The Celebrity-Owned Piece Brewery And Pizzeria Is One Of The Best Places To Grab New Haven-Style Pizza In Illinois
By Linze Rice|Published April 26, 2023
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Linze Rice
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Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Chicago is a majorly food-centric city, so much so that it has not only attracted celebrities to open their own restaurants, but it’s made celebrities out of many incredible chefs. The likes of Michael Jordan, Gordon Ramsay, and Stepanie Izard all have well-known dining establishments in the Windy City, but do you know where Dave Grohl likes to chow down when he’s in town? Hint: It’s this celebrity-owned pizzeria in Chicago, Illinois.
Piece Pizzeria & Brewery is located at 1927 W. North Ave. in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. You can spot the beloved spot by keeping an eye out for the metallic emblem in front of the red brick building.
Don't look for a large sign saying "Piece Pizzeria & Brewery" because there isn't one!
The open-air atmosphere is bright in the daytime and cozy at night, showcasing exposed beams, lattices, and gabled skylights with plenty of seating below.
The restaurant and brewery opened in 2001 and is co-owned by Rick Nielsen, guitarist for the legendary band Cheap Trick, which hails from Rockford. Neilsen joined co-owner Bill Jacobs in establishing the location in one of the city's most infamously live music-friendly neighborhoods. Shortly after opening, the brewery was featured on MTV's "Real World Chicago," adding another layer of fame to the pizza joint.
Piece specializes in New Haven-style pizza, defined in part by its thin crust and coal-fired cooking. While most pizza joints in Chicago cut their thin crusts "tavern-style" (also known as "party-style"), Piece goes for the classic triangular slice.
Those looking for something a bit lighter but still bursting with flavor should go for the Piece Green Salad, which tops field greens with grape tomatoes, red onion, sliced pears, cucumbers, candied pecans, and gorgonzola cheese. Pro tip: Add chicken for some yummy protein.
Come at the right time and you just might see Neilsen with some of his friends, like the Foo Fighters! Piece has had its share of celebrity sightings, especially when it comes to musicians.
