: start with salad, then sample every pizza variety.
They’ve mastered the art of crust consistency, achieving that perfect balance between crispy edges and chewy centers that modern chains struggle to replicate.
7. Happy Joe’s – Kewanee
The Kewanee Happy Joe’s proudly displays decades-old team photos on walls that tell the town’s history through sports championships and community events. Their buffet features a rotating specialty pizza that changes with the seasons.
Families gather around tables that have hosted multiple generations. The dessert pizza, a sweet cinnamon creation, emerges from the kitchen precisely at noon, causing a minor stampede to the buffet line.
Staff members know exactly which booth belongs to which regular customer on which day of the week.
8. Pizza Ranch – Bloomington
Pizza Ranch blends Western-themed decor with Midwestern hospitality in a combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. Their famous Cactus Bread, a sweet dessert pizza, develops a cult-like following among first-time visitors.
The “Buffet Your Way” system lets customers request specific pizza varieties not currently on display. Ranch hands (staff members) will make it fresh and bring the first slice directly to your table.
The chicken rivals the pizza in popularity, creating the unusual sight of diners balancing both on a single plate.
9. Pizza Ranch – Shorewood
Combining unlimited pizza with arcade games creates a childhood paradise at Shorewood’s Pizza Ranch. The FunZone arcade sits strategically visible from every table, allowing parents to monitor kids between buffet trips.
Their signature chicken, oddly enough, often outshines the pizza. Golden-brown pieces with crispy skin disappear almost immediately after the kitchen staff refill the buffet tray.
The salad bar features surprisingly fresh ingredients, offering a virtuous prelude to inevitable pizza indulgence that locals appreciate for balancing out the meal.
10. Pizza Ranch – Springfield
Travelers pull off I-55 for Springfield’s Pizza Ranch, visible from the highway and welcoming weary drivers with unlimited comfort food. Tour buses occasionally fill the parking lot, disgorging hungry groups that the staff accommodates with practiced efficiency.
The buffet stretches along an entire wall, featuring both expected favorites and regional specialties like the horseshoe pizza that pays homage to Springfield’s famous sandwich. Unlike most buffets, food quality remains consistent regardless of how busy they get.
Friendly staff remember regulars’ drink orders without asking.