The chefs at Spizzico Pizza and Pasta have pizza making down to a science, cooking their famous Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas for precisely 45 minutes and only shortening the baking time by special request. Patience pays off at this pizza joint, where stuffed pizzas bake until the outside browns lightly and the cheese inside is warm and gooey, and veggie pies come adorned with such savory toppings as fresh garlic, ricotta, and artichoke hearts.

If pizza isn't your thing, though, there are plenty of other items on the menu, including a four-cheese lasagna, and linguine tossed with calamari in a homemade sauce. In addition, more than a dozen tossed salads offer fresh, flavorful alternatives or places to hide the last slice of garlic bread.