Louisa’s Pizza & Pasta
14025 S Cicero Ave, Crestwood, IL, 60445
Louisa’s Pizza & Pasta Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Crestwood for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crestwood for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crestwood for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
14025 S Cicero Ave
Crestwood, IL, 60445 - Phone (708) 371-0950
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :3:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
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.
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Ryan P.
great pizza, and by far my favorite chicken marsala. not the newest decor, but the service is usually just fine.
(4)Ken B.
I dont claim to know about anything other than the pizza. It is way too good to get anything else here. I would put it up against any pie in the city. The crust is the star here. They actually dont cut it if picking it up so it doesnt get soggy. Its a deep dish but not heavy. I actually get extra cheese most of the time. The chunky tomato sauce compliments well. Truly one of the few hidden gems in the south suburbs.
(5)Peter F.
Excellent pizza. Very fresh ingredients. Thick, chunky, stew-like tomato sauce. Delicious, crunchy, chewy, fresh, buttery crustiness of crust... mmm... I'm getting hungry as I type. Not overly cheesy - an excellent balance between cheese, crust, and tomato sauce. Bottom line - one of the best pizzas in the Chicago area. The 5-star rating is for the pizza. I've never eaten anything else here... so can't comment on the other food. The place is family run and inside you feel like you are in someone's basement and it is 1977... but it's all good. Enjoy da pizza.
(5)Jason N.
For the record, im a north sider and i'll travel out south once in a while for this place. It is similar to Lou's but while it does get crowded, i've never had to wait and they aren't charging Lou's prices. Service has always been great. They have a full bar as well. The crust is nice and buttery and the toppings are very good. More tomato than sauce and a great herb and spice blend. And the awesome thing is its one of those pizzas that you can eat cold and it's still delicious. A very good south suburban pizza option.
(4)Don M.
It is not the most updated place around but they do serve up some good ZA. The pizza is thick but not heavy. Although times are changing and what used to be a big hunk of sausage on is now just smaller scattered pieces of meat. Cheese seemed a little light also. Drinks are good not shy on liquor. Good ZA, drinks worth the trip.
(4)GIno S.
This is a restaurant that I went to since I was a little kid, and my family was going there before I was born. I grew up thinking that Louisa was a close family friend, now that Louisa has passed away and being run by her descendants the restaurants food has taken dive, the family size deep dish pizza was soggy, they tried to cook it more in the oven and it still was soggy and mush. This was on my 30th birthday that we returned here for sentimental reasons and we couldn't have been more disappointed. My grandmother tried to get the manager( Louisa's grandson) to remove the charge for the pizza and all they did was credit us half off on just the pizza.
(1)K P.
Pizza = 4 stars Dining in = ZERO stars Take out Pizza = yes please Rude, rude, rude. Bar sucks. Wayyyyy to expensive. If the pizza was not so good I would never go back.
(2)Jim P.
Usually love the pizza, we have been loyal customers for over a decade, today was not a good experience, after I was basically called a liar by the hostess for them getting my order wrong, which they did nothing to correct the situation, got home and the garlic bread tasted like it was cooked 2 hours prior, and the pizza was very dry, the pizza and garlic bread I can over look, the customer service I cannot, I will not be going there again.
(1)Gary D.
Apparently if you are one of the regulars you get to laugh and talk as loud as you want to without any respect for other customers and it's okay. I've put up with less noise in a Pizza Hut. I won't be back
(1)John S.
Ok, just writing this review made my mouth water. You cannot find pizza like this anywhere else. The pepperoni pizza is my favorite. I went there recently on New Year's Eve with my family. They all ordered the pasta dishes which to me looked really good with what looked like homemade noodles. We all had a great time and the leftovers were awesome!
(5)Lara T.
Solid pizza, casual atmosphere, good service. It's nice to have a staple in the neighborhood.
(3)John C.
Good pizza! Pan/deep dish with sausage spinach and mushroom is what I order. I used to drive all the way to Due's or Uno's in downtown. Louisa's is just as good, a lot closer for me and has a parking lot. Service was good even though we were seated an hour before closing.
(4)tina l.
We met my parents for dinner. This was there first time. They were not impressed. It took 50 minutes for an individual pizz and pasta. It was early sat. and they didn't have a full house..My parents got there before us and said our waitress was drinking wine. I wanted to tell the hostess but my mom said not too. I love there pizza. My husband hates it. I had the gnocci for the first time.I make this myself at home. It was pretty good. Small portion. This was our second time eating there and I don't think we will go back. They raised there prices and we don't feel it is justified for the what you get.
(3)Paul S.
Louisa's pizza story was covered well (although sarcastically) by Steven M. The pizza here is not your average Chicago pizza - it tastes like Uno's or Due's downtown - but it is one heck of a lot less driving for me - plus, what I will pay to park for two hours downtown will pay for my pizza here. Bottom line: Try it once - either you will think it is fresh and delicious or you won't like it cause it tastes different than Domino's. No accounting for taste buds - is there!
(5)Jack S.
Not only great pizza but great Italian, fresh made everyday. I've had several things on the menu and also had groups their and all have been satisfied.
(4)Nellie K.
