4. Restaurants

Pizza Rustica Italian Bistro & Bar

3908 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60613
  • (773) 404-8955
  • Store is closed

Pizza Rustica Italian Bistro & Bar Menu

  • Le Insalate & La Zuppa
  • Le Paste
  • La Pizza Della Casa
  • I Panini
  • Le Bevande
  • Le Birre
  • Whites
  • Reds

Diabetics at Pizza Hut

Pizza is neither a great meal nor the worst for diabetes. All you need is some fact check and monitoring while ordering your pizza. Diabetics can opt for thin crust or skinny pizza at Pizza Hut and avoid the cheese topping to cut down on the excess fat and sodium. If you have diabetes, then ensure to check your portion size when you order a pizza. One or max. two slices are enough. You can also avoid meat if possible and go for wings as a meat option.

Foods to Avoid at Pizza Hut for Diabetics:

You must avoid Meat Lovers Pizza with Original Pan Crust as it contains over 1000mg sodium and will add 470 calories in your meal. You should also skip Super Supreme Pizza Large Original Pan Slice which is too high in sodium and fat. Chicken wings are often tempting but you must control and restrict yourself from ordering Traditional Honey BBQ Bone-in Wings as it can add up to your sugar levels if you eat too many. On average, a person orders or consumes six chicken wings pieces in a day.

Sides must be avoided at all costs especially if it's Bacon Cheddar Fries with Ranch Dipping Cup for its high sodium content. You must also avoid New York Style Cheesecake with Applesauce as dessert as one slice of this dessert item contains 86g sugar. Pizza Hut also offers other Italian dishes such as Pasta. However, you must skip Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Meatballs and Garlic Bread as it is too high in sodium and sugar.

Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Pizza Hut:

Veggie Lover's - Personal Pan Pizza Slice

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 290mg sodium, 18g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 5g Protein

Hawaiian Chicken - Small Thin 'N Crispy Slice

Nutritional Facts: 110 calories, 3g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 300mg sodium, 14g carbs, 3g sugar, 1g fiber, 6g Protein

Chicken Bacon Parmesan Small Original Pan Slice

Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 310mg sodium, 15g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 7g Protein

Naked - Bone Out Wing (Piece)

Nutritional Facts: 80 calories, 4g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0.5g), 160mg sodium, 6g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 5g Protein

Traditional Bone-In Wings with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 300mg sodium, less than 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Classic Caesar Salad

Nutritional Facts: 110 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 270mg sodium, 12g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 5g Protein

Cheese Small Hand Tossed Slices

Nutritional Facts: 130 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 250mg sodium, 17g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 6g Protein

Cinnamon Stick

Nutritional Facts: 80 calories, 2.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 100mg sodium, 13g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein

Healthy Meal suggestions for Pizza Rustica Italian Bistro & Bar

  • Le Insalate & La Zuppa
  • Le Paste
  • La Pizza Della Casa
  • I Panini
  • Le Bevande
  • Le Birre
  • Whites
  • Reds

High Blood Pressure at Pizza Hut

Fast-food restaurants like Pizza Hut are not recommended to dine-in if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure. Most pizzas at Pizza Hut are high in sodium and hence you must stick to one or max. two slices of any regular size pizza to limit your sodium intake. Try out the salads as they are not only healthy but also keeps you full for a longer period. However, you must ensure that you don't order the salads without any extra dressing.

Foods to Avoid at Pizza Hut for High Blood Pressure

Avoid Meat Lovers Pizza with Original Pan Crust and Supreme Pizza Large Original Pan Slice at all costs when you order at Pizza Hut. Both these pizzas contain a high amount of sodium which can spike your blood pressure levels. Also, skip Bacon Cheddar Fries with Ranch Dipping Cup and Traditional Honey BBQ Bone-in Wings to restrict your sodium intake.

Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Pizza Hut

Veggie Lover's - Small Thin 'N Crispy Slice

Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 3.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 270mg sodium, 14g carbs, 2g sugar, 1g fiber, 14g Protein

Hawaiian Chicken Small Thin 'N Crispy Slices

Nutritional Facts: 110 calories, 3g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 280mg sodium, 14g carbs, 2g sugar, 1g fiber, 6g Protein

Chicken Bacon Parmesan Small Original Pan Slice

Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 310mg sodium, 15g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 7g Protein

Naked - Traditional Bone-In Wing (Piece)

Nutritional Facts: 80 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 160mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein

Traditional Bone-In Wings with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 300mg sodium, less than 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Cheese Small Hand Tossed Slices

Nutritional Facts: 130 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 250mg sodium, 17g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 6g Protein

Classic Caesar Salad

Nutritional Facts: 110 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 270mg sodium, 12g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 5g Protein

Cinnamon Stick

Nutritional Facts: 80 calories, 2.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 100mg sodium, 13g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

High Cholesterol at Pizza Hut

Whether large, medium or small, a pizza can boost your cholesterol levels instantly. You shouldn't eat more than one slice of any pizza your order at Pizza Hut. If you're concerned with your high cholesterol, then it is wise to take your friends to Pizza Hut and share pizza among them slice by slice. You can also try pasta at Pizza Hut but ensure that you are not adding any dressing or extra cheese as you order pasta.

Foods to Avoid at Pizza Hut for High Cholesterol

Keep your pizza intake to one slice to avoid high cholesterol intake while you dine at Pizza Hut. Skip Supreme Pizza Large Original Pan Slice as it contains a high amount of fat and the sodium levels are also very high. Avoid the desserts section completely to limit the fat and sugar intake. You can also limit yourself from ordering non-veg pizza and skip adding sides or dressing on your orders to ensure that your cholesterol is in check while dining at Pizza Hut.

Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Pizza Hut:

Veggie Lover's - Small Thin 'N Crispy Slice

Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 3.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 270mg sodium, 14g carbs, 2g sugar, 1g fiber, 14g Protein

Buffalo Chicken - Small Original Pan Slice

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 420mg sodium, 18g carbs, 2g sugar, 1g fiber, 6g Protein

Hawaiian Chicken - Small Thin 'N Crispy Slice

Nutritional Facts: 110 calories, 3g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 300mg sodium, 14g carbs, 3g sugar, 1g fiber, 6g Protein

Traditional Bone-In Wings with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 300mg sodium, less than 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein

Cavatini Veggie Lover's with Garlic Bread

Nutritional Facts: 630 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 730mg sodium, 113g carbs, 14g sugar, 7g fiber, 21g Protein

Classic Caesar Salad

Nutritional Facts: 110 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 270mg sodium, 12g carbs, 2g sugar, 2g fiber, 5g Protein

Breadsticks

Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 260mg sodium, 19g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 4g Protein

Cinnamon Stick

Nutritional Facts: 80 calories, 2.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 100mg sodium, 13g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Laura P.

    I wouldn't come back...food is only ok. Came here with a large group of about 10 people. It was nice they had a large table to seat us all. Our server was friendly but not very attentive, the rest of the restaurant was not very busy so I am not sure why that was. We had to ask for drink refills. I ordered linguine and mussels. You could tell mussels were a little old, they tasted some what fishy which was disappointing. The spicy sauce that came with it was only ok. Not all the food came out all together, about 1/3 of the food came out 10 minutes after the rest, which isn't the end of the world but it is a little akward watching other people eat. Over all I just wasn't impressed.

    (2)

  • David W.

    Really not understanding the rave reviews on here. While the place certainly has charm and is well located near the Sheridan Red Line station, the food was mediocre at best. The pizza was particularly disappointing. The crust was just average and toppings were very sparse. I think the sauce was applied with an eyedropper, as there was so little of it. The only ample topping was cheese and the overall taste was very bland. There is much better in Chicago.

    (1)

  • David H.

    This place is fantastic. I've lived in the area for 6 years and for some reason never knew this place existed! my wife and I have been here 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Its a great atmosphere and serves wonderful food. I definitely recommend the pizza and pastas. They allow you to create your own combinations for the pizza and pastas which is a great benefit. They have solid events(free wine and beer tasting, etc.) that are worth taking advantage of as well.

    (5)

  • Andrew H.

    Had an amazing prosciutto and burrata appetizer followed by a perfect steak done to perfection. Definitely will be coming back. Great cocktails too. Located close to Wrigley and right off the Sheridan red line. Super convenient.

    (5)

  • Lisa Z.

    Out of this world delivery! Hmmm I am seeing some bad reviews on here for delivery, but I'm a regular order-er from here and they are good. Sometimes they are super fast, but always within the time frame they say. But it is the delivery guy that was the real winner. He said he knows I've ordered before and he is new, but he plans on getting to know the regular customers. So I will definitely be ordering again. I haven't tried their pizza, but they have pasta too and it's some of my favorite in the city. I like a straight bolognese sauce and there's is perfection. That's what I get every time!

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    This place is great---for pizza, we always get the Tutta....it has the right mix of toppings & cheese. If you like thin crust pizza, it is solid. The atmosphere is also perfect for either a date or a larger group out for the evening. The indoor section has a warm feel in the winter and really opens up in the summer with the windows/sliding doors.

    (4)

  • Charlie B.

    During a time when I was experimenting with veganism, I decided to take my parents to this neighborhood place because the smells are inviting. I know what you are thinking, "Uh...pizza isn't vegan bro." I'll get to that. After we entered we noticed a beautiful seating area. We were seated promptly and greeted shortly thereafter. We ordered. The maw and paw ordered pepperoni and I ordered mushroom and olive with no cheese (totally vegan, boom!)... Their sauce is excellent! To top it off, the chef had chopped some fresh garlic to put on my pizza to accent for the lack of cheese. Bonus! Above and beyond the call of doughty... I highly recommend this place. They have a full bar and several craft beer selections.

    (4)

  • Sean R.

    Flippin awesome pizza! The prosciutto was out of this world! I also tried the pasta with tomato cream sauce, which os basically vodka sauce, and that was fantastic as well! Definitely a must try.

    (5)

  • Darrin T.

    Let me preface this by saying that it used to be one of my favorite places in the city- BEFORE they moved across the street and got a hot douche injection. It used to be BYOB, and have a lot more of a cozy atmosphere, 1-2 servers, the chef popping by your table, etc. The pizza and pasta were always exceptional, and it had the aura of "Cheers"- everybody knew your name. But they moved and expanded- which I can understand- but nothing is the same. First thing is that they are no longer BYOB. Again, I worked in restaurants for years, so I understand the concept of how alcohol sales boost the bottom line. They have a decent wine list, but things have been kicked up a notch. The cheapest bottle is around $32. I get it- but this isn't the restaurant I fell in love with. Hell, our bill used to be less than $32! Second- and there is no other way to say it- but it is simply douche-tasic inside now. Gone is all of the charm of a small "mom and pop" place. It looks like every other Lakeview wannabe hip establishment: too dark, reclaimed wood tables, oversized chairs, etc. I am willing to let all of this slide, provided the food is the same- but is simply isn't. The pizza is still very very good. If nothing else, I highly recommend you order some delivery from them. It is spongy and crispy all at the same time. The sauce is great, and the sausage is some of the best in the city. Unfortunately, everything else on the menu has suffered. The place is trying to be something that it isn't, and they are schlepping over-priced food that doesn't hold up in quality. For instance, we ordered the pumpkin ravioli. I used to work at a pretty nice Italian place, so I have had it many times- and it was good here. It was handmade, and pretty tasty. It didn't blow my mind like some other places (I prefer it in a walnut cream sauce to the brown butter that Rustica served), but it was solid. However, there were only 5 pieces. I didn't mind so much, since we were getting pizza as well- but then the bill came. $19. For ravioli. FIVE. PIECES. OF. RAVIOLI. NINETEEN DOLLARS!!!!!!! I thought, "Surely this must be a typo", so I asked our douchey waiter: "No sir, that is the price." "For FIVE ravioli??!!" "They are hand-made." "I get that. But there were FIVE of them." It was at that time that I realized why they didn't have prices on their specials menu. They are flat out trying to bait and switch you. The place I fell in love with would never do that.

    (2)

  • Jeff W.

    Chicago style pizza along with Beer and Wine tasting once a month each! Can't beat that!

    (4)

  • Andy M.

    Pizza Rustica. Where have you been all my life. If you grew up in Chicago like I did, Pizza was literally stuffed down your throat from the age of one. I ate so much pizza as a kid that I have peperoni coming out of my ears. To be honest, I'm kind of over the whole Chicago pizza scene. Then, a place like this comes along. PIzza Rustica is a wonderfully unique take on Pizza that I really enjoyed. The Pizza is a giant rectangle of yummy goodness. It's mouthwateringly (Not a real word, just made it up) delicious and the main reason is the buttery crust. The crust has a buttery, garlic taste that's different from anything I've ever tasted. It transforms the pie from a ordinary pizza to a multiple orgasm on a plate. The restaurant itself is quite small, so there was a bit of a wait to be seated. Once we had a place to rest our cheeks, our server did a fabulous job explaining the specials. The service was top notch. Another nice thing about Pizza Rustica is that it's a BYOB establishment. Pizza Rustica is officially added to my list of best places to get your grub on in Chicago. It's right up there with Lou Malnotti's and Oven grinders as my favorite pies in Chicago. If you like Pizza, you have to try this place. You won't be sorry you did.

    (5)

  • Terris A.

    Ended up here after the Pride Festival 2012 and was happy that we did- perfect place to sober up a bit! :) I have gone here a couple of times since and have been impressed by their service. We have always encountered friendly staff and the service has been quick. They have a good beer and wine selection and are always promoting specials on appetizers or entrees. Pizza is oh so good! I am a vegetarian so always stick with the cheese and mushrooms and it never disappointments. This is a great place to go on a warm day in Chicago- seat outside, drink some wine and enjoy some great food!

    (4)

  • Pierangelo P.

    Pretty amazing place. food is delicious and reasonably priced and the service is outstanding. Our server Adil was extremely attentive, and made it a great experience. Will definitely keep going there

    (5)

  • Melanie S.

    Wow, what took me so long to finally try Pizza Rustica? I took VBM* here last night for Mother's Day. Even though I busted my ass cooking brunch for my entire family on Sunday, I thought it would be nice if just the two of us had our own Mother's Day dinner together. After looking at the menu and coming across so many great reviews, I knew both of us would enjoy it. Street parking was easy to come by, which is always a bonus, and they're open on Mondays, another win in my book. The place is on the small side, but it's very charming. We were greeted immediately by our server, who was very sweet and welcoming, and given menus. Both Mom and I were surprised at how extensive the menu was, given that the kitchen looked to be tiny and didn't have a large staff. In addition to pizza, they have sandwiches, salads, pasta, as well as a few meat, chicken and fish specials. We didn't realize it was BYOB and didn't come prepared, but it turned out to be fine as we had more than our fair share of mimosas the day before anyway, so we each had a San Pellegrino limonata (pretty much the best soda ever). We started with a caprese salad, which is always one of my favorites, particularly when it's done this well. This version included some greens on the side and the whole thing was drizzled with balsamic vinegar and a touch of pesto. Even though the tomatoes could have been a touch riper, it was still a first-rate caprese. We moved on to ordering pizza. I grew giddy with delight at the fact that you can customize not just a whole pizza, but individual slices! We both chose a slice of the potato rosemary pizza and Mom also ordered a slice with all of her favorite veggies. I decided to go for broke and get a half pizza so I'd have plenty of leftovers for the upcoming week. I went a little overboard adding ingredients, but they all sounded too good to pass up. Our pizza arrived and I had to remind our server that I only ordered a half pizza, to which she clarified that it was, in fact, only a half pizza. Jiminy Christmas, this pizza was huge! And it was delicious. The crust was crunchy, and the toppings were fresh and plentiful. How can you go wrong with artichoke, zucchini, tomato, basil and garlic on a pizza? The only real bummer was dessert. After being informed they were out of panna cotta, we opted to try the tiramisu over the profiteroles (note to self: one should never pass up profiteroles). The tiramisu had no creamy and fluffy mascarpone filling - it was just mainly ladyfingers drizzled with chocolate. I didn't taste any hint of espresso either so it was kind of a disappointing dessert. Overall, we really enjoyed Pizza Rustica. The place is very reasonable price-wise, but watch out when you order those extra toppings - they really add up. I'm definitely coming back again and again, and I'll be sure and bring a bottle of wine next time. Corkage is only $1.75. This is a great place to go on a date or with a group of friends; we saw tables of both. Or even a place to take your mom. She'll love you for it. *Very Best Mom

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    I can't get over the new space. So charming and welcoming. The cocktail list is amazing. For around $8 a drink you're getting craft cocktails that rival any Violet Hour type joints in the city. The wine list is beautiful and again, so well priced you'll wonder why you drink anywhere else. The food? I don't need to tell you how delicious the pizza is or how perfect the pasta is--just go!! Perfect neighborhood spot.

    (5)

  • Carmen B.

    We were in search of a wood fired pizza and found Rustica. There are several good attributes around the environment, staff and the food. It was a late Saturday afternoon, and people were beginning to come in the restaurant. We got a table in the corner by the kitchen which was a perfect shield from the super low winter temps. In more temperate weather I would grab a seat at the bar. hostess was very friendly and the waitress was fun and welcoming- and described the specials very well. I was a big fan of the polenta and meat ragout. Although I opted for a Belgian quad (nice beer selection) the Italian margaritas - that I saw almost every table order- looked enticing. Beware of the size of the pizzas- the half order indicates 4 slices so we intended to order two- but thankfully she advised against it. One half order came to the table on two 9x7 boards... Great for later! Rustica is a quality spot. We have a great selection of quality wood fired pizza spots in the city; and while this isn't my first choice, I would return.

    (3)

  • Shane O.

    Fantastic neighborhood place. I'd probably eat dinner at the bar 5 nights a week if this was in NYC. It's a cozy Chicago neighborhood, and I don't want to give the impression to anyone that I have no life, so I keep it to around twice a week. Great decor, great staff, good pizzas, and every entree special that I have tried has been wonderful, and the price is right.

    (4)

  • RJ W.

    Walked in on a Friday night, wasn't very busy but all the outdoor seats were taken. We were seated all the way in the back near the server station and ovens with plenty of open tables towards the front (not cool)! Ordered a Cesar salad, and it was disgusting. Waay too much dressing, unedible. We ordered a whole Margherita pizza, which does NOT have fresh milk mozzarella... A little help from the waitress would've been nice or suggestion to order a smaller pizza. Pizza itself was pretty blah. Def not even close to a top 25 pizza joint in the city. I don't get all the great reviews. As we were eating our dinner, we saw the staff dragging tables outside to seat people on the sidewalk...Thanks for the offer guys. As far as all that extra pizza we get to take home... Classy way of wrapping up food. (picture). Do yourself a favor and skip this place and move on to the next one! This place was awful.

    (1)

  • Carolynne M.

    This place is simply put - unbelievable. I am kicking myself for having bookmarked this business ages ago and only now have gotten around to trying it. The space is tiny, and there was a small wait for a table. When we were finally seated, we had a very pleasant server who explained the large selection of specials in his delightful Italian accent. Listen carefully, because it is loud in there and a bit hard to hear. I don't know what Andy was thinking, but I heard him order a panini. This was a little shocking because we were seated right next to the pizza oven and I was sure the gorgeous pies emerging steaming hot and wonderfully fragrant would have sold him right away. Luckily, I was able to convince him to change his order and I was able to sample one of the very best pizzas in town. A fantastic, rich buttery crust that framed intensely fresh and flavourful ingredients. If you dislike the "cracker crust" so often found in Chicago, or deep dish, then you will want to come here. I ordered a special, which was the Pappardelle al Telefono. While it does sound like it should be "pasta over a telephone", in fact it was a wide noodle covered in an amazing tomato and wine sauce. Hands down it was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. Since it is so small in there, if you can't do take out or delivery, I suggest getting there early or going on a slow night. This is a place you are going to want to experience.

    (5)

  • Jordan Y.

    The pizza is good but the pasta is fantastic. Everything here is really fresh and delicious. The fried mozzarella is a great appetizer (if not the healthiest of choices), and the rotating Blackboard menu always keep it interesting. Some of the specials can be a bit pricey. I got really burned by this one time when carrying out, I was charged over $25 for a stuffed pasta special and they literally gave me 5 pieces of pasta. I haven't had the small portion issue when eating in, so just be careful when taking out.

    (4)

  • Jason K.

    good pizza. service was good.

    (4)

  • April L.

    Nice ambiance. Eaten here a few times. My recommendation is to stick with the staples: Pizza and pasta. The specials are not all that "special."

    (3)

  • Mauricio P.

    If you can call ahead so you don't wait... Please is great.. Yea... make sure you have a reservation before hand... the place gets packed (which tell you its great) and you might be waiting for a wile.... The pizza is great and the service is warm and helpful! If you are in the area you should give it a shot!!!

    (4)

  • Casandra R.

    We stopped here for some drinks after another bar was closed. We didn't eat anything so all I can say is for atmosphere. It was quiet when we arrived, and then became very very loud at rush time, and then died back down a bit. The bartender was nice and they have huge pizzas from what we saw. It was a good place for a beer though if you just wanted a break from other bars.

    (4)

  • Ellen K.

    It's like Pizza Rustica grew up! We'd been to the old place across the street several times; now the new, larger space feels more sophisticated, polished, and energized, with a great vibe. A really lovely place for dinner. Absolutely charming atmosphere - a unique mix of neighborhood place and trendy Chicago eatery. The food is exquisite: beautiful, homemade creations that are consistently fresh and delicious.We usually order one of the specials, athough that Quattro Stagioni pizza of theirs is outstanding. Nice wines and drinks menu, too. I can't blame them for getting away from the BYOB thing. Heck, reading these reviews makes me understand why -- people who enjoy their BYO wine and get in a big kerfuffle when they're asked for a $3.75 corkage fee per person, or who pack up their half-finished BYO bottle after dinner and sit at the bar with it, then sacrificially tell the owner, gee, I will order a glass from the bar, even through my bottle is sitting here. I've seen large parties of, say, 10 people come in to Pizza Rustica with bottles of wine from the liquor store a few doors down, order a couple of pizzas, and stay for hours, drinking and having a good old time. It's hard for a small restaurant to survive when a large party takes up a good portion of the dining room for 2-3 hours and amasses a bill for $50,

    (5)

  • Carolyn L.

    It was such a joy to find Pizza Rustica last night for my friend's birthday dinner. There were 8 of us so the wait was substantial (they only take reservations for parties of 4 or less unless you order the prix fixe menu which seemed to be overpriced). But the wait was well worth it. We brought enough wine to have more than a bottle per person. Haha it was quite impressive seeing all of that red wine on the table! The food was outstanding. I ordered a cup of the minestrone and it was probably in the top 3 of the best cups of minestrone I have ever had. The broth was light and flavorful, perfectly salted. The vegetables were tender but still retained a lot of their flavor and freshness. And the parmesan cheese was the perfect finishing touch on the soup. When the pizzas came out, we practically pounced on them. All in all, we had half of a rosemary potato pizza, half a Hawaiian pizza, a mushroom and olive pizza, and a margherita pizza. There were some leftovers but I definitely jumped on the chance to take those home! The crust held up well under all of the toppings so it wasn't soggy. It was crispy and flaky. I mean, it was all good. The best part was, 7 of us paid for dinner and we only had to pay $17! Imagine if all 8 of us had paid! That includes tip as well. Seriously, what a great little place and you won't break the bank. I will definitely be going back!

    (4)

  • Andrew J.

    Oh my Oh my Oh My...Pizza Rustica why aren't there more of you? If you haven't been, you ARE missing out. Great food, great drinks, great owners. Stumbling distance from the L...what more do you need?

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    This review is only for the pizza. They have a lot of other menu items that I want to try, but haven't yet. The pizza is so good I usually order delivery. My favorites are the Margarita and Rosemary Potato. Yes, potatoes on a pizza sounds weird, but it is delicious! You should definitely try it if you like rosemary. I haven't dined in at their new location yet. I was a big fan of the tiny BYOB place across the street, but now they serve drinks instead. Kind of disappointing, but I'll have to try it before I knock it.

    (4)

  • Tal C.

    Came here with a couple of friends on a Friday night at around 7:30. The restaurant was packed, so we headed for the bar to sit down until our table was ready. Around 15 minutes later, we were asked if we planned to order a drink at the bar, and when we replied "no, we brought our own wine," they asked us to not sit at the bar so that paying customers could sit there. I've never really experienced anything like that in my life, but that was pretty mild compared to what happened once we were seated (besides, they charge a $3.50/person corkage fee anyway for BYO so they could have just offered to open our bottle at the bar). So after standing for another 20 minutes, we were seated at a table, and before we had even hung our coats up, the waiter came by, out of breath, and told us that the restaurant is slammed and pizzas are taking an hour at least, so we should get our order in ASAP and not be surprised when the pizza takes a while. Ok- no problem, we had a bottle of wine and didn't mind waiting. He came by five minutes later and we told him we were ready to order, and with his reaction, you'd think we asked him to move a mountain. He basically started yelling that he has other tables and can't take our order right at that very minute, and that we shouldn't be in such a rush. Whoa, okay, I thought you wanted us to get our order in ASAP. So we get our pizza, and are sitting there enjoying it with the wine, and next thing you know, the pizza is about 2/3 done, and the waiter comes by to let us know that he "loves us" but the manager is yelling about the table so we have to leave and he's going to get us a box. EXCUSE ME?! I have never before been asked to leave a restaurant, let alone before I've even finished my meal. It was only 9:30 at that point, and our pizza had arrived at about 9:10. So we quickly paid and were ushered out. As for the food: we got two salads, both of which were extremely underwhelming and, at $8 each, completely not worth it. The Margherita pizza was pretty good, and I might consider ordering delivery from here, I guess. BUT there are too many places in Chicago that serve mediocre pizza and won't ask me to leave 20 minutes after getting my food for me to ever patronize this place again.

    (1)

  • Jessica B.

    A friend recommended Pizza Rustica for girls night out and it was fabulous! Conveniently located right off the Red Line, huge outdoor seating (if only it wasn't 100 degrees out) and a nice, clean, updated interior. Due to the heat, we didn't sit outside or order a ton but the food was really, really delicious. The pours on the red wine were appropriate (second was even a little generous) and the wait staff was very nice. We order the caprese salad and it was beyond delicious. The balsamic was a nice touch and the mozzarella and tomatoes were fresh. For pizza, we ordered the Quatro-something (yeah I can't remember) but it had ham, artichoke hearts, cheese and bacon. It was amazing and the rustic thin crust was crunchy and delicious. But note: the half size is MORE than enough for two people. I was shocked at how large the portion size was for it, but it was still delicious. I cannot wait to go back and try more pizzas on the menu. Recommend!

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    I have eaten here close to 10 times. I highly recommend the pizza- regardless of the toppings the pizza is ALWAYS exceptional. I think it is also a very good deal for the money. I have tried the pasta dishes and honestly they aren't the most flavorful and I now skip the pasta. I once had the fish special and I thought it was great. They offer some great mixed drinks off the menu but have a full bar as well. They don't gauge you on drink prices either imo. The service is usually very good but once in awhile when they are extremely busy the service can get spotty- Ithink they are still figuring out their new much larger location and they get swamped they get confused. The waitresses have always been friendly. I intend on continuing to frequent Pizza Rustica and will bring friends there. Notice, They are closed Tuesdays for some reason.

    (4)

  • Mary E.

    What a lovely little place. I've ridden my bike past Pizza Rustica so many times and noticed how attractive and busy it is that I had to try it. I decided to sit outside with my boyfriend. I ordered a pale ale on special and we also ordered the margherita pizza medium and the Four Seasons large. I was SHOCKED at how much pizza we got for the price. Taste wise the pizza was ok. The crust was fantastic - crunchy and full of flavor. The topings were fresh and tasty. The cheese...eh...meh...well you see...it was like....Ok, the cheese was a little bland. Or lightly flavored. Whatever. Not that the cheese will keep me away. The pizza was still darn good and the location lovely and the service very nice. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Janet E.

    I had such a great time at Pizza Rustica, that giving it anything less than a 5 star rating would be wrong!!! Our server (unfortunately never got his name but he had a cute accent) was outstanding!!! Our group of 17 pretty much took up the entire restaurant as well as used up all their plates, wine glasses, and utensils. But he didnt care!!! Super friendly and worked with us in taking our orders, even with the latecomers. My friend was throwing a party here and organized her own set menu. We started off with two options for salad, then in between the salad and the entree we had so many variety of pizzas, all of which were deliciously thin crust (my favorite!). Beware of the jalepeno one, its no joke. Freakin hot! The entrees were only okay but not bad. We had pasta with meat sauce. I would say stick to the pizzas here if you can. The restaurant is BYOB and our group definitely took advantage of that. I cant even tell you how many beer bottles/wine bottles we went through. But our server was really good about clearing off our table. Definitely would come back here again. Great time, great pizza!

    (5)

  • Kevin Lamarr J.

    Great drinks! We had the mozzarella sticks, and 1/2 pizza. Unique crust... Flavorful. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • Emily R.

    People come to Chicago for the deep dish pizza, but Pizza Rustica's authentic thin crust is absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, it's no longer BYOVino, but there are still several affordable wines to choose from - including an awesome Malbec my friend and I split a bottle of during my visit last week. Salads are pretty self-explanatory and fresh, and are a great starter before splitting a HALF pizza (half is more than enough for 2 people.) I had the goat cheese, artichoke, and spinach salad with a clingy balsamic dressing. Next, the margherita pizza - go basic and order margherita. The crust is thin, but flaky like a pastry - and sweet. Tomatoes, garlic, cheese - all good, basic stuff. The wait staff is a little flighty, slightly confused and slow, but not bad enough to distract from the fantastic pizza. If you're near the stadium, great place to stop in for a quality bite.

    (4)

  • Ricky B.

    I have to say I was really excited to try this place as a friend recommended it to me. The restaurant apparently was small and then opened across the street from its old location. I walk in and the restaurant is decorated nicely. The atmosphere was nice. My friend and I got there right before their busy time. We were seated. A few minutes later the server asks for drinks. Everything seems okay from there. We receive our drinks; order our Caesar salad, and the large tutta pizza. Fast-forward 15 minutes a couple is seated next to us. They also order their drinks, appetizer and pizza. As we are waiting our server is also bartending and not really paying attention to the customers she has seated. Fast-forward 20 minutes and we get our salad with an apology stating "sorry there was a mix up in the kitchen." As the server walks away the couple next to us gets ALL their food. After eating our salad (which was not the greatest) we never saw our server again. Fifty minutes into our experience I spoke with the manager and explained what exactly was going on. She apologized and said she would come back to let us know when the pizza was going to be coming out. We didn't see her for 10 minutes. That is when I got up and told her we were leaving. She then asked, "You're going to pay for the salad right?" I was not very happy about it, but I guess since I did eat it I would. I told her it was rather rude that she would make us pay for a salad. Then she asked, "oh your pizza is done, would you like it boxed up to go. " We left without paying for anything. Her final words were, "Sorry we are human and we make mistakes." I understand that completely but at least have the customer service skills to run your restaurant. If the server would have been honest with me and told me that she forgot to put our order in (which is really what the mix up was) I would not have been so upset. The server also got major attitude because of my complaint. She was too busy in the bar to take care of her own customers. Apparently moving from a smaller space to a bigger space has not worked out too well for Pizza Rustica from the reviews I have read. Maybe Pizza Rustica has grown to big for it's britches or bitten off more than it can chew. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE DUE TO THE LAKE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE ATTITUDE WE RECEIVED AFTER HAVING A DECENT VALID COMPLAINT.

    (1)

  • Mary M.

    I have been coming to Pizza Rustica for the last 6 years and have always had a great experience with the food and service. I lived in Italy for a year, so I always felt like I was back in Italy when I went here. I was very excited for them when I heard they were moving into a new space. I really want them to succeed, but I think they have some work to do. We went a week after they opened in the new space. and I'm sad to say we had a horrible experience. The hostess is horrible. She took down our name, but said she couldn't quote a time. She just said it would be 'a long time' and told us to wait at the bar. We waited at the bar for 90 minutes before I went up to ask her how much longer we had to wait. She looked at me and said 'Wait, you want a table? Oh man! I took you off the list!'. Once they were able to seat us they said the kitchen ran out of the pizza dough, so it was going to take a long time if we wanted a pizza. We didn't mind waiting because we know the pizza is amazing. As we were finishing up our pizza and wine, a busboy came over and told us the restaurant was closed and it was time for us to leave. He told us this at 11pm on the dot, which is when the restaurant closes. I was shocked. We came to the restaurant at 8:30pm, got our table at 10pm, and finally got our food at 10:45pm. Someone needs to explain to him that the closing time is when you stop seating customers, not when you 'kick' customers out. The food at this restaurant is amazing, so I hope the service improves. They just need to have the same level of service that they had at the other location. I will give them another chance, but I'm going to wait a couple months and hope the service improves.

    (2)

  • Tiffani S.

    Don't be a fool and order delivery on a Saturday night. It's 9:14, I placed an order at 7:13 and there is no food in sight. To be fair, they did tell me "it will be a little over an hour"....to be fair, two hours is pushing it. The food is good and I enjoy dining in, but no more delivery.

    (3)

  • Brian M.

    Excellent atmosphere, excellent food, excellent service. Went in on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. We split a pasta and pizza dish - both were fantastic. I really enjoyed the decor as well. Will definitely head back again and bring some friends.

    (5)

  • Mat M.

    I love Pizza Rustica! Their pizza is delicious, the service always good, and their new location is awesome. They deliver, their prices are really decent...and with the addition of a bar from being BYOB they're not gouging you for drinks. They have a good selection- and I'll continue to go back again and again.

    (5)

  • Veronica M.

    Been coming here for about 2 years..... Very excited for the new bigger location across the street. Took parents there for lunch couple weeks ago, only 10ish people in whole place and middle of the day. Took forever for water, then when did get service, the four sodas another 5 mins to get to the table. had to ask for bread to go with the soup and ordered 4 sandwiches, 50mins later delivered to the table. Food was unimpressive and smaller portions than what I got at old location across the street. New location awesome but needs to work on service, food and portion size, $60bills for 4 sodas, 4 sandwiches a little pricy!

    (2)

  • Eliza Z.

    Now that Pizza Rustica has moved across the street from it's former location, I decided it's time for a review update! Usually, I go the takeout route from here since I live down the street, but we decided to wait out the Saturday night date crowd in order to check out the new digs. The remodel is pretty awesome - the space is so much bigger and there's an open kitchen so you can see what's going on in there. We got to the restaurant at around 8:30pm, and things were still very busy but the wait wasn't very long. While we were waiting at the bar, we were suggested a few aperitif cocktails by the woman who I think is a co-owner (her husband is the chef). I had the Venetian Spritz, which was a perfect refreshing drink. One thing I never realized I was missing out on by only getting takeout was that there are three chalkboards full of in-restaurant specials hanging on the walls. These seem to be the real-deal, full-on authentic Italian specialities. I had a pasta with spicy crab sauce which was seriously loaded down with crab meat (and only $16!) and the boy had the bucatini amatriciana, which I thought hands-down beat my pasta. Will definitely be returning often now to check out all these specials! My only complaint would be that they seemed to run out of a lot of things by the time we sat down to eat (about 9pm on Saturday night). They were out of bread (which usually comes when you sit down) and many of the specials, including my initial order of oxtail ragu. So if you want to make sure you get your choice of everything, I recommend an earlier dinner.

    (5)

  • Jarod S.

    The service was strange. We couldn't tell if the server was just being somewhat cold/rude, or maybe just European? But overall he was good at selling the food. Oh, the food; we ordered mussels which seemed rather tiny in their shells, and not very fresh tasting. Following the mussels were Caesar salads which were coated in too much dressing and cheese. Too much cheese? Never! Except this time. The flat crust pizza did win me over. With the perfect crispness to them, the pies were so, so tasty! I would definitely recommend this place but be weary of the menu; stick to just the pizza and remember you can't order the sandwiches around dinner time.

    (3)

  • Amy H.

    My friends live in the neighborhood and I helped them move around the corner one night. Literally around the corner. 27 steps to be exact. After we moved their boxes, we picked up some bottles of wine and a sixer of beer and headed to Pizza Rustica for some din-din. I was expecting just a local pizza joint, but Pizza Rustica is so much more. The specials that night included sea bass, lamb, and a bunch of other things that I forgot because the list was so long that I had to ask the server to repeat it twice. Sure, you can get pizza and pasta here, but you can also indulge in some mighty fine BYOB dining. Also, the ceasar salad is to die for. There are mounds of cheese clinging to ever little piece of lettuce.

    (4)

  • Molly D.

    Yum. I love everything about this cozy neighborhood spot. I was in for dinner with the husband recently and we split a salad, app & 1/2 pizza. The wine list is good, cocktail selection is excellent, and the food is tasty. Also, our server was great, recommending various things and not minding that we were sharing, which makes me want to go back. We had the rustic salad & veggie (I think it's called verdure) pizza. I recommend both.

    (5)

  • Sarah V.

    The perfect little neighborhood Italian restaurant. I wish I still lived around the corner from here. (tear) It's small, dark, noisy and cozy. You'll find couples cuddling in corners, a group of girls sharing bottles of wine, and families near the window catching up. The employees all have that charming Italian accent that I love so much. We usually find a way to keep them chatting longer just so we can listen. I love the create your own pasta section of the menu. Every single time I will order the spinach and artichoke ravioli with arrabiata sauce. It's spicy and just enough food to fill me up. My other must have is the margherita pizza. Cracker-thin crust, very fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and the sauce is exquisite. During the summers the patio is the best seat in the house, bring a bottle of wine and share a pizza. Perfection.

    (4)

  • Annie D.

    Pizza Rustica has great pizza, service, drinks and prices! What more can I say? I've tried four different pizzas; all were amazing! It's a must try. And for the patron who wondered why they're closed on Tuesdays. It's smart! When most other restaurants in the city are closed on Mondays, their open. They need a day off like everyone else.

    (5)

  • Molli K.

    This place is cute and the food is pretty good. The service, however, is rather pathetic. We were walking home from an errand and thought we would step in for dinner, since they didn't look too busy. The owner greeted us at the door and told us about a special event they were having for this ginger beer they were promoting that night. She told us about the menu, gave us a sample of the beer, and had a waiter take us to our table. That's the last anyone said to us for the next 20 minutes. To the sound of a screaming child in the background, we watched while several couples came in after us, sat down and ordered, as we waited, and waited. Finally, I asked the guy busing tables if we could see a server, and he scrambled to find us one. She finally showed up and I said we had been waiting awhile and she looked at me like I had 2 heads. We ordered drinks, which she managed to nearly spill on us as she brought them. No one came to ask us if we wanted another. We ordered pizza and a salad, which came late. It was pretty good, although the pizza sauce was on the bland side. We did order a second round of drinks, but we had to flag another server down to get them. And we had to flag a different server down to get our bill. Needless to say this place isn't on the top of our return list.

    (2)

  • Michael H.

    Businesses can be successful with location, location, location. Pizza Rustica successes are built on service, service, service. From the moment you enter, to the table, to just before one heads out - service is the key component. Service happens here. It happens when one arrives and the maître de takes your group to the bartender for your drink order. It happens when your server is attentive, throughout. And, it happens when the owner stops at your table and shares a laugh. The food: delicious. The atmosphere: neighborhood. The service: impeccable.

    (5)

  • Natalie F.

    Dont tell me, you are not Domino's. I was shocked at the price for a small pizza and 3 toppings. Almost $19. I was a bit floored the delivery guy gives me the quote above. Dont say that and then burn my pizza on top of it. doh! They forgot the dessert, ok. Fine. I call and let the guy know this and he goes over my bill with me how they had not charged me for the dessert. I was like wow, expensive. he shows up and I do him credit for it with dessert and shocked at why I am shocked at his prices. I told him I can go to Fornellos and get a great small pizza for under $12. I think he said our quality is better. We had not opened the pizza at this point. He told me to look around at the other prices. I have lived in this neighborhood for 5 years. Try Sapporia, Michaels, CW, and Fornells. You can get a small non burnt pizza for under $12. I also like Pat's. Dominos on irving rocks! seriously. Fast and never had a problem. We finally did open it and some of the sides were a bit burnt. Fine, we were painting the apartment and starved. Bit in, the crust they use soaks up the burnt edges......we were so hungry and tired, at that point, what can you do? I just found it ironic how two delivery guys went on how wonderful they were and we get that at our door. The dessert not so good either. I was really bummed about that too. How do you mess up Strawberry cake? all seeds...

    (2)

  • Betsy T.

    Love, love, love this place! Authentic Italian pizza, cute and cozy atmosphere, and good food! The staff is always friendly and lively. It can definitely get busy, so go earlier or later- stay away from the standard 6:30-7:30 dinner time. They're moving to a new location soon and will offer cocktails, beer and wine; though it will still be BYBVino.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    I suppose cozy is an appropriate word to use for Pizza Rustica, or perhaps intimate would be a better description. Nonetheless, the restaurant is tiny and can get a little crowded quite quickly. There is outdoor seating, which is nice on warm days and its BYOB (both pluses). The service was a bit splotchy, but our food came faster than anticipated. They do take out and delivery on the nights where they wait for a table is atrocious and I would say the food was pretty good. A nice little local place for a quick bite to eat.

    (3)

  • Lisa G.

    Pleasantly surprised at this hidden [to me] gem! Pasta, tuna dishes and pizza were all stellar. Flavorful, decent sized portions and prices are reasonable. Also has BYOB, friendly staff and crowd. Can't wait for them to open outdoor seating, as I might live here if they also had wifi! All in all, I wish it were closer to me!

    (5)

  • Tracey S.

    This place is fantastic! BYOB along with fantastic pizza, does it get any better? The crust is buttery and crispy, toppings fresh, and just the right amount, a nice balance! Waiter was cute and charming and paid great attention to three young ladies having "time out" with their girlfriends. The Mista salad was clean, simple and delicious! I will go back and back, some of the best pizza I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Whitney S.

    Haven't tried the pizza yet, but the pasta was okay. It's close enough that I'll probably go again to test out the pizza. Byob is a plus, and it's a cute place. The good looking Italian waiter gives it another star. That's about it.

    (3)

  • Allie B.

    Blech. Just ordered delivery and were not pleased on several fronts. One, we ordered a pizza with roasted peppers and italian sausage. What arrived was a soggy pepperoni. I do not like pepperoni. Even 15 minutes on our pizza stone couldn't save this mushy crust. We also ordered the "rustica salad", which was described as containing "baby spinach, goat cheese, artichokes and croutons". What arrived was wilted spinach, goat cheese, one artichoke heart and soggy white bread croutons - no dressing. Not even a smidge of oil/vinegar. Boring. We were looking for a solid dinner to provide a nice NYE drinking base. I'm already thinking about the PB&J I'll make when we get home from the bar. We will not be ordering again. Yuck.

    (1)

  • Wesley R.

    Great tasting pizza, particularly the crust! A half sized pizza is good enough to serve about 2 people, no need for additional food. BYOB, but we didn't take advantage of that on this occasion. Service was noticeably terrible. Our waitress was only over 3 times: once to give the menus, once to take our orders, and lastly to bring over our order. We never got a refill on our waters, nor did she ask to find out how we were doing. We had to call her over in order to ask for our check. Normally this would have cost them a star in my book, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt this time. (You've been warned though!) The size of the place, yes is a bit "cozy" or "intimate". Larger groups will definitely have some issues depending on the time of the night. There is outdoor seating available. There is metered parking outside, but realize that this is on the edge of Wrigleyville / Uptown. You might as well take advantage of its proximity to the Red Line and a number of bus lines, rather than play parking roulette...particularly during Cubs season.

    (4)

  • Jason A.

    If you're not hungry when you arrive at Pizza Rustica, you will be after you smell the restaurant. This place plain smells yummy. The price is a little high, and the menu is a little small. However, for a little neighborhood gourmet pizza, it's a nice place to have around the corner.

    (4)

  • Juls M.

    I adore thin-crust pizza. Last night at Pizza Rustica, I had the best crust I've ever tasted. Buttery, crisp, not a bit under or overdone. There were three of us, and we shared a whole pizza. 1/4 tutta, 1/4 potato rosemary, 1/4 quattro straggioni, and 1/4 margherita. I can't begin to choose a favorite. And what did my two friends think? "oh my gawd." "...quite literally the best pizza. ever."

    (5)

  • D.A. P.

    I did delivery, first off. But one has to ask: how much butter am I prepared to eat? This is not your, "hey lets get pizza, beer, and devour both" pizza. You will need to have a doctor on speed dial if you do. I cook a good amount and butter has this magical knack for making most things taste better. But there is such a thing as too much and I think here with the butterfied crust we have the case...in my opinion. On the other hand the pasta, specifically the pasta sauce, was excellent. Other than the sauce the pasta was basic, just noodles. I'll try Pizza Rustica again, dine in, and maybe my experience will be better. Until then, three stars.

    (3)

  • Nina F.

    If you're looking for a nice break from the deep-dish Chicago style pizza, Pizza Rustica is an amazing choice. I recently moved into the area, and went there at the suggestion of a friend. So glad I did! It's a very 'neighborhood-type' place with a nice quiet vibe. The bruchetta was incredible, with really fresh, tasty ingredients. The pizza was also outstanding. We ordered a margarette pizza and added mushrooms, spinach and prosciutto.The relatively thin butter crust was fabulous. YUM! they also serve the food on these wooden paddles, which is kinda neat. The waitress (Pam?) was really friendly, and suggested the Panna Cotta dessert to top off the meal. It was out of this world. Highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Jen D.

    Pizza + BYOB = Perfection. Street parking @ meters readily available on a Saturday night. Handsome, Italian, eye-candy waiter. Even as the restaurant got busier (?), our service stayed great. I ordered a simple green salad with balsamic vinegar and it was so blissfully simple that I can't stop thinking about it. I went with two girlfriends and we ordered two 1/2 pizza's and it was so good, we just gorged ourselves. We also brought a bottle of wine that should be served cold but we wanted to open another bottle first. Our waiter, Walter, said he could put it in the fridge for us. When my friend fretted that we'd be too drunk and forget it, Walter assured us that he would not let that happen. And, sure enough, we we were chuggin' down the last of our glasses from the first bottle of wine, Walter magically appeared with the 2nd bottle already corked. Now, my only "bummer" - which applies to almost any BYOB, is that we were charged a cork fee PER customer. So, two bottles of wine actually cost us $12. Very yummy. Will probably be back!

    (4)

  • Keri H.

    As a Chicago girl...we'll pizza is definitely one of my favorite meals however I am pretty picky. I grew up on Rosati's in the northwest suburb I grew up in...to me that defines delicious pizza. However my roomie and I decided to try Pizza Rustica because it is nearby and its BYOB! We've gone multiple times but its the Quattro Stagioni pizza is something I crave at least once a week. Its way different than any kind of pizza I've ever had. It has a buttery crunchy crust and doesn't have a lot of sauce (which I prefer). Pair the pizza with the simple Rustica Salad and a glass of Pinot Noir....well that's just a fantastic Friday night meal. The place is really small...so big parties are hard to accommodate. Great BYOB ( I don't think there is a corkage fee). I order delivery from there a lot to...reliable (usually takes about an hour or so depending on the night). I've gone before and had other items such as the gnocchi with creamy tomato sauce. Also good...but nothing beats their pizzas. I've gone before and had pasta.

    (4)

  • Carol J.

    I'm such a big fan of such a tiny place but when you've got fantastic pizza, BYOB and great desserts, its really kind of hard to go wrong in my book. Love Pizza Metro so it didn't take much to lure me here and am ever glad that I did venture up here. although it does get crowded and cramped (really-its cozy!) the quick service and reasonably priced pizza is what keeps me going back. I've never had delivery but their to-go pizza stays warm and crisp so thats another big giant plus! Great authentic Roman style pizza!

    (5)

  • Ted C.

    A friend of mine lives around there and took me to dinner and prior to that I heard my sister rave about it. I thought it was ridiculous that she would take my little cousins all the way down there for pizza-they live in the North Shore. After the dinner I was very impressed and could see why my sis would go through the drive for it. Sampled some leftovers this week and it's better than I remembered. I long to go visit again.

    (5)

  • Jon C.

    The pizza here is very excellent and very different from other places that offer similar types of pies. Something about the crust. Lunch was cheap, fresh, and great. I will be going back for dinner. The place is very "Ma and Pa", but these are the places that you usually find the best of everything. BYOB too, can't go wrong.

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    By far one of the best pizza place in Chicago. People have stated that they are upset by the wait time for delivery, you will get his with a popular restaurant. Also they have moved to a larger space so there is more seating. The new space is much nicer than the old space too. The new location (across from the old location) has a full bar, a larger kitchen, and a nice vibe. If you are ever in Lakeview looking for a good restaurant stop by Pizza Rustica. I lived in Rome for four months and this is the closest thing I have found to true Italian pizza. The staff is great and I would recommend this place to anyone.

    (5)

  • Stephanie M.

    The pizza here tastes just like pizza I had when I was in Italy. Very authentic and delicious. The caesar salad is really wonderful too.

    (5)

  • choong l.

    The reviews so far from other Yelpers have been pretty much right on the money. I think that the place appeals to the typical resident (myself included) who like enjoy dining out as a break from the daily norms, but seek a good valu at the same time.. Pizza Rustica is it -- decent enough ambiance for a good six-pack or inexpensive wine with about $12-per-person price range for very good pizzas and no-frills pasta dishes. Their pizzas are about $12 range for pan large enough for 2-3 people, and most of their pasta dishes are at $10 range. Their daily specials seem to be more ambitious takes, but sadly, I've yet to try them -- the $16-18 range pushes the limit of being "good bargain" in terms of the price range. I always share a pan of Quattro Stagioni and Lasagna with my wife, and we usually end up taking home leftovers. My only gripe for the pizza is that their pizza tends to be a bit heavy on the cheese -- it tastes fresh (and my wife has no gripes on their cheese portion), but if you typically prefer more sauce and less cheese on your pizza orders, you might consider asking them to go easy on it.

    (3)

  • Hollie D.

    LOVE this place! Highly, highly recommended. I want to try the pasta so bad, but I can't stray from the amazing pizza!!!!

    (5)

  • Tiff D.

    Two stars for being a restaurant that looks like it is trying. The pizza isn't anything to write home about, we ordered the veggie and the tutta (everything). The toppings were sparse and burnt, the cheese was missing in some places, the saving grace was the crisp, sugary crust. Or maybe it was the sauce that was sugary. Either way, something in every bite tasted a bit like dessert. Unlike the other reviews, I thought the service was good. It's a small restaurant, so I noticed that most people were dropping their silverware, partly because the tables are really slippery. The staff treated this very normally, anyone available was replacing the silverware hastily. I wish there was a bread basket served while waiting for pizza; me and my date got a little too drunk waiting 45 minutes for the pizza to cook. We kind of just watched other people eating, wishing it would get here sooner. We tipped 20 percent because I kinda felt bad for this place, trying to act like a big restaurant, when really it's greatest functionality is delivery. Won't be returning, especially when Michael's is a block away and has great pizza specials on the weekends.

    (2)

  • Katie H.

    This review is for carry out only - - We ordered a half pizza with cheese, blue cheese, and garlic. First of all, wow - this is a half? This thing was huge, and very tasty. Very thin crust, cut into small squares. It tasted just as good as the amazing pizza I had in Venice. And I love when I can have 4 pieces of pizza and really only eat as much as if I had once slice of Domino's. Fools me into thinking I am really indulging. We also ordered the artichoke tortellini with alfredo sauce. If it were physically possible to make love to a pasta - this would be the one! The artichoke had a great flavor and the pasta tasted homemade, and the sauce! Oh the sauce - light, creamy and cheesey with a hint of garlic. Wow. I will definately be ordering from, or dining in at, Pizza Rustica again. It's very inexpensive and the portions are large for the price. Everything is clearly made of fresh, quality ingredients. When I miss the food in Italy, this will be a great substitute! - - I've now eaten in and tried some of the pastas - all wonderful. The dough is pre-made. They add toppings and then cook, but it's still good to me.

    (4)

  • Jessica B.

    I ordered a Quattro Stagioni (half order) pizza for to go, since that was what my sister claimed to be the best pizza in store. I was disappointed. The crust and the corners of the pizza was simply too dry and hard , I threw them away. It could really use some more cheese as well!

    (2)

  • Danielle R.

    Decent thin crust pizza with reasonable prices; just wish the pizza wasn't so buttery. Afterward it felt like a stick of butter was just sitting in my stomach. As a small neighborhood place I think this would be a great option for carry out. I'm looking forward to trying their pasta.

    (3)

  • Jody P.

    Highly Recommend Pizza Rustica to anyone who likes genuine Italian cuisine. The food here is amazing. We've been coming here for years-used to live around the corner- and have never, ever had a bad bite of food, or drinks! Personal favorite and regular order is the margherita pizza with crumbled sausage and a couple glasses of Prosecco. You can't go wrong! They also have outstanding chalkboard specials, and the staff here are all perfectly attentive and appropriately personable. Seriously, check this place out. I promise you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Teddy H.

    Really fun find in Lakeview! Went here last weekend with a group of six on a Saturday night - we were sat instantly and had an amazing meal. Salads and pizzas are delicious and filling. Our server (can't remember her name) was beyond attentive and engaging. The large pizzas are big enough to share and the wine list is great. Very casual and laid back, but perfect for a last minute meal in the Lakeview area.

    (4)

  • Lesia C.

    This. Place. Is. Amazing. I have been here several times since moving to the area, and have never been disappointed in the food, or the service. The bartenders and servers are some of the nicest people I have met working at a restaurant, and are always extremely helpful. Cocktails are always on point. Things you should order: 1. their puttanesca pizza, it's to die for. 2. arrabbiata pasta, spicy but not too spicy 3. the shrimp risotto special if they have it FYI closed on Tuesdays.

    (5)

  • Victoria V.

    No thank you. Weird server who could give a shit about giving a recommendation and seemed annoyed to have a dog on the patio? Check Margherita pizza with sausage that tasted like a 99 cent totino's pizza? Check Pasta that was boring, small portion sizes, and was not impressed? Check A 6th grader could've cooked an equivalent meal and might have even had more dazzle. Lastly - when your kitchen closes at 9:30 you should put that on your website (it says 10pm) and not be an asshole when a potential customer calls at 9:50pm to ask about pizza delivery. You'd think a business would want to make the extra $40. Ain't no lie - baby bye bye bye

    (1)

  • Emily Z.

    In case the 490+ reviews wasn't enough of a tip, this place is great! The insides is warm and cozy, the patio is cool and breezy (disclaimer: only on a cool and breezy day). They have a nice selection of salads, soups, pasta and pizzas. In a city that claims to have the best pizza, Pizza Rustica is still tops my list, sorry Giordanos. The Pizza is delicious, great selection of different specialty pizzas, we loved the Sapposa and Pollo Pesto, but the buttery crust is what really sets Pizza Rustica apart. For real, that crust though. Pizza Sizes are half and whole, we split two halfs between three of us, ate very generously and still had some for breakfast the next day! They do get busy after Cubs games, and the Chef may step outside and ask your table to leave as they have other people waiting... so there is that, but otherwise service was great!

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    We loved the food here. Has a great bottle of Nero as well. Ask which pastas are homemade!!! it was so much better. Pass on spicy mussels special appetizer. Mussels were mealy and lacked flavor. The worst thing about this place was the manager/hostess... not really sure what she was. But we wanted to grab a table outside for before Billy Joel. She was SO RUDE!!! Someone else was possibly meeting us and she wouldn't sit us inside until everyone was there. And that's fine... but she was like harassing us about it. So we sat outside, which was fine, but a little cold. So we found out our third was for sure coming. The bus boy pushed together tables for us and set us up for three people. She came over and asked if our third was for sure coming. We said yes and then she asked us again. I MEAN COME ON!!! She was so rude it was frustrating. We almost got up and left. We felt like an inconvenience. Our waiter was nice and we liked the pasta... but we aren't going out of our way to return. Maybe take out when we are in the area.

    (3)

  • tom l.

    Well since moving out of Chicago I realized I miss a few things... 1. My Friends 2. Running by the lakefront 3. The crew and food at Pizza Rustica I cannot remember how often I ate there anymore. It blends in for me like being with family. Even when I fly back, I have to visit there at least once. Stefano and Juliana are amazing proprietors, and frankly she crafted the summer time Blueberry Gin Fizz #yum. Just bug them for a chicken milanese...ha they will hate me but its so good. And order some arancini and mixed greens to start with! And I love that the have DeLoach Pinot Noir. Excellent value! Also nothing says like a Sunday Funday that grabbing some pizza and wine there before heading off to Lincoln Park or Lakeview....OR sometimes after the funday. Anyway, regardless they will always accommodate and you won't be sorry! Looking forward to my next visit when back in Chi-town. Till next time Rustica and Chicago..... :)

    (5)

  • Joanna T.

    Just like the name, the ambience is the same, rustic. Nice and comfy patio area outside that makes you feel at home. We tried a few different pizzas and the flavor was definitely there. We also tried a pasta and that was good as well. This was a perfect spot to stop after a game at Wrigley with good food and reasonable pricing. Service was good, so if your in the neighborhood, this is a solid, welcoming space!

    (3)

  • Jeffie J.

    This is a great casual Italian restaurant. It has an informal vibe, with red brick walls and comfortable seating. The chef here knows his rustic Italian cooking. What he sends out of the kitchen is uniformly delicious--pizzas, pastas, and salads, plus a couple of nightly blackboard specials. The pizza has a crisp buttery crust and is addictive--you will come back for more. One night I ordered a special, monkfish with spinach. It was delicious but pricey, given the small portion they served. Remember this if you are hungry. There is an excellent bar staff and they make terrific cocktails. There is wine of course and a full list of craft beers. This is the kind of neighborhood place where they remember you from your last visit. It can get loud after the crowd from Wrigley field arrives so be prepared for that. Locals will continue to flock here and so will outsiders, once they discover it.

    (5)

  • Jim S.

    Pizza Rustica is a place you don't hear much about and I'm not sure why that is. It's probably one of the better Italian restaurants in Lakeview. I say Italian and not pizza because it's just that, an Italian restaurant with really good pizza. Their Margarita pizza is one of the best I've had. Make sure you order it with sausage, you won't be disappointed. The ingredients are fresh and the pizza is always hot and delicious. The crust is crispy and thin, it's really a great pizza if you're looking for something different. The rest of their menu is basically pasta items and then the blackboard menu. Their pasta is absolutely amazing, probably some of the best in Chicago. Everything is made to order and comes out piping hot. It's not a huge menu by any means, but you can mix and match items to create your ideal pasta dish. I love their meatballs and Linguini pasta, it's absolutely amazing. They used to be BYOB before they move into their new location, that was the best and is why I'm giving them 4-stars instead of 5. They now have a full bar and it's actually really great. The restaurant itself is pretty small and has a decent patio out front. If you're in the area and looking for pizza/pasta, definitely check this place out. You won't be disappointed by the food, that much I know.

    (4)

  • Christie M.

    While I live in this neighborhood and was initially so excited to have found a cute place nearby, I have been disappointed both times by their service. The first time I came here, I sat at the bar and could barely get the bartenders' attention even though we were two feet apart. I understand that this place does craft cocktails (which are phenomenal!!!) and there is a longer wait for the drinks, which I'm okay with. However, what I wasn't pleased about was the long wait to get water, long wait to get silverware, no one checking up on us after our meals were brought out, etc. And this is all sitting at the bar- it should be easy to do! The second time, I came here, I sat outside. Again, service was very poor. This was the middle of the day and the restaurant was completely empty. It took 20 mins for a salad to come out and another 5-6 mins for someone to bring us silverware to eat said salad.Just really frustrating, especially when you're hangry! It's disappointing because I absolutely love their food and and cocktails. I've had fantastic meals both times I have come, but the service is a huge let down. I honestly don't know if I'll be back. North Lakeview is sparse for restaurants but Pizza Rustica loses me with its service.

    (3)

  • Michelle P.

    I really like this place - it's my goto spot on my way home after getting off the train. Staff is friendly and willing to help you figure out what kinds of wines you like if you are in the mood for some vino. I have had the pizza and caprese salad. YumMEE!

    (4)

  • Philly G.

    Great mussels in a spicy tomato broth for 2 is a perfect starter. The pizza with arugula, tomatoes and truffle oil in a half size is great for 2. Also had the moscato spritzer which had basil in it and to my surprise was a great combination. Will definitely go back to try more.

    (5)

  • Adam A.

    I've been meaning to try Pizza Rustic for awhile and finally got the chance to meet up with some friends yesterday. We decided to sit at the bar and had Jackie as our bartender. She was incredibly friendly and knowledgable about the menu. She recommended drinks, I had the Basil Grape upon her recommendation which had vodka, ginger beer, basil and grapes. It was incredibly refreshing and a great summer cocktail. My friend had the Jalapeño Margarita which was spicy and so good that I had it as my second drink. Upon Jackie's recommendation, we had the Rosemary chips which were more like thick sliced roasted potatoes and the Spinach Artichoke Dip. Both were fantastic and a perfect starter for two people. Next we asked for a pizza recommendation and once again Jackie didn't disappoint. She recommend the Tartufo Pizza. This is by far one of the best pizzas I've ever had. It had arugula, tomato, parmesan, mozzarella and truffle oil. I would absolutely recommend this pizza. This was an easy 5 stars based off of service, drinks and food, I'll be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Emily H.

    The food here is fine, the service is really lacking. My husband, parents and I went here for dinner early last Sunday evening. The place was pretty empty, and yet we sat through our entire meal with empty water glasses, no napkins, and had to go to the bus station to find condiments. We rarely saw our server or busser. I would highly recommend not eating in, but rather getting your food to go.

    (3)

  • chris t.

    Had a great wine tasting night this past winter. Juliana is fabulous and has a great menu. Had a wonderful going away party here for 20. Service was great, good food and wine. The ambience is laid back but romantic. Had so much fun on the Summer patio as well.

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    Top notch !! Service excellent, menu excellent ! Food excellent !! Pizza was soooo good .

    (5)

  • fab f.

    Too expensive for pizza. I'm glad they are successful but they won't see me anytime soon because I don't think you can spend $100 (+tip) for a pizza and two pastas for kids (and 3 beers). Also, $4 extra for a half cup of extra tomato sauce on the side... seriously? Also, I see that they make northern rustic cuisine, no sign of it.

    (3)

  • Kelly W.

    I have only had this pizza for delivery. So this is strictly speaking of their pizza. I have no had any appetizers or desserts or anything else. Their pizza is FANTASTIC. My work ordered it for us and I had to go out of my way to ask where it was from. It is that good. The crust is so buttery and crispy and flaky. Great thin crust pizza!!

    (5)

  • Joshua D.

    Really really cool place. Nice date spot. Ordered two half pies for my wife and I. One had truffle oil and was recommended by server. It had a very distinct and rich flavor that can begin to become overwhelming so I would get a smaller size. Appetizer was fresh mozzarella with a delicious sauce and bread. Second pizza was a simple yet flavorful. Highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Sanup D.

    Last night was one of the worst nights I have ever endured at a restaurant. My girlfriend and I went to pizza rustica looking to assuage our pizza and pasta craving, but left annoyed and unsatisfied. We were seated inside and promptly ordered a bottle of wine. Though the wine came in an adequate amount of time, we did not get glasses of water until halfway through our meal even though we asked twice. Our server, though I do not want to reveal her name to hurt her credibility, was absolutely terrible. We started with the pollo O pesto salad to split between us. The chicken was completely overcooked. After a bus boy cleared our plates our server came back and asked if we were ready to order appetizers even though she took our initial order. This was only a minor inconvenience but when this was coupled with the fact that she hardly showed any attention to us, it was hard to overlook. I ordered a pizza while my girlfriend ordered gnocchi with pork cheek. We sat there for 45 minutes waiting for our food to come out. Though the place was busy we noticed a chef who seemed like the owner talking to the same table for about 20 minutes. In those 20 minutes we also noticed that two dishes resembling what we ordered simply sat on the counter. Sure enough, he brought those exact plates over to us. In terms of the food, lukewarm anything is not traditionally what I like and if my girlfriend knew that pork cheek meant 1 small, round piece of bacon she probably would've avoided it. The worst part was that we had asked our server what our dishes were supposed to be like prior to ordering and she gave no indications other than "they're delicious". We didn't complain like we probably should have and simply continued the meal. Our server returned finally and asked about dessert. She said that the fruit tiramisu was something we had to try. Both of us were confused by what that would mean and asked her to describe it to us. Once again she simply said "it is fantastic". We ordered it to see why she believed that. The fruit content of our tiramisu simply consisted of raspberry sauce over a plain piece of cake. Finally, we asked for our check and I promptly gave my card. It felt like a lifetime while we waited for them to simply run my card but we noticed our server was instead passing out drinks behind the bar. We figured she was helping with the demand at that point but then she came to the table next to us to drop off drinks without giving back my card. At this point we began making faces of exasperation and the lady who originally seated us asked some servers to find out what was wrong with our table. Quickly she realized we just wanted my card back so she attempted to speed up the situation. This whole ordeal was resolved when our server took our bill from the paying station, went outside to deliver food and drinks, took two tables orders, came inside and delivered others orders, then finally dropped off our check. I simply could not believe she took so much time to just give back the check after everyone in there realized how annoyed we were. Overall I can get cheaper and tastier pizza and pasta in so many places without dealing with this horrid service.

    (1)

  • Mike M.

    We were there on Saturday, July 25th at about 7pm. First of all, the pasta bolognese and meatballs were absolutely delicious. 5 stars for my dinner. The reason for the 2-star review? We sat on their patio (which was full). The table had no salt/pepper. No silverware. Water was delivered after about 15 minutes. We didn't order pizza, so we expected bread to be served. Nope. Had to ask for it. When it was delivered (dropped off, literally), it came with no butter, olive oil, cheese... anything. So, I asked the hostess for some butter, which is my preference with bread (although olive oil would have been fine). A man in a white coat came out to deliver the butter, with a stern message. WE DON'T SERVE BUTTER HERE. Hmm... OK, so why did you just deliver it to me? It was a huge mess of butter, too... obviously sliced haphazardly in the kitchen from the stock they use to cook with. I worked for 18 years in the restaurant business, so I know chefs and owners can be temperamental about these things. But you never show that to the customers. Who wants to go out to eat and be scolded? Not me. I wasn't demanding and if the hostess had said, sorry we don't serve butter, I would have asked for olive oil. The waitress seemed embarrassed about the man's behavior (he must be the owner or something) and I got the sense she's apologized for him in the past. Anyhow, my two cents. We will not be back, despite the excellent pasta. It's not worth it.

    (2)

  • Maria M.

    WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!! I have continue to try pizza rustica over and over again. I gave it three opportunities - the service is always horrible!! They are slow, they ignore you, and are rude at times. On the other hand, the pizza is amazing and that is the only reason this place is still open. Do not waste your time going to the actual restaurant, you are better off ordering to go/take out!

    (2)

  • Brooks M.

    this place is a little gem of chicago. original square thin crust pizza and a family run business from the start. they do it because they love! that's it! the space is clean and classic with a foreign flare and great service. good wine and dessert choices. enjoy the secret side of chicago, not the deep dish side ;)

    (4)

  • Chang K.

    I'm new to the neighborhood so I decided to give this place a try since its right across the street from me. My friend and I both had the pasta and it didn't really surpass any expectations that we had walking into this place. I also didn't feel like it was a little overpriced. There is $2 charge for every vegetable added to your pasta. With vegetables like me adding 4 different vegetables was $8 on top of the base price of $10. The portions weren't great either, but I have to say the spaghetti was very well made/cooked. The service was also not that great seeing that it took the waitress 20 minutes to get our check for us. She seemed very busy like it was understaffed, but there were more than enough employees serving tables and the place wasn't even half full. Was the food ok? yes. Was the service great? not really. Would I return to this place? probably not.

    (3)

  • Cheryl B.

    Service is efficient however we asked for bread several times and when it was delivered it was tasteless and one piece was as hard as a hockey puck. The oil it was served with wasn't high quality (but okay) but it came without balsamic!! Tisk, tisk. The Cabernet Sauvignon I ordered was very good and helped reduce the disappointment. John ordered the Pesto spaghetti dish lacked flavor and when we asked the waiter why it, "didn't have lots of flavor", he stated, "they've been asked to cut back." What? Since when do Italians want to cut back, especially on basil and garlic?? My spaghetti dish (just Linguini, tomato sauce and chili flakes (who can't make this in their sleep?) was okay. I didn't mind it but if you know who the Graziano's and the Tomea and Sons (Des Moines, IA) are, this place missed the mark completely!!! By the way after my husband complained the waiter grabbed all our plates almost stabbing me in the arm with the knife and unapologetically rushed off. Needless to say, atmosphere is great here but when it comes to the preparing and serving great food, we won't be back.

    (1)

  • Eduardo M.

    Those of you that know me know that I love a good deep dish pizza. This place is NOT for deep dish. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, this place has become one of our go-to places for incredibly tasty pizza of the flat-bread variety. Pizza Rustica is reliable for delivery and a great place to meet friends. Located on Sheridan, near the Red line, means that it's easy to get to and so it's easy to set up a big gathering without too many people worrying about parking. For us, it's an easy walk (except in winter) and the atmosphere is always pleasant, the staff friendly, and the wine selection excellent. If you stop by, always remember to check the specials on the wall (it's on the boards opposite to the bar) or be sure to ask the waiters. If you're in the mood for a great pizza, try the truffle pizza, it's our current don't-wanna-cook-let's-order-something-instead fall back.

    (5)

  • Dale J.

    This place is expensive, be prepared to spend some money when you eat here. Thankfully, the food is worth it. The server immediately suggested that they do pasta best, aside from the Pizza name. She was right. I had the create your own pasta with the Arrabbiata sauce, served with sausage. My dining companion had a blackboard special,, Butternut Squash Cappellacci. We also split a goat cheese, tomato sauce, and crostini plate. The food here is above reproach, excellent. The drinks were quite good as well. I had an IPA, again expensive, but the beer was excellent. I liked that you could see into the kitchen. I thought that 3 was a low number of chefs to have on hand. Yes, Sunday is a slow night, but these chefs were working their butts off. The menu is pretty extensive, so there were numerous pots going as well as dishes in the ovens. Highly recommended, I"ll be back.

    (5)

  • Amy H.

    I went with my friend one day to catch up with him and it was such a cute place. It's very rustic and intimate. All of the tables are pretty close to each other and then there's an open kitchen. The staff was very attentive and kind. In regards to the food, my friend got a cheese pizza but he had to squeeze lemon over it. I got one without cheese. It was almost like a light garlic butter bread. I loved mine. It was fresh- you can just tell they used fresh ingredients- and the crust was so crunchy. They put it in a wood oven so that crust blisters, getting those nice air bubbles. I sampled my friend's too. His was so fresh and light. The portions were big, so I couldn't finish mine; However, I didn't feel sluggish after finishing half of my pizza.

    (5)

  • Radha K.

    If I could give Pizza Rustica a 3.5 rating, I would. I enjoyed this place and definitely want to come back to check out their other food. On Sundays, they open at noon and we were definitely the first ones there! They had a sangria special that day which I tried...it was quite good! My boyfriend had the Dancing Buffalo cocktail which definitely had a little kick of bourbon to it...also very good and refreshing! The fried calamari's dipping sauce had a little spicy kick to it which made it pretty tasty. We got the...middle sized...pizza which was perfect for two people who are very hungry. We ordered the Verdure Grigliate - 'Grilled Vegetable' pizza which had roasted red pepper, grilled zucchini & marinated mushrooms. I enjoyed this as well! The our waitress and all the staff were really friendly, and their service was good as well! Definitely want to come back and try other foods!

    (3)

  • Kyle T.

    This is the most underrated thin crust pizza in the city. Huge fan. Service is crazy good in here too. Toppings are awesome. I had mushrooms, pepperoni and rosemary potatoes. The combination was mint. Crust is amazing. Also had a caesar salad which was delightful.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    Always great food and service. Nice selection of handcrafted cocktails. Would recommend for family's or date night.

    (5)

  • Hannah T.

    Pizza Rustica is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chicago! It is adorable and cozy and feels like a real Italian restaurant. I lived in Italy for 5 months, and this is the closest thing I can find to delicious Italian food and an authentic Italian ambiance! It's the perfect place for a date (so romantic!) or a dinner out with friends. My favorite dish is the Salsa Rosa (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). The pizza is delicious too, and the portions are pretty generous. I can't say enough good things about this place!

    (5)

  • Matthew R.

    Great little local place with a fantastic atmosphere, friendly service, and a spacious patio (for the warm weather months). The menu is good as well, but not super big. Definitely worth a try!

    (4)

  • Mike Z.

    Great Pizza!

    (4)

  • Bob K.

    We had another great meal at Pizza Rustica, everything was delicious, the pasta, salmon, lamb chops were perfectly prepared, The wine and craft beer selection is awesome, we'll be back,

    (5)

  • Kathy M.

    First things first....order the Spicy ginger lime cocktail!!! This is an amazing drink and just because you see jalapeño listed as an ingredient, don't be scared off! The flavors blend so well together that you never experience a sharp jalapeño taste, but rather a smooth, completely tasty drink. Hubby and son had the Cucumber lemon and they were happy with their drinks as well, but I'm going on record that my drink was the best! We shared several items for dinner in an attempt to taste as many dishes as possible. We shared some pizza, the Linguine Black Ink pasta dish and the Gnocchi dish. Everything was very good, with my personal favorite being the Linguine Black Ink pasta. This is another location within walking distance of my son's and I know we will back next time we are in town.

    (5)

  • Thomas H.

    The owner is unfriendly and will do anything you ask for someone that is popular (including taking a reservation for party with the last name Pritzker when they don't take reservations). Common folk in eds to wait 35 minutes when three tables sit empty.

    (1)

  • Clayton P.

    Really nice Italian restaurant. They do a good job of making you feel like you're in an older Italian restaurant. They have good music as well which is nice. My group and I just split a pizza and it had this crispy crust packed with flavours of olive oil and the sauce was tangy and not to acidic or sweet! The toppings we had were pepperoni, sausage, and half blue cheese. It was absolutely delicious. I would recommend this to a friend for sure. They only had two beers on tap unfortunately but they had a red ale made with rye and it was phenomenal.

    (4)

  • Justin E.

    Great Pizza. It's a tad on the pricey side but the food is very delicious. The service is normally pretty great and the atmosphere makes it great for a date. Its loud enough that awkward pauses are covered up but you can still have a conversation.

    (3)

  • Phil S.

    I used to love this place when i lived closeby. The pizza is still great but the service is getting worse, especially delivery (and the crazy "extra" delivery prices to just delivery to Ravenswood???). I ordered a pizza last Friday... was told 45 minutes delivery. 1.5 hours goes by and nothing. I called and the girl says "oh sorry there was a Cubs game and we got slammed your pizza is in the oven now". Terrible order management. I guess its just better in person... avoid delivery.

    (3)

  • Erin K.

    I love this place! To start, the setting and the decor is perfect. It has a rustic but modern feel to it. It's really pretty inside and it's not too loud. In addition, the chef is a true Italian, so the food is authentic. Speaking of food, you can't really go wrong with anything. I usually get a make your own pasta dish. I love the papardelle with salsa rosa and meatballs. The pizza is also great, and it's good for sharing. You get plenty of food when you order something. They also have a great wine and beer selection. This place it really good for any occasion. It can be a date place or a good spot to bring guests when they come to visit.

    (5)

  • Mikey L.

    Very tasty pizza. Friendly service. Nice neighborhood vibe. Patio seating.

    (4)

  • Christopher S.

    Always a great choice for hanging out with friends and the staff is great. #1 choice in my hood. Food is excellent. Had the Arancini and Caesar salad. Wonderful.

    (5)

  • Cathy B.

    This is one of the best locally owned restaurants in the city - I have been going to Pizza Rustica years and it has been consistently been good food with good service.

    (5)

  • Erin S.

    We came here on a rainy evening after moving and found great service, food (we had the Puttenesca pizza - delicious!), and beer. Highly recommend! Cute environment, too.

    (4)

  • Kt Y.

    Heard good things so have it a try. Ordered pizza which took 45 minutes to come out. Received no apology from the waitress who we also didn't see for 40 minutes after ordering. The table was literally two small for 1 pizza platter and a set of appetizer plates so we had to hold our plates throughout dinner to avoid them from falling off, mind you there was only 2 of us. Pizza was fine, nothing to write home about. Oh and the specials? They were scrawled out in writing you could barely read. Won't be returning

    (2)

  • Bernard L.

    This was my first time I at at Rustic and I've got to say that I was pretty impressed. I was there after for an after work celebration dinner. Our server was very friendly and was helpful with the pronunciation of certain items. We started with an order of mussels, which were delicious. They were served on top of this pasta sauce with bread that we could dip into the sauce. The actual pizza was good as well. We ordered half of the ham and cheese pizza as well as a pizza called the "Ritta", which was a pepperoni, sausage and cheese. Pretty traditional, but very good. The set up look great. It had a mixture of a younger hip look quite at the same time appealing to families. I would definitely go back for seconds at this place.

    (3)

  • Keri M.

    By far my favorite Italian place in Chicago. The food. The atmosphere. The staff. The owners. All roll up to give you an incredible dining experience while still making you feel like part of the Italian family.

    (5)

  • Carina C.

    Delicious food and very helpful and nice staff. I have tried a few pizzas and LOVE them! The crust is crispy and the taste is fantastic. I'll be back for more!

    (5)

  • Simon F.

    Fantastic! Went here for date night with my fiancee and we both couldn't have had a better time. From the ambiance, to the Service, to the Drinks, and of course the food. The food was incredible. We had a half truffle pizza and the muscles which was a perfect amount for two looking to indulge. The beer and wine list were impressive, but we tried their cocktails which were the perfect compliment to the food. Seasonal and original to say the least. The decor was rustic and cozy. Our Server, Davide, was just as good as the food. He was able to make recommendations and really cared if we enjoined what we ordered. We will be back for sure and will be recommending to all of our friends.

    (5)

  • M S.

    This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago - perfect for date night or for taking out friends for good food & good wine. I actually don't believe I have had better pizza or pasta since I was in Italy! We usually order the Margarita Pizza + Sausage Crumbles which is delicious. I have also tried the pasta with bolognese sauce which I would definitely recommend. They have different "Blackboard" specials depending on the day/season which are always worth trying.

    (5)

  • A R.

    Everything about this place is fabulous. I've eaten here probably 20 times , and I keep going back because I know that I will always have an amazing meal. Great date spot, great place to go with your girlfriends or guys to go with their guy friends. I always get the burrata appetizer and salmon entree when its on special...so so good!!! The pizza is amazing, the lasagna is awesome, the pasta is always great. You can tell the staff loves to work there because they are all so accommodating and happy and super sweet. Absolutely recommend it.

    (5)

  • Amanda J.

    I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars on this one before settling on 4. Went here last night - during the Superbowl snowpocalypse - for dinner and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'll definitely be back to try more of their pizza and adult beverages. When my date and I walked in we quickly realized that no other patrons were there due to the blizzard. So we had this place to ourselves, score! Really liked the atmosphere - warm, cozy and woody with a dash of sophistication and old worldliness. We were presented with a menu and my eyes danced with delight when I saw their beer offerings. I had a very tasty Belgian Tripel called Piraat, and my date had a hoptastic IPA called Galactica. Nice. On to the 'za - we had the puttanesca (which was basically pancetta and onion) and the pollo pesto (chicken, pesto, and GOAT CHEESE, yes please!) pizzas. Both were ever so yummy in the tummy. All their pizzas are thin crust btw. What else? The service was really good. Might be because we were the only ones there though. Our server was just the right combination of friendly and knowledgeable. Again, I'd definitely come back here in the future, look forward to it. Grazie, Pizza Rustica!

    (4)

  • Julia M.

    Extremely overpriced for distinctly average food. Come for the atmosphere, pay for the atmosphere. The pizza tastes like it could be frozen and the panninis are not only barely warm, but also have poorly paired ingredients. IF we went back it would be to try the pasta, which looked like it might be fresh.

    (2)

  • Raph V.

    Randomly yelp this place on Saturday night with my wife cause we just wanted to have a nice dinner we didn't know what to expect so..... We were greeted and seated right away. Our Waiter Adil guided us through the entire menu and recommended our wine and meals and I have to say it was very very good. We had the house red wine and Cereal Killer beer to start. The meal that we had was the Grill Ribs and the Pizza Tutta and for dessert we had the tiramisu. Every bite from the ribs, pizza, tiramisu was incredible so if your every in the area or not I definitely recommend this place and ask for Adil to be your waiter cause he made the night with all his recommendations. Thank you Adil and we'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Stephen G.

    Although the pizza is pricey it is totally worth the amazingly fresh ingredients,and fantasticly unique crust.

