Barnaby’s Family Inn

Steep pricing for average pizza! Everyone always hypes up this pizza joint so I decided to give it a try. I placed an order for carry out with pepperoni, sausage, onions and green peppers. The pizza was timely made and very hot when I picked it up. They were out of large boxes so the women split the pizza into two small containers. When I got home, I noticed the pizza slices were roughly placed into the box and several slices had toppings that were knocked out. Super annoying to spend $ 27 on pizza slices thrown around.
In regards to the pizza, it was mediocre. Of course there’s no such thing as bad pizza but it was nothing memorable. The crust was thin but almost too thin. Many of the the slices were limp and the cheese lacked flavor.
Not horrible pizza but there are better choices in the vicinity.

Food was sub-​par and it seemed like every single employee was working his or her first shift ever… with no training.

BEST PIZZA IN TOWN!!! They have a buy one get one pizza free every Monday WHAT A STEAL AM I RIGHT LADIES? Love this place I highly recommend it’s the best!!!

DELIVERY REVIEW
I would but this pizza as average. The crust is really good — it’s super crispy and thin and has a braided crust that somehow manages to still be really thin and crunchy. I think there’s parmesan in there. The sauce and toppings are just ok.
Delivery ended up being kind of expensive, though, for what you get. 2 14 inch pizzas with 1 topping each came up to almost $ 50. Outrageous.

Only my 3^rd 5 star review ever. A well done cheese pizza with a basket of fries and beer would be my death row meal. The staff is great — they stay out of your way and treat you like a normal person should want to be treated. I cannot heap enough admiration and praise on them for their customer service. The décor and lighting in the place is 1^st rate too. I love emerging from a midday Barnabys session and being temporarily blinded by the harsh sunlight outside. But really, since Armands on Grand Ave closed, Barnabys has by default become the best pie in Chicago. The cornmeal and braided crust is just incredible. Where ever they get their ingredients from is killer. Great spot for families, alcoholics, couples, people jaded by life — all are welcome here. This is probably my favorite restaurant. So consistent– times and circumstances may change, but lets hope Barnabys stays itself forever. My kind of place.

I grew up going to the Barnaby’s location in Arlington Heights. It was a high school hangout and it’s fair to say that I ate it dozens of times. Last night we tried the location on Caldwell in Niles and while the taste wasn’t horrible, this pizza is NOTHING like that available in Arlington Heights. And this particular pizza of last night, a LARGE cheese, sausage, pepperoni & bacon pie, cost $ 23.50. At the Arlington Heights location the Sausage pizza in a LARGE costs $ 12.70 and each additional ingredient is $ 1.00. Our total would have been $ 14.70, not $ 23.50. Furthermore, there was NO bacon on our pizza but we paid for it.
I used to really like the pizza at Barnaby’s. It was cheesy and had plenty of sausage, and the crust was one of the strengths. The crust was very thin and limp, nothing at all like that which makes up the crust at the Arlington Heights location to this day. It is fair to say that we won’t be ordering from Barnaby’s in Niles again. There are just far better choices available for that kind of money, namely Lou Malnati’s, Caruso’s Pizza or even Rosati’s. We were really very disappointed. On top of all this, we were told that delivery was not available unless we ordered through Grub Hub. What a crock that is!

This place is just how I remember it ten years ago! Their pizza tastes even better than how I remember it, too! Their braided crust is crisp and their ratio of cheese & marina to toppings is perfect– mama likes.

If you don’t care to wait a little bit the pizza is well worth it. The best thin pizza in the Chicago land area. The crust and hoe crisp the pizza separates them from others. The sauce is great as well. Larry the owner is the man!

For me the pizza is OK, not too spectacular. Everyone has different taste for pizza, some like pizza from this place some don’t.
This review will mostly focus on the service. I came in for a pickup one evening for the first time. There were 2 slightly older/​middle aged ladies (blonde and brunette) that worked there talking to each other at the register.
To make a long story short, the only time they stopped chit-​chatting with each other was to ask me what I needed. Upon paying they never looked at me nor said thank you, they just continued conversing to each other throughout the whole time. Felt very disrespected, if that’s how they treat their customers, it is a wonder how this establishment survived this long, must be the pizza?
Those 2 ladies should take a look at themselves in the mirror if they thought that their behavior was appropriate, when they look at the mirrors, they should see how rude of human beings that they are, and hope that every time they look in the mirror, they will remember this review. Ahh, they probably don’t care, and if they don’t care or don’t sincerely improve, then they are surely indecent human beings.
I really hate giving bad reviews. Needless to say this place disappointingly earned one star and I will not be coming back. I will spend my hard-​earned money somewhere else.

There is nothing really positive for me to say here whatsoever. It was costly, flavorless, and without any regard for the patrons there. One person taking orders for food then running to the bar for drinks? Napkins and utensils etc. that were not proper either. Ever try cutting a thin crust pizza with a plastic knife? No one asked us how we liked our pizza. Why should they since our money was already spent. Not a pizza worth going for again. Amazed they have been in business so long. Not at all crowded which was a sign I should have seen coming.

I had driven past Barnabys for several years. I’ve had their pizza I think I’m the past… Leftovers I think a few years ago. Today we made a U turn just to eat some pizza. This choice was totally on predicted. The retro feel was really cool. Authentic. The service was friendly too. We appreciated the warm cozy feel. About the pizza — there are several types of crust and I’m fond of NY style pizza. This crust is similar to hand tossed but a little more on the buttery side. Not too thin and not to thick. But what I loved most were the really tasty toppings. Excellent sausage! The sauce was not watery and not overly sweet. Definitely not canny.
We are only pizza and that’s fine. I think this is a tasty pizza joint with an authentic vibe.