This is a variation of the best deep dish pizza in Chicago from Pizzeria Due. The late Louisa De Genero was in the kitchen of the legendary Pizzeria Due for over two decades, but her deep dish recipe is a shallower/thinner version of the original recipe at Pizzeria Uno/Due. And her hard work and dedication at Pizzeria Due is on full display at her name sake restaurant in Crestwood. Today, Louisa's adult daughter ( and the daughter's husband ) runs Louisa's. Similarly, Louisa's daughter also worked at Pizzeria Due for 10 years, alongside her mother. Thankfully, Louisa passed down her pizza mastery to her daughter who, in turn, has been making all of us happy for many years with some of the best deep dish pizza in Chicagoland. As previously stated, Louisa's version is a shallower/thinner crust compared to the original crust at Pizzeria Uno/Due. But, unlike the heavy dose of corn oil used at Uno's/Due, Louisa's crust features butter. It's not quite as buttery as Lou Malnati's or Pizano's, but it's just buttery enough. As great as the crust is, Louisa's tomatoes are even better. As a matter of fact, they are some of the best tomatoes I've ever had on a pizza, and definitely on par with Lou Malnati's and Pizzeria Due's tomatoes. However, unlike Lou Malnati's, Louisa's grows their own spices and herbs during the summer months in the back of the restaurant, which perfectly compliment Louisa's tomatoes. In addition, the sausage tastes EXACTLY the same as Pizzeria Due, but it's cut into pieces, as opposed to that thick slab of sausage still served at Pizzeria Uno/Due. As a style, I still prefer the thick, heavier sausage at Pizzeria Uno/Due. That said, for fans of individual pieces of sausage with the EXACT flavor profile of Pizzeria Uno/Due, Louisa's is the perfect choice. The sausage is made in house at Louisa's, as opposed to Pizzeria Due, which still has their sausage delivered from the legendary Anichini Brothers sausage company in downtown Chicago. And if you like onions, Louisa's uses the same long, carmelized onions found at Pizzeria Due which, in my opinion, are tastier than the traditional square cut onions used everywhere else. As for starters, the chicken vesuvio wings are wonderful. Louisa's vesuvio wings are made in their signature garlic, olive oil, and white wine sauce. Good stuff. And their Italian Ice dessert is served in a full lemon, with the top cut off, and the lemon ice inside. It was definitely creative, but more importantly it was really good. For everyone's convenience, there's a parking lot right next to the restaurant. As soon as your seated, the service is o.k. The waitresses don't hang all over you, but they don't ignore you, either. They are just there when you need them, which is all I'm looking for when I'm out with my family. The co-owner ( the husband ) came up and introduced himself and also said goodbye to us. He is very nice, very sincere, and he truly cares about the homemade family product you are eating. BOTTOM LINE: Louisa's makes a shallower version of Pizzeria Due with their own herbs and spices grown behind the restaurant, and delicious house made sausage, served on top of a slightly buttery crust. And it's being served in the same black cast iron pans from Pizzeria Due. Along with Lou Malnati's and Pizzeria Uno/Due, this is Chicago style deep dish pizza at its' very best.
(5)Gigi F.
I have found the best pizza in Chicago! I also enjoyed a house salad with a homemade garlic dressing that was sensational! . Great service, great atmosphere - I will visit again when I return to Chicago!
(5)Rick D.
Wish there were zero star rating. Went there with my wife for an early dinner. Big mistake!! We each ordered the Breaded steak sandwich. Took 25 minutes for the meal to come out. Mine was less than average, my wife's was dry and over cooked. She asked the waiter to take it back, he grabbed it without saying a word and never came back. He didn't ask what was wrong with it or why we sent it back. After almost 20 minutes we finally were able to flag him down, and asked if he was bringing out another sandwich. He said no, we're taking it off the bill. REALLY THAT'S IT!!! Didn't ask if she wanted something else! We asked to talk to the Manager. He came to the table, we informed him of the situation. All could say was when the sandwich was brought back him and the cook tasted it and it was fine to them, "that's the way we prepare it, so we assumed you didn't want another one" I guess they assumed my wife was no longer hungry too? HOW ABOUT COMING OUT AND ASKING IF SHE WANTED SOMETHING ELSE!! No reply! The staff and service was absolutely horrible. Needless to say we will never go back. The worst restaurant we have ever been to!!
(1)Claudia W.
Absolutely a must for any trip back to my hometown. Yum!
(5)Scott N.
The pizza was just average, but the service and restaurant policies are terrible. No refills on soda, surly wait staff, and the inability to due half cash and half charge for the bill clearly shows what this place thinks of its costumers.
(1)George A.
This is a great pizza place but I hate to say you should order extra cheese, but it's worth it.
(4)John R.
Louisa's ties Pizano's as my favorite deep-dish in the city. It's definitely not as heavy as Pizano's and is more comparable to Lou Malnati's (but better) because it's a more light deep dish. It has that signature deep dish crust, that is thick, crumbly and that large, juicy, and mild sausage that are trademarks of deep-dish. The sauce is fresh, semi-sweet, and delicious, but has the right consistency that is not too chunky and not too pasty. This deep dish hits a home run, but has a little extra flavor that makes it stand out. The inside has an old, italian supper club charm to it. It's a throwback that is a little refreshing after going to trendy places in the city. The service is great, the staff is friendly, and you can tell their is a certain pride in working there because the pizza is that good.
(5)Malana W.
Louisa's wins the award for best pizza on the South-side and I didn't know why until I ordered their pizza to try for myself. I didn't like that I had to go pick up the pizza. That part sucked. However, when I went into Louisa's (an establishment I passed by what seemed like a million times) I was pleased to discover a lovely establishment which would be fantastic for a romantic pizza-eating evening. When I brought the pizza home I was pleased as punch and will definitely go back there some day.
(5)Stephen V.