    (5)

  • Ro L.

    You know how people complain about being hustled for drinks in restaurants? How the server keeps coming over wanting to know if you want "another round" or keeps pouring down your bottle of wine til you need to order another one? Hahahhaha - not to worry here - you can be parched like a beached whale and no one will take your drink order. The food is good, though, and its a great location.

    (3)

  • Kim L.

    As a new-comer to Chicago, I have already discovered that there are many places to get a delicious pizza--Michael's and Bojono's, to name a couple. To put it gently, I would not name Pizza Rustica's as one of Chicago's gems. Their house-made bread--flavorless and sponge-like-- has little craft to it. Having said that, you can still enjoy your time here. Afterall, who doesn't enjoy bread, carbs, grease and cheese at least once in a while. Though its hard to create a great pizza, it's also hard to mess one up. Rustica must be doing something right, because each time I pass by, they have a solid crowd. Maybe it's their service and ambience, both comfortable. On the evening that I went, I noticed a lone old lady sitting at the bar. She had even brought her yarn and knitting needles. She looked comfortable chatting with the bartender. The bartender looked comfortable, too.

    (3)

  • Adriane P.

    Too bad it's not called "Service and Ambiance Rustica" because on that alone it's stellar; but it's called "Pizza Rustica" and the food is not very good. The ambiance was inviting and cute. It's well decorated and good for dates, friend outings, and families. The service from everyone was great with a special stand out being NICK our server. He was the shining star of our dining experience. We ordered: Steigel Weisse (for him) Grapefruit Basil Martini (for me) Prosecco (for me) A starter of Arancini from the specials menu It's balls of polenta with beef and peas in the center that are fried and served w sauce on the side. It sounded different so we ordered it. This irked me. It arrived with one falafel sized Arancini ball cut in half. I learned after we got the check it was $7....that much for something the size of a small meatball? And cut? If we had been a party of 4 would it been cut into quarters?!? LAME! It was not very good either and it was cold. When it comes to ordering the pizza it's very confusing. We each ordered a slice (which is actually the size of a quarter block of a big pizza cut into several squares...? Weird but generous I guess) They only have one kind of crust and it's very regarded. Cheese with pepperoni and garlic for my dining partner. Tutta for me which is cheese w pepperoni, crumbled sausage, onions, black olives, and blue cheese and I requested easy sauce. Neither of us liked it. My partner was very hungry and he really struggled to eat even a portion. He found it incredibly salty. It was. We both didn't like the famous butter crust raved about. It had no taste of butter or olive oil. It was very dry and hard; it felt like we were eating an enormous super thick crouton with toppings on it. We prefer thin crust, and this crust wasn't thin or traditional thick style but like a hard, book thick stale cracker due to a strange texture. We thought the sauce was bland. I only found 2 tiny bits of sausage in my big "piece." I ended up eating the toppings off. It's a shame since the service was great and it's a cute place.

    (2)

  • Trice T.

    Love this place. The atmosphere is so warm and inviting. The mozzerella sticks (albeit are a seasonal item so check ahead) they are literally to die for and our new fav pizza is the truffle just can't get enough of it..this place never disappoints with warm and cozy for the winter and a great outside dining experience in the summer

    (5)

  • L M.

    Monday evening at Pizza Rustica... Me: may I have the pork belly appetizer? Waiter : we ran out Me: okay, may I have the mozzarella sticks? Waiter: we ran out Me: okay... I'm assuming you're out of the fried mozzarella too? Waiter: funny thing, we are. We usually run out of the mozzarella sticks. I tell people they are the size of a twinkle and they don't believe me, so they order it. Hahaha Me: (not thinking it's very funny that a pizza place has run out of mozzarella-related appetizer items when it knows items sell out or especially since mozzarella is a staple that the restaurant uses for its pizza! It's like going to a Mexican restaurant and asking for nachos, but they tell you they ran out of tortilla chips but still are selling tacos (made with the tortillas are made into chips. Wtf?) Waiter: we are also out of the orecchiette, but we can substitute with another pasta. Me: order a pizza, puzzled on how a restaurant, this day and age, can run out of food. Service, okay, not excellent or above average. Pizza (tutta pizza) yummy but Lou malnatis thin crust is crispier. Still, pizza yum. Drinks, delicious. Go back? Eh, maybe if they don't run of cheese.

    (2)

  • Josh G.

    5:30pm I ordered delivery. 6:00pm they call me and tell me I'm out of their delivery zone. I assure them I've ordered multiple times before, and I've always had it delivered. They tell me no. Policy apparently changed, which would have been ok if they told me that at 5:30, NOT 30 minutes later. I ask to speak to the manager, Megan, and she was SO RUDE. She cut me off, she utilized NO customer service, and she ended it all by hanging up on me. I will NOT be going back here, which is a shame, because I brought them a ton of business, and I love their food. They were super busy, but that doesn't mean you treat your customers like crap, and doesn't mean you can't provide customer service. #FAIL The pizza is good! The servers are AWESOME! The management SUCKS!!!!!! I will be calling and asking to speak to the owner so they know what I think of the management, or lack thereof.

    (1)

  • Michael W.

    A friend and I went to Pizza Rustica last night. I have heard decent things about this place and was excited to try it. We got there around 8:30 and had to wait at the bar for a few minutes to be seated---no biggie. After grabbing a drink at the bar, we were seated by the window. The server approached the table. He appeared visibly flustered and scattered. We placed an order for the Rustica salad, bottle of wine and a sausage, pepperoni, and TOMATO pizza. The Rustica salad was underwhelming---just a handful of spinach and a few small sprinkles of goat cheese. It took the waiter 15 minutes to bring the wine as our glasses stood empty and we thirsty. The pizza was good---however, the server got the order wrong. Instead of tomato he wrote down POTATO! Not the most appetizing choice. I was so hungry at this point I did not complain and ate it. The server promised hot sauce, and again, brought it out after half the pizza was eaten. As we finished our meal, the server (again scattered and nervous acting) proceeded to ask us why we didn't want to stay seated at the bar and eat there? I thought it was a very odd question. Does it really matter why we didn't want to stay at the bar? Maybe we wanted to face one another for conversation...just a thought. It was a busy night in the restaurant, but did not seem unmanageable. The waiter's comments gave us the impression that he was "Weeded" or wanted to get "cut" and didn't want another table. He then proceeded to talk to us (not picking up on that we were in mid-conversation) about random things. I rate this place two stars because the pizza was decent--even with the POTATO, but the service was not amazing. I will give it another shot, because any place can have an off night. I normally don't leave reviews, but just wanted to give feedback so that issues can be proactively corrected. Cheers!

    (2)

  • stephanie s.

    I have been coming here for years when they had a smaller restaurant across we they are now. Love love their pizza! The crust is amazing! Every dish is phenomenal and is made that day depending on what fresh ingredients they get for the day. Stepheno and his wife are wonderful and so sweet!! Such a cute and relaxing environment!

    (5)

  • Keith B.

    Extraordinary food - risen to an art form. Great staff and interior. One of my favorite places in the city. Authentic but updated Italian (Veneto regional) food with the highest quality ingredients prepared by an outstanding chef. Creative daily specials.

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    What can I say, I love Pizza Rustica. My downfall is that every time I go I can't seem to order anything but the Tutta. Just a fair warning, this place gets packed! We waited almost an hour one night for a table, but it's so solidly worth it. The cocktail menu is inventive, and delicious (try the Basil Grape), the pizza delicious, but more importantly the staff is absolutely wonderful. I've had great conversations with both the bartender and one of the owners. Try checking out one of their monthly wine or beer battles as well. It's so great seeing a bar staff so excited about what they are doing. This place gets a big thumbs up. And it helps I only live a few blocks away.

    (4)

  • Joe K.

    A long time favorite - just gets better all the time. Kelly (the newest waitress) is wonderful. Great attitude & personality! Never a bad experience here.

    (5)

  • Brian V.

    I've been going to Rustica on average once a month for the last several years, but was so put off this evening that I doubt I'll go back again. Normally, food is great, service is good. However, this evening about five minutes after we'd payed the bill, we were asked if we could vacate our table to make way for other patrons. I understand it was a Friday and a busy evening, but to be handed a bill and asked to move is sub par customer service, and well, rude. I don't know if they felt we were "regulars" and felt comfortable enough to ask, but was floored when the server said the owner asked if we could. As a former server I'm pretty mindful about keeping a table. There were times I'm sure I would have loved to ask people to turn a table for me - but never would have asked a guest to do that.

    (2)

  • Erika G.

    Solid place, but still only at three stars. Which is still a good review! A good friend had an art opening here and her beautiful art is all over the walls RIGHT NOW. Go, have a beer and buy art NOW! BIG Props to PR for supporting local artists, indeed. And the setting is really nice. Really a nice interior and bar, cosy, chill and "neighborhood bar" ish. Looked like there was a lot of regulars. The environs make me want to while days away here, eating, drinking and dishing. The staff - friendly, helpful and cute. Attentive without being overbearing. Fantastic. The staff were absolutely great. The day I went in, there was a Stiegl beer tasting. Points 'cos they have this delicious beer available. Stiegl beer guy was friendly, cute and generous with the samples. My cousin-sister and I ended up ordering two Stiegls, so his tasting worked. Yum The pizza. It was good when served hot. We got the Quattri something, with ham/artichokes/mushrooms and the meat pizza with pepperoni/sausage. A half of each, and it was an embarrassment of food for two chicks. A half pizza is A LOT here. I excitedly and giddily texted a pic to a fabulous pizza snob I know, and a few other people, all "this is delish!" The crust that people talk about here is delish, buttery, garlicky - it really is pretty special. It was just a *touch* too thick and cornmeal-y for me, though. Very filling but good. What made me frown. One way a pizza gets points with me is being a good leftover. We had so much food left, that we packed it up to eat later. For me, this means dinner the next day. I tried to eat the leftovers the next day, and they had completely died. Like, it was terrible. Soggy and mealy. This made me sad, because it really was great pizza when it was fresh. Maybe that's a bad way to judge a pizza, but it's something that is important to me. That said, I'll come back here. The pizza WAS good, I just won't order too much food again so I can consume it all in one sitting. And they have Stiegl, and it is a great bar and location (right near the Sheridan Red line - DON'T DRIVE!). Look for their star rating to improve from me, it is worth it to try this place.

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    This hidden gem in Lakeview is tucked away on Sheffield (right off the Sheridan Red line and where Sheridan Rd becomes Sheffield). The menu is simple and to the point which I very much appreciate. Everybody has a different preference with pasta and the sauce and they understand that this is the case! You pick the pasta style you like (they also have hand make 4: gnocchi, paparadelle, ravioli, and tortellini for $1 more) then your sauce. If you like vegetables and meat, you request it for an additional cost. Easy, huh? Great service and the servers are very attentive.

    (5)

  • Graham K.

    Pizza Rustica has been a neighborhood favorite since they were in small space on the east side of Sheridan more than 4 years ago. I have never been disappointed with a meal, and it was long overdue to write a description of the experience. My fiancee and I went last night, a Friday at 5:30. We ordered a bottle of prosecco first, which was promptly served in a chilled, ice-filled silver bucket. Delicious. We followed with a simple caesar salad, which we shared, and paired wonderfully with the prosecco. We were never rushed, and when the salad arrived we were asked if we would like to put in our dinner order; we asked if we could wait, and our server had perfect timing, coming back to ask us right as we were finishing the salad. I ordered penne in quatro formaggi with meatballs. The sauce was a perfect blend of the different cheeses, and not too thick and viscous but not thin, either; perfectly done. The meat balls (2 medium-to-large sized on top) were also excellent- moist all the way through, and easily breakable into chunks. Clearly fresh made. They were not dried out, sad pieces of meat. My fiance had penne and meatballs as well, but with arrabiata sauce. She says it was very flavorful and spicy, in the sense that it had a little touch of heat. She agreed on her meatballs' quality as well. Over the course of dinner, we ordered four different mixed drinks, all excellent and very promptly served, and by this point in the meal, the place was packed to the gills- inside and out. We ordered: 1. The Dancing Buffalo- bourbon mixed with prosecco as a base. Excellent, fun. I love bourbon and I love sparkling whites- paired together was a delicious play on each. 2. Moscato Lime Spritzer- FRESH basil and lime juice mized with moscato. This was absolutely fantastic- wonderful aroma due to the basil, and very refreshing. 3. Cucumber Lemon- Hendrick's gin, fresh cucumber, lemon juice. Another wonderfully refreshing drink. Hendrick's is an excellent gin with a lower-than-usual juniper count, quite different from a number of gins. 4. Blueberry Gin Fizz- Hendrick's gin again, fresh blueberries.... way too much simple syrup added. The blueberries really couldn't speak for themselves. Too sweet. I suppose most Americans love their sugar though, so I suspect most would dig it. Overall, we just had a wonderful evening. We have had many wonderful evenings here, and I was excited to finally sit down and write about the experience right after the fact. With 2 dinners, bottle of wine, a salad, 4 drinks... our bill was $95 and change, before tax. And the quality of each and every aspect of our dinner was stellar: service, attention to detail, pacing. People in Lakeview who have not gone here yet (or folks anywhere in Chicago) are really missing out on fair prices for very high quality food, drink, service- and ambience. Tons of exposed brick, dark stained wood and beautiful, large Edison bulbs giving off orange glows. Wonderful.

    (5)

  • Ebs B.

    Point blank... I. Liked. It! The pizza "slices" were more like personal pizzas at less than $5. The drinks were great. For less than $10, I was able to get a Moscow Mule with Tito's vodka and a Crabbie Alcoholic Ginger Beer. Yes folks, that means, I had an amazing drink with all alcohol in it. Plus, they give you the whole beer, so once you're done drinking the Moscow Mule, you still have the rest of the beer. After a couple drinks, I might have been enjoying my time there even more... For other places I've been to, similar to Pizza Rustica, this place takes the pie. Good prices, good pizza, good service, and fabulous drinks!

    (4)

  • Gamaliel E.

    Came here on a date night with the lil lady since this is her favorite pizza in the city. I tend to prefer the super thin crust pizza, so I was a bit skeptical after seeing that the crust was a bit thicker than I like. When I bit into the crust it was so crispy and light, I was pleasantly surprised! The toppings were good, making it an overall tasty pizza. The drink menu was pretty solid with some craft brews and some specialty cocktails. I stuck with beer and my fiancee had a delicious cocktail. We had a seafood pasta dish that was good, but not my favorite from other Italian restaurants that I've had it at. The service was super friendly, from the hostess to the waiter. Pizza Rustica will provide you with a nice dinner and drink, so get there before it gets too crowded.

    (4)

  • Kathleen I.

    I took my wife here in a random Friday, let's use Yelp, dinner. When you walk in the ambience is very romantic, yet fun. The low light with the deep wood furniture just sets the correct mood. We were seated near TNT kitchen and our server was just awesome! Very attentive and polite. The food! Oh the food! It was just amazing. I had the white pizza and my wife ordered the chicken fettuccine. Amazing doesn't describe it. Flavor, presentation, and portion size were just perfect. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Danny W.

    This is my favorite spot for pizza on the north side. The crust is delicious and they offer a great variety of toppings. Order more than you think you'll eat because it makes for great leftovers too.

    (5)

  • Cathleen P.

    This place is great. It is pricey, but the pizza is excellent. It's definitely the best pizza in Lakeview. I usually order the pizza margarita with crumbled sausage. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. The staff is friendly and attentive.

    (5)

  • Frances A.

    Let's start with how cute this place is. It just feels "rustica," or @ least whatever I assume "rustica to feel like. Hommie, comfy, warm... like you just walked into someone's home. Althought not the most Italian of dishes, we started w/ the Nocci e Frutta. In my efforts to be healthy, we got the most summery salad. The sweet honey mustard tied the cranberries, carrots, greens, onions, & pecans all together. Then, the Pizza Binaca - it was the kind of pizza that makes me wonder why deep dish is so popular. Just the mozzarella, ricotta, & spinach alone blew my mind - but then to add the lemon. Wow, never thought to do that. I'm not a wine person - i love bourbon... and my my my my the Summer Rye was just sexy. I had 3. Bulleit, orange, ginger, mint. There was a spice to the tongue, then just warm and smooth down my throat. Loved the service. Everyone was incredibly nice, cool, calm. Nothing was rushed. You really felt like you were @ someone's home.

    (4)

  • Matt F.

    We live in the neighborhood (2 blocks away) and asked if we could add 2 slices to our order, which are usually only lunch time options that we have historically had before at dinner during non Cubs games. We asked, knowing it was probably not possible given it was after a Cubs game, and the waiter, Adio, confirmed that. We joked that we used to be able to get half slices (given our group had frequented this establishment often) and that we were "going to leave" and he said, "Well, there is the door if you feel that way." He proceeded to act inappropriately. When we told him we thought his response was rude and that we weren't out of town Cubs fans, he simply said, "I live in the neighborhood too" and walked away. If we weren't so hungry, we probably would have left. We expressed our displeasure with the hostess and she did not care nor do anything about changing our experience. This place was way better when they didn't have a liquor license, were less pretentious and were located on the other side of the street. Don't patronize this place even if you are in the neighborhood. I want to support our neighborhood but not this place. Go to Michael's Pizza instead a few blocks north on Broadway. The brothers that own that place couldn't be any nicer and welcoming to locals and non locals alike and their pizza is 10x better.

    (1)

  • Edwina B.

    This review is for delivery pizza. After reading all the rave reviews, we were looking for a new pizza delivery place since we were getting sick of D'Agostinos. Called them and ordered a sausage mushroom pizza and a caesar salad (no chicken). Imagine my surprise when this came close to $50. I'm sad to say that the pizza was not my thing - I think it was the crumbled sausage which was reminiscent of pizza I would get outside of the Chicagoland area...just not my expectations. The pizza crust was a bit hard and it really is saying something for both me and my husband to only eat one small square and pitch the rest! Salad was fine - hard to mess up since dressing was on the side....just throw in some romaine lettuce and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top - just didn't think it was worth $7. I know there are plenty of die hard fans of this place so it won't be suffering because of my bad review...just really disappointed in my experience.

    (1)

  • Daniel S.

    Good pizza place, the thin crust crust was the way i like it, not too hard or thin, we got the tutta and potato pizzas, you get quite a lot for what you order, so don't overestimate how much you order, it is a pretty popular place, on a saturday night there was a bit of a wait for seating and the food, but you got a good amount of pizza, Id go back

    (4)

  • Betty A.

    I had dinner here while on vacation last week and highly recommend it. Friendly wait staff, excellent food! It's a hidden treasure. The owner stopped at our table and was genuinely interested in our dining experience.

    (5)

  • John B.

    I love this place. My girlfriend and I come here often, as it is right around the corner from our apartment. The entire staff is friendly and welcoming. Although the pizza is delicious, I recommend trying the specials. The bartenders make great martinis and manhattans.

    (4)

  • Adrianne C.

    GREAT neighborhood restaurant. I love their buttery crust and the fact that you can get just a slice. I carry out from here, alone, often. Their menu isn't huge, but the blackboard menu never disappoints. Great atmosphere and always good service. The owner will typically greet you at the door, and you feel like part of the family when you dine there.

    (4)

  • Philippe C.

    Why or why does a restaurant that serves good food and has a nice space continuously ruin it with bad service, an appalingly slow kitchen that not only regularly messes up orders but also has disagreements between servers and kitchen staff while the owners are having dinner at the bar. This is not the first time but every time.

    (2)

  • Holly F.

    Thank you to the owner (?) who let me charge my phone after I got locked out of my friends apartment. You were so helpful as I was +freezing + and slightly lost. Good thing I stumbled into that right restaurant to meet my friend. I have to say, our white pizza was amazeballs and my whiskey sour was delicious!! I will be back because of your amazing service and hospitality!!

    (5)

  • Robin S.

    I was excited when pizza rustica moved to a large restaurant. I ate lunch there on Friday with two of my friends. Our waitress was nice but we waited 15 minutes for our bellini's. Our food was terrible. The sandwiches and salad was terrible. The chicken on the cesar salad was not edible and the waitress only discounted the chicken part on the salad, not the entire salad. I guess you have to order pizza. Very disappointed. Get your act together.

    (1)

  • Gareth D.

    Cute, casual, byob, square-cut pizza... was expecting more neopolitan-style, but not a disappointment. Pasta was good and cooked to the right al-dente tenderness as well.

    (4)

  • k e.

    Delicious pizza, really reasonably priced and BYOB. Great spot for a date or a small group of friends.

    (4)

  • Teryn C.

    Good and more inventive pizza then is normally found in Lakeview. Love that it is right around the corner! Friendly and entertaining owner/staff.

    (4)

  • Joy M.

    This is a wonderful place to have the right pizza. Yummy and delicious! If you love pizza you have to come here and check it out. Great place to hang out with friends.

    (4)

  • Peggy S.

    This is my favorite pizza place and my favorite restaurant in Chicago. I go at least once a week and on opening week of their new location, I was there three times because I missed their pizza so much while they were closed for the move. I've been a customer of Pizza Rustica for many years. It's my neighborhood spot where a good friend and I go to catch up and chit chat over a bottle of wine and great food. And it's the place I take pretty much everyone I know after they get tired of hearing about how much I love this little spot called Pizza Rustica. Everyone that I've taken there has ended up loving the place too. I go in there so often that the hostess greets me with a hug. The staff knows our "regular" order: a half margherita pizza, a rustica salad with blue cheese instead of goat cheese, and penne pasta with salsa rosa sauce. My friend and I share everything. Sometimes we get tiramisu. Every bit of the meal is absolutely divine. The staff are wonderful people - really nice and great at customer service. The Italian accents add a feeling of being in Italy where good food and long conversations are valued highly and life doesn't seem as rushed and frantic as it does in Chicago. Pizza Rustica treats their customers like family or good friends. They were able to relocate to a bigger location because they have great food and great customer service and that made them successful enough to move to a larger space. The new space is a lot more complex to manage than the small spot they used to have. I see the complaints on this site about their customer service and it saddens me. I know the staff well and they've been delivering awesome customer service for many years, week in and week out. They are learning how to manage their new space and I have no doubt they will master it and get into a groove in just a bit more time. I had to write a review because I adore Pizza Rustica and they're not the horrible place at all that some people are writing it up to be. They're just on a learning curve. My advice is to go in on a night when you aren't in a rush. Relax, enjoy some wine, enjoy your company, and have some great food. If it takes a little longer than anticipated, so be it - enjoy the extra time with whomever you came with. If you think that's a hassle, then just hold off for a few weeks and I'm sure Pizza Rustica will have their system down soon at the new location. Apri il vino e buon appetito! Open the wine and have a good meal!

    (5)

  • Carly B.

    Pizza Rustico is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city and not just because it is conveniently located by my apartment. Their thin pizzas are too die fo r and cheap! My favorite is the Margarita, but be careful because they are addictive. If you are craving pasta, I recommend the fettuccini alfredo. The only complaint I have is the slow service and inattentive staff. I've sat for at least 40 minutes after I was finished eating just waiting for the waiter to bring over our check. Otherwise, it is cute and cozy inside- just be prepared to wait for a table on weekend nights!

    (4)

  • MarBear F.

    Had to give it one more star - finally had the pasta...and it is amazing! My husband and I have our master plan down now - split a pasta as an appetizer, order a large pizza and take what's left home for some tasty leftovers. Delicioso!

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    This is my favorite pizza place in the city, maybe even the world (what? I get around!). I'm not a big fan of typical Chicago style pizzas, eating pizza with a fork has always felt wrong to me. Pizza Rustica's is square, medium thick, with a buttery delicious crust. I've had some of the pasta dishes as well, they are quite good. My friend had a Caesar salad and liked it. Haven't tried the desserts, I'm more of a coffee after a meal eater. Did the delivery one time, it was fast, although the crust was a little over crisp (had to have at least one negative!). It was for a group of Patty's revelers though, so no one complained, drunks usually don't (except that one girl, dude, what's up with her?) There are coupons on the website, haven't used one, but there they are. It also recommends putting the pizza in the oven for a bit at 350 to, um, re-butterize the crust I guess? BYOB is always cool, I don't mind paying for my drinks but getting to choose from a liquor store selection based on my mood is much nicer. And cheaper! I finished with an espresso during my last visit, it was good, although I don't consider myself an expert. The staff is really friendly (and mostly actual Italians, not American-Italian or Italian-American or whatever people are using these days. My book writes like this: speak the language or don't claim the heritage). The owner Stefano is super friendly. He told me his Mom came for a visit once and they cooked at the restaurant together, how sweet is that? The location is perfect in my book. Right off the Red Line at Sheridan on a quieter street. Simple decor without trying too hard. Painting for purchase on the walls (the website will tell you about the featured artist, oh, and nice website). Clean restrooms, covered outdoor seating. Hasn't been busy when I've been there, but never been during the typical busy times. Something negative to balance the review, hmmmm.......I once walked into a tree trying to hail a cab after leaving here. Headache for the rest of the night. I'll accept responsibility for looking backwards while walking forwards on a poorly lit street, but I will blame the cabbie with the numbers lit carrying customers. If not for him I would have caught a cab right out front. But seriousmheaw, I guess the crispy crust on the delivery and the corkage fee (albeit a standard practice) All in all, I think other reviewers have been unfair, this restaurant is at least a four. It's a five in my book and is currently the Undisputed Champion of My Favorite Restaurants.

    (5)

  • c g.

    I'm a big fan of pizza--thin crust, deep dish, you name it. It's nearly the perfect food, if you ask me. I have to say, though, that the pizza here is really amazing! It starts with their crust, which is crispy and decadent--I probably could just eat that with nothing on it. Luckily, I don't have to do that. I've visited this place a few times now and have had a chance to try several of the pizzas on the menu. The Tutta and the Potato-Rosemary are my favorites, but all of the ones I've tried are really good. The pizzas come to the table served on wood cutting boards--a nice touch. I should mention that this isn't just a pizza joint--they do have a full menu with nice entrees, apps, and desserts, as well. Also, they are a BYOB place, so don't forget to show up with a bottle of nice wine, too.

    (4)

  • Stephanie K.

    YUM! The buttery crust is a perfect complement to the toppings of your choice. I chose half sausage, half green olives. And it was tasty!! Also, their delivery is right on time - if not early. I phoned in my order from downtown, and they arrived at my place in Lakeview before I did!

    (4)

  • James C.

    Pizza Rustica is right around the corner from me.. I was very excited to try this place. It's the first place my GF and I tried when we moved in. We had the vegi pizza. It was really good! I am not normally a vegi type of guy. I like my pizza with a wide variety of animals. This vegi I would eat again! We tried the rosemary/potatoes pizza.. It was pretty bland and just tasted like a slab of potatoes on crust. Boo! My g/f is out of town so I got a pepperoni to watch the bears game. I was kinda disappointed again. It reminded me of this old school frozen pizza I had as a kid. Can't remember the name but this pizza should be better then that! I ordered carryout and the lady said come in 10 minutes. They must have had pizza's ready to go or something because 10 minutes? It was not as crunchy and a little eh! So from a fellow who enjoys the Chicago style sausage pizzas..get the vegi pizza, its pretty good!

    (3)

  • Sonia C.

    Good quality to price ratio. Came here with a few friends and tried almost every aspect of their menu: 1) Salads - average, nothing to really complain about or give praise to. 2) Garlic bread w/cheese - not very good. I prefer my garlic bread slathered in butter but this version was butter-less and consisted of just minced garlic and cheese on white bread. 3) Pizza - Potato pizza was pretty amazing, especially to me because I love carb on carb combinations (like pasta and fries!). Very well seasoned potatoes on a nice crust. However, the pizza margherita wasn't very good because it was way too oily. At $3 a slice, we could have afforded to try a few more. 4) Pasta - I had their special pasta which was made up of tuna & capers on papardelle. The tuna wasn't awesome since the chunks were quite small and they were also thoroughly cooked (I like my tuna pink). All my friends ordered some version of papardelle as well since we're all suckers for homemade pasta. The cream sauce looked like a heart attack prescription but my friends seemed to really like it. Service was good though a little slow due to the busyness. I was very cold during my meal because the restaurant's so small that every one would shiver when someone opened the door. I would come again, but probably only in the late spring or summer.

    (3)

  • Jessica C.

    Awesome, AWESOME non-Chicago-style pizza (and I do love Chicago pizza). My favorites are the four seasons, rosemary potato and the tutta. Crust is lovely, buttery and crisp. Not normally a fan of ricotta, but the ricotta cheesecake is EXCELLENT. Panna cotta is also nice, though a bit stiff, in my opinion, for panna cotta. The friendly, heavily accented Italian manager stopped by our table to chat, told us how he was recruited by the owner of Pizza Metro (sister restaurant) to leave Rome to start up Pizza Rustica. He boasted that they serve authentic "Roman-style" pizza. Never been to Rome, so can't corroborate that culinary claim, but these pies are truly mouth-watering. Do NOT miss this spot. I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Skylar E.

    I'd say its a nice Italian themed restaurant. The thin crust Garbage pizza was good.

    (3)

  • Denis F.

    This is a rather nice, quaint little Italian restaurant not too horribly far from the Sheridan red line stop. Went there with a chap I was dating at the time, as we wished to go to another Italian restaurant in the area (whose name I forget), but found it horribly full. Thoroughly enjoyed the meal and atmosphere. The waitress was amusing and gave the air of being chatty without actually demanding much time or attention. The wait was rather long, but the cozy feeling was something I enjoyed in a date type scenario, though would probably become perturbed with were I alone. 'twas a weekend, however, so is to be expected. The meal I had would have been the Salsa Rosa Artichoke pasta, and it was quite delicious and filling. Had I known it was BYOB, might have enjoyed the meal a bit more. Was sorely tempted by the Ricotta Cake with Nutella, but was quite full for the evening.

    (4)

  • Ross B.

    I adore this place. An afternoon here with some friends, some pizzas, and some San Pellegrino Limonatas...you're a vespa away from becoming this guy: cinemed.tm.fr/film/image…

    (5)

  • Patrick A.

    Ordered from here about 5 yrs ago and the pizza was OK, but then remembered quickly why its been soo long. Delivery took over an hour and a half and we are about a 10 minute drive from their location. When we called the "owner" was rude and didn't seem to care. The pizza again was ok...probably would have been better if it was hot or even warm. I am done with this place...

    (2)

  • Kelly C.

    I have been to Pizza Rustica about 3 or 4 times and the food is always excellent. I also of course love that it is BYOB. This is the perfect place for a double date on a chilly night. Good food, inexpensive, warms the soul.

    (4)

  • Stephanie F.

    Super, super yummy pizza.. and it's BYOB!

    (5)

  • Megan Y.

    My husband and I had just moved into the neighborhood, and my parents were in town to help. They wanted to take us out to eat somewhere nearby. Even though it was Wednesday night, Pizza Rustica looked like a pretty popular place. We didn't realize it was BYOB before we sat down, but we asked the waitress if there was a place to buy wine close by, and she helpfully told us about a store just down the street under the 'L.' My mom and I were able to walk there, buy some wine, and walk back in about five minutes. We ordered the full Quattro Stagioni (Four Seasons) pizza, and between the four of us, even after a reasonably sized salad (I highly recommend the Caprese), we inhaled every slice. The pizza plates are actually little wooden baking peels. Very cute! We probably would've eaten even more if the pizza had been bigger! My mom loved it so much that she even researched how to make it herself! The waitress was very friendly, and didn't mind explaining every dessert on the menu to my mother who wanted the one that had "the most chocolate." In the end, she ordered one of the specials which don't appear on their regular menu. I think they even used more chocolate sauce than usual just for her. Since then, my husband and I have been back a few times. I want to try all of their pizzas, but so far we just love the Patate Rosmarino (Potato Rosemary) and Quattro Stagioni so much that we haven't branched out.

    (5)

  • Juliet C.

    Fabulous, loved it. The pizza was amaizing and so was the lasagna. The salads, too. Great little unassuming place with real Italian feel.

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    I nearly cried when one evening, I wanted to order from Pizza Metro in Wicker Park, but learned that they do not deliver to Lakeview. But fear not, fellow Belmontians - Pizza Metro has a sister restaurant, Pizza Rustica. Pizza Rustica makes a hell of a pie. Very nice, buttery crust (though perhaps could be cooked a bit more), and inventive toppings. To the Pizza Metro devotees out there, yes, Rustica serves the potato rosemary pizza, which is truly fantastic. Delivery is fairly quick, and prices are reasonable. Buon appetito!

    (4)

  • Michael O.

    Went here again and it was even better than I remembered. Pizza so good. Shared some tortellini with cream sauce, also very good. Bring a bottle of wine, a friend, and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    Why the great review? . Ordered delivery last night,live 5 blocks away.over an hour, spinach salad not more than a small handful of drenched spinach. Looked ridiculous in pan just barely 1 layer on bottom. No bread with salad as advertised, did driver eat on way?. 5 blocks away,over an hour for cold pizza, no way.

    (1)

  • Laura S.

    Okay, I used to love this place. The pizza was so delicious, it's BYOB, the salad are pretty good, it's affordable, etc. HOWEVER, recently after eating here I became violently ill a few hours later. At the time I attributed it to the excessive BYOB-induced red wine consumption, but then I went back a few weeks later and felt sick after eating again so I think the pizza played a part. Oh, and we saw a cockroach trot across the floor. Gross.

    (2)

  • Lloyd T.

    Went here once seeking an alternative pizza place in Lakeview. Here goes: CRUST: interesting. bready. reminded me of Mother Bear's pizza in Bloomington, IN (for anyone who went to IU). Not bad, though not the crispy thin crust we were expecting. TOPPING: we ordered green pepper, sausage and cheese. The cheese seemed generous but extremely stingy with the pepper and sausage. What gives? The large pizza was ginormous, so a good value, and I took more than half home, but the lack of toppings made it sort of bland after the fact. APPS: had one of the salads which was really terrific. A little heavy on the tasty dressing so I would maybe ask for them to go light next time (something that is not a bad idea pretty much anywhere you go -- what's with places completely drenching a salad in oil?). SERVICE: very friendly and we enjoyed the BYOB aspect. Looking forward to returning and trying one of the pasta dishes.

    (3)

  • erin k.

    My opinion of this restaurant may be clouded by the fact that it was a beautiful night for a walk and the hell-of-a-fella that walked there with me, but I'm pretty sure I just had the best pizza I've ever had. We started with the rustica salad which consisted of spinach, goat cheese, and artichokes with balsamic vinaigrette, then we ordered pizza by the slice so that we could try several varieties - each one was more impressive than the last. Extra points awarded for BYOB and very good espresso at the end of the meal. We've resolved to become regulars.

    (5)

  • Karen A.

    This sweet little hole in the wall right near the the Sheridan Red line stop is great for Ventian style pizzas and paninis. The paninis are great, just like the ones I ate daily when living in Venice...simple and fresh. My favorite is the San Daniele panini- fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, lettuce , tomato. Yum. The Quattro Stagioni pizza is as good as any I had in Venice..tomato, artichoke, mushroom and ham. Delish. The pasta I've had there are good too, but I like the pizza and sandwiches best. Its a tiny place, which is good and bad, depending on when you go. Also they have delivery...whoo-hoo!

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Unfortunately, it's small enough that one table of drunken idiots can really ruin the atmosphere for everybody, but that's pretty much the only bad thing I can say about it. I'll definitely be going back for the fantastic food and outdoor seating.

    (4)

  • Kelly L.

    This place gets a 4 for the food. Excellent pizza, generous portions (a half will fill you up with leftovers) and the wine list seems reasonably priced, to my mind. Unfortunately, I do have to add a caveat. The service if you are sitting at the tables near the bar, can be really really slow. I think we had crappy luck, as our waitress was also the bartender both times we went. The first time we went there it was in the first week or so of opening, and we actually never got our food. Nice bottle of wine and some bread when we pleaded with the wait staff, but the food never came. We left after about an hour and a half. It was really busy that night but still....I like eating when I go out for dinner. The second time we came (and yes the pizza brought us back) the service was quicker but you had to ask to get bread, and we were almost ready to leave when the pizza finally came. Add to that the howling bunch of women at the bar who were busy screaming about boyfriends, and well, takeout might have been a better option. So by all means try this place, DON'T sit at the high tables near the bar, and perhaps try and go on a weekday.

    (4)

  • ShelleyandBrian B.

    We stumbled upon this place because it is close to our house but away from Wrigley Field (which we try to avoid during game days). Amazing pizza, out of this world pasta specials, and it is BYOB. The crust on the pizza is to die for and all of the combinations have been great. We have had three pasta specials (all with a tomato cream sauce) and all have been delicious. My boyfriend had the gnocchi and loved it. I could barely steal a bite to try because he wanted to eat it all. We also did pickup here which was tasty as well. But, for some reason it just taste better in the small, loud dining area.

    (4)

  • Alexander F.

    I have dreams about this pizza, its so delicious. The caprese salad is amazing. It's BYOB, and they have decent stemware for wine. What's not to like?

    (5)

  • Nicole C.

    I'm a huge fan of Pizza Rustica - they have great pizza, pasta, and salads. The crust on the pizza is some of the best I've tasted, it reminds me a bit of cornbread. The thickness is also a nice change from the more popular thin crust or deep dish. My favorite is the margharita with prosciutto. The gnocchi is also good and you can choose which sauce you like best (pomodoro, salsa rosa, bolognese, arrabbiata, alfredo, or quattro formaggio). The caprese salad is always fresh and good. :)

    (4)

  • ann d.

    there are several of us who agree that Pizza Rustica pizzas are the best in town and a good value as well. however, we ordered one for delivery the other night, and the basil was completely absent! the tomatoes that were on there were so scarce we could easily count about 12 tiny chunks. when we called to express our concern (20 minutes before their closing time) the phone rang and rang and was never answered. SO. Have a pizza from Pizza Rustica, but either don't get it delivered or inspect it carefully before the delivery guy leaves.

    (3)

  • allyn h.

    Had lunch at Pizza Rustica today! Pizza was fantastic! They also gave my 9 month old a Pizza Rustica baseball cap! The staff was great and so nice! I love this place! You can't miss this spot for great food!!!

    (5)

  • A C.

    The crust is EXQUISITE! It melts in your mouth and the flavors and the cheese and the sauce all meld together harmoniously to really bring out the flavor of each bite. Docked it a star because the pasta is fairly standard for an Italian place, nothing great. Cutest pizza place I've been to, definitely a date night place (note to families: don't bring your kids please. The place is cramped and you will annoy other customers. Opt for delivery instead).

    (4)

  • Crystal C.

    We eat at Pizza Rustica a few times a month (probably more). We used to enjoy pizza from the old location - it was smaller and BYOB. Since they've reopened and expanded their menu we've enjoyed it even more. It's so cozy and it's our neighorhood gem. We still get pizza but love the pasta and salads too. It's our go-to when we have out-of-town guests and everyone has loved it. It's nice to have a family-owned restuarant to support. We refuse to eat at chain restaurants and with places like this in Lakeview, we don't have to. I suggest the Tutto pizza to share for starters, any of the pastas (I usually get whatever the special is), the salads are great for sharing. Great for a casual date or out with friends. It's a small restaurant, so you won't get a buzzer and you may not get seated within a minute of what you were quoted. You may just have to grab a drink at the bar until your table is ready.

    (5)

  • Leonardo G.

    Pizza Rustica is quaint Italian restaurant in Wrigleyville. They've got all the standards and they do them quite well. I highly recommend their Caprese salad to start, followed by a Margherita pizza for the table and then various pasta and panini dishes. Personal favorites include the Gnocchi in their Salsa Rosa and the Trezzo, their version of a meatball sub, with a generous helping of melted mozzarella. The waitstaff is tres cute and nice, there's outdoor seating (seasonal) and I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this yet, but it's BYOB - which is nice.

    (5)

  • kevin k.

    Best slice of pizza in town! I've tried them all in the Lakeview area and this where I return. Rustica's slice is a nice size, and cooked fresh. It's not like the pizzerias that have precooked pizzas and throw your topping on it and zap it. Iit has a light buttery-flaked flat crust. Awesome pizza for a change of pace from deep dish. Now, for the restaurant. Overall, I enjoy it. I like that' the owner it right there cooking along with his family and friends from Italy for the season working here. The seating is tight and the service is personable (a nice way os saying it's slow?). Don't attempt the Italian sodas - no money back guarantee! My girlfriend and I really enjoy their nightly pasta specials. Food is great, but like I always say, how can you really screw-up pasta? By the way, we ordered a large pizza as an appetizer once for a party and everyone wanted the name of the place. You really can't go wrong here unless you are in a hurry.

    (5)

  • Phil T.

    Mmmmmmmmmmm......Butter crust!!!!!!! My fav pizza located in the chi! Ok do I need to say anything else than, delicious butter crust?!? I feel like Homer Simpson w/ drool coming down. Well anyways the pizza speaks for it own here. I ordered the Verdure Grigliate pizza and the special trick is to order the pizza well done. Shhhhhhh! Its our lil secret!! ;) Ok back to the food. The pizza was superb and my friend got the arrabbiata pasta w/ sausage. And this was also a really good call. We ended up splitting our dishes and got the best of both worlds! I would highly recommend doing the same. Also recommend the outside eating area, if weather is permitting and its not during a cubs night game. Overall, this is a must go to for pizza if you are in the chi! You can thank me later!! :)

    (5)

  • J J.

    From a pizza fan: pretty good. It's really too hard to compare pizza opinions - some like it thin, some like it cheesy. This was crispy, thin, and pretty flavorful.

    (4)

  • Jim O.

    Great little italian place just steps from the Sheridan Red Line Stop. They have a variety of entrees as well as different sizes of their popular pizza. I had a bowl of the Minestone Soup and split a pizza with two friends. Soup was good but the pizza was great. great combination of cheese sauce and meats & the crust was amazing. Definatly will be making a stop of two a Pizza Rustica again. BYOB!!!

    (5)

  • Grant M.

    Poor customer service. I placed a delivery order and while I was within their delivery zone I was told that they were too busy to deliver to me. I wont be eating here again or recommending this establishment to anyone. There are too many restaurant options in Chicago to eat at a restaurant with poor customer service.

    (1)

  • Rusty S.

    This pizza rules! The crust is flaky and buttery, the sauce is tangy and the pizza toppings are delicious (grilled vegetables, potato rosemary, marguarita, and my favorite, the green olive pizza). I came here with a big party, we called ahead and they had our table set with water! The beautiful man was running the place by himself and kept us satisfied, we ordered three pizzas and divided the pizzas in half so that each side of our large table would be able to enjoy it.

    (5)

  • Meredith H.

    great experience this past saturday night. i yelped around to find a good place for my parents, boyfriend, and i to check out. wanted byob, a short cab ride from east lakeview, and no sushi. we had reservations and waited about 5 minutes while they "made" us a table. that means that they found an extra table and two chairs from the freezing back patio and brought them in to turn a 2top into a 4top. whatever, we had seats. our waitress brought glasses for our framboise lambic (my mom tried it and loved it) and an opener for dad and bf's beers. she was pleasant and answered my questions about pizza portion size. we ordered 2 salads to share - ceasar and the spinach/goat cheese one. our waitress split them for us, which was a nice touch. we ordered 2 halves of pizza, one margherita, one garbage. two opposites, but nice to alternate slices when eating. the food came out promptly and was tasty, the service was very good as well. dad paid and said that it was "very reasonable". (this coming from a man who enjoys eating at our local bar where a double cheeseburger & sweet potato fries will cost you under $5. i should yelp that place!!!) good food, good price, good company. i'll be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Foodie A.

    We decided to try this place after a disappointing night at Katachi next door. I thought the atmosphere was warm. Servers are nice and accomodating. We ordered pizza, which I thought was ok. The half size and price was great! We had panna cotta x 2 for dessert. Unbelievable taste! Small portion though. Not worth the price. Note: If you decided you don't like something like a beverage and try to get a new one... you will get charge for both. Unlike other restaurants I have visited... And examine your checks, prices may not reflect the menu.

    (2)

  • Jack L.

    This is the first time I have ever written any sort of review however I had to get this one out there. I have always heard good things about Pizza Rustica and was excited to try it out since it is so close to my place. Me and a couple of my buddies went there last weekend and as we were standing in the back by the kitchen waiting for our table we saw a Giant Rat climb down the stove and walk off into the kitchen. It was obviously enough to make us leave immediately. To think that a rat is comfortable enough there to come out when it is completely packed with people makes me wonder what they do in there at night when no one is in there. I will never go back there.

    (1)

  • Trina B.

    Square, bready, disappointment. Sparse toppings and no resemblance of "wood fire" pizza from what was delivered at our door. PLEASE, someone who knows New York, wood fire pizza...tell us where to go in this city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (1)

  • Emily O.

    This is a cute, byob, authentic Italian restaurant in the Lakeview. It's really small but worth the wait. I will say the service is a bit slow, but we went on a busy Friday night. It's owned by an Italian family & they are running around working their butts off. So I give them credit. The pizza is delish & so are the salads.... Just plan on taking your time or you may grow a bit impatient. Its a great local spot. Try it out.

    (3)

  • Desiree K.

    We set up shop at one of the four-seaters in the patio, arranging a six-pack of Mothership Wit (USDA-certified organic, by Fat Tire brewer New Belgium) and five bottles of Goose strategically to allow room for a lot of Venetian-style pizza. At first we weren't sure if our waitress was taking a siesta break or what, since we sat there drinking beer for about 40 minutes before I went in to tell her we were ready to order. (She only truly snapped out of it when Maria poked her in the butt to ask for some water.) But it was a buona sera and perfect for sidewalk sitting, so we patiently awaited the gondola that will take us through the tunnel of love to the piazza of pizza pizzazz. Beth, Maria and I each ordered half a pizza (pizzas came in rectangles and cut into squares) -- the pasta entrees sounded magnificent, but it is Pizzapalooza, not Pastapalooza. Beth ordered the Papate Rosmarino (thinly sliced potatoes seasoned with rosemary) and you must be thinking, potatoes on pizza? Where is Dr. Atkins? But Beth took one bite and sighed, "That's amore," and thank god for polygamy when it comes to pizza, because we all stole one bite of it as well and also muttered sweet nothings in the same breath. I ordered the Quattro Stagioni (tomatoes, artichoke, mushrooms and ham), which means four seasons. I was excited about all types of seasons, particularly the Cubs' winning one so far, but currently the aroma of freshly baked goodness was the wildcard leader. And for the evening's "when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie" moment, Maria's Tutta Pizza (sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, black olives and blue cheese) -- or garbage pizza. The thing was a honking slab of everything that could make a pizza taste good; it looked like a pile of compost, but my mom always said to never judge a pizza by its toppings. The pizzas were served in an unusual fashion -- Beth's pizza came stag on a wooden paddle, while Maria's and mine arrived side by side on a larger plastic tray (what, they ran out of wood?). We were given little wooden paddles as plates, with a piece of tracing paper to blot off the grease. Grease. It's the word. These pizzas were tasty, and I don't believe I've ever had pizza where the crust tasted like a cross between fillo pastry, biscuit and baked dough. It was crispy, but it almost tasted fried because it was so buttery (being a crust fan, I'm that person who grabs all the end pieces for the crisp). The pizzas were also cheesy, resembling the American method of pizza prep, but not over-indulgent, so other toppings such as artichoke, mushrooms, ham, black olives, potatoes and rosemary still hogged the spotlight. So I must say, a little over the top for me, but I can't really complain about the investment in the good stuff, since the overall taste was not compromised. Although my caloric intake for the day was. Here's a good way of looking at it: if I was eating a garbage pizza from Giordano's, I would be throwing up in the trash after two slices. Since we'd already gone too far, there was no meeting halfway when it came to dessert. We ordered the tiramisu (an Italian must, a Pizza Rustica bust), the panna cotta (looked like a slab of undercooked tofu, tasted like paradiso), and the special, a cake layered with marmalade and topped off with chocolate (orange you full already?). Together with the Cubs leading 7-1 in the late innings at Busch Stadium, it was a sweet ending to a savoury evening... particularly since dinner came out to just $18 per person, including tip.

    (3)

  • ann p.

    We dined here at the suggestion of a friend. They do not take reservations, so our group of six waited for more than 30 minutes to be seated at a bar facing the kitchen. Though the seating arrangement was not conducive to group conversation, we did enjoy the wonderful performance of three chefs hard at work in the open kitchen. Several interesting specials were offered, as well as their regular menu of salads, sandwiches, pasta, and pizza. They also offer an extensive beer and wine selection. The waitress informed us that they were not taking sandwich orders at that time, so we all chose pasta dishes, which were good but not extraordinary. One platter of pasta was noticeably undercooked. Beware: they charge an extra dollar for their "Fresh Papardelle", which we directly observed to be a commercially packaged dry pasta. The server was friendly, but somewhat slow. Prices were reasonable. Overall a nice experience, but not a place that we would put on our "must go back soon" list.

    (3)

  • Ryan R.

    Probably would give more a 3.5 if I could. The BYOB option is fantastic, not too many italian/pizza joints that are BYOB on the north side. The pizza was good but not great. The crust is a little thicker style of thin crust and buttery and delicious. However, I found the sauce to be a bit bland and not quite enough for my liking. Toppings were generous. I've definitely had better wood-fired pizza in the area at the Spacca, Sapore, and Pizza DOC. Also split a pumpkin ravioli which was a special. The pasta itself was good but the sauce, which was like an olive oil with some cinnamon in there, could've been a lot better. All in all I would go back but wouldn't go running.

    (3)

  • Kate B.

    If you want a delicious italiam meal, this is the place to go! It's a small restaurant so be prepared for that but I cannot prepare you for the amazing cuisine. I have never been let down by any of the meals I have ordered. When I first discovered Pizza Rustica, I went 3 weekends in a row. I highly recommend it. and don't forget, it's BYOB! even better!!

    (5)

  • Joshua M.

    Hmph. We used to be able to get them to deliver to our work, but now all of a sudden delivery doesn't start until after 5pm? What gives? The pasta here which is all I've ever had, has been good and consistant albeit a little pricey.

    (4)

  • Mateo S.

    Outstanding pizza, so long as you're in the mood for thin crust. One pizza is more than enough to feed a hungry table. If I could not it again I wouldn't bother to fill up first with anything else on the menu... it's all fine but nothing to write home about, just your basic list of Caesar Salad, caprese salad, mixed greens, etc. When I went it was BYOB (I don't know if that's still the case), so stop in the creepy little liquor store under the el tracks and grab a couple bottles before you go!

    (4)

  • Will F.

    A nice, small Italian place. It's BYOB and there's a liquor store right across the street (by Sheridan red line). It does get crowded; I recommend going there w/ no more than 3 other people (party of 4), and it's even better if it's just you and a date. The restaurant is family-owned and the waitresses are friendly. Oh, and the food is fantastic.

    (5)

  • Jen H.

    I love this pizza. It's a thin very buttery crust that is delicious. On top of that, it is BYOB!

    (5)

  • Jeff P.

    Great place. The food is consistent, owner is cool and the coffee is the best I have ever tasted.

    (5)

  • Michael G.

    I think the pizza is fantastic!

    (5)

  • E J.

    Some girlfriends and I went to this little Italian/Pizza place on a Friday night in September. I guess you could call it a hidden gem. We ordered several appetizers, pastas and pizzas and ate family style. The food was solid, the prices were reasonable and it's BYOB. Our server was sweet and very attentive despite not speaking English very well. The interior decor is no frills but they also have a sidewalk patio. Go there. You won't be disappointed. One other thing... dessert... you must try it! Yum.

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    Admittedly, the pizza is tasty but not best in class. The pasta dishes (and pasta specials) can be erratic in their quality- ranging from average to subpar. If you order one of the pasta dishes from the standing menu, be prepared to be disappointed. Seriously, you should not be able to taste the roux in an alfredo sauce. Actually I don't know if you are even supposed to include this in an alfredo sauce. In any case, these items are to be avoided. I honestly don't know why people think this place is worthy of multiple visits.

    (2)

  • Tom K.

    This is not a review of the food rather their new policy regrading BYOB. We have always enjoyed the pizza, service and their BYOB policy in the past, unfortunatly, we did not realize until we arrived that they are no longer a BYOB (shame on us) and on a recent Saturday before seeing the Bruce Springsteen concert we were looking forward to dining with a nice bottle of wine we brought for the occasion. We were told upon arriving that they are no longer BYOB, which I understand happens, and asked if we could still enjoy our wine with a corkage fee. I was advised that the corkage would be $40.00! I could understand $10 - $20, $40 seemed rather extravagant for Pizza Rustica. Since i wasn't going to bring my bottle into Wrigley Field I asked to talk to a manager to possibly get an exception or negotiate a lower corkage and was infomed that one wasn't available and not sure when one would be available. We left and scrambled off to find another nearby restaurant that did allow BYOB and had a great meal. We hope to try the food at Pizza Rustica again in the future, but, after reading some of the recent negative reviews we will take a wait and see attitude and hope this changes.

    (2)

  • Lorie D.

    As usual, we had a great time here and the service was excellent. Full disclosure...this is.our favorite place. My husband has been raving about an organic chocolate stout they've had here recently, so he had that again. I had a glass of wine and wide, house made pasta with yummy Alfredo sauce. We always have pizza and a blackboard special. You are not going to believe this, but in Italy people do not generally stuff themselves with bread before dinner. I know this is shocking. Nevertheless, please consider this before posting that the server didn't bring bread to the table when you arrived. This is a neighborhood Italian restaurant that serves real Italian food made by a real Italian guy. That's what is so awesome about it!

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Didn't really care for the service or the food! We were sat right away and the restaurant was not that busy... It took over 15 minutes for the server to get to us. Then we had to ask her to tell us the specials. After ordering it took over a half hour to get our appetizers and we didn't even get bread. The appetizers were good but after another half hour our bland, unseasoned, main course arrived. The tropical pizza, listed as 8 slices, came in 16 little squares! The sauce was extremely dry and unseasoned and the only good part of this pizza was the flaky butter crust. The spaghetti tasted worse than a can of Chef Boyardee with over cooked pasta and bland sauce. No fresh Parm or seasoning offered. The manager even came over before our appetizers had arrived and asked if every thing was OK... we replied that the service was extremely slow. All in all... It was a bad experience!

    (1)

  • Paul D.

    The food is amazing, they can never seem to get your order correct. We have been here when it's busy and slow and it does not matter

    (2)

  • Amy L.

    So excited about their new space! Walked by their old location hundreds of times but was never really feeling it. Went last night to the new. First off, amazing job on the decor. Wine list was beyond reasonable, service was fantastic, food was great. I feel like I've found a new go to.

    (5)

  • Heather E.

    I have been a long time patron of this fine establishment. I love the food, the atomsphere, and the family that owns it. However, while visiting there with myself and 5 other people on 4/5/12 I had a very unfornate experience. This newly re-opened restaurant sat us at the communal table as we were a large group at around 6pm. We're had brought our own wine with us as they have continueed to offer a BYOB optinon. We ordered several entrees and 3 pizzas. We paid our check at 7:33pm and were preparing to leave when the owner came over and VERY RUDLY asked us all to leave as there were other people who had been waiting for over an hour for this (communal) table. My group were very schocked at the treatment and proceeded to speak with the owener's wife about the situation. She very quickly dismissed us and said that there was nothing that she could do to make us happy. I left with a very bad taste in my mouth, feeling disappointed and confused. I will not be returning ever again as I feel that 90% of a dining experience is customer service and Pizza Rustica was one of the worst experiences I have ever had!

    (1)

  • Alaina B.

    We ordered delivery service of the Rustica salad and the Tropicala Pizza yesterday. Both did not live up at all to my expectations. Rustica Salad - spinach leaves smelt old, there were no croutons and only one slice of an artichoke. We didn't even eat the salad, we just threw it away. Pizza - The pizza tasted dry and the crust seemed buttery. Also, there were hardly any toppings on the pizza. Several slices did not have any toppings on them other than the cheese. Based on the other reviews, I was very disappointed. Maybe it was just due to it being delivery...

    (1)

  • Mike C.

    That's a big pie! I probably should have read the other reviews to find out that a large is not, in fact, 8 slices as mentioned on the menu. Rather it's an entire sheet pan of pizza that could easily feed 5 or 6. It was very good, though and my date an I ate a very gluttonous portion of meaty, artichoke-y pizza with just the right amount of sauce. The crust is that star here. BYOB is very nice if it's just the two or four of you. A good selection of non-pizza things, too which seemed very authentic. The big downside was the smell from the oven. I don't mind it that much, but maybe the vents weren't working too well because the smoke from the ovens was a bit strong all night and I definitely needed to febreeze my jacket when I got home.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    The pizza was just OK, nothing special and definitely not good for the price. Service was very slow. Also it's not BYOB anymore, they've got a full bar now.

    (2)

  • SJ C.

    I'm giving one star for a very specific reason, and I want to emphasize that it has *nothing* to do with the food, which is absolutely delicious. My complaint is about their illegal and dishonest business practice. They charge a $1.75 corkage fee per person. I brought a 6 pack of PBRs for 5 people, so we got charged an extra $8.75. In Chicago, it's illegal to charge a corkage fee without a liquor license. Since they hadn't given us a drinks menu when we got there, I was confused and asked the waiter if they had a license when he came to get the check. He said no, but that it was in progress. I told him I didn't feel we should have to pay since he didn't actually have one. So then he said that actually the restaurant owner owns two restaurants, one right across the street, and actually does have a liquor license for the other one (where apparently he does serve alcohol) but treats Pizza Rustica as if it were part of that restaurant as well ... except that even though Pizza Rustica does NOT serve alcohol. I told him I felt it was dishonest to carry on in this manner, since the policy goal behind corkage fees is to allow restaurants to make money off alcohol people bring in if they serve alcohol, since the customers aren't ordering the restaurants alcohol, so it's only fair. But not serving alcohol and then charging customers a corkage fee for bringing in their own when the restaurant is advertised as BYOB is just not an honest business practice. I said it's like restaurant owners getting a liquor license just so they can charge corkage fees (which, if you think about it, doesn't make sense economically... It costs more for a license than corkage fees could pay alone. So this guy finds a loophole and serves liquor at ONE restaurant, then encourages liquor at the other by not serving it, but then charges corkage fees anyway.) In the end, I sucked it up and paid the extra money. Like I said, I was with friends, and I felt like I was starting to make a fool of everyone by arguing so long. I want to emphasize - THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS. Especially the rice balls. I'm not rating the food, I'm rating the owner and his loophole scam. He is making a lot of money off this practice in an illegal way. I hope if you eat there, you don't BYOB so that you don't get ripped off.

    (1)

  • Aurore L.

    There must be something wrong with me. If I had to bet (getting ready for Vegas here, minus 10 days yo) I'd say that I miss the Italian-American gene. Because every time I go to a much celebrated green-white-red eatery I end up being underwhelmed, deflated like an old souffle forgotten for too long in the oven. That's: 1. sad 2. embarrassing. I almost feel guilty picking on my friends' favorites. Pizza Rustica wasn't that bad, really. But it wasn't the sigh-inducing, eye-rolling-behind-the-head experience that I thought it would be. I had dreamed of wood-burning cooked circles of delight, slightly charred, crunchy but chewy in the middle with strands of mozzarella stretching from here to the Mediterranean. My fault. I didn't take the name of the place literally. Pizza Rustica = pizza, Roman style. This pizza is cooked in long, rectangular baking pans and relatively thick. The crust is similar to that of "English muffin meets corn bread", and the pizza is cooked in an electric oven. So here you go. The end result is not bad at all - but if Marilyn was singing that her heart belonged to daddy, mine belongs to a tanned Neapolitan pizzaiolo, hands dusted with flour, his intense blue eyes gazing lovingly at the ingredients he lavishly displays on his disk of dough, smiling like an angel. ............................. Even though Italian was heard and spoken in the open kitchen (two thumbs up) I wasn't enthralled, and our order of paperdelle all'amatriciana didn't totally save the day. The home-made pasta had just the right bite and was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was seriously lacking seasoning and the smoky, salty, delicious porky flavors of bacon/pancetta/guanciale that usually makes me go "mamamia" for hours on hand. That being said the place is cute as a button (a small button that is about to expand on the other side of the street really soon) and you cannot beat free BYOB. It's busy, and their honoring reservations is a bit loose but I can wait for the apocalypse itself with a glass of wine in my hand. Don't linger for too long though, and take your date to an intimate bar to converse and hang out. This - loud but oh-so-Italian - place is not for lovers. PS - Be careful if coming from the South. Silly Sheridan curves just there, and take a East-West turn of two blocks before resuming its North-South normal path. I got lost, and it wasn't pretty.

    (3)

  • Holly B.

    Pizza Rustica is in my neighborhood and is my "go to" place when I have guests in town. It's a great little BYOB restaurant with incredible food. I'm a huge fan of the garbage pizza and the caprese salad. Since I'm not a big fan of traditional Chicago deep dish pizza, so this is definitely my spot. The crust is thin and crispy, just the way I like it. I have ordered the pasta before, and have to admit I didn't care for it. It may have been the sauce I chose though (Quattro Formaggi). It was just a bit too thick.

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I hate to say it, but this place has just lost its appeal. I loved this place, and I mean LOVE, when it was at its old location (and the first month it was at its new one). The pizza is some of the best I've ever had and I love a BYOB. However, since the move I just don't recommend it anymore. The restaurant is no longer BYOB, but before the move and during the move, management informed its patrons that it would remain a BYOB. We didn't find out it wasn't until we showed up after their reopening with a bottle of wine in tow. This place is also miserable for groups. It was before as well, but they used to let you make reservations. You can no longer make reservations, which usually requires you to wait a while if you come during a prime time. They have no real entrance way, and the bar area is extremely small...so good luck finding a place to wait. Since the place is smaller and open, it gets really cold in there with the door opening and closing. The last straw for me was a month or so ago. A friend of mine called to see if she could make reservations for a larger party. She was aware of the no-reservation policy, but she figured that since this was going to be a group of about 12 they might accept them. She was told that they did accept reservations for larger groups but you could not order off the menu. They would force you to eat off a prix fix menu for a certain set price per person. I mean, come on, how ridiculous! The reason that we wanted to go there in the first place was for the amazing pizza. We didn't want a three course Italian meal, and we weren't going to spend over $30/pp to get it. No she politely declined. I hope this restaurant remembers what made it popular to begin with.

    (3)

  • David Y.

    We came in on a day walking back from a Cubs game and I am glad I did. The pizza is the best in the neighborhood. I had their (cant remember, but it had basil on it) and it was awesome. The service kind of sucked, but thats because we came around 4, before any regular staff servers clocked in. We were served by, I presume the owner, and we had to wait a little even though we were the only ones in there. However, the pizza was amazing and I will be back to try the others. Also, you can by pizza by the slice here, so it's super cheap. 1 peice was good, 2 could be considered a full meal with a salad.

    (4)

  • Jennifer J.

    2.5 stars. Eh, nothing spectacular. Yelpers...you've been letting me down with your reviews lately. I get very excited to try these restaurants with fabulous meals and then it turns out to be "eh." Went here with 8 friends and learned a valuable lesson: 8 people cannot eat as much food as 12 people. I'm actually going to blame this on our waiter since we desperately sought his advice on what to order since the menu was extremely vague and incorrect at describing the pizzas' size. We asked a few times how many pizzas we should order for 8 people and yet somehow we got 4 LARGE square pizzas that didn't even fit on our table. Yes, they literally had to set one on a waiter stand. This was what we were trying to avoid but he was obviously thinking of the final bill and not our overall happiness. I might have raised my review a tad too. Disappointed with the waiter and his overall attitude and possible fake accent. It was a little obnoxious. And please, if you are a waiter, don't be a jerk and correct your customers pronunciation if it isn't really that big of a mistake. He made a point to correct our bruschetta and giardiniera pronunciation...really? Cause his wasn't much better. I know that was a stupid point to make, but it was definitely something that stood out to us and seemed to leave a bad taste in our mouth. Food: Enjoyed the bruschetta since it was 3 different styles so the flavors were a little different. As for pizzas, we had the Margarita (nothing special to report even though we did have then add a few pieces of sausage on it too), The Tropicale (with giardiniera that was really just jalapeños...BIG DIFFERENCE Pizza Rustica!) and a couple of other too large and very plain pizzas. Overall, nothing special on the food but I enjoyed the great company of friends as usual.

    (3)

  • Kevin M.

    Just visited PR for my third time last night and got the exact same dishes I had last time- Caprese Salad for appetizer, Quattro Stagioni pizza, and Tiramisu for dessert. Overall, this place is great with the exception of the bathroom! The bathroom door doesn't shut properly and the sink is janky- if you've been here before you know what I am talking about. Back to the food- it's terrific. The pizza is cooked to a crisp, flaky crust and the toppings are spread out enough that you get enough of each without it being overkill. For newcomers, I would recommend getting a half pizza- it's huge and can easily fill two people if need be. Because it's a BYOB it wins points as well. However, there is a small corkage fee ($1.75 per bottle of wine, which I don't think is very cool at all). Finally, there's a couple places within walking distance to pick up beer/wine/whatever if you run out. As others have pointed out, I would recommend calling ahead because it's a smaller place and gets jammed quickly, or get in early before dinner rush. It's a classic Chicago family-run restaurant that brings out charm (much of which comes from the Italian waiters that make women melt), a festive mood and lively crowd, and is decently priced to boot. I would gladly recommend Rustica to anyone and will continue to go back here as long as I live in Chicago. Bon appetito!

    (4)

  • Leanne A.

    Similar to my DMK experience; I have been fantasizing about this food since I went here a week ago. Caprese salad: I think this might be the best caprese salad I've had in Chicago. It's THAT good. I'm getting jittery just typing this. uhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmm. omg. PIzza: it's what they all say. Delightful. The crust is not as thin as I expected, but it's still perfect. buttery but not overwhelming. the cheese is perfect as well. The size is massive. You might think you want a full, but beware. It's a hell of a lot of pizza. Atmosphere: cute and small. It gets cold whenever the door opens. Price: my biggest complaint was the cost of each topping. I want to load up my pizza with veggies, but if I did that here I'd spend an extra 15 bucks. Don't you think there should at least be two toppings included with your pizza? Yes, you can get the specialty pizzas that include toppings...but they aren't cheap.

    (4)

  • M B.

    This is one of the best places, outside of Italy, to get a fresh and delicious italian meal. On top of the food, the new atmosphere and space is cozy and inviting. The only issue Pizza Rustica has now is a bit of a service issue. Having said that, it's obvious that this small blip in Pizza Rustica's stellar resume is only due to the fact that they just moved to their new location and are trying to work out the kinks. The service I received in their prior location was exceptional, and I know they will get to that same level of service once they get used to their new surroundings. So, for those of you who have never tried Pizza Rustica, I highly encourage you to do so - the food and the prices can't be beat - just go into it knowing that a really great group of people just moved to some new digs, so the service won't be impeccable (although I'm sure it soon will be). For those of you who have been regulars - you know how phenonmenal this place is and I'm sure you'll agree with me that any service issues are just a temporary thing. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Mel G.

    The place actually smells better than anything I ate there somehow (so maybe I just failed to order correctly). Had the caprese salad, felt like the tomatoes were way over-salted and the cheese tasted cheap (chalky, dry, bland). Split the Margherita pizza for dinner. It's true the crust is really buttery, kind of tastes like a Ritz cracker. But the toppings were really really sparse (barely any diced up tomatoes on a Marg pizza?). We added sausage, which actually tasted pretty good, but once again there were whole slices that didn't even have any sausage on them. Personally I thought it had way too much cheese for a Marg pizza, but I also don't care for tons of cheese on my pizza. It's cheap, but at the end of the day I think I would've preferred a Domino's thin crust for the price/flavor combo. I can't comment on the bread, because our waitress never brought any. Meh. The atmosphere sure was cozy and nice, not enough to make me want to go back ever.

    (2)

  • Lola B.

    I'm so happy I came here! I have never written a review before but I was so inspired by this place that I had to. To start off with the restaurant has a nice comfortable ambiance, small, cozy and welcoming are definitely a few words that could describe it. It's BYOB so you can bring your own bottle of wine and get comfortable ;-) Now the food is what really sold me, I had the pecan cranberry salad, it was refreshing and light, exactly how a salad should be. We then went on to having the Margherita pizza....... No words..... It was perfect. A nice thin crunchy crust, not to greasy, and bursting with flavor. I love it. And to top it off the bill was only $18 with tax, for great quality food and good portion sizes. I can't wait to come back and try the pasta.

    (5)

  • Zack G.

    My second disappointing experience here. Tonight they must have been understaffed, as we waited ten minutes to be greeted, another ten for our drinks, and another ten for our dinner order to be taken. Each step was performed by a different staff member, so at first we were unsure who our server was. I was served the wrong food. I ordered the "Tutto" pizza. When I told the server, she simply said "Sorry, I wrote down potato" (if the entree names are in Italian, the server should be more careful about taking and repeating the correct order). She offered to order a new correct pizza, but we were growing short on time. The rosemary potato pizza was salty and plain bad. I only tasted one piece. Our table was never approached again (they must have sensed our displeasure), and had to find our server to get a check. The manager never asked how anything was, even though she did pace in front of our table, yelling into the phone about a chicken sandwich.

    (2)

  • Jon H.

    Thin, crispy crust. Fresh toppings. BYOB. Nice staff. Perfecto.

    (4)

  • Huzefa H.

    Still SO GOOD! Came here with a person who's pizza love far surpasses my own and she said that this might be one of the best pizza places she has ever had. And she loves pizza. We had the half pizza with basil and onions. AWESOME!!!! Couldn't finish it between the two of us. She got the left overs. I'm kinda jealous. Anyways A must go for any Pizza lover!!!!

    (5)

  • Trey L.

    this just might be my favorite pizza in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Dabney, B.

    As long as I've lived in this area, how in the world did this hidden gem escape me? So many times I've passed it without giving it a second thought. Last night I came here for a business dinner. I didn't think this place had a prayer of making an impression on me, considering work time was cutting into a Friday evening, but boy did I perk up in a hurry upon entry. An unassuming quiet little joint that resembles the many fine establishments that multimillion dollar movie stars shoot scene after scene in our cinematic favorites is what you are getting here folks. I love it! The downside is the spacing between the tables is a little cramped. They pack em in there like sardines, and it gets loud quickly. That may seem disturbing at first, but it's BYOB, with a small corkage fee, so you'll forget about that little inconvenience after about 30 minutes. If you live in Lakeview, there is no excuse not get over here. It's a fun place and the food is absolutely delicious. Last night I ordered.... Rustica ~ Baby Spinach topped with Artichoke, Goat Cheese & Croutons Tutta Pizza ~ Sausage, Pepperoni, Mushroom, Onion, Black Olives & Bleu Cheese The pizza is a uniquely layered Thin with a firm crispy crust. Despite my worldly traveling experiences, I haven't been to Italy yet, but this is how I'd imagine it, and I can't wait to get back up here for a social excursion when the weather starts cooperating. The only other thing that bothered me is that when we walked out I saw someone had a huge Pasta dish oozing of life that looked mouthwateringly delicious. I want to get back to order it asap. If you're up for Italian, this place has it all. Our server even had the accent! In closing, I must admit, I couldn't have imagined ending a work week on such a positive note. Thanks Rustica, I enjoyed the experience!

    (4)

  • T B.

    Don't let the name fool you. Their pastas are awesome, and they have lots of great non-pizza entrees. Yes, they are no longer BYOB, but they have really upped their game since moving from across the street. The place is beautiful and the food is great!

    (5)

  • Mark V.

    This place is terribly under-appreciated. Everything about Rustica is done authentically Italian, from the cuisine to, yes, sometimes the service (Based on a few negative reviews, some prima donna patrons apparently can't handle that part. I can't imagine how they'd fare at a restaurant actually located in Europe. On second thought, I can. And I cringe at the thought.). As for the food, I personally consider the pizza incredible, perhaps the best in Chicago, though its buttery crust can be polarizing. You can't go wrong with any of the toppings, but keep in mind the "quattro stagioni" and "tutto" are popular for a reason. If you're intelligent, order it as an appetizer, though. And if you're really intelligent, you'll do that because you will want to save room to order one of their specials. So don't be an idiot and do exactly as a I say, because I'm a freaking genius when it comes to Italian food. Capisci?

    (5)

  • Stephen M.

    I loved this place and the fact that it is northern Italian food. Having moved to Chicago from norther Italy, it was refreshing to eat here. The food was made from scratch and our waiter was very nice (from Venezia). I recommend going there if you want to enjoy a more authentic northern Italian meal. The only down side to this was their wine selection was small and did not have as many Italian wines as I would have liked. But that is just me.

    (4)

  • Frank A.

    Pizza Fantastica is what they should call it. We attended a group dinner for a friend's birthday this past Saturday and enjoyed the restaurant immensely. At first I was skeptical because it's so small and we were going to have a group of 10 people. However, once everyone arrived they got a table ready for us within minutes. Once seated they immediately welcomed us and opened the wine bottles we brought, yup its BYOB. Food: Half the table ordered various pasta dishes; everyone had positive comments on their dishes. I was seated next to the group that opted for pizza. We ordered three different specialty pizzas: Margherita (Tomatoe/Fresh Mozzarella/Basil), Quatto Stagioni (Tomatoe/Artichoke/Mushrooms/Ham), and Tutta Pizza (Sausage/Pepperoni/Onions/Mushrooms). The crusted on the Quattro Stagioni was to die for. Service: Our waiter was the best. He really made the experience so much better by joking around and flirting to a certain extent. Manuel was his name and he drives the cutest Vespa. Also, the pricing is extremely reasonable, we each paid $20 (not including the birthday boy) and enjoyed lots of food. I highly recommend this place for a cute little meal in Lakeview. The restaurant is right next to the Sheridan Red Line stop. Also, a liquor store is conveniently located next to the "El" in case you forget your booze.

    (5)

  • Vanitha S.

    The oven baked thin crust pizza I had in the restaurant was DELICIOUS when I went with a friend. I went home and spent the next 2 weeks salivating when I thought about how good it was and itching to get delivery. I finally caved in but to my utter disappointment, the order was totally messed up. I ordered a half pollo pizza and a half potatoes pizza (a half is good for 2-3 people). Instead, I got 2 slices of the potatoes pizza. But after waiting for nearly 45 minutes, I just ate what it was, and it was still good. I overlook this mistake as I would still probably go back to the restaurant or order delivery, but this is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.

    (4)

  • Lori M.

    Super-delicious gigantic rectangular pizzas --- patate & rosamarino (yes, potato and rosemary) would be my #1. Cute little place with al fresco dining and some great photos of 'i-Talia ala Wendy Vestevich on the walls. BYOB and pasta options too, but I go here for the pizza. Huge portions = sleep well.

    (4)

  • Molly P.

    I don't really want to rate this place - I remember it being fairly ok, but am pretty shocked about their "secret ingredient." I mean, for vegetarians, those who keep kosher or halal... usually a cheese pizza is ok. "The second variety of Roman pie can be found at a few places, but none do it better than Pizza Rustica. The toppings are fine but it's the crust that makes the pizza special. The airy, crispy and oily crust is an excellent bread with a special secret -it's made with lard. 3913 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago IL 60613; 773-404-8955; pizzarusticachicago.com ; Slice review. " from slice.seriouseats.com/ar… There's also discussing of this on lth: lthforum.com/bb/viewtopi…

    (3)

  • Emily B.

    I have eaten here many many times in just a little over a year. Their old location was soo tiny but the staff was great, so then they moved across the street to a bigger location and everything went downhill. They hired many more people who SUCK at being servers! Don't sit ANYWHERE near the bar area because you'll have a waitress who is also a bartender so your service will suck! I had that happen to me 3 times. Last time I went the waitress was such a b***h! She would literally walk away as I was talking to her, she had an attitude, took shots behind the bar, ignore my table for 20 minutes and the whole time I was waving her down. It was terrible that we left and gave her a $0 tip! I remember her name and I hope I never get her again (her name is Lindsey!) The only positive thing: Their food is delicious, I love the Caprese Salad and the veggie pizza....mmm!

    (1)

  • Chris M.

    I had to try this place twice before writing my review. The first time I had Za Rustica, I was taken aback and quite satisfied by the savory butter crust holding all the sauce, cheese, and ingredients together. It kind of tasted like Lou Malnati's butter crust had enveloped the entire pizza. The 2nd time I came to my senses. The crust is pretty soggy, and either it wasn't cut properly, or as I am led to believe that soggy pizza crust is just something that's hard to cut. Let's be honest, Chicago is a deep dish pizza town, we all know that, kids. But, if you're going to give me thin crust, it needs to be thin thin and crispy crispy. Anything else is just unacceptable. While I do give Rustica credit for uniqueness as far as pizzas like the garbage pizza with blue cheese, the structure of the pie just falls a bit short in my opinion. If you're in the area, I'd try it if you're in the mood for Italian. The other pasta dishes are good, and let me not forget to say that Fornello's sucks.

    (2)

  • Claire P.

    Yum, yum, yum. Go here for the pizza nothing else. Two of my friends had sandwiches which were mediocre at best, but I split a pizza with my other friend and it was delicious! Another time we got it delivered and it was a little more greasy but it was still good. I love tiny little obscure places and this is for sure in my top ten.

    (5)

  • Kari G.

    This is some of the best pizza in a city that is known for it's pie! My boyfriend and I come here quite regularly and typically order the same meal, so I'm not an expert on all of their food. We usually get a half pizza and a small pasta and split them. It is definitely my favorite place to eat in Wrigleyville! It's BYOB which is nice so you don't get gouged on overpriced wine, and there is a nice little outdoor eating area along a fairly quiet street (Sheridan and Grace). Highly Recommended!

    (5)

  • Emily B.

    My sister and I went here yesterday for lunch. It has a very cute atmosphere. We had the caprese salad to start which had a pesto sauce drizzled on it along with balsamic. There was actually lettuce underneath the tomatoes and cheese as well, so it was really like a salad. We then ordered the Grilled Veggie pizza and it was AMAZING... The pasta that the people next to us ordered looked and smelled great as well. The pizza took about 15 minutes to cook, but it was well worth the wait. Go here with someone you like to talk to and hang out with because otherwise you might run out of things to talk about if you order the pizza. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Nick B.

    When people think Chicago, they think artery-clogging deep dish pizza covered in toppings. Despite growing accustomed to this pizza (and a big fan on occasion!), I prefer thin crust pizza with simple spices and flavor. Last night I went out with my friend who only eats pizza, literally. This gives me the opportunity to find out where the latest pizza place is and I stumbled on Pizza Rustica with outstanding reviews. Supposedly tornadoes were ripping through Chicago last night, but that can't hold me back from hitting the city and filling my pizza void. I was shocked to see that this little pizza joint was packed right after a storm. Fortunately, we found a table up against a wall. The restaurant is very compact but it's comfortable. I can't say I was too excited over the simple decorations, very typical Italian art for a pizza place. I'm kicking myself right now because Pizza Rustica is BYOB. Was I nuts? Why didn't I bring a bottle of wine? Or 5? This question will go unanswered until the next time I come in because I will definitely return. The pizza was absolutely AMAZING. My friend I split a large pizza, half pepperoni and half cheese with basil (I told you I was simple!). The pizza arrived quickly despite how crowded the place was and only one server. I really can't get over the pizza. The crust was perfect. The cheese was tangy and flavorful. I had to eat my entire half of the pizza. I can't find a single complaint about the pizza, just spectacular! Overall, I would say you have to check this out. The food is just awesome. I'm tempted to go back soon to try out their pastas. My only complain was their billing was a little confusing. We got the large pizza...but they ended up charging two mediums or something. Our pizza came out to be $27.99...a little expensive but totally worth it. I would recommend Pizza Rustica as one of the most outstanding pizza places in Chicago. The pizza had the "wow" factor I haven't come across in awhile.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Let me start out by saying that the pizza here is fantastic, some of the best pizza I've had--that's not an exaggeration. The buttery crust and fresh toppings really make this brick oven-baked pizza a true treat. If you like good pizza, go here immediately. But carry out. This is not a place that you'd want to eat at. We went on a Friday night during busy time, we admit, but we got there, wanted to sit outside, and were told it was a half an hour wait. We sat inside and then watched two other parties walk up and get seated immediately outside. Huh? It seems like there was one waitress there for the whole restaurant--in and outside--along with a couple of bussers/helpers who didn't speak good English. So it was hard to get drinks, it took a while to put in our order, and after the waitress took our order, she never came back again, letting the helpers fill our water and bring the bill; we also never got break until we asked, and everyone got bread. So call ahead, carry out, and get fantastic, mind-blowing pizza.

    (4)

  • John S.

    I cannot say enough good things about this place. Fantastic fresh food with great service. Definitely one of my top 3 favorite pizzas. But don't just go there for the pizza. Their daily specials and their pastas are always top notch. It is always crowded on weekends so don't expect to sit anytime when you arrive on Friday/Saturday and there is little to no place for waiting. Prices are very good, especially for the specials and pastas. The pizza is on the mid-high end, but once again- so worth it.

