11 Illinois Pizzerias You Haven’t Tried Yet But Should in 2026
Illinois has a way of surprising people who think great pizza belongs to bigger, louder cities. It doesn’t.
Some of the most memorable slices come from places that don’t advertise, don’t chase trends, and don’t need to. The kind of spots where the recipe hasn’t changed in years because it already works.
The pizza scene here isn’t one thing. It’s square-cut thin crust that disappears fast, deep-dish that actually earns the hype, and neighborhood pies that keep regulars coming back without thinking twice.
No gimmicks, just consistency and flavor that sticks. Most people drive right past these places.
That’s the mistake. This list is about the pizzerias that locals rely on when they want something good without the guesswork.
The ones that feel easy, taste right, and leave a strong impression after one visit. If the goal is to eat well in Illinois in 2026, start here.
1. Martel’s Pizza, Murphysboro
Some pizza places earn their legendary status one slice at a time, and Martel’s Pizza in Murphysboro has been doing exactly that for decades.
Found at 706 Walnut St, Murphysboro, IL 62966, this Southern Illinois gem has quietly built a reputation that locals guard like a treasured family secret. The crust here has that perfect balance of chew and crunch that most pizzerias spend years trying to master.
Martel’s keeps things classic without being boring, loading each pie with generous toppings and a sauce that tastes like someone’s grandmother perfected it in a tiny kitchen.
Regulars rave about the consistency, which is honestly the hardest thing to get right in the pizza world. Every visit feels like the first time, but better because you already know what to order.
Murphysboro might not be the first town that pops into your head when you think pizza destinations, but after one visit to Martel’s, it absolutely should be. Pack your stretchy pants and make the trip.
2. Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza, Carbondale
College towns have a special relationship with pizza, and Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza at 218 W Freeman St, Carbondale, IL 62901 has been the reigning champion of that relationship for years.
The deep pan style here is not your average casserole-dish situation. Quatro’s has turned thick-crust pizza into an art form that Southern Illinois University students and locals have been obsessing over for a long time.
What makes Quatro’s stand out is the crispy, almost caramelized bottom layer that forms when the dough meets the pan. It creates this incredible contrast between the soft, doughy interior and the golden, crunchy exterior that keeps people coming back.
Pair that with hearty toppings and a robust tomato sauce, and you have a pizza that could honestly solve most of life’s problems.
Carbondale’s food scene punches well above its weight, and Quatro’s is a big reason why. First-timers are often surprised by just how filling a single slice can be, which makes it one of the best value meals in all of Southern Illinois.
3. Joe’s Pizza & Pasta, Edwardsville
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta at 4 Club Centre Ct, Edwardsville, IL 62025 is the kind of place where the smell hits you before you even open the door, and that smell is absolutely magnificent.
This Edwardsville favorite has been feeding families and satisfying cravings with a menu that covers both pizza and pasta without compromising on either. That dual focus is rarer than you’d think, and Joe’s nails it.
The pizza dough at Joe’s has a homemade quality that commercial chains simply cannot replicate no matter how hard they try.
Toppings are fresh, portions are generous, and the staff treats every customer like a regular even on their very first visit. It’s the kind of hospitality that makes a meal feel like more than just food.
Edwardsville sits just east of St. Louis, which means it often gets overlooked in favor of bigger-city dining options across the river. That’s a mistake.
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta proves that some of the best Italian-American cooking in the region happens right here in this friendly Metro East community.
4. Bobe’s Pizza, Olney
Olney, Illinois is famously known for its white squirrels, but locals will tell you there’s another reason to visit: Bobe’s Pizza at 1610 E Main St, Olney, IL 62450.
This no-frills pizzeria has been a cornerstone of the Olney community for years, serving up straightforward, honest pizza that reminds you why simple things are often the best things. No gimmicks, no fancy toppings you can’t pronounce, just really good pizza.
The thin crust at Bobe’s has a satisfying snap when you bite into it, and the cheese-to-sauce ratio is dialed in with almost scientific precision.
Regulars have their orders memorized before they even park the car, which tells you everything you need to know about how reliable this place is. Consistency like that is earned, not given.
Visiting Bobe’s feels like stepping into a slice of genuine small-town America where the food is unpretentious and the welcome is warm.
If you’re making a road trip through Eastern Illinois and you skip Olney, you’re doing it wrong. Stop in, say hi to a white squirrel, and grab a pizza while you’re at it.
5. Monical’s Pizza, Tolono
Monical’s Pizza has a special place in the hearts of Central Illinois families, and the Tolono location at 102 W Vine St, Tolono, IL 61880 is one of the best spots in the entire chain to experience why.
Monical’s thin-crust pizza is a Central Illinois institution, featuring a uniquely crispy base that is cut into squares because real Midwesterners know that party-cut is the only correct way to slice a pizza. Fight us on that.
The sauce at Monical’s has a slightly sweet, herby quality that pairs beautifully with their signature blend of toppings, and the family-friendly atmosphere makes every visit feel like a celebration.
Birthdays, little league victories, report card rewards, this is the pizza destination for all of life’s important moments in Tolono.
Tolono is a small village with big pizza energy, and Monical’s delivers on that promise every single time. If you grew up in Central Illinois, Monical’s is probably already etched into your food memories.
If you didn’t, consider this your formal invitation to start making some brand-new ones worth keeping.
6. Flingers Pizza Pub, Bloomington
Flingers Pizza Pub at 1503 E Vernon Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701 is the kind of place that makes a Tuesday night feel like a special occasion.
This Bloomington favorite brings serious pizza craftsmanship to a relaxed, welcoming pub setting, proving that great food and a fun atmosphere are not mutually exclusive. The hand-tossed pies here have a rustic, artisan quality that puts many fancier establishments to shame.