Wow what has taken me so long to review this place, I have no idea and as much as I would like to say it is a childhood favorite of mine, I can't really say that. I have only known about this place since end of 2006. Through it may not be pretty to long at on the outside but nice looking on the inside. But it is pretty dark in their with the lights really being on the one side and even above the bar but somehow the staff people get their work done. Last time I was there for my birthday. The sad part I don't get out get here very often but I am glad when I do. Last year I was on a visit about 3 weeks before they were going to be on Chicago's Best. And they were giving out sheets of paper right from them with the date of their appearance. But even at that visit I had no idea that the owner Louisa had passed away earlier in 2011. I didn't even know until it was mentioned on Chicago's Best. But shows you about much I can get to go there in the last few years. But thanks to Yelp I saw it mentioned from some reviewers. But flashing back to my recent visit, seated in what I believe is their main dinning room that if you eating in there, depending on where you are siting you can just get a look into their kitchen. I get my usual pizza, through I did seem to notice that it took a little longer then usual. I always seem to recall pizzas being out out right within 30 minutes after you order it. And unlike other pizza places, that makes a thin crust, deep dish and stuffed pizza, they only make pizza where the sauce is on the top of the cheese. Which much be interesting on how they know when the pizza is done. They also have another dining room that is on the other side of the bar which they will open up and seat more people in there when the main dinning room is full. But wow what it up with all the bad reviews for this place, did all the people that came into this restaurant come in with a bad mood, and they thought that they would give them good service? But just dining in is not the only way to enjoy Louisa's pizza, they also do takeout and they also have frozen pizzas in the kitchen for anybody to buy and bring it home later to cook in their own oven. I often do notice that a lot of people do take out a pizza where they would phone a order in for take out. Also on my last visit which was just last week for my birthday, I got a frozen pizza to take home, and I noticed that now on their small pizza boxes, they now have a picture and the word pizza on the box. It has been quite a long time since I had a frozen pizza, but all I remembered them have them in a plain cardboard box. To me Louisa's Pizza is better then Little Joe's Pizza in Tinley Park or at least their thin crust pizza, since I doubt I will ever know what their deep dish or Stuffed Pizza is like. I don't know when I will be back at Louisa's Pizza again, but if you have never had them before try them out at least once and decide for yourself if you will ever return.
(5)Courtney O.
In my early years of college, an amazing professor of mine stated that Louisa's is "one of the best kept secrets of the south side". I agree. There's something about the crust of their pizza that is wildly addicting. I also like that there's ONE crust option not the standard 2,341,632 options available most places. It's a cross between thick and thin and tastes, to me, like there's a hint of wine in it. Basically, it's just fantastic. The place is a little dark and dated, but it's kind of part of the charm. My only two minor complaints: no delivery and the pizza is not sliced if you are picking up your order. The cheesy garlic bread is mighty tasty as well. Delicious!
(5)Ian S.
Pan Pizza was good and tasty, sausage was a little salty though. Prices are steep, $7.25 for a cheesy garlic bread which consisted of 8 pieces of 2 inch square french bread, with minimal cheese. It also took over 20 minutes to get this appetizer and it came a little cold. Over $15 for spaghetti and meatballs, it must be good for it being priced as high. Mens bathroom was pretty much the size of a janitor closet. It was dark and the music was a little loud. The service was below average, the waitress served us the pizza but did not come back to refill our drinks until our pizza was almost consumed. She was MIA so we couldn't even flag her down. The she asked how was the pizza and a promptly told her it would've been better if I had a soda to wash it down with.
(2)Eddy E.
I have been to louisas numerous times over the years & not once have I had a bad experience. Its so family oriented it feels like I'm at Nanas house for dinner. My son & parents love going there love there gnoochis & love love there deep dish pie!
(5)Steven M.
The story goes like this. Louisa worked for Lou Malinati about a hundred years ago. She dinked him, took his recipe and opened up her own place on the south side. The old bird is still lurking around the place. The place is decorated in early garage. Not that bad but it is very dated. The slab of garlic sausage on top of the pie is what makes it a meal. But like everybody else, they are cutting back. I got a piece with almost no meat on it. And it's not in a slab, it's just pieces scattered around. Another grip is that they have no refills on the soda? Great, I'll just get loaded. But if your looking for a filling great tasting pie this is it.
(3)George G.
Pizza wasn't bad - just not he type I prefer. Service was a little slow, prices a little steep for what you get.
(2)Brian N.
Simply amazing crust and fresh ingredients. My Italian wife loves it and approves, even if it isn't from Rome. We recommend a Spinach, Mushroom, and Garlic, it is heaven.
(5)Kevin O.
My wife introduced me to Louisa's years ago and it's probably one of my favorite pizza joints. I've never tried anything other than the pizza, but why would you want to? I highly recommend the spinach. Somehow Louisa's spinach is unlike other za spots. It doesn't leave the pizza soggy and wet and I really appreciate that. Happy this spot is so close to home but when it wasn't it was definitely worth the trip.
(5)Michelle F.
Bar none the best deep dish pizza in the Chicago area. The atmosphere is right out of Goodfellas too. Highly recommend!
(5)Teddy B.
A very popular place with the locals -- this is one of those few places that packs them in on a Saturday night. The pizzas here are quite good, but by Chicago standards they're not over the top. And their pasta dishes, while offering a nice alternative, are typically drowning in sauce and cheese in immense portions. The only thing missing is the trough to bob your head in. This is a place we wanted to love, with the authentic staff in the kitchen, the kitschy bar area, etc. But the food could only take us part way there. Which isn't to say we don't recommend it -- it is still one of your best options in the area. But on a broader scale, this is just another Chicago suburban eatery with mediocre pasta and good pizza that aspires to be nothing more than a 'B' student. And the locals like it that way.
