Pauly’s Pizzeria

I really like Pauly’s, but their pizza’s just don’t cut it, there’s some kind of burnt flavor that just sits in your mouth for a few hours. The calzones are much better, but still don’t feed my crave for pizza. It’s almost like they try to skimp out on butter/​oil/​sauces and you essentially get a piece of toast with cheese.
Service is about the only thing I like about Pauly’s, the online ordering, the staff are friendly, and the food is fast. I think several places in the South Loop should take note.
I feel like I’m in some kind of space ship at Pauly’s. Its very metallic in there… maybe close off the back a bit, but Pauly’s feels cold and the tables don’t help the situation much better.

It’s really hard to mess up a basic pizza but Pauly’s have done it! I would happily choose any off-​brand frozen pizza over this. Crust, sauce, and cheese were almost totally flavorless. My husband, who is a grateful person and never complains abut food, was really pissed off that our late night pizza run resulted in cardboard. I was too. Then I made the mistake of putting the leftover slices in the fridge and the next morning they were even worse. Inedible, really. Also, the hot wings weren’t spicy or flavorful or even sauced well. I never say no to hot wings but I guess there’s a first time for everything.

Had a Big Meaty Calzone and it was magnificent. The abundance of protein with hearty zesty pizza sauce really electrified my taste buds… So good I’ll definitely be back… oooh the staff was really attentive for a pizza joint!

Went in for a snack about 7 one night. Got an order of the garlic knots. Good quality and quality. A little too much butter (they were served with a large amount of butter on the bottom of the plate), but was otherwise very good. Good service too.

I waited to post this review so that I could try Pauly’s a few times before making an assessment. I probably frequent this place about once a week now for several reasons. First, it’s just good traditional by-​the-​slice pizza. Not reinventing the pie here. Pauly’s appeals to the masses. I’ve taken friends who are visiting here from different parts of the country and they all enjoyed it. You can walk in, order a slice for $ 3-​$ 4, wait 10 minutes, and go on your way. One «slice» is actually a monstrous two pieces (see picture for scale to plate). Don’t go in expecting a standard New York style flimsy pizza. This is just thick enough that you can eat one handed without all the toppings fall on to the floor. Being that Toppers is a few doors down, this is a much better substitute for the value and taste, and they’re open late on the weekends. This is a convenient and quick stop after the bars or late night munchies. You really can’t go wrong here, no surprises. The team consistently puts out delicious fresh slices. Check them out if you’re in the neighborhood.

Walked by this place and decided to give it a try. Wish that we did not and walked next door to Jimmy Johns instead like we originally planned. We ordered a slice of the cheese pizza and the loaded pizza. We decided to try the chicken tenders, garlic knots, italian beef sandwich, and waffle fries. I can’t recall the last time I ate so much junk fried food. We were all hurting, but it was paid for and we were starving. The pictures look nothing like the end result. The place is small, and operated with one person at the register that also did the cleaning around.
I can see this place as a hangout spot for kids to chat. Not a fan of the food. Sorry.

I had the vegetarian pizza, ate in the restaurant, and it was good, cheese good texture and the pizza had a good flavor. It is inexpensive.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. I’m 79, have mobility problems, and staff members helped me to get around.

Terrible pizza (thick dough + tomato topping with very little cheese) in the name of deep dish. Not recommended! Will not return!

This place had been recommended by a friend. I was really looking forward to trying a new place. The person taking the order seemed distracted and I had to repeat myself several times. The pizza was 35 minutes later than the hour to hour and a half they told me it would take.
When it arrived it was slightly warm, runny and the cheese had slid to one side. Ordered three pizzas, two dish and one regular. The regular had the wrong ingredient and tasted like the cardboard box it sat in. Very disappointed. Will not order again.

Ordered the Garbage pizza and the breadsticks tonight. The pizza was ok. It was definitely NOT New York style, which is how they advertise the pizza. This just the typical Chicago style cracker like thin crust.
The breadsticks were nothing to write home about. If you have had the New York brand breadsticks from the frozen section of the grocery store, that is exactly what these were. For $ 4 for 4 breadsticks I expected something better.

Pizza needs a recipe change. Sometimes I’ll get a nice fat slice and sometimes I’ll get a little sliver. Needs a thicker layer of cheese and a less slapped-​together tomato sauce. If this place had slightly lower prices it would be an even more popular joint than it already is

I ordered from here on a Saturday night wanting to try something different. I had the garbage pizza which was really great. Fresh ingredients, flavorful sauce and good thin crust. The delivery was really quick. I would definitely order from here again.