    (5)

  • Kitty H.

    Yummy, y ummy pizza with to-die-for crust. We got a half-pizza, caprese, and bYOB for under 30 dollars. A great value. The service was a little slow when we were there, but they were really busy. Next time, I think I'll just order the pizza for delivery.

    (4)

  • Mark W.

    I've lived a short distance from Pizza Rustica for some time, but always forgot about this little pocket of tucked-away restaurants (including Rick's and Tac Quick) when picking a place to eat. Finally pulled the trigger, and boy am I glad we tried it. The place is small (with little wiggle room for larger parties) with outdoor seating and warm decor. The menu offers simple pastas and thin pizzas, both of which are excellent. The pizza can be ordered in a variety of sizes- chances are, the portion you order will be too much. The prices are extremely affordable. Pizza can be ordered in smaller portions for as little as a couple bucks... and as stated above... the 'little' portion isn't even all that little. Lots of pasta options for well under 10, though what you're getting would typically be worth more than that at any comparable restaurant. BYOB only adds to the value (if i recall, a small corkage fee). Service has been okay. This place is a little gem. (Note: it is on Sheridan, but everytime I've met guests there, they have gotten lost as it is admittedly a little confusing. Sheridan cuts over from the lake and takes over where Sheffield is, and runs north there. So you can find this restaurant just south of Irving park at the 'el' station, or if you continue north from sheffield and addison.)

    (4)

  • Gail G.

    My husband and I frequent this BYOB neighborhood spot and love it! The service and the food are fantastic. The atmosphere is charming, comfortable and honest. I love the Potato Rosemary pizzas and the nightly specials. Last, but not least, the Americanos are the best I've ever had!

    (5)

  • andrea r.

    Really yummy pizza at a price that cannot be beaten! The ambience is nothing special, but if you live in the neighborhood or are in the neighborhood for something else and want some really good pizza you should check this place out for sure! Update: the portions seem to have been reduced.

    (4)

  • Eliza M.

    I have been searching for my favorite pizza in the City for 5 years and have finally found it. This pizza really is awesome and reasonably priced. I'm sure it's not very healthy but who cares. Just wish the restaurant was bigger inside and had better ambiance.

    (4)

  • Steve T.

    Very good pizza, definitely recommend it, fresh ingredients and unique thin crust.

    (4)

  • Phil P.

    Great place to have a relaxed authentic italian meal. Whether pasta or the pizza everything taste homeade and delicious. On top of that with BYOB you can't go wrong. Often crowded but one can't go wrong!

    (4)

  • Julia T.

    I am not a fan of pizza, I don't hate it but I won't crave it either. This place is a tiny treasure in the middle of the city. I was impressed with the pizza here, the variety is amazing and you're not getting the traditional Pizza Hut style pizza. I love the potato pizza, it was different but quite tasty. There is normally a wait, but it is well worth it. BYOB is also helpful.

    (5)

  • Monica S.

    It really pains me to write this review because the food there is really good. The pizza tutta is amazing as is the veggie pizza but sadly the customer service falls beyond short. As a frequent customer, I ordered delivery and was told it would be an hour, time, which normal. After an hour and a half of waiting I called to ask if the pizza was coming and I was told the driver was on his way. I live maybe 5 minutes away, 10 if traffic is bad but that is pushing it. After almost 2 hours I called again thinking, they either got lost or forgot our order. To say the manager was rude is the understatement of the year. He started yelling at me that everyone was ordering delivery that night and he was going to cancel my order to shut me up. I was so taken aback that his idea of customer service is to yell at a paying customer for waiting 2 hours for pizza that I didn't know what to say. He continued to yell at me, so I canceled the order and promised him I would not be ordering from there again. Honestly the food is good, but not good enough to put up with such rude and crass behavior. Learn how to treat your customers with respect and maybe you will be able to keep them.

    (1)

  • Melissa B.

    I love this pizza! The pizza here is delicious. Not only do they offer wonderful toppings, (think fresh herbs, potatoes, all fresh produce, well prepared meats and fresh cheese, yum) but the crust is something to write home about. It is so light, flaky and buttery-how did they accomplish all of this? It is so good. Very authentic. The atmosphere is cute, nothing to fancy, very friendly staff and BYOB. This equals 5 stars in my book. They also deliver.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    Best pizza every. Very authentic. I'm surprised there's not more 5 stars. Never have had the pasta though. I also stopped in one night for dessert and the tiramisu was amazing and they let us sit for a few hours to enjoy our dessert and coffee. I'm such a fan I get carryout on my way home from work on a regular basis. My favorite pizza is the 4 seasons...who thought of putting artichokes on pizza - amazing!!

    (5)

  • k e.

    I was excited when I got a delivery menu on my door a month ago since in the past I don't think they delivered to my neighborhood (N. Lakeview). I had been to the restaurant almost a year ago with friends. We had a good time, the pizza was really good and BYOB at that. Thin crust, fresh ingredients, great flavor. Delivery was prompt. I live 10 blocks away and the pizza tasted great, which isn't always the case with crispy thin pizza. Worth the $.

    (5)

  • Susan L.

    Average food but a great fallback for the neighborhood. I love to sit outside on a summer night! The salads are pretty bare bones--good--but nothing special. As I write this, I'm realizing that's how I feel about all their food. However, the dearth of places to eat within a block of Rustica makes it stand out, especially if you don't want to go down to Wrigleyville madness on Clark.

    (3)

  • Dan B.

    Solid place to go if you live near the Wrigleyville/Uptown area. I've only tried the pizza which was good, especially with spinach on it. It's fun to hang out here in the summer since they have an outdoor sitting area. It's BYOB as well, I really like BYOB. Probably casue I'm cheap.

    (3)

  • Pegah P.

    My friends and i decided to go eat here one night. From outside it doesn't look like much, but once you step in the pleasing aroma of fresh pizza gets you hungry right away. The small, yet friendly atmosphere makes you feel right at home. The open kitchen area lets you watch as the chef prepares your pizza to your liking. The night we went the place was packed the entire 2 hours we were there. Tables were all full, and in addiction they were constantly getting phone calls for delivery and pick-up orders. We ordered a medium pepperoni pizza (square shaped) and boy, oh, boy, was it delicious! The thing i loved most was the cheese; so fresh and melty, not to mention it stretched....a lot! love that. We finished the whole pizza and had some desert (can't remember what it was, but we loved it) and left with our tummies full and totally satisfied. Can't wait to go back to this place and try something new.

    (5)

  • Rob L.

    I came here after inviting myself with Katie and Dan H, (kudos to them for not kicking me to the curb), after a rain soaked Pride parade. I had lived in the area for over a year, but rarely if ever explored the area. We sat down, weary from fighting the rain and wind, and looked over the menu. Admittedly, nothing was jumping off the menu to me. They had mentioned about pizza, yet not being in the mood I settled on a chicken sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, and a pesto reduction. The bread was a little too toasty, the pesto was really not to be found but the chicken was well cooked and it was a hearty portion to eat. I will say Katie's pizza looked really good, in fact, the food on the other tables looked really tasty. I had late lunch envy. Our waitress was in the weeds most of the time we were there, (really really busy if you don't know the phrase), but was really sweet and nice. The place was quaint, small, nice little outdoor area, inside was also small and filled with some great photos of Italy on the wall, many if not all were for sale. I might not come running back here, but I won't resist, however I will go with my gut and get the pizza.

    (3)

  • Jessica H.

    I finally convinced to return to Pizza Rustica for dine-in after my awful delivery experience. I'm happy to say that their pizza was as good as I remember from my first visit. So, my recommendation is to dine-in rather than get delivery -- plus they have a small outdoor seating space, great now that the weather is getting nicer!

    (4)

  • mack k.

    This place is great for what it is. Good pizza, BYOB, inexpensive, and very close to the L. I would recommend the pizza over the pasta. I appreciate that they let me and my friends sit there for about 2 hours even though seating is very limited.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    Love the place, I live a couple of blocks away so i go there pretty often. Pizza doesn't taste like Italian pizza (Stefano, the owner, claims it's Veneziana, which could be true, never had pizza in Venezia), but I love it anyway. It's so buttery and tasty! The waitresses are also very friendly and Stefano is too. I usually get the big pizza and think "I will have some left over for tomorrow" and of course there is no left over for the next day!

    (5)

  • neeters m.

    If you've never had butter-crust pizza, you need to go here. Despite its name it is actually much less greasy than most americanized pizza, and has much better texture and flavors. They also serve salads and pasta, dessert, coffee & expresso drinks, all of which are nicely done in authentic italian style. Here you need to know the difference between a cappuccino and an americana, but if you don't their wait staff will help you out as best they can in their thick european accents. It's a nice place to pretend you are in an outdoor cafe in italy.

    (4)

  • Sydney K.

    Pizza Rustica is a no-frills Italian joint with mediocre food. The pasta dishes range from below average to good. You choose your pasta type, your sauce and whether you want any meat or veggies added - not my favorite execution because I like some thought put into my meals. Hey, I can cook at home - I go out to eat so someone else can do the thinking! To their credit, Pizza Rustica usually has a nightly pasta special. It's hip to be square - well, the pizza here is, at least. It's done well, but beware - the whole pizzas are huge. This is a nice neighborhood restaurant to frequent on weeknights you don't feel like turning on the stove. It's BYOB, so it's also a good way to liquour it up and keep down costs.

    (2)

  • Ashley S.

    wow i love pizza rustica! they use really fresh ingredients that makes up for the prices being a little higher than your average pizza joint. and the owner is really nice too. i've only ever had pizza from here, but i've heard their dinner dishes are really good as well.

    (5)

  • Clayton J.

    Came here on a Friday night, had to wait a little bit because it was so damn busy. In total it was about 20 mins, but whatever. With a restaurant this busy, you know lots of people are there for a reason. I really appreciated the real Italians who work here, because they know how to make a great pizza! So we finally got a table, and ordered one big pizza. Overall it was good, but I wouldn't say it is the best pizza I've ever had. It's a matter of taste in this restaurant, and it just wasn't my favorite, although it was very good nonetheless. I would say there was too much bread and not enough toppings, but I"m so spoiled by the delicious greasy pizza we have here in Chicago. They use a really light crust, which will not make you feel drowsy after the meal (it's a plus). We brought some red wine and beer, (a great combination) and by the end of the night we had consumed all beverages. It was a good time, and a great atmosphere to dine in. Check it out.

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    Decent food, service is friendly, but sometimes misses details, portions a bit small for pasta. The pizza is pretty good, with slightly buttery crust. I like the Rustica Salad - spinach, goat cheese & artichoke. Definitely a decent place for local takeout.

    (2)

  • Kristen D.

    A girlfriend of mine has been bugging me to come here and we finally did. I can't believe we didn't come here sooner! This is the most fresh tasting pizza you will ever eat. We ordered the Margherita pizza and everything surpassed my expectations. We didn't even have any leftovers to bring home. They also make their bar drinks fresh, and usually they have a unique twist to them. I tried the basil & grape drink with vodka - it was very, very good! I loved how fresh everything was here and I cannot wait to go back. Personal note: I'm very much a texture eater. This pizza is thin, but packs on just the right amount of sauce and cheese (the more sauce/cheese, the better for me!) The crust is thin and a little floppy, but so delicious. Everything gets 5 stars! Service, recommendations, ambience, food, etc. etc etc.!

    (5)

  • Chad E.

    tl:dr mediocre pizza and bad service. I loath most negative reviews, but I do feel my experience warrants one. I went for a relatively early dinner Friday night when it wasn't too busy and we were promptly ignored by our server. When we were finally able to order we thought maybe the pizza would make up for the shitty service: we were wrong. I'm not sure how you can have a pizza with sausage and other toppings be bland, but they pulled it off. So, bravo, I guess??

    (2)

  • Bri A.

    It's been a year since the new location opened and I dined there, so it was time to give them another go! My friends and I came for a free beer tasting/competition. We sampled three different APAs and voted on our favorite for a chance to win a four pack. The guy handling the tasting was friendly and knowledgeable about the beers. Since it was dinner time, we decided to stay and eat. My friend and I came last year during opening week and had an awful experience, but we were willing to give them another chance. We just love their pizza! I'm a fan of Foursquare so I checked in and saw an offer for a free app. The waitress was clueless about it, but asked the manager. He said they would honor it which was awesome. We started off with an order of mozzarella sticks then had the Quattro Stagioni which was excellent. It paired nicely with a Stiegl Radler, a tasty, citrusy grapefruit beer. Service was so much better this time around. It stinks that they aren't BYOB anymore, but I will still be back!

    (4)

  • Fernando A.

    After a few attempts to go based on their reviews we finally decide to give it a chance. We parked on Irving park and added an hour and forty minutes then walked to the joint. We we arrived it was somewhat full but not all that bad, we were greeted by a nice lady (owner) at the door and since we were in a time crunch se said that the bar would work for us since the food comes quick. The waitress was nice and we mentioned that they were highly recommended and heard lots of great thing. I ordered a beer to start and my girlfriend a negron I which were both great. We then asked for calamari but they had just ran out since it was later that day. We ordered the Cesar salad and yes it was divine we also ordered a pizza and a T-bone steak after a while we asked if it would be longer, they mentioned that since the steak was well done it would be a while. I proceeded to go and add money to the meter and ordered a second beer thinking it would arrive by the time I was back. One hour fourth five minutes later the steak arrives a brontosaurus size steak medium rare with the pizza, I can usually eat a medium well but the steak was a bit bloody and the waitress suggested she send it back to get cooked more. The owner was at the end of the bar checking her iPhone like a teenager on Instagram , I ate a few bites and stopped eating I figured it take it home and eat it later, the owner passed us up at least 7 times and never asked why I wasn't eating the steak or if we were content after spending over 2 hours at the bar and seeing at least 3 couples arrive, eat , and leave. Finall, we started a conversation about how businesses did during winter and expressed that we owned one to see if she would mention anything in regards to our experience .. Nada We get the bill and 35.00 uncooked steak plus other food came to 85.00 We left the waitress 10.00 only because we felt that it was not her fault and seeing her stress about the incident she deserved it If you want heed steak , well done go to ALS steakhouse in countryside , the serve 40oz porterhouse and don't take 2 freakin hrs to cook To top it off I get a compliment on yelp from Jennifer after my review complaining that I'm cheap for only leaving 10 dollars when i should have left and paid only for my drinks. Not only is this place lousy but rude and ignorant , maybe it's time for the health department to visit them....

    (1)

  • Marian O.

    This is a great place to get dinner. Not too expensive, they have great custom cocktales and an ok beer selection. They have some of the best pizza I have every had. The crust is buttery and unlike any other crust I have ever tried. It is not a large space and will fill up quickly and when it is full it is VERY loud. They do have outdoor seating for the summer which is very nice. The service is a bit hit or miss because sometimes they get too busy.

    (4)

  • Renee M.

    I recently went here with a group of 7 girls for a friend's birthday dinner. It's close to my apartment, so we've been meaning to try it, and we were not disappointed. We went a little early because we were going to a nearby comedy show afterwards, but we had no problem getting a table in the super cute, family-style setting. It feels very much like a neighborhood space, but still with an upscale feel. Even the owner (I'm assuming) came by and told us, figuring that twenty-something girls may have been frustrated with the abundance of families at that time, that families are typically there from 5-7ish, and to come back later if we weren't into the scene. We appreciated her attentiveness about that, but we really didn't mind too much. As for the food, they have a blackboard menu that is essentially a long list of specials for the evening. We got three appetizers from the menu - the mozz sticks, the burrata and prosciutto, and the arancini. All of this was amazing and shareable, although I really wanted the plate of thickly-cut, gooey mozz sticks all to myself. They have an amazing cocktail and wine list, with some of us opting for bottles of wine and others going for the cocktails - all reasonably priced. We ended up splitting two "half" pizzas at the recommendation from our server, which we thought halfway through eating that it wouldn't be enough, but we were pleasantly surprised to end up with one little square left that none of us could muster eating because we were so full. We got the margherita pizza and the quattro stagioni, and both were amazing. The crust is so buttery, and all of the toppings tasted extremely fresh and high quality. When we split the bill accordingly, each of us owed around $30-40, which I thought was amazing given the booze, apps and meal. We will definitely be back. My only minor complaint is that service was just a bit slow - not sure if they were a little short-staffed or what. The other little thing was that we never got an ice bucket for our bottle of pinot grigio, but we drank it pretty quickly anyway :) But the server was so nice and accommodating, and the food and atmosphere was so amazing, we plan on going back very frequently and will make this our regular spot.

    (4)

  • Lindsey S.

    I do enjoy pizza rustica but didn't have the best experience this past weekend. We waited for about five minutes and then were seated. We preceded to wait another fifteen minutes just to get drinks and see our waiter for the first time. We were never offered any bread and oil like we have had every other time we've been there. And I only got one pop was never offered a refill. But I do have to say the food is delicious. I love the Alfredo and the pizza is amazing. Will probably be back in the future

    (3)

  • Nichole F.

    I love the pizza at Pizza Rustica! The new place looks so good and the service was good as well. I tried to make a reservation because I know how busy they have been all week but I was told that they only take 2 or 3 reservations per night because they wanted walk ins which I thought was silly but whatever. We came early around 6 and got in at a window seat right away but the place filled up very fast. The wait by the time we left at 7 was 40 minutes. We ordered calamari for an appetizer to split. We always order that here however the portion size was nearly cut in half from other times which was a little irritating. The pizza was great as always.

    (4)

  • Meredith B.

    My friend and I went here for dinner last night, and were really impressed by the cozy trattoria atmosphere. They have a variety of low and high tables, a beautiful bar, nice dim lighting with candles, and generally it feels both casual and romantic. We started with glasses of wine (not a lot of Italian representation on the list, for some reason), and proceeded to order a "half" pizza each. This amounted in plenty of leftovers, FYI! They advertise the half as "four slices," but really the pizzas are rectangular with many little slices, so I don't know where they get the "four" from. We got a half margherita and a half grilled vegetable - I didn't like mushrooms, so they subbed in spinach for me (they would've subbed in anything, all toppings are the same price, so that's cool!) In fact, rather than "build your own" pizza, I'd recommend ordering a pizza that is *almost* what you want, then adding an ingredient or swapping one out. It'll probably be cheaper. The margherita pizza was nicer than the grilled vegetable, for some reason. Both had a really crispy, buttery crust - though this is only apparent in the edge pizzas, the center pieces don't have a crisp bite, because the bottom crust isn't crispy (slight bummer). I think the difference was the cheese, and the fresh basil on the margherita. The grilled veggie pizza just tasted one note and a bit flavorless, aided slightly by red pepper flakes in a jar on the table. It's fun to try different half pizzas, so everybody gets something they like. And it's a fairly inexpensive night out, with friendly service. Our bill was about $40 for the two half pizzas and a glass of wine each, very reasonable. I'd come back and try something different, but overall I thought the pizzas were nice, but lacking that extra zing that would make the place really special.

    (3)

  • Laura C.

    I liked the original location, and just now visited the new one across the street. It's much larger and has a real warmth to the space, a definite upgrade. With an open kitchen and a lively buzz in the air, it makes for a fun night out. Pizza is still tasty, I always gravitate toward the rosemary potato, and it will not disappoint. They have a Stiegl grapefruit beer, which I would highly recommend if you're into citrusy beers. Service is super friendly.

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    Food was awesome as always. Owner, Stefano, is a great host. Outside seating on a beautiful night was perfect. Don't go there if you are in a hurry. The service can be "European", but just pretend you're in Rome...the food will help take you there!

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    I LOVE this pizza, but I do not like the service. There used to be a GREAT server working there, but she has left. Last time we were there, we got our food like, 10 minutes after some people who ordered about 20 minutes after us, but we only got half of our order, which was pretty ridiculous. I think the other half came another 20 minutes later. After that, the server just walked off to go standing around after ignoring my request for a refill on my drink. I ended up having to ask the other server to help after 5 or 10 minutes, this is not acceptable in my opinion. The pizza is great and has a butter crust. In truth, everything tastes great (assuming you get your food). The chocolate flourless cake is delicious, especially if you ask for raspberry sauce. But the service is really, really terrible. I miss Misty, she was the only good server we've had in two years of going here. After the last experience, we are no longer eating at Pizza Rustica.

    (2)

  • Christopher K.

    If you stick to the first page of the menu, the food is reasonably priced and delicious. Big portions of pasta with sauce and meat for $10-13. Good apps, under $12 too. ALWAYS ask prices before ordering off the blackboard menu. I've been charged $16 for 4 shrimp, $37 for a (just ok) steak, and $8 for a tiny piece of chocolate cake... and only found out after I got the bill. Everything costs DOUBLE what it should. The wait staff plays dumb about it, like they've never heard a complaint before, but the owner intentionally leaves the prices off to scam people. Don't fall for it. Long tables and tight seating make for very social meals. On the weekends, it's a high energy place, and a bit more mellow during the week.

    (2)

  • Kristyn A.

    Just finished dinner from here... awesome as always! We had the caesar salad, half of a Bianca Pizza, and Tiramisu Caesar salad could have used just a little more dressing but that's probably because we didn't mix it up enough... The flavor was great and the lettuce was crisp and fresh Bianca Pizza was incredible! My fiance and I can never agree on pizza (he's a meat lover and I'm more of a margherita pizza lover... which by the way is also great here). This pizza has us both satisfied. The thin crust is perfect and the light lemon flavor isn't overwhelming. It's nice to eat pizza and not feel like I gained 5 pounds! The half size was perfect for both of us to share with lunch leftovers for me! Tiramisu... my favorite dessert ever and they do it so well here! Perfect neighborhood Italian place that also delivers on cold nights like these! Love it!

    (5)

  • Nicole C.

    I love this restaurant. I had the margarita pizza with sausage and a Pinot noir that the waitress recommended. DELICIOUS! The entire experience was perfect. I love the ambiance here, it's a great place for a date night. The waitress and hostess were both helpful in deciding what to order, were friendly and have definitely made me a fan. I can't wait to come back! We brought a bottle of wine because the yelp reviews said it is byob. That is not the case, they will open a bottle for a $15 corkage fee. We decided to go with the waitresses recommendation for a Pinot noir. They have wine,beer and an interesting cocktail menu.

    (5)

  • Kris G.

    I really liked the atmosphere and amount of variety on the menu at Pizza Rustica. For a pizza place, it had more to offer for a variety of tastes than most places I've been to. I also liked that it felt like a great place for a casual date as well as somewhere cool to hang out with friends. The food was just ok in my opinion. I pretty much enjoyed the pizzas we tried, but nothing was memorable. The price felt a little high for what it was, too, although it matched the ambiance of the place. My bf and I received good service, although the waiter seemed put off when he saw that I was the one paying the bill--I thought that was a little off. I don't think I'd come back of my own accord, but if I were invited here with a group of friends, it's a solid choice.

    (3)

  • Samar N.

    This is a must go to spot in Chicago for me. It is right down the street from one of my GF's houses and the drill is usually, she picks me up from the airport and we go right to pizza rustica. They recently (within the last year) moved into a new spot and have a liquor license, they used to be BYOB only but now they allow both which is nice. The new space is also larger so you do not have to wait nearly as long for a table. The pizza is DELICOUS! It isn't Chicago style it is thinner and square shaped cut into square and rectangle pieces. I have tried a bunch of different ones there and even though I tend to be a pretty typical pizza person (pepperoni please I love all the unique pizzas they have here and truly enjoy them. They also have a good selection of yummy pastas. I am unfortunately subtracting a star because I think the service is a bit spotty. I have met the owners and they are very sweet! However, once or twice our waiter has been bad, messed up orders or the food took FOREVER to show up. I wouldn't say this is really a quick dinner spot it is more a place to sit down open a bottle of wine and enjoy good food and good company.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    I feel the need to update based on the fact that they are in a new (much bigger!) space... still super crowded, still super delicious! I love the pizza at Pizza Rustica... none of that deep-dish nonsense here, and I can get the kind of toppings I like on a pizza (namely, zucchini and spinach). The only down-side is that it is no longer BYOB, but the food is still great and the waitresses are friendly. I dig the look of the new space as well, I love seeing such an open kitchen and this one is easily twice as big as the old one. Great little neighborhood place that I'm lucky to live close to!

    (5)

  • Melissa B.

    So this place has expanded (across the street from the old location). I went to the old location dozens of times and was completely in love! I have only dined in at the updated location once and had delivery once. I have a good friend that lives right around the corner from this place and it's always been our go to spot. She's not happy about my feelings on the expansion because it's "great for the neighborhood", but I'm not loving the update. I'll just come right out with it. What happened to all the hot guys that used to wait on us? Seriously though- That's not the reason for the drop in stars. I didn't feel the pizza was as good as it used to be. It's still good- just not amazing like it used to be. Also, delivery took crazy long (she lives behind the place!) and our food arrived warm at best. Tha lasagna we ordered was mushy. It's like they made us the last stop and our food sat in the car for a really long time. On a plus note- The delivery guy is still hot! It's possible they just need some time to adjust to the new location, So I will give it some time and a few more chances. I would hate to lose one of my favorite spots!

    (3)

  • Katie F.

    Love this place, but have noticed a few odd things... We used to live around the corner, and would go almost once/week. Pizza has ALWAYS been amazing, and I've always loved the pastas :) I wasn't wild about the salmon when I had it, but my boyfriend loved it. We went last night for the first time in a few months (since we moved), and it was way less crowded than usual (especially for 6:30 on a Friday). I arrived a few minutes before my boyfriend, and the hostess almost seemed nervous to seat me before he got there (because we weren't a complete party I guess). She was super nice, and sat me anyway (which was good, as there was hardly anyone else there). It seemed like she was nervous she'd get in trouble for seating an incomplete party. (Thank you for seating me!) Our server was awesome - very attentive and made excellent drink suggestions. We ordered the buratta and prosciutto appetizer (delicious!). He ordered the margherita pizza with crumbled sausage, and I ordered a "create your own" pasta with gnocchi, tomato cream sauce, mushrooms, spinach, and crumbled sausage. His was perfect, and mine was almost perfect. On mine, the crumbled sausage sort of combined to make a sausage patty, which was kinda weird but fine. We just now finished eating our leftovers :) We had the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, which was VERY rich and perhaps had a bit too much sauce on it, but was delicious nonetheless. Some weird things: 1) The way the hostess seemed almost scared to seat me without my boyfriend there (he was 10 minutes after me). She was very sweet, and obviously made the right call, but it seemed like she was nervous that the manager or owners would get mad at her. In a super busy restaurant I'd understand...but the majority of the tables were WIDE open! 2) We didn't get the usual bread/oil at the table. We didn't ask for it, but they used to just bring it out. We remember once seeing the chef/owner running across the street to get more bread on a super busy night...this time they were not nearly full, and either didn't have bread, or were choosing not to serve it. Maybe cutting corners? 3) Where were all the customers? We used to go all the time before we moved, and it was always hopping! We are part of the spring rewards program, and have gone so much that we have received credits at least 3 (maybe 4!) times. Yay! 4) The owner/chef actually stood out front a few times. He may have just been getting some fresh air...but it almost looked like he was wondering "where are all the customers?" (Hopefully he was just getting fresh air!) But again...wasn't crowded at all. 5) I follow them on facebook, and I saw yesterday that they actually insulted a reviewer from yelp. The review itself was indeed a bit silly...but even still, it was a bit off-putting to read the owner (or manager, not sure who runs the page) react so negatively. Our favorite things: 1) Atmosphere. Even when it's crowded, there's something so romantic about the place. We love the lighting, the wood, the layout, and the artwork. 2) We have a favorite server :) Manuel (I hope that's how he spells his name) is the BOMB! We were hoping to see him last night....miss you Manuel! 3) Food is always SO yummy. 4) Drinks are amazing. 5) I think this is a recent change - they do have the prices on the handwritten blackboard menus. Thank you for listening to customer feedback! 6) Not just the quality of the food, but the quantity. I've always left feeling full (and sometimes with leftovers!) My boyfriend rarely leaves with leftovers...he is always part of the "clean plate club" :) I have read some of the recent reviews on here, and it looks like some people have had less than perfect experiences. Hopefully the owners check here, and take note of all reviews (good and bad), and adjust as needed :)

    (4)

  • Jack P.

    Came here with a friend/client for a weekday lunch. The new space is open with an inviting bar, open air seating indoors and tables on the street out front, as well. The menu is fairly extensive with Northern Italian food choices and even longer when it comes to libations. I never thought I'd say I'd be happy to see $8 martinis, but when they are pushing $12-14 elsewhere, eight seems reasonable. Reasonably-priced wines by the glass ($6-7.00) and beers as well. We were iced-tea totalling, so no chance this trip to sample the hooch. Our lunch order was simple. Split a Rustica salad of spinach, artichoke and goat cheese and a 1/2 order ($13.75) of Quattro Stagioni pizza. More artichokes, tomato, mushrooms and ham. This pizza is addictive. The ingredients are fresh and well-matched. The crust is like a thinner version of what is so good about Lou Malanati's. I am so glad I finally made it here. Totally lived up to my expectations. Needless to say, we cleaned our plates and left nothing to take home. The 1/2 pizza was a good serving for two adults. There are lots of other menu items: sanwiches, salads, pastas, which all sounded good and which I'm sure live up to the flavor and freshness of the pizza. I rather wish this were my little neighborhood spot, but I don't think I can go through the trouble of moving! The total bill was $25.50 for two. That was without tip or drinks. and sharing, so a little on the high side for a lunch budget, but worth every penny. Our server Josh could not have been more friendly or more an advocate of the place. Great to have a server who enjoys his place and his plates. The food arrived timely, too. Could be the best thin crust pizza I've had in awhile. Where sometimes the Neoplolitans are a bit dry, and others too swimming in slippery sauce, Pizza Rustica was the perfect blend. The perfect tongue shui.

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    This place is a great little hidden gem! Very tasty pizza and you can create your own. I was pleasantly surprise because it never looks very busy. I went here on a date and it was really a fun date spot as well!

    (4)

  • Ada L.

    Horrible service. Waited more than an hour and a half for delivery. When I called to check on the order they said "it must be out for delivery because I don't see it here." Had to call back again 30 minutes later and the guy cut me off saying "it's on it's way...". When the delivery driver finally came, she had NO change. How do you send a driver out with no change to a customer paying cash? Unacceptable- definitely won't be ordering from here again.

    (1)

  • Sean C.

    I've lived around the corner from this place (old and new locations) for about six years now. TL;DR - great pizza, amazing specials, and surprisingly clever cocktail menu. Worth a visit, or at least take out. The name suggests pizza, and while they make some of the best in the city (with a thin, buttery crust that is entirely unique) you're missing out if you limit yourself to their pies. Really, the best-kept-secrets (plural!) of this place are their specials and their drinks. The specials board, 90% different every time I've gone in, is the work of a Chef. Not to diminish the noble Pizza Guy, but most pizza places don't offer (like my last visit) truffled burrata with perfectly grilled summer vegetables or perfectly cooked ribs in an Italian style; blessedly free of the smothering BBQ sauce that masks the poor technique of lesser efforts. The cocktail menu is playful and seasonal. Being a bourbon drinker, I'm often disappointed in summertime efforts to lighten its somber sweetness. My last visit offered up a lovely blend of mint, orange, anise and bourbon - worth having two. I'd give ingredients, name and details If I could remember, but - I suck. Decor is nice, service is polite and efficient but otherwise unremarkable. Try it twice - once for specials, again for pizza.

    (5)

  • Desiree R.

    The spot was beautiful, I absolutely loved the vibe, I ordered the chicken alfredo which was honestly probably the best I've ever had, I thought it was a bit pricy for such a small portion but nonetheless good, the cocktail I had was a mojito can't remember which one but it was ok and again pricy. Overall the vibe and feel of the place was great but just a bit pricy for my taste.

    (4)

  • LeDub Z.

    I've been here 3 times now, and have nothing but good things to say! I've tried the bruschetta once, and several kinds of pizza. Most recently I came here with a group of 6 and we ordered 2 halves (the grilled veggie & the everything). Both were great!! Their pizza is thin crust, with fresh toppings. If you've never had bleu cheese on a pizza, I would definitely recommend it! Our server was super sweet. We asked about the size of the bruschetta appetizer order, and he said he would make sure we had enough for 6 people (very tasty). And when he overheard that it was someone in our group's birthday, he brought out a slice of tiramisu at the end of our meal. I've been fantasizing about the pizza for the last 2 days, and can't wait to go back. Doesn't hurt that they have one of my favorite beers: pursuit of hoppiness. Go, good people - get your pizza! I will meet you there!

    (5)

  • Vanessa K.

    pizza rustica is hands down the best pizza place in the city. the crust is divine. i'm not quite sure how to describe it: it's sweet, slightly flakey, but firm...like a sister bread of focaccia but thinner. plus, it's a joy to spend time amongst true italians who own the joint. the specials that are on the wall are usually amazing. i have been to pizza rustica at least 10 times over the past year and the food is always amazing! the one thing is, they do NOT rush you out. so, you might have to wait for a table -or- wait for the bill. just enjoy either experience. bring a couple bottles of wine. oh - and the arrabbiata sauce is fantastic on all their freshly made pasta and for those who need a little green in their meal, the rustica salad is perfect. Divertiti!!!

    (5)

  • Jared S.

    Pizza Rustica has the potential to be a stand out restaurant for the neighborhood it's in but they still have a long ways to go in the service category. On my first visit I was impressed with the authentic atmosphere inside. However that soon faded once we where seated. The dishwasher's Spanish hip hop blasting from the kitchen made me feel like I was grabbing tacos after a night of drinking. Recently the staff littered my street with their menus. So I thought it was time to give them another try. (not that I need an excuse to order pizza) The person who took my order told me I should expect delivery in 45 minutes. 1 hour and 45 minuets passes before my warm pizza arrives. Insult to injury, they gave me green pepper instead of sausage.

    (2)

  • Jason C.

    LOVE IT!!!! Great date night spot. BYOB, great thinner crust pizza and very attentive service. The pizza tasted very authentic - great flavors, very fresh, wonderful ingredients. We had the Margherita - it was awesome. Tons of outdoor seating - this night, the owner emptied the indoor restaurant of all the tables and put them on the sidewalk so no one had to eat inside - it was like we were in a piazza in Italy. Go - you will love it!!

    (5)

  • Arpana U.

    This place was good - got carry out and was there before it was out of the oven, so enjoyed it piping hot. This is a good place to go if you're looking for thin pizza that's a little different - not the place for some thin crust comfort food (for that, better off at D'Ags or Panino's in the area). But it was good, worth a try for sure. We got the Verdure, which was good, but I would have liked more veggies/toppings. And got the Patate Rosmarino (potato), which was good in small doses, but as others have said, carb-overload.

    (3)

  • Jeffrey S.

    I've come here a million times. I've only had bad service once. The pizza is amazing and seems to be more conistent since they moved to their new location. At their old location there was times it seemed over cooked at times. Now I feel its always cooked just right.

    (5)

  • Steve B.

    I go to pizza rustica often - great food/friendly service. However, I went on NYE an hour before normal close and was told the restaurant was closed and was rushed out. No notification of an early close was given as the attendant said they had been too lazy. While overall I enjoy this establishment, I was not happy with the way they had handled the situation.

    (3)

  • Sam S.

    My feelings about this visit were so strong, it caused me to join Yelp today. I have, over time, frequented Pizza Rustica fairly regularly. I had always had a very pleasant experience for both service and food. I recently drove by and observed the new location and was very excited to revisit one of my Chicago favorites. Ohhhh P.R., how could you go so wrong so quickly? I reviewed many recent yelps about this location, and it seems there is a definite pattern emerging. I'm sure you can identify it yourself if you look closely. My experience: We were seated right away on a Monday night by a very friendly hostess. It was moderately busy. I love to see places succeed and do well! Service: I had no issues with the waiter, though he did seem overextended. Honestly I think a lot of the service issues I have read about here are due to poor organization in the kitchen and dining areas. Wine: it did take a long time to get a glass, but see above. Very light pour for a glass, considering that the bottle is priced only 3x the price of a glass. VERY light pour. Like, INSULTINGLY light pour. Food: Ahhh, this hurts but the pizza last night was pretty awful. I have had so much GREAT pizza from P.R. that this surprised me immensely! I had brought a new diner with me, and I was embarrassed and making excuses for it. The pizza should never have left the kitchen. It was burned around the perimeter and nearly undercooked in the center. The lack of evenness is difficult to understand. I have theories but no evidence. However, that pizza really should NEVER have been allowed to be served. I carefully tore off the crust from the pizza, and laid it upside down on my plate, showing that it was black as I continued to eat toward the center. I really expected the waiter to question this at some point, or the hostess who was busy running plates to tables around me. But no. Oddity: Very strangely, the bill total came to $33 and change. I put a fifty down for it. The waiter left to get change, came back and asked me if I had anything smaller... That just seemed so incredibly odd to me. I explained the only thing I had smaller was a $20, so it was up to him. He managed to find correct change for me. Why didn't I complain about the pie? You have to pick your battles in life, and this is JUST a pizza. One pizza, during one meal, in one day in my life. I always figure if the chef/owner cares about his success, he'll make sure everything that goes out of the kitchen will be absolutely right. Conclusion: I have no doubt that the new P.R. location will be a success. There are any number of businesses I consult which survive despite their best efforts to fail. I sincerely hope they take some of the most recent feedback to heart, examine their systems or hire a consultant to improve their service, and set aside the hubris that immediate success breeds. There has definitely always been an air of boastful pride in P.R.; old location and new. Will I return? Probably, because one terrible pizza isn't going to turn me off. But will I return as quickly or as often as I did before? Probably not, and definitely not until I get over being charged full price for a pizza that was half burned and obvious to anyone who took a moment to look.

    (2)

  • Julie Ann H.

    I live right down the street from Pizza Rustica, but I had never stopped in until yesterday. Sure, I'd passed by many a time and watched longingly as other diners enjoying their pizza out on the patio and smelled the tempting aromas waft past my nostrils, but there was always some other pressing matter at hand that pulled me away from experiencing this pizza deliciousness. Yesterday, however, my friend Andy and I were on a mission for pizza. After driving around Wrigleyville for what seemed like forever trying to find parking so we could get a slice at Ian's, I remembered Pizza Rustica's ample parking and mouth-watering scents, so we took a short detour to Sheridan and Dakin to fulfill our pizza craving. By the time Andy and I arrived at Pizza Rustica, I was hungry enough to eat my own arm, and thus rather impatient. The rudeness of our waiter in these crucial first moments of our dining experience is what lost Pizza Rustica a star in my book. It took several minutes after we were seated for us to even get menus, much less acknowledgement from the three waitstaff chatting right next to us. I saw some other customers enjoying fresh bread with their meals, but when I asked our server if I could get a bread basket before our pizza came out, he told me that I could only have one if I ordered a full meal. I told him I would pay extra for it, and he still said no. Okay, I guess the bread is reserved for the higher-paying customers. I ended up ordering their bruschetta instead- yummy Italian bread piled with delicious tomatoes, basil, olives, and capers. The only drawback was that the order only came with four small pieces. My annoyance faded when the pizza came out. Andy and I ordered a half-pizza, which was more than enough for both of us. The crust was perfect- tender and chewy with lightly crispy edges and bubbly melted cheese. I had spinach and artichoke hearts on my half, which was absolutely amazing! Andy got sausage, and while he didn't care for the flavor of the sausage they used, he still loved the pizza. I will definitely return here when my next pizza craving hits!

    (4)

  • Mya O.

    I love this place, for me! it's the best pizza in town. BYOB! a plus.

    (5)

  • JR O.

    It's right around the corner and has really good pizza! Love their newly expanded location! Everything thing I have ever ordered has been great and the service is excellent too!

    (5)

  • Ellen Z.

    We loved this place! I highly recommend it for a great meal that doesn't break the bank. My husband and I are food snobs and just stumbled across this adorable eatery. Everyone that works here is Italian, which makes for warm pleasant service, relaxed and cute ambiance and, of course, very good and authentic Italian food. We ordered a pizza and the salmon fish special, both of which were unbelievably fresh, flavorful and piping hot. The pizza is thin and crispy and, I just can't explain it, to die for! I am a Chicagoan and have eaten a ton of pizza in my lifetime and this is the real Italian deal. The salmon was flavorful and a very generous portion, but fresh with just a few ingredients and perfectly cooked. It's hard to find restaurants that don't break the bank but are high on quality and this is a great one!! We chatted with Stefano the manager/owner who was so kind and friendly. Thank you, Stefano. We loved it.

    (5)

  • Chicago T.

    Dry, overcooked pizza. To the kitchen's credit the pasta was dressed properly and as I would expect it in Bologna, lightly dressed so the pasta speaks and not the sauce but unfortunately the taste of the sauce was terrible. I believe that people with developed palates would not give this location high reviews. Then why all the great reviews? One possible explanation could be that most of the reviews are by new inhabitants to the city. In other words, border state residents, newly relocated to the city of Chicago. (I'm still trying to detect this phenomenon when navigating through reviews on sites such as this one; especially when a restaurant receives, as in the case of Rustica, a large number of high reviews). How else could anyone find the food at Rustica delicious? One possible answer is that the folks that give this restaurant high marks are used to chain food taste. Sorry, no offense but if that's what you were raised on that's what you know and like. I usually don't write negative reviews for the sake of the business and its employees and in this case I cannot write about the service as my food was delivered. Regardless, this restaurant will continue to do well as long as there are a new reserve of border state folks with undeveloped gustatory perceptions. So I write this review for those who were raised in Chicago and in other large cities with ethnic neighborhoods where great food can be found. By the way if you can't get Bolognese sauce right and "pizza" is part of the restaurant's name, then the pizza leaves the kitchen dry and overcooked I don't need to taste the rest of the menu.

    (1)

  • FoodieChic L.

    I eat pizza at least once a week - both in the suburbs and city. I eat pizza anywhere I travel (from Australia to Europe) and PR is hands down, one of the best pizzas I've had. If you haven't been to Italy, come here and you will feel like you are! I drive by often, and it is always slammed. Their service could be better, but once you bite into their pizza you forget about that. Haven't had any of their pasta dishes, but their appetizers have been amazing too. Order any style, any ingredients, and they will perfect it.....

    (5)

  • Katy E.

    On a Monday night - we waited 2 hours for delivery (we live less than a mile away in Lincoln Park). We were told it would be no more than an hour for a cheese pizza - which was cold. We will not be ordering from here again.

    (2)

  • Bobby G.

    It's just decent. You could say it's rustinc. . The margarita pizza was light, but pretty bland. The pasta entree portion was like a side dish, which is stupid because pasta isn't a precious resource. And the wine was $7-10 a glass when clearly this place has no business not being a byob. Seriously, why aren't you byob? They also, hurried us out of there as the early closing time rolled around. I mean it's a good place to have in the neighborhood, but not much beyond that.

    (3)

  • Diane G.

    Split a half Magherita and half Grilled Vegetable pizza with a friend, and it was deeelish. Thin crust, ample size, and FRESH ingredients. I especially like the ambiance of the place; it's surprisingly relaxing considering Wrigley Field is just a few blocks away. I especially love the OUTDOOR PATIO; great place to spend those summer nights. =]

    (4)

  • Colleen C.

    Updated space and location... Deserving of a Yelp review update! Had a chance to snag lunch at one of my all-time favorites, Pizza Rustica. In fact it was one of my VERY FIRST Yelp reviews all the way back in March 2007. Yes, over 5 years ago. And I was going before that. I loved, loved, loved the cramped little quarters, the loving din rising above buttery crusts and bottles of wine bought from the trashy Sheridan "L" liquors across the street...I loved it all. I went on multiple dates (even one with my now...fiance...see, it works!), family dinners, friends, etc. It's a great, great spot. And they've taken that hella good mojo and moved it across the street. Pizza Rustica is all grown up. And that's ok! It's a great improvement because despite the charm of a 20-seat restaurant, the natives get restless and the wait times could be long. Welcome to their new space (literally directly across the street) which boasts 4x as much seating, a huge full bar to perch at, and a huge sidewalk patio! It's really quite the spread. The menu has stayed the same, so not to fret...that "Garbage Pizza" can still be yours! (or mine, as it were). The major addition? BOOZE! P-Rustica is no longer BYOB, which is somewhat sad because we all know that can be sort of fun, but also nice for them to be able to be a bit more profitable slinging the booze. Belly up and order some of those specialty cocktails (Italian-inspired!) or wine. They are all still very affordable, and will complement the experience nicely. My colleague and I enjoyed a lunch out on the patio...their minestrone still simple, filling and wonderful accompanied by a pesto chicken salad that hit the spot. IT was a bit too heavy to try pizza for me on this particular day, but from the looks of the tables around me, things have not changed in that regard. So in short: new deluxe space, cocktails and booze (no more BYOB), great service remains, still charming and delightful. Pizza Rustica still makes this stretch of Sheridan the place to be for a casual dinner with a date or friends...and now you can bring a bigger group without pissing off the entire restaurant! ;)

    (5)

  • Guy L.

    This is a favorite place of mine. The atmosphere is very warm, inviting, and has very friendly staff. The salads, pizza, pasta, and drinks are all delicious. I have tried almost all of their pizzas, and it is one of my favorite pizza places in Chicago. Their pasta dishes are outstanding and they have a great beer/cocktail list. This is a great place to meet up with friends/family, go on a date, or even order a pizza for pick-up.

    (5)

  • Charles B.

    Just ordered pickup and I experienced such a satisfying meal I decided I was obligated to jump on Yelp and give them 5 stars. I ordered a slice of pepperoni and can still taste the buttery crust. I also had the lasagna which was also very satisfying. Still, its all about the buttery crust. I love it!

    (5)

  • Egle M.

    Went back a second time with a friend after sailing. Sat inside by the window near the bar. Our waiter was very attentive & made amazing recommendations. Drinks & pizza were delicious. Second time here was much much better than the first time thanks to our waiter!

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    I live literally down the block from Pizza Rustica and it's one of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. A couple items that are staples for me are the tirimasu and the penne rosa (add chicken, spinach, mushroom and a little spicy). I typically order for carry out and really appreciate the fact that instead of having the pizza made way a head of time and sitting under a heat lamp, they pull it fresh out of the oven fresh to the box. I am also a HUGE fan of the fact that they have daily specials but the only downfall is that I wish some of these items on the specials list were staple/constant ideas on the menu instead of in rotation. The only somewhat not so good experience I had once was that it took 45 minutes to get my Ribeye cooked and it was because I think something was messed up with the order (aka it was never put in) but they made up for it by giving us a discount on the check and free dessert.

    (5)

  • Cami R.

    Went with a large group of 13. Great decor but the p[lace is small. We ordered 3 whole large pizzas and it was ok. We finished the 3 of them and probably would have eatten half more. We ordered some desserts to compensate; the chocolate mousse and flourless chocolate cake were outstanding! the tiramisu wasnt that good. Friendly staff and quite good food... its a nice place to go out.

    (3)

  • Cait C.

    I'd give this place a 3.5 or 4 if the service was just a little better and faster. The food however is what keeps me coming back. I understand it's a small super busy place with minimal staff, and the waiters are generally very nice, but there's a few things that lack in service. The pizza however is awesome. The flavor combinations are great! Ham and blue cheese yum!!! Atmosphere is nice. Good beer. Good prices. Awesome pizzas!

    (3)

  • Sharee M.

    Rustic pizza rocks! I Heard about this place some time ago in the Yelp newsletter. I love discovering new pizza, so I gave Pizza Rustica a try. I loved the decor in the place with different yellow light bulbs and local art. The patio looked inviting, but I opted for inside. I also thought it was cool that you can seat and watch them make pizza in the back on the store. Pizza was the show her. I loved the pizza. Per Yelp recommendations, I had the Margherita pizza with sausage. Great favors and crispy crust I could eat, which for me is a big deal as I usually do not eat crust usually. I received the half portion which was big enough for two people. I took my leftovers to work the next day and it was really good still. It was one of the best pizzas I have had in Chicago. Price was a little more than I like to spend on pizza, but it was worth it, overall. Service was just OK, but not enough to bring down a star. She was polite and aware. the owners was present and appeared to be very friendly. I saw her talk to many customers who ordered out and served them personally. I saw her help a few people with wine selections with a smile. She even give a regular or maybe a friend a wine sample. She seemed cool enough to me. She did not approach me, but there was really no reason to. I had great service and not carrying out I will be back!

    (5)

  • April H.

    For most people having a piece of dried food on a wine glass would be one star...but since I have eaten in the third world and have had flies land on my food and questionable food sanitation prep in other countries, I decided to just take it off and continue drinking my wine. This place is just lucky I'm not that kind of germ freak that would bring the Chicago public health department down on them! The wine was pretty good and made me happy as a clam....so,,,I forgave them for having someone else's green vegetable still stuck on my glass Someone's green vegetable from last nights dinner...sheez, now that I think about it I am getting kinda sick.... Plus I didn't want to bother the waiter. He was the waiter, busboy and bartender. I FELT sorry for him. My goodness, hire some staff! So here was the good. Me and my friend arrived there about 1 pm on Sat. During this time we ordered two types of pizza by the slice. So total we had 4 slices. Two slices for each person is more than enough for one person! I had the Pizza Bianca and the Patate Rosmarino.My friend Kirsten had the Margherita and the Marinara. A wonderful change of pace from deep dish. We enjoyed our pizzas, and since each slice was cut in squares of 4, we were able to taste each pizza. We also shared a plate of the Quattro Formagi which is the 4 cheese pasta. The pizzas were excellent...but the pasta despite the 4 cheeses was sortof bland. Also, the good included the poor overworked waiter. He was overworked but didn't act like we were a nuisance. I definately would have understood if he did. He did the best he could under the circumstances. And in fact I was suprised he was able to get our order and bring it in the timely manner that he did. So thumbs up for him! Despite the so-so pasta, the wondeful pizza and the cheap check(only $45.55 with a glass of wine for each of us) would bring me back. Yes, even with two stars I probably will return. PROBABLY, and that's because my friend didnt have dried food in her glass and had a better experience. She loved the pasta. But since she is also from Wisconsin, anything with cheese in it is 10 stars. But hey..if you promise to give me a clean wine glass I will rerate you guys the next time I am in....

    (2)

  • Kay O.

    It's my favorite place to be. Juliana is my girl, Chef's food is amazing, and my favorite waiter Adil is just fantastic. So much love for this place. You cannot go wrong with anything off the menu here. You just cannot.

    (5)

  • Niara J.

    I had heard so many great things about this restaurant and was so excited to try. Firstly I will say the hostess or manager I assume was a pleasure. She made me feel right at home when I walked and which was great. Unfortunately that was the only pleasant thing about me experience here. Our waitress was the absolute worst. It was almost as if we were a second thought to her. My date and I asked several times for a glass of water for him. After some time we just began sharing the one glass she brought to our table. Being that I had never been I was hoping to get an explanation of the menu as most establishments do on your first visit but this was not the case. She seemed somewhat annoyed that I even asked her to review or even suggest items on the menu. When the check arrives I'm hoping to get out of this place with no hassle by paying cash and leaving only to find that she has added 3 extra items to our ticket that we did not order. Only more proof that we were a mere afterthought in her mind the entire night. I really wanted to enjoy this place but for the prices charged and the service and food we received it was a huge let down. I would not visit this restaurant again.

    (1)

  • Melissa F.

    This is some of the best pizza I've ever had. So so so so so delicious, it made my head spin. Wow. Go there now kthxbye. Somehow, around 7:30 on a Saturday, the three of us (two best friends and I) got a table. We were also lucky enough to have an incredibly personable, helpful waiter as well. The space doesn't feel totally old and cozy, since it seems refurbished and newly updated, but they are trying to make it home-y, and it's getting there. The smell - oh dear, the smell! Roasting (sauteeing?) garlic, made more intensely amazing by the open kitchen. We started with the buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto. Delicious and quality - two things I definitely love! This is certainly a restaurant where the ingredients shine. We each got a "half" order - which is huge. FYI. My friends all liked their pizza portions, and I LOVED mine. Margherita with a bit of crumbled sausage. Every ingredient popped, and you can tell that each one was bursting with quality. Unlike pizzas where tasteless ingredients sort of meld together in a forgettable way, this pizza was the opposite, and I got my fill of oven-crisped sausage, fresh, aromatic basil, deeply flavorful sauce, and bubbly cheese. I suppose the cheese at some points slid off too easily, but overall, this pizza was epically amazing. Oh, and the crust, which tasted like a regular one but denser and maybe with some cornbread worked in (???) was similarly amazing. I can't recommend this place enough! Mind-blowing pizza, friendly service, an open kitchen that tantalizes your olfactory sense...everything you need, really.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth E.

    You can't go wrong ducking into this neighborhood spot for some yummy pizza and pasta. However what makes this spot truly shine is the FANTASTIC service! The owners greet you at the door and are in the kitchen. Secret: eat at the bar- the head bartender is amazing and runs her turf like it's her own. It's your Italian Cheers in Chicago!

    (4)

  • Nick M.

    Overheard conversation from a table of young women... Gal 1: So what do you think of the decor? Gal 2: I like it, it's very uh... rustica Their pizza arrives Gal 3: OMG!! Is that how they got their name?! Gal 1 & 2: OMG!! They all laugh and I can't help but laugh with (or at, really) them. As the beautiful Sarah B. says, it is the "Perfect neighborhood spot". The feeling is very warm and comforting, like siting around the family dinner table. Meaning... it's very loud and you're packed in pretty tight to one another. We went to celebrate Pant's b-day and got the special treatment. The young gentleman in our group even got to make his own pizza with the kitchen crew. It was awesome and I was jealous. The pizza and salads are outstanding!! The owner and the kitchen crew go above and beyond. The servers however are not as cheerful and quick timing as the rest of the crew. I get it, they get slammed but it was the only thing that could have been better. Keep an eye out for "wine tasting" special events they have from time to time, if that's your sort of thing.

    (4)

  • Abby M.

    I might have been able to give a great review here if I had ever had the opportunity to actually try it. I walked in, was seated outside, and given some water. Shortly after that I overheard the same lady who seated us telling the next couple that they didn't have any pizza. A "pizza rustica" with uhhh.. no pizza. Then the waiter gives me a handwritten menu with maybe 5 items on it. I can only remember spaghetti because it was the only thing that sounded halfway decent. But they also handed me a regular menu with no explanation about the handwritten one. After talking to the table next to me, we concluded that they ONLY had the 5 items on the handwritten menu. What?!? I confirmed it with the hostess since my waiter was MIA. Well, I left. Not sure I'd go back.

    (1)

  • Irene G.

    I am going to do a 180 from my previous review on Pizza Rustica and give it 5 stars! Went here again last week for their beer tasting and had a good time. As I mentioned, the pizza here is one of the best I've ever had - The Quattro Stagioni is amazing!

    (5)

  • Johnny T.

    So, somehow I missed the whole crust/texture deal about the pizza in the reviews. Reading for comprehension is my bag, y'all. But, we'll get to that. My take away from Pizza Rustica? I need to move to Europe. Like, tomorrow. I arrived right when the restaurant opened on a slow Monday late morning and had the place to myself. The owner came up to me, introduced himself, asked what I wanted and I replied I was waiting for a friend and would wait to order at that time. He poured me a glass of water and, rather than ignore me until my friend arrived, he struck up a conversation about Italy, America, lifestyles, what's important in life, what I'm looking for, and how to get it. It was incredibly illuminating. Aside from the whole 'economy might crash,' thought of living a simpler, more connected life was pretty appealing. And, it's always good to get a perspective that's greater than your own. As I pondered his words, my friend arrived and we commenced to the business of eating. When in Rome (heh)... you eat. A lot. As refreshing as water is, it has nothing on aranciata so I downed one of those. Actually, I sipped. I was freshly learned in the ways of savoring life. I sipped. The Rustica salad with artichoke, goat cheese and spinach was a revelation in simplicity. I don't know whether I was hungry or inspired, but I gobbled up every bite while attempting to concentrate on every chew. Savor. Wanting to taste the whole of this restaurant, we ordered a half Tutta: sausage, pepperoni, bleu cheese, olives, onions, and mushrooms. Once I got past the crust (more corn-mealy than I was expecting), I concentrated on the ingredients, sauce, and texture. Each bite was like a good conversation with a friend. Yes, the food was good and I'd gladly come back to enjoy more of it but it was the act of striking up a conversation with a stranger, getting to know someone and having the chance to connect with another human being on a basic level (food is a great equalizer) that makes me a fan. Life is short, it should be enjoyed. I know, I know. Pizza. Yes. But sitting down over a glass over water, waiting for a tardy friend and having the chance to gain perspective from someone who's enjoyed a meaningful way of life... it makes an impression on you. Me. On me. It made an impression on me. Rustica. I like the sound of it...

    (4)

  • Esther S.

    The food was nothing too special, but the meal was come rely ruined by the staff. Our table ordered drinks and when they were finally served our waiter spilled two of them on our group members. We got our food and they did a birthday dessert for one of the people in our group. Since that dessert wasn't big enough for the entire group we ordered the lava cake with ice cream. 40 minutes later it hadn't come so we asked to cancel it and get out check and the managers response was, "You've waited 30 minutes you can wait 5 more!" So we finally got our cake and it was cold and our ice cream was completely melted like it had been sitting there for awhile. We then asked for our check and when it didn't come in 10 minutes asked for it again and the manager snapped at us and said, "I'M WORKING ON IT NOW!" The birthday girl went up to the manager and said she felt it was rude how we were being talked to and then manager went off on her and made her cry and then followed her into the bathroom to "apologize" which she never did. All in all not planning to ever go back there.

    (1)

  • Rhonda G.

    Great pizza, nice pasta, extra points for BYOB! The pizza that had potato as a topping stood out to me the most so I knew I had to try a slice of that. BUT gluttonous to the end, I needed to try the pasta too so I also had artichoke ravioli which had great flavor and offered a nice portion size at a reasonable price. While the pizza was the winner of the evening in my book, the pasta comes in at a close second for sure (which means even less when there are only two items on the list,but still). I love how cozy the place is, it feels very welcoming especially on what turned out to be a pretty crappy windy, rainy evening. I don't recommend coming here with a group larger than 4, the space works best for duos, trios and quads so accidentally leave someone off of the invite list:)

    (4)

  • Maciej G.

    Pizza Rustica is, overall, a very good pizza place. Their pizzas exhibit a thin, crunchy but delicate crust with a fairly good wholesome taste. Of the three kinds I had, I would say that I preferred the more exotic to the traditional margherita. None were bad, but the potato rosemary impressed me the most. The potatoes were sliced just right and their flavor came through while the rosemary helped augment the sauce and gave the cheese a bit more oomph. It seems that the toppings, red peppers in my case, take center stage dominating the pizza's overall flavor palette whereas the cheese and sauce play second string. I also tried the pineapple and ham pizza which was very good as well. The ingredients were fresh, and the ham was not overwhelming but in decently large chunks. I don't recommend coming here if you're rushed. Even with a nearly empty restaurant, it took quite a while to have our orders come out, but it's not that they were lazy. This is the kind of place you bring your friends (and wine) to and spend quite a bit of time ordering and eating and ordering some more and enjoying yourselves. Don't come here looking for a quick slice.

    (4)

  • Susan G.

    Beware. This is an ITALIAN restaurant. If you expect your FRENCH fries to be accompanied by ketchup, while you drink your GERMAN beer, you will be berated by the chef (or owner? manager?) who is shocked that you could even think that an ITALIAN restaurant would even dream to stock ketchup. And, that you should know that and not order FRENCH fries in the first place in an ITALIAN restaurant. Don't worry. We won't ask again because we'll never be back.

    (1)

  • Adam G.

    Pizza Rustica is an awesome local Italian and pizza place, located less than a block from the Sheridan Red line stop. The food here is great. They make their noodles from scratch, and you can tell the difference. You can mix and match types of pasta, sauces, and "add-ins," like chicken, meatballs, or crumbled sausage. They also make really good pizza, with their own homemade butter crust, fired in a brick oven, and which is very distinctive. Other than the consistently good food, another reason I enjoy coming here is because the atmosphere is pretty cool. The dining area is large and open, with exposed brick walls that display artwork from local artists. The wood tables are solid and tasteful, and the larger ones make me feel like you're at a mead hall or in a European kitchen. You can also see much of the kitchen from the dining room, just like something out of Hell's Kitchen or other television restaurant shows. One final word of advice: If you stick to pizza, pasta or other entrees, the bill should end up being reasonable. However, like most restaurants, if you start stacking on appetizers and alcohol, you may be surprised at how pricey your final check becomes. Rustica does have a pretty good beer and wine list, but you pay for what you get. The appetizers can also be a little disappointing, in terms of quantity of food for what you pay for. My boyfriend and I usually just drink our own wine at home before or after dinner here, and don't bother with ordering appetizers here anymore.

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    Unreal Pizza. Great Pasta. Great service. Great everything. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Debbie J.

    We live down the street, and this is our go to. The blackboard concept it awesome, and their food never lets us down. It's especially great when the weather is nice because they offer an outdoor seating section. Highly suggested!

    (5)

  • Luis O.

    Nice space with a good buzz to it overall. We ordered two different types of pizza and both were well prepared but lacked flavor..quite bland actually. We ate at the bar - the bartender was efficient but very cold and mechanical...a smile and a little patience with customers goes a long way. We will be back, sit at a table and check out other menu items, definitely worth another try!

    (3)

  • Nad A.

    Went there twice with friends. The food is decent. The problem is the service. It takes forever to have someone take your order and even longer to get the food . If you happen to get a table outside it is even worse. The waitstaff seemed overwhelmed, running around and avoiding eye contact if you try to get their attention. I am not sure what the problem is : not enough waitstaff , not enough cooks . The first time we went there I thought it was just an off-day , but it happened again and it seems that this is the way it is . What is puzzling is that there is a manager on site but yet nothing improved.

    (2)

  • Filip F.

    I have been to this place 4 times and ordered delivery twice. At the restaurant...pizza tutti was awesome. Crust is thin but delicious and nothing like some cracker crap you get when you order thin at other places. I even liked marinara pizza that has no cheese. Appetizers are excellent. Beer and wine selection is pretty good. Service was good 3 out of 4 times that I visited. Place is warmed by the brick oven and feels very cozy in winter time. It is truly a great neighborhood place for dinner and/or drink. I love it. Delivery is a different story. First time I ordered, it took 90 minutes - kind of a long time for a thin crust pizza. I almost sent the pizza back. But I was hungry and even at it's warm state, pizza was good. Second time I ordered it, I was ready for long wait. One hour and 15 minutes later, cold pizza arrived. I am not a high maintenance customer...but if I have to microwave the pizza that I just got, I am not happy. Bottom line, go in, don't order.

    (3)

  • Minna A.

    WHY was I so reluctant to come here? I've been missing out on some really good pasta action! The pizzas I've had here were so-so, so far, but their pastas are AMAZING. Don't bother looking up their menu online, it's best to walk in take a good long look at their list of daily specials to the right, and then a hard long look at the beer specials and there you have an awesome night! :) Also, NO LONGER BYOB, but there are plenty of good beers and wines.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Stopped in to this venue since the weather was terrible even though it had a slight wait. While the place was cute and the food was good, the service was terrible. 1. I had to ask several times for ice water 2. Had a glass of wine that was close to empty and ordered another glass. The waiter poured my nearly empty glass of wine into the new glass which contained a fresh glass of wine. How disgusting. 3. Waiter never once asked how our food was. 4. Food was good though.

    (3)

  • Bobuzzi C.

    Delcious pizza. We were deciding between the Quattro Stagioni or the Tutta and could get a half size pizza split with both so we didnt have to choose! Perfect size. and the small, square pieces of pizza are wonderful. Also need to try the jalapeno drink. Sweet with a bit of spice. It is awesome. Tiramisu was homemade and went down really fast. All of their desserts looked amazing. Was a little chilly to sit on the patio the night we went, but will deinitely check that out.

    (4)

  • D. M.

    For being an Italian place, their pasta is horrendous. It was the biggest waste of money and I will never order from there again. Their pizza is decent, but nothing I'd go out of my way to have again. My bf and I ordered pasta- one with the arribibeta sauce and the other with bolognese and both were flavorless and overpriced. For being such a pretentious setting, you'd expect better quality. I think Olive Garden is disgusting but I'd eat there before I'd ever eat here again.

    (1)

  • Lee B.

    The first time my wife & I went, we had a fantastic meal - excellent service, delicious food, good wine. Every time since then has been a god-damned nightmare. Do they just not have enough servers? Is that why, every other time we've dined in, it literally takes 20-30 minutes for a server to stop by the table? And then another 15 to get drinks, and then once the food gets dropped off, we're pretty much invisible until 20 minutes after we've clearly finished our food. Busboys and hosts occasionally scamper past the table, eyes averted. (Or if you're trying to get seated, busboys and servers avert their eyes from you.) I think once, after that lovely first time, we got bread. Definitely not the other few times we tried. The food itself is still pretty solid, and the drinks are good, but getting any consumable items in your presence can be painful. OK, so maybe we should just get their food for delivery, we thought! Let's skip the long waiting times at an uncomfortable table and just get some pizza brought to us. I ordered a pizza for delivery before 7 on a Friday - not peak hours, really, so when they told me I'd have it within an hour, I figured that was the longest it could possibly take. When I called back an hour and a half later to check in, I was informed that my pizza "was next to go out", and then that "it would be going out in the next round of deliveries", and then that "it was still in the oven". At no point did anyone offer the remotest hint of an apology that it was already half an hour late and my pizza was still in the oven. I was informed that this was "so it would be hot and fresh when it went out", but somehow when it got to me 2 hours after I ordered it, it was barely warm. I WANT TO LIKE YOU, PIZZA RUSTICA. I want to give you lots of money. Hire some more fucking service staff, and maybe replace some of the apathetic robots wandering around there now, and I will totally come back. Until then, up yours.

    (1)

  • Shivani K.

    I have to say, I love this place! To start, it has a great ambiance, and I know its family owned, which is cool. My friend and I ordered the crab cakes and scallops to start out, and they were amazing! Perfectly cooked. For dinner, she had the salmon (so flaky, she finished her whole plate) and I had the pasta with sausage and mushrooms -- so hearty and so good. I would absolutely come back and check out their blackboard menu again, the specials always sound so good!

    (5)

  • Liz C.

    There's nothing I love more than a buttery crust. Pizza Rustica does it so well. Attended a going away party for a good friend- 8 of us girls sat outside and enjoyed lots of wine and great pizza. Cute italian servers to boot! The garbage pizza is by far my favorite here...everything I want plus blue cheese mmm.... $1.75 corkage fee per person is pretty lame and the service can be slow, but the food more than makes up for it. If you come with a few people the bill is usually less than $10/person.

    (4)

  • Jen A.

    Pizza Rustica is a cute little BYOB Italian place right near the Sheridan red line stop. It's small, but in a cozy kind of way, and the people who work there are more than happy to smoosh a few tables together to accomodate a group. Everything is very reasonably priced, and it's a great little place for dinner with friends or family. It also seems to be pretty kid-friendly - I don't have any of my own, but there were three or four families with young children when I went, and the staff seemed to love them. There are chalkboard specials, as well as a simple but tasty menu of pastas, paninis, and pizzas. The "half" size pizza is more than enough for two.

    (4)

  • Matt A.

    I came here the other day in the late afternoon and have nothing but good things to say. Me and my girlfriend got seated right away at one of the few two seater tables. Though I did notice within 15 minutes of getting there the place filled up. We decided on getting a "whole" margarita pizza, which the waiter(who was decent) told us they could not make because they had run out of basil for the day. I wasn't upset but this though, because it shows their dedication to buying small batches of great ingredients and seasonings. We ended up getting a cheese, red pepper and garlic pizza. It. Was. Fantastic. Not too greasy(a big peeve of mine), and the flavors were all there. Portions are good and the prices are not bad by any means. The menu also has many other great options and daily offerings. I will surely be back.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    favorite italian in the city, and one of my top 5 restaurants ever. this is where i go for nice dinners, casual dinners, birthday dinners, parents meeting boyfriend dinners, date dinners, and haven't seen you in forever let's catch up dinners. and now they're open for lunch too?!

    (5)

  • Lesley S.

    If you like wood-fired pizza, go here- it is amazing. I've been to Pizza Rusticas in Miami and I am not sure they are related, but I am inclined to believe that they are given that the logo is almost exactly the same and the pizzas at both are woodfired. Me and my sister went here and ordered a blue cheese and spinach pizza. It was so tasty and gourmet yet really cheap! My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I might have to pay them a visit tonight. Only complaints are that the space is very small and the times I have eaten there they seem to have a problem putting ice in your glass. One time I think they gave us paper plates as well. I don't know what was up with that. The staff when I went was always very friendly though.

    (4)

  • Jillian S.

    While I had a fun time when I came here, the overall experience was pretty underwhelming. I would however recommend the pizza, perhaps for takeout. The reason is, and I don't know if it's always like this or just was on the day we came, is that the whole place is run by 1 guy, so service is slow as you may expect. Though I must say, he was doing an amazing job since it seemed like he was taking all the orders AND cooking it himself, we just couldn't figure out why someone wasn't helping him! The only other comment I feel I must make is skip the salads - in my opinion, they were absolutely drenched in too much dressing, not that fresh, and kind of small for the price.

    (2)

  • Kimberly L.

    Very cozy environment, which is probably fine on a weeknight but it was jam packed the night I came here. I love that's a BYOB and it's inexpensive. Service was friendly. My date was disappointed with the lack of anchovies on the premises. Me..not so disappointed with that item. The pizza was fine. Nothing that rocked my world. Fun atmosphere but you'd have to come with a group of good friends because you'll be very close to your neighbor.

    (3)

  • Jeff R.

    Superb pizza tucked away in a little corner of Wrigleyville. Very well-crafted, well-thought out creations. It's a small establishment, so order it to go. Great summertime outdoor seating.

    (4)

  • Alex N.

    I remember when Rustica, what we in the know call it for short, first opened up. I made the mistake of ordering delivery and to be frank I was sorely disappointed. So much so that I avoided going back for a couple of years...until my neighbors convinced me to give it another try. I've lauded them ever since and I recommend them every chance I get. Sorry to all the people who have endured long waits due to the popularity of this establishment. I claim no responsibility but I certainly haven't helped the matter. Needlees to say I was eagerly anticipating the reopening. We showed up opening night not so much to have a great meal, which Rustica rarely disappoints, but rather to support a great business that decided to stay in our community. We still had a great meal, though the new staff needs some work, and that was due to good food, great company and a wonderful NEW atmosphere! For those who are complaining about the service this firs week, what can you say, yeah it needs work but remember he had to hire almost 3X the staff and train them all. No more "Two young Italian guys" serving the whole joint. (Shout out to Manuel). Yeah, I said "Shout Out"... Dating myself. If people can't understand the difficulty in staffing and training a new restaurant and therefore choose not to come back, well that's just less of a wait for me. I'm positive the bugs will be worked out soon enough if they haven't been already. This is the kind of place that's like Cheers, you walk in and everybody knows your name. It's nice to have that personal feel and that's what Rustica is to us. Thanks Stefan for staying local. We'll be back to enjoy your new vision!!!

    (5)

  • Mara A.

    I'm quite torn. I've been here numerous times since I live in the neighborhood and every time I've had a different food experience. They guys know me there so the service is always great. But the food... The rustic pizza is a change. Although I'm not really a fan of it (I'm more of the Chicago fatty pizza) its alright. I would choose many pizza places over this one. Their pasta dishes are just plain. there really isn't anything special about it. You pick your pasta, you pick your sauce. I could go to jewel and buy a box of pasta and some sauce and call it a night. The place is always packed and a long wait. Which is great for them, terrible for us. They should expand. Its possible for them since they beat all their competitors.

    (3)

  • Mick M.

    i work nearby and wanted a simple slice of pizza on my break. i called and placed my order for 2 slices and they said 20 minutes. this is actually a lot of time for some carry out slices , but i gave them the benefit of the doubt. bad idea. i arrived 25 minutes later. after 5 minutes of waiting i was told that they didn't have one type that i ordered, so i would take just 1 slice. i ended up waiting 48 minutes total for a slice of margarita pizza. i would have waited longer, but i finally had to get my money back so i could get back to work and clock in on time. the bartender who took my order was lovely, i just feel bad that the kitchen is not doing anything to help the service out.

    (1)

  • Dane K.

    Outside of pizza, their menu is a few sandwiches, a pasta or two, and salads. Pretty standard Italian fare It was a cold night and I was ready to have some soup to start... The soup choice that night was minestrone. I passed. The soup of the day choice is *always* minestrone here I think. I did try the meatball sandwich. it was pretty darn tasty. You order pizza by the slice, whole, or half. My favorite is the garbage pizza... It is pretty good. Not the most amazing pizza ever, but above average. It's true, they do seem to use pre-made crusts... (you can see them stacked in the open kitchen). But I think before they cook them again they coat them in butter and it comes out tasting like a good butter crust you'd find normally in a deep dish. I've never had an issue with the crust being soggy, I think they've resolved that with butter. Try the garbage pizza next time, it's pretty good! The restaurant is tidy. In the winter, people seem to not understand the concept of closing one door behind you before opening another, so it can be cold if you're there at the wrong time. (People are stupid, can't blame the restaurant for that). The service is OK to good. It's BYOB, but they charge you by the person versus by the bottle ($1.75 or so a person I think?)... They have a decent looking outdoor sidewalk cafe in the summer.

    (5)

  • Brandon C.

    We went on Sunday evening and it was very cozy and casual, which was needed badly. The food was excellent and of good proportion for the price. It's BYOB, which is also a plus, although we were in no mood to drink on that particular night. I had the pollo panini. Tasty. The only minor negative was that the service was a little bit slow on the drik refills (we had Coke.) I don't fault him though. He was a very pleasant young Italian kid and he was the only one working the dining room. I had heard they aren't normally too busy at that time, but they were pretty slammed. All in all, it was excellent and I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Padraig J.

    Sometimes a restaurant succeeds without theatrical ambiance or ingratiating servers. And do you want to know why that happens? Because it serves mircales. The pizza at Pizza Rustica heals broken bones, does your taxes, and writes award winning novels. No seriously this is the best kept secret on the Northside. I only eat here in the summer, when I can sit at the sunsplashed sidewalk cafe in the afternoon. This stretch of Sheridan is a little bit of gooey city goodness- all types of funky are walking by mixed in with your vanilla Lakeview peds. The three little restaurants on the corner are the only concession to serious gentrification- otherwise you can go have a Mexican pastry while you're waiting for your keys to get made at the Ace Hardware. The owner will frequently serve you and if you do you're fine, but it seems like its a famly run joint and sometimes you might be sitting out there a while. You will forgive this instantly when you realize they are all inside cooking as well as serving, and what do you care? You're sitting outside in the sun. And most of the people working are Italian, with other Italians dropping by in the afternoon, so it makes you get into that laid back European vibe where perhaps you'll be encouraged to take a nap afterwards on a cot in the back. The salads are fresh and simple- dressed mostly with vinagrettes and justifying their price by one or two special ingredients. Today I realized my salad had fresh homemade croutons. One of those will make the one slice of pizza a perfectly filling lunch. This is because its probably as much actual food as a personal pan from Pizza Hut, but note you will not have had a pizza like this before. It is fairly thin, and served on a little paddle, cut up into little cracker sized slices. The crust which either has corn meal or butter in it- its so darn flakey, and has a strong flavor. And even if the reason is more fat than you're normal yeast pizza crust it actually comes as a really light meal. The ingredients are lightly applied and I believe they are baking it to order. Quattro Staggione is by far my favorite. I'm always afraid it will be gone because for whatever reason this is a purely seasonal experience for me. That's because the food is light summer fare, and its a nice quiet sidewalk eating experience. I highly recommend this as a unique pizza experience in Chicago, even as we are firmly in the age of the brick oven pizza.

    (5)

  • Amanda B.

    There are not a lot of Italian BYOBs in the city of Chicago, at least not that I've found, so when you find one, I personally don't expect a whole lot. I think that Pizza Rustica is perfect as a BYOB. It doesn't have a huge variety, but they do a lot with what they have. The only appetizers that they have, is whatever is the special for the day, which is a bit annoying, but that was alright, I just got a salad instead. I did your classic Caprese, and it was perfect. My boyfriend and friend each got the Cesear, one with chicken, one without, and it looked fantastic. The croutons were amazing, which is always what makes a salad for me. My other friend got the Minestrone soup, and he said that he had NEVER had a better cup of Minestrone, and it did look DAMN good. Huge cuts of veggies, and a bit of cheese on top. Now mind you the four of us had been at the pool all day and had barely eaten, so I don't know if that has anything to do with how delicious we thought everything was! The waitress did neglect to remember to bring out my Caprese at first, but we merely asked her, and she got on it right away -- not really too annoying to me. I'm never really in a hurry when I'm at a restaurant anyway. As for the entrees, for a smaller restaurant, their sauces and everything were phenomenal. I had gnocchi with their Quattro Formaggi (4 cheese) and mushrooms, and it was perfect. There was supposed to be spinich and they forgot that, but it was so good the way that it was, I can hardly complain. My one guy friend got the special which was a filet -- he said it was pretty damn good. It was served with spinich and a mushroom sauce, that was very light. He doesn't like mushrooms, so he said it was just perfect. My other friend got penne with a Bolognese sauce and meatballs, and she loved it as well. The way their pasta works is, you choose your pasta, your sauce and any add ons, which I actually really liked. Then my boyfriend got their pizza, which I had had before, and I thought was really good. It's clearly not your typical Chicago pizza, but I think it's pretty good; he thought it was adequate. He got his usual: sausage and pepperoni. All and all, nice casual dinner. No real complaints. I guess there were some mess ups in there, but they didn't really get to me. I would definitely go back on a week night, for a nice easy, cheap Italian meal!

    (3)

  • Toby M.

    Recently revisited but this was my first time at the new location and first time trying something other than the pizza. The new location is great: bigger, lively and a bar to wait at before being seated at a table. Always enjoyed the banter with the owner, who looks and acts very much like Seinfeld's Soup Nazi character. But my big and only complaint is the food. I was very disappointed with the lasagna. While the meat sauce had decent flavor, the noodles and cheese had the consistency of mush. And there was very little meat in the sauce. So I was very disappointed - prompting me to write this review. If you go, don't get the lasagna..stick with the pizza!

    (2)

  • Kate B.

    I used to love Pizza Rustica when I moved to the hood - I even programed their number into my phone - which is a big deal in my book, its like a small commitment. But the last time we ordered a pizza to go, it was going to be ready in 5 minutes? 5 minutes?! Well I walked over there and it was ready - only because it looks like they cook huge slabs of pizza and reheat them with your chosen toppings. We asked for a margherita pizza and it had no fresh tomatoes and maybe 3 or 4 pieces of basil. It was not even warm! It was a true disappointment, but I dont think we will be getting pizza from here again.

    (2)

  • Duff B.

    The whole neapolitan pizza craze or whatever it's called isn't really my thing, but this is about the best version of it I've tried. Tiny joint but cool location on Sheridan, you can get a lot of pizza for the buck and feed an army if you like. The amount of doneness often varies on an individual pizza, but that's a small quibble in my book. Very tasty.

    (4)

  • Wendy V.

    Don't just think it's a pizza joint--try the pasta! We go there all the time when we hanker for authentic Italian; spaghetti with crabmeat is fantastic. We took a big group there for a birthday and they were ALL converts and are regulars. The pizza is very flaky and excellent thin crust style. Again, try the pasta, you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Liz W.

    Love this place. My boyfriend lives across the street so he orders take-out all the time. He likes the pasta but I'm committed to their pizza. Delicious, delicious, delicious. The owner is friendly and nice and we never have to wait more than a few minutes for our take-out order. Check this place out - I think you'll find it's just as good, if not better, than any other place in Lakeview/Uptown (including Spacca Napoli)

    (4)

  • Lee W.

    Pizza was great -- delivery came in 15 minutes. Salad was good too. Too good to be true? YES, because I FOUND A COCKROACH IN MY SALAD.

    (1)

  • James M.

    They do a great buttery crust Venetian style pizza - expect greasy squares and a flakey, buttery, slightly chewy crust. The potato & rosemary is a favorite. BYOB so I can bring my favorite beers, but I prefer this place for take out or delivery.

    (4)

  • A T.

    Yum. We tried Pizza Rustica for the first time last night and it was so good - I had dreams about the leftovers in my fridge. We ordered the Tutta - we got a whole but a half would have been sufficient for two. From the first bite - with the buttery goodness of the crust, combined with the subtle flavor of the sauce - I was hooked. It is now my goal in life to do whatever I can to keep this place in business.