(3)Jim E.
I have eaten here approx 4 times and have never left hungry or unsatisfied. If your looking for a fancy place where the table's aren't close together then this place is not for you. The atmosphere is that of a small south side family owned pizza joint/bar. The people are nice but each time I've been there they are attentive but very busy. The pizza isn't for everyone, the crust is thick but the body of the pizza is thin crust with the toppings and stewed tomato sauce piled high. The crust is slightly buttery and crisp and the beer is cold. I have only eaten the pizza and have always been pleased with the quality of sausage and other ingredients.
(4)Doug F.
I thought this place had a great pie. We got in at around 5:30 Saturday and didn't have to wait at all. Being so hot out I was dying of thirst and our server was right on top of it bringing me out refills. We first started with pizza bread which was really good. It was on french bread that had garlic and cheese on it with marinara on the side. The sauce was great and the bread was crunchy. Then we had the pizza,they only make one kind from what I saw and that is a pan pizza. The pizza was great from the chunky tomato sauce to the toppings,and the crust it was all great. A couple of things I didn't like is that if you get a half of a topping on a pizza they charge you full topping prices. Also there seemed to be a lot of kids in there but no baby changing station in either of the bathrooms. Overall it was a great pizza and id be back.
(4)Scott N.
So this is real Chicago deep dish pizza! No complaints here! Waitress was very attentive. Minestrone was good. Had an individual pizza with sausage, mushrooms and black olives, just the way I like it. Awesome, thick, crunchy, buttery crust. Loved it. Unique, chunky sauce. Very tasty. Light on the cheese but it worked. Good place!
(4)Carl G.
Great pizza, similar to Lou Malnati's but not as buttery, which is nice. The sauce is really killer, not really a sauce but a smattering of stewed tomatoes. Maybe not worth the drive if you're not on the South Side but all in all one of the better pizzas in the metro area.
(4)Gina R.
Awesome pizza. Great crust.
(5)Joe C.
It pains me to write this review as this used to be one of my favorite places. I had my first date with my wife here over 22 years ago and we have watched it go down hill in the last 5 years with alarming speed. Although the pizza itself has gotten progressively worse in that time, (toppings have withered away to next to nothing), I think the joint really hit rock-bottom when the founder, Louisa herself, passed away. Louisa had learned her craft from working at the original Due''s on Ohio street and the old gal made a great pie and ran a tight ship, often leaving the kitchen to mingle with customers and say hello. Now, the service is reprehensible, and the staff seems to go out of their way to be rude. My last pizza, (and it will be my last) arrived with a burnt crust, delivered by an extremely slow and snippy waitress that insisted on arguing that the pizza might be "overdone," but wasn't "burnt." Huh? Add in the ice cold bread, the wilted brown lettuce in a salad swimming in vinegarette, a rude hostess and you have a recipe for disaster. Like an athlete long past prime, this joint is getting by on reputation alone. Kind of sad, really.
(1)Josh S.
i love this place, i have driven past this place for years, never even thought to stop in. as i was driving by i saw on their sign that it was rated chicago magazines top 20 in chicago or something like that. so i said what the hey, lets see what yelp says, good reviews there too. then i tried the pizza, freakin amazing! the absolute best way to get it is fresh! i get mushroom black olive green pepper and garlic.... deliciocity! i have taken it to go once, still good, but not as good as in rest. the only bad thing(which i can absolutely overlook) is that the left overs they give are wrapped in aluminum foil and given to you in a bag. this makes the left overs soggy and non-edible. unless you like that sort of thing. otherwise love the place. all i eat is the pizza though, havent really tried anything else.
(5)Janet H.
Having had good meals at this restaurant several years ago, I suggested it on-the-fly tonight. Seated quickly. Waitress was either really busy elsewhere of just plain gives two hoots about customer service. Food prices have jumped quite a bit. My dining pal wanted fettuccini alfredo, add chicken. We are told adding chicken is $5.00, which would make a very unassuming and common meal top out at $21.95 - what the??? Ordered without chicken, and it was particularly thin, oily and without flavor. My lasagna was delicious, same as I had on prior visits. Again, pricey for this area. Asked for a second soda and as she turned I asked the waitress if there are refills on pop, and she said no. She should have stated that, no? Ridiculous. Bar soda is the most inexpensive thing in a restaurant. She did not check on us after the food was served. When my friend's plate was walked back and shown to the manager with the complaint about lack of flavor, he just looked at her and shook his head no. Hey, thanks for making good with the customer! Booooo! Never again.
(1)Tommy A.
Louisa's rocks. Went back for first time since moving up north. Visit was a bit sad, I use to always play a "Where's Waldo" kind of game with trying to find Louisa as soon as I walked in. From what I've been told from my buddy is that Louisa passed away earlier this year, she will be missed but her legend certainly lives on. Our pizza was still great, as always. For those who don't know, Lou Malinati's is a good comparison, except this is better. I've had bad pies from Lou Mal, and at Louisa you never get better quality control, and just a better taste. The tomatoes on top are especially awesome. I can't comment on the pasta's as I love the pizza so much that it's all I want when I'm there, however friends of mine do like the pasta as well. For all the brilliant people knocking the place on service, you're annoying! It's a pizza place, service is mediocre not great, but who cares. People's reviews focus way too much on service and other crap! Baring extremes 90-95% of my dining experiences are about the food, and how good it is with price considered. Louisa's pies are very affordable, and this is simply an awesome old school "joint". Check it out, 5 star pizza!
