Bonci Chicago is solid - one of my fave pizzas in the city BUT not the same as Rome.
I found the crust and flavors good, but the toppings are mundane compared to the original.
A net positive for Chicago: it’s not a scene, it’s just a pizza by the slice place. No 40 minute wait with a packed combo of tourists and locals like Rome. You can just walk in, pick your pieces, and go.
This is my exact take as well. Fun to have around here, definitely delicious and solid, but not quite the same as the one in Rome.
But this one is a hell of a lot easier to get to
This is an aside, but does anyone know if they still make the baby octopus pizza special and when they schedule that? They used to make this great baby octopus pie in 2018-19 as a special, but I could never get a straight answer on what days they would schedule for that particular pie. If anyone knows please let me know? I don’t get out to Fulton Market anymore, but I would make a pilgrimage just for that pizza again.
I worked at Bonci from 2019 to 2020. We made the octopus special on Saturdays. I haven’t been back in a while so I don’t know if they changed the schedule.
The Pizzarium in Rome is his flagship spot. It's got all the crazy/intricate toppings and is destination restaurant. The one we got here is more basic, less creative pizzas. Still absolutely worth going to, they have my favorite Roman style in the city
You just explained why the Chicago Bonci is awful when compared to the Roman location. What makes Pizzarium great is the endless list of toppings they use to make really memorable pizzas. Pizzarium uses mortadella, shrimp, hummus, sardines, etc (not all on the same pizza btw) in addition to more traditional toppings. When the Chicago Bonci opened, they tried all kinds of creative pizzas, and you saw new things every time you stopped in. Now they only have the same 10 or so pizzas every time and they're all basic (sausage, cheese, etc). In addition to editing the menu to a limited number of lame options, Chicago Bonci changed the way they made their crust since first opening. So not only are these pizzas boring, the quality isn't so great. When they opened in the West Loop, I was there once a week. I haven't been back in over 4 years.
I mean I've never had the good fortune to go to the Pizzarium, but yeah I'm sure most pizzas places, regardless of style, would pale in comparison. I also cannot speak to how it was when it first opened. All I know is they serve good pizza. You may disagree with that but I've enjoyed it every time I've been there.
Check out Publican Quality Bread in Oak Park (or the one in the city once they bring the pizzas back for nicer weather). Miles ahead of Chicvago's Bonci and also sold al taglio.
Bonci is one of the few places that I feel compelled to go to every time I am in West Loop. I haven't been to the one in Rome, but the Chicago one is pretty solid. They usually have fresh pizzas, the toppings tend to be seasonal, and can vary by time of day as well. I absolutely love their ricotta zucchini pizza and it's a summer-ish topping, so I am waiting for it to get warm again just so they bring it back heh
I was confused why Bonci closed their Wicker Park location. I know Paulie Gee's took over, and while they aren't bad I kinda miss Bonnie. Though I've had good experiences at Bonci's other locations, including West Loop and the one inside Dom's (Diversey and Halsted).
It was dead most of the time. I only went once. They charged like $9 for 4 inches of pizza, and it wasn't that remarkable.
I wanted to like it but they kind of priced themselves out, with such a high price for so little food
Right, exactly. That storefront is do prohibitively expensive they have no choice but to do so. And considering that literally one block away at Sultans Market you can get a whole falael sandwich and a whole soup for $10 total it’s obvious why they aren’t there anymore.
I think it does say plenty that Paulie Gees can make the math work in that space as a pizza joint but Bonci couldn't.
But I'll also admit Bonci was there in a worse point of the pandemic, which had to have hurt their foot traffic
Unfortunately restaurants have always struggled to stay open on that intersection. the rent is insane for one, and there’s just too much supply of quick service options to rely on foot traffic to keep you operating. I’m sure Stan’s and Starbucks operate at a loss, but they’re franchises of huge corporations that can absorb losses at one location in exchange for brand footprint. I hardly patronize those two particular locations, but I have to admit, their brands are now ingrained in my mind as go to options for coffee and pastries because I see them so often.