    (5)

  • Jamie J.

    I've had really good luck with this place in the past - fast delivery, good fresh pizza. But the last time I ordered, I was underwhelmed. We ordered the pezzetti salad - spinach with bacon vinaigrette? Yes please. But beware, this salad tasted like it had a cup of salt on it. I like my food well seasoned but this was OVER seasoned. We also got a Margherita pizza - they told us it would be $2 extra because of the shortage on tomatoes. I would have been ok with this if there had actually been tomato on the pizza. It was almost non-existent. I hate to say it, but I might have to look elsewhere for my next pizza fix.

    (2)

  • Joel S.

    Sought refuge from a rained out Cubs game at one of my old favorites this week - Pizza Rustica. Even though I missed out on one of the best parts because I didn't BYO because the sideways rain prevented a trip to the liquor store across the street, I still really enjoyed the pizza. If I'm having thin crust, Pizza Rustica is a very similar thickness and taste to Pizza Metro, I Monelli and Pizza D.O.C. (D.O.C.'s pie is slightly thinner). All of these places are tops for Italian pizza, and Rustica does not disappoint even in that company. Also, their caprese salad is always fresh and delicious.

    (4)

  • Scott V.

    Not the usual garden-variety Chicago pizza, but excellent in its own way. The crust is buttery and the toppings are flavorful. I have only tried Pizza Rustica for carry-out. The crusts are pre-baked, so the pizza is finished quickly. For dining in, the ambiance leaves a little to be desired, but there always seems to be a crowd. So, that's a good thing.

    (4)

  • Cristina G.

    We got a salad and a margherita pizza. Of course I cannot remember the salad, but the pizza was amazing! Really really good, if you live around there go try it!

    (4)

  • Debbie K.

    Mmm Pizza Rustica. I can only review the pizza because I love it so much and haven't ventured out to other entrees. All in all, this family owned place pumps out pizza that tastes like it came straight out of Rome. BYOB. Ingredients are fresh and plentiful. The crust is absolutely delicious. My favorite combo is red pepper and garlic. A little pricey for pizza but totally worth it.

    (5)

  • Allen R.

    We purchased two medium pizzas: Patate Rosmarino (potato rosemary) and Tutta Pizza (sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onion, black olives, and blue cheese). We were told it'd be there in an hour, but it came in only a half-hour! The pizza arrived in one box, so I was originally worried that they had forgotten one of them, but then we saw that they had made one large rectangular pizza with half of it as the rosemary pizza, and the other half as the meat one. Both were very yummy!

    (4)

  • Theresa C.

    So, I love BYOB, and I love pizza, and I liked the salads and the pasta I tried. I feel like I might get stoned for this review but I gotta do it. The pizza is decent, and cheap. I even liked the rosemary potato, which I've also had at Piece and PizzaMetro and not liked. My issue was with the fact that the tables are too small for the food they serve you. I was with a large group and there was no room for a large pizza and our plates on the table. It was awkward and annoying. Honestly, I would put up with all of that for the quality of food and the price, but the reason I can't give more than 3 stars is the amount of dry crusted food that was on my fork when I was seated and the grime on my friends wine glass. It was just plain dirty. And now, I'm not a priss, a little grime never hurt anyone, but the serious dirtiness of my fork was really off putting. The service was kind of slow considering we were the only people inside on a quiet Monday night. I was pretty disappointed and probably won't make trips so far north for something so "eh".

    (3)

  • Barbara D.

    This is my favorite cheap Italian restaurant in this city. I only get delivery from here but the place looks really small inside, so probably not your place for a sit down romantic dinner. Here's the run-down: After my trip to Italy, I searched and searched this city for a similar ORANGE sauce for my spaghetti and after years of searching...I found it here. The Salsa Rosa sauce is the closest thing out there and I love it. The best part about this place is that you can mix and match your pasta & sauces. I've had them all except the alfredo (not a fan). Their sauces include a good basic sauce (pomodoro), a good meat sauce (bolognese) and an awesome spicy red sauce (arrabbiata), which is my second favorite. So go penne and this or papardelle and that...I have yet to get a bad mix. I've also had the meat tortellini and the artichoke ravioli and they are both delicious..esp the ravioli. Add meatballs to anything...yummy. The sausage is not the best, they cut it up into little tiny squares so I skip that. Also, not a fan of the salads. However, their pizza is pretty good. I've had the Quattro stagioni (tomatoes, ham, mushrooms and artichoke) and enjoyed it. The ham was top notch. I also had the Trezzo Meatball Panini and I usually am not a fan of paninis but because I like this place so much I figured I'll give it a try..and yuppee, it did not let me down. As for dessert... have the Panna Cotta...to die for...Italian style baked cream drizzled with caramel sauce. The tiramisu and torta di ricotta are so/so.

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    The Pizza at Pizza Rustica is just fabulous. I have to emphasize the pizza...the other menu items are good, but not great. Not sure why I ever tried anything else. Their pizza comes in a square, its crust (best part) is light, delicious, buttery and crispy and the choice of toppings is quite extensive. I enjoyed one with sausage, garlic and fresh tomatos. A half order is plenty for two people. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Mitchell P.

    The pizza is what you need to have if you come here. Like others have said, the other items are good, but the pizza is great. Lots of fresh toppings to choose from. On a busy night, service can be a little slow, so have some patience prepared before you head here. The food is worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Paige S.

    Really Tasty Pizza, I quite like the hawaiian. This is good if you like the not quite that thin, but thinner than chicago style crust. The ceasar salad is tasty, and some of the sandwiches, but the pasta is just okay. But the ambiance is quite nice for an evening with friends, grab a bottle of wine from down the street, eat outside, split a pizza, Bellissimo!

    (3)

  • Lauren D.

    molto molto delizioso!!! why is it that the smallest, most casual restaurants always have the best food?? not only is p.r. easy on the wallet, but also their food is literally mouth-watering. my mouth is watering right now just thinking about their pizza. the insalate caprese is almost (ALMOST) as good as it is in Italy (nothing beats mozzarella in italy). P.R. has different specials almost every night which makes it worth going back. of course they have the traditional good stuff too. i could eat 6-8 servings of their cannoli alone. BYOB.

    (5)

  • Brandon J.

    A welcome break from gut-busting Chicago deep dish. Excellent crust, good beers, and great service. This is my go-to north side pizza spot.

    (5)

  • Richard M.

    I have been coming to Pizza Rustica since the first week that I moved into the neighborhood (almost 8 years ago) when I ordered their pizza one evening. They have become almost part of the neighborhood family and their service and food has always been awesome. From their pizza (margherita pizza + sausage) to their specials (highly recommended), their food has always been fantastic. I know that Pizza Rustica's goal is to basically be that neighborhood restaurant where you don't have to spend a lot of money to eat good food and hang out with friends and family. I saw the recent negative reviews on Yelp and figured that I should probably add my comments especially since they moved across the street to their new location recently. I was there with my friends, who have also been going to Rustica for years, as well as my wife and litte 8 mo. old son on the opening night on a Monday. Granted our service perhaps was not as stellar compared to past time but we were there with an open mind. Perhaps the worst time to go with long wait times but like all transformations, it takes time for them to get into the rhythm of things. We definitely saw the frustration on both sides of the coin. Overall, the food was good (ordered the clam pasta special) and we had an great time catching up with friends. I believe people need to relax and understand what a huge transformation Pizza Rustica has undergone from a tiny single kitchen restaurant that fit ~30 people (barely maximum) to a new spacious and beautiful restaurant across the street with almost 5x the number of seating capacity. They added almost 6x the number of servers as well as new cooks so of course there is a huge learning curve of training and just the nuances of their restaurant that need to be adjusted to. Their new kitchen, with extra cooking capacity, a new oven (yay - faster pizza) and various new kitchen appliances will help with the cooking. They even added a deep fryer (that means perhaps more calamari more often?!). Rustica also added a new wine menu (cheap good wine - which you may have a hard time beating in price even compared to BYOB of other wine - I don't think they are there to make a profit from their wine menu) and of course also have a full bar as well. We may occasionally bring our own wine to dinner but will definitely explore what they have in their menu. For those that went recently and feel that they did not have a good experience, I guarantee that you will have a different experience once they figure things out. My only comment is to give them another shot perhaps a month or so from now. Rustica will always be my neighborhood Italian restaurant and family. :)

    (5)

  • Jay R.

    Fabulous Wonderful Fabulous Wonderful Pissy, self important yuppies can kiss my entire ass. Stay in Lincoln Park.

    (5)

  • Lynnda P.

    Came in for a beer tasting, we weren't planning on staying for dinner, but after the aroma emanating from the kitchen caught up to us, we really didn't have a choice. My friend wanted the NY Strip, but the chef explained he had just sold the last one, would a bone-in ribeye be okay? It was so far beyond okay, he described it as perfectly cooked (med rare), seasoned so as to be an accent to the steak but not overwhelm it and melt in your mouth delicious. The fact that the chef came out of the kitchen to talk to my friend was also a warm and inviting touch. My pork shank in a chunky marinara sauce fell off the bone and the spinach side was just like my Italian former mom-in-law used to make. The pork tasted of fresh basil, oregano and the flavor that only comes from a long slow cooking process. I had mistakenly thought that they were only a pizza and sandwich restaurant, and having asked about gluten-free options , thought it was cute but I probably wouldn't be eating there. They have a rotating array of specials which can accommodate the gluten-free diner and its well beyond the boring salad option. Pizza Rustica has a lovely atmosphere, with low lighting and small intimate tables, on weekend nights they do get busy so plan accordingly.

    (5)

  • John R.

    Solid Roman-style pizza. When their pizzas are at their best, it's worth the extra wait for the slow cooking. It's a unique pizza that you won't find everywhere. The airy, but crispy crust is fantastic. Their specialty pizzas like the rosemary potato and their works pizza (w/ blue cheese) are very flavorful. The second time I ate here, the pizza wasn't as consistent due to flat dough and slightly even cooking. It was still good pizza, but didn't pass the bar of my first time eating there. They also have an above average beer and wine menu. Note, it is no longer BYOB.

    (3)

  • Alli W.

    Great pizza, great environment, great service - I loved this place! It's in a newer, bigger location and I can't wait to eat outside when it's nice out. Warning - a half of a pizza that says "4 slices" is DEFINITELY enough for two people. We made the mistake of getting two halves, but at least we got leftovers to take home! They also have a decent wine selection as well.

    (5)

  • Ben L.

    And the award for the slowest pizza delivery every goes to....Pizza Rustica! I am an understanding person. Blackouts happen. Car accidents happen. Ordering mistakes happen. As long as someone updates me and accepts some responsibility, I'm cool with delays. Even long ones. But two hours with no explanation, no proactive communication, no acceptance of any responsibility, no apology from the restaurant and no discount is unacceptable. So no more business for this place from me.

    (2)

  • Cynthia E.

    The pizza choices are a little limited, but we liked the offerings. One thing we really appreciated is that all of the pizzas are available by the slice if you dine before 5:00 pm. We tried the Bianco, the Tutti, the Stagione and the Vegetarian, and liked all four. The crust here is flaky and buttery, more like a pastry than a pizza crust. We also had the Rustica salad, which was disappointing because it was a small plateful of baby spinach, ONE artichoke heart, a handful of underbaked (albeit housemade) croutons, and three or four crumbles of goat cheese, all drizzled with a tasty balsamic reduction. The drink menu was very interesting and I felt reasonably priced, especially for Wrigleyville. Service was ultra slow, especially since there were ony two other tables inhouse.

    (3)

  • Emily D.

    When the moon hit my eye. . . a light shone on Pizza Rustica. I've traipsed under the Sheridan El stop more than a few times, saw this place, murmured how awesome it would be to eat pizza if I didn't just have Thai and carried on. But not this time; and never again. Understand I live South and we're blessed with all but BYO beauties. All cuisines have gems in a one mile radius but I have to drink their wine, not mine. It could be worse, but it could be so much better. And PR, well, it delivered. My Aunt Susan always said, "Before you get married, have sex with an Italian man." I was 16. Sure it wasn't, "Stay focused and go to college" but just as important life advice to a young woman who sought to be worldly. Though I meandered through the love languages of Mexico and India, I never landed in the sheets near Sicily. So, listening to the men of PR was as sensual an experience as could be had with my (lovely, one-of-a-kind, forever and ever) husband sitting next to me. We got there early with another pair of lovebirds. It was our first time, which can go one of two ways. . . though it almost always disappoints, no? Not so when it came to this pizza dough. It was buttery, flaky and perfectly hefty to hold up to the toppings of Tutta (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, black olives. . . hold the black olives). I don't generally order half of anything because if I'm going to do this, let's do this but we were advised that even the most ravenous would be satisfied and this is true. The whole place gets sexier as you keep eating, and drinking, and eating and chortling and getting to know your neighbors (it can be elbow-to-elbow). I think our pizza was made not just with the tangibles, but with a sweet crooning from the chef, loving pats to the dough and the tenderest flick of the finger to add the toppings. We carried on, trying to neglect the patrons waiting because we just didn't want to leave. I tried everything; ordering tiramisu when the check had already come, bathroom trips, telling new jokes. We had to leave but it was suggested we come back soon. Who am I not to follow advice?

    (5)

  • Foodie W.

    You have to be "pretty", and "rich" to be considered a "customer" at this place. If your single, and especially a women, forget it.

    (2)

  • Chris B.

    I wanted to love this place. Really, I did. Our waiter was peppy, and service was prompt. No complaints there. Against my better judgment, I tried one of the daily specials over having some pizza. Last night, Salmon was a special, and I expected something better than what I received. For $22, I got a 4 oz piece of fish (with scales still attached to the bottom side), and about a cup of sauteed spinach, without any remarkable seasonings. Yes, $22 for that. Unremarkable would be an understatement. I didn't initially complain because, after a few beers, things are forgivable. My friends gave me a slice or two of their pizza to help tide me over, but again, meh. I've had better pizza in the suburbs. Seems to me that you're paying more for the location than anything else. If the menu prices were reduced about 50%, it might be worth it. However, looking at the receipt today, I can't justify ever going back. There is better food in Chicago.

    (2)

  • M B.

    Come here for the mac n cheese alone! It was amazing and hard to put down. I didn't love my potato rosemary pizza, but I did like my friends pizza, I forget which one they had. If Im in the neighborhood I would return.

    (4)

  • Rachel L.

    I'm not sure what the grand appeal is about this place. It's small, which isn't awful except that there's no where for people to wait. We had a group of people breathing down our necks for most of the meal. Very uncomfortable. They seriously need another server or general help. The people are nice but totally disorganized. Our server got lost for something like 15 minutes when we first sat down. He mixed up my order and our table had that fabulous "does everyone else start eating and make the foodless person hungrier, or do we just stare at our food as it gets cold?" period of time. When they did bring out the correct dish, it was ok. Just ok. For the record, the artichoke ravioli is mostly cheese with some artichoke thrown in for good measure. It's not heavy on the artichoke. It was still tasty though. The chicken on top, on the other hand, was rubber. It was so overcooked it probably could have bounced if it had hit the floor. The chicken my friend had on her pizza was the same. I didn't say anything because at that point I was just plain hungry. When we got the bill, we couldn't figure out what the $1 "appetizer special" added to the very bottom of the bill. Know what that was? It's the extra $1 for the ravioli that they screwed up. Gosh I sure am glad they remembered to add that. They could've instead taken out the $2.50 for the rubber chicken.

    (2)

  • Valerie R.

    Three stars for the layout of the new location. My friend and I went for an early dinner and drinks. It was a lovely day and rather than sit outside we chose to sit by the open windows. I wouldn't expect that luxury any later than 4 or 5 in the afternoon since the place gets packed shortly thereafter. Having a 'pretty' place in our neighborhood is new and enticing! The cocktail and beer selections are excellent...tasty too. About the food...I would expect that the care that was put into this lovely space would carry through to the food that was served. Our Caesar salad and Caprese was served on hot dishes. The dressing on the salad was delish, however, when I asked for anchovies, you'd think I'd asked for 24 carat gold sprinkles! The tomatoes under the mozzarella were tasteless. When I asked for bread we was told it wasn't ready yet. What was eventually brought to the table was a sandwich roll cut into slices and was served with a splattering of olive oil on a side dish. A short while after I saw the hostess arranging freshly baked bread/focaccia in a basket. Unfortunately, our waiter didn't think to bring us the good stuff. I decided to order a Pannini instead of a full dinner and the chicken/provolone/pesto sounded perfect. What was served was a sandwich roll with dried out chicken slices and a miniscule smear of pesto on the bread. I think there was a slice of cheese in there...not too sure. All in all, it looked and tasted like it was run under a broiler just 18 minutes too long...so dried out that I couldn't chew the first bite. Rather than fuss, I took it home and doctored it up with fresh moz, pesto and mayo later that night. I was in good spirits with a great friend and we'd have just as much fun sitting on a curb eating hot dogs. That said, I still prefer a chair so I will return for cocktails yet not for the food. To the owners, thank you for creating a lovely & professional environment. Please extend that professionalism to the food that is served. Pay attention. Tell you servers to pay attention. The success is in the details!

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    Yummy. Nice servers.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Love the buttercrust. Very unique pizza

    (4)

  • Zach S.

    I recommened the pizza! Best pizza I've ever had! Great location in a really nice neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Laura K.

    The pizza at Pizza Rustica to me was just a little over average. With the choices of so many pizza places in the Chicago area, I will likely not return to this pizza joint. The pizza was good but not great. The crust and sauce were good, but I felt that the toppings were a bit lacking. We ordered a margherita pizza with sausage, however I think there was only about 1-2 pieces of sauces on each slice. Same with my favorite of the pizza's that we ordered - the Tropicale (with giardiniera). There was maybe 1 pieces of pineapple and one piece of ham on each slice and the giardiniera ended up just being jalapenos. While I REALLY liked the sweet, salt, and spice combination, it really had the potential to be DELICIOUS pizza and it ended up just being good. Also, while it is BYOB and takes reservations for big groups (we had a group of 7 that they were willing to accommodate), they charge a $2 corkage fee per person. While $2 isn't horrible, it did end up adding $14 to our bill. Just one additional note: the large pizzas are HUGE so beware when they tell you a large has 8 slices...a "slice" is actually 4 squares of pizza. With a group of 7 we ordered 4 large pizzas and had about 3/4 of a pizza to take home.

    (3)

  • Jessica V.

    A great authentic pizza place now in a beautiful new location! Their pizza is thin and crispy, with fresh ingredients and unique specialty pizzas (served on wooden plates.) The paninis are also quite delicious but I would recommend sticking with the pizza since it is so yummy! BYOB but $3.50 corkage fee per person. I would recommend just buying wine there...they have good bottles for $15 and glasses for 5.50. The staff is really friendly. I have never experienced being rushed out of there like some of the other reviewers describe; on the contrary, they did not even bring us our bill until we asked for it. The only downside of this place is the wait. Thurs-Sat nights can be a bit crowded for a table, especially since they moved to the new location. But there is plenty of room at the bar to grab a drink and take-out is always a good option!

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    We've been going here for a while, and I just realized I'd never posted a review. Everything about Pizza Rustica is friendly and welcoming. We tend to go early, since we're bringing an 8-year-old, before it gets busy. I don't think we've ever had anything we didn't really enjoy, and I almost always order off the specials. My husband is insane for their pizza -- the crust is more like focaccia than a traditional pie. Delicious.

    (5)

  • Jenny F.

    Went to Pizza Rustica the other night and was not impressed. The atmosphere is nice, but the pizza is very average - I thought it was pretty bland. The service was slow and our waiter wasn't friendly. Not planning on coming back here.

    (1)

  • Hari R.

    (If you don't like reading - skip to the bottom for my 4-sentence final thoughts section) ((((Pardon the grammatical and spelling errors - I wrote this in a rush))))) -----FOOD:----- Absolutely delicious. I've dined at this restaurant four times before - all four times we chose to customize our pizza. I've dined in twice and ordered take-out twice. A "Half" pizza feeds about two people very comfortably. A "Whole" pizza still feeds about two people very comfortably. "What do you mean?" you ask? Well... once you start eating, you won't be able to stop. The rectangular pizza served up by the folks at Pizza Rustica is THAT good! Alas, I only have one stomach, and because of that, I had to stop after a few extra slices more than what I could handle. -----SERVICE:----- The owner of this restaurant is super-friendly! He always gives recommendations when requested, but leaves the decision up to you in the end (never tries to upsell a pricier pie). The servers are quite nice as well. How do I describe them without being too forward? ... You know all of those romantic comedies in which the lead actress travels abroad to western Europe where she meets a dashing young man with longer hair, a constant 5 o'clock shadow, and a thick European accent; and then decides to quit her American life to move to Italy to spend the rest of her life with him while sipping wine in the countryside? Yeah, well I've never seen one of those movies either... but, according to a friend of mine, that's exactly what the "charming italian waiters" of Pizza Rustica remind her of. (In case you took that the wrong way, she meant that as a good thing). Even though they get really busy at times, they usually get the food out pretty quickly. Take-out never takes more than 20 minutes from order-to-pickup. ----PRICE:----- Consider this "gourmet" pizza. Custom-order pizza is always more expensive than if you order one of their specials. For a Whole pizza, expect to spend $25-$30 (serves 4-5). -----SEATING:----- There's a small amount of seating inside the restaurant and some outdoor seating that can be used during the weekend. During Cubs games and Weekend Nights it gets really busy so you should call ahead to make a reservation. They're opening a new restaurant across the street and so they should have a larger area to seat people. -----LOCATION:----- This spot is easy to get to. There's plenty of metered street parking if you decide to come on an off-day for baseball. Otherwise, just hop off the L at the Sheridan Red-Line stop and the restaurant is a block away. -----FINAL THOUGHTS:----- The pizza is delicious as pricey as your average gourmet pizza in Chicago The service is quick and the staff is courteous. Make a reservation if you have a large party or if you're going during the busy times. I recommend the Mergherita pizza minus sausage, add garlic and mushrooms. BOOOM. Perfecto

    (5)

  • Lauren F.

    BYO Booze + delicious pizza = a great way to kick off a Friday night! I'm sure the pizza is just as good any other night of the week, but the several bottles of wine our group brought my first time there, coupled with a couple massive pizzas, was a great start to the weekend! The small space can cause a bit of a wait on busy nights, but good food, good service, and good prices...can't beat it!

    (4)

  • Unity O.

    Have you seen the SIZE of the appetizer portion of the pizza they serve here?!?!? I for sure thought when I ordered a slice as an appetizer that it would be this piddly little thing...man, I was wrong! Having decided that I was going to get Pasta for my entree & not pizza, I decided I wanted to at least try a slice of it. Huge bonus points to P.R. for selling it by the slice (or squares I should say). I knew the night was off to a great start once they delivered my appetizer (seriously I am drooling thinking about it). I think my head & my tummy were having a battle that night. You see I thought I had ordered the Pollo Grigliato as my appetizer, but apparently I ordered the Verdure Grigliato instead...those in my party confirmed that while I said I wanted the Pollo, I pointed to the Verdure when ordering...my have thrown our server off & so she decided that I needed veggies. So, even though I was surprised when I got it, I still gobbled it up...so very delicious. Buttery crust (light, not heavy), covered in veggies, not smothered in sauce, and just the right amount of cheese. It was happiness in my mouth. Again, it was a healthy portion...2 squares. If you are heading there, and you don't necessarily want just pizza...order a slice for an appetizer (good stuff!). For my entree, I ordered the artichoke ravioli with pomodoro sauce. While the portion on this was not big, the entree was terrific...lots of artichoke goodness. If I were alone in P.R., I would have totally licked my plate clean. However, seeing as I had dining companions who might tease me to no end, I opted not to go that route. Still, the food is that good. Another bonus to this place...it is BYOB. BYOB is always a good choice for this non-drinker. You might be wondering WHY? Well, I like to go out to eat with people who did imbibe...so BYOB is the way to go. Also, on a more personal note, it doesn't feel weird that I don't drink at a BYOB place for some reason. Overall, if you have not been here...get your butt on over there. It is worth it! You should note, that this place has a small interior...so either go early to avoid waiting or make a reservation, they do take them.

    (4)

  • Annette J.

    Ooohhh man. BYOB and the most excellent pizza possible? Oh yes, please and thank you. Lahv lahv lahv Pizza Rustica. I may make the bold statement here that it is my favorite pizza joint in Chicago. Where most love a good deep dish I'll take a brick oven thin crust any day. Most days I go pretty standard with just a cheese and pepperoni with garlic. Oh, that's heaven. Maybe I'll add some mushrooms if I'm feeling saucy. But nothing is bad here. The potato and rosemary? Ahhmaze. And the Quattro Stagioni is (artichoke, mushroom, tomato and ham) also fabulous. Start things out with a Rustica salad (spinach, goat cheese, and artichoke tossed with balsamic) and end on Tiramisu or the ricotta nutella tort if they've got it. Trust me. You'll thank me later. Lovely little patio for outdoor seating. Warm cozy indoor seating for chillier weather. Bring lots of wine and they'll supply the glasses and the ice water (don't forget to rehydrate!). My only gripe--delivery. DON'T DO IT. It takes forever and comes to you cold. I had so many negative delivery experiences that I just stopped all together. Luckily the pizza and the in house wait service is so awesome that it made up for it. Now I just save my Rustica-ing for nights out with friends or take out. I suggest you do the same.

    (5)

  • Jen R.

    My friend and I decided to rock a wallet friendly BYOB and ended up at Pizza Rustica. No complaints on the food front - my friend got the chicken caesar salad and devoured it. Me, I went the totally safe margherita pizza route. There was a slight argument and I was told I'd be fine w/ just a slice. However, I know my carb loving self well and knew my fat ass deserved nothing less than half a pizza - which is listed on the menu as serving 2-3 people, or in this case, one Jen. After hitting this place up a few times, I've noticed the service here ranges from slow and inattentive to kick ass. I was also surprised at how crazy loud the place gets, even when it isn't packed. Oh, and since the majority of the tables only have room for two - and feel way too cramped and small - def try and sit at one of the 4 tops if you can. And here's a PSA for ya - once I sat along the wall by the counter, and my view basically consisted of either wall, friend, or the ass of whoever was standing at the counter. Unfortunately in this case the asses were not too hot/tight/grabbable. Sadness :(

    (4)

  • Erynn And David M.

    Terrific atmosphere and great, big, square, thin-crust pizza (Northern Italian, not Napolitana). The beer and wine list are also great here. We will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Lindsay S.

    It's a rare occasion that I will practically lick my plate clean. Especially when it comes to pasta. My wife is the huge fan, not I. But after the many, MANY recs of Pizza Rustica from friends, we finally had a Friday date night here. We made fun of ourselves for doing to dinner around 6:15pm, but I'm kind of glad we did since there are so few tables and they filled up super fast in a matter of minutes! And they're BYOB so snag a bottle from the Sheridan L Liquors across the street! The menu made it hard to choose. I thought for certain I was going to go with pizza and ended up with the artichoke ravioli and pomodoro sauce. My wife got meat tortellini with bolognese sauce. Mine was to die for and hers she admitted was too meaty, but that was her own fault since it was her choice. By the end of the meal and the bottle of wine I was taking bread and trying to get each last bit of sauce. Seriously. This is not like me. It was that good! The service was good and not too intrusive. It's a bit hard to hear the cute boy's Italian accent since it's intimate and loud. But it's fantastic! Grab a bottle of something and head on over to one great neighborhood gem!

    (5)

  • James H.

    Anyone who rates this pizza poorly needs to go back to Giordanos.

    (5)

  • Christi D.

    Great atmosphere, friendly staff, good food & cocktails. It's a neighborhood favorite!

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    First and foremost, the pizza I had here (four seasons) was marvelous. The bus boys were attentive and quick on their feet. The reason that I have given this establishment 2 stars was the abhorrent service. Our server, Tim, was quite possibly one of the worst I ever had. I've worked in the front of house at restaurants for 10 years so I do have some insight. The restaurant was fairly empty as it was around 730/8 on a Sunday night. Tim not only looked pained to be there but acted as though our mere presence was inconvenient. He took his time bringing our very demanding sodas and iced tea. He walked away as we asked for sweetener for the tea. When we ordered our pizzas and salad we ordered one and before we could finish, he asked is that all? The pizzas took too long to arrive to the table, based on the past experiences we've had, and when it did arrive, it was wrong. Tim managed to mutter something about the rest of the order coming out shortly. Before he could run away I asked what part of the order the restaurant was going to pay for in order to help the inconvenience. He said he didn't know as he walked away. When he returned with the 2nd part of what turned out to be a 3 part order, Tim said they were going to pay for some slices and comp dessert. I explained we didn't want dessert but we would like to talk to the manager. Tim told me the manager didn't have anything to say to us. After we asked for our leftovers to be boxed and he tried to clear our half finished drinks that we weren't done with, I asked again to speak to the manager. Stephan came to the table, apologized for Tim, made excuses for him, and left us with a $60 tab. Nothing was discounted, removed, or amended on the check even the 4 $2 drinks stayed to extract every nickel and dime. I'm happy to pay for all my meals and tip according, but as happy as my taste buds were, I was thoroughly unimpressed. No attempts were made to improve our long, drawn out, frustrating experience. Just order carry out. And don't sit in Tim's section unless your life is more miserable than his and you need company.

    (2)

  • Caroline M.

    Carb whores unite. The following was destroyed by two famished adults: 1/2 Quattro Stagioni pizza 1 generous order of Arrabbiata pasta (the menu said spicy red sauce, but it wasn't overpowering). Beer (byob style) Damage: $30.84 (plus tip) PS: 5 star bump, even though the noise level at Pizza Rustica is equal to being at Wrigley in the bottom of the 9th and the scores tied.

    (5)

  • BG L.

    Loved this place. Pizza crust was delicious. Went with the margherita pizza (add sausage) and it delivered. Nice wine options, too. Will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Great food. Try the pizza with potatoes on it and the quatro formaggi gnocci.

    (4)

  • Peter N.

    Super busy on a wednesday night - that's when you know it's good stuff. It's tucked in between a ho-hum sushi place and a crepe place owned by the same asian people (what is soy sauce doing on the table of a french eatery?). I'm pretty sure the girl and the guy working the tables were genuine Italian... they had thick accents, and not the fake NYC Italian accents either. And the girl was cute... but I digress. We finally got a seat at the pizza counter. A bit strange because the guys making the pizza were rushing back and forth with orders, but it was cool to see how they made it. You could tell the mozzerella was hand shredded - it had that thinness and moistness you don't get with the pre-made stuff. One of the cooks was even sautee'-ing chicken breasts and slicing them up for the toppings. On to the pizza: GREAT pizza with a buttery crust. I can't tell if they use corn in the dough, but it has some real flavor to it. They use just enough sauce to keep the dough from drying up, and the cheese and toppings are fresh. I had a sausage chicken pizza and my girlfriend had a margherita pizza. You can taste the lightly applied olive oil - very rarely do american restaurants get this right. A full pizza will stuff 2 people. Worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Jenna S.

    A few friends and I visited Pizza Rustica to celebrate reaching my 10% weight loss goal for Weight Watchers (I know, celebrating weight loss with food? kind of silly). I called about 10 minutes before we arrived just to see if we'd be able to sit a party of eight (or at least warn them that we were arriving shortly) and they had no problem accommodating - they even had a table ready for us when we arrived! I was very impressed. However, it was insanely hot inside the restaurant. By the time mid-June rolls around, you should be ready to put on the air when it reaches 90 in the afternoon. The outdoor patio was full (of course) so we had to sit inside and it was pretty uncomfortable. I began with the Caprese salad and it was average. I could definitely recreate the same thing at my house, so it was nothing super special. The portion was a great size, though, because three of us were able to split it. We moved on to a pasta (again, shared) and decided to go with tortelini in marinara sauce. The pasta was pretty good - I really liked the light marinara sauce as opposed to a very heavy, meat-laden sauce. Other than the sauce, though, pretty average. And then we had the pizza... it left something to be desired. I agree with Michaelia F. when she says that the crust was super buttery for some of the toppings. I enjoy that kind of crust (Pizza Metro does it the best) but some kinds of light, airy pizza just don't belong on that kind of crust. The margarita was OK - nothing to write home about but I liked the rosemary potato. I will give props to the restaurant for having a menu that strays from traditional pizza joints. I like that they don't just have cheese with a standard array of toppings, so keep thinking up a different menu. Oh, by the way, Pizza Rustica needs to do away with its $1.75/person corkage fee, especially since some members of my party didn't drink. I don't think anyone should be forced to pay a corkage fee, especially if they do not drink. Oh, and corkage fees are technically illegal, so stop charging so much for a person to come in and have some BYOB. I am not happy about that and I really think it's kind of tacky to charge so much. But, the place was good enough to get me to come back and give the pizza another try.

    (3)

  • Tom D.

    Two stars for being a restaurant that looks like it is trying. The pizza isn't anything to write home about, we ordered the veggie and the tutta (everything). The toppings were sparse and burnt, the cheese was missing in some places, the saving grace was the crisp, sugary crust. Or maybe it was the sauce that was sugary. Either way, something in every bite tasted a bit like dessert. Unlike the other reviews, I thought the service was good. It's a small restaurant, so I noticed that most people were dropping their silverware, partly because the tables are really slippery. The staff treated this very normally, anyone available was replacing the silverware hastily. I wish there was a bread basket served while waiting for pizza; me and my date got a little too drunk waiting 45 minutes for the pizza to cook. We kind of just watched other people eating, wishing it would get here sooner. We tipped 20 percent because I kinda felt bad for this place, trying to act like a big restaurant, when really it's greatest functionality is delivery. Won't be returning, especially when Michael's is a block away and has great pizza specials on the weekends.

    (2)

  • Bradley S.

    Partner and I were here for a birthday celebration/fuundraiser for our friend and Alderman. Neither of us had been there before. We'll definitely be back. The pizzas we tried were delicious. The thin crispy crust and the fresh ingredients which topped them were second to none. The other noshes were excellent as well (love polenta). The space is very comfortable. The staff was great.

    (4)

  • Sheli L.

    The Central Lakeview Merchants Assn had a workshop here combined with a tasting of the Chef's specials. We enjoyed it so much we decided to come back for lunch. We did not have pizza, although we enjoyed it at the tasting. We wanted a full meal. I had a scrumptious gnochi with a good sauce. Homemade, of course. My friend is a beef eater. He had a NY steak, rare, that was big and perfectly done. It was melt in your mouth good. My chihuahua enjoyed the leftover steak. The bread was a little hard and the waitresses busy gossiping. The food was served promptly. Mr. fussy said we will return. We recommend homemade Panna Cotta for dessert. They have added a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m to 3:00 p.m. That will be our next trip.

    (4)

  • Richie D.

    Even if the Italian "rustic" pizza wasn't good, I'd be back to see the studly male waiter with the Italian accent. If he's not your type, then keep filling your beverage and he'll become whatever you're sparkly eyes could dream of... Oh sorry, as for the restaurant itself and not its entities, I'm not a fan of pizza, yes, yes I know, I do not belong here in Chicago and will probably lose my "native card" after this next comment... But maybe it's the Chicago 'pizza' itself (more like a potpie) that has brainwashed me with the nightmarish notions of excessive grease, persistent heartburn and artery-clogging cheese?! OK, I'm definitely not making friends here---but here at Pizza Rustica, the pizza is just like it was flown here from Italy, with all the recipes being passed down through the family's generations. I recommend getting 2 slices per person of the House Specialty Pizza (at least that's plenty for me). The Margherita (its all about the basil, baby!) and Patate Rosmarino (potato on pizza?! That's right!) are my two favorites. You just can't go wrong with whatever your choice may be and they're only $3 a slice (which is equal to 6 little squares, a bang for your buck!). Their crust is the most perfect pizza crust in the city! It's perfectly crispy and crunchy, yet not overly hard or soft. I love the new space (minus the fact that they're no longer BYOB) that is much larger than across the street, not to mention the pleasant outdoor patio. Have a glass of wine, some pizza and finish off the evening with a cappuccino and perhaps slice of tiramisu. Now that's a perfect Pizza Rustica night (despite hunting down a parking spot on a Cubs Game night)!

    (5)

  • Lori L.

    Pizza Rustica, by far, makes my favorite pizza in town. Their crust is homemade every morning. It's buttery, and has a slight crunch to it. I love the fact they have size options for ordering pizza; by the slice, 1/2 order, and full order. The slice runs $2.50 for cheese. My mom and I recently stopped by for lunch. They had calamari as a special on the chalkboard hanging on the wall. It turned out, it was only for dinner. My mom was slightly disappointed, but, the owner was aware of this, and made it for her anyway. I love, love, love the charm of this place, and its owner. I need to get back here more than I do. Plus, it is BYOB which is always a bonus.

    (4)

  • Renne H.

    I had dinner there last weekend, and it was good but there were a few missteps. We put our name (3of us) in, and there was a wait, so we sat at the bar in full view of the host stand. We had a glass of wine, but after about a 20 min wait, which was totally fine, the hostess came over and asked if we were waiting, and she looked at her list and our name was crossed out. She said she would try to sit us right away, and after about 10 more min we were seated. When we were seated it was a shared table, and we were crammed at the end. They had to ask the ladies next to us to move down. We ordered salads, and I got the salad with artichokes, which sounded great. The salads came, and I had me baby artichoke in it. For $6 I shouldve received more. When it came time to order, the server was great at reviewing the menu and specials. When I asked about specific items that were posted on the wall. They were out of item after item. It was only like 7 at night. We listened to the server and ordered a large pizza. I liked it, and would go back again for that. My table liked it too. It was plentiful for 3 people with leftovers. Maybe we caught them on a bad night, but I'll give them a second try. It was tasty and hopefully more items are available.

    (3)

  • Rebecca H.

    Not enough ingredients on the pizza.

    (3)

  • Chelsea V.

    Mama mia! Pizza Rustica will charm your pants off. From the rotating menu of classic Italian appetizers--prosciutto and melon is my favorite--to the margherita pizza--which I can't not order--to the wooden paddles that serve as plates--this is a real neighborhood gem. I've eaten indoors and out, and both were equally pleasing. My only complaint is that the service has been a little inconsistent, but I think it has just been my misfortune to get new waiters on their first few shifts. I'm sure they'll get the hang of it.

    (5)

  • Jason E.

    Super tasty authentic Italian. Great staff!

    (5)

  • Emily D.

    I went there last night as part of a group of 5 - completely expecting to wait a while given our large group size. The new space looks great - although I never went to the old location. Call me a "newbie." We ended up scoring a few seats at the bar - which had incredibly bad service. On a Friday night, it's probably not the best time to have a new bartender on staff (as in "it's my first night"). I understand that the place had a few kinks to work out given the recently re-opened space - but come on, work those out during the week or have a soft opening and figure out how to work your new computer systems and serve your guests for a large volume night like a Friday. After getting a table 1.5 hours later, we attempt to close out our tab, which took a good 10 minutes. We waited about another 10 minutes before we were even given water - the waiter rushing around clearly not prepared for his section of tables. In fact, the whole staff everywhere was rushing around - definitely not a prepared bunch. After placing our order about 20 minutes into sitting down (we knew what we wanted to order basically when we were seated, but had a hard time tracking down our waiter) - we waited. Finally our pizzas arrived.... and what a presentation. The pizza comes out on plastic cutting boards that completely take over the entire table. With no room for our tea cup sized plates, we ate at the edges of the table. Recommendation to the owners - try purchasing some risers for the pizza - or consider getting larger tables. The former is less expensive. The pizza came out dry, and one of them was half burnt - after complaining, the owner took this pizza off the tab. But honestly, we shouldn't have to complain for someone to think a half burnt and dry pizza isn't acceptable - even on a busy night. There was no flavor in the pizza and it was overall two thumbs down by all 5 people in the party. I'll not be going back - even if they manage to hire experienced staff and chefs who know how to make a pizza.

    (1)

  • Catherine G.

    One of my fav places in Chicago to eat..... They have great service and the owner is there all the time and cares about the product that comes out to the tables. I have been coming here since they first opened, that was years ago. Living in the area I have noticed it looks like they are moving across the street to a larger location. This is great news because you have to get there early on a Friday or Saturday night if you do not want to have long waiting time for a table.....THEY DO JOT TAKE REASERVATIONS...... THEY ARE A BYOB...... Some of the best service and food in the city. It is a must eat in Chicago.... If you have not been there you must check it out.

    (5)

  • anna s.

    Delicious Pizza. Delicious Food. Wonderful Service (esp the one handsome waiter always there...hehe) I've been a regular since 2009 and I never tried a dish I didn't like here. Everything is very simple RUSTIC and delicious. I'm a fan of the soups and Chef's specials - he is always cooking up something delicious. This place is always busy and I would call it Lakeview's little secret. Can't say anything bad about them. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • FJ A.

    UPDATE, June 2012: Unfortunately I have to rescind the glowing review I posted about Pizza Rustica last year (August). I'm sad to say that with the move to a bigger facility across the street it seems they have acquired a bigger, bloated more "upscale" head size! With 9 people in out party the consensus was: - owner was nowhere in sight. There were however many employees racing around doing lots of nothing. Too many for this place to be quaint or intimate anymore. Last year it was the owner and I believe his nephew? - It looks like they replaced the standard deck oven (big flat pizza making oven) with a multi-layer bread oven. Result: flat boring crust, not even remotely what it used to be. - flavor: again, the crust is not even close to last year. The toppings are also very skimpy and near flavorless. What have they done? Upside?: Still the best Caesar salad we've had anywhere. I guess that's something. Considering that my last review centered around the pizza and not the Italian entrees (which may be fine), this is a huge disappointment. This was hands down our favorite Chicago pizza place. --------------------------------------------------­--- Yes, I'm from Iowa, not Chicago. I do however consider myself somewhat of a pseudo-Chicagoan as we go there 2-3 times year and are part time foodies. I will qualify this short review by saying I'm not a big fan of Chicago style pizza, it being more akin to a good cheesy casserole than pizza in my opinion. I like it, but it's not pizza. We ordered several Caesar salads and I have to say they were hands down the best I've ever had. I'd go there for the Caesar alone. We ordered several pizzas. General impression: perfect perfect crust. A blend between a thin Neapolitan and a butter crust. Thin but not like a cracker and buttery crisp. The flavor of the dough was pronounced. Specifics: Margherita, fresh, so fresh in fact that the basil was picked out of thier garden minutes before serving. Tropicale: Ham & Pineapple w/ Hot Giardiniera! Fantastic. Must have used some kind of Italian ham because this was way better than any version of this combo I've ever had. Pepperoni: Fantastic, the pepperoni and cheese were distinct. Plain cheese: favorite of the table. We also ordered one peice of Homemade Panna Cotta. I'll just say my favorite dessert (Creme Brulee) just got bumped. This stuff was sublime. We will not go to Chicago again without coming back here.

    (2)

  • Katie W.

    I love this little place :) Great BYOB and pizza spot. Ask for the brushetta- it's not on the menu but super delish! Note- the "piece" of pizza is HUGE! Don't be fooled- it's enough for one person. Only draw back is it is pretty small and they only have 1 bathroom. However, for a casual, cheap night out it can't be beat!

    (4)

  • Heather S.

    Overall, a wonderful dining experience -- last night, we dined here with my in-laws and all were impressed by the fantastic service and the excellent food. First off, the new location is wonderful, and the owners have done a great job with the space. Second, the food was lovely. The pizza crust is just great -- light, but buttery & flavorful -- and the other ingredients on our pizza margarita and salads were very fresh. The portions were generous. The wine list was very reasonably priced -- a wide range of nice bottles at $15 to $25. Our dessert -- panna cotta and tiramisu -- was light, but still felt rich. This is a neighborhood gem -- we will be returning in the future.

    (5)

  • Damian C.

    "Meatless Friday Lent" dinners are pretty difficult to plan with all the amazing restaurants in Chicago (and Lakeview). It gets even more difficult when you gave up fried foods for the same time period. Factor in BYOB and you've got a challenge. Poor planning, Damian. Fortuantely, a quick search of "margherita pizza" and "BYOB" saved the day and I ended up choosing Pizza Rustica. *Side Note: Rustica is pronounced "ROO-stic-a", not "Rust-ica". Don't make a faux pas. "..the most excellent pizza possible." "Crust is lovely, buttery and crisp." " Amazing pizza ... and it is BYOB." Yelpers seem to really love this place! I saw that a reservation was recommended for parties over two because of the small amount of tables to accommodate, so I stalked the restaurant all morning Friday until they finally opened at noon. NEWSFLASH! They were NOT taking reservations (and may not be anymore), so... be prepared and give a call before you decide to head up there. We called around 7:30 and were told that the three of us could easily get it or wait a few minutes max. However, in the time spent on the bus ride between Diversey and Wrigleyville, the restaurant suddenly became packed and we were told it would be anywhere from 15-30 minutes. The place is fairly small and there really isn't any room to wait in the place so the waitress told us she would give a call when our table was ready and we headed across the street to the bar. Sure enough, two minutes later after we ordered a pitcher of beer our table was ready. We let them know that we just ordered beers and if we could come over in 15 minutes it would be great. She obliged and held our table for us. Score! We sat down by the window and were each handed a wooden plank of a menu. Everything sounded delicious! We started out with the Caesar and Caprese salads, which were both excellent and plenty for three people to share. When we asked how many pizzas would be suitable for 3 people who were starving (and borderline drunk) our waitress told us two halves would be perfect. A devout carnivore, I see almost no point in veggie pizza and find that most cooked, soggy vegetables are completely appalling. We decided to order a margherita pizza and the intriguing rosemary potato pizza. A giant slab of pizza came out shortly thereafter with 3 cutting boards to serve as our plates. Potato pizza, eh? Carb overload. Delicious. I want it every day! The food reviews were true - crispy, delicious, buttery crust; excellent pizza; quite filling. You are MISSING OUT if you have not tried this!! Aside from being a devout carnivore I am a devout stuffed pizza fan, so finding a good thin crust pizza is a tough task. I am not sure if it's the best pizza ever, but I won't mind trying it again and again to see! The three of us threw down $20 each which covered everything and left a sizable tip for our waitress. I don't remember if our bill had a corkage fee on it or not, but after two bottles of wine and a pitcher of beer, would you either? I recommend taking public transportation or walking if possible as the area is pretty congested. Go in early if you can or leave plenty of time to kill while waiting for a table (which can be spent at the bar across the street). Glad I found this place and I'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Jameson P.

    Can't complain about the food it was actually really good, but $35+ for a pizza is a little much.

    (3)

  • Hijo d.

    A review I did on Yelp that somehow disappeared(?)... 01/20/07 After hearing many good things about Pizza Rustica on this site and in the Reader, we decided to try it out. When we arrived, we were told we'd have a table in 5 to 10 minutes so we sat at the bar waiting for our table. We were never asked if we wanted something to drink or if we wanted to see a menu. After requesting menus we read the descriptions of the food as it described salads (~$6.50) and pastas (~$12.50, add ~$2.50 for grilled shrimp or chicken) topped with aged parmesan, and fresh oven baked pizzas. As we read this, we watched the kitchen staff cooking dishes, sprinkling Kraft Parmesan from the resalable bag on top of salads and pastas, while pulling frozen pre-cooked shrimp or chicken out of frozen food aisle bags and adding it to pans of heated up pasta to defrost. We then watched one of the pizza makers come out of the back room with a stack of 6 pre-baked and pre-sauced pizzas and proceed to cover them with toppings and throw them into a large warming oven which melted the cheese and heated up the crust. The atmosphere in the restaurant was drab, far from the warm and quaint that had been advertised. As you sat at the bar, you had to watch the dishwasher and look at a kitchen area littered with dirty equipment. After approximately 15 minutes, a four top opened up and sat covered with the last party's dirty dishes for another ten minutes as two servers scrambled to make salads out of pre-packaged lettuce and serve ten or twelve tables between the two of them. We watched several customers try to flag down wait staff and a couple of tables look around the room quizzically as they waited for at least 25 minutes to get their salads. When the table was finally cleaned off, we inquired if we were the next party after it sat empty another 5 minutes. They said there was a party of three waiting outside for the table and our table would be ready in another 5 or 10 minutes. The server went out and looked for the party but they were no where to be found. She walked back in the restaurant and went back to serving dishes. We again asked if the four top was available and she said the other party had left and we just had to wait a couple more minutes. Just as she said this, a party of three walks in and asks if they can have the table. She gives them the empty table even though they were not the party of three waiting for the table. We had been waiting for at least 30 minutes at this point and the table had been vacated for at least 15 minutes. After she walks away, the third person in the group says goodbye to the other two and they take the table with absolutely no wait. We told the waitress we'd been waiting for over half an hour and she said she can't ask the two people to leave the table because they had already been seated. At this point, we decided this was the last place we wanted to spend our money and proceeded to leave. Spending 12-15 dollars on frozen food aisle chicken and Kraft processed "parmesan" after waiting 35 minutes for a table can only be characterized as a mistake. We elected to head to Pizza D.O.C., were seated in 2 minutes even though they were extremely busy, and paid identically prices for higher quality food and service.

    (1)

  • Lynn M.

    Pizza Rustica continues to be my favorite local pizza place in Chicago. It's located right by the Sheridan redline stop and recently moved across the street from it's old location into a sprawling, chill place to grab dinner with friends. The salads and appetizers are good too (we had a goat cheese/pomodoro and bread one that was delish). The staff is friendly and helpful and the music this weekend was particularly and totally awesome (what group of late 20 year-olds doesn't love Whitney Houston, Coolio, and Extreme). The pizza is more expensive than you'll find at something like Domino's or Sarpino's, but it's thin crust, oven-baked margherita pizza is the super tasty and the best pizza I've found in Chicago. We got a whole pizza that was more than enough for five hungry adults. My only gripe is that Pizza Rustica is closed on Tuesdays, which is a bummer if I'm feeling lazy on a Tuesday night and want to deliver in;)

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    Today was like something out of Hell's Kitchen and validates the growing list of concerns. Things were so bad that if we were in the Trump Board Room, the female owner (Juliette -who I subsequently found cited as this business' downfall in multiple other Yelp posts) would be (and SHOULD BE) fired! The longer she's around, the deeper this place will tank! As someone who has done organizational re-engineering, I am 100% clear that there is no possibility of change as long as she is involved. I selected PR's Mother's Day Brunch because I loved PR and I believed my 3 guests would, as well. I always found the food great, and the service good. It was not until I decided to do this Yelp that I realized how much bad press the place - and more specifically, the female owner, Juliette - is gathering. None of my 3 guests will go back and I'm now on that list, too - at least as long as Juliette is involved. The short version is that we had a waiter who busted his behind while Juliette sipped champagne behind the bar entertaining guests for Mother's Day (which she pointed out to me when I complained to her. Our waiter literally was breaking a sweat serving 7 or 8 tables - inside AND outside. He was an all-in-one: waiter, the server, and busser! Bussers only seemed to emerge as the family table was being seated (some 15-20 people). Another female server seemed to have only two or three tables with 2 of them being two tops in the bar, and one other table in the restaurant. Why was one waiter the only one saddled with all these tables - alone? Why would the employees be devoted to a family event at the expense of the customers an support of other staff? Why the inequity in staffing assignments with one guy having to bust his behind and another server doing virtually nothing? Why was this server not 'stepping in' to run his tables? Why was the hostess/owner not running tables to assure her customers were taken care of? Why would the owners not schedule their family event after their restaurant's special brunch ended at 2pm? I'll both give credit and cut slack for the brunch because it was a new concept with the option to select 5 out of about 10-12 items. Nice idea, but attention to the details lacked. One guy taking orders, serving, and clearing made it a disaster - particularly since one large dinner plate was used for each item. Do the math, and you'll find we ultimately had 20 dinner plates hit out table - plus 2 more for a child! Add to that the service the waiter had to provide to other tables and it's amazing he did not walk out. Quality of food preparation varied. A couple items were significantly undercooked and a couple were very good. Most were just OK but to PR's credit, the kitchen got my custom ordered eggs perfect (which I ordered in lieu of an omelet)! Overall, presentation was acceptable - good in some cases - albeit portion sizes varied for the same food for different people. Service was the biggest issue - but it is the result of ABYSMAL management, not lack of effort from the server. Food service was sporadic. To the waiter's credit, he first brought the pancakes for the child but no syrup or bacon. Not and issue for adults, but for a kid - huge! Big lulls for the rest of the food. As more and more food was delivered, we kept repositioning the array of dinner plates. This meant we had to stop eating every time the server brought something because the table was not made to handle the sheer volume of plates. One person got no food til we mentioned it but by then nearly everyone was done.. After we were given the check, I motioned for the chef/owner but the hostess came over and at her request, I outlined concerns. I then told her that I was shocked that she was sipping champagne behind the bar while all this was going on - especially since it was her restaurant! She interrupted me and unabashedly stated how this was Mother's Day, that she was celebrating with her children, and I had no business telling her anything about what she was doing in her restaurant. At this point, the chef/owner (husband?) interrupted and asked her to let him take care of it. She refused to acquiesce and continued to justify her choice to celebrate. Perhaps she's from the Marie Antoinette School of "let them eat cake". She said if she knew there were problems she would have addressed them. I pointed out that she could not possibly know there were problems if she was behind the bar drinking champagne while 1 waiter is running around literally sweating to keep up! I explained to the owners that my intent was to resolve this "in house" then explained because of her attitude and lack of professionalism, I'd turn to Yelp to which she replied, "Of course, you will!" An amazing response but not surprising given that she is self-serving rather than customer service oriented. STAY AWAY AS LONG AS JULIETTE IS INVOLVED.

    (1)

  • Mike G.

    Good Food does not out weigh terrible service at this Northside Pizza joint. We waited an hour at the bar while 1) a 4-top laid vacant the entire time (until we complained) 2) claimed they take reservations (which is false) for the reason it was vacant 3) 3 groups after us received table (& yes we were all present and checked in with the hostess 4) the owners wife rolled her eyes while we mentioned the yelp reviews and our sincere hope that they were not true. Trust Yelp and the community if the "owners wife" continues to manage the joint they need to move back across the street where this type of service might be tolerable.

    (1)

  • Alissa C.

    Stopped in for a few drinks since the corner bar was cash only and what a great surprise! Excellent drinks and a friendly bartender. Have heard the food is good to! Can't wait to try it next time.

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    All I can say is WOW. What a great experience. The owners are all about customer satisfaction and it is also shown through their staff. More restaurants need to stop and take some pointers from them. Thanks for welcoming us to your home. The pizza was awesome.

    (5)

  • Alice L.

    If I could give this restaurant zero stars, I would. The food was good but the service was TERRIBLE. We made a reservation for 4 on a Friday night and waited over an hour for a table when there had been a couple free tables there the entire time. A few parties of 3-4 came in after us and just sat right down. After complaining to the hostess, we were assured we were next after a party of 3. We continued to wait and told the owner's wife about the bad reviews on yelp only to have her huff and puff and roll her eyes at us. It is a shame that a place with good food is debauched by their lack of knowledge of basic customer service. I would consider going back if their service improves...

    (1)

  • J D.

    Mediocre sandwiches and soup. Cocktail offers are conventional and lacking in quality ingredients. Pizza is also just something to fill your hunger, but again...and unfortunately, there are many other places which do better.

    (2)

  • Amanda M.

    Went there around 2pm and no one else was there. We walked in and stood there for 3 minutes before we could let the waiter know we were going to sit outside. Service left a lot to be desired, I didn't get a water refill until after my food was halfway eaten, we were only checked on 1 time, our waiter left after he brought our pizza to us and didn't even tell us. We decided not to wait the 10 minutes for the new waiter to come back so we could pay and get a box. Also, BYOB with a cork fee per person of like $1.75. We got the Margherita pizza and it wasn't what I expected for a place with "Rustica" in the name. For what it was worth, I will not go back. If you want a rustic pizza, go to Spacca Napoli. Only cool thing I saw was that they grow some of their own herbs in the planter boxes surrounding the outdoor seating.

    (2)

  • Jared L.

    So-so pizza. Poor service.

    (2)

  • David R.

    DAMNIT! Here is ANOTHER near-perfect place which I wish existed in my neighborhood. Welcoming, attractive interior; delicious food; reasonable prices and good value; friendly, competent service; BYOB; great for a date, a small group of friends, or a solo weekend lunch...I'm glad that I found it but why does it have to be so far away? According to Yelp, I bookmarked this joint on 5/27, and finally got around to eating there last night. I actually tried to lunch there on my birthday a few weeks ago, but they are closed on Tuesdays. Watch out! I liked the square pizza: perfectly-balanced proportions of the holy quirumvirate of crust, cheese, sauce, and toppings. The crust reminded me of Pizza Hut pan style, which is entirely a compliment. We ordered the Four Seasons (mushrooms, tomatoes, artichokes, and ham), which slightly edged out the Margherita. I'll be coming back to try that one (and others, plus the sandwiches and who knows how much else). A- on the pizza. The caprese salad was one of the best I've ever had. They made a nice balsamic vinegar, herb, and olive oil drizzle over the top. So damn good. A. With one visit, this place blew right past "remember this when in the neighborhood and hungry for pizza" territory and into "date-night destination restaurant" territory. Only four miles of distance keeps it from "get fat by eating here with alarming regularity" territory. If I visit two more times with no disasters, Rustica goes up to five stars (and I am stingy with those 5-star reviews).

    (4)

  • Greg G.

    I always wondered what it'd take to get me to create a yelp account and Pizza Rustica finally pushed me to the edge. The food is very good, no doubt. The service, on the other hand... Called to order delivery on a Friday night, told it'd be a 90 minute wait, no problem. Two hours later, I call 4 times to check on the status without getting an answer. Finally get through another 10 minutes later and am told in a not-so-cool way that the pizza is on its way. Twenty minutes later I call to cancel the friggin' order and Stefano, the owner, says fine, order is cancelled and hangs up on me. Now that's some stellar service! I called back to let him know that's some BS and he tells me they've only been open four days. Ummm.....sure, four days in their new space. But they've been running a pizza business for years. Oh, and even if that was relevant, HOW IS THAT MY PROBLEM?? Too much good pizza in this city to support a place with s***** customer service.

    (1)

  • Derek B.

    I'm always very satisfied at Pizza Rustica. It feels "of the neighborhood". During the summer, they open their windows and the smell is amazing. Great food, very friendly staff, and great cocktail selection. The pizzas are perfect for sharing and the pasta is very light and delicious.

    (5)

  • Jena C.

    Pizza Rustica used to be my favorite little place - but since they moved...RUDE! RUDE! RUDE! The owners wife, Julianna might be the rudest person ever. Why she tells everyone she is the owners wife then goes out of her way to be unhelpful and rude is beyond me. Made a reservation for 8 on a Friday night - told us it would be 30 - 45 minutes and they would give us a call. 45 minutes later we called to check on our reso and were told the Owner (Julianna) prefers not to have guest that bring in their own wine (strange since this is a byob and nothing was mentioned about us brining wine - we planning on purchasing it there). So we just decide to walk over - all the tables had new customers - when we asked Julianna she said all these were old customers. Which was a lame lie. Needless to say we had 8 guest that were starving - went to Mia Francesca where they were more then happy to have our business. Guess Pizza Rustica doesn't care about their neighbors anymore. Really sad since we used to be there weekly.

    (1)

  • Kristen H.

    As many other _former_ loyal Pizza Rustica customers, I was very excited to see their business was expanding to a bigger location (w/ a bar) across the street. I was a little sad that the days of BYOB were ending but at least it was still BYOVino! I had the chance to finally check out the new place last Friday. Upon my arrival the place was packed and I put my name in for a table of 4 before going to buy wine down the street. The hostess was clearly unorganized and said the wait would be 35-45 minutes. She also insisted we buy drinks from them that with the $3.50 corking fee per person (say what?!) it was a better deal. Sure, why not? I was feeling lazy anyway... Well here is where things really started to go wrong. The bartender ignored us for about 15 minutes and when we finally got someone's attention they threw a couple menus at us and disappeared. I eventually was able to order a glass of wine that came from a bottle that had gone bad. Lord knows I do not often let a glass of wine go to waste but this was so bad I had to say something. When I finally got the bartenders attention again he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.... Terrible service! Without going into further play by play of my experience, I am sad to say it was not just the bartender that was bad. From the hostess to our server everything was a disaster. We waited an hour and a half for a table. In fact, it took so long the other two people in our party had to leave (without eating) to catch a movie. The pizza is of course still excellent! However, with service like that I have no plans to return to my former local favorite. :( What happened to the two awesome Italian servers that used to work there?! I want the old place back!

    (2)

  • E R.

    Pizza Rude-ica. The owners wife is simply rude and rushes clients out the door. Don't expect to sit with your byob wine (or delicious pizza) for any longer than they can clear your plate.

    (1)

  • jenny m.

    I hadn't been in probably two years when I went back just recently, and I was so happy to find that Pizza Rustica is still as great as ever. The pizza is top notch and I realized on this most recent visit, that it's all in the crust. It's thin, but not neapolitan style cracker thin. And my guess is they must baste the crust with butter before cooking because it comes out so perfectly golden with a little crisp on the outside. I really can't even describe it justly - you just have to go and sample for yourself! I also love that they do not skimp on the toppings. You order a pizza with mushrooms, and there's handfuls of mushrooms. You want fresh tomatoes? You'll get fresh tomatoes in abundance on every slice. I hate when places go skimpy on the toppings - that is not the case here. The service is still good and it's still BYOB (there is a small corkage fee). It's a small space so I recommend going early so that you can have a leisurely dining experience without feeling like you should hurry up and eat to vacate your table for the people that are always waiting after about 7 o'clock.

    (5)

  • Alesha B.

    Great food and service. I got the pasta but will for sure get the pizza next time! It looked so good as the servers walked by with it.

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    The best gnocchi with vodka sauce I've had in Chicago. Not to mention inexpensive and delicious. The Calamari never disappoints. Be ready for laid back service; the owners & workers are actually Italian, so it's unlikely you'll be in and out in an hour! Bring some wine and enjoy a lovely patio dinner.

    (5)

  • Rosemary L.

    Incredibly slow service. Sometimes I wonder if its not a ploy by certain restaurants to get you to buy more drinks as you have to wait so long for your food. Very small drinks. Recommend you bring your own wine.

    (1)

  • Beth A.

    PR...i took a date here and well seeing as how we were the only people in there...i was really disappointed with the luv u put into making our meals totally interrupted the 'chefs' afternoon reading time lol but he was cool even poppin on his chef wear to seat us and cook up some pasta ordered my fav (penne w/arrabiata sauce) somethin was off about the pasta...almost tasted like whole wheat...tomatoes used to make the sauce werent ripe enough, wasnt spicy enough and i got served parm to top it all off...u guys should know better ...ill come back again PR but u better up ur game...i have a strict 2 strikes and ur out rule

    (3)

  • Michael E.

    Great little place wedged inbetween Wrigleyville and Uptown. Providing classic Italian dishes and some great pizza, this is definitely a regular stopping place for me this summer. With a small outdoor seating area you get just the right amount of the "feel of the city" with the Sheridian redline stop and neighborhood traffic, its a great place to eat outside. Pizza was on my list the evening I ate there and the service was prompt. Add in an Italian beer I brought (it is BYOB) and the evening was perfect.

    (4)

  • Alex R.

    Oh, Pizza Rustica, you are irresistible. Handsome Italian servers and thin, crispy, traditional pizza. I'm salivating just thinking about it. Bring a couple bottles of wine, stuff your face with delicious Italian food, and be amazed by how ridiculously cheap the bill is. One caveat: be sure you don't sit in the table right by the door. That would probably make this a one-star experience.

    (5)

  • Joe R.

    I will keep it simple. I called to order some food for delivery. Two hours later, and three phone calls later, i figured they had just forgotten about me. Also another time i ate here, the waiter was quite rude. Long story short, They lost a customer

    (1)

  • Jeff R.

    Delicious Pizza, lots of toppings, friendly staff, good decor, outdoor seating, and tons of tasty beers to try. What's not to like?

    (5)

  • dan k.

    The new location is great. The service is fair / good. The salads are a rip-off. Rustica salad for $6.95 consists of spinach, 1/4 of an artichoke heart (1 bite) and come crumbled blue cheese (1 tablespoon) and some day old bread that makes croutons. I got the order and just starred at it.... thinking to myself "That's It?". Super disappointing. Waiting 43 minutes for a pizza (1/2) pizza is out of line too. Probably will not return.

    (2)

  • Emily B.

    The pizza is amazing. The dough is like crack. Buttery, thin, delicious. The sauce is authentic, as is the cheese. Anyone who has been to Italy will surely "have a moment" when taking the first bite. The pastas are fresh (just like everything on the menu). We enjoyed a fettucine with a light cream sauce and very small pieces of salmon. Over all, it had a pleasant taste, nothing too seafoody. Also, orechiette pasta with red sauce and goat cheese. Such a unique flavor. Everything was just done right. BYOB (awesome). The only drawback was they were out of their housemade gnocchi (my favorite Italian pasta dish) and their Tiramisu (bummer!). I mean, why skimp on ordering enough ingredients to make your two most popular dishes?

    (4)

  • Tyler K.

    So after reading many of the reviews about Pizza Rustica on here I had to give my two cents because they are better than what people are saying. First off for everyone complaining about the service being really really slow... its part of the Italian experience. I have a friend who studied abroad in Italy and worked with an Italian chef and he says that the service in Italy is slow, but its part of the whole experience. Given that the owner/chef and his family are from Italy I would expect them to serve and run a business much like that in Italy, so get over the slow service. I've dined at this place countless times both at their new location (which I absolutely love) and old. The food is AMAZING and the service is very personable. Every time we eat their the chef and servers come and talk with us about how the life and the restaurant industry is in Italy. I would recommend this to everyone who wants authentic, real (not chain) Italian cuisine. And for the one Yelper who said it was a BYOB and they don't let you bring beer... that because its a BYOVino (Bring Your Own Wine) not beer (Printed right on the front door), so quit your complaining and understand true Italian cuisine.

    (5)

  • Athanasios T.

    Excellent atmosphere, delicious pizza, wonderful service. I could go on and on, but I'll keep it as simple as possible. Pizza Rustica appears to be a family owned restaurant that serves high quality thin crust pizza as well as a variety of other Italian dishes. My waiter was attentive but not annoying, and made a fantastic Americano to finish up my meal. Bring your own bottle of wine or some beer and plan on an enjoyable lunch or dinner.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    Totally agree with Ricky B's review. We live around the block and were really excited to have a new restaurant nearby. However, because of incredibly rude owner, Julia, we will not be back. We were finished eating and enjoying the rest of our wine. We paid the bill. We told the server if he needed the table to let us know. He said that we were fine. We ended up ordering a few more drinks. After 10 minutes, the owner - rude Julia - came over and said to us in a very awkward exchange "the server said if we needed the table", then proceeded to look at us. She did not say "would you mind moving to the bar" or "thank you so much for your offer"...We were clearly not lingering as we had a new tab going. She did not offer to buy a round of drinks if we would move to the bar or any other typical customer service option. Very poor. We were still paying customers. We paid our bill and moved to the bar area to finish our drinks - ones purchased from them. The half bottle of wine we bought was put in a bag. We set it on the bar and a member of our party tried to order a glass of wine from the bartender. This is where things broke down...Rude Julia comes behind the bar and tells my friend that she will pour our BYOB wine for her - at the bar. My friend said it wasn't necessary - as that is weird. She was happy to order a glass from them. Julia pours our BYOB and leaves. Five minutes later she comes up to my friend and tells her that 'in the future, she is not allowed to drink BYOB wine at the bar." We were blown away. Now, nothing has been said to her up to this point. But after that last comment, I approached her to let her know that was rude and unnecessary. Instead of exhibiting proper customer service and listening to me - I didn't yell or raise my voice - she interrupted me, got angry, argued with me, and then said "my house, my rules". I kid you not. At this point, her husband came out of the kitchen and asked me what was going on. When I tried to talk to him, she came over and interrupted me again. I walked away. We paid our bill and went across the street to Oh Fusion. So happy Fornello is close by. So, Rude Julia, you exerted your authority in 'your house'. I sincerely hope you practice better customer service in the future as there are a lot of dining options available out there. I will spend my money at those places.

    (1)

  • Jason P.

    There are some occasions that call for thin crust pizza and even I will admit that. For those rare moments, PR has quite the thin crust to satisfy your craving. The crust achieves that balance between crisp and chewy quite well and the margherita pizza had only the freshest of tomatoes and basil. They have outdoor seating which is always a plus too!

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    I searched Yelp for a highly rated, well suggested Italian/pizza place and I am so glad I did! I love Pizza Rustica! I ordered a Margarita pizza and cheesy garlic bread and was very pleased with my meal. I am always leery about margarita pizzas because sometimes you get a pizza with chunks of cheese and loads of garnish but this wasn't the case. They pair all the ingredients well and the pizza tastes really fresh. The crust is my favorite part...there's something really unique about it - absolutely compliments the pizza. There's a little garlic and olive oil in the dough, I think - yum. Admittedly, the cheesy garlic bread was just so-so (large chunks of garlic, which was a little overwhelming), but overall not so bad. Delivery took a solid hour, if not a little more. The service ordering and in delivery was very good, and the delivery driver was very nice. Will definitely order from here again!

    (4)

  • Melissa D.

    I was really excited to try this place, but unfortunately underwhelmed by my experience. It's no secret that I am definitely on Team Sauce as far as the cheese:sauce ratio goes, so I was excited to try their cheese-less pizza with marinara and garlic. To my disappointment, there was barely any sauce at all, and an excessive amount of olive oil and grease!! However, it was a cute little place with friendly service and outdoor seating.

    (2)

  • michaelia f.

    This place is really more of a two-and-a-half-star-er, but I've only been here once, so I'll give them the three. I came here last night with a party of 8, and we were running a little late, so when we walked in and saw half our party already sitting, I was impressed. They had already set out wine glasses for us, and the server didn't blink an eye towards our six bottles of wine and two large-ish beers. Nice. They have really nice patio seating, but we sat inside, and it was kind of disgusting. The place was pretty nice looking, nice tablecloths and bright, fun room. And it was approximately 85 degrees in there. It was actually hotter inside than it was out. I'm not a big fan of wiping sweat off my brow when I'm eating, and this was gross. No air conditioning on the summer's first hot day? Really? Ick. We ordered a couple salads, a pasta, and three half pizzas to share. I only tried the mista salad, and it was perfectly fine (really boring, but fine): mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette. I only had a bite of the pasta, so I won't comment on that one. The pizza? Eh. It was OK. I tend to judge pizza places by their margarita pizzas--it's such a simple dish, but so easy to screw up. I was not a fan of the buttery crust, which overpowered the delicate flavors of the margarita pizza. The flavors of the potato and rosemary pizza, though it was starch overload, held up much better to the rich crust. The four seasons pizza was OK, but the pieces were cut really small, so you never really got all four toppings on one piece. Service was really good, and getting out for $15/head with alcohol and tip was pretty nice too. But $1.75 per person cork fee? A bit high, IMO. All in all, Pizza Rustica is just OK. With the fine TAC Quick just down the street though, I doubt I will be returning unless I'm meeting up with some friends.

    (3)

  • Jackie W.

    Love this place. The pizza is delicious, very thin crust, great flavors. Service is great, wait staff is personable and funny, and drinks are reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Liz C.

    The crust is amazing (Read: buttery, flakey, crispy, delicious) The ingredients are very fresh and each pizza is made to order. My favorite is definitely the Tutta Pizza. If serving up some of the best pizza in the city isn't enough, they are also BYOB. I mean a couple can go out, split a half pizza ($13) and bring your own bottle of wine (for a small corkage fee). Now that is a V-A-L-U-E!

    (5)

  • Abby D.

    Best flat bred pizza in town. This is such a unique Italian restaurant in Chicago and the Caprese salad is the best I've ever tasted. Go, go go if you want an authentic Italian experience in Chicago. Not to mention.. it's BYOB!

    (5)

  • Joanna T.

    MARGHERITA PIZZA is the best. Great atmosphere. Happy they serve wine now.

    (5)

  • Maxwell C.

    I love pizza rustica's pizza. I also love how their delivery boy is this italian surfer dude. I also love how their wait staff actually writes the final amount with a comma, not that stupid English period between the dollar and cents value. Anyway, the truth this, this place has the best "romanesque" pizza in chicago. I wouldn't call it truly roman since the slices aren't super thick, though it is doughy. But doughy is a good thing here (see my review for Nella for why it is not). I always order the pizza margahrita. It is great. And hey, I grew up in North Jersey, I know a mean pizza when I see one. When you do decide to stroll into the restaurant instead of ordering delivery, be advised to NOT ORDER ANYTHING ON THEIR MENU (except for the pizzas of course)!! But instead, ASK FOR THE SPECIALS!! Because the specials are what makes this place stand out. They are authentic Italian. It brings me back to a nice italian dinner at a small tratorria in Rome. You have to sometimes excuse the crowd though, it's mostly loud girls who thinks they own the world after just a sip of their awful BYOB wine.

    (4)

  • Martin H.

    Great pizza! Had a spinach and onions pizza that was delicious. BYOB = automatic stars! Had a great bottle of wine with a friend while enjoying our pizza. Its a nice small cozy place. I would go hear more often if I lived closer. Great for a date!

    (4)

  • caroline e.

    Had a group of 6 girls ready to drink some wine and eat some pizza. We called and asked if there was a wait and were told "no wait, come on over!" When we walked in 10 min. later they said "You called didn't you? Those people just took your table." Next thing we know we have to wait half an hour to sit. They also wouldn't let us open our wine while we waited at the bar. It was all a little annoying, but I guess I understand. As for the rest of the experience, it was very nice. The pizza was good, but I don't know if I'd go out of my way to have it again. We tried a few, and my favorite was the margarita. I also really liked the crust. A lot. So buttery and crunchy. The pink pasta sauce was really tasty, though the pasta itself was lacking a bit (tortellini). All in all this is a solid spot if you're in the neighborhood, but not exactly a destination restaurant.

    (3)

  • Rachel R.

    I really love this place. The pizza is delicious and very affordable (a "full" size rectangle of pizza feeds 4-6 people for roughly $18). Only once have I had room for dessert, but that was good, too. It's BYOB, but I can't recall much of a corkage fee. The only con is the limited seating (more than two people usually requires a reservation if you don't want to wait a long time).

    (5)

  • Judy S.

    Great salad, great pizza, great price.

    (5)

  • J. P.

    The cheese pizza and quattro formaggi gnocchi were fantastic, however, the great food couldn't make up for being asked to leave after we finished eating so that others could sit down. It was really annoying. It's a small joint that gets packed easily and it's hard to carry a conversation because of the noise.

    (3)

  • Montserrat D.

    The food I've eaten here is great. Above and beyond my expectations. The price is more than reasonable. Last time I even thought they had made a mistake on the check. How could we have eaten such an amount of delicious Patate Rosmarino pizza for two for such little money? I'm going to assume that the Italian gentleman who hosts the restaurant is also the owner since he is so devoted, neat and organized. He will give you the best advice. If you want to practice Italian, he will be happy to speak Italian with you. He loves languages. He speaks Spanish with some of his crew. Sometimes it feels like your own private Holly Golightly's Tiffany & Co. where nothing bad can happen, the place to go when you have a "red" day.

    (5)

  • Emily F.

    Three things in life I can't live without: pizza, wine, and public transportation. Needless to say, 5 stars. Being from Jersey makes me somewhat of a pizza snob, and though it's no fold-over greasy east coast pizza, still delicious and highly recommended. Bonus- spitting distance from the red line. I'm in heaven.

    (5)

  • Sara D.

    Second trip, still good, although the crust seemed a little off. Tried the potato pizza, it was very flavorful and tasty, although I think that I still prefer meat toppings. A little too much carb on carb action. Will definitely be back, I want to try some of the other entrees. Additionally, I should add that if you order the pizza for delivery, it isn't nearly as good as eating it in the restaurant. They put my pizza in a styrofoam container and it was soggy. Sad face.

    (3)

  • Ashley G.

    This was pretty much one of the most perfect meals I have ever had. *Mouth waters* First off... 3 people: Drinks (byob), appetizer (the most profoundly perfect bruschetta I've ever had), a whole pizza (with the most perfectly crunchy crispy thick crust), and desert (Pannicotta... first time I've ever had it. I will be going there for it every.single.week for the rest of my life.) Total: $28.00!! Can't beat that! We got there and all the tables were full on the patio, but they gladly grabbed a table for us from inside and just set us our own little spot outside. The server was sweet as could be and made wonderful recommendations... I will be going back there very very often.

    (5)

  • Morgan M.

    Everything that I tried at this place was delicious, and it the Caprese salad even inspired me to go out and buy the ingredients to make my own (which I have been doing now for some time). The only downfall is that you don't get the quantity for what you pay for. While the Caprese salad is good...$7 something for three tomato slices? C'MON PPL!! That's why I started making it myself. Guess how much I spent for all of the ingredients? LOL. Anyway, try the Rosemary potato pizza. A friend told me that every place that she has had this pizza it has been disgusting; however, it was great here. She even liked it. It was also my first time having it. Good thing I had it here.

    (4)

  • Dee B.

    So, my gf thought that this would be a cute place to come and have a little date night. When we first got in, I could not have disagreed more... it seemed crowded and hot. But as we settled in, I really got a good feel for this place's charm. It is very cute, and our waiter was very sweet (and had beautiful hair... I'm a barber). Anywho, the space is kinda small, which made it a little unappealling when it was busy, but once it cleared out a little, it was a very cute date spot. We shared a salad, a 1/2 pizza, triamisu, and I got americano, and I dropped $40 (including a good tip). Now, if that's not a good date spot, I don't know what is!!! The food was great, the service was great. 2 thumbs up from this guy right here.

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    I think this place is great! Its a small BYOB italian place. I have had both pizza and risotto here and I liked both. They have thin crust pizza that kind of reminds me of crossiant crust but its good. Plus, I like that you can get halves, etc. I got the Verdure Grigliate. It was great!!! Thin and light. Another time when I was here, I got a veggie risotto that was on special and it was also great. The down falls to this place are that it can get really crowded and loud so if you are trying to have a nice romantic dinner...not really sure this is the place but if you are out in a group...this place is great. Also, there is only one bathroom so when you go to the bathroom, you are trying to stay out of the way but its a little crunched.

    (4)

  • Jennifer T.

    A big no thanks to this place. We went because our favorite was closed for the holiday but I had to have Italian so we searched for another place that was open. I wish we had a more pleasant experience. We didn't have pizza and maybe that's where we went wrong. I ordered the artichoke ravioli and my husband ordered gnocchi with meat sauce. Honestly, I probably would have given a better rating if the sauce was better. Have you ever had greasy tomato sauce? I did tonight. If you do go, maybe try the pizza instead?

    (2)

  • Bryan M.

    Pizza is so damn good that once you start , you can't stop eating it. It's like crack addict pizza :)

    (5)

  • Josh H.

    Just stumbled upon this place when a next door asian fusion restaurant was closed -- at noon on Saturday! I didn't really know what to expect, but I love the feel of the restaurant as soon as I walked in. The local art displayed on the walls was beautiful and really complimented the overall feel. While I didn't try the pizza, I echo comments from previous posters that Pizza Rustica's Caprese salad was the BEST Caprese salad I have ever had. The tomatoes, greens, and mozzarella were all incredibly fresh and the presentation was beautiful. It seemed like it was drizzled with more than olive oil - but whatever it was - it had a little sweetness to it that really brought the whole salad to life. I will definitely be getting salad again.

    (5)

  • Fiona M.

    This place is beyond amazing! From the sincere welcome to the wonderful atmosphere, we were completely blown away!!! The food was incredible and the wine/cocktail list is great too. We went on a Friday night, sat at the bar and had a blast! We will definitely be back. Oh and I heard they are starting brunch - breakfast pizza? Yum! Can't wait to try that!

    (5)

  • Amanda H.

    So I went in here alone for lunch one day. It was pretty dead. The waitress wasn't too friendly, but I ordered a personal size margherita pizza and a Perrier. The waitress was like, "You want a REGULAR one?" Yes, that's what I said. (I bet when you go out to drink you only drink virgin strawberry daiquiris, bitch!) The decoration is a little gaudy. They are trying REALLY hard to make the place look like it's super Italian. Like an Olive Garden or something. Like DIY Olive Garden decor. Anyway, pizza comes out pre-cut on a board. Nice touch. And a glass with ice for the Perrier. Thanks. The crust was very good. Not cracker thin, buttery, and just the right amount of chewy. I wish it had a little more mozzarella and basil. But you really can't complain for the price and quality. At all. Then, for being so dead, the waitress takes forever getting me my check. Then I go to the front to pay the $5 and some change with my debit card. Oops. Amount too low to use a debit card, and I didn't bring cash. If I was thinking, I would have just bought a dessert or something. But the cashier guy said just come back later with a friend and pay it then. How nice! He was really nice and chatty. I had a five at home and I only live a few blocks away so I went and got it for him. He was that nice that I didn't take the free lunch and run. I can see myself coming here often with my own wine for BYOB. I hope they toss the waitress. The end.