(5)Davis K.
In a word... Awful. Awful on all counts; service, bar selection (or so I thought), and food. As a local resident, I do my best to support the local area restaurants, but if this is what I can expect; I will gladly head to Orland Park, and the "chain" restaurants any day of the week. Anytime I pay $15 for pasta, I expect that the service will justify it. In the case of Louisa's, the service was terrible. I went in with a taste for pasta, and a glass of wine. I asked the server for a wine list. I thought I'd asked for their tax records... Her response was " we don't have one, but we have red and white wine, wadda ya want?" I asked her to be more specific, and she couldn't tell me. So I asked if they had a Chianti, and she said no. Strike one... and Italian place without a Chanti???? Along comes salad, and the garlic dressing tasted like garlic powder and mayo. Nuff said. So pasta arrives with my drink...coke. and it was bland and watery. My wife's pasta didn't have enough sauce and also had no flavor. We were never asked if anything was okay or had our drinks refilled. I may give them a shot for pizza take-out but thats it.
(1)Lorin M.
Mmmm another favorite from my childhood. I remember this place being really unassuming from the outside, dark and cozy on the inside, with a long bar and lots of family photos and mirrors on the walls. Maybe even some perennial Christmas lights? A little tacky probably, but that's all beside the point. The real draw is the delicious pizza. Louisa's deep dish pie is to die for. It has a light, buttery cornmeal(?) crust piled high with lots of chunky homemade tomato sauce and cheesy goodness. Best pizza in Chicago hands down.
(5)Marty D.
Blink and you might miss this little slice of heaven. From the outside, it doesn't appear very inviting. Once inside, you'll find a very large bar, darkened dining area, and great food. Pasta was cooked just right, and the sauce was nice and light. The pizza which is hard to classify, isn't really deep dish or stuffed, but it has substantial thickness. There is no "thin" choice. Expecting it to be very heavy, it was light and airy and extremely tasty. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Calcinor J.
Excellent pizza. I have been going here for about 10 years now. The pan pizza has a firm corn meal buttery crust and comes to the table served in pitch black pie pans. The pizza is outstanding- firm, crunchy and chewy crust with a nice dusting of cheese. The sausage is excellent. I have had the lasagna and meatball dinner and it was very good although the meatball could be bigger. The pork chops are very good as well. They have a special salad that works well with the pizza. Cocktails and beers are available. Service is good but you can get the occasional crabby waitress. I have had pick up here in the past as well and it was very good. They do not slice their pizza if it is delivery or pick up. My suggestion is to pop into a very hot oven once you get home. Just heat it up for no more than 5 minutes to rejuvenate the goodness. Louisa herself still keeps cooking. They will put high quality ingredients on the pizza and in the rest of the food. You cannot beat a mom and pop place that puts the love in the cooking.
(5)D P.
I don't know if it was my expectations or if this place just sucks. The second we walked in I felt uncomfortable. A man approached and just stared at me. I finally told him how many people. Not even a "hi". Our waitress suggested a smaller glass of lemonade for my young daughter so she wouldn't spill it. Fine by me, until I realized, after I asked for a refill, that they charged me $4 for about 16oz of lemonade. She charged me twice for what I would have gotten with a normal-sized glass! After that came my $4 salad which consisted of about $0.50 worth of lettuce, two thin slices of red onion and exactly one halved cherry tomato. After what seemed like an interminable wait with two kids who could have used some bread which apparently you don't get if you just order pizza, our pizza came. It was ok. I have had better. Beggars , Tata's, Vito and Nicks.... The crust was tasty, but not much of a crust person anyway. The kids liked it. The waitress actually came back after we got our food, once. Then all of a sudden things couldn't move fast enough. We had our food wrapped up and almost as soon as my husband took the baby out of the high chair, someone was coming by to change it out for the chair. $40 for a glass of wine, coke and lemonade a salad and a 6-slice pizza. Not overly pricey, but no deal. Just as I had signed the bill, a woman walked by from behind me and grabbed the bill and said "thank you I will make sure your waitress gets this". No thanks for coming or have a good night. I will never go again!! It's too bad because I have nice memories of when my grandparents were around and used to love this place when it was in Mt. Greenwood. This was the place right? Terrible experience!! And the food was not good enought to make up for it.
(1)Candece H.
Excellent deep dish. The crust breaks apart nicely and is tasty. Sauce and toppings perfect. I got my as take out. Was pleasantly surprised how nice it was inside.
(5)Mike D.
I just had this tonight. I ordered the "meatless" lasagne and the minestrone soup. The food is simply unreal. The pasta is so incredibly fresh and perfect. The soup might be one of the best Minestrone soups I've ever had. Here's my rub... I paid $20.00 for this meal. The portions of the lasagne are UNREAL small. I'm sitting here still hungry and I'm not a massive eater. It was two small pieces of lasagne when you cut it in half. For $20.00 I'm not only expecting fantastic food but I'd like to actually be full when I'm done eating. People notice this stuff Louisa's and for that reason, sadly, I won't be back.
(3)C Y.
Pizza was pretty decent, food way too pricey and service very slow. Definitely an older crowd. Kind of feels like 1970's inside.
(2)Gilbert G.
This place deserves NO STARS! Mediocre food! And crappy service! All in all Dominoes Pizza has better food than this garbage! And for far less money! Do yourself a favor and stay away from this place!, unless you like to be treated rudely and love tasteless crappy "Italian food"! then this place is just for you!