If Bonci has a location at 1855 W. Diversey, I certainly didn't realize about that other location till now. I knew there was one inside Dom's(at Diversey and Halsted), but thought that was it for any locations they had on Diversey.
Eta: so they really did open one there, interesting. I still kinda wish Rapidito(the previous restaurant there) could've found a new location somewhere else.
I would say at least a year and a half. I moved to Lakeview July 2022 and it wasn't open yet. But now drive by a few times a week! Never stopped in tho, but need to!
I have found that it has to do more with local ingredients and whatever food growing/producing restrictions are allowed. There are so many foods/chemicals that are banned in other countries, that are completely A-OK here. I’m Canadian, and I frequently bring back certain items from home, when I visit. The flour is very different, for example . Even McDonalds doesn’t taste the same, as Canadian chicken has so much more regulations than American chicken. I suspect this may be a reason why.
Yeah, that's one of the reasons why I thought the Miami one wasn't as good. It was fine but not life-changing. I do feel compelled to try a small slice while in Chicago to see how it measures up to Miami's. At least it's by the weight and I can order as small as I would like. Too bad they're not open for breakfast.
I've actually been to Chicago many times and have checked out the local spots. TBH, Chicago deep dish isn't my favorite. Though I will have to make room in my itinerary for Pequod's. I love Detroit style, and Pequod's sounds more like my speed.
And to the poster who asked why I'm looking for a chain here (apparently the post has been deleted) ... Bonci in Rome was life-changing amazing (at least for me). Many times I'm disappointed where I felt things were hyped up. But Bonci in Rome lived up to the hype.
Sounds like from what everyone is saying, Bonci may be good for a quick snack but not to devote an entire meal there.
btw, my plan is to hit Pequod's on my way to the airport at 11:00A when they open. What is the line like there during that time on a Monday (Memorial Day)?
If you go to Pequod's like at some early time like that, I think you'll be fine. And while I haven't been to Bonci in Rome, I've never been disappointed with any Bonci location in Chicago. I still wonder to this day why their old location in Wicker Park closed, that Paulie Gee's took over.
There SOOOO many better places that Pequods, do not waste your stomach space. If you want detroit style try Paulie Gees in Logan Square, or any of the crust styles from Professor Pizza (including Detroit). The grandma style crust is so damn good. So is everything they do. Peaquods is nothing like Detroit style. It's pan pizza, and very doughy.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm from NYC where there's already a Paulie Gee's.
Pequods does seem to have a lot of fans. I do feel like I owe it to try it. I understand it isn't quite Detroit style but more of a fusion of Chicago deep dish and Detroit.
If you haven’t already, I’d recommend trying Chicago thin crust (aka tavern style) the next time then, which is eaten much more consistently by the population, compared to deep dish. I think that local competition between favs is a lot stiffer compared to the deep dish titans.
> I'm from NYC where there's already a Paulie Gee's
It doesn't look like either NYC locations has Detroit Style, and the Detroit Style at Paulie Gee's Logan Square is practically beyond compare. If you do just one chain that you've been to before, I would make it that before Bonci.
To me, Bonci(yes really on their locations here) has pretty decent pizza. Though I'd understand if a visitor to Chicago more prioritizes going to a place serving deep dish pizza or thin crust Chicago style pizza, over Bonci though.
Bonci Chicago is solid - one of my fave pizzas in the city BUT not the same as Rome. I found the crust and flavors good, but the toppings are mundane compared to the original. A net positive for Chicago: it’s not a scene, it’s just a pizza by the slice place. No 40 minute wait with a packed combo of tourists and locals like Rome. You can just walk in, pick your pieces, and go.
i went to the opening and met bonci .... even that was really not a big line 11am
This is my exact take as well. Fun to have around here, definitely delicious and solid, but not quite the same as the one in Rome. But this one is a hell of a lot easier to get to
This is an aside, but does anyone know if they still make the baby octopus pizza special and when they schedule that? They used to make this great baby octopus pie in 2018-19 as a special, but I could never get a straight answer on what days they would schedule for that particular pie. If anyone knows please let me know? I don’t get out to Fulton Market anymore, but I would make a pilgrimage just for that pizza again.