    (5)

  • Jack B.

    The good: BYOB with no fee, super yummy complimentary bread when you dine in, really outstanding buttery crust on the pizza, interesting pizzas to choose from, generous portions (one slice will fill you up; a slice plus an appetizer or salad or something will leave you pretty stuffed). The bad: delivery is slow and the food is not as good when you get delivery, have had bad experiences with rude waitstaff, very tiny restaurant that you can't always get into, maybe a teeny bit pricey on the whole (though nothing exorbitant). All in all, I'd go back, though I probably wouldn't get delivery from here again, because it just hasn't turned out well for me in the past. The crust is really, really delicious, though. That's a fact. I've also had gnocchi with arribiata sauce there that was quite good. If you're looking for dinner on that little strip of Sheridan by the El stop, I'd pick Oh Fusion first, then either this place or Tac Quick, depending on my mood. Just FYI.

    (3)

  • Amanda Z.

    I'm a big fan of the pizzas cooked in the wood-fire oven (or whatever they call it!) Hence...I loved Pizza Rustica. Now, I was fortunate enough to have a professional "orderer" take care of the entrees...and she made some excellent decisions. Caprese salad? Wonderful, with the pesto being a refreshing, light touch. Tomatoes aren't exactly in season right now, but the lovely olive oil and heavenly mozzarella, I was a happy girl. We had four different kinds of 'za on our square board...I know one was the potato rosemary (crazy, but surprisingly good), the pinapple ham (always good), the quattro straggioni (I think) and one with olives...that those who know me, know I didn't touch;) I had plenty, and between three of us, we were stuffed with our own wine...for $12 each, including tip. Can't go wrong with that. I'll be back...might even try ordering for myself next time!

    (4)

  • Gareth D.

    Cute, casual, byob, square-cut pizza... was expecting more neopolitan-style, but not a disappointment. Pasta was good and cooked to the right al-dente tenderness as well.

    (4)

  • k e.

    Delicious pizza, really reasonably priced and BYOB. Great spot for a date or a small group of friends.

    (4)

  • Teryn C.

    Good and more inventive pizza then is normally found in Lakeview. Love that it is right around the corner! Friendly and entertaining owner/staff.

    (4)

  • Joy M.

    This is a wonderful place to have the right pizza. Yummy and delicious! If you love pizza you have to come here and check it out. Great place to hang out with friends.

    (4)

  • Jessica B.

    I ordered a Quattro Stagioni (half order) pizza for to go, since that was what my sister claimed to be the best pizza in store. I was disappointed. The crust and the corners of the pizza was simply too dry and hard , I threw them away. It could really use some more cheese as well!

    (2)

  • Danielle R.

    Decent thin crust pizza with reasonable prices; just wish the pizza wasn't so buttery. Afterward it felt like a stick of butter was just sitting in my stomach. As a small neighborhood place I think this would be a great option for carry out. I'm looking forward to trying their pasta.

    (3)

  • Kelly C.

    I have been to Pizza Rustica about 3 or 4 times and the food is always excellent. I also of course love that it is BYOB. This is the perfect place for a double date on a chilly night. Good food, inexpensive, warms the soul.

    (4)

  • Stephanie F.

    Super, super yummy pizza.. and it's BYOB!

    (5)

  • Skylar E.

    I'd say its a nice Italian themed restaurant. The thin crust Garbage pizza was good.

    (3)

  • Denis F.

    This is a rather nice, quaint little Italian restaurant not too horribly far from the Sheridan red line stop. Went there with a chap I was dating at the time, as we wished to go to another Italian restaurant in the area (whose name I forget), but found it horribly full. Thoroughly enjoyed the meal and atmosphere. The waitress was amusing and gave the air of being chatty without actually demanding much time or attention. The wait was rather long, but the cozy feeling was something I enjoyed in a date type scenario, though would probably become perturbed with were I alone. 'twas a weekend, however, so is to be expected. The meal I had would have been the Salsa Rosa Artichoke pasta, and it was quite delicious and filling. Had I known it was BYOB, might have enjoyed the meal a bit more. Was sorely tempted by the Ricotta Cake with Nutella, but was quite full for the evening.

    (4)

  • Ross B.

    I adore this place. An afternoon here with some friends, some pizzas, and some San Pellegrino Limonatas...you're a vespa away from becoming this guy: cinemed.tm.fr/film/image…

    (5)

  • Patrick A.

    Ordered from here about 5 yrs ago and the pizza was OK, but then remembered quickly why its been soo long. Delivery took over an hour and a half and we are about a 10 minute drive from their location. When we called the "owner" was rude and didn't seem to care. The pizza again was ok...probably would have been better if it was hot or even warm. I am done with this place...

    (2)

  • Megan Y.

    My husband and I had just moved into the neighborhood, and my parents were in town to help. They wanted to take us out to eat somewhere nearby. Even though it was Wednesday night, Pizza Rustica looked like a pretty popular place. We didn't realize it was BYOB before we sat down, but we asked the waitress if there was a place to buy wine close by, and she helpfully told us about a store just down the street under the 'L.' My mom and I were able to walk there, buy some wine, and walk back in about five minutes. We ordered the full Quattro Stagioni (Four Seasons) pizza, and between the four of us, even after a reasonably sized salad (I highly recommend the Caprese), we inhaled every slice. The pizza plates are actually little wooden baking peels. Very cute! We probably would've eaten even more if the pizza had been bigger! My mom loved it so much that she even researched how to make it herself! The waitress was very friendly, and didn't mind explaining every dessert on the menu to my mother who wanted the one that had "the most chocolate." In the end, she ordered one of the specials which don't appear on their regular menu. I think they even used more chocolate sauce than usual just for her. Since then, my husband and I have been back a few times. I want to try all of their pizzas, but so far we just love the Patate Rosmarino (Potato Rosemary) and Quattro Stagioni so much that we haven't branched out.

    (5)

  • Juliet C.

    Fabulous, loved it. The pizza was amaizing and so was the lasagna. The salads, too. Great little unassuming place with real Italian feel.

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    I nearly cried when one evening, I wanted to order from Pizza Metro in Wicker Park, but learned that they do not deliver to Lakeview. But fear not, fellow Belmontians - Pizza Metro has a sister restaurant, Pizza Rustica. Pizza Rustica makes a hell of a pie. Very nice, buttery crust (though perhaps could be cooked a bit more), and inventive toppings. To the Pizza Metro devotees out there, yes, Rustica serves the potato rosemary pizza, which is truly fantastic. Delivery is fairly quick, and prices are reasonable. Buon appetito!

    (4)

  • Michael O.

    Went here again and it was even better than I remembered. Pizza so good. Shared some tortellini with cream sauce, also very good. Bring a bottle of wine, a friend, and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    Why the great review? . Ordered delivery last night,live 5 blocks away.over an hour, spinach salad not more than a small handful of drenched spinach. Looked ridiculous in pan just barely 1 layer on bottom. No bread with salad as advertised, did driver eat on way?. 5 blocks away,over an hour for cold pizza, no way.

    (1)

  • Laura S.

    Okay, I used to love this place. The pizza was so delicious, it's BYOB, the salad are pretty good, it's affordable, etc. HOWEVER, recently after eating here I became violently ill a few hours later. At the time I attributed it to the excessive BYOB-induced red wine consumption, but then I went back a few weeks later and felt sick after eating again so I think the pizza played a part. Oh, and we saw a cockroach trot across the floor. Gross.

    (2)

  • Lloyd T.

    Went here once seeking an alternative pizza place in Lakeview. Here goes: CRUST: interesting. bready. reminded me of Mother Bear's pizza in Bloomington, IN (for anyone who went to IU). Not bad, though not the crispy thin crust we were expecting. TOPPING: we ordered green pepper, sausage and cheese. The cheese seemed generous but extremely stingy with the pepper and sausage. What gives? The large pizza was ginormous, so a good value, and I took more than half home, but the lack of toppings made it sort of bland after the fact. APPS: had one of the salads which was really terrific. A little heavy on the tasty dressing so I would maybe ask for them to go light next time (something that is not a bad idea pretty much anywhere you go -- what's with places completely drenching a salad in oil?). SERVICE: very friendly and we enjoyed the BYOB aspect. Looking forward to returning and trying one of the pasta dishes.

    (3)

  • erin k.

    My opinion of this restaurant may be clouded by the fact that it was a beautiful night for a walk and the hell-of-a-fella that walked there with me, but I'm pretty sure I just had the best pizza I've ever had. We started with the rustica salad which consisted of spinach, goat cheese, and artichokes with balsamic vinaigrette, then we ordered pizza by the slice so that we could try several varieties - each one was more impressive than the last. Extra points awarded for BYOB and very good espresso at the end of the meal. We've resolved to become regulars.

    (5)

  • Karen A.

    This sweet little hole in the wall right near the the Sheridan Red line stop is great for Ventian style pizzas and paninis. The paninis are great, just like the ones I ate daily when living in Venice...simple and fresh. My favorite is the San Daniele panini- fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, lettuce , tomato. Yum. The Quattro Stagioni pizza is as good as any I had in Venice..tomato, artichoke, mushroom and ham. Delish. The pasta I've had there are good too, but I like the pizza and sandwiches best. Its a tiny place, which is good and bad, depending on when you go. Also they have delivery...whoo-hoo!

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Unfortunately, it's small enough that one table of drunken idiots can really ruin the atmosphere for everybody, but that's pretty much the only bad thing I can say about it. I'll definitely be going back for the fantastic food and outdoor seating.

    (4)

  • A C.

    The crust is EXQUISITE! It melts in your mouth and the flavors and the cheese and the sauce all meld together harmoniously to really bring out the flavor of each bite. Docked it a star because the pasta is fairly standard for an Italian place, nothing great. Cutest pizza place I've been to, definitely a date night place (note to families: don't bring your kids please. The place is cramped and you will annoy other customers. Opt for delivery instead).

    (4)

  • Kelly L.

    This place gets a 4 for the food. Excellent pizza, generous portions (a half will fill you up with leftovers) and the wine list seems reasonably priced, to my mind. Unfortunately, I do have to add a caveat. The service if you are sitting at the tables near the bar, can be really really slow. I think we had crappy luck, as our waitress was also the bartender both times we went. The first time we went there it was in the first week or so of opening, and we actually never got our food. Nice bottle of wine and some bread when we pleaded with the wait staff, but the food never came. We left after about an hour and a half. It was really busy that night but still....I like eating when I go out for dinner. The second time we came (and yes the pizza brought us back) the service was quicker but you had to ask to get bread, and we were almost ready to leave when the pizza finally came. Add to that the howling bunch of women at the bar who were busy screaming about boyfriends, and well, takeout might have been a better option. So by all means try this place, DON'T sit at the high tables near the bar, and perhaps try and go on a weekday.

    (4)

  • ShelleyandBrian B.

    We stumbled upon this place because it is close to our house but away from Wrigley Field (which we try to avoid during game days). Amazing pizza, out of this world pasta specials, and it is BYOB. The crust on the pizza is to die for and all of the combinations have been great. We have had three pasta specials (all with a tomato cream sauce) and all have been delicious. My boyfriend had the gnocchi and loved it. I could barely steal a bite to try because he wanted to eat it all. We also did pickup here which was tasty as well. But, for some reason it just taste better in the small, loud dining area.

    (4)

  • Alexander F.

    I have dreams about this pizza, its so delicious. The caprese salad is amazing. It's BYOB, and they have decent stemware for wine. What's not to like?

    (5)

  • Nicole C.

    I'm a huge fan of Pizza Rustica - they have great pizza, pasta, and salads. The crust on the pizza is some of the best I've tasted, it reminds me a bit of cornbread. The thickness is also a nice change from the more popular thin crust or deep dish. My favorite is the margharita with prosciutto. The gnocchi is also good and you can choose which sauce you like best (pomodoro, salsa rosa, bolognese, arrabbiata, alfredo, or quattro formaggio). The caprese salad is always fresh and good. :)

    (4)

  • ann d.

    there are several of us who agree that Pizza Rustica pizzas are the best in town and a good value as well. however, we ordered one for delivery the other night, and the basil was completely absent! the tomatoes that were on there were so scarce we could easily count about 12 tiny chunks. when we called to express our concern (20 minutes before their closing time) the phone rang and rang and was never answered. SO. Have a pizza from Pizza Rustica, but either don't get it delivered or inspect it carefully before the delivery guy leaves.

    (3)

  • allyn h.

    Had lunch at Pizza Rustica today! Pizza was fantastic! They also gave my 9 month old a Pizza Rustica baseball cap! The staff was great and so nice! I love this place! You can't miss this spot for great food!!!

    (5)

  • Crystal C.

    We eat at Pizza Rustica a few times a month (probably more). We used to enjoy pizza from the old location - it was smaller and BYOB. Since they've reopened and expanded their menu we've enjoyed it even more. It's so cozy and it's our neighorhood gem. We still get pizza but love the pasta and salads too. It's our go-to when we have out-of-town guests and everyone has loved it. It's nice to have a family-owned restuarant to support. We refuse to eat at chain restaurants and with places like this in Lakeview, we don't have to. I suggest the Tutto pizza to share for starters, any of the pastas (I usually get whatever the special is), the salads are great for sharing. Great for a casual date or out with friends. It's a small restaurant, so you won't get a buzzer and you may not get seated within a minute of what you were quoted. You may just have to grab a drink at the bar until your table is ready.

    (5)

  • Liz W.

    Love this place. My boyfriend lives across the street so he orders take-out all the time. He likes the pasta but I'm committed to their pizza. Delicious, delicious, delicious. The owner is friendly and nice and we never have to wait more than a few minutes for our take-out order. Check this place out - I think you'll find it's just as good, if not better, than any other place in Lakeview/Uptown (including Spacca Napoli)

    (4)

  • Lee W.

    Pizza was great -- delivery came in 15 minutes. Salad was good too. Too good to be true? YES, because I FOUND A COCKROACH IN MY SALAD.

    (1)

  • James M.

    They do a great buttery crust Venetian style pizza - expect greasy squares and a flakey, buttery, slightly chewy crust. The potato & rosemary is a favorite. BYOB so I can bring my favorite beers, but I prefer this place for take out or delivery.

    (4)

  • A T.

    Yum. We tried Pizza Rustica for the first time last night and it was so good - I had dreams about the leftovers in my fridge. We ordered the Tutta - we got a whole but a half would have been sufficient for two. From the first bite - with the buttery goodness of the crust, combined with the subtle flavor of the sauce - I was hooked. It is now my goal in life to do whatever I can to keep this place in business.

    (5)

  • Jamie J.

    I've had really good luck with this place in the past - fast delivery, good fresh pizza. But the last time I ordered, I was underwhelmed. We ordered the pezzetti salad - spinach with bacon vinaigrette? Yes please. But beware, this salad tasted like it had a cup of salt on it. I like my food well seasoned but this was OVER seasoned. We also got a Margherita pizza - they told us it would be $2 extra because of the shortage on tomatoes. I would have been ok with this if there had actually been tomato on the pizza. It was almost non-existent. I hate to say it, but I might have to look elsewhere for my next pizza fix.

    (2)

  • Joel S.

    Sought refuge from a rained out Cubs game at one of my old favorites this week - Pizza Rustica. Even though I missed out on one of the best parts because I didn't BYO because the sideways rain prevented a trip to the liquor store across the street, I still really enjoyed the pizza. If I'm having thin crust, Pizza Rustica is a very similar thickness and taste to Pizza Metro, I Monelli and Pizza D.O.C. (D.O.C.'s pie is slightly thinner). All of these places are tops for Italian pizza, and Rustica does not disappoint even in that company. Also, their caprese salad is always fresh and delicious.

    (4)

  • Scott V.

    Not the usual garden-variety Chicago pizza, but excellent in its own way. The crust is buttery and the toppings are flavorful. I have only tried Pizza Rustica for carry-out. The crusts are pre-baked, so the pizza is finished quickly. For dining in, the ambiance leaves a little to be desired, but there always seems to be a crowd. So, that's a good thing.

    (4)

  • Cristina G.

    We got a salad and a margherita pizza. Of course I cannot remember the salad, but the pizza was amazing! Really really good, if you live around there go try it!

    (4)

  • Debbie K.

    Mmm Pizza Rustica. I can only review the pizza because I love it so much and haven't ventured out to other entrees. All in all, this family owned place pumps out pizza that tastes like it came straight out of Rome. BYOB. Ingredients are fresh and plentiful. The crust is absolutely delicious. My favorite combo is red pepper and garlic. A little pricey for pizza but totally worth it.

    (5)

  • Allen R.

    We purchased two medium pizzas: Patate Rosmarino (potato rosemary) and Tutta Pizza (sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onion, black olives, and blue cheese). We were told it'd be there in an hour, but it came in only a half-hour! The pizza arrived in one box, so I was originally worried that they had forgotten one of them, but then we saw that they had made one large rectangular pizza with half of it as the rosemary pizza, and the other half as the meat one. Both were very yummy!

    (4)

  • A R.

    Everything about this place is fabulous. I've eaten here probably 20 times , and I keep going back because I know that I will always have an amazing meal. Great date spot, great place to go with your girlfriends or guys to go with their guy friends. I always get the burrata appetizer and salmon entree when its on special...so so good!!! The pizza is amazing, the lasagna is awesome, the pasta is always great. You can tell the staff loves to work there because they are all so accommodating and happy and super sweet. Absolutely recommend it.

    (5)

  • kevin k.

    Best slice of pizza in town! I've tried them all in the Lakeview area and this where I return. Rustica's slice is a nice size, and cooked fresh. It's not like the pizzerias that have precooked pizzas and throw your topping on it and zap it. Iit has a light buttery-flaked flat crust. Awesome pizza for a change of pace from deep dish. Now, for the restaurant. Overall, I enjoy it. I like that' the owner it right there cooking along with his family and friends from Italy for the season working here. The seating is tight and the service is personable (a nice way os saying it's slow?). Don't attempt the Italian sodas - no money back guarantee! My girlfriend and I really enjoy their nightly pasta specials. Food is great, but like I always say, how can you really screw-up pasta? By the way, we ordered a large pizza as an appetizer once for a party and everyone wanted the name of the place. You really can't go wrong here unless you are in a hurry.

    (5)

  • Phil T.

    Mmmmmmmmmmm......Butter crust!!!!!!! My fav pizza located in the chi! Ok do I need to say anything else than, delicious butter crust?!? I feel like Homer Simpson w/ drool coming down. Well anyways the pizza speaks for it own here. I ordered the Verdure Grigliate pizza and the special trick is to order the pizza well done. Shhhhhhh! Its our lil secret!! ;) Ok back to the food. The pizza was superb and my friend got the arrabbiata pasta w/ sausage. And this was also a really good call. We ended up splitting our dishes and got the best of both worlds! I would highly recommend doing the same. Also recommend the outside eating area, if weather is permitting and its not during a cubs night game. Overall, this is a must go to for pizza if you are in the chi! You can thank me later!! :)

    (5)

  • J J.

    From a pizza fan: pretty good. It's really too hard to compare pizza opinions - some like it thin, some like it cheesy. This was crispy, thin, and pretty flavorful.

    (4)

  • Jim O.

    Great little italian place just steps from the Sheridan Red Line Stop. They have a variety of entrees as well as different sizes of their popular pizza. I had a bowl of the Minestone Soup and split a pizza with two friends. Soup was good but the pizza was great. great combination of cheese sauce and meats & the crust was amazing. Definatly will be making a stop of two a Pizza Rustica again. BYOB!!!

    (5)

  • Grant M.

    Poor customer service. I placed a delivery order and while I was within their delivery zone I was told that they were too busy to deliver to me. I wont be eating here again or recommending this establishment to anyone. There are too many restaurant options in Chicago to eat at a restaurant with poor customer service.

    (1)

  • Rusty S.

    This pizza rules! The crust is flaky and buttery, the sauce is tangy and the pizza toppings are delicious (grilled vegetables, potato rosemary, marguarita, and my favorite, the green olive pizza). I came here with a big party, we called ahead and they had our table set with water! The beautiful man was running the place by himself and kept us satisfied, we ordered three pizzas and divided the pizzas in half so that each side of our large table would be able to enjoy it.

    (5)

  • Leonardo G.

    Pizza Rustica is quaint Italian restaurant in Wrigleyville. They've got all the standards and they do them quite well. I highly recommend their Caprese salad to start, followed by a Margherita pizza for the table and then various pasta and panini dishes. Personal favorites include the Gnocchi in their Salsa Rosa and the Trezzo, their version of a meatball sub, with a generous helping of melted mozzarella. The waitstaff is tres cute and nice, there's outdoor seating (seasonal) and I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this yet, but it's BYOB - which is nice.

    (5)

  • Meredith H.

    great experience this past saturday night. i yelped around to find a good place for my parents, boyfriend, and i to check out. wanted byob, a short cab ride from east lakeview, and no sushi. we had reservations and waited about 5 minutes while they "made" us a table. that means that they found an extra table and two chairs from the freezing back patio and brought them in to turn a 2top into a 4top. whatever, we had seats. our waitress brought glasses for our framboise lambic (my mom tried it and loved it) and an opener for dad and bf's beers. she was pleasant and answered my questions about pizza portion size. we ordered 2 salads to share - ceasar and the spinach/goat cheese one. our waitress split them for us, which was a nice touch. we ordered 2 halves of pizza, one margherita, one garbage. two opposites, but nice to alternate slices when eating. the food came out promptly and was tasty, the service was very good as well. dad paid and said that it was "very reasonable". (this coming from a man who enjoys eating at our local bar where a double cheeseburger & sweet potato fries will cost you under $5. i should yelp that place!!!) good food, good price, good company. i'll be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Foodie A.

    We decided to try this place after a disappointing night at Katachi next door. I thought the atmosphere was warm. Servers are nice and accomodating. We ordered pizza, which I thought was ok. The half size and price was great! We had panna cotta x 2 for dessert. Unbelievable taste! Small portion though. Not worth the price. Note: If you decided you don't like something like a beverage and try to get a new one... you will get charge for both. Unlike other restaurants I have visited... And examine your checks, prices may not reflect the menu.

    (2)

  • Desiree K.

    We set up shop at one of the four-seaters in the patio, arranging a six-pack of Mothership Wit (USDA-certified organic, by Fat Tire brewer New Belgium) and five bottles of Goose strategically to allow room for a lot of Venetian-style pizza. At first we weren't sure if our waitress was taking a siesta break or what, since we sat there drinking beer for about 40 minutes before I went in to tell her we were ready to order. (She only truly snapped out of it when Maria poked her in the butt to ask for some water.) But it was a buona sera and perfect for sidewalk sitting, so we patiently awaited the gondola that will take us through the tunnel of love to the piazza of pizza pizzazz. Beth, Maria and I each ordered half a pizza (pizzas came in rectangles and cut into squares) -- the pasta entrees sounded magnificent, but it is Pizzapalooza, not Pastapalooza. Beth ordered the Papate Rosmarino (thinly sliced potatoes seasoned with rosemary) and you must be thinking, potatoes on pizza? Where is Dr. Atkins? But Beth took one bite and sighed, "That's amore," and thank god for polygamy when it comes to pizza, because we all stole one bite of it as well and also muttered sweet nothings in the same breath. I ordered the Quattro Stagioni (tomatoes, artichoke, mushrooms and ham), which means four seasons. I was excited about all types of seasons, particularly the Cubs' winning one so far, but currently the aroma of freshly baked goodness was the wildcard leader. And for the evening's "when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie" moment, Maria's Tutta Pizza (sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, black olives and blue cheese) -- or garbage pizza. The thing was a honking slab of everything that could make a pizza taste good; it looked like a pile of compost, but my mom always said to never judge a pizza by its toppings. The pizzas were served in an unusual fashion -- Beth's pizza came stag on a wooden paddle, while Maria's and mine arrived side by side on a larger plastic tray (what, they ran out of wood?). We were given little wooden paddles as plates, with a piece of tracing paper to blot off the grease. Grease. It's the word. These pizzas were tasty, and I don't believe I've ever had pizza where the crust tasted like a cross between fillo pastry, biscuit and baked dough. It was crispy, but it almost tasted fried because it was so buttery (being a crust fan, I'm that person who grabs all the end pieces for the crisp). The pizzas were also cheesy, resembling the American method of pizza prep, but not over-indulgent, so other toppings such as artichoke, mushrooms, ham, black olives, potatoes and rosemary still hogged the spotlight. So I must say, a little over the top for me, but I can't really complain about the investment in the good stuff, since the overall taste was not compromised. Although my caloric intake for the day was. Here's a good way of looking at it: if I was eating a garbage pizza from Giordano's, I would be throwing up in the trash after two slices. Since we'd already gone too far, there was no meeting halfway when it came to dessert. We ordered the tiramisu (an Italian must, a Pizza Rustica bust), the panna cotta (looked like a slab of undercooked tofu, tasted like paradiso), and the special, a cake layered with marmalade and topped off with chocolate (orange you full already?). Together with the Cubs leading 7-1 in the late innings at Busch Stadium, it was a sweet ending to a savoury evening... particularly since dinner came out to just $18 per person, including tip.

    (3)

  • Jack L.

    This is the first time I have ever written any sort of review however I had to get this one out there. I have always heard good things about Pizza Rustica and was excited to try it out since it is so close to my place. Me and a couple of my buddies went there last weekend and as we were standing in the back by the kitchen waiting for our table we saw a Giant Rat climb down the stove and walk off into the kitchen. It was obviously enough to make us leave immediately. To think that a rat is comfortable enough there to come out when it is completely packed with people makes me wonder what they do in there at night when no one is in there. I will never go back there.

    (1)

  • Trina B.

    Square, bready, disappointment. Sparse toppings and no resemblance of "wood fire" pizza from what was delivered at our door. PLEASE, someone who knows New York, wood fire pizza...tell us where to go in this city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (1)

  • Emily O.

    This is a cute, byob, authentic Italian restaurant in the Lakeview. It's really small but worth the wait. I will say the service is a bit slow, but we went on a busy Friday night. It's owned by an Italian family & they are running around working their butts off. So I give them credit. The pizza is delish & so are the salads.... Just plan on taking your time or you may grow a bit impatient. Its a great local spot. Try it out.

    (3)

  • ann p.

    We dined here at the suggestion of a friend. They do not take reservations, so our group of six waited for more than 30 minutes to be seated at a bar facing the kitchen. Though the seating arrangement was not conducive to group conversation, we did enjoy the wonderful performance of three chefs hard at work in the open kitchen. Several interesting specials were offered, as well as their regular menu of salads, sandwiches, pasta, and pizza. They also offer an extensive beer and wine selection. The waitress informed us that they were not taking sandwich orders at that time, so we all chose pasta dishes, which were good but not extraordinary. One platter of pasta was noticeably undercooked. Beware: they charge an extra dollar for their "Fresh Papardelle", which we directly observed to be a commercially packaged dry pasta. The server was friendly, but somewhat slow. Prices were reasonable. Overall a nice experience, but not a place that we would put on our "must go back soon" list.

    (3)

  • Ryan R.

    Probably would give more a 3.5 if I could. The BYOB option is fantastic, not too many italian/pizza joints that are BYOB on the north side. The pizza was good but not great. The crust is a little thicker style of thin crust and buttery and delicious. However, I found the sauce to be a bit bland and not quite enough for my liking. Toppings were generous. I've definitely had better wood-fired pizza in the area at the Spacca, Sapore, and Pizza DOC. Also split a pumpkin ravioli which was a special. The pasta itself was good but the sauce, which was like an olive oil with some cinnamon in there, could've been a lot better. All in all I would go back but wouldn't go running.

    (3)

  • Kate B.

    If you want a delicious italiam meal, this is the place to go! It's a small restaurant so be prepared for that but I cannot prepare you for the amazing cuisine. I have never been let down by any of the meals I have ordered. When I first discovered Pizza Rustica, I went 3 weekends in a row. I highly recommend it. and don't forget, it's BYOB! even better!!

    (5)

  • Joshua M.

    Hmph. We used to be able to get them to deliver to our work, but now all of a sudden delivery doesn't start until after 5pm? What gives? The pasta here which is all I've ever had, has been good and consistant albeit a little pricey.

    (4)

  • Mateo S.

    Outstanding pizza, so long as you're in the mood for thin crust. One pizza is more than enough to feed a hungry table. If I could not it again I wouldn't bother to fill up first with anything else on the menu... it's all fine but nothing to write home about, just your basic list of Caesar Salad, caprese salad, mixed greens, etc. When I went it was BYOB (I don't know if that's still the case), so stop in the creepy little liquor store under the el tracks and grab a couple bottles before you go!

    (4)

  • Will F.

    A nice, small Italian place. It's BYOB and there's a liquor store right across the street (by Sheridan red line). It does get crowded; I recommend going there w/ no more than 3 other people (party of 4), and it's even better if it's just you and a date. The restaurant is family-owned and the waitresses are friendly. Oh, and the food is fantastic.

    (5)

  • Jen H.

    I love this pizza. It's a thin very buttery crust that is delicious. On top of that, it is BYOB!

    (5)

  • Jeff P.

    Great place. The food is consistent, owner is cool and the coffee is the best I have ever tasted.

    (5)

  • Michael G.

    I think the pizza is fantastic!

    (5)

  • E J.

    Some girlfriends and I went to this little Italian/Pizza place on a Friday night in September. I guess you could call it a hidden gem. We ordered several appetizers, pastas and pizzas and ate family style. The food was solid, the prices were reasonable and it's BYOB. Our server was sweet and very attentive despite not speaking English very well. The interior decor is no frills but they also have a sidewalk patio. Go there. You won't be disappointed. One other thing... dessert... you must try it! Yum.

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    Admittedly, the pizza is tasty but not best in class. The pasta dishes (and pasta specials) can be erratic in their quality- ranging from average to subpar. If you order one of the pasta dishes from the standing menu, be prepared to be disappointed. Seriously, you should not be able to taste the roux in an alfredo sauce. Actually I don't know if you are even supposed to include this in an alfredo sauce. In any case, these items are to be avoided. I honestly don't know why people think this place is worthy of multiple visits.

    (2)

  • Duff B.

    The whole neapolitan pizza craze or whatever it's called isn't really my thing, but this is about the best version of it I've tried. Tiny joint but cool location on Sheridan, you can get a lot of pizza for the buck and feed an army if you like. The amount of doneness often varies on an individual pizza, but that's a small quibble in my book. Very tasty.

    (4)

  • Wendy V.

    Don't just think it's a pizza joint--try the pasta! We go there all the time when we hanker for authentic Italian; spaghetti with crabmeat is fantastic. We took a big group there for a birthday and they were ALL converts and are regulars. The pizza is very flaky and excellent thin crust style. Again, try the pasta, you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Peggy S.

    This is my favorite pizza place and my favorite restaurant in Chicago. I go at least once a week and on opening week of their new location, I was there three times because I missed their pizza so much while they were closed for the move. I've been a customer of Pizza Rustica for many years. It's my neighborhood spot where a good friend and I go to catch up and chit chat over a bottle of wine and great food. And it's the place I take pretty much everyone I know after they get tired of hearing about how much I love this little spot called Pizza Rustica. Everyone that I've taken there has ended up loving the place too. I go in there so often that the hostess greets me with a hug. The staff knows our "regular" order: a half margherita pizza, a rustica salad with blue cheese instead of goat cheese, and penne pasta with salsa rosa sauce. My friend and I share everything. Sometimes we get tiramisu. Every bit of the meal is absolutely divine. The staff are wonderful people - really nice and great at customer service. The Italian accents add a feeling of being in Italy where good food and long conversations are valued highly and life doesn't seem as rushed and frantic as it does in Chicago. Pizza Rustica treats their customers like family or good friends. They were able to relocate to a bigger location because they have great food and great customer service and that made them successful enough to move to a larger space. The new space is a lot more complex to manage than the small spot they used to have. I see the complaints on this site about their customer service and it saddens me. I know the staff well and they've been delivering awesome customer service for many years, week in and week out. They are learning how to manage their new space and I have no doubt they will master it and get into a groove in just a bit more time. I had to write a review because I adore Pizza Rustica and they're not the horrible place at all that some people are writing it up to be. They're just on a learning curve. My advice is to go in on a night when you aren't in a rush. Relax, enjoy some wine, enjoy your company, and have some great food. If it takes a little longer than anticipated, so be it - enjoy the extra time with whomever you came with. If you think that's a hassle, then just hold off for a few weeks and I'm sure Pizza Rustica will have their system down soon at the new location. Apri il vino e buon appetito! Open the wine and have a good meal!

    (5)

  • Carly B.

    Pizza Rustico is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city and not just because it is conveniently located by my apartment. Their thin pizzas are too die fo r and cheap! My favorite is the Margarita, but be careful because they are addictive. If you are craving pasta, I recommend the fettuccini alfredo. The only complaint I have is the slow service and inattentive staff. I've sat for at least 40 minutes after I was finished eating just waiting for the waiter to bring over our check. Otherwise, it is cute and cozy inside- just be prepared to wait for a table on weekend nights!

    (4)

  • MarBear F.

    Had to give it one more star - finally had the pasta...and it is amazing! My husband and I have our master plan down now - split a pasta as an appetizer, order a large pizza and take what's left home for some tasty leftovers. Delicioso!

    (5)

  • Robin S.

    I was excited when pizza rustica moved to a large restaurant. I ate lunch there on Friday with two of my friends. Our waitress was nice but we waited 15 minutes for our bellini's. Our food was terrible. The sandwiches and salad was terrible. The chicken on the cesar salad was not edible and the waitress only discounted the chicken part on the salad, not the entire salad. I guess you have to order pizza. Very disappointed. Get your act together.

    (1)

  • James C.

    Pizza Rustica is right around the corner from me.. I was very excited to try this place. It's the first place my GF and I tried when we moved in. We had the vegi pizza. It was really good! I am not normally a vegi type of guy. I like my pizza with a wide variety of animals. This vegi I would eat again! We tried the rosemary/potatoes pizza.. It was pretty bland and just tasted like a slab of potatoes on crust. Boo! My g/f is out of town so I got a pepperoni to watch the bears game. I was kinda disappointed again. It reminded me of this old school frozen pizza I had as a kid. Can't remember the name but this pizza should be better then that! I ordered carryout and the lady said come in 10 minutes. They must have had pizza's ready to go or something because 10 minutes? It was not as crunchy and a little eh! So from a fellow who enjoys the Chicago style sausage pizzas..get the vegi pizza, its pretty good!

    (3)

  • Eric W.

    This is my favorite pizza place in the city, maybe even the world (what? I get around!). I'm not a big fan of typical Chicago style pizzas, eating pizza with a fork has always felt wrong to me. Pizza Rustica's is square, medium thick, with a buttery delicious crust. I've had some of the pasta dishes as well, they are quite good. My friend had a Caesar salad and liked it. Haven't tried the desserts, I'm more of a coffee after a meal eater. Did the delivery one time, it was fast, although the crust was a little over crisp (had to have at least one negative!). It was for a group of Patty's revelers though, so no one complained, drunks usually don't (except that one girl, dude, what's up with her?) There are coupons on the website, haven't used one, but there they are. It also recommends putting the pizza in the oven for a bit at 350 to, um, re-butterize the crust I guess? BYOB is always cool, I don't mind paying for my drinks but getting to choose from a liquor store selection based on my mood is much nicer. And cheaper! I finished with an espresso during my last visit, it was good, although I don't consider myself an expert. The staff is really friendly (and mostly actual Italians, not American-Italian or Italian-American or whatever people are using these days. My book writes like this: speak the language or don't claim the heritage). The owner Stefano is super friendly. He told me his Mom came for a visit once and they cooked at the restaurant together, how sweet is that? The location is perfect in my book. Right off the Red Line at Sheridan on a quieter street. Simple decor without trying too hard. Painting for purchase on the walls (the website will tell you about the featured artist, oh, and nice website). Clean restrooms, covered outdoor seating. Hasn't been busy when I've been there, but never been during the typical busy times. Something negative to balance the review, hmmmm.......I once walked into a tree trying to hail a cab after leaving here. Headache for the rest of the night. I'll accept responsibility for looking backwards while walking forwards on a poorly lit street, but I will blame the cabbie with the numbers lit carrying customers. If not for him I would have caught a cab right out front. But seriousmheaw, I guess the crispy crust on the delivery and the corkage fee (albeit a standard practice) All in all, I think other reviewers have been unfair, this restaurant is at least a four. It's a five in my book and is currently the Undisputed Champion of My Favorite Restaurants.

    (5)

  • c g.

    I'm a big fan of pizza--thin crust, deep dish, you name it. It's nearly the perfect food, if you ask me. I have to say, though, that the pizza here is really amazing! It starts with their crust, which is crispy and decadent--I probably could just eat that with nothing on it. Luckily, I don't have to do that. I've visited this place a few times now and have had a chance to try several of the pizzas on the menu. The Tutta and the Potato-Rosemary are my favorites, but all of the ones I've tried are really good. The pizzas come to the table served on wood cutting boards--a nice touch. I should mention that this isn't just a pizza joint--they do have a full menu with nice entrees, apps, and desserts, as well. Also, they are a BYOB place, so don't forget to show up with a bottle of nice wine, too.

    (4)

  • Stephanie K.

    YUM! The buttery crust is a perfect complement to the toppings of your choice. I chose half sausage, half green olives. And it was tasty!! Also, their delivery is right on time - if not early. I phoned in my order from downtown, and they arrived at my place in Lakeview before I did!

    (4)

  • Sonia C.

    Good quality to price ratio. Came here with a few friends and tried almost every aspect of their menu: 1) Salads - average, nothing to really complain about or give praise to. 2) Garlic bread w/cheese - not very good. I prefer my garlic bread slathered in butter but this version was butter-less and consisted of just minced garlic and cheese on white bread. 3) Pizza - Potato pizza was pretty amazing, especially to me because I love carb on carb combinations (like pasta and fries!). Very well seasoned potatoes on a nice crust. However, the pizza margherita wasn't very good because it was way too oily. At $3 a slice, we could have afforded to try a few more. 4) Pasta - I had their special pasta which was made up of tuna & capers on papardelle. The tuna wasn't awesome since the chunks were quite small and they were also thoroughly cooked (I like my tuna pink). All my friends ordered some version of papardelle as well since we're all suckers for homemade pasta. The cream sauce looked like a heart attack prescription but my friends seemed to really like it. Service was good though a little slow due to the busyness. I was very cold during my meal because the restaurant's so small that every one would shiver when someone opened the door. I would come again, but probably only in the late spring or summer.

    (3)

  • Jessica C.

    Awesome, AWESOME non-Chicago-style pizza (and I do love Chicago pizza). My favorites are the four seasons, rosemary potato and the tutta. Crust is lovely, buttery and crisp. Not normally a fan of ricotta, but the ricotta cheesecake is EXCELLENT. Panna cotta is also nice, though a bit stiff, in my opinion, for panna cotta. The friendly, heavily accented Italian manager stopped by our table to chat, told us how he was recruited by the owner of Pizza Metro (sister restaurant) to leave Rome to start up Pizza Rustica. He boasted that they serve authentic "Roman-style" pizza. Never been to Rome, so can't corroborate that culinary claim, but these pies are truly mouth-watering. Do NOT miss this spot. I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Theresa C.

    So, I love BYOB, and I love pizza, and I liked the salads and the pasta I tried. I feel like I might get stoned for this review but I gotta do it. The pizza is decent, and cheap. I even liked the rosemary potato, which I've also had at Piece and PizzaMetro and not liked. My issue was with the fact that the tables are too small for the food they serve you. I was with a large group and there was no room for a large pizza and our plates on the table. It was awkward and annoying. Honestly, I would put up with all of that for the quality of food and the price, but the reason I can't give more than 3 stars is the amount of dry crusted food that was on my fork when I was seated and the grime on my friends wine glass. It was just plain dirty. And now, I'm not a priss, a little grime never hurt anyone, but the serious dirtiness of my fork was really off putting. The service was kind of slow considering we were the only people inside on a quiet Monday night. I was pretty disappointed and probably won't make trips so far north for something so "eh".

    (3)

  • Barbara D.

    This is my favorite cheap Italian restaurant in this city. I only get delivery from here but the place looks really small inside, so probably not your place for a sit down romantic dinner. Here's the run-down: After my trip to Italy, I searched and searched this city for a similar ORANGE sauce for my spaghetti and after years of searching...I found it here. The Salsa Rosa sauce is the closest thing out there and I love it. The best part about this place is that you can mix and match your pasta & sauces. I've had them all except the alfredo (not a fan). Their sauces include a good basic sauce (pomodoro), a good meat sauce (bolognese) and an awesome spicy red sauce (arrabbiata), which is my second favorite. So go penne and this or papardelle and that...I have yet to get a bad mix. I've also had the meat tortellini and the artichoke ravioli and they are both delicious..esp the ravioli. Add meatballs to anything...yummy. The sausage is not the best, they cut it up into little tiny squares so I skip that. Also, not a fan of the salads. However, their pizza is pretty good. I've had the Quattro stagioni (tomatoes, ham, mushrooms and artichoke) and enjoyed it. The ham was top notch. I also had the Trezzo Meatball Panini and I usually am not a fan of paninis but because I like this place so much I figured I'll give it a try..and yuppee, it did not let me down. As for dessert... have the Panna Cotta...to die for...Italian style baked cream drizzled with caramel sauce. The tiramisu and torta di ricotta are so/so.

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    The Pizza at Pizza Rustica is just fabulous. I have to emphasize the pizza...the other menu items are good, but not great. Not sure why I ever tried anything else. Their pizza comes in a square, its crust (best part) is light, delicious, buttery and crispy and the choice of toppings is quite extensive. I enjoyed one with sausage, garlic and fresh tomatos. A half order is plenty for two people. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Mitchell P.

    The pizza is what you need to have if you come here. Like others have said, the other items are good, but the pizza is great. Lots of fresh toppings to choose from. On a busy night, service can be a little slow, so have some patience prepared before you head here. The food is worth the wait.

    (4)

  • John S.

    I cannot say enough good things about this place. Fantastic fresh food with great service. Definitely one of my top 3 favorite pizzas. But don't just go there for the pizza. Their daily specials and their pastas are always top notch. It is always crowded on weekends so don't expect to sit anytime when you arrive on Friday/Saturday and there is little to no place for waiting. Prices are very good, especially for the specials and pastas. The pizza is on the mid-high end, but once again- so worth it.

    (5)

  • Kitty H.

    Yummy, y ummy pizza with to-die-for crust. We got a half-pizza, caprese, and bYOB for under 30 dollars. A great value. The service was a little slow when we were there, but they were really busy. Next time, I think I'll just order the pizza for delivery.

    (4)

  • Mark W.

    I've lived a short distance from Pizza Rustica for some time, but always forgot about this little pocket of tucked-away restaurants (including Rick's and Tac Quick) when picking a place to eat. Finally pulled the trigger, and boy am I glad we tried it. The place is small (with little wiggle room for larger parties) with outdoor seating and warm decor. The menu offers simple pastas and thin pizzas, both of which are excellent. The pizza can be ordered in a variety of sizes- chances are, the portion you order will be too much. The prices are extremely affordable. Pizza can be ordered in smaller portions for as little as a couple bucks... and as stated above... the 'little' portion isn't even all that little. Lots of pasta options for well under 10, though what you're getting would typically be worth more than that at any comparable restaurant. BYOB only adds to the value (if i recall, a small corkage fee). Service has been okay. This place is a little gem. (Note: it is on Sheridan, but everytime I've met guests there, they have gotten lost as it is admittedly a little confusing. Sheridan cuts over from the lake and takes over where Sheffield is, and runs north there. So you can find this restaurant just south of Irving park at the 'el' station, or if you continue north from sheffield and addison.)

    (4)

  • Gail G.

    My husband and I frequent this BYOB neighborhood spot and love it! The service and the food are fantastic. The atmosphere is charming, comfortable and honest. I love the Potato Rosemary pizzas and the nightly specials. Last, but not least, the Americanos are the best I've ever had!

    (5)

  • andrea r.

    Really yummy pizza at a price that cannot be beaten! The ambience is nothing special, but if you live in the neighborhood or are in the neighborhood for something else and want some really good pizza you should check this place out for sure! Update: the portions seem to have been reduced.

    (4)

  • Eliza M.

    I have been searching for my favorite pizza in the City for 5 years and have finally found it. This pizza really is awesome and reasonably priced. I'm sure it's not very healthy but who cares. Just wish the restaurant was bigger inside and had better ambiance.

    (4)

  • Steve T.

    Very good pizza, definitely recommend it, fresh ingredients and unique thin crust.

    (4)

  • Phil P.

    Great place to have a relaxed authentic italian meal. Whether pasta or the pizza everything taste homeade and delicious. On top of that with BYOB you can't go wrong. Often crowded but one can't go wrong!

    (4)

  • Julia T.

    I am not a fan of pizza, I don't hate it but I won't crave it either. This place is a tiny treasure in the middle of the city. I was impressed with the pizza here, the variety is amazing and you're not getting the traditional Pizza Hut style pizza. I love the potato pizza, it was different but quite tasty. There is normally a wait, but it is well worth it. BYOB is also helpful.

    (5)

  • Monica S.

    It really pains me to write this review because the food there is really good. The pizza tutta is amazing as is the veggie pizza but sadly the customer service falls beyond short. As a frequent customer, I ordered delivery and was told it would be an hour, time, which normal. After an hour and a half of waiting I called to ask if the pizza was coming and I was told the driver was on his way. I live maybe 5 minutes away, 10 if traffic is bad but that is pushing it. After almost 2 hours I called again thinking, they either got lost or forgot our order. To say the manager was rude is the understatement of the year. He started yelling at me that everyone was ordering delivery that night and he was going to cancel my order to shut me up. I was so taken aback that his idea of customer service is to yell at a paying customer for waiting 2 hours for pizza that I didn't know what to say. He continued to yell at me, so I canceled the order and promised him I would not be ordering from there again. Honestly the food is good, but not good enough to put up with such rude and crass behavior. Learn how to treat your customers with respect and maybe you will be able to keep them.

    (1)

  • Melissa B.

    I love this pizza! The pizza here is delicious. Not only do they offer wonderful toppings, (think fresh herbs, potatoes, all fresh produce, well prepared meats and fresh cheese, yum) but the crust is something to write home about. It is so light, flaky and buttery-how did they accomplish all of this? It is so good. Very authentic. The atmosphere is cute, nothing to fancy, very friendly staff and BYOB. This equals 5 stars in my book. They also deliver.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    Best pizza every. Very authentic. I'm surprised there's not more 5 stars. Never have had the pasta though. I also stopped in one night for dessert and the tiramisu was amazing and they let us sit for a few hours to enjoy our dessert and coffee. I'm such a fan I get carryout on my way home from work on a regular basis. My favorite pizza is the 4 seasons...who thought of putting artichokes on pizza - amazing!!

    (5)

  • k e.

    I was excited when I got a delivery menu on my door a month ago since in the past I don't think they delivered to my neighborhood (N. Lakeview). I had been to the restaurant almost a year ago with friends. We had a good time, the pizza was really good and BYOB at that. Thin crust, fresh ingredients, great flavor. Delivery was prompt. I live 10 blocks away and the pizza tasted great, which isn't always the case with crispy thin pizza. Worth the $.

    (5)

  • Susan L.

    Average food but a great fallback for the neighborhood. I love to sit outside on a summer night! The salads are pretty bare bones--good--but nothing special. As I write this, I'm realizing that's how I feel about all their food. However, the dearth of places to eat within a block of Rustica makes it stand out, especially if you don't want to go down to Wrigleyville madness on Clark.

    (3)

  • Dan B.

    Solid place to go if you live near the Wrigleyville/Uptown area. I've only tried the pizza which was good, especially with spinach on it. It's fun to hang out here in the summer since they have an outdoor sitting area. It's BYOB as well, I really like BYOB. Probably casue I'm cheap.

    (3)

  • Pegah P.

    My friends and i decided to go eat here one night. From outside it doesn't look like much, but once you step in the pleasing aroma of fresh pizza gets you hungry right away. The small, yet friendly atmosphere makes you feel right at home. The open kitchen area lets you watch as the chef prepares your pizza to your liking. The night we went the place was packed the entire 2 hours we were there. Tables were all full, and in addiction they were constantly getting phone calls for delivery and pick-up orders. We ordered a medium pepperoni pizza (square shaped) and boy, oh, boy, was it delicious! The thing i loved most was the cheese; so fresh and melty, not to mention it stretched....a lot! love that. We finished the whole pizza and had some desert (can't remember what it was, but we loved it) and left with our tummies full and totally satisfied. Can't wait to go back to this place and try something new.

    (5)

  • Rob L.

    I came here after inviting myself with Katie and Dan H, (kudos to them for not kicking me to the curb), after a rain soaked Pride parade. I had lived in the area for over a year, but rarely if ever explored the area. We sat down, weary from fighting the rain and wind, and looked over the menu. Admittedly, nothing was jumping off the menu to me. They had mentioned about pizza, yet not being in the mood I settled on a chicken sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, and a pesto reduction. The bread was a little too toasty, the pesto was really not to be found but the chicken was well cooked and it was a hearty portion to eat. I will say Katie's pizza looked really good, in fact, the food on the other tables looked really tasty. I had late lunch envy. Our waitress was in the weeds most of the time we were there, (really really busy if you don't know the phrase), but was really sweet and nice. The place was quaint, small, nice little outdoor area, inside was also small and filled with some great photos of Italy on the wall, many if not all were for sale. I might not come running back here, but I won't resist, however I will go with my gut and get the pizza.

    (3)

  • Jessica H.

    I finally convinced to return to Pizza Rustica for dine-in after my awful delivery experience. I'm happy to say that their pizza was as good as I remember from my first visit. So, my recommendation is to dine-in rather than get delivery -- plus they have a small outdoor seating space, great now that the weather is getting nicer!

    (4)

  • mack k.

    This place is great for what it is. Good pizza, BYOB, inexpensive, and very close to the L. I would recommend the pizza over the pasta. I appreciate that they let me and my friends sit there for about 2 hours even though seating is very limited.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    Love the place, I live a couple of blocks away so i go there pretty often. Pizza doesn't taste like Italian pizza (Stefano, the owner, claims it's Veneziana, which could be true, never had pizza in Venezia), but I love it anyway. It's so buttery and tasty! The waitresses are also very friendly and Stefano is too. I usually get the big pizza and think "I will have some left over for tomorrow" and of course there is no left over for the next day!

    (5)

  • Paige S.

    Really Tasty Pizza, I quite like the hawaiian. This is good if you like the not quite that thin, but thinner than chicago style crust. The ceasar salad is tasty, and some of the sandwiches, but the pasta is just okay. But the ambiance is quite nice for an evening with friends, grab a bottle of wine from down the street, eat outside, split a pizza, Bellissimo!

    (3)

  • Lauren D.

    molto molto delizioso!!! why is it that the smallest, most casual restaurants always have the best food?? not only is p.r. easy on the wallet, but also their food is literally mouth-watering. my mouth is watering right now just thinking about their pizza. the insalate caprese is almost (ALMOST) as good as it is in Italy (nothing beats mozzarella in italy). P.R. has different specials almost every night which makes it worth going back. of course they have the traditional good stuff too. i could eat 6-8 servings of their cannoli alone. BYOB.

    (5)

  • neeters m.

    If you've never had butter-crust pizza, you need to go here. Despite its name it is actually much less greasy than most americanized pizza, and has much better texture and flavors. They also serve salads and pasta, dessert, coffee & expresso drinks, all of which are nicely done in authentic italian style. Here you need to know the difference between a cappuccino and an americana, but if you don't their wait staff will help you out as best they can in their thick european accents. It's a nice place to pretend you are in an outdoor cafe in italy.

    (4)

  • Sydney K.

    Pizza Rustica is a no-frills Italian joint with mediocre food. The pasta dishes range from below average to good. You choose your pasta type, your sauce and whether you want any meat or veggies added - not my favorite execution because I like some thought put into my meals. Hey, I can cook at home - I go out to eat so someone else can do the thinking! To their credit, Pizza Rustica usually has a nightly pasta special. It's hip to be square - well, the pizza here is, at least. It's done well, but beware - the whole pizzas are huge. This is a nice neighborhood restaurant to frequent on weeknights you don't feel like turning on the stove. It's BYOB, so it's also a good way to liquour it up and keep down costs.

    (2)

  • Ashley S.

    wow i love pizza rustica! they use really fresh ingredients that makes up for the prices being a little higher than your average pizza joint. and the owner is really nice too. i've only ever had pizza from here, but i've heard their dinner dishes are really good as well.

    (5)

  • Clayton J.

    Came here on a Friday night, had to wait a little bit because it was so damn busy. In total it was about 20 mins, but whatever. With a restaurant this busy, you know lots of people are there for a reason. I really appreciated the real Italians who work here, because they know how to make a great pizza! So we finally got a table, and ordered one big pizza. Overall it was good, but I wouldn't say it is the best pizza I've ever had. It's a matter of taste in this restaurant, and it just wasn't my favorite, although it was very good nonetheless. I would say there was too much bread and not enough toppings, but I"m so spoiled by the delicious greasy pizza we have here in Chicago. They use a really light crust, which will not make you feel drowsy after the meal (it's a plus). We brought some red wine and beer, (a great combination) and by the end of the night we had consumed all beverages. It was a good time, and a great atmosphere to dine in. Check it out.

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    Decent food, service is friendly, but sometimes misses details, portions a bit small for pasta. The pizza is pretty good, with slightly buttery crust. I like the Rustica Salad - spinach, goat cheese & artichoke. Definitely a decent place for local takeout.

    (2)

  • Joe K.

    A long time favorite - just gets better all the time. Kelly (the newest waitress) is wonderful. Great attitude & personality! Never a bad experience here.

    (5)

  • Trice T.

    Love this place. The atmosphere is so warm and inviting. The mozzerella sticks (albeit are a seasonal item so check ahead) they are literally to die for and our new fav pizza is the truffle just can't get enough of it..this place never disappoints with warm and cozy for the winter and a great outside dining experience in the summer

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    We've been going here for a while, and I just realized I'd never posted a review. Everything about Pizza Rustica is friendly and welcoming. We tend to go early, since we're bringing an 8-year-old, before it gets busy. I don't think we've ever had anything we didn't really enjoy, and I almost always order off the specials. My husband is insane for their pizza -- the crust is more like focaccia than a traditional pie. Delicious.

    (5)

  • Lesia C.

    This. Place. Is. Amazing. I have been here several times since moving to the area, and have never been disappointed in the food, or the service. The bartenders and servers are some of the nicest people I have met working at a restaurant, and are always extremely helpful. Cocktails are always on point. Things you should order: 1. their puttanesca pizza, it's to die for. 2. arrabbiata pasta, spicy but not too spicy 3. the shrimp risotto special if they have it FYI closed on Tuesdays.

    (5)

  • Teddy H.

    Really fun find in Lakeview! Went here last weekend with a group of six on a Saturday night - we were sat instantly and had an amazing meal. Salads and pizzas are delicious and filling. Our server (can't remember her name) was beyond attentive and engaging. The large pizzas are big enough to share and the wine list is great. Very casual and laid back, but perfect for a last minute meal in the Lakeview area.

    (4)

  • Joanna T.

    Just like the name, the ambience is the same, rustic. Nice and comfy patio area outside that makes you feel at home. We tried a few different pizzas and the flavor was definitely there. We also tried a pasta and that was good as well. This was a perfect spot to stop after a game at Wrigley with good food and reasonable pricing. Service was good, so if your in the neighborhood, this is a solid, welcoming space!

    (3)

  • Jeffie J.

    This is a great casual Italian restaurant. It has an informal vibe, with red brick walls and comfortable seating. The chef here knows his rustic Italian cooking. What he sends out of the kitchen is uniformly delicious--pizzas, pastas, and salads, plus a couple of nightly blackboard specials. The pizza has a crisp buttery crust and is addictive--you will come back for more. One night I ordered a special, monkfish with spinach. It was delicious but pricey, given the small portion they served. Remember this if you are hungry. There is an excellent bar staff and they make terrific cocktails. There is wine of course and a full list of craft beers. This is the kind of neighborhood place where they remember you from your last visit. It can get loud after the crowd from Wrigley field arrives so be prepared for that. Locals will continue to flock here and so will outsiders, once they discover it.

    (5)

  • Victoria V.

    No thank you. Weird server who could give a shit about giving a recommendation and seemed annoyed to have a dog on the patio? Check Margherita pizza with sausage that tasted like a 99 cent totino's pizza? Check Pasta that was boring, small portion sizes, and was not impressed? Check A 6th grader could've cooked an equivalent meal and might have even had more dazzle. Lastly - when your kitchen closes at 9:30 you should put that on your website (it says 10pm) and not be an asshole when a potential customer calls at 9:50pm to ask about pizza delivery. You'd think a business would want to make the extra $40. Ain't no lie - baby bye bye bye

    (1)

  • Jim S.

    Pizza Rustica is a place you don't hear much about and I'm not sure why that is. It's probably one of the better Italian restaurants in Lakeview. I say Italian and not pizza because it's just that, an Italian restaurant with really good pizza. Their Margarita pizza is one of the best I've had. Make sure you order it with sausage, you won't be disappointed. The ingredients are fresh and the pizza is always hot and delicious. The crust is crispy and thin, it's really a great pizza if you're looking for something different. The rest of their menu is basically pasta items and then the blackboard menu. Their pasta is absolutely amazing, probably some of the best in Chicago. Everything is made to order and comes out piping hot. It's not a huge menu by any means, but you can mix and match items to create your ideal pasta dish. I love their meatballs and Linguini pasta, it's absolutely amazing. They used to be BYOB before they move into their new location, that was the best and is why I'm giving them 4-stars instead of 5. They now have a full bar and it's actually really great. The restaurant itself is pretty small and has a decent patio out front. If you're in the area and looking for pizza/pasta, definitely check this place out. You won't be disappointed by the food, that much I know.

    (4)

  • Christie M.

    While I live in this neighborhood and was initially so excited to have found a cute place nearby, I have been disappointed both times by their service. The first time I came here, I sat at the bar and could barely get the bartenders' attention even though we were two feet apart. I understand that this place does craft cocktails (which are phenomenal!!!) and there is a longer wait for the drinks, which I'm okay with. However, what I wasn't pleased about was the long wait to get water, long wait to get silverware, no one checking up on us after our meals were brought out, etc. And this is all sitting at the bar- it should be easy to do! The second time, I came here, I sat outside. Again, service was very poor. This was the middle of the day and the restaurant was completely empty. It took 20 mins for a salad to come out and another 5-6 mins for someone to bring us silverware to eat said salad.Just really frustrating, especially when you're hangry! It's disappointing because I absolutely love their food and and cocktails. I've had fantastic meals both times I have come, but the service is a huge let down. I honestly don't know if I'll be back. North Lakeview is sparse for restaurants but Pizza Rustica loses me with its service.

    (3)

  • Michelle P.

    I really like this place - it's my goto spot on my way home after getting off the train. Staff is friendly and willing to help you figure out what kinds of wines you like if you are in the mood for some vino. I have had the pizza and caprese salad. YumMEE!

    (4)

  • Philly G.

    Great mussels in a spicy tomato broth for 2 is a perfect starter. The pizza with arugula, tomatoes and truffle oil in a half size is great for 2. Also had the moscato spritzer which had basil in it and to my surprise was a great combination. Will definitely go back to try more.

    (5)

  • Adam A.

    I've been meaning to try Pizza Rustic for awhile and finally got the chance to meet up with some friends yesterday. We decided to sit at the bar and had Jackie as our bartender. She was incredibly friendly and knowledgable about the menu. She recommended drinks, I had the Basil Grape upon her recommendation which had vodka, ginger beer, basil and grapes. It was incredibly refreshing and a great summer cocktail. My friend had the Jalapeño Margarita which was spicy and so good that I had it as my second drink. Upon Jackie's recommendation, we had the Rosemary chips which were more like thick sliced roasted potatoes and the Spinach Artichoke Dip. Both were fantastic and a perfect starter for two people. Next we asked for a pizza recommendation and once again Jackie didn't disappoint. She recommend the Tartufo Pizza. This is by far one of the best pizzas I've ever had. It had arugula, tomato, parmesan, mozzarella and truffle oil. I would absolutely recommend this pizza. This was an easy 5 stars based off of service, drinks and food, I'll be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Emily H.

    The food here is fine, the service is really lacking. My husband, parents and I went here for dinner early last Sunday evening. The place was pretty empty, and yet we sat through our entire meal with empty water glasses, no napkins, and had to go to the bus station to find condiments. We rarely saw our server or busser. I would highly recommend not eating in, but rather getting your food to go.

    (3)

  • chris t.

    Had a great wine tasting night this past winter. Juliana is fabulous and has a great menu. Had a wonderful going away party here for 20. Service was great, good food and wine. The ambience is laid back but romantic. Had so much fun on the Summer patio as well.

    (5)

  • Sanup D.

    Last night was one of the worst nights I have ever endured at a restaurant. My girlfriend and I went to pizza rustica looking to assuage our pizza and pasta craving, but left annoyed and unsatisfied. We were seated inside and promptly ordered a bottle of wine. Though the wine came in an adequate amount of time, we did not get glasses of water until halfway through our meal even though we asked twice. Our server, though I do not want to reveal her name to hurt her credibility, was absolutely terrible. We started with the pollo O pesto salad to split between us. The chicken was completely overcooked. After a bus boy cleared our plates our server came back and asked if we were ready to order appetizers even though she took our initial order. This was only a minor inconvenience but when this was coupled with the fact that she hardly showed any attention to us, it was hard to overlook. I ordered a pizza while my girlfriend ordered gnocchi with pork cheek. We sat there for 45 minutes waiting for our food to come out. Though the place was busy we noticed a chef who seemed like the owner talking to the same table for about 20 minutes. In those 20 minutes we also noticed that two dishes resembling what we ordered simply sat on the counter. Sure enough, he brought those exact plates over to us. In terms of the food, lukewarm anything is not traditionally what I like and if my girlfriend knew that pork cheek meant 1 small, round piece of bacon she probably would've avoided it. The worst part was that we had asked our server what our dishes were supposed to be like prior to ordering and she gave no indications other than "they're delicious". We didn't complain like we probably should have and simply continued the meal. Our server returned finally and asked about dessert. She said that the fruit tiramisu was something we had to try. Both of us were confused by what that would mean and asked her to describe it to us. Once again she simply said "it is fantastic". We ordered it to see why she believed that. The fruit content of our tiramisu simply consisted of raspberry sauce over a plain piece of cake. Finally, we asked for our check and I promptly gave my card. It felt like a lifetime while we waited for them to simply run my card but we noticed our server was instead passing out drinks behind the bar. We figured she was helping with the demand at that point but then she came to the table next to us to drop off drinks without giving back my card. At this point we began making faces of exasperation and the lady who originally seated us asked some servers to find out what was wrong with our table. Quickly she realized we just wanted my card back so she attempted to speed up the situation. This whole ordeal was resolved when our server took our bill from the paying station, went outside to deliver food and drinks, took two tables orders, came inside and delivered others orders, then finally dropped off our check. I simply could not believe she took so much time to just give back the check after everyone in there realized how annoyed we were. Overall I can get cheaper and tastier pizza and pasta in so many places without dealing with this horrid service.

    (1)

  • Mike M.

    We were there on Saturday, July 25th at about 7pm. First of all, the pasta bolognese and meatballs were absolutely delicious. 5 stars for my dinner. The reason for the 2-star review? We sat on their patio (which was full). The table had no salt/pepper. No silverware. Water was delivered after about 15 minutes. We didn't order pizza, so we expected bread to be served. Nope. Had to ask for it. When it was delivered (dropped off, literally), it came with no butter, olive oil, cheese... anything. So, I asked the hostess for some butter, which is my preference with bread (although olive oil would have been fine). A man in a white coat came out to deliver the butter, with a stern message. WE DON'T SERVE BUTTER HERE. Hmm... OK, so why did you just deliver it to me? It was a huge mess of butter, too... obviously sliced haphazardly in the kitchen from the stock they use to cook with. I worked for 18 years in the restaurant business, so I know chefs and owners can be temperamental about these things. But you never show that to the customers. Who wants to go out to eat and be scolded? Not me. I wasn't demanding and if the hostess had said, sorry we don't serve butter, I would have asked for olive oil. The waitress seemed embarrassed about the man's behavior (he must be the owner or something) and I got the sense she's apologized for him in the past. Anyhow, my two cents. We will not be back, despite the excellent pasta. It's not worth it.

    (2)

  • Maria M.

    WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!! I have continue to try pizza rustica over and over again. I gave it three opportunities - the service is always horrible!! They are slow, they ignore you, and are rude at times. On the other hand, the pizza is amazing and that is the only reason this place is still open. Do not waste your time going to the actual restaurant, you are better off ordering to go/take out!

    (2)

  • Brooks M.

    this place is a little gem of chicago. original square thin crust pizza and a family run business from the start. they do it because they love! that's it! the space is clean and classic with a foreign flare and great service. good wine and dessert choices. enjoy the secret side of chicago, not the deep dish side ;)

    (4)

  • Chang K.

    I'm new to the neighborhood so I decided to give this place a try since its right across the street from me. My friend and I both had the pasta and it didn't really surpass any expectations that we had walking into this place. I also didn't feel like it was a little overpriced. There is $2 charge for every vegetable added to your pasta. With vegetables like me adding 4 different vegetables was $8 on top of the base price of $10. The portions weren't great either, but I have to say the spaghetti was very well made/cooked. The service was also not that great seeing that it took the waitress 20 minutes to get our check for us. She seemed very busy like it was understaffed, but there were more than enough employees serving tables and the place wasn't even half full. Was the food ok? yes. Was the service great? not really. Would I return to this place? probably not.

    (3)

  • Cheryl B.

    Service is efficient however we asked for bread several times and when it was delivered it was tasteless and one piece was as hard as a hockey puck. The oil it was served with wasn't high quality (but okay) but it came without balsamic!! Tisk, tisk. The Cabernet Sauvignon I ordered was very good and helped reduce the disappointment. John ordered the Pesto spaghetti dish lacked flavor and when we asked the waiter why it, "didn't have lots of flavor", he stated, "they've been asked to cut back." What? Since when do Italians want to cut back, especially on basil and garlic?? My spaghetti dish (just Linguini, tomato sauce and chili flakes (who can't make this in their sleep?) was okay. I didn't mind it but if you know who the Graziano's and the Tomea and Sons (Des Moines, IA) are, this place missed the mark completely!!! By the way after my husband complained the waiter grabbed all our plates almost stabbing me in the arm with the knife and unapologetically rushed off. Needless to say, atmosphere is great here but when it comes to the preparing and serving great food, we won't be back.

    (1)

  • Eduardo M.

    Those of you that know me know that I love a good deep dish pizza. This place is NOT for deep dish. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, this place has become one of our go-to places for incredibly tasty pizza of the flat-bread variety. Pizza Rustica is reliable for delivery and a great place to meet friends. Located on Sheridan, near the Red line, means that it's easy to get to and so it's easy to set up a big gathering without too many people worrying about parking. For us, it's an easy walk (except in winter) and the atmosphere is always pleasant, the staff friendly, and the wine selection excellent. If you stop by, always remember to check the specials on the wall (it's on the boards opposite to the bar) or be sure to ask the waiters. If you're in the mood for a great pizza, try the truffle pizza, it's our current don't-wanna-cook-let's-order-something-instead fall back.

    (5)

  • Dale J.

    This place is expensive, be prepared to spend some money when you eat here. Thankfully, the food is worth it. The server immediately suggested that they do pasta best, aside from the Pizza name. She was right. I had the create your own pasta with the Arrabbiata sauce, served with sausage. My dining companion had a blackboard special,, Butternut Squash Cappellacci. We also split a goat cheese, tomato sauce, and crostini plate. The food here is above reproach, excellent. The drinks were quite good as well. I had an IPA, again expensive, but the beer was excellent. I liked that you could see into the kitchen. I thought that 3 was a low number of chefs to have on hand. Yes, Sunday is a slow night, but these chefs were working their butts off. The menu is pretty extensive, so there were numerous pots going as well as dishes in the ovens. Highly recommended, I"ll be back.

    (5)

  • Amy H.

    I went with my friend one day to catch up with him and it was such a cute place. It's very rustic and intimate. All of the tables are pretty close to each other and then there's an open kitchen. The staff was very attentive and kind. In regards to the food, my friend got a cheese pizza but he had to squeeze lemon over it. I got one without cheese. It was almost like a light garlic butter bread. I loved mine. It was fresh- you can just tell they used fresh ingredients- and the crust was so crunchy. They put it in a wood oven so that crust blisters, getting those nice air bubbles. I sampled my friend's too. His was so fresh and light. The portions were big, so I couldn't finish mine; However, I didn't feel sluggish after finishing half of my pizza.

    (5)

  • Radha K.

    If I could give Pizza Rustica a 3.5 rating, I would. I enjoyed this place and definitely want to come back to check out their other food. On Sundays, they open at noon and we were definitely the first ones there! They had a sangria special that day which I tried...it was quite good! My boyfriend had the Dancing Buffalo cocktail which definitely had a little kick of bourbon to it...also very good and refreshing! The fried calamari's dipping sauce had a little spicy kick to it which made it pretty tasty. We got the...middle sized...pizza which was perfect for two people who are very hungry. We ordered the Verdure Grigliate - 'Grilled Vegetable' pizza which had roasted red pepper, grilled zucchini & marinated mushrooms. I enjoyed this as well! The our waitress and all the staff were really friendly, and their service was good as well! Definitely want to come back and try other foods!

    (3)

  • Kyle T.

    This is the most underrated thin crust pizza in the city. Huge fan. Service is crazy good in here too. Toppings are awesome. I had mushrooms, pepperoni and rosemary potatoes. The combination was mint. Crust is amazing. Also had a caesar salad which was delightful.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    Always great food and service. Nice selection of handcrafted cocktails. Would recommend for family's or date night.

    (5)

  • Hannah T.

    Pizza Rustica is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chicago! It is adorable and cozy and feels like a real Italian restaurant. I lived in Italy for 5 months, and this is the closest thing I can find to delicious Italian food and an authentic Italian ambiance! It's the perfect place for a date (so romantic!) or a dinner out with friends. My favorite dish is the Salsa Rosa (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). The pizza is delicious too, and the portions are pretty generous. I can't say enough good things about this place!

    (5)

  • Matthew R.

    Great little local place with a fantastic atmosphere, friendly service, and a spacious patio (for the warm weather months). The menu is good as well, but not super big. Definitely worth a try!

    (4)

  • Mike Z.

    Great Pizza!

    (4)

  • Bob K.

    We had another great meal at Pizza Rustica, everything was delicious, the pasta, salmon, lamb chops were perfectly prepared, The wine and craft beer selection is awesome, we'll be back,

    (5)

  • Kathy M.

    First things first....order the Spicy ginger lime cocktail!!! This is an amazing drink and just because you see jalapeño listed as an ingredient, don't be scared off! The flavors blend so well together that you never experience a sharp jalapeño taste, but rather a smooth, completely tasty drink. Hubby and son had the Cucumber lemon and they were happy with their drinks as well, but I'm going on record that my drink was the best! We shared several items for dinner in an attempt to taste as many dishes as possible. We shared some pizza, the Linguine Black Ink pasta dish and the Gnocchi dish. Everything was very good, with my personal favorite being the Linguine Black Ink pasta. This is another location within walking distance of my son's and I know we will back next time we are in town.

    (5)

  • Thomas H.

    The owner is unfriendly and will do anything you ask for someone that is popular (including taking a reservation for party with the last name Pritzker when they don't take reservations). Common folk in eds to wait 35 minutes when three tables sit empty.

    (1)

  • Clayton P.

    Really nice Italian restaurant. They do a good job of making you feel like you're in an older Italian restaurant. They have good music as well which is nice. My group and I just split a pizza and it had this crispy crust packed with flavours of olive oil and the sauce was tangy and not to acidic or sweet! The toppings we had were pepperoni, sausage, and half blue cheese. It was absolutely delicious. I would recommend this to a friend for sure. They only had two beers on tap unfortunately but they had a red ale made with rye and it was phenomenal.

    (4)

  • Justin E.

    Great Pizza. It's a tad on the pricey side but the food is very delicious. The service is normally pretty great and the atmosphere makes it great for a date. Its loud enough that awkward pauses are covered up but you can still have a conversation.

    (3)

  • Phil S.

    I used to love this place when i lived closeby. The pizza is still great but the service is getting worse, especially delivery (and the crazy "extra" delivery prices to just delivery to Ravenswood???). I ordered a pizza last Friday... was told 45 minutes delivery. 1.5 hours goes by and nothing. I called and the girl says "oh sorry there was a Cubs game and we got slammed your pizza is in the oven now". Terrible order management. I guess its just better in person... avoid delivery.

    (3)

  • Mikey L.

    Very tasty pizza. Friendly service. Nice neighborhood vibe. Patio seating.

    (4)

  • Bernard L.

    This was my first time I at at Rustic and I've got to say that I was pretty impressed. I was there after for an after work celebration dinner. Our server was very friendly and was helpful with the pronunciation of certain items. We started with an order of mussels, which were delicious. They were served on top of this pasta sauce with bread that we could dip into the sauce. The actual pizza was good as well. We ordered half of the ham and cheese pizza as well as a pizza called the "Ritta", which was a pepperoni, sausage and cheese. Pretty traditional, but very good. The set up look great. It had a mixture of a younger hip look quite at the same time appealing to families. I would definitely go back for seconds at this place.

    (3)

  • Keri M.

    By far my favorite Italian place in Chicago. The food. The atmosphere. The staff. The owners. All roll up to give you an incredible dining experience while still making you feel like part of the Italian family.

    (5)

  • Erin K.

    I love this place! To start, the setting and the decor is perfect. It has a rustic but modern feel to it. It's really pretty inside and it's not too loud. In addition, the chef is a true Italian, so the food is authentic. Speaking of food, you can't really go wrong with anything. I usually get a make your own pasta dish. I love the papardelle with salsa rosa and meatballs. The pizza is also great, and it's good for sharing. You get plenty of food when you order something. They also have a great wine and beer selection. This place it really good for any occasion. It can be a date place or a good spot to bring guests when they come to visit.

    (5)

  • Christopher S.

    Always a great choice for hanging out with friends and the staff is great. #1 choice in my hood. Food is excellent. Had the Arancini and Caesar salad. Wonderful.

    (5)

  • Cathy B.

    This is one of the best locally owned restaurants in the city - I have been going to Pizza Rustica years and it has been consistently been good food with good service.

    (5)

  • Erin S.

    We came here on a rainy evening after moving and found great service, food (we had the Puttenesca pizza - delicious!), and beer. Highly recommend! Cute environment, too.

    (4)

  • Kt Y.

    Heard good things so have it a try. Ordered pizza which took 45 minutes to come out. Received no apology from the waitress who we also didn't see for 40 minutes after ordering. The table was literally two small for 1 pizza platter and a set of appetizer plates so we had to hold our plates throughout dinner to avoid them from falling off, mind you there was only 2 of us. Pizza was fine, nothing to write home about. Oh and the specials? They were scrawled out in writing you could barely read. Won't be returning

    (2)

  • Amanda J.

    I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars on this one before settling on 4. Went here last night - during the Superbowl snowpocalypse - for dinner and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'll definitely be back to try more of their pizza and adult beverages. When my date and I walked in we quickly realized that no other patrons were there due to the blizzard. So we had this place to ourselves, score! Really liked the atmosphere - warm, cozy and woody with a dash of sophistication and old worldliness. We were presented with a menu and my eyes danced with delight when I saw their beer offerings. I had a very tasty Belgian Tripel called Piraat, and my date had a hoptastic IPA called Galactica. Nice. On to the 'za - we had the puttanesca (which was basically pancetta and onion) and the pollo pesto (chicken, pesto, and GOAT CHEESE, yes please!) pizzas. Both were ever so yummy in the tummy. All their pizzas are thin crust btw. What else? The service was really good. Might be because we were the only ones there though. Our server was just the right combination of friendly and knowledgeable. Again, I'd definitely come back here in the future, look forward to it. Grazie, Pizza Rustica!

    (4)

  • Bobby G.

    It's just decent. You could say it's rustinc. . The margarita pizza was light, but pretty bland. The pasta entree portion was like a side dish, which is stupid because pasta isn't a precious resource. And the wine was $7-10 a glass when clearly this place has no business not being a byob. Seriously, why aren't you byob? They also, hurried us out of there as the early closing time rolled around. I mean it's a good place to have in the neighborhood, but not much beyond that.

    (3)

  • Diane G.

    Split a half Magherita and half Grilled Vegetable pizza with a friend, and it was deeelish. Thin crust, ample size, and FRESH ingredients. I especially like the ambiance of the place; it's surprisingly relaxing considering Wrigley Field is just a few blocks away. I especially love the OUTDOOR PATIO; great place to spend those summer nights. =]

    (4)

  • Emily Z.

    In case the 490+ reviews wasn't enough of a tip, this place is great! The insides is warm and cozy, the patio is cool and breezy (disclaimer: only on a cool and breezy day). They have a nice selection of salads, soups, pasta and pizzas. In a city that claims to have the best pizza, Pizza Rustica is still tops my list, sorry Giordanos. The Pizza is delicious, great selection of different specialty pizzas, we loved the Sapposa and Pollo Pesto, but the buttery crust is what really sets Pizza Rustica apart. For real, that crust though. Pizza Sizes are half and whole, we split two halfs between three of us, ate very generously and still had some for breakfast the next day! They do get busy after Cubs games, and the Chef may step outside and ask your table to leave as they have other people waiting... so there is that, but otherwise service was great!

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    We loved the food here. Has a great bottle of Nero as well. Ask which pastas are homemade!!! it was so much better. Pass on spicy mussels special appetizer. Mussels were mealy and lacked flavor. The worst thing about this place was the manager/hostess... not really sure what she was. But we wanted to grab a table outside for before Billy Joel. She was SO RUDE!!! Someone else was possibly meeting us and she wouldn't sit us inside until everyone was there. And that's fine... but she was like harassing us about it. So we sat outside, which was fine, but a little cold. So we found out our third was for sure coming. The bus boy pushed together tables for us and set us up for three people. She came over and asked if our third was for sure coming. We said yes and then she asked us again. I MEAN COME ON!!! She was so rude it was frustrating. We almost got up and left. We felt like an inconvenience. Our waiter was nice and we liked the pasta... but we aren't going out of our way to return. Maybe take out when we are in the area.

    (3)

  • tom l.

    Well since moving out of Chicago I realized I miss a few things... 1. My Friends 2. Running by the lakefront 3. The crew and food at Pizza Rustica I cannot remember how often I ate there anymore. It blends in for me like being with family. Even when I fly back, I have to visit there at least once. Stefano and Juliana are amazing proprietors, and frankly she crafted the summer time Blueberry Gin Fizz #yum. Just bug them for a chicken milanese...ha they will hate me but its so good. And order some arancini and mixed greens to start with! And I love that the have DeLoach Pinot Noir. Excellent value! Also nothing says like a Sunday Funday that grabbing some pizza and wine there before heading off to Lincoln Park or Lakeview....OR sometimes after the funday. Anyway, regardless they will always accommodate and you won't be sorry! Looking forward to my next visit when back in Chi-town. Till next time Rustica and Chicago..... :)

    (5)

  • stephanie s.

    I have been coming here for years when they had a smaller restaurant across we they are now. Love love their pizza! The crust is amazing! Every dish is phenomenal and is made that day depending on what fresh ingredients they get for the day. Stepheno and his wife are wonderful and so sweet!! Such a cute and relaxing environment!

    (5)

  • Keith B.

    Extraordinary food - risen to an art form. Great staff and interior. One of my favorite places in the city. Authentic but updated Italian (Veneto regional) food with the highest quality ingredients prepared by an outstanding chef. Creative daily specials.

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    What can I say, I love Pizza Rustica. My downfall is that every time I go I can't seem to order anything but the Tutta. Just a fair warning, this place gets packed! We waited almost an hour one night for a table, but it's so solidly worth it. The cocktail menu is inventive, and delicious (try the Basil Grape), the pizza delicious, but more importantly the staff is absolutely wonderful. I've had great conversations with both the bartender and one of the owners. Try checking out one of their monthly wine or beer battles as well. It's so great seeing a bar staff so excited about what they are doing. This place gets a big thumbs up. And it helps I only live a few blocks away.

    (4)

  • Brian V.