(1)Michelle S.
Pizza is AMAZING! The crust is soooo good! Very nice setting, friendly staff and overall service was great!
(5)Daniel S.
Had their deep sausage, wasnt that great, not very "deep" and the crust was kinda hard. had ample parking at least and i liked the vibe of the place
(3)dane h.
For my money, this is the best pizza on the south side of Chicago. Similar to Lou Malnati's, but maybe even better. When it comes to toppings on this kind of pizza, I think less is more. The crust, cheese and tomatoes are so good on their own, no need to crowd them out. I usually get it to go.
(4)Felonius M.
So after suffering through the Crestwood theater experience.... We were ready for some good comfort food. My two teenagers and I settled on pizza. Didn't really know any spots in the area so I yelped it. Not many promising results but one stood out... Louisa's!!!! The decor is decent with a big bar. They have another side/room to the place for large groups. Honestly the place smelled bad like it was a storage facility for old people. Usually I leave when i don't like the smell of a place but we were desperate. We ordered a large spinach, garlic and green peppers pizza. It was good! All of the ingredients were fresh. Nice crushed tomatoes in the pizza sauce. Good solid crust that wasn't soggy or chewy. Without a doubt I will be back! Might just bring some air freshener with me... Lol
(4)Natalie D.
I am picky about pizza. I don't like Home Run Inn and I don't like Lou Malnoti's bc the crust. I'm into Sicilian style, Neapolitan style, and I am into the kind that's in between. That's what this crust is- in between. I think most ppl would like it. This crust is crunchy like Home Run Inn but not chewy. Soft but crunchy and tastes very fresh. What sets this place apart though is the marinara. Wow I want to put it on everything. Gnocchi is very light. Meatball is simple. Def coming back. Family owned and operated- server was the son of the owner and the owner (dad) is always there walking around and chatting with patrons. Decor is all new and fresh. It's not a fancy place but it looks very nice.
(5)Daniel W.
Louisa's deep dish is a mix of Pizano's and Burt's. Coincidentally, I believe Louisa's owner has some relation to the Pizano family. The fresh tomatoey sauce was very similar to Pizano's, not too saucy with chunks of tomatoes. The crust and toppings were similar to Burt's. The crust was more breadlike and the sausage tasted really good as does Burt's. I can't say which sausage is better but you can judge for yourself. The establishment was packed on a Friday night. Other tables were ordering other items other than the deep dish pizza. I think Louisa's would be more popular if it weren't for the location. It's a shame because the pizza is awesome! Friendly/prompt service as well.
(5)Alexander C.
Louisa' s is our favorite deep dish, above Nancy's, Beggar's, and Lou Malnoti's. The sausage is the perfect consistancy, amount, and flavor. The same for the crust.
(4)P L.
VERY DISAPPOINTING pizza..... we've been here a few other times for pizza and loved it,But I cant say that anymore. It was so dry,dense very little sauce and barely any tomatoes,just awful.We complained to the waitress and all she said back to us was yeah I know its a very, very dense pizza......ahhhhhh no kidding......lots more water please !!.. We asked if there was a new cook??? No response from her. So I guess we wont make the trip there again..Another thing was for a bill of $60 we should of gotten a better response from her.Oh well theres great pizza all around us I guess.we'll travel to Ginos or Lou's instead. I really think there was a problem in the kitchen sat, but she wouldn't say it.
(2)Nicholas M.
I love this place. I know that there are some bad reviews since Louisa passed but I really believe that the staff is doing a good job. This is my favorite pizza because they still make the pizzas from scratch using fresh ingredients. I still miss her every time I eat there but her memories are in every pizza.
(5)Cesar R.
The lasagna was awesome. Loving the pizza with a cross between thin and deep dish. We brought the kids and they were very accommodating to us. Service was just perfect and not overbearing. Wide array of drinks to fill our needs. A definite must for a return. Love the ambiance and semi quiet setting. Good eats!!!
(5)Ahmad O.
This was my first time dining at this restaurant and the food was absolutely delicious. My girlfriend and I came in around 8 on a Saturday night and there were probably 3 other parties in the restaurant. We were waited on almost immediately. The waiters and staff were very nice and personable! We decided to order a large pizza with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and garlic. The pizza came out in about 25-30 minutes. Their pizza is a nice mix of deep dish and thin crust. It's prepared the same way as deep dish, but it is not as deep and the crust is not as thick. As a lover of both styles of pizza, I thought this was an amazing compromise between the two. The vegetables on the pizza were very fresh, the meat was juicy, and the garlic accentuated the flavors perfectly. This place easily makes it into my top 3 pizza places in Chicago with Lou Malnati's resting comfortably at the top. I will absolutely be returning to this restaurant! Shout out to the South Side for having such a hidden gem in Louisa's!
(5)Danielle K.
Best. Chicago. Pizza. Their cornbread crust is out of this world. Now, I'm not lazy, but I won't refuse when the waitress cuts and puts the slice right there on my plate. They do charge for extra sauce. It's a quaint little joint in the south suburbs, and the tables are tightly packed. The place is always busy. You've gotta eat there though, because take-out is not nearly as good.
(5)Jeannie A.
Headed over here with a party of 6, 8:30 on a Friday night. We just did a martini tasting down the street, and the owner told us that Louisa's stocked their vodka. Service was great! We were steated immediately and probably stayed for 1.5 hours. They make a great cosmo. 4 out of 6 split a pizza. I had the chicken parm and someone else ordered the veal parm. The pizza looked good - very Lou Malnati-like. I'd probablay go back and try that. The chicken parm was good, served with angle hair - good size portion. If in the area, I'd stop in for some pizza or take out.