Came here because we didn’t want to wait at the crazy line at Lou Malnatis. Wasn’t let down. The pizza was delicious, affordable, and prompt. Would definitely come back again.

Ordered a pepperoni pizza for delivery while visiting. It was a pretty typical greasy pizza. What we were expecting and it was good for that.

This is the one place my roommate and I can always count on for a big amount of food for a low price. We always order cheese fries and cheese pizza and our total is under $ 7.
The only time we had a bad experience (which is why I’m giving them 4 stars instead of 5) was when we came in at 11:15 (they were supposed to be open til 12 that night) and the manager on duty said they were closed. The cook was listening and said to him that he would make us a cheese pizza, and the manager straight up said no and was very rude. So we said we would just go next door then to toppers, which was when he all of the sudden acted super nice and said he would make us pizza. We ended up leaving anyways because the situation pissed us off.
All in all, it’s good food for a good price and most of the people who work there are very nice. The cook ALWAYS is, and most of the time brings our food to the table instead of calling our names. The fries have always been hot and fresh, and the pizza is as well.

I read some of the reviews before trying this place and they’re all over the place. I recalled one saying it was on par with the best of NYC slices or something like that. I found that odd after trying this place out. I’m sorry, and taste is definitely subjective, however I found this pizza to be worst than that of the worst I’ve had in NYC, and I’ve had more NYC pizza then I care to admit to.
Something about the cheese, it’s waxy, and has a strange consistency to it. The crust was crisp, you can’t fold it, NYC pizza you fold that sh*t. The crust would have been great as a typical Chicago style party cut pizza if it only had some flavor and good toppings.
Friendly enough staff though, I’d come back if I were in the area, needed food quick, but I’d get something else. If you think this is NYC pizza, I have to ask if you’ve been there, or are you going by what someone told you? Because this is NOT NYC pizza

A friend and I went in to grab a quick slice to warm up after a documentary screening in the South Loop.
It was my first time here, so I opted for a simple cheese (as did she). I always figure when trying out new pizza places that if the joint can’t do their simple cheese slices right, I probably shouldn’t expect much better from their other ‘gourmet’ pizzas.
While the slice was cheap ($ 3.50ish including tax), unfortunately this was the most bland pizza I’ve had. No sweet acidity of the sauce, nor was there the salty richness of the cheese. This slice had me thinking that my taste buds had become dull. But my friend agreed. And no pizza has ever made either of us girls feel that way.
I probably won’t be returning, especially with better options so close by.

The Popeye and Garbage pizza are my favorite slices of pizza here! I haven’t tried the other kinds of pizza, though, because I don’t know if their simplicity is worth the $ 4/​slice.
The fountain drink machine is self-​serve and it’s rather expensive (and not worth it) for 1 person to drink while eating there so I would order 1 cup and share it with 1 other person.
The staff is friendly. Restroom is available for customers — it’s nothing fancy, just a toilet and a sink and maybe a hand dryer or paper towels.
It’s a great snack place.

I loved this place in high school and I love this place now. The pizza is amazing and they have some delicious & unique flavors like the Malibu (Parmesan cheese & grilled chicken) which is my personal fav.
The staff is friendly I just don’t enjoy sitting in the actual restaurant. The atmosphere is a bit unwelcoming. It feels as though you’re not allowed to linger once you’re done with your food.
Simple solution: take your pizza to go and enjoy it in the comfort of your home!

I’m not sure where some folks are getting their information, but this is not New York pizza. it doesn’t say anything like that on their website nor does that seem to be advertised anywhere inside. I’m from NY, and I can tell you right now that this is NOT NYC pizza. If you’re looking for NYC pizza, check out Café Luigi in Lincoln Park.
With that little rant out of the way, my wife and I stumbled upon this place walking home, and thought we’d give this place a shot. We were a little desperate, and I really should have waited for something better. I looked at the menu and saw that slices were basically $ 4 and up. Are you kidding me? Thin crust pizza slices? One topping?
Decided to order a sausage to go, and was happy to see that they at least put the slice in a air-​filled bag so the cheese doesn’t stick to the bag. Thoughtful at least!
So how did it taste? Well the sauce was nicely seasoned and had a good tomato flavor, but the crust and dough was hard like cardboard. It’s a shame this place couldn’t manage a better dough for this sauce and cheese. It would do wonders for the taste.
If you’re in a bind, this place will work in a pinch. Got more time and open to something appealing for your taste buds? Please stick to what works in Chicago — deep dish. I can count the number of places that do a decent thin crust (not NYC style, but a Chicago thin crust) and this is not one of them.