    I've been going to Rustica on average once a month for the last several years, but was so put off this evening that I doubt I'll go back again. Normally, food is great, service is good. However, this evening about five minutes after we'd payed the bill, we were asked if we could vacate our table to make way for other patrons. I understand it was a Friday and a busy evening, but to be handed a bill and asked to move is sub par customer service, and well, rude. I don't know if they felt we were "regulars" and felt comfortable enough to ask, but was floored when the server said the owner asked if we could. As a former server I'm pretty mindful about keeping a table. There were times I'm sure I would have loved to ask people to turn a table for me - but never would have asked a guest to do that.

    (2)

  • Erika G.

    Solid place, but still only at three stars. Which is still a good review! A good friend had an art opening here and her beautiful art is all over the walls RIGHT NOW. Go, have a beer and buy art NOW! BIG Props to PR for supporting local artists, indeed. And the setting is really nice. Really a nice interior and bar, cosy, chill and "neighborhood bar" ish. Looked like there was a lot of regulars. The environs make me want to while days away here, eating, drinking and dishing. The staff - friendly, helpful and cute. Attentive without being overbearing. Fantastic. The staff were absolutely great. The day I went in, there was a Stiegl beer tasting. Points 'cos they have this delicious beer available. Stiegl beer guy was friendly, cute and generous with the samples. My cousin-sister and I ended up ordering two Stiegls, so his tasting worked. Yum The pizza. It was good when served hot. We got the Quattri something, with ham/artichokes/mushrooms and the meat pizza with pepperoni/sausage. A half of each, and it was an embarrassment of food for two chicks. A half pizza is A LOT here. I excitedly and giddily texted a pic to a fabulous pizza snob I know, and a few other people, all "this is delish!" The crust that people talk about here is delish, buttery, garlicky - it really is pretty special. It was just a *touch* too thick and cornmeal-y for me, though. Very filling but good. What made me frown. One way a pizza gets points with me is being a good leftover. We had so much food left, that we packed it up to eat later. For me, this means dinner the next day. I tried to eat the leftovers the next day, and they had completely died. Like, it was terrible. Soggy and mealy. This made me sad, because it really was great pizza when it was fresh. Maybe that's a bad way to judge a pizza, but it's something that is important to me. That said, I'll come back here. The pizza WAS good, I just won't order too much food again so I can consume it all in one sitting. And they have Stiegl, and it is a great bar and location (right near the Sheridan Red line - DON'T DRIVE!). Look for their star rating to improve from me, it is worth it to try this place.

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    This hidden gem in Lakeview is tucked away on Sheffield (right off the Sheridan Red line and where Sheridan Rd becomes Sheffield). The menu is simple and to the point which I very much appreciate. Everybody has a different preference with pasta and the sauce and they understand that this is the case! You pick the pasta style you like (they also have hand make 4: gnocchi, paparadelle, ravioli, and tortellini for $1 more) then your sauce. If you like vegetables and meat, you request it for an additional cost. Easy, huh? Great service and the servers are very attentive.

    (5)

  • Graham K.

    Pizza Rustica has been a neighborhood favorite since they were in small space on the east side of Sheridan more than 4 years ago. I have never been disappointed with a meal, and it was long overdue to write a description of the experience. My fiancee and I went last night, a Friday at 5:30. We ordered a bottle of prosecco first, which was promptly served in a chilled, ice-filled silver bucket. Delicious. We followed with a simple caesar salad, which we shared, and paired wonderfully with the prosecco. We were never rushed, and when the salad arrived we were asked if we would like to put in our dinner order; we asked if we could wait, and our server had perfect timing, coming back to ask us right as we were finishing the salad. I ordered penne in quatro formaggi with meatballs. The sauce was a perfect blend of the different cheeses, and not too thick and viscous but not thin, either; perfectly done. The meat balls (2 medium-to-large sized on top) were also excellent- moist all the way through, and easily breakable into chunks. Clearly fresh made. They were not dried out, sad pieces of meat. My fiance had penne and meatballs as well, but with arrabiata sauce. She says it was very flavorful and spicy, in the sense that it had a little touch of heat. She agreed on her meatballs' quality as well. Over the course of dinner, we ordered four different mixed drinks, all excellent and very promptly served, and by this point in the meal, the place was packed to the gills- inside and out. We ordered: 1. The Dancing Buffalo- bourbon mixed with prosecco as a base. Excellent, fun. I love bourbon and I love sparkling whites- paired together was a delicious play on each. 2. Moscato Lime Spritzer- FRESH basil and lime juice mized with moscato. This was absolutely fantastic- wonderful aroma due to the basil, and very refreshing. 3. Cucumber Lemon- Hendrick's gin, fresh cucumber, lemon juice. Another wonderfully refreshing drink. Hendrick's is an excellent gin with a lower-than-usual juniper count, quite different from a number of gins. 4. Blueberry Gin Fizz- Hendrick's gin again, fresh blueberries.... way too much simple syrup added. The blueberries really couldn't speak for themselves. Too sweet. I suppose most Americans love their sugar though, so I suspect most would dig it. Overall, we just had a wonderful evening. We have had many wonderful evenings here, and I was excited to finally sit down and write about the experience right after the fact. With 2 dinners, bottle of wine, a salad, 4 drinks... our bill was $95 and change, before tax. And the quality of each and every aspect of our dinner was stellar: service, attention to detail, pacing. People in Lakeview who have not gone here yet (or folks anywhere in Chicago) are really missing out on fair prices for very high quality food, drink, service- and ambience. Tons of exposed brick, dark stained wood and beautiful, large Edison bulbs giving off orange glows. Wonderful.

    (5)

  • Ebs B.

    Point blank... I. Liked. It! The pizza "slices" were more like personal pizzas at less than $5. The drinks were great. For less than $10, I was able to get a Moscow Mule with Tito's vodka and a Crabbie Alcoholic Ginger Beer. Yes folks, that means, I had an amazing drink with all alcohol in it. Plus, they give you the whole beer, so once you're done drinking the Moscow Mule, you still have the rest of the beer. After a couple drinks, I might have been enjoying my time there even more... For other places I've been to, similar to Pizza Rustica, this place takes the pie. Good prices, good pizza, good service, and fabulous drinks!

    (4)

  • Gamaliel E.

    Came here on a date night with the lil lady since this is her favorite pizza in the city. I tend to prefer the super thin crust pizza, so I was a bit skeptical after seeing that the crust was a bit thicker than I like. When I bit into the crust it was so crispy and light, I was pleasantly surprised! The toppings were good, making it an overall tasty pizza. The drink menu was pretty solid with some craft brews and some specialty cocktails. I stuck with beer and my fiancee had a delicious cocktail. We had a seafood pasta dish that was good, but not my favorite from other Italian restaurants that I've had it at. The service was super friendly, from the hostess to the waiter. Pizza Rustica will provide you with a nice dinner and drink, so get there before it gets too crowded.

    (4)

  • Kathleen I.

    I took my wife here in a random Friday, let's use Yelp, dinner. When you walk in the ambience is very romantic, yet fun. The low light with the deep wood furniture just sets the correct mood. We were seated near TNT kitchen and our server was just awesome! Very attentive and polite. The food! Oh the food! It was just amazing. I had the white pizza and my wife ordered the chicken fettuccine. Amazing doesn't describe it. Flavor, presentation, and portion size were just perfect. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Danny W.

    This is my favorite spot for pizza on the north side. The crust is delicious and they offer a great variety of toppings. Order more than you think you'll eat because it makes for great leftovers too.

    (5)

  • Cathleen P.

    This place is great. It is pricey, but the pizza is excellent. It's definitely the best pizza in Lakeview. I usually order the pizza margarita with crumbled sausage. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. The staff is friendly and attentive.

    (5)

  • Frances A.

    Let's start with how cute this place is. It just feels "rustica," or @ least whatever I assume "rustica to feel like. Hommie, comfy, warm... like you just walked into someone's home. Althought not the most Italian of dishes, we started w/ the Nocci e Frutta. In my efforts to be healthy, we got the most summery salad. The sweet honey mustard tied the cranberries, carrots, greens, onions, & pecans all together. Then, the Pizza Binaca - it was the kind of pizza that makes me wonder why deep dish is so popular. Just the mozzarella, ricotta, & spinach alone blew my mind - but then to add the lemon. Wow, never thought to do that. I'm not a wine person - i love bourbon... and my my my my the Summer Rye was just sexy. I had 3. Bulleit, orange, ginger, mint. There was a spice to the tongue, then just warm and smooth down my throat. Loved the service. Everyone was incredibly nice, cool, calm. Nothing was rushed. You really felt like you were @ someone's home.

    (4)

  • Matt F.

    We live in the neighborhood (2 blocks away) and asked if we could add 2 slices to our order, which are usually only lunch time options that we have historically had before at dinner during non Cubs games. We asked, knowing it was probably not possible given it was after a Cubs game, and the waiter, Adio, confirmed that. We joked that we used to be able to get half slices (given our group had frequented this establishment often) and that we were "going to leave" and he said, "Well, there is the door if you feel that way." He proceeded to act inappropriately. When we told him we thought his response was rude and that we weren't out of town Cubs fans, he simply said, "I live in the neighborhood too" and walked away. If we weren't so hungry, we probably would have left. We expressed our displeasure with the hostess and she did not care nor do anything about changing our experience. This place was way better when they didn't have a liquor license, were less pretentious and were located on the other side of the street. Don't patronize this place even if you are in the neighborhood. I want to support our neighborhood but not this place. Go to Michael's Pizza instead a few blocks north on Broadway. The brothers that own that place couldn't be any nicer and welcoming to locals and non locals alike and their pizza is 10x better.

    (1)

  • Edwina B.

    This review is for delivery pizza. After reading all the rave reviews, we were looking for a new pizza delivery place since we were getting sick of D'Agostinos. Called them and ordered a sausage mushroom pizza and a caesar salad (no chicken). Imagine my surprise when this came close to $50. I'm sad to say that the pizza was not my thing - I think it was the crumbled sausage which was reminiscent of pizza I would get outside of the Chicagoland area...just not my expectations. The pizza crust was a bit hard and it really is saying something for both me and my husband to only eat one small square and pitch the rest! Salad was fine - hard to mess up since dressing was on the side....just throw in some romaine lettuce and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top - just didn't think it was worth $7. I know there are plenty of die hard fans of this place so it won't be suffering because of my bad review...just really disappointed in my experience.

    (1)

  • John B.

    I love this place. My girlfriend and I come here often, as it is right around the corner from our apartment. The entire staff is friendly and welcoming. Although the pizza is delicious, I recommend trying the specials. The bartenders make great martinis and manhattans.

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    Good pizza place, the thin crust crust was the way i like it, not too hard or thin, we got the tutta and potato pizzas, you get quite a lot for what you order, so don't overestimate how much you order, it is a pretty popular place, on a saturday night there was a bit of a wait for seating and the food, but you got a good amount of pizza, Id go back

    (4)

  • Betty A.

    I had dinner here while on vacation last week and highly recommend it. Friendly wait staff, excellent food! It's a hidden treasure. The owner stopped at our table and was genuinely interested in our dining experience.

    (5)

  • M S.

    This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago - perfect for date night or for taking out friends for good food & good wine. I actually don't believe I have had better pizza or pasta since I was in Italy! We usually order the Margarita Pizza + Sausage Crumbles which is delicious. I have also tried the pasta with bolognese sauce which I would definitely recommend. They have different "Blackboard" specials depending on the day/season which are always worth trying.

    (5)

  • Carina C.

    Delicious food and very helpful and nice staff. I have tried a few pizzas and LOVE them! The crust is crispy and the taste is fantastic. I'll be back for more!

    (5)

  • Simon F.

    Fantastic! Went here for date night with my fiancee and we both couldn't have had a better time. From the ambiance, to the Service, to the Drinks, and of course the food. The food was incredible. We had a half truffle pizza and the muscles which was a perfect amount for two looking to indulge. The beer and wine list were impressive, but we tried their cocktails which were the perfect compliment to the food. Seasonal and original to say the least. The decor was rustic and cozy. Our Server, Davide, was just as good as the food. He was able to make recommendations and really cared if we enjoined what we ordered. We will be back for sure and will be recommending to all of our friends.

    (5)

  • Richie D.

    Even if the Italian "rustic" pizza wasn't good, I'd be back to see the studly male waiter with the Italian accent. If he's not your type, then keep filling your beverage and he'll become whatever you're sparkly eyes could dream of... Oh sorry, as for the restaurant itself and not its entities, I'm not a fan of pizza, yes, yes I know, I do not belong here in Chicago and will probably lose my "native card" after this next comment... But maybe it's the Chicago 'pizza' itself (more like a potpie) that has brainwashed me with the nightmarish notions of excessive grease, persistent heartburn and artery-clogging cheese?! OK, I'm definitely not making friends here---but here at Pizza Rustica, the pizza is just like it was flown here from Italy, with all the recipes being passed down through the family's generations. I recommend getting 2 slices per person of the House Specialty Pizza (at least that's plenty for me). The Margherita (its all about the basil, baby!) and Patate Rosmarino (potato on pizza?! That's right!) are my two favorites. You just can't go wrong with whatever your choice may be and they're only $3 a slice (which is equal to 6 little squares, a bang for your buck!). Their crust is the most perfect pizza crust in the city! It's perfectly crispy and crunchy, yet not overly hard or soft. I love the new space (minus the fact that they're no longer BYOB) that is much larger than across the street, not to mention the pleasant outdoor patio. Have a glass of wine, some pizza and finish off the evening with a cappuccino and perhaps slice of tiramisu. Now that's a perfect Pizza Rustica night (despite hunting down a parking spot on a Cubs Game night)!

    (5)

  • Lori L.

    Pizza Rustica, by far, makes my favorite pizza in town. Their crust is homemade every morning. It's buttery, and has a slight crunch to it. I love the fact they have size options for ordering pizza; by the slice, 1/2 order, and full order. The slice runs $2.50 for cheese. My mom and I recently stopped by for lunch. They had calamari as a special on the chalkboard hanging on the wall. It turned out, it was only for dinner. My mom was slightly disappointed, but, the owner was aware of this, and made it for her anyway. I love, love, love the charm of this place, and its owner. I need to get back here more than I do. Plus, it is BYOB which is always a bonus.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Top notch !! Service excellent, menu excellent ! Food excellent !! Pizza was soooo good .

    (5)

  • fab f.

    Too expensive for pizza. I'm glad they are successful but they won't see me anytime soon because I don't think you can spend $100 (+tip) for a pizza and two pastas for kids (and 3 beers). Also, $4 extra for a half cup of extra tomato sauce on the side... seriously? Also, I see that they make northern rustic cuisine, no sign of it.

    (3)

  • Kelly W.

    I have only had this pizza for delivery. So this is strictly speaking of their pizza. I have no had any appetizers or desserts or anything else. Their pizza is FANTASTIC. My work ordered it for us and I had to go out of my way to ask where it was from. It is that good. The crust is so buttery and crispy and flaky. Great thin crust pizza!!

    (5)

  • Joshua D.

    Really really cool place. Nice date spot. Ordered two half pies for my wife and I. One had truffle oil and was recommended by server. It had a very distinct and rich flavor that can begin to become overwhelming so I would get a smaller size. Appetizer was fresh mozzarella with a delicious sauce and bread. Second pizza was a simple yet flavorful. Highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Johnny T.

    So, somehow I missed the whole crust/texture deal about the pizza in the reviews. Reading for comprehension is my bag, y'all. But, we'll get to that. My take away from Pizza Rustica? I need to move to Europe. Like, tomorrow. I arrived right when the restaurant opened on a slow Monday late morning and had the place to myself. The owner came up to me, introduced himself, asked what I wanted and I replied I was waiting for a friend and would wait to order at that time. He poured me a glass of water and, rather than ignore me until my friend arrived, he struck up a conversation about Italy, America, lifestyles, what's important in life, what I'm looking for, and how to get it. It was incredibly illuminating. Aside from the whole 'economy might crash,' thought of living a simpler, more connected life was pretty appealing. And, it's always good to get a perspective that's greater than your own. As I pondered his words, my friend arrived and we commenced to the business of eating. When in Rome (heh)... you eat. A lot. As refreshing as water is, it has nothing on aranciata so I downed one of those. Actually, I sipped. I was freshly learned in the ways of savoring life. I sipped. The Rustica salad with artichoke, goat cheese and spinach was a revelation in simplicity. I don't know whether I was hungry or inspired, but I gobbled up every bite while attempting to concentrate on every chew. Savor. Wanting to taste the whole of this restaurant, we ordered a half Tutta: sausage, pepperoni, bleu cheese, olives, onions, and mushrooms. Once I got past the crust (more corn-mealy than I was expecting), I concentrated on the ingredients, sauce, and texture. Each bite was like a good conversation with a friend. Yes, the food was good and I'd gladly come back to enjoy more of it but it was the act of striking up a conversation with a stranger, getting to know someone and having the chance to connect with another human being on a basic level (food is a great equalizer) that makes me a fan. Life is short, it should be enjoyed. I know, I know. Pizza. Yes. But sitting down over a glass over water, waiting for a tardy friend and having the chance to gain perspective from someone who's enjoyed a meaningful way of life... it makes an impression on you. Me. On me. It made an impression on me. Rustica. I like the sound of it...

    (4)

  • Esther S.

    The food was nothing too special, but the meal was come rely ruined by the staff. Our table ordered drinks and when they were finally served our waiter spilled two of them on our group members. We got our food and they did a birthday dessert for one of the people in our group. Since that dessert wasn't big enough for the entire group we ordered the lava cake with ice cream. 40 minutes later it hadn't come so we asked to cancel it and get out check and the managers response was, "You've waited 30 minutes you can wait 5 more!" So we finally got our cake and it was cold and our ice cream was completely melted like it had been sitting there for awhile. We then asked for our check and when it didn't come in 10 minutes asked for it again and the manager snapped at us and said, "I'M WORKING ON IT NOW!" The birthday girl went up to the manager and said she felt it was rude how we were being talked to and then manager went off on her and made her cry and then followed her into the bathroom to "apologize" which she never did. All in all not planning to ever go back there.

    (1)

  • Rhonda G.

    Great pizza, nice pasta, extra points for BYOB! The pizza that had potato as a topping stood out to me the most so I knew I had to try a slice of that. BUT gluttonous to the end, I needed to try the pasta too so I also had artichoke ravioli which had great flavor and offered a nice portion size at a reasonable price. While the pizza was the winner of the evening in my book, the pasta comes in at a close second for sure (which means even less when there are only two items on the list,but still). I love how cozy the place is, it feels very welcoming especially on what turned out to be a pretty crappy windy, rainy evening. I don't recommend coming here with a group larger than 4, the space works best for duos, trios and quads so accidentally leave someone off of the invite list:)

    (4)

  • Maciej G.

    Pizza Rustica is, overall, a very good pizza place. Their pizzas exhibit a thin, crunchy but delicate crust with a fairly good wholesome taste. Of the three kinds I had, I would say that I preferred the more exotic to the traditional margherita. None were bad, but the potato rosemary impressed me the most. The potatoes were sliced just right and their flavor came through while the rosemary helped augment the sauce and gave the cheese a bit more oomph. It seems that the toppings, red peppers in my case, take center stage dominating the pizza's overall flavor palette whereas the cheese and sauce play second string. I also tried the pineapple and ham pizza which was very good as well. The ingredients were fresh, and the ham was not overwhelming but in decently large chunks. I don't recommend coming here if you're rushed. Even with a nearly empty restaurant, it took quite a while to have our orders come out, but it's not that they were lazy. This is the kind of place you bring your friends (and wine) to and spend quite a bit of time ordering and eating and ordering some more and enjoying yourselves. Don't come here looking for a quick slice.

    (4)

  • Susan G.

    Beware. This is an ITALIAN restaurant. If you expect your FRENCH fries to be accompanied by ketchup, while you drink your GERMAN beer, you will be berated by the chef (or owner? manager?) who is shocked that you could even think that an ITALIAN restaurant would even dream to stock ketchup. And, that you should know that and not order FRENCH fries in the first place in an ITALIAN restaurant. Don't worry. We won't ask again because we'll never be back.

    (1)

  • Adam G.

    Pizza Rustica is an awesome local Italian and pizza place, located less than a block from the Sheridan Red line stop. The food here is great. They make their noodles from scratch, and you can tell the difference. You can mix and match types of pasta, sauces, and "add-ins," like chicken, meatballs, or crumbled sausage. They also make really good pizza, with their own homemade butter crust, fired in a brick oven, and which is very distinctive. Other than the consistently good food, another reason I enjoy coming here is because the atmosphere is pretty cool. The dining area is large and open, with exposed brick walls that display artwork from local artists. The wood tables are solid and tasteful, and the larger ones make me feel like you're at a mead hall or in a European kitchen. You can also see much of the kitchen from the dining room, just like something out of Hell's Kitchen or other television restaurant shows. One final word of advice: If you stick to pizza, pasta or other entrees, the bill should end up being reasonable. However, like most restaurants, if you start stacking on appetizers and alcohol, you may be surprised at how pricey your final check becomes. Rustica does have a pretty good beer and wine list, but you pay for what you get. The appetizers can also be a little disappointing, in terms of quantity of food for what you pay for. My boyfriend and I usually just drink our own wine at home before or after dinner here, and don't bother with ordering appetizers here anymore.

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    Unreal Pizza. Great Pasta. Great service. Great everything. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Debbie J.

    We live down the street, and this is our go to. The blackboard concept it awesome, and their food never lets us down. It's especially great when the weather is nice because they offer an outdoor seating section. Highly suggested!

    (5)

  • Luis O.

    Nice space with a good buzz to it overall. We ordered two different types of pizza and both were well prepared but lacked flavor..quite bland actually. We ate at the bar - the bartender was efficient but very cold and mechanical...a smile and a little patience with customers goes a long way. We will be back, sit at a table and check out other menu items, definitely worth another try!

    (3)

  • Nad A.

    Went there twice with friends. The food is decent. The problem is the service. It takes forever to have someone take your order and even longer to get the food . If you happen to get a table outside it is even worse. The waitstaff seemed overwhelmed, running around and avoiding eye contact if you try to get their attention. I am not sure what the problem is : not enough waitstaff , not enough cooks . The first time we went there I thought it was just an off-day , but it happened again and it seems that this is the way it is . What is puzzling is that there is a manager on site but yet nothing improved.

    (2)

  • Filip F.

    I have been to this place 4 times and ordered delivery twice. At the restaurant...pizza tutti was awesome. Crust is thin but delicious and nothing like some cracker crap you get when you order thin at other places. I even liked marinara pizza that has no cheese. Appetizers are excellent. Beer and wine selection is pretty good. Service was good 3 out of 4 times that I visited. Place is warmed by the brick oven and feels very cozy in winter time. It is truly a great neighborhood place for dinner and/or drink. I love it. Delivery is a different story. First time I ordered, it took 90 minutes - kind of a long time for a thin crust pizza. I almost sent the pizza back. But I was hungry and even at it's warm state, pizza was good. Second time I ordered it, I was ready for long wait. One hour and 15 minutes later, cold pizza arrived. I am not a high maintenance customer...but if I have to microwave the pizza that I just got, I am not happy. Bottom line, go in, don't order.

    (3)

  • Minna A.

    WHY was I so reluctant to come here? I've been missing out on some really good pasta action! The pizzas I've had here were so-so, so far, but their pastas are AMAZING. Don't bother looking up their menu online, it's best to walk in take a good long look at their list of daily specials to the right, and then a hard long look at the beer specials and there you have an awesome night! :) Also, NO LONGER BYOB, but there are plenty of good beers and wines.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Stopped in to this venue since the weather was terrible even though it had a slight wait. While the place was cute and the food was good, the service was terrible. 1. I had to ask several times for ice water 2. Had a glass of wine that was close to empty and ordered another glass. The waiter poured my nearly empty glass of wine into the new glass which contained a fresh glass of wine. How disgusting. 3. Waiter never once asked how our food was. 4. Food was good though.

    (3)

  • Bobuzzi C.

    Delcious pizza. We were deciding between the Quattro Stagioni or the Tutta and could get a half size pizza split with both so we didnt have to choose! Perfect size. and the small, square pieces of pizza are wonderful. Also need to try the jalapeno drink. Sweet with a bit of spice. It is awesome. Tiramisu was homemade and went down really fast. All of their desserts looked amazing. Was a little chilly to sit on the patio the night we went, but will deinitely check that out.

    (4)

  • D. M.

    For being an Italian place, their pasta is horrendous. It was the biggest waste of money and I will never order from there again. Their pizza is decent, but nothing I'd go out of my way to have again. My bf and I ordered pasta- one with the arribibeta sauce and the other with bolognese and both were flavorless and overpriced. For being such a pretentious setting, you'd expect better quality. I think Olive Garden is disgusting but I'd eat there before I'd ever eat here again.

    (1)

  • Lee B.

    The first time my wife & I went, we had a fantastic meal - excellent service, delicious food, good wine. Every time since then has been a god-damned nightmare. Do they just not have enough servers? Is that why, every other time we've dined in, it literally takes 20-30 minutes for a server to stop by the table? And then another 15 to get drinks, and then once the food gets dropped off, we're pretty much invisible until 20 minutes after we've clearly finished our food. Busboys and hosts occasionally scamper past the table, eyes averted. (Or if you're trying to get seated, busboys and servers avert their eyes from you.) I think once, after that lovely first time, we got bread. Definitely not the other few times we tried. The food itself is still pretty solid, and the drinks are good, but getting any consumable items in your presence can be painful. OK, so maybe we should just get their food for delivery, we thought! Let's skip the long waiting times at an uncomfortable table and just get some pizza brought to us. I ordered a pizza for delivery before 7 on a Friday - not peak hours, really, so when they told me I'd have it within an hour, I figured that was the longest it could possibly take. When I called back an hour and a half later to check in, I was informed that my pizza "was next to go out", and then that "it would be going out in the next round of deliveries", and then that "it was still in the oven". At no point did anyone offer the remotest hint of an apology that it was already half an hour late and my pizza was still in the oven. I was informed that this was "so it would be hot and fresh when it went out", but somehow when it got to me 2 hours after I ordered it, it was barely warm. I WANT TO LIKE YOU, PIZZA RUSTICA. I want to give you lots of money. Hire some more fucking service staff, and maybe replace some of the apathetic robots wandering around there now, and I will totally come back. Until then, up yours.

    (1)

  • Shivani K.

    I have to say, I love this place! To start, it has a great ambiance, and I know its family owned, which is cool. My friend and I ordered the crab cakes and scallops to start out, and they were amazing! Perfectly cooked. For dinner, she had the salmon (so flaky, she finished her whole plate) and I had the pasta with sausage and mushrooms -- so hearty and so good. I would absolutely come back and check out their blackboard menu again, the specials always sound so good!

    (5)

  • Katie F.

    Love this place, but have noticed a few odd things... We used to live around the corner, and would go almost once/week. Pizza has ALWAYS been amazing, and I've always loved the pastas :) I wasn't wild about the salmon when I had it, but my boyfriend loved it. We went last night for the first time in a few months (since we moved), and it was way less crowded than usual (especially for 6:30 on a Friday). I arrived a few minutes before my boyfriend, and the hostess almost seemed nervous to seat me before he got there (because we weren't a complete party I guess). She was super nice, and sat me anyway (which was good, as there was hardly anyone else there). It seemed like she was nervous she'd get in trouble for seating an incomplete party. (Thank you for seating me!) Our server was awesome - very attentive and made excellent drink suggestions. We ordered the buratta and prosciutto appetizer (delicious!). He ordered the margherita pizza with crumbled sausage, and I ordered a "create your own" pasta with gnocchi, tomato cream sauce, mushrooms, spinach, and crumbled sausage. His was perfect, and mine was almost perfect. On mine, the crumbled sausage sort of combined to make a sausage patty, which was kinda weird but fine. We just now finished eating our leftovers :) We had the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, which was VERY rich and perhaps had a bit too much sauce on it, but was delicious nonetheless. Some weird things: 1) The way the hostess seemed almost scared to seat me without my boyfriend there (he was 10 minutes after me). She was very sweet, and obviously made the right call, but it seemed like she was nervous that the manager or owners would get mad at her. In a super busy restaurant I'd understand...but the majority of the tables were WIDE open! 2) We didn't get the usual bread/oil at the table. We didn't ask for it, but they used to just bring it out. We remember once seeing the chef/owner running across the street to get more bread on a super busy night...this time they were not nearly full, and either didn't have bread, or were choosing not to serve it. Maybe cutting corners? 3) Where were all the customers? We used to go all the time before we moved, and it was always hopping! We are part of the spring rewards program, and have gone so much that we have received credits at least 3 (maybe 4!) times. Yay! 4) The owner/chef actually stood out front a few times. He may have just been getting some fresh air...but it almost looked like he was wondering "where are all the customers?" (Hopefully he was just getting fresh air!) But again...wasn't crowded at all. 5) I follow them on facebook, and I saw yesterday that they actually insulted a reviewer from yelp. The review itself was indeed a bit silly...but even still, it was a bit off-putting to read the owner (or manager, not sure who runs the page) react so negatively. Our favorite things: 1) Atmosphere. Even when it's crowded, there's something so romantic about the place. We love the lighting, the wood, the layout, and the artwork. 2) We have a favorite server :) Manuel (I hope that's how he spells his name) is the BOMB! We were hoping to see him last night....miss you Manuel! 3) Food is always SO yummy. 4) Drinks are amazing. 5) I think this is a recent change - they do have the prices on the handwritten blackboard menus. Thank you for listening to customer feedback! 6) Not just the quality of the food, but the quantity. I've always left feeling full (and sometimes with leftovers!) My boyfriend rarely leaves with leftovers...he is always part of the "clean plate club" :) I have read some of the recent reviews on here, and it looks like some people have had less than perfect experiences. Hopefully the owners check here, and take note of all reviews (good and bad), and adjust as needed :)

    (4)

  • Jack P.

    Came here with a friend/client for a weekday lunch. The new space is open with an inviting bar, open air seating indoors and tables on the street out front, as well. The menu is fairly extensive with Northern Italian food choices and even longer when it comes to libations. I never thought I'd say I'd be happy to see $8 martinis, but when they are pushing $12-14 elsewhere, eight seems reasonable. Reasonably-priced wines by the glass ($6-7.00) and beers as well. We were iced-tea totalling, so no chance this trip to sample the hooch. Our lunch order was simple. Split a Rustica salad of spinach, artichoke and goat cheese and a 1/2 order ($13.75) of Quattro Stagioni pizza. More artichokes, tomato, mushrooms and ham. This pizza is addictive. The ingredients are fresh and well-matched. The crust is like a thinner version of what is so good about Lou Malanati's. I am so glad I finally made it here. Totally lived up to my expectations. Needless to say, we cleaned our plates and left nothing to take home. The 1/2 pizza was a good serving for two adults. There are lots of other menu items: sanwiches, salads, pastas, which all sounded good and which I'm sure live up to the flavor and freshness of the pizza. I rather wish this were my little neighborhood spot, but I don't think I can go through the trouble of moving! The total bill was $25.50 for two. That was without tip or drinks. and sharing, so a little on the high side for a lunch budget, but worth every penny. Our server Josh could not have been more friendly or more an advocate of the place. Great to have a server who enjoys his place and his plates. The food arrived timely, too. Could be the best thin crust pizza I've had in awhile. Where sometimes the Neoplolitans are a bit dry, and others too swimming in slippery sauce, Pizza Rustica was the perfect blend. The perfect tongue shui.

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    This place is a great little hidden gem! Very tasty pizza and you can create your own. I was pleasantly surprise because it never looks very busy. I went here on a date and it was really a fun date spot as well!

    (4)

  • Ada L.

    Horrible service. Waited more than an hour and a half for delivery. When I called to check on the order they said "it must be out for delivery because I don't see it here." Had to call back again 30 minutes later and the guy cut me off saying "it's on it's way...". When the delivery driver finally came, she had NO change. How do you send a driver out with no change to a customer paying cash? Unacceptable- definitely won't be ordering from here again.

    (1)

  • Sean C.

    I've lived around the corner from this place (old and new locations) for about six years now. TL;DR - great pizza, amazing specials, and surprisingly clever cocktail menu. Worth a visit, or at least take out. The name suggests pizza, and while they make some of the best in the city (with a thin, buttery crust that is entirely unique) you're missing out if you limit yourself to their pies. Really, the best-kept-secrets (plural!) of this place are their specials and their drinks. The specials board, 90% different every time I've gone in, is the work of a Chef. Not to diminish the noble Pizza Guy, but most pizza places don't offer (like my last visit) truffled burrata with perfectly grilled summer vegetables or perfectly cooked ribs in an Italian style; blessedly free of the smothering BBQ sauce that masks the poor technique of lesser efforts. The cocktail menu is playful and seasonal. Being a bourbon drinker, I'm often disappointed in summertime efforts to lighten its somber sweetness. My last visit offered up a lovely blend of mint, orange, anise and bourbon - worth having two. I'd give ingredients, name and details If I could remember, but - I suck. Decor is nice, service is polite and efficient but otherwise unremarkable. Try it twice - once for specials, again for pizza.

    (5)

  • Desiree R.

    The spot was beautiful, I absolutely loved the vibe, I ordered the chicken alfredo which was honestly probably the best I've ever had, I thought it was a bit pricy for such a small portion but nonetheless good, the cocktail I had was a mojito can't remember which one but it was ok and again pricy. Overall the vibe and feel of the place was great but just a bit pricy for my taste.

    (4)

  • LeDub Z.

    I've been here 3 times now, and have nothing but good things to say! I've tried the bruschetta once, and several kinds of pizza. Most recently I came here with a group of 6 and we ordered 2 halves (the grilled veggie & the everything). Both were great!! Their pizza is thin crust, with fresh toppings. If you've never had bleu cheese on a pizza, I would definitely recommend it! Our server was super sweet. We asked about the size of the bruschetta appetizer order, and he said he would make sure we had enough for 6 people (very tasty). And when he overheard that it was someone in our group's birthday, he brought out a slice of tiramisu at the end of our meal. I've been fantasizing about the pizza for the last 2 days, and can't wait to go back. Doesn't hurt that they have one of my favorite beers: pursuit of hoppiness. Go, good people - get your pizza! I will meet you there!

    (5)

  • Andy M.

    Pizza Rustica. Where have you been all my life. If you grew up in Chicago like I did, Pizza was literally stuffed down your throat from the age of one. I ate so much pizza as a kid that I have peperoni coming out of my ears. To be honest, I'm kind of over the whole Chicago pizza scene. Then, a place like this comes along. PIzza Rustica is a wonderfully unique take on Pizza that I really enjoyed. The Pizza is a giant rectangle of yummy goodness. It's mouthwateringly (Not a real word, just made it up) delicious and the main reason is the buttery crust. The crust has a buttery, garlic taste that's different from anything I've ever tasted. It transforms the pie from a ordinary pizza to a multiple orgasm on a plate. The restaurant itself is quite small, so there was a bit of a wait to be seated. Once we had a place to rest our cheeks, our server did a fabulous job explaining the specials. The service was top notch. Another nice thing about Pizza Rustica is that it's a BYOB establishment. Pizza Rustica is officially added to my list of best places to get your grub on in Chicago. It's right up there with Lou Malnotti's and Oven grinders as my favorite pies in Chicago. If you like Pizza, you have to try this place. You won't be sorry you did.

    (5)

  • Terris A.

    Ended up here after the Pride Festival 2012 and was happy that we did- perfect place to sober up a bit! :) I have gone here a couple of times since and have been impressed by their service. We have always encountered friendly staff and the service has been quick. They have a good beer and wine selection and are always promoting specials on appetizers or entrees. Pizza is oh so good! I am a vegetarian so always stick with the cheese and mushrooms and it never disappointments. This is a great place to go on a warm day in Chicago- seat outside, drink some wine and enjoy some great food!

    (4)

  • Pierangelo P.

    Pretty amazing place. food is delicious and reasonably priced and the service is outstanding. Our server Adil was extremely attentive, and made it a great experience. Will definitely keep going there

    (5)

  • Melanie S.

    Wow, what took me so long to finally try Pizza Rustica? I took VBM* here last night for Mother's Day. Even though I busted my ass cooking brunch for my entire family on Sunday, I thought it would be nice if just the two of us had our own Mother's Day dinner together. After looking at the menu and coming across so many great reviews, I knew both of us would enjoy it. Street parking was easy to come by, which is always a bonus, and they're open on Mondays, another win in my book. The place is on the small side, but it's very charming. We were greeted immediately by our server, who was very sweet and welcoming, and given menus. Both Mom and I were surprised at how extensive the menu was, given that the kitchen looked to be tiny and didn't have a large staff. In addition to pizza, they have sandwiches, salads, pasta, as well as a few meat, chicken and fish specials. We didn't realize it was BYOB and didn't come prepared, but it turned out to be fine as we had more than our fair share of mimosas the day before anyway, so we each had a San Pellegrino limonata (pretty much the best soda ever). We started with a caprese salad, which is always one of my favorites, particularly when it's done this well. This version included some greens on the side and the whole thing was drizzled with balsamic vinegar and a touch of pesto. Even though the tomatoes could have been a touch riper, it was still a first-rate caprese. We moved on to ordering pizza. I grew giddy with delight at the fact that you can customize not just a whole pizza, but individual slices! We both chose a slice of the potato rosemary pizza and Mom also ordered a slice with all of her favorite veggies. I decided to go for broke and get a half pizza so I'd have plenty of leftovers for the upcoming week. I went a little overboard adding ingredients, but they all sounded too good to pass up. Our pizza arrived and I had to remind our server that I only ordered a half pizza, to which she clarified that it was, in fact, only a half pizza. Jiminy Christmas, this pizza was huge! And it was delicious. The crust was crunchy, and the toppings were fresh and plentiful. How can you go wrong with artichoke, zucchini, tomato, basil and garlic on a pizza? The only real bummer was dessert. After being informed they were out of panna cotta, we opted to try the tiramisu over the profiteroles (note to self: one should never pass up profiteroles). The tiramisu had no creamy and fluffy mascarpone filling - it was just mainly ladyfingers drizzled with chocolate. I didn't taste any hint of espresso either so it was kind of a disappointing dessert. Overall, we really enjoyed Pizza Rustica. The place is very reasonable price-wise, but watch out when you order those extra toppings - they really add up. I'm definitely coming back again and again, and I'll be sure and bring a bottle of wine next time. Corkage is only $1.75. This is a great place to go on a date or with a group of friends; we saw tables of both. Or even a place to take your mom. She'll love you for it. *Very Best Mom

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    I can't get over the new space. So charming and welcoming. The cocktail list is amazing. For around $8 a drink you're getting craft cocktails that rival any Violet Hour type joints in the city. The wine list is beautiful and again, so well priced you'll wonder why you drink anywhere else. The food? I don't need to tell you how delicious the pizza is or how perfect the pasta is--just go!! Perfect neighborhood spot.

    (5)

  • Carmen B.

    We were in search of a wood fired pizza and found Rustica. There are several good attributes around the environment, staff and the food. It was a late Saturday afternoon, and people were beginning to come in the restaurant. We got a table in the corner by the kitchen which was a perfect shield from the super low winter temps. In more temperate weather I would grab a seat at the bar. hostess was very friendly and the waitress was fun and welcoming- and described the specials very well. I was a big fan of the polenta and meat ragout. Although I opted for a Belgian quad (nice beer selection) the Italian margaritas - that I saw almost every table order- looked enticing. Beware of the size of the pizzas- the half order indicates 4 slices so we intended to order two- but thankfully she advised against it. One half order came to the table on two 9x7 boards... Great for later! Rustica is a quality spot. We have a great selection of quality wood fired pizza spots in the city; and while this isn't my first choice, I would return.

    (3)

  • Shane O.

    Fantastic neighborhood place. I'd probably eat dinner at the bar 5 nights a week if this was in NYC. It's a cozy Chicago neighborhood, and I don't want to give the impression to anyone that I have no life, so I keep it to around twice a week. Great decor, great staff, good pizzas, and every entree special that I have tried has been wonderful, and the price is right.

    (4)

  • RJ W.

    Walked in on a Friday night, wasn't very busy but all the outdoor seats were taken. We were seated all the way in the back near the server station and ovens with plenty of open tables towards the front (not cool)! Ordered a Cesar salad, and it was disgusting. Waay too much dressing, unedible. We ordered a whole Margherita pizza, which does NOT have fresh milk mozzarella... A little help from the waitress would've been nice or suggestion to order a smaller pizza. Pizza itself was pretty blah. Def not even close to a top 25 pizza joint in the city. I don't get all the great reviews. As we were eating our dinner, we saw the staff dragging tables outside to seat people on the sidewalk...Thanks for the offer guys. As far as all that extra pizza we get to take home... Classy way of wrapping up food. (picture). Do yourself a favor and skip this place and move on to the next one! This place was awful.

    (1)

  • Carolynne M.

    This place is simply put - unbelievable. I am kicking myself for having bookmarked this business ages ago and only now have gotten around to trying it. The space is tiny, and there was a small wait for a table. When we were finally seated, we had a very pleasant server who explained the large selection of specials in his delightful Italian accent. Listen carefully, because it is loud in there and a bit hard to hear. I don't know what Andy was thinking, but I heard him order a panini. This was a little shocking because we were seated right next to the pizza oven and I was sure the gorgeous pies emerging steaming hot and wonderfully fragrant would have sold him right away. Luckily, I was able to convince him to change his order and I was able to sample one of the very best pizzas in town. A fantastic, rich buttery crust that framed intensely fresh and flavourful ingredients. If you dislike the "cracker crust" so often found in Chicago, or deep dish, then you will want to come here. I ordered a special, which was the Pappardelle al Telefono. While it does sound like it should be "pasta over a telephone", in fact it was a wide noodle covered in an amazing tomato and wine sauce. Hands down it was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. Since it is so small in there, if you can't do take out or delivery, I suggest getting there early or going on a slow night. This is a place you are going to want to experience.

    (5)

  • Jordan Y.

    The pizza is good but the pasta is fantastic. Everything here is really fresh and delicious. The fried mozzarella is a great appetizer (if not the healthiest of choices), and the rotating Blackboard menu always keep it interesting. Some of the specials can be a bit pricey. I got really burned by this one time when carrying out, I was charged over $25 for a stuffed pasta special and they literally gave me 5 pieces of pasta. I haven't had the small portion issue when eating in, so just be careful when taking out.

    (4)

  • Jason K.

    good pizza. service was good.

    (4)

  • April L.

    Nice ambiance. Eaten here a few times. My recommendation is to stick with the staples: Pizza and pasta. The specials are not all that "special."

    (3)

  • Mauricio P.

    If you can call ahead so you don't wait... Please is great.. Yea... make sure you have a reservation before hand... the place gets packed (which tell you its great) and you might be waiting for a wile.... The pizza is great and the service is warm and helpful! If you are in the area you should give it a shot!!!

    (4)

  • Casandra R.

    We stopped here for some drinks after another bar was closed. We didn't eat anything so all I can say is for atmosphere. It was quiet when we arrived, and then became very very loud at rush time, and then died back down a bit. The bartender was nice and they have huge pizzas from what we saw. It was a good place for a beer though if you just wanted a break from other bars.

    (4)

  • Ellen K.

    It's like Pizza Rustica grew up! We'd been to the old place across the street several times; now the new, larger space feels more sophisticated, polished, and energized, with a great vibe. A really lovely place for dinner. Absolutely charming atmosphere - a unique mix of neighborhood place and trendy Chicago eatery. The food is exquisite: beautiful, homemade creations that are consistently fresh and delicious.We usually order one of the specials, athough that Quattro Stagioni pizza of theirs is outstanding. Nice wines and drinks menu, too. I can't blame them for getting away from the BYOB thing. Heck, reading these reviews makes me understand why -- people who enjoy their BYO wine and get in a big kerfuffle when they're asked for a $3.75 corkage fee per person, or who pack up their half-finished BYO bottle after dinner and sit at the bar with it, then sacrificially tell the owner, gee, I will order a glass from the bar, even through my bottle is sitting here. I've seen large parties of, say, 10 people come in to Pizza Rustica with bottles of wine from the liquor store a few doors down, order a couple of pizzas, and stay for hours, drinking and having a good old time. It's hard for a small restaurant to survive when a large party takes up a good portion of the dining room for 2-3 hours and amasses a bill for $50,

    (5)

  • Carolyn L.

    It was such a joy to find Pizza Rustica last night for my friend's birthday dinner. There were 8 of us so the wait was substantial (they only take reservations for parties of 4 or less unless you order the prix fixe menu which seemed to be overpriced). But the wait was well worth it. We brought enough wine to have more than a bottle per person. Haha it was quite impressive seeing all of that red wine on the table! The food was outstanding. I ordered a cup of the minestrone and it was probably in the top 3 of the best cups of minestrone I have ever had. The broth was light and flavorful, perfectly salted. The vegetables were tender but still retained a lot of their flavor and freshness. And the parmesan cheese was the perfect finishing touch on the soup. When the pizzas came out, we practically pounced on them. All in all, we had half of a rosemary potato pizza, half a Hawaiian pizza, a mushroom and olive pizza, and a margherita pizza. There were some leftovers but I definitely jumped on the chance to take those home! The crust held up well under all of the toppings so it wasn't soggy. It was crispy and flaky. I mean, it was all good. The best part was, 7 of us paid for dinner and we only had to pay $17! Imagine if all 8 of us had paid! That includes tip as well. Seriously, what a great little place and you won't break the bank. I will definitely be going back!

    (4)

  • Andrew J.

    Oh my Oh my Oh My...Pizza Rustica why aren't there more of you? If you haven't been, you ARE missing out. Great food, great drinks, great owners. Stumbling distance from the L...what more do you need?

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    This review is only for the pizza. They have a lot of other menu items that I want to try, but haven't yet. The pizza is so good I usually order delivery. My favorites are the Margarita and Rosemary Potato. Yes, potatoes on a pizza sounds weird, but it is delicious! You should definitely try it if you like rosemary. I haven't dined in at their new location yet. I was a big fan of the tiny BYOB place across the street, but now they serve drinks instead. Kind of disappointing, but I'll have to try it before I knock it.

    (4)

  • Tal C.

    Came here with a couple of friends on a Friday night at around 7:30. The restaurant was packed, so we headed for the bar to sit down until our table was ready. Around 15 minutes later, we were asked if we planned to order a drink at the bar, and when we replied "no, we brought our own wine," they asked us to not sit at the bar so that paying customers could sit there. I've never really experienced anything like that in my life, but that was pretty mild compared to what happened once we were seated (besides, they charge a $3.50/person corkage fee anyway for BYO so they could have just offered to open our bottle at the bar). So after standing for another 20 minutes, we were seated at a table, and before we had even hung our coats up, the waiter came by, out of breath, and told us that the restaurant is slammed and pizzas are taking an hour at least, so we should get our order in ASAP and not be surprised when the pizza takes a while. Ok- no problem, we had a bottle of wine and didn't mind waiting. He came by five minutes later and we told him we were ready to order, and with his reaction, you'd think we asked him to move a mountain. He basically started yelling that he has other tables and can't take our order right at that very minute, and that we shouldn't be in such a rush. Whoa, okay, I thought you wanted us to get our order in ASAP. So we get our pizza, and are sitting there enjoying it with the wine, and next thing you know, the pizza is about 2/3 done, and the waiter comes by to let us know that he "loves us" but the manager is yelling about the table so we have to leave and he's going to get us a box. EXCUSE ME?! I have never before been asked to leave a restaurant, let alone before I've even finished my meal. It was only 9:30 at that point, and our pizza had arrived at about 9:10. So we quickly paid and were ushered out. As for the food: we got two salads, both of which were extremely underwhelming and, at $8 each, completely not worth it. The Margherita pizza was pretty good, and I might consider ordering delivery from here, I guess. BUT there are too many places in Chicago that serve mediocre pizza and won't ask me to leave 20 minutes after getting my food for me to ever patronize this place again.

    (1)

  • Jessica B.

    A friend recommended Pizza Rustica for girls night out and it was fabulous! Conveniently located right off the Red Line, huge outdoor seating (if only it wasn't 100 degrees out) and a nice, clean, updated interior. Due to the heat, we didn't sit outside or order a ton but the food was really, really delicious. The pours on the red wine were appropriate (second was even a little generous) and the wait staff was very nice. We order the caprese salad and it was beyond delicious. The balsamic was a nice touch and the mozzarella and tomatoes were fresh. For pizza, we ordered the Quatro-something (yeah I can't remember) but it had ham, artichoke hearts, cheese and bacon. It was amazing and the rustic thin crust was crunchy and delicious. But note: the half size is MORE than enough for two people. I was shocked at how large the portion size was for it, but it was still delicious. I cannot wait to go back and try more pizzas on the menu. Recommend!

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    I have eaten here close to 10 times. I highly recommend the pizza- regardless of the toppings the pizza is ALWAYS exceptional. I think it is also a very good deal for the money. I have tried the pasta dishes and honestly they aren't the most flavorful and I now skip the pasta. I once had the fish special and I thought it was great. They offer some great mixed drinks off the menu but have a full bar as well. They don't gauge you on drink prices either imo. The service is usually very good but once in awhile when they are extremely busy the service can get spotty- Ithink they are still figuring out their new much larger location and they get swamped they get confused. The waitresses have always been friendly. I intend on continuing to frequent Pizza Rustica and will bring friends there. Notice, They are closed Tuesdays for some reason.

    (4)

  • Mary E.

    What a lovely little place. I've ridden my bike past Pizza Rustica so many times and noticed how attractive and busy it is that I had to try it. I decided to sit outside with my boyfriend. I ordered a pale ale on special and we also ordered the margherita pizza medium and the Four Seasons large. I was SHOCKED at how much pizza we got for the price. Taste wise the pizza was ok. The crust was fantastic - crunchy and full of flavor. The topings were fresh and tasty. The cheese...eh...meh...well you see...it was like....Ok, the cheese was a little bland. Or lightly flavored. Whatever. Not that the cheese will keep me away. The pizza was still darn good and the location lovely and the service very nice. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Janet E.

    I had such a great time at Pizza Rustica, that giving it anything less than a 5 star rating would be wrong!!! Our server (unfortunately never got his name but he had a cute accent) was outstanding!!! Our group of 17 pretty much took up the entire restaurant as well as used up all their plates, wine glasses, and utensils. But he didnt care!!! Super friendly and worked with us in taking our orders, even with the latecomers. My friend was throwing a party here and organized her own set menu. We started off with two options for salad, then in between the salad and the entree we had so many variety of pizzas, all of which were deliciously thin crust (my favorite!). Beware of the jalepeno one, its no joke. Freakin hot! The entrees were only okay but not bad. We had pasta with meat sauce. I would say stick to the pizzas here if you can. The restaurant is BYOB and our group definitely took advantage of that. I cant even tell you how many beer bottles/wine bottles we went through. But our server was really good about clearing off our table. Definitely would come back here again. Great time, great pizza!

    (5)

  • Kevin Lamarr J.

    Great drinks! We had the mozzarella sticks, and 1/2 pizza. Unique crust... Flavorful. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • Emily R.

    People come to Chicago for the deep dish pizza, but Pizza Rustica's authentic thin crust is absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, it's no longer BYOVino, but there are still several affordable wines to choose from - including an awesome Malbec my friend and I split a bottle of during my visit last week. Salads are pretty self-explanatory and fresh, and are a great starter before splitting a HALF pizza (half is more than enough for 2 people.) I had the goat cheese, artichoke, and spinach salad with a clingy balsamic dressing. Next, the margherita pizza - go basic and order margherita. The crust is thin, but flaky like a pastry - and sweet. Tomatoes, garlic, cheese - all good, basic stuff. The wait staff is a little flighty, slightly confused and slow, but not bad enough to distract from the fantastic pizza. If you're near the stadium, great place to stop in for a quality bite.

    (4)

  • Ricky B.

    I have to say I was really excited to try this place as a friend recommended it to me. The restaurant apparently was small and then opened across the street from its old location. I walk in and the restaurant is decorated nicely. The atmosphere was nice. My friend and I got there right before their busy time. We were seated. A few minutes later the server asks for drinks. Everything seems okay from there. We receive our drinks; order our Caesar salad, and the large tutta pizza. Fast-forward 15 minutes a couple is seated next to us. They also order their drinks, appetizer and pizza. As we are waiting our server is also bartending and not really paying attention to the customers she has seated. Fast-forward 20 minutes and we get our salad with an apology stating "sorry there was a mix up in the kitchen." As the server walks away the couple next to us gets ALL their food. After eating our salad (which was not the greatest) we never saw our server again. Fifty minutes into our experience I spoke with the manager and explained what exactly was going on. She apologized and said she would come back to let us know when the pizza was going to be coming out. We didn't see her for 10 minutes. That is when I got up and told her we were leaving. She then asked, "You're going to pay for the salad right?" I was not very happy about it, but I guess since I did eat it I would. I told her it was rather rude that she would make us pay for a salad. Then she asked, "oh your pizza is done, would you like it boxed up to go. " We left without paying for anything. Her final words were, "Sorry we are human and we make mistakes." I understand that completely but at least have the customer service skills to run your restaurant. If the server would have been honest with me and told me that she forgot to put our order in (which is really what the mix up was) I would not have been so upset. The server also got major attitude because of my complaint. She was too busy in the bar to take care of her own customers. Apparently moving from a smaller space to a bigger space has not worked out too well for Pizza Rustica from the reviews I have read. Maybe Pizza Rustica has grown to big for it's britches or bitten off more than it can chew. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE DUE TO THE LAKE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE ATTITUDE WE RECEIVED AFTER HAVING A DECENT VALID COMPLAINT.

    (1)

  • Mary M.

    I have been coming to Pizza Rustica for the last 6 years and have always had a great experience with the food and service. I lived in Italy for a year, so I always felt like I was back in Italy when I went here. I was very excited for them when I heard they were moving into a new space. I really want them to succeed, but I think they have some work to do. We went a week after they opened in the new space. and I'm sad to say we had a horrible experience. The hostess is horrible. She took down our name, but said she couldn't quote a time. She just said it would be 'a long time' and told us to wait at the bar. We waited at the bar for 90 minutes before I went up to ask her how much longer we had to wait. She looked at me and said 'Wait, you want a table? Oh man! I took you off the list!'. Once they were able to seat us they said the kitchen ran out of the pizza dough, so it was going to take a long time if we wanted a pizza. We didn't mind waiting because we know the pizza is amazing. As we were finishing up our pizza and wine, a busboy came over and told us the restaurant was closed and it was time for us to leave. He told us this at 11pm on the dot, which is when the restaurant closes. I was shocked. We came to the restaurant at 8:30pm, got our table at 10pm, and finally got our food at 10:45pm. Someone needs to explain to him that the closing time is when you stop seating customers, not when you 'kick' customers out. The food at this restaurant is amazing, so I hope the service improves. They just need to have the same level of service that they had at the other location. I will give them another chance, but I'm going to wait a couple months and hope the service improves.

    (2)

  • Tiffani S.

    Don't be a fool and order delivery on a Saturday night. It's 9:14, I placed an order at 7:13 and there is no food in sight. To be fair, they did tell me "it will be a little over an hour"....to be fair, two hours is pushing it. The food is good and I enjoy dining in, but no more delivery.

    (3)

  • Brian M.

    Excellent atmosphere, excellent food, excellent service. Went in on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. We split a pasta and pizza dish - both were fantastic. I really enjoyed the decor as well. Will definitely head back again and bring some friends.

    (5)

  • Mat M.

    I love Pizza Rustica! Their pizza is delicious, the service always good, and their new location is awesome. They deliver, their prices are really decent...and with the addition of a bar from being BYOB they're not gouging you for drinks. They have a good selection- and I'll continue to go back again and again.

    (5)

  • Veronica M.

    Been coming here for about 2 years..... Very excited for the new bigger location across the street. Took parents there for lunch couple weeks ago, only 10ish people in whole place and middle of the day. Took forever for water, then when did get service, the four sodas another 5 mins to get to the table. had to ask for bread to go with the soup and ordered 4 sandwiches, 50mins later delivered to the table. Food was unimpressive and smaller portions than what I got at old location across the street. New location awesome but needs to work on service, food and portion size, $60bills for 4 sodas, 4 sandwiches a little pricy!

    (2)

  • Eliza Z.

    Now that Pizza Rustica has moved across the street from it's former location, I decided it's time for a review update! Usually, I go the takeout route from here since I live down the street, but we decided to wait out the Saturday night date crowd in order to check out the new digs. The remodel is pretty awesome - the space is so much bigger and there's an open kitchen so you can see what's going on in there. We got to the restaurant at around 8:30pm, and things were still very busy but the wait wasn't very long. While we were waiting at the bar, we were suggested a few aperitif cocktails by the woman who I think is a co-owner (her husband is the chef). I had the Venetian Spritz, which was a perfect refreshing drink. One thing I never realized I was missing out on by only getting takeout was that there are three chalkboards full of in-restaurant specials hanging on the walls. These seem to be the real-deal, full-on authentic Italian specialities. I had a pasta with spicy crab sauce which was seriously loaded down with crab meat (and only $16!) and the boy had the bucatini amatriciana, which I thought hands-down beat my pasta. Will definitely be returning often now to check out all these specials! My only complaint would be that they seemed to run out of a lot of things by the time we sat down to eat (about 9pm on Saturday night). They were out of bread (which usually comes when you sit down) and many of the specials, including my initial order of oxtail ragu. So if you want to make sure you get your choice of everything, I recommend an earlier dinner.

    (5)

  • Jarod S.

    The service was strange. We couldn't tell if the server was just being somewhat cold/rude, or maybe just European? But overall he was good at selling the food. Oh, the food; we ordered mussels which seemed rather tiny in their shells, and not very fresh tasting. Following the mussels were Caesar salads which were coated in too much dressing and cheese. Too much cheese? Never! Except this time. The flat crust pizza did win me over. With the perfect crispness to them, the pies were so, so tasty! I would definitely recommend this place but be weary of the menu; stick to just the pizza and remember you can't order the sandwiches around dinner time.

    (3)

  • Amy H.

    My friends live in the neighborhood and I helped them move around the corner one night. Literally around the corner. 27 steps to be exact. After we moved their boxes, we picked up some bottles of wine and a sixer of beer and headed to Pizza Rustica for some din-din. I was expecting just a local pizza joint, but Pizza Rustica is so much more. The specials that night included sea bass, lamb, and a bunch of other things that I forgot because the list was so long that I had to ask the server to repeat it twice. Sure, you can get pizza and pasta here, but you can also indulge in some mighty fine BYOB dining. Also, the ceasar salad is to die for. There are mounds of cheese clinging to ever little piece of lettuce.

    (4)

  • Molly D.

    Yum. I love everything about this cozy neighborhood spot. I was in for dinner with the husband recently and we split a salad, app & 1/2 pizza. The wine list is good, cocktail selection is excellent, and the food is tasty. Also, our server was great, recommending various things and not minding that we were sharing, which makes me want to go back. We had the rustic salad & veggie (I think it's called verdure) pizza. I recommend both.

    (5)

  • Sarah V.

    The perfect little neighborhood Italian restaurant. I wish I still lived around the corner from here. (tear) It's small, dark, noisy and cozy. You'll find couples cuddling in corners, a group of girls sharing bottles of wine, and families near the window catching up. The employees all have that charming Italian accent that I love so much. We usually find a way to keep them chatting longer just so we can listen. I love the create your own pasta section of the menu. Every single time I will order the spinach and artichoke ravioli with arrabiata sauce. It's spicy and just enough food to fill me up. My other must have is the margherita pizza. Cracker-thin crust, very fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and the sauce is exquisite. During the summers the patio is the best seat in the house, bring a bottle of wine and share a pizza. Perfection.

    (4)

  • Annie D.

    Pizza Rustica has great pizza, service, drinks and prices! What more can I say? I've tried four different pizzas; all were amazing! It's a must try. And for the patron who wondered why they're closed on Tuesdays. It's smart! When most other restaurants in the city are closed on Mondays, their open. They need a day off like everyone else.

    (5)

  • Molli K.

    This place is cute and the food is pretty good. The service, however, is rather pathetic. We were walking home from an errand and thought we would step in for dinner, since they didn't look too busy. The owner greeted us at the door and told us about a special event they were having for this ginger beer they were promoting that night. She told us about the menu, gave us a sample of the beer, and had a waiter take us to our table. That's the last anyone said to us for the next 20 minutes. To the sound of a screaming child in the background, we watched while several couples came in after us, sat down and ordered, as we waited, and waited. Finally, I asked the guy busing tables if we could see a server, and he scrambled to find us one. She finally showed up and I said we had been waiting awhile and she looked at me like I had 2 heads. We ordered drinks, which she managed to nearly spill on us as she brought them. No one came to ask us if we wanted another. We ordered pizza and a salad, which came late. It was pretty good, although the pizza sauce was on the bland side. We did order a second round of drinks, but we had to flag another server down to get them. And we had to flag a different server down to get our bill. Needless to say this place isn't on the top of our return list.

    (2)

  • Michael H.

    Businesses can be successful with location, location, location. Pizza Rustica successes are built on service, service, service. From the moment you enter, to the table, to just before one heads out - service is the key component. Service happens here. It happens when one arrives and the maître de takes your group to the bartender for your drink order. It happens when your server is attentive, throughout. And, it happens when the owner stops at your table and shares a laugh. The food: delicious. The atmosphere: neighborhood. The service: impeccable.

    (5)

  • Brandon J.

    A welcome break from gut-busting Chicago deep dish. Excellent crust, good beers, and great service. This is my go-to north side pizza spot.

    (5)

  • John R.

    Solid Roman-style pizza. When their pizzas are at their best, it's worth the extra wait for the slow cooking. It's a unique pizza that you won't find everywhere. The airy, but crispy crust is fantastic. Their specialty pizzas like the rosemary potato and their works pizza (w/ blue cheese) are very flavorful. The second time I ate here, the pizza wasn't as consistent due to flat dough and slightly even cooking. It was still good pizza, but didn't pass the bar of my first time eating there. They also have an above average beer and wine menu. Note, it is no longer BYOB.

    (3)

  • Alli W.

    Great pizza, great environment, great service - I loved this place! It's in a newer, bigger location and I can't wait to eat outside when it's nice out. Warning - a half of a pizza that says "4 slices" is DEFINITELY enough for two people. We made the mistake of getting two halves, but at least we got leftovers to take home! They also have a decent wine selection as well.

    (5)

  • Ben L.

    And the award for the slowest pizza delivery every goes to....Pizza Rustica! I am an understanding person. Blackouts happen. Car accidents happen. Ordering mistakes happen. As long as someone updates me and accepts some responsibility, I'm cool with delays. Even long ones. But two hours with no explanation, no proactive communication, no acceptance of any responsibility, no apology from the restaurant and no discount is unacceptable. So no more business for this place from me.

    (2)

  • Cynthia E.

    The pizza choices are a little limited, but we liked the offerings. One thing we really appreciated is that all of the pizzas are available by the slice if you dine before 5:00 pm. We tried the Bianco, the Tutti, the Stagione and the Vegetarian, and liked all four. The crust here is flaky and buttery, more like a pastry than a pizza crust. We also had the Rustica salad, which was disappointing because it was a small plateful of baby spinach, ONE artichoke heart, a handful of underbaked (albeit housemade) croutons, and three or four crumbles of goat cheese, all drizzled with a tasty balsamic reduction. The drink menu was very interesting and I felt reasonably priced, especially for Wrigleyville. Service was ultra slow, especially since there were ony two other tables inhouse.

    (3)

  • Zach S.

    I recommened the pizza! Best pizza I've ever had! Great location in a really nice neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Emily D.

    When the moon hit my eye. . . a light shone on Pizza Rustica. I've traipsed under the Sheridan El stop more than a few times, saw this place, murmured how awesome it would be to eat pizza if I didn't just have Thai and carried on. But not this time; and never again. Understand I live South and we're blessed with all but BYO beauties. All cuisines have gems in a one mile radius but I have to drink their wine, not mine. It could be worse, but it could be so much better. And PR, well, it delivered. My Aunt Susan always said, "Before you get married, have sex with an Italian man." I was 16. Sure it wasn't, "Stay focused and go to college" but just as important life advice to a young woman who sought to be worldly. Though I meandered through the love languages of Mexico and India, I never landed in the sheets near Sicily. So, listening to the men of PR was as sensual an experience as could be had with my (lovely, one-of-a-kind, forever and ever) husband sitting next to me. We got there early with another pair of lovebirds. It was our first time, which can go one of two ways. . . though it almost always disappoints, no? Not so when it came to this pizza dough. It was buttery, flaky and perfectly hefty to hold up to the toppings of Tutta (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, black olives. . . hold the black olives). I don't generally order half of anything because if I'm going to do this, let's do this but we were advised that even the most ravenous would be satisfied and this is true. The whole place gets sexier as you keep eating, and drinking, and eating and chortling and getting to know your neighbors (it can be elbow-to-elbow). I think our pizza was made not just with the tangibles, but with a sweet crooning from the chef, loving pats to the dough and the tenderest flick of the finger to add the toppings. We carried on, trying to neglect the patrons waiting because we just didn't want to leave. I tried everything; ordering tiramisu when the check had already come, bathroom trips, telling new jokes. We had to leave but it was suggested we come back soon. Who am I not to follow advice?

    (5)

  • Foodie W.

    You have to be "pretty", and "rich" to be considered a "customer" at this place. If your single, and especially a women, forget it.

    (2)

  • Chris B.

    I wanted to love this place. Really, I did. Our waiter was peppy, and service was prompt. No complaints there. Against my better judgment, I tried one of the daily specials over having some pizza. Last night, Salmon was a special, and I expected something better than what I received. For $22, I got a 4 oz piece of fish (with scales still attached to the bottom side), and about a cup of sauteed spinach, without any remarkable seasonings. Yes, $22 for that. Unremarkable would be an understatement. I didn't initially complain because, after a few beers, things are forgivable. My friends gave me a slice or two of their pizza to help tide me over, but again, meh. I've had better pizza in the suburbs. Seems to me that you're paying more for the location than anything else. If the menu prices were reduced about 50%, it might be worth it. However, looking at the receipt today, I can't justify ever going back. There is better food in Chicago.

    (2)

  • M B.

    Come here for the mac n cheese alone! It was amazing and hard to put down. I didn't love my potato rosemary pizza, but I did like my friends pizza, I forget which one they had. If Im in the neighborhood I would return.

    (4)

  • Rachel L.

    I'm not sure what the grand appeal is about this place. It's small, which isn't awful except that there's no where for people to wait. We had a group of people breathing down our necks for most of the meal. Very uncomfortable. They seriously need another server or general help. The people are nice but totally disorganized. Our server got lost for something like 15 minutes when we first sat down. He mixed up my order and our table had that fabulous "does everyone else start eating and make the foodless person hungrier, or do we just stare at our food as it gets cold?" period of time. When they did bring out the correct dish, it was ok. Just ok. For the record, the artichoke ravioli is mostly cheese with some artichoke thrown in for good measure. It's not heavy on the artichoke. It was still tasty though. The chicken on top, on the other hand, was rubber. It was so overcooked it probably could have bounced if it had hit the floor. The chicken my friend had on her pizza was the same. I didn't say anything because at that point I was just plain hungry. When we got the bill, we couldn't figure out what the $1 "appetizer special" added to the very bottom of the bill. Know what that was? It's the extra $1 for the ravioli that they screwed up. Gosh I sure am glad they remembered to add that. They could've instead taken out the $2.50 for the rubber chicken.

    (2)

  • Valerie R.

    Three stars for the layout of the new location. My friend and I went for an early dinner and drinks. It was a lovely day and rather than sit outside we chose to sit by the open windows. I wouldn't expect that luxury any later than 4 or 5 in the afternoon since the place gets packed shortly thereafter. Having a 'pretty' place in our neighborhood is new and enticing! The cocktail and beer selections are excellent...tasty too. About the food...I would expect that the care that was put into this lovely space would carry through to the food that was served. Our Caesar salad and Caprese was served on hot dishes. The dressing on the salad was delish, however, when I asked for anchovies, you'd think I'd asked for 24 carat gold sprinkles! The tomatoes under the mozzarella were tasteless. When I asked for bread we was told it wasn't ready yet. What was eventually brought to the table was a sandwich roll cut into slices and was served with a splattering of olive oil on a side dish. A short while after I saw the hostess arranging freshly baked bread/focaccia in a basket. Unfortunately, our waiter didn't think to bring us the good stuff. I decided to order a Pannini instead of a full dinner and the chicken/provolone/pesto sounded perfect. What was served was a sandwich roll with dried out chicken slices and a miniscule smear of pesto on the bread. I think there was a slice of cheese in there...not too sure. All in all, it looked and tasted like it was run under a broiler just 18 minutes too long...so dried out that I couldn't chew the first bite. Rather than fuss, I took it home and doctored it up with fresh moz, pesto and mayo later that night. I was in good spirits with a great friend and we'd have just as much fun sitting on a curb eating hot dogs. That said, I still prefer a chair so I will return for cocktails yet not for the food. To the owners, thank you for creating a lovely & professional environment. Please extend that professionalism to the food that is served. Pay attention. Tell you servers to pay attention. The success is in the details!

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    Yummy. Nice servers.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Love the buttercrust. Very unique pizza

    (4)

  • Laura K.

    The pizza at Pizza Rustica to me was just a little over average. With the choices of so many pizza places in the Chicago area, I will likely not return to this pizza joint. The pizza was good but not great. The crust and sauce were good, but I felt that the toppings were a bit lacking. We ordered a margherita pizza with sausage, however I think there was only about 1-2 pieces of sauces on each slice. Same with my favorite of the pizza's that we ordered - the Tropicale (with giardiniera). There was maybe 1 pieces of pineapple and one piece of ham on each slice and the giardiniera ended up just being jalapenos. While I REALLY liked the sweet, salt, and spice combination, it really had the potential to be DELICIOUS pizza and it ended up just being good. Also, while it is BYOB and takes reservations for big groups (we had a group of 7 that they were willing to accommodate), they charge a $2 corkage fee per person. While $2 isn't horrible, it did end up adding $14 to our bill. Just one additional note: the large pizzas are HUGE so beware when they tell you a large has 8 slices...a "slice" is actually 4 squares of pizza. With a group of 7 we ordered 4 large pizzas and had about 3/4 of a pizza to take home.

    (3)

  • Jessica V.

    A great authentic pizza place now in a beautiful new location! Their pizza is thin and crispy, with fresh ingredients and unique specialty pizzas (served on wooden plates.) The paninis are also quite delicious but I would recommend sticking with the pizza since it is so yummy! BYOB but $3.50 corkage fee per person. I would recommend just buying wine there...they have good bottles for $15 and glasses for 5.50. The staff is really friendly. I have never experienced being rushed out of there like some of the other reviewers describe; on the contrary, they did not even bring us our bill until we asked for it. The only downside of this place is the wait. Thurs-Sat nights can be a bit crowded for a table, especially since they moved to the new location. But there is plenty of room at the bar to grab a drink and take-out is always a good option!

    (5)

  • Hari R.

    (If you don't like reading - skip to the bottom for my 4-sentence final thoughts section) ((((Pardon the grammatical and spelling errors - I wrote this in a rush))))) -----FOOD:----- Absolutely delicious. I've dined at this restaurant four times before - all four times we chose to customize our pizza. I've dined in twice and ordered take-out twice. A "Half" pizza feeds about two people very comfortably. A "Whole" pizza still feeds about two people very comfortably. "What do you mean?" you ask? Well... once you start eating, you won't be able to stop. The rectangular pizza served up by the folks at Pizza Rustica is THAT good! Alas, I only have one stomach, and because of that, I had to stop after a few extra slices more than what I could handle. -----SERVICE:----- The owner of this restaurant is super-friendly! He always gives recommendations when requested, but leaves the decision up to you in the end (never tries to upsell a pricier pie). The servers are quite nice as well. How do I describe them without being too forward? ... You know all of those romantic comedies in which the lead actress travels abroad to western Europe where she meets a dashing young man with longer hair, a constant 5 o'clock shadow, and a thick European accent; and then decides to quit her American life to move to Italy to spend the rest of her life with him while sipping wine in the countryside? Yeah, well I've never seen one of those movies either... but, according to a friend of mine, that's exactly what the "charming italian waiters" of Pizza Rustica remind her of. (In case you took that the wrong way, she meant that as a good thing). Even though they get really busy at times, they usually get the food out pretty quickly. Take-out never takes more than 20 minutes from order-to-pickup. ----PRICE:----- Consider this "gourmet" pizza. Custom-order pizza is always more expensive than if you order one of their specials. For a Whole pizza, expect to spend $25-$30 (serves 4-5). -----SEATING:----- There's a small amount of seating inside the restaurant and some outdoor seating that can be used during the weekend. During Cubs games and Weekend Nights it gets really busy so you should call ahead to make a reservation. They're opening a new restaurant across the street and so they should have a larger area to seat people. -----LOCATION:----- This spot is easy to get to. There's plenty of metered street parking if you decide to come on an off-day for baseball. Otherwise, just hop off the L at the Sheridan Red-Line stop and the restaurant is a block away. -----FINAL THOUGHTS:----- The pizza is delicious as pricey as your average gourmet pizza in Chicago The service is quick and the staff is courteous. Make a reservation if you have a large party or if you're going during the busy times. I recommend the Mergherita pizza minus sausage, add garlic and mushrooms. BOOOM. Perfecto

    (5)

  • Lauren F.

    BYO Booze + delicious pizza = a great way to kick off a Friday night! I'm sure the pizza is just as good any other night of the week, but the several bottles of wine our group brought my first time there, coupled with a couple massive pizzas, was a great start to the weekend! The small space can cause a bit of a wait on busy nights, but good food, good service, and good prices...can't beat it!

    (4)

  • Unity O.

    Have you seen the SIZE of the appetizer portion of the pizza they serve here?!?!? I for sure thought when I ordered a slice as an appetizer that it would be this piddly little thing...man, I was wrong! Having decided that I was going to get Pasta for my entree & not pizza, I decided I wanted to at least try a slice of it. Huge bonus points to P.R. for selling it by the slice (or squares I should say). I knew the night was off to a great start once they delivered my appetizer (seriously I am drooling thinking about it). I think my head & my tummy were having a battle that night. You see I thought I had ordered the Pollo Grigliato as my appetizer, but apparently I ordered the Verdure Grigliato instead...those in my party confirmed that while I said I wanted the Pollo, I pointed to the Verdure when ordering...my have thrown our server off & so she decided that I needed veggies. So, even though I was surprised when I got it, I still gobbled it up...so very delicious. Buttery crust (light, not heavy), covered in veggies, not smothered in sauce, and just the right amount of cheese. It was happiness in my mouth. Again, it was a healthy portion...2 squares. If you are heading there, and you don't necessarily want just pizza...order a slice for an appetizer (good stuff!). For my entree, I ordered the artichoke ravioli with pomodoro sauce. While the portion on this was not big, the entree was terrific...lots of artichoke goodness. If I were alone in P.R., I would have totally licked my plate clean. However, seeing as I had dining companions who might tease me to no end, I opted not to go that route. Still, the food is that good. Another bonus to this place...it is BYOB. BYOB is always a good choice for this non-drinker. You might be wondering WHY? Well, I like to go out to eat with people who did imbibe...so BYOB is the way to go. Also, on a more personal note, it doesn't feel weird that I don't drink at a BYOB place for some reason. Overall, if you have not been here...get your butt on over there. It is worth it! You should note, that this place has a small interior...so either go early to avoid waiting or make a reservation, they do take them.

    (4)

  • Annette J.

    Ooohhh man. BYOB and the most excellent pizza possible? Oh yes, please and thank you. Lahv lahv lahv Pizza Rustica. I may make the bold statement here that it is my favorite pizza joint in Chicago. Where most love a good deep dish I'll take a brick oven thin crust any day. Most days I go pretty standard with just a cheese and pepperoni with garlic. Oh, that's heaven. Maybe I'll add some mushrooms if I'm feeling saucy. But nothing is bad here. The potato and rosemary? Ahhmaze. And the Quattro Stagioni is (artichoke, mushroom, tomato and ham) also fabulous. Start things out with a Rustica salad (spinach, goat cheese, and artichoke tossed with balsamic) and end on Tiramisu or the ricotta nutella tort if they've got it. Trust me. You'll thank me later. Lovely little patio for outdoor seating. Warm cozy indoor seating for chillier weather. Bring lots of wine and they'll supply the glasses and the ice water (don't forget to rehydrate!). My only gripe--delivery. DON'T DO IT. It takes forever and comes to you cold. I had so many negative delivery experiences that I just stopped all together. Luckily the pizza and the in house wait service is so awesome that it made up for it. Now I just save my Rustica-ing for nights out with friends or take out. I suggest you do the same.

    (5)

  • Jen R.

    My friend and I decided to rock a wallet friendly BYOB and ended up at Pizza Rustica. No complaints on the food front - my friend got the chicken caesar salad and devoured it. Me, I went the totally safe margherita pizza route. There was a slight argument and I was told I'd be fine w/ just a slice. However, I know my carb loving self well and knew my fat ass deserved nothing less than half a pizza - which is listed on the menu as serving 2-3 people, or in this case, one Jen. After hitting this place up a few times, I've noticed the service here ranges from slow and inattentive to kick ass. I was also surprised at how crazy loud the place gets, even when it isn't packed. Oh, and since the majority of the tables only have room for two - and feel way too cramped and small - def try and sit at one of the 4 tops if you can. And here's a PSA for ya - once I sat along the wall by the counter, and my view basically consisted of either wall, friend, or the ass of whoever was standing at the counter. Unfortunately in this case the asses were not too hot/tight/grabbable. Sadness :(

    (4)

  • Erynn And David M.

    Terrific atmosphere and great, big, square, thin-crust pizza (Northern Italian, not Napolitana). The beer and wine list are also great here. We will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Lindsay S.

    It's a rare occasion that I will practically lick my plate clean. Especially when it comes to pasta. My wife is the huge fan, not I. But after the many, MANY recs of Pizza Rustica from friends, we finally had a Friday date night here. We made fun of ourselves for doing to dinner around 6:15pm, but I'm kind of glad we did since there are so few tables and they filled up super fast in a matter of minutes! And they're BYOB so snag a bottle from the Sheridan L Liquors across the street! The menu made it hard to choose. I thought for certain I was going to go with pizza and ended up with the artichoke ravioli and pomodoro sauce. My wife got meat tortellini with bolognese sauce. Mine was to die for and hers she admitted was too meaty, but that was her own fault since it was her choice. By the end of the meal and the bottle of wine I was taking bread and trying to get each last bit of sauce. Seriously. This is not like me. It was that good! The service was good and not too intrusive. It's a bit hard to hear the cute boy's Italian accent since it's intimate and loud. But it's fantastic! Grab a bottle of something and head on over to one great neighborhood gem!

    (5)

  • James H.

    Anyone who rates this pizza poorly needs to go back to Giordanos.

    (5)

  • Christi D.

    Great atmosphere, friendly staff, good food & cocktails. It's a neighborhood favorite!

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    First and foremost, the pizza I had here (four seasons) was marvelous. The bus boys were attentive and quick on their feet. The reason that I have given this establishment 2 stars was the abhorrent service. Our server, Tim, was quite possibly one of the worst I ever had. I've worked in the front of house at restaurants for 10 years so I do have some insight. The restaurant was fairly empty as it was around 730/8 on a Sunday night. Tim not only looked pained to be there but acted as though our mere presence was inconvenient. He took his time bringing our very demanding sodas and iced tea. He walked away as we asked for sweetener for the tea. When we ordered our pizzas and salad we ordered one and before we could finish, he asked is that all? The pizzas took too long to arrive to the table, based on the past experiences we've had, and when it did arrive, it was wrong. Tim managed to mutter something about the rest of the order coming out shortly. Before he could run away I asked what part of the order the restaurant was going to pay for in order to help the inconvenience. He said he didn't know as he walked away. When he returned with the 2nd part of what turned out to be a 3 part order, Tim said they were going to pay for some slices and comp dessert. I explained we didn't want dessert but we would like to talk to the manager. Tim told me the manager didn't have anything to say to us. After we asked for our leftovers to be boxed and he tried to clear our half finished drinks that we weren't done with, I asked again to speak to the manager. Stephan came to the table, apologized for Tim, made excuses for him, and left us with a $60 tab. Nothing was discounted, removed, or amended on the check even the 4 $2 drinks stayed to extract every nickel and dime. I'm happy to pay for all my meals and tip according, but as happy as my taste buds were, I was thoroughly unimpressed. No attempts were made to improve our long, drawn out, frustrating experience. Just order carry out. And don't sit in Tim's section unless your life is more miserable than his and you need company.

    (2)

  • Caroline M.