(3)I L.
I have no idea what anyone is going on about. We traveled to check it out- We do drive to check out all kinds of food places.Well, having gone to a ton of pizza joints from north to south, quad city-style, (even did a day trip out to check out the real quad city pizza- Roots has got it mastered better than the original) to deep dish, carmelized crust to butter crust, thin and cracker-crispy, new york style foldable.....We have had fun getting out and trying multiple places in multiple styles. Louisa's was just not any good. Very salty crust, not buttery, not good. Lasagna was okay, good fresh made noodles. I just think that people that are giving high marks haven't had anything better, which, so near to Chicago, is sad. If you think Louisa's is really great, please go try some top rated places in other places- at least try a few in the city. You will find *much* better elsewhere.
(2)Annie W.
By far my favorite Chicago deep dish pizza with Lou Malnattis in a close 2nd. Cozy ambiance, ample parking, and great service. For a shortened wait time you can call ahead if it isn't too busy and place your pizza order.
(5)Melissa B.
People have been telling me to eat at Louisa's for at least 13 years. What took me so long? I'm kicking myself now. We started our dinner off with sausage and polenta. It was good I just wish I had chosen to start with a salad (next time). We split a medium sausage. It's sort of a thin deep dish if that makes any sense. There was just the right amount of cheese and the perfect homemade tomato sauce on top. The crust was to die for! You know the crust is good when it's still tasty reheated days later. All of this homemade perfection tempted us to order dessert. This is why they aren't 5 stars unfortunately. The tiramiusu tasted store bought and was still frozen in spots. The coffee wasn't much better. Luckily everything else including the service was perfect so we will still be making it part of our regular rotation for pizza.
(4)Bijal P.
So visited this place for Chicago dip dish pizza but they don't have it so the waitress had us try something people say it's almost like dip dish. Welll the food was Alrite but I wasn't happy with the fact they charge $2.00-2.50 per topping. A medium pizza is $15.00 with 4 topping will cost 22 bucks. You can get way better pizza for this price. My total was $28.35...so not worth it....totally BS place...try going somewhere else
(1)Jennifer H.
The definition of Chicago-style pizza. My husband has been going here since he was a young kid and introduced it to me when we started dating 15 years ago. Great Italian family atmosphere. Perfect buttery cornmeal crust encases the freshest ingredients. He always gets sausage on his half and I get spinach & garlic. The best!
(5)Mike M.
Best Chicago style pizza I have had. I'm a Giordanos guy and thus is nothing like it. Crust is awesome crunchy cornbread and buttery. The sauce was spectacular! We got pepperoni and sausage and the pepperoni was tender and plentiful. That's why I went there. It wasn't for the great house salad that was drowning in vinegret or the vesuvius chicken wings. Will definitely be back to try the lasagna and take a pizza home.
(5)desire d.
This place has everything! I was very happy with the food and service very nice . I have the most picky eaters and they were all pleased no complaints ! Thanks
(4)Matthew A.
Well folks... I must say I have met the #2 deep dish spot in uhh Crestwood... and may challenge my favorite and #1 Gino's east on superior. A must try deep dish spot. I'm pleased, I know you will be.
(4)Ted M.
I heard about this place from my neighbor who suggested I give it a shot. He said it's expensive. He was right. Additionally, I called and told they lady who answered the phone it's my first time ordering. I asked how big the pizzas were. She said "small, medium, and large!". Duhh.... First clue she's dumb. Then I asked her specifically how many inches is the small, medium and the large. She said 10, 12, and 14". Ok, so Then I asked what kind of crust it is. When I heard pan, I ordered a 12". THEY ARE A PIZZA PLACE THAT DOESN'T DELIVER. In fact, I think I've used that saying to describe things that are clearly wrong!! "Blank is like a pizza place that does not deliver". Strike two. Back to my order. I ordered a 12 inch right? Well, remember the dummy who answered the phone? Well she wrote down large. Oh yeah. I forgot another thing. I asked if they have a menu online. She had no idea if they did or not. Back to the pizza. I went to pick it up and paid $30 for a "medium" pan pizza with sausage and a side salad!!!! THAT WAS NOT DELIVERED OR SLICED FOR ME!!!! After I brought the pizza home, I called my friend who referred me. He told me they also do not let you eat at the bar. I've heard of the soup natzi, but never the pizza Natzi!!! NEVER AGAIN. I WORK TOO HARD FOR MY MONEY!!!
(1)Steve G.
WOW!!! and WOW!! Best Pizza Hands down. There I said it, I know it is a bold statement being from Chicago but this place is the real deal. Growing up in Chicago I inadvertently became a Pizza Snob. Some of the best Pizza's in the city come from these small local places. This place is no different, oh except for the fact that it is the best. Everything is made from scratch and it is family owned. Stop reading this and go there now
(5)Franny S.
OMG I get Louisa's cravings at least once a month if not more frequently. If I lived on the southside I'd probably be at least 15 lbs more to love because of this place. My order's the same every time but it's also delicious every single time, so why fix something that ain't broke? I always start with the Special Salad. It's perfect for two and it's got all my favorite salty italiano meats and cheeses in it. This salad gets destroyed. For reals. By the time the pizza arrives, the boyf and I have just made up from fighting over the last perfect bite of salami and lettuce and dressing and cheeeese. Two slices of a medium sausage at Louisa's and I'm usually ready to unbutton my jeans. It's not quite a deep dish and it's not really a thin crust either. It's something perfectly portioned in between. I find it to be most comparable to Pizzeria Uno and Due in the city. I believe there's a family connection there or something? Idk, I went on a pizza tour last summer but my belly was so full my brain energy wasn't functioning. Either way, I heart me some Louisa's.
