"We aim to welcome customers into our restaurant as we'd welcome them into our own home."
Jasmin Bekto, Pizza Art Cafe Restaurant Manager / Head Chef
Our Most Recent Reviews
Read what others have said about us!
Metromix
This low-key Ravenswood eatery underwent a transformation in 2006; the former Middle Eastern cafe/deli morphed into a pizzeria with a few Middle Eastern offerings. Owners added an eight-foot wood-burning oven in the dining room, plus new front windows so you can see the oven from the sidewalk.
Although the Middle Eastern-pizza duo sounds like an odd combo, owner Jasmin Bekto, a Bosnian native, worked in a pizzeria in Milan before landing in Chicago. The handmade thin crust pies, which take about two minutes to bake in the 800-degree oven, are individual sized (about 12-inches). Pizza choices include the funghi with sliced mushrooms, parsley and garlic, and the Calabrese with tuna, anchovies, olives and extra virgin olive oil. The Middle Eastern offerings include cevapcici, ground beef sausages with pita, onion and feta cheese. Pasta, soups and salads also make the menu.
Centerstage
Every time I'm forced to eat chain-brand pizza at a party or after some late-night excursion when we shouldn't be driving and don't have the patience to wait an hour and a half for delivery, I feel like a real blasphemer. A heretic. Like I'm spitting in the face of all the masterful pizza-makers that have come before me, just because I happen to have a coupon for some sub-standard soulless hunk of bad bread and tasteless sauce.
When I find an unassuming, out-of-the-way place like the Pizza Art Cafe, I feel a little bit worse. Pizza Art Cafe is not your standard deep-dish or pan joint. Nor is it a loud, boisterous Italian-style place with rock and roll or swing standards on the stereo. A few tables, low lighting, and the scent of the wood-fired oven are all this small storefront has for ambiance. Although it doesn't need much more than that.
Chef/owner Jasmin Bekto has put together a neapolitan pizza place by way of Central Europe. Brick-oven pizza shares menu space with Adriatic specialties like cevapcici (beef sausages served in homemade pita) and pljeskavaca (beef patty in pita with cheese). Pizza selections include your standard margherita (mozzerella and basil) and the more daring Frutti di Mare (mixed seafood, herbs and mozzarella). My Napolitana came straight from the 800-degree oven, white-hot, super-thin and laden with super-salty anchovies, oregano, olive oil and tomatoes. Antipasti plates, white bean and chicken noodle soups and salads are available on the side.
When you consider how little you get in quality and quantity for a personal-sized Domino's pizza or a from-the-freezer specialty, the $10 average that Pizza Art charges seems cheap by comparison. Considering that it's just steps from the Rockwell Brown Line, it's worth a stop. Even taken to go, you can order, run across the street to the Time Out Bar or down to Rockwell's Grill for a drink, and then wander home with your meal. Just don't count on delivery; it's not an option.
Yelp reader reviews
By far one of my favorite restaurants EVER. It is the definition of a small, charming, family-run operation. Everything is made with care and impeccable skill, and it is OBSCENELY cheap. Seriously. Places like this pretty much restore my faith in humanity; if I can walk 3 blocks from my house and have one of the best meals of my life (every time) for an incredibly low price, and leave totally stuffed and completely satisfied- goodness abounds!
I always come here for a date with my honey because it's got such a romantic atmosphere, but I would also recommend it for groups and families. They seem to be pretty accommodating considering how small it is.
Make sure you try the bruschetta (one of the most amazing things to ever grace my taste buds, and I'm not usually a bruschetta person), and one of their pies with their house-cured meat on it. AMAZING. (Lauren L. 04/09/08)
Thank you Yelpers. I came here for my birthday dinner solely based on your reviews, and I was most impressed! Quite possibly my new favorite pizza place in Chicago... and it's BYOB!!
My experience: I started the day expecting 6 people for dinner and ended up with 17. It was insanity! I kept calling the restaurant and increasing my numbers; I felt so bad! I never expected them to be able to handle this crowd. The restaurant is small, so the fact they were able to reserve the space was impressive. They really went the extra mile to accommodate. The waitress was on top of her game despite the craziness. The food was delicious. The bruschetta lived up to your raving reviews. The prices were cheap. The atmosphere was quaint and warm. Love it, love it, love it! Even my parents were extremely impressed. Seriously, no body was in any rush to head to the bars, and everyone was pleasantly drunk after their bottles of wine. So much fun!