    Carb whores unite. The following was destroyed by two famished adults: 1/2 Quattro Stagioni pizza 1 generous order of Arrabbiata pasta (the menu said spicy red sauce, but it wasn't overpowering). Beer (byob style) Damage: $30.84 (plus tip) PS: 5 star bump, even though the noise level at Pizza Rustica is equal to being at Wrigley in the bottom of the 9th and the scores tied.

    (5)

  • BG L.

    Loved this place. Pizza crust was delicious. Went with the margherita pizza (add sausage) and it delivered. Nice wine options, too. Will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Great food. Try the pizza with potatoes on it and the quatro formaggi gnocci.

    (4)

  • Jenny F.

    Went to Pizza Rustica the other night and was not impressed. The atmosphere is nice, but the pizza is very average - I thought it was pretty bland. The service was slow and our waiter wasn't friendly. Not planning on coming back here.

    (1)

  • Peter N.

    Super busy on a wednesday night - that's when you know it's good stuff. It's tucked in between a ho-hum sushi place and a crepe place owned by the same asian people (what is soy sauce doing on the table of a french eatery?). I'm pretty sure the girl and the guy working the tables were genuine Italian... they had thick accents, and not the fake NYC Italian accents either. And the girl was cute... but I digress. We finally got a seat at the pizza counter. A bit strange because the guys making the pizza were rushing back and forth with orders, but it was cool to see how they made it. You could tell the mozzerella was hand shredded - it had that thinness and moistness you don't get with the pre-made stuff. One of the cooks was even sautee'-ing chicken breasts and slicing them up for the toppings. On to the pizza: GREAT pizza with a buttery crust. I can't tell if they use corn in the dough, but it has some real flavor to it. They use just enough sauce to keep the dough from drying up, and the cheese and toppings are fresh. I had a sausage chicken pizza and my girlfriend had a margherita pizza. You can taste the lightly applied olive oil - very rarely do american restaurants get this right. A full pizza will stuff 2 people. Worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Jenna S.

    A few friends and I visited Pizza Rustica to celebrate reaching my 10% weight loss goal for Weight Watchers (I know, celebrating weight loss with food? kind of silly). I called about 10 minutes before we arrived just to see if we'd be able to sit a party of eight (or at least warn them that we were arriving shortly) and they had no problem accommodating - they even had a table ready for us when we arrived! I was very impressed. However, it was insanely hot inside the restaurant. By the time mid-June rolls around, you should be ready to put on the air when it reaches 90 in the afternoon. The outdoor patio was full (of course) so we had to sit inside and it was pretty uncomfortable. I began with the Caprese salad and it was average. I could definitely recreate the same thing at my house, so it was nothing super special. The portion was a great size, though, because three of us were able to split it. We moved on to a pasta (again, shared) and decided to go with tortelini in marinara sauce. The pasta was pretty good - I really liked the light marinara sauce as opposed to a very heavy, meat-laden sauce. Other than the sauce, though, pretty average. And then we had the pizza... it left something to be desired. I agree with Michaelia F. when she says that the crust was super buttery for some of the toppings. I enjoy that kind of crust (Pizza Metro does it the best) but some kinds of light, airy pizza just don't belong on that kind of crust. The margarita was OK - nothing to write home about but I liked the rosemary potato. I will give props to the restaurant for having a menu that strays from traditional pizza joints. I like that they don't just have cheese with a standard array of toppings, so keep thinking up a different menu. Oh, by the way, Pizza Rustica needs to do away with its $1.75/person corkage fee, especially since some members of my party didn't drink. I don't think anyone should be forced to pay a corkage fee, especially if they do not drink. Oh, and corkage fees are technically illegal, so stop charging so much for a person to come in and have some BYOB. I am not happy about that and I really think it's kind of tacky to charge so much. But, the place was good enough to get me to come back and give the pizza another try.

    (3)

  • Tom D.

    Two stars for being a restaurant that looks like it is trying. The pizza isn't anything to write home about, we ordered the veggie and the tutta (everything). The toppings were sparse and burnt, the cheese was missing in some places, the saving grace was the crisp, sugary crust. Or maybe it was the sauce that was sugary. Either way, something in every bite tasted a bit like dessert. Unlike the other reviews, I thought the service was good. It's a small restaurant, so I noticed that most people were dropping their silverware, partly because the tables are really slippery. The staff treated this very normally, anyone available was replacing the silverware hastily. I wish there was a bread basket served while waiting for pizza; me and my date got a little too drunk waiting 45 minutes for the pizza to cook. We kind of just watched other people eating, wishing it would get here sooner. We tipped 20 percent because I kinda felt bad for this place, trying to act like a big restaurant, when really it's greatest functionality is delivery. Won't be returning, especially when Michael's is a block away and has great pizza specials on the weekends.

    (2)

  • Bradley S.

    Partner and I were here for a birthday celebration/fuundraiser for our friend and Alderman. Neither of us had been there before. We'll definitely be back. The pizzas we tried were delicious. The thin crispy crust and the fresh ingredients which topped them were second to none. The other noshes were excellent as well (love polenta). The space is very comfortable. The staff was great.

    (4)

  • Sheli L.

    The Central Lakeview Merchants Assn had a workshop here combined with a tasting of the Chef's specials. We enjoyed it so much we decided to come back for lunch. We did not have pizza, although we enjoyed it at the tasting. We wanted a full meal. I had a scrumptious gnochi with a good sauce. Homemade, of course. My friend is a beef eater. He had a NY steak, rare, that was big and perfectly done. It was melt in your mouth good. My chihuahua enjoyed the leftover steak. The bread was a little hard and the waitresses busy gossiping. The food was served promptly. Mr. fussy said we will return. We recommend homemade Panna Cotta for dessert. They have added a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m to 3:00 p.m. That will be our next trip.

    (4)

  • Jay R.

    Fabulous Wonderful Fabulous Wonderful Pissy, self important yuppies can kiss my entire ass. Stay in Lincoln Park.

    (5)

  • Lauren D.

    The best gnocchi with vodka sauce I've had in Chicago. Not to mention inexpensive and delicious. The Calamari never disappoints. Be ready for laid back service; the owners & workers are actually Italian, so it's unlikely you'll be in and out in an hour! Bring some wine and enjoy a lovely patio dinner.

    (5)

  • Rosemary L.

    Incredibly slow service. Sometimes I wonder if its not a ploy by certain restaurants to get you to buy more drinks as you have to wait so long for your food. Very small drinks. Recommend you bring your own wine.

    (1)

  • Renne H.

    I had dinner there last weekend, and it was good but there were a few missteps. We put our name (3of us) in, and there was a wait, so we sat at the bar in full view of the host stand. We had a glass of wine, but after about a 20 min wait, which was totally fine, the hostess came over and asked if we were waiting, and she looked at her list and our name was crossed out. She said she would try to sit us right away, and after about 10 more min we were seated. When we were seated it was a shared table, and we were crammed at the end. They had to ask the ladies next to us to move down. We ordered salads, and I got the salad with artichokes, which sounded great. The salads came, and I had me baby artichoke in it. For $6 I shouldve received more. When it came time to order, the server was great at reviewing the menu and specials. When I asked about specific items that were posted on the wall. They were out of item after item. It was only like 7 at night. We listened to the server and ordered a large pizza. I liked it, and would go back again for that. My table liked it too. It was plentiful for 3 people with leftovers. Maybe we caught them on a bad night, but I'll give them a second try. It was tasty and hopefully more items are available.

    (3)

  • Rebecca H.

    Not enough ingredients on the pizza.

    (3)

  • Chelsea V.

    Mama mia! Pizza Rustica will charm your pants off. From the rotating menu of classic Italian appetizers--prosciutto and melon is my favorite--to the margherita pizza--which I can't not order--to the wooden paddles that serve as plates--this is a real neighborhood gem. I've eaten indoors and out, and both were equally pleasing. My only complaint is that the service has been a little inconsistent, but I think it has just been my misfortune to get new waiters on their first few shifts. I'm sure they'll get the hang of it.

    (5)

  • Jason E.

    Super tasty authentic Italian. Great staff!

    (5)

  • Emily D.

    I went there last night as part of a group of 5 - completely expecting to wait a while given our large group size. The new space looks great - although I never went to the old location. Call me a "newbie." We ended up scoring a few seats at the bar - which had incredibly bad service. On a Friday night, it's probably not the best time to have a new bartender on staff (as in "it's my first night"). I understand that the place had a few kinks to work out given the recently re-opened space - but come on, work those out during the week or have a soft opening and figure out how to work your new computer systems and serve your guests for a large volume night like a Friday. After getting a table 1.5 hours later, we attempt to close out our tab, which took a good 10 minutes. We waited about another 10 minutes before we were even given water - the waiter rushing around clearly not prepared for his section of tables. In fact, the whole staff everywhere was rushing around - definitely not a prepared bunch. After placing our order about 20 minutes into sitting down (we knew what we wanted to order basically when we were seated, but had a hard time tracking down our waiter) - we waited. Finally our pizzas arrived.... and what a presentation. The pizza comes out on plastic cutting boards that completely take over the entire table. With no room for our tea cup sized plates, we ate at the edges of the table. Recommendation to the owners - try purchasing some risers for the pizza - or consider getting larger tables. The former is less expensive. The pizza came out dry, and one of them was half burnt - after complaining, the owner took this pizza off the tab. But honestly, we shouldn't have to complain for someone to think a half burnt and dry pizza isn't acceptable - even on a busy night. There was no flavor in the pizza and it was overall two thumbs down by all 5 people in the party. I'll not be going back - even if they manage to hire experienced staff and chefs who know how to make a pizza.

    (1)

  • Catherine G.

    One of my fav places in Chicago to eat..... They have great service and the owner is there all the time and cares about the product that comes out to the tables. I have been coming here since they first opened, that was years ago. Living in the area I have noticed it looks like they are moving across the street to a larger location. This is great news because you have to get there early on a Friday or Saturday night if you do not want to have long waiting time for a table.....THEY DO JOT TAKE REASERVATIONS...... THEY ARE A BYOB...... Some of the best service and food in the city. It is a must eat in Chicago.... If you have not been there you must check it out.

    (5)

  • FJ A.

    UPDATE, June 2012: Unfortunately I have to rescind the glowing review I posted about Pizza Rustica last year (August). I'm sad to say that with the move to a bigger facility across the street it seems they have acquired a bigger, bloated more "upscale" head size! With 9 people in out party the consensus was: - owner was nowhere in sight. There were however many employees racing around doing lots of nothing. Too many for this place to be quaint or intimate anymore. Last year it was the owner and I believe his nephew? - It looks like they replaced the standard deck oven (big flat pizza making oven) with a multi-layer bread oven. Result: flat boring crust, not even remotely what it used to be. - flavor: again, the crust is not even close to last year. The toppings are also very skimpy and near flavorless. What have they done? Upside?: Still the best Caesar salad we've had anywhere. I guess that's something. Considering that my last review centered around the pizza and not the Italian entrees (which may be fine), this is a huge disappointment. This was hands down our favorite Chicago pizza place. --------------------------------------------------­--- Yes, I'm from Iowa, not Chicago. I do however consider myself somewhat of a pseudo-Chicagoan as we go there 2-3 times year and are part time foodies. I will qualify this short review by saying I'm not a big fan of Chicago style pizza, it being more akin to a good cheesy casserole than pizza in my opinion. I like it, but it's not pizza. We ordered several Caesar salads and I have to say they were hands down the best I've ever had. I'd go there for the Caesar alone. We ordered several pizzas. General impression: perfect perfect crust. A blend between a thin Neapolitan and a butter crust. Thin but not like a cracker and buttery crisp. The flavor of the dough was pronounced. Specifics: Margherita, fresh, so fresh in fact that the basil was picked out of thier garden minutes before serving. Tropicale: Ham & Pineapple w/ Hot Giardiniera! Fantastic. Must have used some kind of Italian ham because this was way better than any version of this combo I've ever had. Pepperoni: Fantastic, the pepperoni and cheese were distinct. Plain cheese: favorite of the table. We also ordered one peice of Homemade Panna Cotta. I'll just say my favorite dessert (Creme Brulee) just got bumped. This stuff was sublime. We will not go to Chicago again without coming back here.

    (2)

  • Damian C.

    "Meatless Friday Lent" dinners are pretty difficult to plan with all the amazing restaurants in Chicago (and Lakeview). It gets even more difficult when you gave up fried foods for the same time period. Factor in BYOB and you've got a challenge. Poor planning, Damian. Fortuantely, a quick search of "margherita pizza" and "BYOB" saved the day and I ended up choosing Pizza Rustica. *Side Note: Rustica is pronounced "ROO-stic-a", not "Rust-ica". Don't make a faux pas. "..the most excellent pizza possible." "Crust is lovely, buttery and crisp." " Amazing pizza ... and it is BYOB." Yelpers seem to really love this place! I saw that a reservation was recommended for parties over two because of the small amount of tables to accommodate, so I stalked the restaurant all morning Friday until they finally opened at noon. NEWSFLASH! They were NOT taking reservations (and may not be anymore), so... be prepared and give a call before you decide to head up there. We called around 7:30 and were told that the three of us could easily get it or wait a few minutes max. However, in the time spent on the bus ride between Diversey and Wrigleyville, the restaurant suddenly became packed and we were told it would be anywhere from 15-30 minutes. The place is fairly small and there really isn't any room to wait in the place so the waitress told us she would give a call when our table was ready and we headed across the street to the bar. Sure enough, two minutes later after we ordered a pitcher of beer our table was ready. We let them know that we just ordered beers and if we could come over in 15 minutes it would be great. She obliged and held our table for us. Score! We sat down by the window and were each handed a wooden plank of a menu. Everything sounded delicious! We started out with the Caesar and Caprese salads, which were both excellent and plenty for three people to share. When we asked how many pizzas would be suitable for 3 people who were starving (and borderline drunk) our waitress told us two halves would be perfect. A devout carnivore, I see almost no point in veggie pizza and find that most cooked, soggy vegetables are completely appalling. We decided to order a margherita pizza and the intriguing rosemary potato pizza. A giant slab of pizza came out shortly thereafter with 3 cutting boards to serve as our plates. Potato pizza, eh? Carb overload. Delicious. I want it every day! The food reviews were true - crispy, delicious, buttery crust; excellent pizza; quite filling. You are MISSING OUT if you have not tried this!! Aside from being a devout carnivore I am a devout stuffed pizza fan, so finding a good thin crust pizza is a tough task. I am not sure if it's the best pizza ever, but I won't mind trying it again and again to see! The three of us threw down $20 each which covered everything and left a sizable tip for our waitress. I don't remember if our bill had a corkage fee on it or not, but after two bottles of wine and a pitcher of beer, would you either? I recommend taking public transportation or walking if possible as the area is pretty congested. Go in early if you can or leave plenty of time to kill while waiting for a table (which can be spent at the bar across the street). Glad I found this place and I'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Jameson P.

    Can't complain about the food it was actually really good, but $35+ for a pizza is a little much.

    (3)

  • Hijo d.

    A review I did on Yelp that somehow disappeared(?)... 01/20/07 After hearing many good things about Pizza Rustica on this site and in the Reader, we decided to try it out. When we arrived, we were told we'd have a table in 5 to 10 minutes so we sat at the bar waiting for our table. We were never asked if we wanted something to drink or if we wanted to see a menu. After requesting menus we read the descriptions of the food as it described salads (~$6.50) and pastas (~$12.50, add ~$2.50 for grilled shrimp or chicken) topped with aged parmesan, and fresh oven baked pizzas. As we read this, we watched the kitchen staff cooking dishes, sprinkling Kraft Parmesan from the resalable bag on top of salads and pastas, while pulling frozen pre-cooked shrimp or chicken out of frozen food aisle bags and adding it to pans of heated up pasta to defrost. We then watched one of the pizza makers come out of the back room with a stack of 6 pre-baked and pre-sauced pizzas and proceed to cover them with toppings and throw them into a large warming oven which melted the cheese and heated up the crust. The atmosphere in the restaurant was drab, far from the warm and quaint that had been advertised. As you sat at the bar, you had to watch the dishwasher and look at a kitchen area littered with dirty equipment. After approximately 15 minutes, a four top opened up and sat covered with the last party's dirty dishes for another ten minutes as two servers scrambled to make salads out of pre-packaged lettuce and serve ten or twelve tables between the two of them. We watched several customers try to flag down wait staff and a couple of tables look around the room quizzically as they waited for at least 25 minutes to get their salads. When the table was finally cleaned off, we inquired if we were the next party after it sat empty another 5 minutes. They said there was a party of three waiting outside for the table and our table would be ready in another 5 or 10 minutes. The server went out and looked for the party but they were no where to be found. She walked back in the restaurant and went back to serving dishes. We again asked if the four top was available and she said the other party had left and we just had to wait a couple more minutes. Just as she said this, a party of three walks in and asks if they can have the table. She gives them the empty table even though they were not the party of three waiting for the table. We had been waiting for at least 30 minutes at this point and the table had been vacated for at least 15 minutes. After she walks away, the third person in the group says goodbye to the other two and they take the table with absolutely no wait. We told the waitress we'd been waiting for over half an hour and she said she can't ask the two people to leave the table because they had already been seated. At this point, we decided this was the last place we wanted to spend our money and proceeded to leave. Spending 12-15 dollars on frozen food aisle chicken and Kraft processed "parmesan" after waiting 35 minutes for a table can only be characterized as a mistake. We elected to head to Pizza D.O.C., were seated in 2 minutes even though they were extremely busy, and paid identically prices for higher quality food and service.

    (1)

  • Lynn M.

    Pizza Rustica continues to be my favorite local pizza place in Chicago. It's located right by the Sheridan redline stop and recently moved across the street from it's old location into a sprawling, chill place to grab dinner with friends. The salads and appetizers are good too (we had a goat cheese/pomodoro and bread one that was delish). The staff is friendly and helpful and the music this weekend was particularly and totally awesome (what group of late 20 year-olds doesn't love Whitney Houston, Coolio, and Extreme). The pizza is more expensive than you'll find at something like Domino's or Sarpino's, but it's thin crust, oven-baked margherita pizza is the super tasty and the best pizza I've found in Chicago. We got a whole pizza that was more than enough for five hungry adults. My only gripe is that Pizza Rustica is closed on Tuesdays, which is a bummer if I'm feeling lazy on a Tuesday night and want to deliver in;)

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    Today was like something out of Hell's Kitchen and validates the growing list of concerns. Things were so bad that if we were in the Trump Board Room, the female owner (Juliette -who I subsequently found cited as this business' downfall in multiple other Yelp posts) would be (and SHOULD BE) fired! The longer she's around, the deeper this place will tank! As someone who has done organizational re-engineering, I am 100% clear that there is no possibility of change as long as she is involved. I selected PR's Mother's Day Brunch because I loved PR and I believed my 3 guests would, as well. I always found the food great, and the service good. It was not until I decided to do this Yelp that I realized how much bad press the place - and more specifically, the female owner, Juliette - is gathering. None of my 3 guests will go back and I'm now on that list, too - at least as long as Juliette is involved. The short version is that we had a waiter who busted his behind while Juliette sipped champagne behind the bar entertaining guests for Mother's Day (which she pointed out to me when I complained to her. Our waiter literally was breaking a sweat serving 7 or 8 tables - inside AND outside. He was an all-in-one: waiter, the server, and busser! Bussers only seemed to emerge as the family table was being seated (some 15-20 people). Another female server seemed to have only two or three tables with 2 of them being two tops in the bar, and one other table in the restaurant. Why was one waiter the only one saddled with all these tables - alone? Why would the employees be devoted to a family event at the expense of the customers an support of other staff? Why the inequity in staffing assignments with one guy having to bust his behind and another server doing virtually nothing? Why was this server not 'stepping in' to run his tables? Why was the hostess/owner not running tables to assure her customers were taken care of? Why would the owners not schedule their family event after their restaurant's special brunch ended at 2pm? I'll both give credit and cut slack for the brunch because it was a new concept with the option to select 5 out of about 10-12 items. Nice idea, but attention to the details lacked. One guy taking orders, serving, and clearing made it a disaster - particularly since one large dinner plate was used for each item. Do the math, and you'll find we ultimately had 20 dinner plates hit out table - plus 2 more for a child! Add to that the service the waiter had to provide to other tables and it's amazing he did not walk out. Quality of food preparation varied. A couple items were significantly undercooked and a couple were very good. Most were just OK but to PR's credit, the kitchen got my custom ordered eggs perfect (which I ordered in lieu of an omelet)! Overall, presentation was acceptable - good in some cases - albeit portion sizes varied for the same food for different people. Service was the biggest issue - but it is the result of ABYSMAL management, not lack of effort from the server. Food service was sporadic. To the waiter's credit, he first brought the pancakes for the child but no syrup or bacon. Not and issue for adults, but for a kid - huge! Big lulls for the rest of the food. As more and more food was delivered, we kept repositioning the array of dinner plates. This meant we had to stop eating every time the server brought something because the table was not made to handle the sheer volume of plates. One person got no food til we mentioned it but by then nearly everyone was done.. After we were given the check, I motioned for the chef/owner but the hostess came over and at her request, I outlined concerns. I then told her that I was shocked that she was sipping champagne behind the bar while all this was going on - especially since it was her restaurant! She interrupted me and unabashedly stated how this was Mother's Day, that she was celebrating with her children, and I had no business telling her anything about what she was doing in her restaurant. At this point, the chef/owner (husband?) interrupted and asked her to let him take care of it. She refused to acquiesce and continued to justify her choice to celebrate. Perhaps she's from the Marie Antoinette School of "let them eat cake". She said if she knew there were problems she would have addressed them. I pointed out that she could not possibly know there were problems if she was behind the bar drinking champagne while 1 waiter is running around literally sweating to keep up! I explained to the owners that my intent was to resolve this "in house" then explained because of her attitude and lack of professionalism, I'd turn to Yelp to which she replied, "Of course, you will!" An amazing response but not surprising given that she is self-serving rather than customer service oriented. STAY AWAY AS LONG AS JULIETTE IS INVOLVED.

    (1)

  • Mike G.

    Good Food does not out weigh terrible service at this Northside Pizza joint. We waited an hour at the bar while 1) a 4-top laid vacant the entire time (until we complained) 2) claimed they take reservations (which is false) for the reason it was vacant 3) 3 groups after us received table (& yes we were all present and checked in with the hostess 4) the owners wife rolled her eyes while we mentioned the yelp reviews and our sincere hope that they were not true. Trust Yelp and the community if the "owners wife" continues to manage the joint they need to move back across the street where this type of service might be tolerable.

    (1)

  • Richard M.

    I have been coming to Pizza Rustica since the first week that I moved into the neighborhood (almost 8 years ago) when I ordered their pizza one evening. They have become almost part of the neighborhood family and their service and food has always been awesome. From their pizza (margherita pizza + sausage) to their specials (highly recommended), their food has always been fantastic. I know that Pizza Rustica's goal is to basically be that neighborhood restaurant where you don't have to spend a lot of money to eat good food and hang out with friends and family. I saw the recent negative reviews on Yelp and figured that I should probably add my comments especially since they moved across the street to their new location recently. I was there with my friends, who have also been going to Rustica for years, as well as my wife and litte 8 mo. old son on the opening night on a Monday. Granted our service perhaps was not as stellar compared to past time but we were there with an open mind. Perhaps the worst time to go with long wait times but like all transformations, it takes time for them to get into the rhythm of things. We definitely saw the frustration on both sides of the coin. Overall, the food was good (ordered the clam pasta special) and we had an great time catching up with friends. I believe people need to relax and understand what a huge transformation Pizza Rustica has undergone from a tiny single kitchen restaurant that fit ~30 people (barely maximum) to a new spacious and beautiful restaurant across the street with almost 5x the number of seating capacity. They added almost 6x the number of servers as well as new cooks so of course there is a huge learning curve of training and just the nuances of their restaurant that need to be adjusted to. Their new kitchen, with extra cooking capacity, a new oven (yay - faster pizza) and various new kitchen appliances will help with the cooking. They even added a deep fryer (that means perhaps more calamari more often?!). Rustica also added a new wine menu (cheap good wine - which you may have a hard time beating in price even compared to BYOB of other wine - I don't think they are there to make a profit from their wine menu) and of course also have a full bar as well. We may occasionally bring our own wine to dinner but will definitely explore what they have in their menu. For those that went recently and feel that they did not have a good experience, I guarantee that you will have a different experience once they figure things out. My only comment is to give them another shot perhaps a month or so from now. Rustica will always be my neighborhood Italian restaurant and family. :)

    (5)

  • Lynnda P.

    Came in for a beer tasting, we weren't planning on staying for dinner, but after the aroma emanating from the kitchen caught up to us, we really didn't have a choice. My friend wanted the NY Strip, but the chef explained he had just sold the last one, would a bone-in ribeye be okay? It was so far beyond okay, he described it as perfectly cooked (med rare), seasoned so as to be an accent to the steak but not overwhelm it and melt in your mouth delicious. The fact that the chef came out of the kitchen to talk to my friend was also a warm and inviting touch. My pork shank in a chunky marinara sauce fell off the bone and the spinach side was just like my Italian former mom-in-law used to make. The pork tasted of fresh basil, oregano and the flavor that only comes from a long slow cooking process. I had mistakenly thought that they were only a pizza and sandwich restaurant, and having asked about gluten-free options , thought it was cute but I probably wouldn't be eating there. They have a rotating array of specials which can accommodate the gluten-free diner and its well beyond the boring salad option. Pizza Rustica has a lovely atmosphere, with low lighting and small intimate tables, on weekend nights they do get busy so plan accordingly.

    (5)

  • Greg G.

    I always wondered what it'd take to get me to create a yelp account and Pizza Rustica finally pushed me to the edge. The food is very good, no doubt. The service, on the other hand... Called to order delivery on a Friday night, told it'd be a 90 minute wait, no problem. Two hours later, I call 4 times to check on the status without getting an answer. Finally get through another 10 minutes later and am told in a not-so-cool way that the pizza is on its way. Twenty minutes later I call to cancel the friggin' order and Stefano, the owner, says fine, order is cancelled and hangs up on me. Now that's some stellar service! I called back to let him know that's some BS and he tells me they've only been open four days. Ummm.....sure, four days in their new space. But they've been running a pizza business for years. Oh, and even if that was relevant, HOW IS THAT MY PROBLEM?? Too much good pizza in this city to support a place with s***** customer service.

    (1)

  • Derek B.

    I'm always very satisfied at Pizza Rustica. It feels "of the neighborhood". During the summer, they open their windows and the smell is amazing. Great food, very friendly staff, and great cocktail selection. The pizzas are perfect for sharing and the pasta is very light and delicious.

    (5)

  • Jena C.

    Pizza Rustica used to be my favorite little place - but since they moved...RUDE! RUDE! RUDE! The owners wife, Julianna might be the rudest person ever. Why she tells everyone she is the owners wife then goes out of her way to be unhelpful and rude is beyond me. Made a reservation for 8 on a Friday night - told us it would be 30 - 45 minutes and they would give us a call. 45 minutes later we called to check on our reso and were told the Owner (Julianna) prefers not to have guest that bring in their own wine (strange since this is a byob and nothing was mentioned about us brining wine - we planning on purchasing it there). So we just decide to walk over - all the tables had new customers - when we asked Julianna she said all these were old customers. Which was a lame lie. Needless to say we had 8 guest that were starving - went to Mia Francesca where they were more then happy to have our business. Guess Pizza Rustica doesn't care about their neighbors anymore. Really sad since we used to be there weekly.

    (1)

  • Kristen H.

    As many other _former_ loyal Pizza Rustica customers, I was very excited to see their business was expanding to a bigger location (w/ a bar) across the street. I was a little sad that the days of BYOB were ending but at least it was still BYOVino! I had the chance to finally check out the new place last Friday. Upon my arrival the place was packed and I put my name in for a table of 4 before going to buy wine down the street. The hostess was clearly unorganized and said the wait would be 35-45 minutes. She also insisted we buy drinks from them that with the $3.50 corking fee per person (say what?!) it was a better deal. Sure, why not? I was feeling lazy anyway... Well here is where things really started to go wrong. The bartender ignored us for about 15 minutes and when we finally got someone's attention they threw a couple menus at us and disappeared. I eventually was able to order a glass of wine that came from a bottle that had gone bad. Lord knows I do not often let a glass of wine go to waste but this was so bad I had to say something. When I finally got the bartenders attention again he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.... Terrible service! Without going into further play by play of my experience, I am sad to say it was not just the bartender that was bad. From the hostess to our server everything was a disaster. We waited an hour and a half for a table. In fact, it took so long the other two people in our party had to leave (without eating) to catch a movie. The pizza is of course still excellent! However, with service like that I have no plans to return to my former local favorite. :( What happened to the two awesome Italian servers that used to work there?! I want the old place back!

    (2)

  • E R.

    Pizza Rude-ica. The owners wife is simply rude and rushes clients out the door. Don't expect to sit with your byob wine (or delicious pizza) for any longer than they can clear your plate.

    (1)

  • jenny m.

    I hadn't been in probably two years when I went back just recently, and I was so happy to find that Pizza Rustica is still as great as ever. The pizza is top notch and I realized on this most recent visit, that it's all in the crust. It's thin, but not neapolitan style cracker thin. And my guess is they must baste the crust with butter before cooking because it comes out so perfectly golden with a little crisp on the outside. I really can't even describe it justly - you just have to go and sample for yourself! I also love that they do not skimp on the toppings. You order a pizza with mushrooms, and there's handfuls of mushrooms. You want fresh tomatoes? You'll get fresh tomatoes in abundance on every slice. I hate when places go skimpy on the toppings - that is not the case here. The service is still good and it's still BYOB (there is a small corkage fee). It's a small space so I recommend going early so that you can have a leisurely dining experience without feeling like you should hurry up and eat to vacate your table for the people that are always waiting after about 7 o'clock.

    (5)

  • Alesha B.

    Great food and service. I got the pasta but will for sure get the pizza next time! It looked so good as the servers walked by with it.

    (4)

  • Beth A.

    PR...i took a date here and well seeing as how we were the only people in there...i was really disappointed with the luv u put into making our meals totally interrupted the 'chefs' afternoon reading time lol but he was cool even poppin on his chef wear to seat us and cook up some pasta ordered my fav (penne w/arrabiata sauce) somethin was off about the pasta...almost tasted like whole wheat...tomatoes used to make the sauce werent ripe enough, wasnt spicy enough and i got served parm to top it all off...u guys should know better ...ill come back again PR but u better up ur game...i have a strict 2 strikes and ur out rule

    (3)

  • Michael E.

    Great little place wedged inbetween Wrigleyville and Uptown. Providing classic Italian dishes and some great pizza, this is definitely a regular stopping place for me this summer. With a small outdoor seating area you get just the right amount of the "feel of the city" with the Sheridian redline stop and neighborhood traffic, its a great place to eat outside. Pizza was on my list the evening I ate there and the service was prompt. Add in an Italian beer I brought (it is BYOB) and the evening was perfect.

    (4)

  • Alex R.

    Oh, Pizza Rustica, you are irresistible. Handsome Italian servers and thin, crispy, traditional pizza. I'm salivating just thinking about it. Bring a couple bottles of wine, stuff your face with delicious Italian food, and be amazed by how ridiculously cheap the bill is. One caveat: be sure you don't sit in the table right by the door. That would probably make this a one-star experience.

    (5)

  • Joe R.

    I will keep it simple. I called to order some food for delivery. Two hours later, and three phone calls later, i figured they had just forgotten about me. Also another time i ate here, the waiter was quite rude. Long story short, They lost a customer

    (1)

  • Jeff R.

    Delicious Pizza, lots of toppings, friendly staff, good decor, outdoor seating, and tons of tasty beers to try. What's not to like?

    (5)

  • dan k.

    The new location is great. The service is fair / good. The salads are a rip-off. Rustica salad for $6.95 consists of spinach, 1/4 of an artichoke heart (1 bite) and come crumbled blue cheese (1 tablespoon) and some day old bread that makes croutons. I got the order and just starred at it.... thinking to myself "That's It?". Super disappointing. Waiting 43 minutes for a pizza (1/2) pizza is out of line too. Probably will not return.

    (2)

  • Emily B.

    The pizza is amazing. The dough is like crack. Buttery, thin, delicious. The sauce is authentic, as is the cheese. Anyone who has been to Italy will surely "have a moment" when taking the first bite. The pastas are fresh (just like everything on the menu). We enjoyed a fettucine with a light cream sauce and very small pieces of salmon. Over all, it had a pleasant taste, nothing too seafoody. Also, orechiette pasta with red sauce and goat cheese. Such a unique flavor. Everything was just done right. BYOB (awesome). The only drawback was they were out of their housemade gnocchi (my favorite Italian pasta dish) and their Tiramisu (bummer!). I mean, why skimp on ordering enough ingredients to make your two most popular dishes?

    (4)

  • Tyler K.

    So after reading many of the reviews about Pizza Rustica on here I had to give my two cents because they are better than what people are saying. First off for everyone complaining about the service being really really slow... its part of the Italian experience. I have a friend who studied abroad in Italy and worked with an Italian chef and he says that the service in Italy is slow, but its part of the whole experience. Given that the owner/chef and his family are from Italy I would expect them to serve and run a business much like that in Italy, so get over the slow service. I've dined at this place countless times both at their new location (which I absolutely love) and old. The food is AMAZING and the service is very personable. Every time we eat their the chef and servers come and talk with us about how the life and the restaurant industry is in Italy. I would recommend this to everyone who wants authentic, real (not chain) Italian cuisine. And for the one Yelper who said it was a BYOB and they don't let you bring beer... that because its a BYOVino (Bring Your Own Wine) not beer (Printed right on the front door), so quit your complaining and understand true Italian cuisine.

    (5)

  • Athanasios T.

    Excellent atmosphere, delicious pizza, wonderful service. I could go on and on, but I'll keep it as simple as possible. Pizza Rustica appears to be a family owned restaurant that serves high quality thin crust pizza as well as a variety of other Italian dishes. My waiter was attentive but not annoying, and made a fantastic Americano to finish up my meal. Bring your own bottle of wine or some beer and plan on an enjoyable lunch or dinner.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    Totally agree with Ricky B's review. We live around the block and were really excited to have a new restaurant nearby. However, because of incredibly rude owner, Julia, we will not be back. We were finished eating and enjoying the rest of our wine. We paid the bill. We told the server if he needed the table to let us know. He said that we were fine. We ended up ordering a few more drinks. After 10 minutes, the owner - rude Julia - came over and said to us in a very awkward exchange "the server said if we needed the table", then proceeded to look at us. She did not say "would you mind moving to the bar" or "thank you so much for your offer"...We were clearly not lingering as we had a new tab going. She did not offer to buy a round of drinks if we would move to the bar or any other typical customer service option. Very poor. We were still paying customers. We paid our bill and moved to the bar area to finish our drinks - ones purchased from them. The half bottle of wine we bought was put in a bag. We set it on the bar and a member of our party tried to order a glass of wine from the bartender. This is where things broke down...Rude Julia comes behind the bar and tells my friend that she will pour our BYOB wine for her - at the bar. My friend said it wasn't necessary - as that is weird. She was happy to order a glass from them. Julia pours our BYOB and leaves. Five minutes later she comes up to my friend and tells her that 'in the future, she is not allowed to drink BYOB wine at the bar." We were blown away. Now, nothing has been said to her up to this point. But after that last comment, I approached her to let her know that was rude and unnecessary. Instead of exhibiting proper customer service and listening to me - I didn't yell or raise my voice - she interrupted me, got angry, argued with me, and then said "my house, my rules". I kid you not. At this point, her husband came out of the kitchen and asked me what was going on. When I tried to talk to him, she came over and interrupted me again. I walked away. We paid our bill and went across the street to Oh Fusion. So happy Fornello is close by. So, Rude Julia, you exerted your authority in 'your house'. I sincerely hope you practice better customer service in the future as there are a lot of dining options available out there. I will spend my money at those places.

    (1)

  • Jason P.

    There are some occasions that call for thin crust pizza and even I will admit that. For those rare moments, PR has quite the thin crust to satisfy your craving. The crust achieves that balance between crisp and chewy quite well and the margherita pizza had only the freshest of tomatoes and basil. They have outdoor seating which is always a plus too!

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    I searched Yelp for a highly rated, well suggested Italian/pizza place and I am so glad I did! I love Pizza Rustica! I ordered a Margarita pizza and cheesy garlic bread and was very pleased with my meal. I am always leery about margarita pizzas because sometimes you get a pizza with chunks of cheese and loads of garnish but this wasn't the case. They pair all the ingredients well and the pizza tastes really fresh. The crust is my favorite part...there's something really unique about it - absolutely compliments the pizza. There's a little garlic and olive oil in the dough, I think - yum. Admittedly, the cheesy garlic bread was just so-so (large chunks of garlic, which was a little overwhelming), but overall not so bad. Delivery took a solid hour, if not a little more. The service ordering and in delivery was very good, and the delivery driver was very nice. Will definitely order from here again!

    (4)

  • Tom K.

    This is not a review of the food rather their new policy regrading BYOB. We have always enjoyed the pizza, service and their BYOB policy in the past, unfortunatly, we did not realize until we arrived that they are no longer a BYOB (shame on us) and on a recent Saturday before seeing the Bruce Springsteen concert we were looking forward to dining with a nice bottle of wine we brought for the occasion. We were told upon arriving that they are no longer BYOB, which I understand happens, and asked if we could still enjoy our wine with a corkage fee. I was advised that the corkage would be $40.00! I could understand $10 - $20, $40 seemed rather extravagant for Pizza Rustica. Since i wasn't going to bring my bottle into Wrigley Field I asked to talk to a manager to possibly get an exception or negotiate a lower corkage and was infomed that one wasn't available and not sure when one would be available. We left and scrambled off to find another nearby restaurant that did allow BYOB and had a great meal. We hope to try the food at Pizza Rustica again in the future, but, after reading some of the recent negative reviews we will take a wait and see attitude and hope this changes.

    (2)

  • Lorie D.

    As usual, we had a great time here and the service was excellent. Full disclosure...this is.our favorite place. My husband has been raving about an organic chocolate stout they've had here recently, so he had that again. I had a glass of wine and wide, house made pasta with yummy Alfredo sauce. We always have pizza and a blackboard special. You are not going to believe this, but in Italy people do not generally stuff themselves with bread before dinner. I know this is shocking. Nevertheless, please consider this before posting that the server didn't bring bread to the table when you arrived. This is a neighborhood Italian restaurant that serves real Italian food made by a real Italian guy. That's what is so awesome about it!

    (5)

  • Holly B.

    Pizza Rustica is in my neighborhood and is my "go to" place when I have guests in town. It's a great little BYOB restaurant with incredible food. I'm a huge fan of the garbage pizza and the caprese salad. Since I'm not a big fan of traditional Chicago deep dish pizza, so this is definitely my spot. The crust is thin and crispy, just the way I like it. I have ordered the pasta before, and have to admit I didn't care for it. It may have been the sauce I chose though (Quattro Formaggi). It was just a bit too thick.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Didn't really care for the service or the food! We were sat right away and the restaurant was not that busy... It took over 15 minutes for the server to get to us. Then we had to ask her to tell us the specials. After ordering it took over a half hour to get our appetizers and we didn't even get bread. The appetizers were good but after another half hour our bland, unseasoned, main course arrived. The tropical pizza, listed as 8 slices, came in 16 little squares! The sauce was extremely dry and unseasoned and the only good part of this pizza was the flaky butter crust. The spaghetti tasted worse than a can of Chef Boyardee with over cooked pasta and bland sauce. No fresh Parm or seasoning offered. The manager even came over before our appetizers had arrived and asked if every thing was OK... we replied that the service was extremely slow. All in all... It was a bad experience!

    (1)

  • Heather E.

    I have been a long time patron of this fine establishment. I love the food, the atomsphere, and the family that owns it. However, while visiting there with myself and 5 other people on 4/5/12 I had a very unfornate experience. This newly re-opened restaurant sat us at the communal table as we were a large group at around 6pm. We're had brought our own wine with us as they have continueed to offer a BYOB optinon. We ordered several entrees and 3 pizzas. We paid our check at 7:33pm and were preparing to leave when the owner came over and VERY RUDLY asked us all to leave as there were other people who had been waiting for over an hour for this (communal) table. My group were very schocked at the treatment and proceeded to speak with the owener's wife about the situation. She very quickly dismissed us and said that there was nothing that she could do to make us happy. I left with a very bad taste in my mouth, feeling disappointed and confused. I will not be returning ever again as I feel that 90% of a dining experience is customer service and Pizza Rustica was one of the worst experiences I have ever had!

    (1)

  • Alaina B.

    We ordered delivery service of the Rustica salad and the Tropicala Pizza yesterday. Both did not live up at all to my expectations. Rustica Salad - spinach leaves smelt old, there were no croutons and only one slice of an artichoke. We didn't even eat the salad, we just threw it away. Pizza - The pizza tasted dry and the crust seemed buttery. Also, there were hardly any toppings on the pizza. Several slices did not have any toppings on them other than the cheese. Based on the other reviews, I was very disappointed. Maybe it was just due to it being delivery...

    (1)

  • Mike C.

    That's a big pie! I probably should have read the other reviews to find out that a large is not, in fact, 8 slices as mentioned on the menu. Rather it's an entire sheet pan of pizza that could easily feed 5 or 6. It was very good, though and my date an I ate a very gluttonous portion of meaty, artichoke-y pizza with just the right amount of sauce. The crust is that star here. BYOB is very nice if it's just the two or four of you. A good selection of non-pizza things, too which seemed very authentic. The big downside was the smell from the oven. I don't mind it that much, but maybe the vents weren't working too well because the smoke from the ovens was a bit strong all night and I definitely needed to febreeze my jacket when I got home.

    (4)

  • SJ C.

    I'm giving one star for a very specific reason, and I want to emphasize that it has *nothing* to do with the food, which is absolutely delicious. My complaint is about their illegal and dishonest business practice. They charge a $1.75 corkage fee per person. I brought a 6 pack of PBRs for 5 people, so we got charged an extra $8.75. In Chicago, it's illegal to charge a corkage fee without a liquor license. Since they hadn't given us a drinks menu when we got there, I was confused and asked the waiter if they had a license when he came to get the check. He said no, but that it was in progress. I told him I didn't feel we should have to pay since he didn't actually have one. So then he said that actually the restaurant owner owns two restaurants, one right across the street, and actually does have a liquor license for the other one (where apparently he does serve alcohol) but treats Pizza Rustica as if it were part of that restaurant as well ... except that even though Pizza Rustica does NOT serve alcohol. I told him I felt it was dishonest to carry on in this manner, since the policy goal behind corkage fees is to allow restaurants to make money off alcohol people bring in if they serve alcohol, since the customers aren't ordering the restaurants alcohol, so it's only fair. But not serving alcohol and then charging customers a corkage fee for bringing in their own when the restaurant is advertised as BYOB is just not an honest business practice. I said it's like restaurant owners getting a liquor license just so they can charge corkage fees (which, if you think about it, doesn't make sense economically... It costs more for a license than corkage fees could pay alone. So this guy finds a loophole and serves liquor at ONE restaurant, then encourages liquor at the other by not serving it, but then charges corkage fees anyway.) In the end, I sucked it up and paid the extra money. Like I said, I was with friends, and I felt like I was starting to make a fool of everyone by arguing so long. I want to emphasize - THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS. Especially the rice balls. I'm not rating the food, I'm rating the owner and his loophole scam. He is making a lot of money off this practice in an illegal way. I hope if you eat there, you don't BYOB so that you don't get ripped off.

    (1)

  • Katie W.

    I love this little place :) Great BYOB and pizza spot. Ask for the brushetta- it's not on the menu but super delish! Note- the "piece" of pizza is HUGE! Don't be fooled- it's enough for one person. Only draw back is it is pretty small and they only have 1 bathroom. However, for a casual, cheap night out it can't be beat!

    (4)

  • Heather S.

    Overall, a wonderful dining experience -- last night, we dined here with my in-laws and all were impressed by the fantastic service and the excellent food. First off, the new location is wonderful, and the owners have done a great job with the space. Second, the food was lovely. The pizza crust is just great -- light, but buttery & flavorful -- and the other ingredients on our pizza margarita and salads were very fresh. The portions were generous. The wine list was very reasonably priced -- a wide range of nice bottles at $15 to $25. Our dessert -- panna cotta and tiramisu -- was light, but still felt rich. This is a neighborhood gem -- we will be returning in the future.

    (5)

  • Aurore L.

    There must be something wrong with me. If I had to bet (getting ready for Vegas here, minus 10 days yo) I'd say that I miss the Italian-American gene. Because every time I go to a much celebrated green-white-red eatery I end up being underwhelmed, deflated like an old souffle forgotten for too long in the oven. That's: 1. sad 2. embarrassing. I almost feel guilty picking on my friends' favorites. Pizza Rustica wasn't that bad, really. But it wasn't the sigh-inducing, eye-rolling-behind-the-head experience that I thought it would be. I had dreamed of wood-burning cooked circles of delight, slightly charred, crunchy but chewy in the middle with strands of mozzarella stretching from here to the Mediterranean. My fault. I didn't take the name of the place literally. Pizza Rustica = pizza, Roman style. This pizza is cooked in long, rectangular baking pans and relatively thick. The crust is similar to that of "English muffin meets corn bread", and the pizza is cooked in an electric oven. So here you go. The end result is not bad at all - but if Marilyn was singing that her heart belonged to daddy, mine belongs to a tanned Neapolitan pizzaiolo, hands dusted with flour, his intense blue eyes gazing lovingly at the ingredients he lavishly displays on his disk of dough, smiling like an angel. ............................. Even though Italian was heard and spoken in the open kitchen (two thumbs up) I wasn't enthralled, and our order of paperdelle all'amatriciana didn't totally save the day. The home-made pasta had just the right bite and was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was seriously lacking seasoning and the smoky, salty, delicious porky flavors of bacon/pancetta/guanciale that usually makes me go "mamamia" for hours on hand. That being said the place is cute as a button (a small button that is about to expand on the other side of the street really soon) and you cannot beat free BYOB. It's busy, and their honoring reservations is a bit loose but I can wait for the apocalypse itself with a glass of wine in my hand. Don't linger for too long though, and take your date to an intimate bar to converse and hang out. This - loud but oh-so-Italian - place is not for lovers. PS - Be careful if coming from the South. Silly Sheridan curves just there, and take a East-West turn of two blocks before resuming its North-South normal path. I got lost, and it wasn't pretty.

    (3)

  • Michael N.

    The pizza was just OK, nothing special and definitely not good for the price. Service was very slow. Also it's not BYOB anymore, they've got a full bar now.

    (2)

  • Ashley B.

    I hate to say it, but this place has just lost its appeal. I loved this place, and I mean LOVE, when it was at its old location (and the first month it was at its new one). The pizza is some of the best I've ever had and I love a BYOB. However, since the move I just don't recommend it anymore. The restaurant is no longer BYOB, but before the move and during the move, management informed its patrons that it would remain a BYOB. We didn't find out it wasn't until we showed up after their reopening with a bottle of wine in tow. This place is also miserable for groups. It was before as well, but they used to let you make reservations. You can no longer make reservations, which usually requires you to wait a while if you come during a prime time. They have no real entrance way, and the bar area is extremely small...so good luck finding a place to wait. Since the place is smaller and open, it gets really cold in there with the door opening and closing. The last straw for me was a month or so ago. A friend of mine called to see if she could make reservations for a larger party. She was aware of the no-reservation policy, but she figured that since this was going to be a group of about 12 they might accept them. She was told that they did accept reservations for larger groups but you could not order off the menu. They would force you to eat off a prix fix menu for a certain set price per person. I mean, come on, how ridiculous! The reason that we wanted to go there in the first place was for the amazing pizza. We didn't want a three course Italian meal, and we weren't going to spend over $30/pp to get it. No she politely declined. I hope this restaurant remembers what made it popular to begin with.

    (3)

  • David Y.

    We came in on a day walking back from a Cubs game and I am glad I did. The pizza is the best in the neighborhood. I had their (cant remember, but it had basil on it) and it was awesome. The service kind of sucked, but thats because we came around 4, before any regular staff servers clocked in. We were served by, I presume the owner, and we had to wait a little even though we were the only ones in there. However, the pizza was amazing and I will be back to try the others. Also, you can by pizza by the slice here, so it's super cheap. 1 peice was good, 2 could be considered a full meal with a salad.

    (4)

  • anna s.

    Delicious Pizza. Delicious Food. Wonderful Service (esp the one handsome waiter always there...hehe) I've been a regular since 2009 and I never tried a dish I didn't like here. Everything is very simple RUSTIC and delicious. I'm a fan of the soups and Chef's specials - he is always cooking up something delicious. This place is always busy and I would call it Lakeview's little secret. Can't say anything bad about them. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Jennifer J.

    2.5 stars. Eh, nothing spectacular. Yelpers...you've been letting me down with your reviews lately. I get very excited to try these restaurants with fabulous meals and then it turns out to be "eh." Went here with 8 friends and learned a valuable lesson: 8 people cannot eat as much food as 12 people. I'm actually going to blame this on our waiter since we desperately sought his advice on what to order since the menu was extremely vague and incorrect at describing the pizzas' size. We asked a few times how many pizzas we should order for 8 people and yet somehow we got 4 LARGE square pizzas that didn't even fit on our table. Yes, they literally had to set one on a waiter stand. This was what we were trying to avoid but he was obviously thinking of the final bill and not our overall happiness. I might have raised my review a tad too. Disappointed with the waiter and his overall attitude and possible fake accent. It was a little obnoxious. And please, if you are a waiter, don't be a jerk and correct your customers pronunciation if it isn't really that big of a mistake. He made a point to correct our bruschetta and giardiniera pronunciation...really? Cause his wasn't much better. I know that was a stupid point to make, but it was definitely something that stood out to us and seemed to leave a bad taste in our mouth. Food: Enjoyed the bruschetta since it was 3 different styles so the flavors were a little different. As for pizzas, we had the Margarita (nothing special to report even though we did have then add a few pieces of sausage on it too), The Tropicale (with giardiniera that was really just jalapeños...BIG DIFFERENCE Pizza Rustica!) and a couple of other too large and very plain pizzas. Overall, nothing special on the food but I enjoyed the great company of friends as usual.

    (3)

  • Kevin M.

    Just visited PR for my third time last night and got the exact same dishes I had last time- Caprese Salad for appetizer, Quattro Stagioni pizza, and Tiramisu for dessert. Overall, this place is great with the exception of the bathroom! The bathroom door doesn't shut properly and the sink is janky- if you've been here before you know what I am talking about. Back to the food- it's terrific. The pizza is cooked to a crisp, flaky crust and the toppings are spread out enough that you get enough of each without it being overkill. For newcomers, I would recommend getting a half pizza- it's huge and can easily fill two people if need be. Because it's a BYOB it wins points as well. However, there is a small corkage fee ($1.75 per bottle of wine, which I don't think is very cool at all). Finally, there's a couple places within walking distance to pick up beer/wine/whatever if you run out. As others have pointed out, I would recommend calling ahead because it's a smaller place and gets jammed quickly, or get in early before dinner rush. It's a classic Chicago family-run restaurant that brings out charm (much of which comes from the Italian waiters that make women melt), a festive mood and lively crowd, and is decently priced to boot. I would gladly recommend Rustica to anyone and will continue to go back here as long as I live in Chicago. Bon appetito!

    (4)

  • Leanne A.

    Similar to my DMK experience; I have been fantasizing about this food since I went here a week ago. Caprese salad: I think this might be the best caprese salad I've had in Chicago. It's THAT good. I'm getting jittery just typing this. uhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmm. omg. PIzza: it's what they all say. Delightful. The crust is not as thin as I expected, but it's still perfect. buttery but not overwhelming. the cheese is perfect as well. The size is massive. You might think you want a full, but beware. It's a hell of a lot of pizza. Atmosphere: cute and small. It gets cold whenever the door opens. Price: my biggest complaint was the cost of each topping. I want to load up my pizza with veggies, but if I did that here I'd spend an extra 15 bucks. Don't you think there should at least be two toppings included with your pizza? Yes, you can get the specialty pizzas that include toppings...but they aren't cheap.

    (4)

  • M B.

    This is one of the best places, outside of Italy, to get a fresh and delicious italian meal. On top of the food, the new atmosphere and space is cozy and inviting. The only issue Pizza Rustica has now is a bit of a service issue. Having said that, it's obvious that this small blip in Pizza Rustica's stellar resume is only due to the fact that they just moved to their new location and are trying to work out the kinks. The service I received in their prior location was exceptional, and I know they will get to that same level of service once they get used to their new surroundings. So, for those of you who have never tried Pizza Rustica, I highly encourage you to do so - the food and the prices can't be beat - just go into it knowing that a really great group of people just moved to some new digs, so the service won't be impeccable (although I'm sure it soon will be). For those of you who have been regulars - you know how phenonmenal this place is and I'm sure you'll agree with me that any service issues are just a temporary thing. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Mel G.

    The place actually smells better than anything I ate there somehow (so maybe I just failed to order correctly). Had the caprese salad, felt like the tomatoes were way over-salted and the cheese tasted cheap (chalky, dry, bland). Split the Margherita pizza for dinner. It's true the crust is really buttery, kind of tastes like a Ritz cracker. But the toppings were really really sparse (barely any diced up tomatoes on a Marg pizza?). We added sausage, which actually tasted pretty good, but once again there were whole slices that didn't even have any sausage on them. Personally I thought it had way too much cheese for a Marg pizza, but I also don't care for tons of cheese on my pizza. It's cheap, but at the end of the day I think I would've preferred a Domino's thin crust for the price/flavor combo. I can't comment on the bread, because our waitress never brought any. Meh. The atmosphere sure was cozy and nice, not enough to make me want to go back ever.

    (2)

  • Lola B.

    I'm so happy I came here! I have never written a review before but I was so inspired by this place that I had to. To start off with the restaurant has a nice comfortable ambiance, small, cozy and welcoming are definitely a few words that could describe it. It's BYOB so you can bring your own bottle of wine and get comfortable ;-) Now the food is what really sold me, I had the pecan cranberry salad, it was refreshing and light, exactly how a salad should be. We then went on to having the Margherita pizza....... No words..... It was perfect. A nice thin crunchy crust, not to greasy, and bursting with flavor. I love it. And to top it off the bill was only $18 with tax, for great quality food and good portion sizes. I can't wait to come back and try the pasta.

    (5)

  • Zack G.

    My second disappointing experience here. Tonight they must have been understaffed, as we waited ten minutes to be greeted, another ten for our drinks, and another ten for our dinner order to be taken. Each step was performed by a different staff member, so at first we were unsure who our server was. I was served the wrong food. I ordered the "Tutto" pizza. When I told the server, she simply said "Sorry, I wrote down potato" (if the entree names are in Italian, the server should be more careful about taking and repeating the correct order). She offered to order a new correct pizza, but we were growing short on time. The rosemary potato pizza was salty and plain bad. I only tasted one piece. Our table was never approached again (they must have sensed our displeasure), and had to find our server to get a check. The manager never asked how anything was, even though she did pace in front of our table, yelling into the phone about a chicken sandwich.

    (2)

  • Jon H.

    Thin, crispy crust. Fresh toppings. BYOB. Nice staff. Perfecto.

    (4)

  • Huzefa H.

    Still SO GOOD! Came here with a person who's pizza love far surpasses my own and she said that this might be one of the best pizza places she has ever had. And she loves pizza. We had the half pizza with basil and onions. AWESOME!!!! Couldn't finish it between the two of us. She got the left overs. I'm kinda jealous. Anyways A must go for any Pizza lover!!!!

    (5)

  • Trey L.

    this just might be my favorite pizza in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Paul D.

    The food is amazing, they can never seem to get your order correct. We have been here when it's busy and slow and it does not matter

    (2)

  • Amy L.

    So excited about their new space! Walked by their old location hundreds of times but was never really feeling it. Went last night to the new. First off, amazing job on the decor. Wine list was beyond reasonable, service was fantastic, food was great. I feel like I've found a new go to.

    (5)

  • Dabney, B.

    As long as I've lived in this area, how in the world did this hidden gem escape me? So many times I've passed it without giving it a second thought. Last night I came here for a business dinner. I didn't think this place had a prayer of making an impression on me, considering work time was cutting into a Friday evening, but boy did I perk up in a hurry upon entry. An unassuming quiet little joint that resembles the many fine establishments that multimillion dollar movie stars shoot scene after scene in our cinematic favorites is what you are getting here folks. I love it! The downside is the spacing between the tables is a little cramped. They pack em in there like sardines, and it gets loud quickly. That may seem disturbing at first, but it's BYOB, with a small corkage fee, so you'll forget about that little inconvenience after about 30 minutes. If you live in Lakeview, there is no excuse not get over here. It's a fun place and the food is absolutely delicious. Last night I ordered.... Rustica ~ Baby Spinach topped with Artichoke, Goat Cheese & Croutons Tutta Pizza ~ Sausage, Pepperoni, Mushroom, Onion, Black Olives & Bleu Cheese The pizza is a uniquely layered Thin with a firm crispy crust. Despite my worldly traveling experiences, I haven't been to Italy yet, but this is how I'd imagine it, and I can't wait to get back up here for a social excursion when the weather starts cooperating. The only other thing that bothered me is that when we walked out I saw someone had a huge Pasta dish oozing of life that looked mouthwateringly delicious. I want to get back to order it asap. If you're up for Italian, this place has it all. Our server even had the accent! In closing, I must admit, I couldn't have imagined ending a work week on such a positive note. Thanks Rustica, I enjoyed the experience!

    (4)

  • T B.

    Don't let the name fool you. Their pastas are awesome, and they have lots of great non-pizza entrees. Yes, they are no longer BYOB, but they have really upped their game since moving from across the street. The place is beautiful and the food is great!

    (5)

  • Mark V.

    This place is terribly under-appreciated. Everything about Rustica is done authentically Italian, from the cuisine to, yes, sometimes the service (Based on a few negative reviews, some prima donna patrons apparently can't handle that part. I can't imagine how they'd fare at a restaurant actually located in Europe. On second thought, I can. And I cringe at the thought.). As for the food, I personally consider the pizza incredible, perhaps the best in Chicago, though its buttery crust can be polarizing. You can't go wrong with any of the toppings, but keep in mind the "quattro stagioni" and "tutto" are popular for a reason. If you're intelligent, order it as an appetizer, though. And if you're really intelligent, you'll do that because you will want to save room to order one of their specials. So don't be an idiot and do exactly as a I say, because I'm a freaking genius when it comes to Italian food. Capisci?

    (5)

  • Stephen M.

    I loved this place and the fact that it is northern Italian food. Having moved to Chicago from norther Italy, it was refreshing to eat here. The food was made from scratch and our waiter was very nice (from Venezia). I recommend going there if you want to enjoy a more authentic northern Italian meal. The only down side to this was their wine selection was small and did not have as many Italian wines as I would have liked. But that is just me.

    (4)

  • Frank A.

    Pizza Fantastica is what they should call it. We attended a group dinner for a friend's birthday this past Saturday and enjoyed the restaurant immensely. At first I was skeptical because it's so small and we were going to have a group of 10 people. However, once everyone arrived they got a table ready for us within minutes. Once seated they immediately welcomed us and opened the wine bottles we brought, yup its BYOB. Food: Half the table ordered various pasta dishes; everyone had positive comments on their dishes. I was seated next to the group that opted for pizza. We ordered three different specialty pizzas: Margherita (Tomatoe/Fresh Mozzarella/Basil), Quatto Stagioni (Tomatoe/Artichoke/Mushrooms/Ham), and Tutta Pizza (Sausage/Pepperoni/Onions/Mushrooms). The crusted on the Quattro Stagioni was to die for. Service: Our waiter was the best. He really made the experience so much better by joking around and flirting to a certain extent. Manuel was his name and he drives the cutest Vespa. Also, the pricing is extremely reasonable, we each paid $20 (not including the birthday boy) and enjoyed lots of food. I highly recommend this place for a cute little meal in Lakeview. The restaurant is right next to the Sheridan Red Line stop. Also, a liquor store is conveniently located next to the "El" in case you forget your booze.

    (5)

  • Vanitha S.

    The oven baked thin crust pizza I had in the restaurant was DELICIOUS when I went with a friend. I went home and spent the next 2 weeks salivating when I thought about how good it was and itching to get delivery. I finally caved in but to my utter disappointment, the order was totally messed up. I ordered a half pollo pizza and a half potatoes pizza (a half is good for 2-3 people). Instead, I got 2 slices of the potatoes pizza. But after waiting for nearly 45 minutes, I just ate what it was, and it was still good. I overlook this mistake as I would still probably go back to the restaurant or order delivery, but this is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.

    (4)

  • Lori M.

    Super-delicious gigantic rectangular pizzas --- patate & rosamarino (yes, potato and rosemary) would be my #1. Cute little place with al fresco dining and some great photos of 'i-Talia ala Wendy Vestevich on the walls. BYOB and pasta options too, but I go here for the pizza. Huge portions = sleep well.

    (4)

  • Molly P.

    I don't really want to rate this place - I remember it being fairly ok, but am pretty shocked about their "secret ingredient." I mean, for vegetarians, those who keep kosher or halal... usually a cheese pizza is ok. "The second variety of Roman pie can be found at a few places, but none do it better than Pizza Rustica. The toppings are fine but it's the crust that makes the pizza special. The airy, crispy and oily crust is an excellent bread with a special secret -it's made with lard. 3913 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago IL 60613; 773-404-8955; pizzarusticachicago.com ; Slice review. " from slice.seriouseats.com/ar… There's also discussing of this on lth: lthforum.com/bb/viewtopi…

    (3)

  • Emily B.

    I have eaten here many many times in just a little over a year. Their old location was soo tiny but the staff was great, so then they moved across the street to a bigger location and everything went downhill. They hired many more people who SUCK at being servers! Don't sit ANYWHERE near the bar area because you'll have a waitress who is also a bartender so your service will suck! I had that happen to me 3 times. Last time I went the waitress was such a b***h! She would literally walk away as I was talking to her, she had an attitude, took shots behind the bar, ignore my table for 20 minutes and the whole time I was waving her down. It was terrible that we left and gave her a $0 tip! I remember her name and I hope I never get her again (her name is Lindsey!) The only positive thing: Their food is delicious, I love the Caprese Salad and the veggie pizza....mmm!

    (1)

  • Chris M.

    I had to try this place twice before writing my review. The first time I had Za Rustica, I was taken aback and quite satisfied by the savory butter crust holding all the sauce, cheese, and ingredients together. It kind of tasted like Lou Malnati's butter crust had enveloped the entire pizza. The 2nd time I came to my senses. The crust is pretty soggy, and either it wasn't cut properly, or as I am led to believe that soggy pizza crust is just something that's hard to cut. Let's be honest, Chicago is a deep dish pizza town, we all know that, kids. But, if you're going to give me thin crust, it needs to be thin thin and crispy crispy. Anything else is just unacceptable. While I do give Rustica credit for uniqueness as far as pizzas like the garbage pizza with blue cheese, the structure of the pie just falls a bit short in my opinion. If you're in the area, I'd try it if you're in the mood for Italian. The other pasta dishes are good, and let me not forget to say that Fornello's sucks.

    (2)

  • Claire P.

    Yum, yum, yum. Go here for the pizza nothing else. Two of my friends had sandwiches which were mediocre at best, but I split a pizza with my other friend and it was delicious! Another time we got it delivered and it was a little more greasy but it was still good. I love tiny little obscure places and this is for sure in my top ten.

    (5)

  • Kari G.

    This is some of the best pizza in a city that is known for it's pie! My boyfriend and I come here quite regularly and typically order the same meal, so I'm not an expert on all of their food. We usually get a half pizza and a small pasta and split them. It is definitely my favorite place to eat in Wrigleyville! It's BYOB which is nice so you don't get gouged on overpriced wine, and there is a nice little outdoor eating area along a fairly quiet street (Sheridan and Grace). Highly Recommended!

    (5)

  • Emily B.

    My sister and I went here yesterday for lunch. It has a very cute atmosphere. We had the caprese salad to start which had a pesto sauce drizzled on it along with balsamic. There was actually lettuce underneath the tomatoes and cheese as well, so it was really like a salad. We then ordered the Grilled Veggie pizza and it was AMAZING... The pasta that the people next to us ordered looked and smelled great as well. The pizza took about 15 minutes to cook, but it was well worth the wait. Go here with someone you like to talk to and hang out with because otherwise you might run out of things to talk about if you order the pizza. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Nick B.

    When people think Chicago, they think artery-clogging deep dish pizza covered in toppings. Despite growing accustomed to this pizza (and a big fan on occasion!), I prefer thin crust pizza with simple spices and flavor. Last night I went out with my friend who only eats pizza, literally. This gives me the opportunity to find out where the latest pizza place is and I stumbled on Pizza Rustica with outstanding reviews. Supposedly tornadoes were ripping through Chicago last night, but that can't hold me back from hitting the city and filling my pizza void. I was shocked to see that this little pizza joint was packed right after a storm. Fortunately, we found a table up against a wall. The restaurant is very compact but it's comfortable. I can't say I was too excited over the simple decorations, very typical Italian art for a pizza place. I'm kicking myself right now because Pizza Rustica is BYOB. Was I nuts? Why didn't I bring a bottle of wine? Or 5? This question will go unanswered until the next time I come in because I will definitely return. The pizza was absolutely AMAZING. My friend I split a large pizza, half pepperoni and half cheese with basil (I told you I was simple!). The pizza arrived quickly despite how crowded the place was and only one server. I really can't get over the pizza. The crust was perfect. The cheese was tangy and flavorful. I had to eat my entire half of the pizza. I can't find a single complaint about the pizza, just spectacular! Overall, I would say you have to check this out. The food is just awesome. I'm tempted to go back soon to try out their pastas. My only complain was their billing was a little confusing. We got the large pizza...but they ended up charging two mediums or something. Our pizza came out to be $27.99...a little expensive but totally worth it. I would recommend Pizza Rustica as one of the most outstanding pizza places in Chicago. The pizza had the "wow" factor I haven't come across in awhile.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Let me start out by saying that the pizza here is fantastic, some of the best pizza I've had--that's not an exaggeration. The buttery crust and fresh toppings really make this brick oven-baked pizza a true treat. If you like good pizza, go here immediately. But carry out. This is not a place that you'd want to eat at. We went on a Friday night during busy time, we admit, but we got there, wanted to sit outside, and were told it was a half an hour wait. We sat inside and then watched two other parties walk up and get seated immediately outside. Huh? It seems like there was one waitress there for the whole restaurant--in and outside--along with a couple of bussers/helpers who didn't speak good English. So it was hard to get drinks, it took a while to put in our order, and after the waitress took our order, she never came back again, letting the helpers fill our water and bring the bill; we also never got break until we asked, and everyone got bread. So call ahead, carry out, and get fantastic, mind-blowing pizza.

    (4)

  • Alissa C.

    Stopped in for a few drinks since the corner bar was cash only and what a great surprise! Excellent drinks and a friendly bartender. Have heard the food is good to! Can't wait to try it next time.

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    All I can say is WOW. What a great experience. The owners are all about customer satisfaction and it is also shown through their staff. More restaurants need to stop and take some pointers from them. Thanks for welcoming us to your home. The pizza was awesome.

    (5)

  • Alice L.

    If I could give this restaurant zero stars, I would. The food was good but the service was TERRIBLE. We made a reservation for 4 on a Friday night and waited over an hour for a table when there had been a couple free tables there the entire time. A few parties of 3-4 came in after us and just sat right down. After complaining to the hostess, we were assured we were next after a party of 3. We continued to wait and told the owner's wife about the bad reviews on yelp only to have her huff and puff and roll her eyes at us. It is a shame that a place with good food is debauched by their lack of knowledge of basic customer service. I would consider going back if their service improves...

    (1)

  • J D.

    Mediocre sandwiches and soup. Cocktail offers are conventional and lacking in quality ingredients. Pizza is also just something to fill your hunger, but again...and unfortunately, there are many other places which do better.

    (2)

  • Amanda M.

    Went there around 2pm and no one else was there. We walked in and stood there for 3 minutes before we could let the waiter know we were going to sit outside. Service left a lot to be desired, I didn't get a water refill until after my food was halfway eaten, we were only checked on 1 time, our waiter left after he brought our pizza to us and didn't even tell us. We decided not to wait the 10 minutes for the new waiter to come back so we could pay and get a box. Also, BYOB with a cork fee per person of like $1.75. We got the Margherita pizza and it wasn't what I expected for a place with "Rustica" in the name. For what it was worth, I will not go back. If you want a rustic pizza, go to Spacca Napoli. Only cool thing I saw was that they grow some of their own herbs in the planter boxes surrounding the outdoor seating.

    (2)

  • Jared L.

    So-so pizza. Poor service.

    (2)

  • David R.

    DAMNIT! Here is ANOTHER near-perfect place which I wish existed in my neighborhood. Welcoming, attractive interior; delicious food; reasonable prices and good value; friendly, competent service; BYOB; great for a date, a small group of friends, or a solo weekend lunch...I'm glad that I found it but why does it have to be so far away? According to Yelp, I bookmarked this joint on 5/27, and finally got around to eating there last night. I actually tried to lunch there on my birthday a few weeks ago, but they are closed on Tuesdays. Watch out! I liked the square pizza: perfectly-balanced proportions of the holy quirumvirate of crust, cheese, sauce, and toppings. The crust reminded me of Pizza Hut pan style, which is entirely a compliment. We ordered the Four Seasons (mushrooms, tomatoes, artichokes, and ham), which slightly edged out the Margherita. I'll be coming back to try that one (and others, plus the sandwiches and who knows how much else). A- on the pizza. The caprese salad was one of the best I've ever had. They made a nice balsamic vinegar, herb, and olive oil drizzle over the top. So damn good. A. With one visit, this place blew right past "remember this when in the neighborhood and hungry for pizza" territory and into "date-night destination restaurant" territory. Only four miles of distance keeps it from "get fat by eating here with alarming regularity" territory. If I visit two more times with no disasters, Rustica goes up to five stars (and I am stingy with those 5-star reviews).

    (4)

  • Melissa D.

    I was really excited to try this place, but unfortunately underwhelmed by my experience. It's no secret that I am definitely on Team Sauce as far as the cheese:sauce ratio goes, so I was excited to try their cheese-less pizza with marinara and garlic. To my disappointment, there was barely any sauce at all, and an excessive amount of olive oil and grease!! However, it was a cute little place with friendly service and outdoor seating.

    (2)

  • michaelia f.

    This place is really more of a two-and-a-half-star-er, but I've only been here once, so I'll give them the three. I came here last night with a party of 8, and we were running a little late, so when we walked in and saw half our party already sitting, I was impressed. They had already set out wine glasses for us, and the server didn't blink an eye towards our six bottles of wine and two large-ish beers. Nice. They have really nice patio seating, but we sat inside, and it was kind of disgusting. The place was pretty nice looking, nice tablecloths and bright, fun room. And it was approximately 85 degrees in there. It was actually hotter inside than it was out. I'm not a big fan of wiping sweat off my brow when I'm eating, and this was gross. No air conditioning on the summer's first hot day? Really? Ick. We ordered a couple salads, a pasta, and three half pizzas to share. I only tried the mista salad, and it was perfectly fine (really boring, but fine): mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette. I only had a bite of the pasta, so I won't comment on that one. The pizza? Eh. It was OK. I tend to judge pizza places by their margarita pizzas--it's such a simple dish, but so easy to screw up. I was not a fan of the buttery crust, which overpowered the delicate flavors of the margarita pizza. The flavors of the potato and rosemary pizza, though it was starch overload, held up much better to the rich crust. The four seasons pizza was OK, but the pieces were cut really small, so you never really got all four toppings on one piece. Service was really good, and getting out for $15/head with alcohol and tip was pretty nice too. But $1.75 per person cork fee? A bit high, IMO. All in all, Pizza Rustica is just OK. With the fine TAC Quick just down the street though, I doubt I will be returning unless I'm meeting up with some friends.

    (3)

  • Jackie W.

    Love this place. The pizza is delicious, very thin crust, great flavors. Service is great, wait staff is personable and funny, and drinks are reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Liz C.

    The crust is amazing (Read: buttery, flakey, crispy, delicious) The ingredients are very fresh and each pizza is made to order. My favorite is definitely the Tutta Pizza. If serving up some of the best pizza in the city isn't enough, they are also BYOB. I mean a couple can go out, split a half pizza ($13) and bring your own bottle of wine (for a small corkage fee). Now that is a V-A-L-U-E!

    (5)

  • Abby D.

    Best flat bred pizza in town. This is such a unique Italian restaurant in Chicago and the Caprese salad is the best I've ever tasted. Go, go go if you want an authentic Italian experience in Chicago. Not to mention.. it's BYOB!

    (5)

  • Joanna T.

    MARGHERITA PIZZA is the best. Great atmosphere. Happy they serve wine now.

    (5)

  • Maxwell C.

    I love pizza rustica's pizza. I also love how their delivery boy is this italian surfer dude. I also love how their wait staff actually writes the final amount with a comma, not that stupid English period between the dollar and cents value. Anyway, the truth this, this place has the best "romanesque" pizza in chicago. I wouldn't call it truly roman since the slices aren't super thick, though it is doughy. But doughy is a good thing here (see my review for Nella for why it is not). I always order the pizza margahrita. It is great. And hey, I grew up in North Jersey, I know a mean pizza when I see one. When you do decide to stroll into the restaurant instead of ordering delivery, be advised to NOT ORDER ANYTHING ON THEIR MENU (except for the pizzas of course)!! But instead, ASK FOR THE SPECIALS!! Because the specials are what makes this place stand out. They are authentic Italian. It brings me back to a nice italian dinner at a small tratorria in Rome. You have to sometimes excuse the crowd though, it's mostly loud girls who thinks they own the world after just a sip of their awful BYOB wine.

    (4)

  • Martin H.

    Great pizza! Had a spinach and onions pizza that was delicious. BYOB = automatic stars! Had a great bottle of wine with a friend while enjoying our pizza. Its a nice small cozy place. I would go hear more often if I lived closer. Great for a date!

    (4)

  • caroline e.

    Had a group of 6 girls ready to drink some wine and eat some pizza. We called and asked if there was a wait and were told "no wait, come on over!" When we walked in 10 min. later they said "You called didn't you? Those people just took your table." Next thing we know we have to wait half an hour to sit. They also wouldn't let us open our wine while we waited at the bar. It was all a little annoying, but I guess I understand. As for the rest of the experience, it was very nice. The pizza was good, but I don't know if I'd go out of my way to have it again. We tried a few, and my favorite was the margarita. I also really liked the crust. A lot. So buttery and crunchy. The pink pasta sauce was really tasty, though the pasta itself was lacking a bit (tortellini). All in all this is a solid spot if you're in the neighborhood, but not exactly a destination restaurant.

    (3)

  • Rachel R.

    I really love this place. The pizza is delicious and very affordable (a "full" size rectangle of pizza feeds 4-6 people for roughly $18). Only once have I had room for dessert, but that was good, too. It's BYOB, but I can't recall much of a corkage fee. The only con is the limited seating (more than two people usually requires a reservation if you don't want to wait a long time).

    (5)

  • Judy S.

    Great salad, great pizza, great price.

    (5)

  • J. P.

    The cheese pizza and quattro formaggi gnocchi were fantastic, however, the great food couldn't make up for being asked to leave after we finished eating so that others could sit down. It was really annoying. It's a small joint that gets packed easily and it's hard to carry a conversation because of the noise.

    (3)

  • Montserrat D.

    The food I've eaten here is great. Above and beyond my expectations. The price is more than reasonable. Last time I even thought they had made a mistake on the check. How could we have eaten such an amount of delicious Patate Rosmarino pizza for two for such little money? I'm going to assume that the Italian gentleman who hosts the restaurant is also the owner since he is so devoted, neat and organized. He will give you the best advice. If you want to practice Italian, he will be happy to speak Italian with you. He loves languages. He speaks Spanish with some of his crew. Sometimes it feels like your own private Holly Golightly's Tiffany & Co. where nothing bad can happen, the place to go when you have a "red" day.

    (5)

  • Emily F.

    Three things in life I can't live without: pizza, wine, and public transportation. Needless to say, 5 stars. Being from Jersey makes me somewhat of a pizza snob, and though it's no fold-over greasy east coast pizza, still delicious and highly recommended. Bonus- spitting distance from the red line. I'm in heaven.

    (5)

  • Sara D.

    Second trip, still good, although the crust seemed a little off. Tried the potato pizza, it was very flavorful and tasty, although I think that I still prefer meat toppings. A little too much carb on carb action. Will definitely be back, I want to try some of the other entrees. Additionally, I should add that if you order the pizza for delivery, it isn't nearly as good as eating it in the restaurant. They put my pizza in a styrofoam container and it was soggy. Sad face.

    (3)

  • Ashley G.

    This was pretty much one of the most perfect meals I have ever had. *Mouth waters* First off... 3 people: Drinks (byob), appetizer (the most profoundly perfect bruschetta I've ever had), a whole pizza (with the most perfectly crunchy crispy thick crust), and desert (Pannicotta... first time I've ever had it. I will be going there for it every.single.week for the rest of my life.) Total: $28.00!! Can't beat that! We got there and all the tables were full on the patio, but they gladly grabbed a table for us from inside and just set us our own little spot outside. The server was sweet as could be and made wonderful recommendations... I will be going back there very very often.

    (5)

  • Morgan M.

    Everything that I tried at this place was delicious, and it the Caprese salad even inspired me to go out and buy the ingredients to make my own (which I have been doing now for some time). The only downfall is that you don't get the quantity for what you pay for. While the Caprese salad is good...$7 something for three tomato slices? C'MON PPL!! That's why I started making it myself. Guess how much I spent for all of the ingredients? LOL. Anyway, try the Rosemary potato pizza. A friend told me that every place that she has had this pizza it has been disgusting; however, it was great here. She even liked it. It was also my first time having it. Good thing I had it here.

    (4)

  • Dee B.

    So, my gf thought that this would be a cute place to come and have a little date night. When we first got in, I could not have disagreed more... it seemed crowded and hot. But as we settled in, I really got a good feel for this place's charm. It is very cute, and our waiter was very sweet (and had beautiful hair... I'm a barber). Anywho, the space is kinda small, which made it a little unappealling when it was busy, but once it cleared out a little, it was a very cute date spot. We shared a salad, a 1/2 pizza, triamisu, and I got americano, and I dropped $40 (including a good tip). Now, if that's not a good date spot, I don't know what is!!! The food was great, the service was great. 2 thumbs up from this guy right here.

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    I think this place is great! Its a small BYOB italian place. I have had both pizza and risotto here and I liked both. They have thin crust pizza that kind of reminds me of crossiant crust but its good. Plus, I like that you can get halves, etc. I got the Verdure Grigliate. It was great!!! Thin and light. Another time when I was here, I got a veggie risotto that was on special and it was also great. The down falls to this place are that it can get really crowded and loud so if you are trying to have a nice romantic dinner...not really sure this is the place but if you are out in a group...this place is great. Also, there is only one bathroom so when you go to the bathroom, you are trying to stay out of the way but its a little crunched.

    (4)

  • Jennifer T.

    A big no thanks to this place. We went because our favorite was closed for the holiday but I had to have Italian so we searched for another place that was open. I wish we had a more pleasant experience. We didn't have pizza and maybe that's where we went wrong. I ordered the artichoke ravioli and my husband ordered gnocchi with meat sauce. Honestly, I probably would have given a better rating if the sauce was better. Have you ever had greasy tomato sauce? I did tonight. If you do go, maybe try the pizza instead?

    (2)

  • Bryan M.

    Pizza is so damn good that once you start , you can't stop eating it. It's like crack addict pizza :)

    (5)

  • Josh H.

    Just stumbled upon this place when a next door asian fusion restaurant was closed -- at noon on Saturday! I didn't really know what to expect, but I love the feel of the restaurant as soon as I walked in. The local art displayed on the walls was beautiful and really complimented the overall feel. While I didn't try the pizza, I echo comments from previous posters that Pizza Rustica's Caprese salad was the BEST Caprese salad I have ever had. The tomatoes, greens, and mozzarella were all incredibly fresh and the presentation was beautiful. It seemed like it was drizzled with more than olive oil - but whatever it was - it had a little sweetness to it that really brought the whole salad to life. I will definitely be getting salad again.

    (5)

  • Fiona M.

    This place is beyond amazing! From the sincere welcome to the wonderful atmosphere, we were completely blown away!!! The food was incredible and the wine/cocktail list is great too. We went on a Friday night, sat at the bar and had a blast! We will definitely be back. Oh and I heard they are starting brunch - breakfast pizza? Yum! Can't wait to try that!

