Chicago Pizza Snob: Coalfire Chicago
Coalfire Chicago (site)
1321 West Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, (312)226-6447
Pizza Snob Says: Coalfire is the ONLY coal-fired pizza oven in Chicago. They churn (and I really mean churn) out Neapolitan pies with a chewy crust with the true burnt/charred edges around the perimeter. Although they don't use fresh mozzarella, they don't skimp on the toppings like most Neapolitan places. They're kid-friendly and the owners/staff couldn't be more pleased to have you in their restaurant. Is this *the best* pizza in Chicago and suburbs? Nah...but it is good enough to warrant a return trip.
Rating: Five "Ats-a-Nice"
First things, first. This is the first of 23 trips to the top 23 pizza places in Chicago that Nat and I are attempting to make in a calendar year!
Sitting in (what I would call) the West Loop is this unassuming storefront pizza joint. Looks a lot like plenty of places scattered across the city. The big difference here? Behind that glass lies the ONLY coal-fired pizza oven in the City of Chicago. My friend Tony put in the recommendation and when this place came up on the list, I knew we had to go.
As for the setup and ingredients, they utilize empty tomato cans on the table for pizza stands. But, they're no ordinary tomatoes. They're Alta Cucina Plum Tomatoes - they claim to be the best tomatoes on the planet. They're "San Marzano-style" as they say that anyone who claims to have real San Marzanos are just lying. One thing is for certain - the tomatoes didn't stand out. Just as you would expect from a Neapolitan joint.
We ordered the Fiorentino which boasts salami and roasted red peppers. As any good pizza snob would point out, I'd have prefered Sopprasetta, but the salami - which others say is brought in from the Columbus Salame Company - was ok. It didn't have a lit of zip to it, which the pizza could have used.
The menu is pretty robust and includes the standard Margherita as well as some other combinations including the Meat which has the salami as well as sausage and pepperoni. Aside from Nat not being remotely interested in the Meat, it had pepperoni - which for an upscale shot is a bit of a disappointment.
As one would expect, this place focuses on the crust. And, it is VERY good. It was cooked perfectly if you were a crust guy. And....I think that's the type of folks who would really LOVE this place. Here's the upskirt.
At the end of the feast, I've come to a realization: I'm more of a toppings guy than a crust guy. Sure...I do love a good crust, but I prefer tavern-cut pies that are LOADED. We'll go back to Coalfire Chicago when we have guests with us, but I don't need to rush back for the pies tomorrow.
Thumbs up from the Babe!
Good to see you checked the place out. I think I stuck with the four cheese so I didn't get to test the toppings. And nice investigative work checking out the oven, for sure!
ReplyDeleteI do think they could use more atmosphere, for sure (they don't have that "broken in" look that I like in my pizza joints). But I do like a good crust, and a nice thin crust pie (I know, sacrilege in the Chicago area, but what can you do?).
They actually offer both fresh mozzarella and whole milk mozzarella cheese. Some pizzas automatically come with one or the other (the margherita has fresh mozz, sausage has whole milk). To me, fresh mozz has no place on pizza. Too watery, it gets gummy as it cools and it just doesn't have the fat or flavor of whole milk mozz. That being said, I am a HUGE fan of Coalfire. When I am ever in the city I always have it at the top of my list to eat at, and sometimes I've even gone there 2 hours after another meal because it's so good. I love the crust (yeah, the crust is a big deal to me, though I don't usually love this style of pizza over my beloved Chicago thin crust or deep dish), love the sauce, and they have my favorite sausage pizza in town.
ReplyDeleteI only hope they somehow decide to open a location on the North Shore. I'll deal with the calories later - bring it on.