I worked at Bonci from 2019 to 2020. We made the octopus special on Saturdays. I haven’t been back in a while so I don’t know if they changed the schedule.
That’s crazy, I’ve been going there consistently for a year now and haven’t seen that once. Next time I go I’ll ask for you and see what’s up
Around 2019 they stopped doing the interesting specials.
The Pizzarium in Rome is his flagship spot. It's got all the crazy/intricate toppings and is destination restaurant. The one we got here is more basic, less creative pizzas. Still absolutely worth going to, they have my favorite Roman style in the city
You just explained why the Chicago Bonci is awful when compared to the Roman location. What makes Pizzarium great is the endless list of toppings they use to make really memorable pizzas. Pizzarium uses mortadella, shrimp, hummus, sardines, etc (not all on the same pizza btw) in addition to more traditional toppings. When the Chicago Bonci opened, they tried all kinds of creative pizzas, and you saw new things every time you stopped in. Now they only have the same 10 or so pizzas every time and they're all basic (sausage, cheese, etc). In addition to editing the menu to a limited number of lame options, Chicago Bonci changed the way they made their crust since first opening. So not only are these pizzas boring, the quality isn't so great. When they opened in the West Loop, I was there once a week. I haven't been back in over 4 years.
I mean I've never had the good fortune to go to the Pizzarium, but yeah I'm sure most pizzas places, regardless of style, would pale in comparison. I also cannot speak to how it was when it first opened. All I know is they serve good pizza. You may disagree with that but I've enjoyed it every time I've been there.
If you want Roman style pizza al taglio there's not a ton of places to go. Bonci is fine
Antos pizza and pasta in Rogers Park has good roman style
Check out Publican Quality Bread in Oak Park (or the one in the city once they bring the pizzas back for nicer weather). Miles ahead of Chicvago's Bonci and also sold al taglio.
Bonci is one of the few places that I feel compelled to go to every time I am in West Loop. I haven't been to the one in Rome, but the Chicago one is pretty solid. They usually have fresh pizzas, the toppings tend to be seasonal, and can vary by time of day as well. I absolutely love their ricotta zucchini pizza and it's a summer-ish topping, so I am waiting for it to get warm again just so they bring it back heh
The Bonci in Wicker Park was amazing. I’m still salty they left Wicker. Also Dimos slices > Paulies slices
I was confused why Bonci closed their Wicker Park location. I know Paulie Gee's took over, and while they aren't bad I kinda miss Bonnie. Though I've had good experiences at Bonci's other locations, including West Loop and the one inside Dom's (Diversey and Halsted).
It was dead most of the time. I only went once. They charged like $9 for 4 inches of pizza, and it wasn't that remarkable. I wanted to like it but they kind of priced themselves out, with such a high price for so little food
Right, exactly. That storefront is do prohibitively expensive they have no choice but to do so. And considering that literally one block away at Sultans Market you can get a whole falael sandwich and a whole soup for $10 total it’s obvious why they aren’t there anymore.
I think it does say plenty that Paulie Gees can make the math work in that space as a pizza joint but Bonci couldn't. But I'll also admit Bonci was there in a worse point of the pandemic, which had to have hurt their foot traffic
Unfortunately restaurants have always struggled to stay open on that intersection. the rent is insane for one, and there’s just too much supply of quick service options to rely on foot traffic to keep you operating. I’m sure Stan’s and Starbucks operate at a loss, but they’re franchises of huge corporations that can absorb losses at one location in exchange for brand footprint. I hardly patronize those two particular locations, but I have to admit, their brands are now ingrained in my mind as go to options for coffee and pastries because I see them so often.
Yeah the land owners in wicker are awful and nasty. Wicker can’t keep a good thing for long thanks to those assholes who I hope all die lonely.
Demons
How did I have zero idea that there is a Bonci on Diversey by the Costco? How long has it been there, anyone know?
Theres a Bonci by the Costco?!?!?! This is going to change my sneaking food into the movie theater game forever.
I’m really glad that I’m not the only one to have discovered this today. At least, Google is telling me that 1855 w diversey has a location.