    (5)

  • Amanda H.

    So I went in here alone for lunch one day. It was pretty dead. The waitress wasn't too friendly, but I ordered a personal size margherita pizza and a Perrier. The waitress was like, "You want a REGULAR one?" Yes, that's what I said. (I bet when you go out to drink you only drink virgin strawberry daiquiris, bitch!) The decoration is a little gaudy. They are trying REALLY hard to make the place look like it's super Italian. Like an Olive Garden or something. Like DIY Olive Garden decor. Anyway, pizza comes out pre-cut on a board. Nice touch. And a glass with ice for the Perrier. Thanks. The crust was very good. Not cracker thin, buttery, and just the right amount of chewy. I wish it had a little more mozzarella and basil. But you really can't complain for the price and quality. At all. Then, for being so dead, the waitress takes forever getting me my check. Then I go to the front to pay the $5 and some change with my debit card. Oops. Amount too low to use a debit card, and I didn't bring cash. If I was thinking, I would have just bought a dessert or something. But the cashier guy said just come back later with a friend and pay it then. How nice! He was really nice and chatty. I had a five at home and I only live a few blocks away so I went and got it for him. He was that nice that I didn't take the free lunch and run. I can see myself coming here often with my own wine for BYOB. I hope they toss the waitress. The end.

    (5)

  • Jack B.

    The good: BYOB with no fee, super yummy complimentary bread when you dine in, really outstanding buttery crust on the pizza, interesting pizzas to choose from, generous portions (one slice will fill you up; a slice plus an appetizer or salad or something will leave you pretty stuffed). The bad: delivery is slow and the food is not as good when you get delivery, have had bad experiences with rude waitstaff, very tiny restaurant that you can't always get into, maybe a teeny bit pricey on the whole (though nothing exorbitant). All in all, I'd go back, though I probably wouldn't get delivery from here again, because it just hasn't turned out well for me in the past. The crust is really, really delicious, though. That's a fact. I've also had gnocchi with arribiata sauce there that was quite good. If you're looking for dinner on that little strip of Sheridan by the El stop, I'd pick Oh Fusion first, then either this place or Tac Quick, depending on my mood. Just FYI.

    (3)

  • Amanda Z.

    I'm a big fan of the pizzas cooked in the wood-fire oven (or whatever they call it!) Hence...I loved Pizza Rustica. Now, I was fortunate enough to have a professional "orderer" take care of the entrees...and she made some excellent decisions. Caprese salad? Wonderful, with the pesto being a refreshing, light touch. Tomatoes aren't exactly in season right now, but the lovely olive oil and heavenly mozzarella, I was a happy girl. We had four different kinds of 'za on our square board...I know one was the potato rosemary (crazy, but surprisingly good), the pinapple ham (always good), the quattro straggioni (I think) and one with olives...that those who know me, know I didn't touch;) I had plenty, and between three of us, we were stuffed with our own wine...for $12 each, including tip. Can't go wrong with that. I'll be back...might even try ordering for myself next time!

    (4)

  • Vanessa K.

    pizza rustica is hands down the best pizza place in the city. the crust is divine. i'm not quite sure how to describe it: it's sweet, slightly flakey, but firm...like a sister bread of focaccia but thinner. plus, it's a joy to spend time amongst true italians who own the joint. the specials that are on the wall are usually amazing. i have been to pizza rustica at least 10 times over the past year and the food is always amazing! the one thing is, they do NOT rush you out. so, you might have to wait for a table -or- wait for the bill. just enjoy either experience. bring a couple bottles of wine. oh - and the arrabbiata sauce is fantastic on all their freshly made pasta and for those who need a little green in their meal, the rustica salad is perfect. Divertiti!!!

    (5)

  • Jared S.

    Pizza Rustica has the potential to be a stand out restaurant for the neighborhood it's in but they still have a long ways to go in the service category. On my first visit I was impressed with the authentic atmosphere inside. However that soon faded once we where seated. The dishwasher's Spanish hip hop blasting from the kitchen made me feel like I was grabbing tacos after a night of drinking. Recently the staff littered my street with their menus. So I thought it was time to give them another try. (not that I need an excuse to order pizza) The person who took my order told me I should expect delivery in 45 minutes. 1 hour and 45 minuets passes before my warm pizza arrives. Insult to injury, they gave me green pepper instead of sausage.

    (2)

  • Jason C.

    LOVE IT!!!! Great date night spot. BYOB, great thinner crust pizza and very attentive service. The pizza tasted very authentic - great flavors, very fresh, wonderful ingredients. We had the Margherita - it was awesome. Tons of outdoor seating - this night, the owner emptied the indoor restaurant of all the tables and put them on the sidewalk so no one had to eat inside - it was like we were in a piazza in Italy. Go - you will love it!!

    (5)

  • Arpana U.

    This place was good - got carry out and was there before it was out of the oven, so enjoyed it piping hot. This is a good place to go if you're looking for thin pizza that's a little different - not the place for some thin crust comfort food (for that, better off at D'Ags or Panino's in the area). But it was good, worth a try for sure. We got the Verdure, which was good, but I would have liked more veggies/toppings. And got the Patate Rosmarino (potato), which was good in small doses, but as others have said, carb-overload.

    (3)

  • Jeffrey S.

    I've come here a million times. I've only had bad service once. The pizza is amazing and seems to be more conistent since they moved to their new location. At their old location there was times it seemed over cooked at times. Now I feel its always cooked just right.

    (5)

  • Steve B.

    I go to pizza rustica often - great food/friendly service. However, I went on NYE an hour before normal close and was told the restaurant was closed and was rushed out. No notification of an early close was given as the attendant said they had been too lazy. While overall I enjoy this establishment, I was not happy with the way they had handled the situation.

    (3)

  • Sam S.

    My feelings about this visit were so strong, it caused me to join Yelp today. I have, over time, frequented Pizza Rustica fairly regularly. I had always had a very pleasant experience for both service and food. I recently drove by and observed the new location and was very excited to revisit one of my Chicago favorites. Ohhhh P.R., how could you go so wrong so quickly? I reviewed many recent yelps about this location, and it seems there is a definite pattern emerging. I'm sure you can identify it yourself if you look closely. My experience: We were seated right away on a Monday night by a very friendly hostess. It was moderately busy. I love to see places succeed and do well! Service: I had no issues with the waiter, though he did seem overextended. Honestly I think a lot of the service issues I have read about here are due to poor organization in the kitchen and dining areas. Wine: it did take a long time to get a glass, but see above. Very light pour for a glass, considering that the bottle is priced only 3x the price of a glass. VERY light pour. Like, INSULTINGLY light pour. Food: Ahhh, this hurts but the pizza last night was pretty awful. I have had so much GREAT pizza from P.R. that this surprised me immensely! I had brought a new diner with me, and I was embarrassed and making excuses for it. The pizza should never have left the kitchen. It was burned around the perimeter and nearly undercooked in the center. The lack of evenness is difficult to understand. I have theories but no evidence. However, that pizza really should NEVER have been allowed to be served. I carefully tore off the crust from the pizza, and laid it upside down on my plate, showing that it was black as I continued to eat toward the center. I really expected the waiter to question this at some point, or the hostess who was busy running plates to tables around me. But no. Oddity: Very strangely, the bill total came to $33 and change. I put a fifty down for it. The waiter left to get change, came back and asked me if I had anything smaller... That just seemed so incredibly odd to me. I explained the only thing I had smaller was a $20, so it was up to him. He managed to find correct change for me. Why didn't I complain about the pie? You have to pick your battles in life, and this is JUST a pizza. One pizza, during one meal, in one day in my life. I always figure if the chef/owner cares about his success, he'll make sure everything that goes out of the kitchen will be absolutely right. Conclusion: I have no doubt that the new P.R. location will be a success. There are any number of businesses I consult which survive despite their best efforts to fail. I sincerely hope they take some of the most recent feedback to heart, examine their systems or hire a consultant to improve their service, and set aside the hubris that immediate success breeds. There has definitely always been an air of boastful pride in P.R.; old location and new. Will I return? Probably, because one terrible pizza isn't going to turn me off. But will I return as quickly or as often as I did before? Probably not, and definitely not until I get over being charged full price for a pizza that was half burned and obvious to anyone who took a moment to look.

    (2)

  • Julie Ann H.

    I live right down the street from Pizza Rustica, but I had never stopped in until yesterday. Sure, I'd passed by many a time and watched longingly as other diners enjoying their pizza out on the patio and smelled the tempting aromas waft past my nostrils, but there was always some other pressing matter at hand that pulled me away from experiencing this pizza deliciousness. Yesterday, however, my friend Andy and I were on a mission for pizza. After driving around Wrigleyville for what seemed like forever trying to find parking so we could get a slice at Ian's, I remembered Pizza Rustica's ample parking and mouth-watering scents, so we took a short detour to Sheridan and Dakin to fulfill our pizza craving. By the time Andy and I arrived at Pizza Rustica, I was hungry enough to eat my own arm, and thus rather impatient. The rudeness of our waiter in these crucial first moments of our dining experience is what lost Pizza Rustica a star in my book. It took several minutes after we were seated for us to even get menus, much less acknowledgement from the three waitstaff chatting right next to us. I saw some other customers enjoying fresh bread with their meals, but when I asked our server if I could get a bread basket before our pizza came out, he told me that I could only have one if I ordered a full meal. I told him I would pay extra for it, and he still said no. Okay, I guess the bread is reserved for the higher-paying customers. I ended up ordering their bruschetta instead- yummy Italian bread piled with delicious tomatoes, basil, olives, and capers. The only drawback was that the order only came with four small pieces. My annoyance faded when the pizza came out. Andy and I ordered a half-pizza, which was more than enough for both of us. The crust was perfect- tender and chewy with lightly crispy edges and bubbly melted cheese. I had spinach and artichoke hearts on my half, which was absolutely amazing! Andy got sausage, and while he didn't care for the flavor of the sausage they used, he still loved the pizza. I will definitely return here when my next pizza craving hits!

    (4)

  • Mya O.

    I love this place, for me! it's the best pizza in town. BYOB! a plus.

    (5)

  • JR O.

    It's right around the corner and has really good pizza! Love their newly expanded location! Everything thing I have ever ordered has been great and the service is excellent too!

    (5)

  • Ellen Z.

    We loved this place! I highly recommend it for a great meal that doesn't break the bank. My husband and I are food snobs and just stumbled across this adorable eatery. Everyone that works here is Italian, which makes for warm pleasant service, relaxed and cute ambiance and, of course, very good and authentic Italian food. We ordered a pizza and the salmon fish special, both of which were unbelievably fresh, flavorful and piping hot. The pizza is thin and crispy and, I just can't explain it, to die for! I am a Chicagoan and have eaten a ton of pizza in my lifetime and this is the real Italian deal. The salmon was flavorful and a very generous portion, but fresh with just a few ingredients and perfectly cooked. It's hard to find restaurants that don't break the bank but are high on quality and this is a great one!! We chatted with Stefano the manager/owner who was so kind and friendly. Thank you, Stefano. We loved it.

    (5)

  • Liz C.

    There's nothing I love more than a buttery crust. Pizza Rustica does it so well. Attended a going away party for a good friend- 8 of us girls sat outside and enjoyed lots of wine and great pizza. Cute italian servers to boot! The garbage pizza is by far my favorite here...everything I want plus blue cheese mmm.... $1.75 corkage fee per person is pretty lame and the service can be slow, but the food more than makes up for it. If you come with a few people the bill is usually less than $10/person.

    (4)

  • Matt A.

    I came here the other day in the late afternoon and have nothing but good things to say. Me and my girlfriend got seated right away at one of the few two seater tables. Though I did notice within 15 minutes of getting there the place filled up. We decided on getting a "whole" margarita pizza, which the waiter(who was decent) told us they could not make because they had run out of basil for the day. I wasn't upset but this though, because it shows their dedication to buying small batches of great ingredients and seasonings. We ended up getting a cheese, red pepper and garlic pizza. It. Was. Fantastic. Not too greasy(a big peeve of mine), and the flavors were all there. Portions are good and the prices are not bad by any means. The menu also has many other great options and daily offerings. I will surely be back.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    favorite italian in the city, and one of my top 5 restaurants ever. this is where i go for nice dinners, casual dinners, birthday dinners, parents meeting boyfriend dinners, date dinners, and haven't seen you in forever let's catch up dinners. and now they're open for lunch too?!

    (5)

  • Lesley S.

    If you like wood-fired pizza, go here- it is amazing. I've been to Pizza Rusticas in Miami and I am not sure they are related, but I am inclined to believe that they are given that the logo is almost exactly the same and the pizzas at both are woodfired. Me and my sister went here and ordered a blue cheese and spinach pizza. It was so tasty and gourmet yet really cheap! My mouth is watering just thinking of it. I might have to pay them a visit tonight. Only complaints are that the space is very small and the times I have eaten there they seem to have a problem putting ice in your glass. One time I think they gave us paper plates as well. I don't know what was up with that. The staff when I went was always very friendly though.

    (4)

  • Jillian S.

    While I had a fun time when I came here, the overall experience was pretty underwhelming. I would however recommend the pizza, perhaps for takeout. The reason is, and I don't know if it's always like this or just was on the day we came, is that the whole place is run by 1 guy, so service is slow as you may expect. Though I must say, he was doing an amazing job since it seemed like he was taking all the orders AND cooking it himself, we just couldn't figure out why someone wasn't helping him! The only other comment I feel I must make is skip the salads - in my opinion, they were absolutely drenched in too much dressing, not that fresh, and kind of small for the price.

    (2)

  • Jen A.

    Pizza Rustica is a cute little BYOB Italian place right near the Sheridan red line stop. It's small, but in a cozy kind of way, and the people who work there are more than happy to smoosh a few tables together to accomodate a group. Everything is very reasonably priced, and it's a great little place for dinner with friends or family. It also seems to be pretty kid-friendly - I don't have any of my own, but there were three or four families with young children when I went, and the staff seemed to love them. There are chalkboard specials, as well as a simple but tasty menu of pastas, paninis, and pizzas. The "half" size pizza is more than enough for two.

    (4)

  • Alex N.

    I remember when Rustica, what we in the know call it for short, first opened up. I made the mistake of ordering delivery and to be frank I was sorely disappointed. So much so that I avoided going back for a couple of years...until my neighbors convinced me to give it another try. I've lauded them ever since and I recommend them every chance I get. Sorry to all the people who have endured long waits due to the popularity of this establishment. I claim no responsibility but I certainly haven't helped the matter. Needlees to say I was eagerly anticipating the reopening. We showed up opening night not so much to have a great meal, which Rustica rarely disappoints, but rather to support a great business that decided to stay in our community. We still had a great meal, though the new staff needs some work, and that was due to good food, great company and a wonderful NEW atmosphere! For those who are complaining about the service this firs week, what can you say, yeah it needs work but remember he had to hire almost 3X the staff and train them all. No more "Two young Italian guys" serving the whole joint. (Shout out to Manuel). Yeah, I said "Shout Out"... Dating myself. If people can't understand the difficulty in staffing and training a new restaurant and therefore choose not to come back, well that's just less of a wait for me. I'm positive the bugs will be worked out soon enough if they haven't been already. This is the kind of place that's like Cheers, you walk in and everybody knows your name. It's nice to have that personal feel and that's what Rustica is to us. Thanks Stefan for staying local. We'll be back to enjoy your new vision!!!

    (5)

  • Mara A.

    I'm quite torn. I've been here numerous times since I live in the neighborhood and every time I've had a different food experience. They guys know me there so the service is always great. But the food... The rustic pizza is a change. Although I'm not really a fan of it (I'm more of the Chicago fatty pizza) its alright. I would choose many pizza places over this one. Their pasta dishes are just plain. there really isn't anything special about it. You pick your pasta, you pick your sauce. I could go to jewel and buy a box of pasta and some sauce and call it a night. The place is always packed and a long wait. Which is great for them, terrible for us. They should expand. Its possible for them since they beat all their competitors.

    (3)

  • Mick M.

    i work nearby and wanted a simple slice of pizza on my break. i called and placed my order for 2 slices and they said 20 minutes. this is actually a lot of time for some carry out slices , but i gave them the benefit of the doubt. bad idea. i arrived 25 minutes later. after 5 minutes of waiting i was told that they didn't have one type that i ordered, so i would take just 1 slice. i ended up waiting 48 minutes total for a slice of margarita pizza. i would have waited longer, but i finally had to get my money back so i could get back to work and clock in on time. the bartender who took my order was lovely, i just feel bad that the kitchen is not doing anything to help the service out.

    (1)

  • Kimberly L.

    Very cozy environment, which is probably fine on a weeknight but it was jam packed the night I came here. I love that's a BYOB and it's inexpensive. Service was friendly. My date was disappointed with the lack of anchovies on the premises. Me..not so disappointed with that item. The pizza was fine. Nothing that rocked my world. Fun atmosphere but you'd have to come with a group of good friends because you'll be very close to your neighbor.

    (3)

  • Jeff R.

    Superb pizza tucked away in a little corner of Wrigleyville. Very well-crafted, well-thought out creations. It's a small establishment, so order it to go. Great summertime outdoor seating.

    (4)

  • Dane K.

    Outside of pizza, their menu is a few sandwiches, a pasta or two, and salads. Pretty standard Italian fare It was a cold night and I was ready to have some soup to start... The soup choice that night was minestrone. I passed. The soup of the day choice is *always* minestrone here I think. I did try the meatball sandwich. it was pretty darn tasty. You order pizza by the slice, whole, or half. My favorite is the garbage pizza... It is pretty good. Not the most amazing pizza ever, but above average. It's true, they do seem to use pre-made crusts... (you can see them stacked in the open kitchen). But I think before they cook them again they coat them in butter and it comes out tasting like a good butter crust you'd find normally in a deep dish. I've never had an issue with the crust being soggy, I think they've resolved that with butter. Try the garbage pizza next time, it's pretty good! The restaurant is tidy. In the winter, people seem to not understand the concept of closing one door behind you before opening another, so it can be cold if you're there at the wrong time. (People are stupid, can't blame the restaurant for that). The service is OK to good. It's BYOB, but they charge you by the person versus by the bottle ($1.75 or so a person I think?)... They have a decent looking outdoor sidewalk cafe in the summer.

    (5)

  • Brandon C.

    We went on Sunday evening and it was very cozy and casual, which was needed badly. The food was excellent and of good proportion for the price. It's BYOB, which is also a plus, although we were in no mood to drink on that particular night. I had the pollo panini. Tasty. The only minor negative was that the service was a little bit slow on the drik refills (we had Coke.) I don't fault him though. He was a very pleasant young Italian kid and he was the only one working the dining room. I had heard they aren't normally too busy at that time, but they were pretty slammed. All in all, it was excellent and I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    By far one of the best pizza place in Chicago. People have stated that they are upset by the wait time for delivery, you will get his with a popular restaurant. Also they have moved to a larger space so there is more seating. The new space is much nicer than the old space too. The new location (across from the old location) has a full bar, a larger kitchen, and a nice vibe. If you are ever in Lakeview looking for a good restaurant stop by Pizza Rustica. I lived in Rome for four months and this is the closest thing I have found to true Italian pizza. The staff is great and I would recommend this place to anyone.

    (5)

  • Padraig J.

    Sometimes a restaurant succeeds without theatrical ambiance or ingratiating servers. And do you want to know why that happens? Because it serves mircales. The pizza at Pizza Rustica heals broken bones, does your taxes, and writes award winning novels. No seriously this is the best kept secret on the Northside. I only eat here in the summer, when I can sit at the sunsplashed sidewalk cafe in the afternoon. This stretch of Sheridan is a little bit of gooey city goodness- all types of funky are walking by mixed in with your vanilla Lakeview peds. The three little restaurants on the corner are the only concession to serious gentrification- otherwise you can go have a Mexican pastry while you're waiting for your keys to get made at the Ace Hardware. The owner will frequently serve you and if you do you're fine, but it seems like its a famly run joint and sometimes you might be sitting out there a while. You will forgive this instantly when you realize they are all inside cooking as well as serving, and what do you care? You're sitting outside in the sun. And most of the people working are Italian, with other Italians dropping by in the afternoon, so it makes you get into that laid back European vibe where perhaps you'll be encouraged to take a nap afterwards on a cot in the back. The salads are fresh and simple- dressed mostly with vinagrettes and justifying their price by one or two special ingredients. Today I realized my salad had fresh homemade croutons. One of those will make the one slice of pizza a perfectly filling lunch. This is because its probably as much actual food as a personal pan from Pizza Hut, but note you will not have had a pizza like this before. It is fairly thin, and served on a little paddle, cut up into little cracker sized slices. The crust which either has corn meal or butter in it- its so darn flakey, and has a strong flavor. And even if the reason is more fat than you're normal yeast pizza crust it actually comes as a really light meal. The ingredients are lightly applied and I believe they are baking it to order. Quattro Staggione is by far my favorite. I'm always afraid it will be gone because for whatever reason this is a purely seasonal experience for me. That's because the food is light summer fare, and its a nice quiet sidewalk eating experience. I highly recommend this as a unique pizza experience in Chicago, even as we are firmly in the age of the brick oven pizza.

    (5)

  • Ted C.

    A friend of mine lives around there and took me to dinner and prior to that I heard my sister rave about it. I thought it was ridiculous that she would take my little cousins all the way down there for pizza-they live in the North Shore. After the dinner I was very impressed and could see why my sis would go through the drive for it. Sampled some leftovers this week and it's better than I remembered. I long to go visit again.

    (5)

  • Jon C.

    The pizza here is very excellent and very different from other places that offer similar types of pies. Something about the crust. Lunch was cheap, fresh, and great. I will be going back for dinner. The place is very "Ma and Pa", but these are the places that you usually find the best of everything. BYOB too, can't go wrong.

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    There are not a lot of Italian BYOBs in the city of Chicago, at least not that I've found, so when you find one, I personally don't expect a whole lot. I think that Pizza Rustica is perfect as a BYOB. It doesn't have a huge variety, but they do a lot with what they have. The only appetizers that they have, is whatever is the special for the day, which is a bit annoying, but that was alright, I just got a salad instead. I did your classic Caprese, and it was perfect. My boyfriend and friend each got the Cesear, one with chicken, one without, and it looked fantastic. The croutons were amazing, which is always what makes a salad for me. My other friend got the Minestrone soup, and he said that he had NEVER had a better cup of Minestrone, and it did look DAMN good. Huge cuts of veggies, and a bit of cheese on top. Now mind you the four of us had been at the pool all day and had barely eaten, so I don't know if that has anything to do with how delicious we thought everything was! The waitress did neglect to remember to bring out my Caprese at first, but we merely asked her, and she got on it right away -- not really too annoying to me. I'm never really in a hurry when I'm at a restaurant anyway. As for the entrees, for a smaller restaurant, their sauces and everything were phenomenal. I had gnocchi with their Quattro Formaggi (4 cheese) and mushrooms, and it was perfect. There was supposed to be spinich and they forgot that, but it was so good the way that it was, I can hardly complain. My one guy friend got the special which was a filet -- he said it was pretty damn good. It was served with spinich and a mushroom sauce, that was very light. He doesn't like mushrooms, so he said it was just perfect. My other friend got penne with a Bolognese sauce and meatballs, and she loved it as well. The way their pasta works is, you choose your pasta, your sauce and any add ons, which I actually really liked. Then my boyfriend got their pizza, which I had had before, and I thought was really good. It's clearly not your typical Chicago pizza, but I think it's pretty good; he thought it was adequate. He got his usual: sausage and pepperoni. All and all, nice casual dinner. No real complaints. I guess there were some mess ups in there, but they didn't really get to me. I would definitely go back on a week night, for a nice easy, cheap Italian meal!

    (3)

  • Toby M.

    Recently revisited but this was my first time at the new location and first time trying something other than the pizza. The new location is great: bigger, lively and a bar to wait at before being seated at a table. Always enjoyed the banter with the owner, who looks and acts very much like Seinfeld's Soup Nazi character. But my big and only complaint is the food. I was very disappointed with the lasagna. While the meat sauce had decent flavor, the noodles and cheese had the consistency of mush. And there was very little meat in the sauce. So I was very disappointed - prompting me to write this review. If you go, don't get the lasagna..stick with the pizza!

    (2)

  • Kate B.

    I used to love Pizza Rustica when I moved to the hood - I even programed their number into my phone - which is a big deal in my book, its like a small commitment. But the last time we ordered a pizza to go, it was going to be ready in 5 minutes? 5 minutes?! Well I walked over there and it was ready - only because it looks like they cook huge slabs of pizza and reheat them with your chosen toppings. We asked for a margherita pizza and it had no fresh tomatoes and maybe 3 or 4 pieces of basil. It was not even warm! It was a true disappointment, but I dont think we will be getting pizza from here again.

    (2)

  • Natalie F.

    Dont tell me, you are not Domino's. I was shocked at the price for a small pizza and 3 toppings. Almost $19. I was a bit floored the delivery guy gives me the quote above. Dont say that and then burn my pizza on top of it. doh! They forgot the dessert, ok. Fine. I call and let the guy know this and he goes over my bill with me how they had not charged me for the dessert. I was like wow, expensive. he shows up and I do him credit for it with dessert and shocked at why I am shocked at his prices. I told him I can go to Fornellos and get a great small pizza for under $12. I think he said our quality is better. We had not opened the pizza at this point. He told me to look around at the other prices. I have lived in this neighborhood for 5 years. Try Sapporia, Michaels, CW, and Fornells. You can get a small non burnt pizza for under $12. I also like Pat's. Dominos on irving rocks! seriously. Fast and never had a problem. We finally did open it and some of the sides were a bit burnt. Fine, we were painting the apartment and starved. Bit in, the crust they use soaks up the burnt edges......we were so hungry and tired, at that point, what can you do? I just found it ironic how two delivery guys went on how wonderful they were and we get that at our door. The dessert not so good either. I was really bummed about that too. How do you mess up Strawberry cake? all seeds...

    (2)

  • Betsy T.

    Love, love, love this place! Authentic Italian pizza, cute and cozy atmosphere, and good food! The staff is always friendly and lively. It can definitely get busy, so go earlier or later- stay away from the standard 6:30-7:30 dinner time. They're moving to a new location soon and will offer cocktails, beer and wine; though it will still be BYBVino.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    I suppose cozy is an appropriate word to use for Pizza Rustica, or perhaps intimate would be a better description. Nonetheless, the restaurant is tiny and can get a little crowded quite quickly. There is outdoor seating, which is nice on warm days and its BYOB (both pluses). The service was a bit splotchy, but our food came faster than anticipated. They do take out and delivery on the nights where they wait for a table is atrocious and I would say the food was pretty good. A nice little local place for a quick bite to eat.

    (3)

  • Lisa G.

    Pleasantly surprised at this hidden [to me] gem! Pasta, tuna dishes and pizza were all stellar. Flavorful, decent sized portions and prices are reasonable. Also has BYOB, friendly staff and crowd. Can't wait for them to open outdoor seating, as I might live here if they also had wifi! All in all, I wish it were closer to me!

    (5)

  • Tracey S.

    This place is fantastic! BYOB along with fantastic pizza, does it get any better? The crust is buttery and crispy, toppings fresh, and just the right amount, a nice balance! Waiter was cute and charming and paid great attention to three young ladies having "time out" with their girlfriends. The Mista salad was clean, simple and delicious! I will go back and back, some of the best pizza I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Whitney S.

    Haven't tried the pizza yet, but the pasta was okay. It's close enough that I'll probably go again to test out the pizza. Byob is a plus, and it's a cute place. The good looking Italian waiter gives it another star. That's about it.

    (3)

  • Allie B.

    Blech. Just ordered delivery and were not pleased on several fronts. One, we ordered a pizza with roasted peppers and italian sausage. What arrived was a soggy pepperoni. I do not like pepperoni. Even 15 minutes on our pizza stone couldn't save this mushy crust. We also ordered the "rustica salad", which was described as containing "baby spinach, goat cheese, artichokes and croutons". What arrived was wilted spinach, goat cheese, one artichoke heart and soggy white bread croutons - no dressing. Not even a smidge of oil/vinegar. Boring. We were looking for a solid dinner to provide a nice NYE drinking base. I'm already thinking about the PB&J I'll make when we get home from the bar. We will not be ordering again. Yuck.

    (1)

  • Wesley R.

    Great tasting pizza, particularly the crust! A half sized pizza is good enough to serve about 2 people, no need for additional food. BYOB, but we didn't take advantage of that on this occasion. Service was noticeably terrible. Our waitress was only over 3 times: once to give the menus, once to take our orders, and lastly to bring over our order. We never got a refill on our waters, nor did she ask to find out how we were doing. We had to call her over in order to ask for our check. Normally this would have cost them a star in my book, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt this time. (You've been warned though!) The size of the place, yes is a bit "cozy" or "intimate". Larger groups will definitely have some issues depending on the time of the night. There is outdoor seating available. There is metered parking outside, but realize that this is on the edge of Wrigleyville / Uptown. You might as well take advantage of its proximity to the Red Line and a number of bus lines, rather than play parking roulette...particularly during Cubs season.

    (4)

  • Jason A.

    If you're not hungry when you arrive at Pizza Rustica, you will be after you smell the restaurant. This place plain smells yummy. The price is a little high, and the menu is a little small. However, for a little neighborhood gourmet pizza, it's a nice place to have around the corner.

    (4)

  • Juls M.

    I adore thin-crust pizza. Last night at Pizza Rustica, I had the best crust I've ever tasted. Buttery, crisp, not a bit under or overdone. There were three of us, and we shared a whole pizza. 1/4 tutta, 1/4 potato rosemary, 1/4 quattro straggioni, and 1/4 margherita. I can't begin to choose a favorite. And what did my two friends think? "oh my gawd." "...quite literally the best pizza. ever."

    (5)

  • D.A. P.

    I did delivery, first off. But one has to ask: how much butter am I prepared to eat? This is not your, "hey lets get pizza, beer, and devour both" pizza. You will need to have a doctor on speed dial if you do. I cook a good amount and butter has this magical knack for making most things taste better. But there is such a thing as too much and I think here with the butterfied crust we have the case...in my opinion. On the other hand the pasta, specifically the pasta sauce, was excellent. Other than the sauce the pasta was basic, just noodles. I'll try Pizza Rustica again, dine in, and maybe my experience will be better. Until then, three stars.

    (3)

  • Nina F.

    If you're looking for a nice break from the deep-dish Chicago style pizza, Pizza Rustica is an amazing choice. I recently moved into the area, and went there at the suggestion of a friend. So glad I did! It's a very 'neighborhood-type' place with a nice quiet vibe. The bruchetta was incredible, with really fresh, tasty ingredients. The pizza was also outstanding. We ordered a margarette pizza and added mushrooms, spinach and prosciutto.The relatively thin butter crust was fabulous. YUM! they also serve the food on these wooden paddles, which is kinda neat. The waitress (Pam?) was really friendly, and suggested the Panna Cotta dessert to top off the meal. It was out of this world. Highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Jen D.

    Pizza + BYOB = Perfection. Street parking @ meters readily available on a Saturday night. Handsome, Italian, eye-candy waiter. Even as the restaurant got busier (?), our service stayed great. I ordered a simple green salad with balsamic vinegar and it was so blissfully simple that I can't stop thinking about it. I went with two girlfriends and we ordered two 1/2 pizza's and it was so good, we just gorged ourselves. We also brought a bottle of wine that should be served cold but we wanted to open another bottle first. Our waiter, Walter, said he could put it in the fridge for us. When my friend fretted that we'd be too drunk and forget it, Walter assured us that he would not let that happen. And, sure enough, we we were chuggin' down the last of our glasses from the first bottle of wine, Walter magically appeared with the 2nd bottle already corked. Now, my only "bummer" - which applies to almost any BYOB, is that we were charged a cork fee PER customer. So, two bottles of wine actually cost us $12. Very yummy. Will probably be back!

    (4)

  • Keri H.

    As a Chicago girl...we'll pizza is definitely one of my favorite meals however I am pretty picky. I grew up on Rosati's in the northwest suburb I grew up in...to me that defines delicious pizza. However my roomie and I decided to try Pizza Rustica because it is nearby and its BYOB! We've gone multiple times but its the Quattro Stagioni pizza is something I crave at least once a week. Its way different than any kind of pizza I've ever had. It has a buttery crunchy crust and doesn't have a lot of sauce (which I prefer). Pair the pizza with the simple Rustica Salad and a glass of Pinot Noir....well that's just a fantastic Friday night meal. The place is really small...so big parties are hard to accommodate. Great BYOB ( I don't think there is a corkage fee). I order delivery from there a lot to...reliable (usually takes about an hour or so depending on the night). I've gone before and had other items such as the gnocchi with creamy tomato sauce. Also good...but nothing beats their pizzas. I've gone before and had pasta.

    (4)

  • Carol J.

    I'm such a big fan of such a tiny place but when you've got fantastic pizza, BYOB and great desserts, its really kind of hard to go wrong in my book. Love Pizza Metro so it didn't take much to lure me here and am ever glad that I did venture up here. although it does get crowded and cramped (really-its cozy!) the quick service and reasonably priced pizza is what keeps me going back. I've never had delivery but their to-go pizza stays warm and crisp so thats another big giant plus! Great authentic Roman style pizza!

    (5)

  • Stephanie M.

    The pizza here tastes just like pizza I had when I was in Italy. Very authentic and delicious. The caesar salad is really wonderful too.

    (5)

  • choong l.

    The reviews so far from other Yelpers have been pretty much right on the money. I think that the place appeals to the typical resident (myself included) who like enjoy dining out as a break from the daily norms, but seek a good valu at the same time.. Pizza Rustica is it -- decent enough ambiance for a good six-pack or inexpensive wine with about $12-per-person price range for very good pizzas and no-frills pasta dishes. Their pizzas are about $12 range for pan large enough for 2-3 people, and most of their pasta dishes are at $10 range. Their daily specials seem to be more ambitious takes, but sadly, I've yet to try them -- the $16-18 range pushes the limit of being "good bargain" in terms of the price range. I always share a pan of Quattro Stagioni and Lasagna with my wife, and we usually end up taking home leftovers. My only gripe for the pizza is that their pizza tends to be a bit heavy on the cheese -- it tastes fresh (and my wife has no gripes on their cheese portion), but if you typically prefer more sauce and less cheese on your pizza orders, you might consider asking them to go easy on it.

    (3)

  • Hollie D.

    LOVE this place! Highly, highly recommended. I want to try the pasta so bad, but I can't stray from the amazing pizza!!!!

    (5)

  • Tiff D.

    Two stars for being a restaurant that looks like it is trying. The pizza isn't anything to write home about, we ordered the veggie and the tutta (everything). The toppings were sparse and burnt, the cheese was missing in some places, the saving grace was the crisp, sugary crust. Or maybe it was the sauce that was sugary. Either way, something in every bite tasted a bit like dessert. Unlike the other reviews, I thought the service was good. It's a small restaurant, so I noticed that most people were dropping their silverware, partly because the tables are really slippery. The staff treated this very normally, anyone available was replacing the silverware hastily. I wish there was a bread basket served while waiting for pizza; me and my date got a little too drunk waiting 45 minutes for the pizza to cook. We kind of just watched other people eating, wishing it would get here sooner. We tipped 20 percent because I kinda felt bad for this place, trying to act like a big restaurant, when really it's greatest functionality is delivery. Won't be returning, especially when Michael's is a block away and has great pizza specials on the weekends.

    (2)

  • Katie H.

    This review is for carry out only - - We ordered a half pizza with cheese, blue cheese, and garlic. First of all, wow - this is a half? This thing was huge, and very tasty. Very thin crust, cut into small squares. It tasted just as good as the amazing pizza I had in Venice. And I love when I can have 4 pieces of pizza and really only eat as much as if I had once slice of Domino's. Fools me into thinking I am really indulging. We also ordered the artichoke tortellini with alfredo sauce. If it were physically possible to make love to a pasta - this would be the one! The artichoke had a great flavor and the pasta tasted homemade, and the sauce! Oh the sauce - light, creamy and cheesey with a hint of garlic. Wow. I will definately be ordering from, or dining in at, Pizza Rustica again. It's very inexpensive and the portions are large for the price. Everything is clearly made of fresh, quality ingredients. When I miss the food in Italy, this will be a great substitute! - - I've now eaten in and tried some of the pastas - all wonderful. The dough is pre-made. They add toppings and then cook, but it's still good to me.

    (4)

  • Adrianne C.

    GREAT neighborhood restaurant. I love their buttery crust and the fact that you can get just a slice. I carry out from here, alone, often. Their menu isn't huge, but the blackboard menu never disappoints. Great atmosphere and always good service. The owner will typically greet you at the door, and you feel like part of the family when you dine there.

    (4)

  • Philippe C.

    Why or why does a restaurant that serves good food and has a nice space continuously ruin it with bad service, an appalingly slow kitchen that not only regularly messes up orders but also has disagreements between servers and kitchen staff while the owners are having dinner at the bar. This is not the first time but every time.

    (2)

  • Laura P.

    I wouldn't come back...food is only ok. Came here with a large group of about 10 people. It was nice they had a large table to seat us all. Our server was friendly but not very attentive, the rest of the restaurant was not very busy so I am not sure why that was. We had to ask for drink refills. I ordered linguine and mussels. You could tell mussels were a little old, they tasted some what fishy which was disappointing. The spicy sauce that came with it was only ok. Not all the food came out all together, about 1/3 of the food came out 10 minutes after the rest, which isn't the end of the world but it is a little akward watching other people eat. Over all I just wasn't impressed.

    (2)

  • David W.

    Really not understanding the rave reviews on here. While the place certainly has charm and is well located near the Sheridan Red Line station, the food was mediocre at best. The pizza was particularly disappointing. The crust was just average and toppings were very sparse. I think the sauce was applied with an eyedropper, as there was so little of it. The only ample topping was cheese and the overall taste was very bland. There is much better in Chicago.

    (1)

  • David H.

    This place is fantastic. I've lived in the area for 6 years and for some reason never knew this place existed! my wife and I have been here 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Its a great atmosphere and serves wonderful food. I definitely recommend the pizza and pastas. They allow you to create your own combinations for the pizza and pastas which is a great benefit. They have solid events(free wine and beer tasting, etc.) that are worth taking advantage of as well.

    (5)

  • Andrew H.

    Had an amazing prosciutto and burrata appetizer followed by a perfect steak done to perfection. Definitely will be coming back. Great cocktails too. Located close to Wrigley and right off the Sheridan red line. Super convenient.

    (5)

  • Lisa Z.

    Out of this world delivery! Hmmm I am seeing some bad reviews on here for delivery, but I'm a regular order-er from here and they are good. Sometimes they are super fast, but always within the time frame they say. But it is the delivery guy that was the real winner. He said he knows I've ordered before and he is new, but he plans on getting to know the regular customers. So I will definitely be ordering again. I haven't tried their pizza, but they have pasta too and it's some of my favorite in the city. I like a straight bolognese sauce and there's is perfection. That's what I get every time!

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    This place is great---for pizza, we always get the Tutta....it has the right mix of toppings & cheese. If you like thin crust pizza, it is solid. The atmosphere is also perfect for either a date or a larger group out for the evening. The indoor section has a warm feel in the winter and really opens up in the summer with the windows/sliding doors.

    (4)

  • Charlie B.

    During a time when I was experimenting with veganism, I decided to take my parents to this neighborhood place because the smells are inviting. I know what you are thinking, "Uh...pizza isn't vegan bro." I'll get to that. After we entered we noticed a beautiful seating area. We were seated promptly and greeted shortly thereafter. We ordered. The maw and paw ordered pepperoni and I ordered mushroom and olive with no cheese (totally vegan, boom!)... Their sauce is excellent! To top it off, the chef had chopped some fresh garlic to put on my pizza to accent for the lack of cheese. Bonus! Above and beyond the call of doughty... I highly recommend this place. They have a full bar and several craft beer selections.

    (4)

  • Sean R.

    Flippin awesome pizza! The prosciutto was out of this world! I also tried the pasta with tomato cream sauce, which os basically vodka sauce, and that was fantastic as well! Definitely a must try.

    (5)

  • Darrin T.

    Let me preface this by saying that it used to be one of my favorite places in the city- BEFORE they moved across the street and got a hot douche injection. It used to be BYOB, and have a lot more of a cozy atmosphere, 1-2 servers, the chef popping by your table, etc. The pizza and pasta were always exceptional, and it had the aura of "Cheers"- everybody knew your name. But they moved and expanded- which I can understand- but nothing is the same. First thing is that they are no longer BYOB. Again, I worked in restaurants for years, so I understand the concept of how alcohol sales boost the bottom line. They have a decent wine list, but things have been kicked up a notch. The cheapest bottle is around $32. I get it- but this isn't the restaurant I fell in love with. Hell, our bill used to be less than $32! Second- and there is no other way to say it- but it is simply douche-tasic inside now. Gone is all of the charm of a small "mom and pop" place. It looks like every other Lakeview wannabe hip establishment: too dark, reclaimed wood tables, oversized chairs, etc. I am willing to let all of this slide, provided the food is the same- but is simply isn't. The pizza is still very very good. If nothing else, I highly recommend you order some delivery from them. It is spongy and crispy all at the same time. The sauce is great, and the sausage is some of the best in the city. Unfortunately, everything else on the menu has suffered. The place is trying to be something that it isn't, and they are schlepping over-priced food that doesn't hold up in quality. For instance, we ordered the pumpkin ravioli. I used to work at a pretty nice Italian place, so I have had it many times- and it was good here. It was handmade, and pretty tasty. It didn't blow my mind like some other places (I prefer it in a walnut cream sauce to the brown butter that Rustica served), but it was solid. However, there were only 5 pieces. I didn't mind so much, since we were getting pizza as well- but then the bill came. $19. For ravioli. FIVE. PIECES. OF. RAVIOLI. NINETEEN DOLLARS!!!!!!! I thought, "Surely this must be a typo", so I asked our douchey waiter: "No sir, that is the price." "For FIVE ravioli??!!" "They are hand-made." "I get that. But there were FIVE of them." It was at that time that I realized why they didn't have prices on their specials menu. They are flat out trying to bait and switch you. The place I fell in love with would never do that.

    (2)

  • Jeff W.

    Chicago style pizza along with Beer and Wine tasting once a month each! Can't beat that!

    (4)

  • Kristen D.

    A girlfriend of mine has been bugging me to come here and we finally did. I can't believe we didn't come here sooner! This is the most fresh tasting pizza you will ever eat. We ordered the Margherita pizza and everything surpassed my expectations. We didn't even have any leftovers to bring home. They also make their bar drinks fresh, and usually they have a unique twist to them. I tried the basil & grape drink with vodka - it was very, very good! I loved how fresh everything was here and I cannot wait to go back. Personal note: I'm very much a texture eater. This pizza is thin, but packs on just the right amount of sauce and cheese (the more sauce/cheese, the better for me!) The crust is thin and a little floppy, but so delicious. Everything gets 5 stars! Service, recommendations, ambience, food, etc. etc etc.!

    (5)

  • Chad E.

    tl:dr mediocre pizza and bad service. I loath most negative reviews, but I do feel my experience warrants one. I went for a relatively early dinner Friday night when it wasn't too busy and we were promptly ignored by our server. When we were finally able to order we thought maybe the pizza would make up for the shitty service: we were wrong. I'm not sure how you can have a pizza with sausage and other toppings be bland, but they pulled it off. So, bravo, I guess??

    (2)

  • Bri A.

    It's been a year since the new location opened and I dined there, so it was time to give them another go! My friends and I came for a free beer tasting/competition. We sampled three different APAs and voted on our favorite for a chance to win a four pack. The guy handling the tasting was friendly and knowledgeable about the beers. Since it was dinner time, we decided to stay and eat. My friend and I came last year during opening week and had an awful experience, but we were willing to give them another chance. We just love their pizza! I'm a fan of Foursquare so I checked in and saw an offer for a free app. The waitress was clueless about it, but asked the manager. He said they would honor it which was awesome. We started off with an order of mozzarella sticks then had the Quattro Stagioni which was excellent. It paired nicely with a Stiegl Radler, a tasty, citrusy grapefruit beer. Service was so much better this time around. It stinks that they aren't BYOB anymore, but I will still be back!

    (4)

  • Fernando A.

    After a few attempts to go based on their reviews we finally decide to give it a chance. We parked on Irving park and added an hour and forty minutes then walked to the joint. We we arrived it was somewhat full but not all that bad, we were greeted by a nice lady (owner) at the door and since we were in a time crunch se said that the bar would work for us since the food comes quick. The waitress was nice and we mentioned that they were highly recommended and heard lots of great thing. I ordered a beer to start and my girlfriend a negron I which were both great. We then asked for calamari but they had just ran out since it was later that day. We ordered the Cesar salad and yes it was divine we also ordered a pizza and a T-bone steak after a while we asked if it would be longer, they mentioned that since the steak was well done it would be a while. I proceeded to go and add money to the meter and ordered a second beer thinking it would arrive by the time I was back. One hour fourth five minutes later the steak arrives a brontosaurus size steak medium rare with the pizza, I can usually eat a medium well but the steak was a bit bloody and the waitress suggested she send it back to get cooked more. The owner was at the end of the bar checking her iPhone like a teenager on Instagram , I ate a few bites and stopped eating I figured it take it home and eat it later, the owner passed us up at least 7 times and never asked why I wasn't eating the steak or if we were content after spending over 2 hours at the bar and seeing at least 3 couples arrive, eat , and leave. Finall, we started a conversation about how businesses did during winter and expressed that we owned one to see if she would mention anything in regards to our experience .. Nada We get the bill and 35.00 uncooked steak plus other food came to 85.00 We left the waitress 10.00 only because we felt that it was not her fault and seeing her stress about the incident she deserved it If you want heed steak , well done go to ALS steakhouse in countryside , the serve 40oz porterhouse and don't take 2 freakin hrs to cook To top it off I get a compliment on yelp from Jennifer after my review complaining that I'm cheap for only leaving 10 dollars when i should have left and paid only for my drinks. Not only is this place lousy but rude and ignorant , maybe it's time for the health department to visit them....

    (1)

  • Marian O.

    This is a great place to get dinner. Not too expensive, they have great custom cocktales and an ok beer selection. They have some of the best pizza I have every had. The crust is buttery and unlike any other crust I have ever tried. It is not a large space and will fill up quickly and when it is full it is VERY loud. They do have outdoor seating for the summer which is very nice. The service is a bit hit or miss because sometimes they get too busy.

    (4)

  • Renee M.

    I recently went here with a group of 7 girls for a friend's birthday dinner. It's close to my apartment, so we've been meaning to try it, and we were not disappointed. We went a little early because we were going to a nearby comedy show afterwards, but we had no problem getting a table in the super cute, family-style setting. It feels very much like a neighborhood space, but still with an upscale feel. Even the owner (I'm assuming) came by and told us, figuring that twenty-something girls may have been frustrated with the abundance of families at that time, that families are typically there from 5-7ish, and to come back later if we weren't into the scene. We appreciated her attentiveness about that, but we really didn't mind too much. As for the food, they have a blackboard menu that is essentially a long list of specials for the evening. We got three appetizers from the menu - the mozz sticks, the burrata and prosciutto, and the arancini. All of this was amazing and shareable, although I really wanted the plate of thickly-cut, gooey mozz sticks all to myself. They have an amazing cocktail and wine list, with some of us opting for bottles of wine and others going for the cocktails - all reasonably priced. We ended up splitting two "half" pizzas at the recommendation from our server, which we thought halfway through eating that it wouldn't be enough, but we were pleasantly surprised to end up with one little square left that none of us could muster eating because we were so full. We got the margherita pizza and the quattro stagioni, and both were amazing. The crust is so buttery, and all of the toppings tasted extremely fresh and high quality. When we split the bill accordingly, each of us owed around $30-40, which I thought was amazing given the booze, apps and meal. We will definitely be back. My only minor complaint is that service was just a bit slow - not sure if they were a little short-staffed or what. The other little thing was that we never got an ice bucket for our bottle of pinot grigio, but we drank it pretty quickly anyway :) But the server was so nice and accommodating, and the food and atmosphere was so amazing, we plan on going back very frequently and will make this our regular spot.

    (4)

  • Lindsey S.

    I do enjoy pizza rustica but didn't have the best experience this past weekend. We waited for about five minutes and then were seated. We preceded to wait another fifteen minutes just to get drinks and see our waiter for the first time. We were never offered any bread and oil like we have had every other time we've been there. And I only got one pop was never offered a refill. But I do have to say the food is delicious. I love the Alfredo and the pizza is amazing. Will probably be back in the future

    (3)

  • Nichole F.

    I love the pizza at Pizza Rustica! The new place looks so good and the service was good as well. I tried to make a reservation because I know how busy they have been all week but I was told that they only take 2 or 3 reservations per night because they wanted walk ins which I thought was silly but whatever. We came early around 6 and got in at a window seat right away but the place filled up very fast. The wait by the time we left at 7 was 40 minutes. We ordered calamari for an appetizer to split. We always order that here however the portion size was nearly cut in half from other times which was a little irritating. The pizza was great as always.

    (4)

  • Meredith B.

    My friend and I went here for dinner last night, and were really impressed by the cozy trattoria atmosphere. They have a variety of low and high tables, a beautiful bar, nice dim lighting with candles, and generally it feels both casual and romantic. We started with glasses of wine (not a lot of Italian representation on the list, for some reason), and proceeded to order a "half" pizza each. This amounted in plenty of leftovers, FYI! They advertise the half as "four slices," but really the pizzas are rectangular with many little slices, so I don't know where they get the "four" from. We got a half margherita and a half grilled vegetable - I didn't like mushrooms, so they subbed in spinach for me (they would've subbed in anything, all toppings are the same price, so that's cool!) In fact, rather than "build your own" pizza, I'd recommend ordering a pizza that is *almost* what you want, then adding an ingredient or swapping one out. It'll probably be cheaper. The margherita pizza was nicer than the grilled vegetable, for some reason. Both had a really crispy, buttery crust - though this is only apparent in the edge pizzas, the center pieces don't have a crisp bite, because the bottom crust isn't crispy (slight bummer). I think the difference was the cheese, and the fresh basil on the margherita. The grilled veggie pizza just tasted one note and a bit flavorless, aided slightly by red pepper flakes in a jar on the table. It's fun to try different half pizzas, so everybody gets something they like. And it's a fairly inexpensive night out, with friendly service. Our bill was about $40 for the two half pizzas and a glass of wine each, very reasonable. I'd come back and try something different, but overall I thought the pizzas were nice, but lacking that extra zing that would make the place really special.

    (3)

  • Laura C.

    I liked the original location, and just now visited the new one across the street. It's much larger and has a real warmth to the space, a definite upgrade. With an open kitchen and a lively buzz in the air, it makes for a fun night out. Pizza is still tasty, I always gravitate toward the rosemary potato, and it will not disappoint. They have a Stiegl grapefruit beer, which I would highly recommend if you're into citrusy beers. Service is super friendly.

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    Food was awesome as always. Owner, Stefano, is a great host. Outside seating on a beautiful night was perfect. Don't go there if you are in a hurry. The service can be "European", but just pretend you're in Rome...the food will help take you there!

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    I LOVE this pizza, but I do not like the service. There used to be a GREAT server working there, but she has left. Last time we were there, we got our food like, 10 minutes after some people who ordered about 20 minutes after us, but we only got half of our order, which was pretty ridiculous. I think the other half came another 20 minutes later. After that, the server just walked off to go standing around after ignoring my request for a refill on my drink. I ended up having to ask the other server to help after 5 or 10 minutes, this is not acceptable in my opinion. The pizza is great and has a butter crust. In truth, everything tastes great (assuming you get your food). The chocolate flourless cake is delicious, especially if you ask for raspberry sauce. But the service is really, really terrible. I miss Misty, she was the only good server we've had in two years of going here. After the last experience, we are no longer eating at Pizza Rustica.

    (2)

  • Christopher K.

    If you stick to the first page of the menu, the food is reasonably priced and delicious. Big portions of pasta with sauce and meat for $10-13. Good apps, under $12 too. ALWAYS ask prices before ordering off the blackboard menu. I've been charged $16 for 4 shrimp, $37 for a (just ok) steak, and $8 for a tiny piece of chocolate cake... and only found out after I got the bill. Everything costs DOUBLE what it should. The wait staff plays dumb about it, like they've never heard a complaint before, but the owner intentionally leaves the prices off to scam people. Don't fall for it. Long tables and tight seating make for very social meals. On the weekends, it's a high energy place, and a bit more mellow during the week.

    (2)

  • Kristyn A.

    Just finished dinner from here... awesome as always! We had the caesar salad, half of a Bianca Pizza, and Tiramisu Caesar salad could have used just a little more dressing but that's probably because we didn't mix it up enough... The flavor was great and the lettuce was crisp and fresh Bianca Pizza was incredible! My fiance and I can never agree on pizza (he's a meat lover and I'm more of a margherita pizza lover... which by the way is also great here). This pizza has us both satisfied. The thin crust is perfect and the light lemon flavor isn't overwhelming. It's nice to eat pizza and not feel like I gained 5 pounds! The half size was perfect for both of us to share with lunch leftovers for me! Tiramisu... my favorite dessert ever and they do it so well here! Perfect neighborhood Italian place that also delivers on cold nights like these! Love it!

    (5)

  • Nicole C.

    I love this restaurant. I had the margarita pizza with sausage and a Pinot noir that the waitress recommended. DELICIOUS! The entire experience was perfect. I love the ambiance here, it's a great place for a date night. The waitress and hostess were both helpful in deciding what to order, were friendly and have definitely made me a fan. I can't wait to come back! We brought a bottle of wine because the yelp reviews said it is byob. That is not the case, they will open a bottle for a $15 corkage fee. We decided to go with the waitresses recommendation for a Pinot noir. They have wine,beer and an interesting cocktail menu.

    (5)

  • Kris G.

    I really liked the atmosphere and amount of variety on the menu at Pizza Rustica. For a pizza place, it had more to offer for a variety of tastes than most places I've been to. I also liked that it felt like a great place for a casual date as well as somewhere cool to hang out with friends. The food was just ok in my opinion. I pretty much enjoyed the pizzas we tried, but nothing was memorable. The price felt a little high for what it was, too, although it matched the ambiance of the place. My bf and I received good service, although the waiter seemed put off when he saw that I was the one paying the bill--I thought that was a little off. I don't think I'd come back of my own accord, but if I were invited here with a group of friends, it's a solid choice.

    (3)

  • Samar N.

    This is a must go to spot in Chicago for me. It is right down the street from one of my GF's houses and the drill is usually, she picks me up from the airport and we go right to pizza rustica. They recently (within the last year) moved into a new spot and have a liquor license, they used to be BYOB only but now they allow both which is nice. The new space is also larger so you do not have to wait nearly as long for a table. The pizza is DELICOUS! It isn't Chicago style it is thinner and square shaped cut into square and rectangle pieces. I have tried a bunch of different ones there and even though I tend to be a pretty typical pizza person (pepperoni please I love all the unique pizzas they have here and truly enjoy them. They also have a good selection of yummy pastas. I am unfortunately subtracting a star because I think the service is a bit spotty. I have met the owners and they are very sweet! However, once or twice our waiter has been bad, messed up orders or the food took FOREVER to show up. I wouldn't say this is really a quick dinner spot it is more a place to sit down open a bottle of wine and enjoy good food and good company.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    I feel the need to update based on the fact that they are in a new (much bigger!) space... still super crowded, still super delicious! I love the pizza at Pizza Rustica... none of that deep-dish nonsense here, and I can get the kind of toppings I like on a pizza (namely, zucchini and spinach). The only down-side is that it is no longer BYOB, but the food is still great and the waitresses are friendly. I dig the look of the new space as well, I love seeing such an open kitchen and this one is easily twice as big as the old one. Great little neighborhood place that I'm lucky to live close to!

    (5)

  • Melissa B.

    So this place has expanded (across the street from the old location). I went to the old location dozens of times and was completely in love! I have only dined in at the updated location once and had delivery once. I have a good friend that lives right around the corner from this place and it's always been our go to spot. She's not happy about my feelings on the expansion because it's "great for the neighborhood", but I'm not loving the update. I'll just come right out with it. What happened to all the hot guys that used to wait on us? Seriously though- That's not the reason for the drop in stars. I didn't feel the pizza was as good as it used to be. It's still good- just not amazing like it used to be. Also, delivery took crazy long (she lives behind the place!) and our food arrived warm at best. Tha lasagna we ordered was mushy. It's like they made us the last stop and our food sat in the car for a really long time. On a plus note- The delivery guy is still hot! It's possible they just need some time to adjust to the new location, So I will give it some time and a few more chances. I would hate to lose one of my favorite spots!

    (3)

  • Julia M.

    Extremely overpriced for distinctly average food. Come for the atmosphere, pay for the atmosphere. The pizza tastes like it could be frozen and the panninis are not only barely warm, but also have poorly paired ingredients. IF we went back it would be to try the pasta, which looked like it might be fresh.

    (2)

  • Raph V.

    Randomly yelp this place on Saturday night with my wife cause we just wanted to have a nice dinner we didn't know what to expect so..... We were greeted and seated right away. Our Waiter Adil guided us through the entire menu and recommended our wine and meals and I have to say it was very very good. We had the house red wine and Cereal Killer beer to start. The meal that we had was the Grill Ribs and the Pizza Tutta and for dessert we had the tiramisu. Every bite from the ribs, pizza, tiramisu was incredible so if your every in the area or not I definitely recommend this place and ask for Adil to be your waiter cause he made the night with all his recommendations. Thank you Adil and we'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Stephen G.

    Although the pizza is pricey it is totally worth the amazingly fresh ingredients,and fantasticly unique crust.

    (5)

  • Ro L.

    You know how people complain about being hustled for drinks in restaurants? How the server keeps coming over wanting to know if you want "another round" or keeps pouring down your bottle of wine til you need to order another one? Hahahhaha - not to worry here - you can be parched like a beached whale and no one will take your drink order. The food is good, though, and its a great location.

    (3)

  • Jody P.

    Highly Recommend Pizza Rustica to anyone who likes genuine Italian cuisine. The food here is amazing. We've been coming here for years-used to live around the corner- and have never, ever had a bad bite of food, or drinks! Personal favorite and regular order is the margherita pizza with crumbled sausage and a couple glasses of Prosecco. You can't go wrong! They also have outstanding chalkboard specials, and the staff here are all perfectly attentive and appropriately personable. Seriously, check this place out. I promise you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Kim L.

    As a new-comer to Chicago, I have already discovered that there are many places to get a delicious pizza--Michael's and Bojono's, to name a couple. To put it gently, I would not name Pizza Rustica's as one of Chicago's gems. Their house-made bread--flavorless and sponge-like-- has little craft to it. Having said that, you can still enjoy your time here. Afterall, who doesn't enjoy bread, carbs, grease and cheese at least once in a while. Though its hard to create a great pizza, it's also hard to mess one up. Rustica must be doing something right, because each time I pass by, they have a solid crowd. Maybe it's their service and ambience, both comfortable. On the evening that I went, I noticed a lone old lady sitting at the bar. She had even brought her yarn and knitting needles. She looked comfortable chatting with the bartender. The bartender looked comfortable, too.

    (3)

  • Adriane P.

    Too bad it's not called "Service and Ambiance Rustica" because on that alone it's stellar; but it's called "Pizza Rustica" and the food is not very good. The ambiance was inviting and cute. It's well decorated and good for dates, friend outings, and families. The service from everyone was great with a special stand out being NICK our server. He was the shining star of our dining experience. We ordered: Steigel Weisse (for him) Grapefruit Basil Martini (for me) Prosecco (for me) A starter of Arancini from the specials menu It's balls of polenta with beef and peas in the center that are fried and served w sauce on the side. It sounded different so we ordered it. This irked me. It arrived with one falafel sized Arancini ball cut in half. I learned after we got the check it was $7....that much for something the size of a small meatball? And cut? If we had been a party of 4 would it been cut into quarters?!? LAME! It was not very good either and it was cold. When it comes to ordering the pizza it's very confusing. We each ordered a slice (which is actually the size of a quarter block of a big pizza cut into several squares...? Weird but generous I guess) They only have one kind of crust and it's very regarded. Cheese with pepperoni and garlic for my dining partner. Tutta for me which is cheese w pepperoni, crumbled sausage, onions, black olives, and blue cheese and I requested easy sauce. Neither of us liked it. My partner was very hungry and he really struggled to eat even a portion. He found it incredibly salty. It was. We both didn't like the famous butter crust raved about. It had no taste of butter or olive oil. It was very dry and hard; it felt like we were eating an enormous super thick crouton with toppings on it. We prefer thin crust, and this crust wasn't thin or traditional thick style but like a hard, book thick stale cracker due to a strange texture. We thought the sauce was bland. I only found 2 tiny bits of sausage in my big "piece." I ended up eating the toppings off. It's a shame since the service was great and it's a cute place.

    (2)

  • L M.

    Monday evening at Pizza Rustica... Me: may I have the pork belly appetizer? Waiter : we ran out Me: okay, may I have the mozzarella sticks? Waiter: we ran out Me: okay... I'm assuming you're out of the fried mozzarella too? Waiter: funny thing, we are. We usually run out of the mozzarella sticks. I tell people they are the size of a twinkle and they don't believe me, so they order it. Hahaha Me: (not thinking it's very funny that a pizza place has run out of mozzarella-related appetizer items when it knows items sell out or especially since mozzarella is a staple that the restaurant uses for its pizza! It's like going to a Mexican restaurant and asking for nachos, but they tell you they ran out of tortilla chips but still are selling tacos (made with the tortillas are made into chips. Wtf?) Waiter: we are also out of the orecchiette, but we can substitute with another pasta. Me: order a pizza, puzzled on how a restaurant, this day and age, can run out of food. Service, okay, not excellent or above average. Pizza (tutta pizza) yummy but Lou malnatis thin crust is crispier. Still, pizza yum. Drinks, delicious. Go back? Eh, maybe if they don't run of cheese.

    (2)

  • Josh G.

    5:30pm I ordered delivery. 6:00pm they call me and tell me I'm out of their delivery zone. I assure them I've ordered multiple times before, and I've always had it delivered. They tell me no. Policy apparently changed, which would have been ok if they told me that at 5:30, NOT 30 minutes later. I ask to speak to the manager, Megan, and she was SO RUDE. She cut me off, she utilized NO customer service, and she ended it all by hanging up on me. I will NOT be going back here, which is a shame, because I brought them a ton of business, and I love their food. They were super busy, but that doesn't mean you treat your customers like crap, and doesn't mean you can't provide customer service. #FAIL The pizza is good! The servers are AWESOME! The management SUCKS!!!!!! I will be calling and asking to speak to the owner so they know what I think of the management, or lack thereof.

    (1)

  • Michael W.

    A friend and I went to Pizza Rustica last night. I have heard decent things about this place and was excited to try it. We got there around 8:30 and had to wait at the bar for a few minutes to be seated---no biggie. After grabbing a drink at the bar, we were seated by the window. The server approached the table. He appeared visibly flustered and scattered. We placed an order for the Rustica salad, bottle of wine and a sausage, pepperoni, and TOMATO pizza. The Rustica salad was underwhelming---just a handful of spinach and a few small sprinkles of goat cheese. It took the waiter 15 minutes to bring the wine as our glasses stood empty and we thirsty. The pizza was good---however, the server got the order wrong. Instead of tomato he wrote down POTATO! Not the most appetizing choice. I was so hungry at this point I did not complain and ate it. The server promised hot sauce, and again, brought it out after half the pizza was eaten. As we finished our meal, the server (again scattered and nervous acting) proceeded to ask us why we didn't want to stay seated at the bar and eat there? I thought it was a very odd question. Does it really matter why we didn't want to stay at the bar? Maybe we wanted to face one another for conversation...just a thought. It was a busy night in the restaurant, but did not seem unmanageable. The waiter's comments gave us the impression that he was "Weeded" or wanted to get "cut" and didn't want another table. He then proceeded to talk to us (not picking up on that we were in mid-conversation) about random things. I rate this place two stars because the pizza was decent--even with the POTATO, but the service was not amazing. I will give it another shot, because any place can have an off night. I normally don't leave reviews, but just wanted to give feedback so that issues can be proactively corrected. Cheers!

    (2)

  • Chicago T.

    Dry, overcooked pizza. To the kitchen's credit the pasta was dressed properly and as I would expect it in Bologna, lightly dressed so the pasta speaks and not the sauce but unfortunately the taste of the sauce was terrible. I believe that people with developed palates would not give this location high reviews. Then why all the great reviews? One possible explanation could be that most of the reviews are by new inhabitants to the city. In other words, border state residents, newly relocated to the city of Chicago. (I'm still trying to detect this phenomenon when navigating through reviews on sites such as this one; especially when a restaurant receives, as in the case of Rustica, a large number of high reviews). How else could anyone find the food at Rustica delicious? One possible answer is that the folks that give this restaurant high marks are used to chain food taste. Sorry, no offense but if that's what you were raised on that's what you know and like. I usually don't write negative reviews for the sake of the business and its employees and in this case I cannot write about the service as my food was delivered. Regardless, this restaurant will continue to do well as long as there are a new reserve of border state folks with undeveloped gustatory perceptions. So I write this review for those who were raised in Chicago and in other large cities with ethnic neighborhoods where great food can be found. By the way if you can't get Bolognese sauce right and "pizza" is part of the restaurant's name, then the pizza leaves the kitchen dry and overcooked I don't need to taste the rest of the menu.

    (1)

  • FoodieChic L.

    I eat pizza at least once a week - both in the suburbs and city. I eat pizza anywhere I travel (from Australia to Europe) and PR is hands down, one of the best pizzas I've had. If you haven't been to Italy, come here and you will feel like you are! I drive by often, and it is always slammed. Their service could be better, but once you bite into their pizza you forget about that. Haven't had any of their pasta dishes, but their appetizers have been amazing too. Order any style, any ingredients, and they will perfect it.....

    (5)

  • Katy E.

    On a Monday night - we waited 2 hours for delivery (we live less than a mile away in Lincoln Park). We were told it would be no more than an hour for a cheese pizza - which was cold. We will not be ordering from here again.

    (2)

  • Holly F.

    Thank you to the owner (?) who let me charge my phone after I got locked out of my friends apartment. You were so helpful as I was +freezing + and slightly lost. Good thing I stumbled into that right restaurant to meet my friend. I have to say, our white pizza was amazeballs and my whiskey sour was delicious!! I will be back because of your amazing service and hospitality!!

    (5)

  • Colleen C.

    Updated space and location... Deserving of a Yelp review update! Had a chance to snag lunch at one of my all-time favorites, Pizza Rustica. In fact it was one of my VERY FIRST Yelp reviews all the way back in March 2007. Yes, over 5 years ago. And I was going before that. I loved, loved, loved the cramped little quarters, the loving din rising above buttery crusts and bottles of wine bought from the trashy Sheridan "L" liquors across the street...I loved it all. I went on multiple dates (even one with my now...fiance...see, it works!), family dinners, friends, etc. It's a great, great spot. And they've taken that hella good mojo and moved it across the street. Pizza Rustica is all grown up. And that's ok! It's a great improvement because despite the charm of a 20-seat restaurant, the natives get restless and the wait times could be long. Welcome to their new space (literally directly across the street) which boasts 4x as much seating, a huge full bar to perch at, and a huge sidewalk patio! It's really quite the spread. The menu has stayed the same, so not to fret...that "Garbage Pizza" can still be yours! (or mine, as it were). The major addition? BOOZE! P-Rustica is no longer BYOB, which is somewhat sad because we all know that can be sort of fun, but also nice for them to be able to be a bit more profitable slinging the booze. Belly up and order some of those specialty cocktails (Italian-inspired!) or wine. They are all still very affordable, and will complement the experience nicely. My colleague and I enjoyed a lunch out on the patio...their minestrone still simple, filling and wonderful accompanied by a pesto chicken salad that hit the spot. IT was a bit too heavy to try pizza for me on this particular day, but from the looks of the tables around me, things have not changed in that regard. So in short: new deluxe space, cocktails and booze (no more BYOB), great service remains, still charming and delightful. Pizza Rustica still makes this stretch of Sheridan the place to be for a casual dinner with a date or friends...and now you can bring a bigger group without pissing off the entire restaurant! ;)

    (5)

  • Guy L.

    This is a favorite place of mine. The atmosphere is very warm, inviting, and has very friendly staff. The salads, pizza, pasta, and drinks are all delicious. I have tried almost all of their pizzas, and it is one of my favorite pizza places in Chicago. Their pasta dishes are outstanding and they have a great beer/cocktail list. This is a great place to meet up with friends/family, go on a date, or even order a pizza for pick-up.

    (5)

  • Charles B.

    Just ordered pickup and I experienced such a satisfying meal I decided I was obligated to jump on Yelp and give them 5 stars. I ordered a slice of pepperoni and can still taste the buttery crust. I also had the lasagna which was also very satisfying. Still, its all about the buttery crust. I love it!

    (5)

  • Egle M.

    Went back a second time with a friend after sailing. Sat inside by the window near the bar. Our waiter was very attentive & made amazing recommendations. Drinks & pizza were delicious. Second time here was much much better than the first time thanks to our waiter!

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    I live literally down the block from Pizza Rustica and it's one of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. A couple items that are staples for me are the tirimasu and the penne rosa (add chicken, spinach, mushroom and a little spicy). I typically order for carry out and really appreciate the fact that instead of having the pizza made way a head of time and sitting under a heat lamp, they pull it fresh out of the oven fresh to the box. I am also a HUGE fan of the fact that they have daily specials but the only downfall is that I wish some of these items on the specials list were staple/constant ideas on the menu instead of in rotation. The only somewhat not so good experience I had once was that it took 45 minutes to get my Ribeye cooked and it was because I think something was messed up with the order (aka it was never put in) but they made up for it by giving us a discount on the check and free dessert.

    (5)

  • Cami R.

    Went with a large group of 13. Great decor but the p[lace is small. We ordered 3 whole large pizzas and it was ok. We finished the 3 of them and probably would have eatten half more. We ordered some desserts to compensate; the chocolate mousse and flourless chocolate cake were outstanding! the tiramisu wasnt that good. Friendly staff and quite good food... its a nice place to go out.

    (3)

  • Cait C.

    I'd give this place a 3.5 or 4 if the service was just a little better and faster. The food however is what keeps me coming back. I understand it's a small super busy place with minimal staff, and the waiters are generally very nice, but there's a few things that lack in service. The pizza however is awesome. The flavor combinations are great! Ham and blue cheese yum!!! Atmosphere is nice. Good beer. Good prices. Awesome pizzas!

    (3)

  • Sharee M.

    Rustic pizza rocks! I Heard about this place some time ago in the Yelp newsletter. I love discovering new pizza, so I gave Pizza Rustica a try. I loved the decor in the place with different yellow light bulbs and local art. The patio looked inviting, but I opted for inside. I also thought it was cool that you can seat and watch them make pizza in the back on the store. Pizza was the show her. I loved the pizza. Per Yelp recommendations, I had the Margherita pizza with sausage. Great favors and crispy crust I could eat, which for me is a big deal as I usually do not eat crust usually. I received the half portion which was big enough for two people. I took my leftovers to work the next day and it was really good still. It was one of the best pizzas I have had in Chicago. Price was a little more than I like to spend on pizza, but it was worth it, overall. Service was just OK, but not enough to bring down a star. She was polite and aware. the owners was present and appeared to be very friendly. I saw her talk to many customers who ordered out and served them personally. I saw her help a few people with wine selections with a smile. She even give a regular or maybe a friend a wine sample. She seemed cool enough to me. She did not approach me, but there was really no reason to. I had great service and not carrying out I will be back!

    (5)

  • April H.

    For most people having a piece of dried food on a wine glass would be one star...but since I have eaten in the third world and have had flies land on my food and questionable food sanitation prep in other countries, I decided to just take it off and continue drinking my wine. This place is just lucky I'm not that kind of germ freak that would bring the Chicago public health department down on them! The wine was pretty good and made me happy as a clam....so,,,I forgave them for having someone else's green vegetable still stuck on my glass Someone's green vegetable from last nights dinner...sheez, now that I think about it I am getting kinda sick.... Plus I didn't want to bother the waiter. He was the waiter, busboy and bartender. I FELT sorry for him. My goodness, hire some staff! So here was the good. Me and my friend arrived there about 1 pm on Sat. During this time we ordered two types of pizza by the slice. So total we had 4 slices. Two slices for each person is more than enough for one person! I had the Pizza Bianca and the Patate Rosmarino.My friend Kirsten had the Margherita and the Marinara. A wonderful change of pace from deep dish. We enjoyed our pizzas, and since each slice was cut in squares of 4, we were able to taste each pizza. We also shared a plate of the Quattro Formagi which is the 4 cheese pasta. The pizzas were excellent...but the pasta despite the 4 cheeses was sortof bland. Also, the good included the poor overworked waiter. He was overworked but didn't act like we were a nuisance. I definately would have understood if he did. He did the best he could under the circumstances. And in fact I was suprised he was able to get our order and bring it in the timely manner that he did. So thumbs up for him! Despite the so-so pasta, the wondeful pizza and the cheap check(only $45.55 with a glass of wine for each of us) would bring me back. Yes, even with two stars I probably will return. PROBABLY, and that's because my friend didnt have dried food in her glass and had a better experience. She loved the pasta. But since she is also from Wisconsin, anything with cheese in it is 10 stars. But hey..if you promise to give me a clean wine glass I will rerate you guys the next time I am in....

    (2)

  • Kay O.

    It's my favorite place to be. Juliana is my girl, Chef's food is amazing, and my favorite waiter Adil is just fantastic. So much love for this place. You cannot go wrong with anything off the menu here. You just cannot.

    (5)

  • Niara J.

    I had heard so many great things about this restaurant and was so excited to try. Firstly I will say the hostess or manager I assume was a pleasure. She made me feel right at home when I walked and which was great. Unfortunately that was the only pleasant thing about me experience here. Our waitress was the absolute worst. It was almost as if we were a second thought to her. My date and I asked several times for a glass of water for him. After some time we just began sharing the one glass she brought to our table. Being that I had never been I was hoping to get an explanation of the menu as most establishments do on your first visit but this was not the case. She seemed somewhat annoyed that I even asked her to review or even suggest items on the menu. When the check arrives I'm hoping to get out of this place with no hassle by paying cash and leaving only to find that she has added 3 extra items to our ticket that we did not order. Only more proof that we were a mere afterthought in her mind the entire night. I really wanted to enjoy this place but for the prices charged and the service and food we received it was a huge let down. I would not visit this restaurant again.

    (1)

  • Melissa F.

    This is some of the best pizza I've ever had. So so so so so delicious, it made my head spin. Wow. Go there now kthxbye. Somehow, around 7:30 on a Saturday, the three of us (two best friends and I) got a table. We were also lucky enough to have an incredibly personable, helpful waiter as well. The space doesn't feel totally old and cozy, since it seems refurbished and newly updated, but they are trying to make it home-y, and it's getting there. The smell - oh dear, the smell! Roasting (sauteeing?) garlic, made more intensely amazing by the open kitchen. We started with the buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto. Delicious and quality - two things I definitely love! This is certainly a restaurant where the ingredients shine. We each got a "half" order - which is huge. FYI. My friends all liked their pizza portions, and I LOVED mine. Margherita with a bit of crumbled sausage. Every ingredient popped, and you can tell that each one was bursting with quality. Unlike pizzas where tasteless ingredients sort of meld together in a forgettable way, this pizza was the opposite, and I got my fill of oven-crisped sausage, fresh, aromatic basil, deeply flavorful sauce, and bubbly cheese. I suppose the cheese at some points slid off too easily, but overall, this pizza was epically amazing. Oh, and the crust, which tasted like a regular one but denser and maybe with some cornbread worked in (???) was similarly amazing. I can't recommend this place enough! Mind-blowing pizza, friendly service, an open kitchen that tantalizes your olfactory sense...everything you need, really.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth E.

    You can't go wrong ducking into this neighborhood spot for some yummy pizza and pasta. However what makes this spot truly shine is the FANTASTIC service! The owners greet you at the door and are in the kitchen. Secret: eat at the bar- the head bartender is amazing and runs her turf like it's her own. It's your Italian Cheers in Chicago!

    (4)

  • Nick M.

    Overheard conversation from a table of young women... Gal 1: So what do you think of the decor? Gal 2: I like it, it's very uh... rustica Their pizza arrives Gal 3: OMG!! Is that how they got their name?! Gal 1 & 2: OMG!! They all laugh and I can't help but laugh with (or at, really) them. As the beautiful Sarah B. says, it is the "Perfect neighborhood spot". The feeling is very warm and comforting, like siting around the family dinner table. Meaning... it's very loud and you're packed in pretty tight to one another. We went to celebrate Pant's b-day and got the special treatment. The young gentleman in our group even got to make his own pizza with the kitchen crew. It was awesome and I was jealous. The pizza and salads are outstanding!! The owner and the kitchen crew go above and beyond. The servers however are not as cheerful and quick timing as the rest of the crew. I get it, they get slammed but it was the only thing that could have been better. Keep an eye out for "wine tasting" special events they have from time to time, if that's your sort of thing.

    (4)

  • Abby M.

    I might have been able to give a great review here if I had ever had the opportunity to actually try it. I walked in, was seated outside, and given some water. Shortly after that I overheard the same lady who seated us telling the next couple that they didn't have any pizza. A "pizza rustica" with uhhh.. no pizza. Then the waiter gives me a handwritten menu with maybe 5 items on it. I can only remember spaghetti because it was the only thing that sounded halfway decent. But they also handed me a regular menu with no explanation about the handwritten one. After talking to the table next to me, we concluded that they ONLY had the 5 items on the handwritten menu. What?!? I confirmed it with the hostess since my waiter was MIA. Well, I left. Not sure I'd go back.

    (1)

  • Irene G.

    I am going to do a 180 from my previous review on Pizza Rustica and give it 5 stars! Went here again last week for their beer tasting and had a good time. As I mentioned, the pizza here is one of the best I've ever had - The Quattro Stagioni is amazing!

    (5)

Q & A on

How did Pizza Hut start?

Pizza Hut began its operations on 15th June 1958 at Wichita, Kansas, United States.

Will Pizza Hut be open on Easter?

Yes, Pizza Hut stays open on Easter until 10 PM on Thursday and Sunday. Whereas, Pizza Hut operates at normal hours on Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Monday.

Will Pizza Hut be open on Thanksgiving?

Most Pizza Huts stay open on Thanksgiving Day but may have reduced hours since it's a big holiday in the United States.

Will Pizza Hut be open Christmas day?

No. Pizza Hut remains closed on Christmas.

Which Pizza Hut bases are vegan?

Pizza Hut has a rapidly improving and impressive choice of vegan options. Simply opt for vegan cheese on any vegetarian order of pizza at Pizza Hut and you can enjoy your favorite vegan pizza. If you're concerned with vegan options at Pizza Hut, then inquire whether they have Violife vegan cheese in stock before ordering anything.

Which Pizza Hut sides are vegan?

Oven cooked Chips and Onion Rings available at Pizza Hut are vegan.

Which Pizza Hut is closest to me?

There are over 18,431 Pizza Hut restaurants globally. You can find the closest Pizza Hut restaurant using our Restaurant Listings directory.

When Pizza Hut opens and closes?

Pizza Hut opens at 11 AM daily and closes at 11 PM on weekdays and Sundays. The restaurants stay open till 12 midnight.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut is a renowned pizzeria globally known for its fusion of Italian and American cuisines. The restaurant serves Italian style Pizzas and Pasta as well as sides and desserts influenced by American cuisine. Pizza Hut began its operations in June 1958 when two brothers Dan and Frank Carney, who were also Wichita University students, opened the first Pizza Hut store in Wichita, Kansas. With 18,431 Pizza Hut restaurants around the globe, Pizza Hut franchise is the largest Pizza chain in terms of locations.

Pizza Hut is currently owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which is the restaurant division of PepsiCo. You can find a lot of traditional dine-in Pizza Hut locations across the United States. However, Pizza Hut restaurants also operate in storefront delivery and carry-out formats. There are also hybrid versions which offer dine-in options as well as carry-out facility.

Healthy Food Options at Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut is a one-stop destination for pizza lovers, but it can also raise some concerns for people with high blood pressure, cholesterol intake, and diabetes. Generally, pizzas contain a high amount of sodium and it is in your best health interest that you consume one or max. two slices of any pizza you order from Pizza Hut. If you're diabetic or concerned with high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, you must stick to one pizza slice at Pizza Hut.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : No
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : Yes
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Categories

Pizza

Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.

Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.

Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Pizza Rustica Italian Bistro & Bar

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