If you're visiting Chicago a must have is of course “Deep Dish”. Shoot, to be honest, I live here and it's a consistent must have. Show up hungry because a couple of slices can put you in a food coma. One pizza parlor that flies under the radar is “Pizzeria Ora” at the Best Western in River North. The restaurant is known for its casual dining and their social and kind bartenders. Show up during the lunch special (Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm) and you can get a 9-Inch Thin Crust or 6-Inch Deep-Dish Pizza 2 toppings, and soup or salad: $.49 +tax. Not a bad deal, eh? The menu doesn't stop at pizza. There's also a handful of salad options, and plenty of pasta. A decent amount of fish menu items including shrimp and Atlantic salmon. If you have room leftover after pizza there's some decadent dessert options such raspberry cheesecake, velvet cake, or a rich chocolate mousse pie. On the beverage side there's a complete bar with a plethora of options. Over 25 beer options, craft drinks, or wine by the glass or bottle. Local Chicago breweries Revolution, Goose Island, and LaGrow Organic Breweries are on the list. One guest described to a bartender so sociable it reminded the of the show “Cheers.” Definitely better to go to a place “where everybody knows your name” or at least one kind soul behind the bar instead of sit in awkward silence. Chicago is notorious for having stellar deep dish pizza. “Pizzeria Ora” at Downtown Best Western in River North is definitely a gem working exploring!