Thanks! (Emily P. 4/13/08)
At first I wished that Art's Cafe delivered, but it is a great place to discover, and one of those places worth eating. It's not fancy, but it's no pizza parlor either. The walls are decorated with art, the waitstaff friendly, and the booths are great. Oh, and it's BYOB, which is amazing. The first time I ate Art's pizza was in the form of leftovers at a friends house. It was some of the top pizza I'd ever had. Eating at the restaurant was suberb. Appetizers were also great, and while I rarely order desserts, I am so glad we did.
At the end of the night, I was full of pizza, dessert, and a bottle of wine, all for just $20 (inc. tip). (Molly P. 3/27/08)
I adore you Pizza Art Cafe, everything from the Bruschetta (can we say Feta and Garlic with fresh tomatoes on warm doughy bread for like 4 bucks!), to the Quatro Fomaggi, to the gotta have then later kick yourself Nutella Crepes (I know everyone has talked about the crepes), this place is wonderful. For three people we had PLENTY of food, and each walked out paying $10 a head. Not too bad for a Friday night. It's really cozy and the booths are super comfy. Yea the service is spacy, that's such a great way to put it but if you are in good company, you will not even notice. You go Art Cafe ;) (Desiree K. 3/11/08)
What people say about us
£40 Summer Pass – How does it work?
- Pick up your Summer Pass with The Sunday Times on July 19th or collect it from any PizzaExpress* restaurant from Monday July 20th (*excludes Jersey)
- To earn credits this summer, visit any PizzaExpress from July 19th to September 13th
- Each time you spend £40 or more, ask your waiter to swipe your Summer Pass
- After the 3rd swipe, we'll credit it with £40 (within 72 hours)
- Use the credit to treat yourself in any of our restaurants (until November 30th 2009)
- Click here to register your Summer Pass and automatically receive future offers and promotions, so you can get even more from PizzaExpress
- Sunday Times readers, click here to register your special pass from the paper, then, when your pass has been swiped three times, we'll top up your £40 credit by £10, giving you a total of £50 to spend in our restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a Summer Pass?
You can pick up a Summer Pass in any PizzaExpress restaurant, from Monday July 20th to Sunday September 13th.
My Summer Pass came with the Sunday Times: how do I get my bonus £10?
If your Summer Pass came with the Sunday Times, simply click here to register, and, when your pass has been swiped three times, we'll top up your £40 credit with a bonus £10, giving you a total of £50 to spend in our restaurants.
Do I need to register my Summer Pass online?
You don't have to register your Summer Pass online, but, if you do, we'll be able to issue you a new one if you lose it, and you'll also automatically receive future offers and promotions, so you can get even more from PizzaExpress.
Can I use my Summer Pass in conjunction with other promotional offers (e.g. 2for1 vouchers) or Tesco Restaurant Tokens?
Yes, the Summer Pass can be used at the same time as other offers or Tesco restaurant tokens. However, please note that your qualifying £40 spend will be after all other discounts have been applied to your bill.
If I visit PizzaExpress twice in one day can I get two credits?
Only one credit a day can be added to your Summer Pass.
If I visit PizzaExpress and spend £80, can I have two credits?
Only one credit a day can be added to your Summer Pass.
How can I check how many credits I have on my Summer Pass?
Click here and follow the instructions to check the number of credits on your pass. Alternatively, call the Summer Pass customer services line on 0845 605 6001, and they can help you.
How can I check if my pass has been loaded with £40 / £50?
To check how much credit has been loaded onto your pass, click here and follow the instructions. Alternatively, call the Summer Pass customer services line on 0845 605 6001, and they can help you.
How long do I have to wait for my pass to be loaded with my £40 / £50 credit?
Once your pass has been swiped three times, please allow up to 72 hours for it to be loaded with £40 (or £50, if you've registered a pass from the Sunday Times). Please check that the pass has been loaded with credit before you visit PizzaExpress to spend it!
To check how many credits you have, or to see if your pass has been loaded yet, please click here.
Do I need to use my £40 or £50 credit in one visit?
No, you can split the credit you redeem between visits: just remember to use all your credit before November 30th 2009.
Can I get a refund on my Summer Pass?