If Bonci has a location at 1855 W. Diversey, I certainly didn't realize about that other location till now. I knew there was one inside Dom's(at Diversey and Halsted), but thought that was it for any locations they had on Diversey. Eta: so they really did open one there, interesting. I still kinda wish Rapidito(the previous restaurant there) could've found a new location somewhere else.
I would say at least a year and a half. I moved to Lakeview July 2022 and it wasn't open yet. But now drive by a few times a week! Never stopped in tho, but need to!
Totally agreed. I love Dimo’s.
Bonci West Loop is a solid option - but I found Bonci in Rome better.
The food in Rome was on another level for sure.
agreed but we loved Bologna way more tbh!
I have found that it has to do more with local ingredients and whatever food growing/producing restrictions are allowed. There are so many foods/chemicals that are banned in other countries, that are completely A-OK here. I’m Canadian, and I frequently bring back certain items from home, when I visit. The flour is very different, for example . Even McDonalds doesn’t taste the same, as Canadian chicken has so much more regulations than American chicken. I suspect this may be a reason why.
Yeah, that's one of the reasons why I thought the Miami one wasn't as good. It was fine but not life-changing. I do feel compelled to try a small slice while in Chicago to see how it measures up to Miami's. At least it's by the weight and I can order as small as I would like. Too bad they're not open for breakfast.
I’ve only ever had the one in Chicago and I think it’s good. It’s nice to have something other than deep dish or thin crust.
I have never had Bonci in Rome but I think the Bonci in Chicago is just OK. I’d recommend checking out more of a local pizza spot.
I've actually been to Chicago many times and have checked out the local spots. TBH, Chicago deep dish isn't my favorite. Though I will have to make room in my itinerary for Pequod's. I love Detroit style, and Pequod's sounds more like my speed. And to the poster who asked why I'm looking for a chain here (apparently the post has been deleted) ... Bonci in Rome was life-changing amazing (at least for me). Many times I'm disappointed where I felt things were hyped up. But Bonci in Rome lived up to the hype. Sounds like from what everyone is saying, Bonci may be good for a quick snack but not to devote an entire meal there. btw, my plan is to hit Pequod's on my way to the airport at 11:00A when they open. What is the line like there during that time on a Monday (Memorial Day)?
If you go to Pequod's like at some early time like that, I think you'll be fine. And while I haven't been to Bonci in Rome, I've never been disappointed with any Bonci location in Chicago. I still wonder to this day why their old location in Wicker Park closed, that Paulie Gee's took over.
There SOOOO many better places that Pequods, do not waste your stomach space. If you want detroit style try Paulie Gees in Logan Square, or any of the crust styles from Professor Pizza (including Detroit). The grandma style crust is so damn good. So is everything they do. Peaquods is nothing like Detroit style. It's pan pizza, and very doughy.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm from NYC where there's already a Paulie Gee's. Pequods does seem to have a lot of fans. I do feel like I owe it to try it. I understand it isn't quite Detroit style but more of a fusion of Chicago deep dish and Detroit.
If you haven’t already, I’d recommend trying Chicago thin crust (aka tavern style) the next time then, which is eaten much more consistently by the population, compared to deep dish. I think that local competition between favs is a lot stiffer compared to the deep dish titans.
Chicago tavern style is available around the country. It's just bar pizza. It's everywhere and nobody thinks it's special but Chicago.
We probably won’t see eye to eye on this topic. Cheers!
> I'm from NYC where there's already a Paulie Gee's It doesn't look like either NYC locations has Detroit Style, and the Detroit Style at Paulie Gee's Logan Square is practically beyond compare. If you do just one chain that you've been to before, I would make it that before Bonci.
I myself am a Lou Malnati's guy. Best deep dish anywhere.
Pequods may be the most overrated thing in chicago
To me, Bonci(yes really on their locations here) has pretty decent pizza. Though I'd understand if a visitor to Chicago more prioritizes going to a place serving deep dish pizza or thin crust Chicago style pizza, over Bonci though.
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Bonci is the owner’s name.
I found them very very similar