By Dan Morgridge

Chicago is hands down, one of the greatest pizza cities in the world. Whether it’s thin, thick, old world, new world, time-tested or totally insane, Chicago can offer it. To narrow the playing field, we’ve got a short list of Chicago’s best by-the-slice locations. Every one of these locations offers top-notch single-serving pizza offerings – of course, whether you can resist seconds is another matter…

Photo Credit: Santullo's

Santullo’s Eatery

1943 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 227-7960
Hours: Sun to Wed 11am-11pm; Thurs 11am-12am; Fri to Sat 11am-3am
Website & Reviews

Santullo’s can be easily lost in the pizza atmosphere – they’re only a couple doors down from award-winning pizzeria and brewpub Piece on North Ave. But while Piece’s New Haven-style pies and homemade brews are indeed a treat, sometimes you just need to pop in for a slice. And Santullo’s excels in slices. Their large thin triangles of regular cheese/pepperoni/sausage are tangy with grease and cracker-crunchy in the crust, and their daily specials offer nicely matched flavors that don’t fall back on gimmicks. Try the fire-roasted red pepper and feta cheese. It’s simple and divine.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Pizza Metro

1707 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 278-1753
Hours: Sun to Thurs 11am-1am; Fri to Sat 11am-3am
Website & Reviews

If you’re craving a thin slice, but want something a little more quality and a little less NYC, Pizza Metro keeps it as old school as anyone can ask of pizza. The Roman transplants running the shop keep it healthily adorned with soccer scarves and other memorabilia. Not that you’ll notice after you take the first bite – their large square-ish sections pack in the flavor with manageable grease. Branch out and try some of their unique offerings like the Romana (ham, onion, fresh oregano) or a slice of potato and rosemary.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Art of Pizza

3033 N. Ashland
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 327-5600
Website & Reviews

If you’re a true-blooded Chicagoan who wants to celebrate the most Chicago of all pizza styles (or if you’re just really hungry), then Art of Pizza is your destination for deep dish by the slice. Their award-winning pizzas are hearty, buttery, rich piles of cheese, sauce, and whatever toppings you can manage to make room for.

Photo Credit: Ian's Pizza

Ian’s Pizza

3463 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-4580
Website & Reviews

A complete and total departure from tradition, Ian’s is bar none the weirdest pizza in Chicago. Their signature slice is coated in a top-layer of mac n’ cheese, and that’s probably one of the tamer options. Chicken mashed potato with bacon? Can do. Rodeo Burger on a slice? Ian’s does it with steak, BBQ, cheddar and onion rings atop the slice. S’mores? Peach Cobbler? The pizza of your wildest dreams is not nearly as crazy as whatever Ian’s has on special this week.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

The Boiler Room

2210 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-5625
Website & Reviews

Logan Square has never been flush with pizza options, but The Boiler Room has set the stakes high for the neighborhood’s best pizza. With their fancy Roto-Flex oven, their slices come out with bubbling crust and cheese that’s singed to dark gold and brown. Their house slice has a sprinkling of giardiniera and a couple meatballs infused with PBR. Or get their popular “PB&J” special – a slice of pizza, a beer, and a shot of Jameson whiskey for $7.50. Just save room for dessert – whiskey-infused soft-serve.

Dan Morgridge is a writer from Chicago’s Ukranian Village. He hopes to acquire his certification in a pizza-expert program as soon as one is created.