Celebrate National Pizza Month In Chicago

With the impending holidays, there is a particular celebration that should not be overlooked. Get the sweatpants out early, folks: October is National Pizza Month! Not many of us need an excuse to indulge in this most perfect of foods. However, it might be a great opportunity to forgo the standard Chicago deep dish and try out some of the unique and flavorful pizzas to be found around town. May we suggest:

The Florentine – This Loop eatery offers a great happy hour for any pizza lover: get one of their wood-fired pies for free with the purchase of an alcoholic drink from 4pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Try the Pomodorini with ricotta, cherry tomatoes, and marjoram or the Speck with fiore de latte, peaches, rosemary, and arugula.

Coalfire Pizza – These Neapolitan-style pizzas are cooked in a coal-fired oven, giving the crust a distinctive smoky char. Go for a traditional Margherita, or add some Mediterranean flair with the Pesto, topped with ricotta, olive oil, and kalamata olives.

Blackfinn Ameripub – One of River North's newest restaurants, Blackfinn goes the flatbread route with their pizza. There's unmistakable American flavor added on dishes such as the Buffalo Chicken pizza and the Cheeseburger, which comes complete with a ketchup drizzle. The flatbread pizzas are part of their Under $10 lunch menu, making them a great mid-day meal.

Dimo's Pizza – Long beloved of the residents of Wrigleyville, Dimo's opened up a new location this year in Wicker Park. That means twice the opportunity to grab a slice of their out-of-the-box pizza flavors. Go all out with their Chicken Taco, The Mac, or Chicken n' Waffles. You definitely won't leave hungry.

J. Rocco Italian Table & Bar – The grilled pizzas here offer a sophisticated alternative to your standard Pizza Hut options. Look for mouth-watering combos such as Duck Sausage, Goat Cheese, and Pistachio or Prosciutto, Apple, and Pecorino.