Sorry, we can't refund monies on a Summer Pass.
Can I top up my Summer Pass with additional cash?
Sorry, you can't top up monies on to your Summer Pass.
I've lost my Summer Pass but I hadn't earned any credits on it yet: what should I do?
You can pick up a new Summer Pass in any PizzaExpress restaurant until Sunday September 13th.
I had credits on my Summer Pass, but I've lost it: what can I do?
If you've registered your card online, we can send you a new one: simply call customer services on 0845 605 6001, and they'll transfer the credit and send you another pass. If you haven't registered it, customer services can still transfer the credit for you, as long as you have a PizzaExpress till receipt bearing your unique Summer Pass number.
My Summer Pass had been loaded with £40/£50, but I've lost it: what can I do?
If you have a PizzaExpress till receipt with your unique Summer Pass number printed on it, contact customer services on 0845 605 6001 and they'll transfer the credit and send you another pass.
I visited PizzaExpress recently and spent more than £40, so had my Summer Pass swiped but the credit hasn't been added to it: what should I do?
Please contact customer services on 0845 605 6001 and ask them to check your pass and issue you with another credit.
I've visited three times and had my Summer Pass swiped, but when I tried to use it to pay in PizzaExpress, no money was on it: what should I do?
If you'd made your 3rd qualifying visit less than 72 hours previously, it may be that your credit hadn't yet been loaded: if that's the case, please click here and follow the instructions to check that the monies are now on your pass. Alternatively, PizzaExpress customer services will be pleased to help you: please call them on 0845 605 6001.
Terms & Conditions
Restaurant version of pass
- Visit any PizzaExpress with your Summer Pass and spend at least £40 to qualify for one credit. (One qualifying credit per day.)
Please note that the £40 spend does not include optional gratuities left for your waiter or waitress.
Please note that your qualifying £40 spend will be after all other promotional discounts have been applied to your bill (including Tesco restaurant tokens)
- Each time you spend £40 or more with us and have your pass swiped, (20th July-13th September 2009 inclusive) you'll earn a credit: once you've earned three, we'll load your pass with £40 credit within 72 hours.
- You can use your £40 credit in any PizzaExpress restaurant, up to and including 30th November 2009 (any remaining credit will be cancelled on this date).
- Register your Summer Pass number online, and, even if you lose it, you won't lose your credits.
- Monies on your pass cannot be exchanged for cash, topped up, refunded or transferred onto a PizzaExpress gift card.
- To check the balance on your pass, or for other enquiries, please call 0845 605 6001. (Calls charged at local rate.)
- This offer excludes PizzaExpress Jersey, Gibraltar and Milano restaurants.
- This offer can be used in conjunction with other PizzaExpress promotions and is also valid on takeaway sales.
- The Summer Pass has a resale value of 0p
- The manager on duty will use their discretion where appropriate and their decision will be final.
Promoter Head Office: PizzaExpress, Hunton House, Highbridge Estate, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1LX.
Sunday Times version of pass
- Register your Summer Pass at www.pizzaexpress-summerpass.com.
- Visit any PizzaExpress with your Summer Pass and spend at least £40 to receive one credit. (One qualifying credit per day.)
Please note that the £40 spend does not include optional gratuities left for your waiter or waitress.
Please note that your qualifying £40 spend will be after all other promotional discounts have been applied to your bill (including Tesco restaurant tokens)
- Once you've earned 3 credits (19th July-13th September 2009 inclusive) we'll load your registered pass with £50 within 72 hours (including your £10 bonus as a Sunday Times reader).
- You can use your £50 credit in any PizzaExpress restaurant, up to and including 30th November 2009 (any remaining credit will be cancelled on this date).
- Monies on this pass cannot be exchanged for cash, topped up, refunded or transferred onto a PizzaExpress gift card.
- To check the balance on this pass, or for other enquiries, please call 0845 605 6001. (Calls charged at local rate.)
- This offer excludes PizzaExpress Jersey, Gibraltar and Milano restaurants.
- This offer can be used in conjunction with other PizzaExpress promotions and is also valid on takeaway sales and gift card purchases.
- The Summer Pass has a resale value of 0p.
- The manager on duty will use their discretion where appropriate and their decision will be final
Promoter Head Office: PizzaExpress, Hunton House, Highbridge Estate, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1LX.
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