What really sets Flingers apart is the creative topping combinations that go well beyond the standard pepperoni-and-mushroom playbook.
The kitchen clearly enjoys experimenting, and those experiments pay off in bold, memorable flavor combinations that give regulars something new to try on every visit. Adventurous eaters will feel right at home here.
Bloomington-Normal has a surprisingly vibrant food scene for a twin city of its size, and Flingers is one of the brightest stars in that constellation.
The energy inside is infectious, the staff is enthusiastic, and the pizza is the kind of food that inspires genuine conversation. Whether you’re catching up with old friends or making new ones, Flingers is the right backdrop for it all.
7. Jupiter’s Pizzeria & Billiards, Champaign
Jupiter’s Pizzeria & Billiards at 39 E Main St, Champaign, IL 61820 is operating in a category all its own, blending incredible pizza with the satisfying click of billiard balls in a way that just works.
Champaign is a college town that knows how to have a good time, and Jupiter’s taps into that energy with a menu and atmosphere that keep people coming back week after week. The pizza here is bold, loaded, and completely unapologetic about it.
The crust at Jupiter’s has a satisfying chew that holds up under the weight of generously applied toppings, which is a structural engineering achievement worth celebrating.
Sauce coverage is excellent, cheese pull is legendary, and the overall experience of eating here is one that sticks with you long after the last slice is gone. University of Illinois students have known about this place forever.
Jupiter’s proves that a great pizzeria doesn’t need to be quiet or minimalist to be exceptional. Sometimes the best pizza comes with a side of laughter, friendly competition, and the satisfying crack of a perfectly struck billiard ball.
Add it to your Champaign itinerary immediately.
8. The Pizza Place On Main, Decatur
The Pizza Place on Main at 4350 W Main St, Decatur, IL 62522 is the kind of neighborhood pizzeria that quietly becomes part of your weekly routine before you even realize it.
Tucked along a busy stretch of West Main, this locally loved spot has built its reputation the old-fashioned way: consistent quality, generous portions, and food that hits exactly the way you want it to after a long day.
The pizza here leans into classic Midwestern comfort, with a crust that strikes a satisfying balance between crisp and chewy, sturdy enough to handle a full lineup of toppings without losing its bite.
The sauce brings a rich, familiar flavor that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, just perfect it, while the cheese melts into that golden, bubbling layer that signals you made the right choice.
Regulars know this is the kind of place where you don’t need to overthink your order because everything is reliably good. Decatur might not be the first city that comes to mind for a pizza run, but The Pizza Place on Main makes a strong case for changing that.
9. Alfano’s Pizzeria, Rochelle
Alfano’s Pizzeria at 1115 Turkington Terrace, Rochelle, IL 61068 is the kind of family-owned pizzeria that reminds you why mom-and-pop restaurants will always have an edge over the big chains.
Rochelle sits along Interstate 88 in Northern Illinois, making Alfano’s an ideal stop for travelers who are smart enough to swap a drive-through meal for something genuinely satisfying. One visit and you’ll be rerouting your road trips to pass through Rochelle on purpose.
The sauce at Alfano’s has that slow-cooked depth of flavor that takes time and care to develop, and you can absolutely taste both in every bite.
Toppings are applied with a generous hand, and the cheese browns to that beautiful golden color that signals a pizza made with real attention to temperature and timing. These are the small details that separate good pizza from great pizza.
Rochelle residents have been keeping this treasure relatively quiet, but the secret is getting harder to keep as word spreads beyond city limits. Alfano’s combines authentic family recipes with the kind of warm service that makes you feel like you’ve been eating there your whole life, even on your very first visit.
10. Brasi’s Pizzeria, Hinsdale
Brasi’s Pizzeria at 34 E Hinsdale Ave, Hinsdale, IL 60521 brings an elevated pizza experience to one of Chicago’s most charming western suburbs, and the result is exactly as delicious as that description promises.
Hinsdale has high standards for its dining scene, and Brasi’s meets those standards with a menu that balances classic Italian-American flavors with fresh, modern sensibilities. This is pizza for people who take their food seriously without taking themselves too seriously.
The ingredients at Brasi’s are clearly sourced with care, and that quality comes through in every component from the sauce to the final flourish of fresh herbs on top.
Crust options cater to different preferences, but no matter which direction you go, the result is a well-constructed pizza that holds together beautifully from first bite to last. Structural integrity in pizza is underrated, and Brasi’s understands this deeply.
Suburban Chicago has no shortage of Italian restaurants, which makes it even more impressive that Brasi’s stands out so clearly from the crowd.
The combination of quality ingredients, skilled preparation, and a genuinely inviting atmosphere makes this Hinsdale spot worth seeking out on your next venture into the western suburbs. Your pizza standards will never be the same after this.
11. Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria, Chicago
Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria at 8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652 is a South Side institution that has been serving Chicago tavern-style thin-crust pizza since the late 1940s, which means this place was making legendary pizza before most of your grandparents were even thinking about dinner.
Chicago is famous for deep dish, but locals know that thin-crust tavern pizza is the style that Chicagoans actually eat on a regular basis. Vito & Nick’s is the gold standard of that tradition.
The crust here is cracker-thin and impossibly crispy, topped with a sweet, chunky sauce and a blend of cheeses that melt into golden, bubbly perfection.
It gets cut into squares, obviously, because this is Chicago and round cuts are for tourists. Every square is a perfect, self-contained unit of joy that disappears faster than you planned.
Visiting Vito & Nick’s feels like stepping into a living piece of Chicago food history, where the recipes haven’t needed updating because they were already perfect from the start.
Generations of South Siders have grown up eating here, and the loyalty of that customer base tells you everything you need to know about the quality on the plate. A true Chicago bucket-list stop.