(5)Jim P.
Great family-run restaurant. My in-laws an I were in from England visiting Chicago and found ourselves randomly on unfamiliar S. Cicero looking for some quality eats -- so glad we found Louisa's. Two of us had the pizza which was the best, no-nonsense Chicago-style pizza I'd ever had; two others had minestrone and bruschetta which was delicious and generous in size. I wish we would have had the past as it's made in-house and apparently gets rave reviews. The waitstaff and owner were super friendly, and the rest of the patrons seemed to be throroughly enjoying their food.
(5)John L.
I have dined here many times over the years. It was, and I say was, a pretty good place for pizza. However, the original owner passed away and a grandson is operating the restaurant. Quality has declined since he took over. The other day I ordered a pizza with extra tomato. This is not tomato sauce, but crushed canned tomatoes placed on top of the pizza. The pizza came and it was dry, cheese was not melted and the tomato was pretty sparse. I complained and was ignored. Now, usually the amount of crushed tomato on these pizzas is sufficient, but I like and paid more for extra tomato. I felt that I did not even get the normal amount. Cheese was visible over half of the pizza.Now, for 26 bucks for a large you should be satisfied. Well, I got no satisfaction. It will be a long time before I go there again, if ever. Seems the owner is more interested in counting his money then in satisfying long time customers.
(2)Susan M.
Loved Louisa's pizza. It's pan, they don't have thin crust -- and it's amazing... the light sauce, the sausage, delicious crust. Really, really great. All else was ok, Dad said meatballs were fresh and delicious, Italian sausage was decent as well - I think its homemade too. I'd stick to red sauce, pasta and pizza here -- it's what they do. They do it well. The service leaves much to be desired.... we didn't let it bother us - we didn't come here for exceptional service, we came for pizza.
(4)Joe M.
I have been a customer of Louisa's for 15 years. Go in there at least once a week. I love their pizza it the best of all Chicagoland . I think it is a great balance of flavors . I chatted many times with the owners, the always have been very nice to chat with. It seems Everyone knows each other there. I especially love the special salad. The pastas are all homemade. Have never tried the sandwiches that everyone is complaining about. But hey it is a pizza and pasta place.cant give 4 stars but darn close.
(4)Matt G.
The gold standard for Chicago-style pizza. The crust is so unique: buttery, flaky, crisp- it's sublime. The sauce is minimal, and works perfectly with the crust and toppings. Speaking of toppings- all you need here is sausage (the BEST sausage I have ever had) and fresh tomatoes. Unbelievable. You have my word on it.
(5)Julie O.
Wow. I really wanted to like this place. I wish I could say they were having a bad night. I wonder what happened that they have so many 4 and 5 star reviews and I can barely muster 1 star? We were seated rather quickly on a Saturday night. Then no one came. Like for quite a while. Well over 5 minutes, maybe even 10? Then the bartender walked over and asked what we would like to drink. I asked for a wine list. She replied that they did not have one, but that they had all the wines. All of them? Hmm. Not sure what that means. "Really?" I replied. "Oh yes", she said. "We have pinot grigio, merlot, cabernet, Chianti". "Oh", I replied, "what kind of Chianti do you have?" "I don't know" said the bartender, followed by "I can't remember." This should have been a red flag to not order wine, as the bartender did not know the brand on the one Chianti she had, but she offered to go look at the bottle. "Ernesto Gallo" she exclaimed as she came back to the table! I apologized and ordered the cab. My husband, wanting to avoid further drama, asked for a Makers Mark Manhattan. The bartender said she did have that and did not know how to make a Manhattan. "You are the bartender?" he asked. "Yes", she smiled proudly. Again, a clue that we should avoid the bar, but no, we are just not that smart. He the asked "what kind of bourbons do you have?". "Bourbon? I don't think we have that. Do you mean like Jack Daniels?" replied the now very confused looking bartender/server. "No, not Jack Daniels." They proceeded to walk around to the bar together to see what she had, that could be poured on the rocks as that was the competency level. As far as the food, we ordered the vesuvio wings as an appetizer. While they were meaty and not overcooked, there was no flavor there. We asked for bread, and the waitress told us that unless we both ordered entrees and not pizza plus an appetizer and two drinks, that the bread would be extra. We passed on the bread. Anyhow, the pizza was tasty and the crust was wonderful. Reminded me of Lou Malnatis. However, I was sick with a MSG headache within an hour of leaving the restaurant. Cheap pepperoni maybe? I can't be sure, but there is NO food out there worth that level of pain. The restaurant is a mom and pop shop and they have no computerized receipts. The servers write everything down and use an adding machine to get the total. The check came, and it seemed high. After trying to read the details on the carbon copy we received, we flagged down our server and asked if she made a mistake on the drinks. It looked like she charged us for 2 mixed drinks instead of 1. She stared and stared at it and said yes, that she did, BUT that she forgot to charge for the refill for the soda, so the difference was not what we thought it should be. Wow - you have fettuccini for over $20.00, yet you need to charge for soda refills that you offered and did not say there is a cost for that? I know you are located in the SW Burbs, but guess what - other restaurants have set the bar that refills on soda are free. Our server was very pleasant, the floors looked clean, but the Louisa's policy of socking it to the customer has cost them my business. Great job guys!
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