First off I’m serious about my pizza. I won’t waste your time about décor and service. Because let’s be serious, it’s all about the pizza.
It’s foot ball Sunday and I pull into the lot, my car was the only one there. I walk inside I was one of two customers. Red flag
Pizza:
–Toppings: ok /​average
–Cheese: ok /​average
— Sauce: lacking /​bad — not flavorful, dull, bland
— Crust: (braided crust), gimmicky, doesn’t do anything special ok /​average
Conclusion:
I’m new to the area and do a lot of research before I get a pizza. This pizza doesn’t make the grade or D– at best. Nothing personal against them — Like I said I’m serious about pizza and don’t like waisting my time.

The only reason for the 2 stars is the pizza itself is good.
The service here is unbelievably terrible. I have never felt so uncomfortable ordering or sitting in a restaurant before. The woman at the register would not take our drink orders (soda, not alcohol) and told us to go pay cash at the bar. The man behind the bar was extremely rude. He barked at me when I asked for Dr. Pepper, «I don’t have Dr. Pepper»…ok, sorry you’re out?
While waiting for our pizza to be ready, my 2 (well behaved) little girls (ages 4 and 2) were entertaining themselves by running around our booths. Normally I would *never* let my kids run around in a restaurant, but the nearly empty «FAMILY» Inn, where I’ve been plenty of times before and have witnessed fun and laughter among families of all ages, is the kind of place that this can happen. Or so I thought. The restaurant was practically empty, and the booths that did have patrons were happily smiling and waving at my kids. The kids weren’t yelling, screaming, being loud, etc. Just passing time while waiting.
The man behind the bar told us to have the kids sit down, as this is a restaurant.
I had them sit, just to be polite, but c’mon. Seriously? If the place were busy or if they were being obnoxious or disruptive in any kind of way, believe me, I’d understand.
Next up, our cheese fries were ready. Well, our fries. Our number was called so I went up to the counter to get them, and the woman said they were still looking for the cheese. A minute later, the guy from behind the bar handed me a basket of fries and said «I can’t find the cheese». No apology, no offering of ketchup or maybe even another app.
We ended up just taking our pizza to go. Felt like that rude man from behind the bar was staring us down the whole time we were there.
With all of the options for restaurants out there, it’s a shame these workers make people who do come feel unwelcome, especially when business was slow. I don’t need a waitress, I’m happy to go up to a counter and order, and heck, I can even walk over to the bar to place a separate «cash» order for drinks… but don’t make me feel like the jerk just for showing up.

The food is good: pizza, fast food, cheap. You will definitely get a lot of food and you will be full. I got a burger with french fries. You can’t beat the prices, it is really cheap. I would come back for the food.
The restaurant is large with lots of seating and full of families and children. Televisions are all around the restaurant so you can watch the game. There is also a bar in the front. It is very loud on a busy night, but I love that type of relaxed, family atmosphere. The restaurant itself is nice, open and a very casual place to enjoy time with your family.
However, the evening I came in, service was very poor. I went on a Monday when it was overcrowded due to a special deal on pizzas. I wanted to order the pizza, but apparently they ran out of dough, and a long line of irritable customers were waiting for their pizzas. I was told they were half an hour behind. You order your food at the front and pick it up to bring to your table after they call out your number. One female employee told me to stand over to the side and then had me wait for 20 minutes while she finished the pizza orders. Several male employees would look at me and not say anything. I would try to get their attention several times but they would ignore me. One male employee looked right at me as I kept saying, «Excuse me, can you please help me?» He looked right at me, answered the phone, looked at me again and then continued to ignore me as I kept trying to politely get his attention.
I said to my friend, «Okay whatever I will try to get an iced tea.» So I tried walking over to the bar to order an iced tea and the female employee standing at the bar looked right at me as I was walking towards her, goes over to talk to her friends as I am waiting to order, and then comes back behind the bar and then takes my order. Then she said,“We don’t take credit cards at the bar.” So we walked back to the other line and I paid there. I suppose I came in on a bad day but I wouldn’t go back for their service.
Perhaps the restaurant should use another cash register to alleviate the long lines, carry enough ingredients, and staff more employees so they are not so overwhelmed. The employees seemed frazzled and irritable, and the customers were polite and patient but clearly irritated at the service.
I was very disappointed. I love the atmosphere of the restaurant and I really wanted to like the place. Maybe next time I will go on a less busy night, hopefully the service will be better.

Popped by Barnaby’s cherry yesterday afternoon.
For years, I’ve asked my wife to check out this place with me and was taken in by the 70’s ambiance.
You walk in, find a table, get settled and wait. Actually you don’t.
You then go up to the counter, order the food and wait for it.
That’s pretty much it.
We had a large sausage pizza and it really reminded me of Home Run Inn.
Buttery light, thin crust with lots of cornmeal on the underside.
Sauce was pretty tomato-​y, it didn’t taste watered down or was too think.
Sausage was seasoned, big chunks all over.
I think we’ll be back!

I love barnabys! I can’t understand the low reviews for the service… Ummm this is an extremely limited service place. You order your pizza and your drink from a counter and that’s pretty much the extent of your interaction with the service.
The pizza is so good. I don’t know what they do to their crust, but it’s always so so good!!! The braided crust is almost like a beer crust or something, whatever the recipe is, it’s awesome.
I like the simplicity of the restaurant. No bells and whistles, no need to bend over backwards for needy guests, just good old fashioned, you like it come back, you don’t, don’t!
I happen to think the workers are great. They add to the rustic charm of the place.
We love you barnabys!!! Don’t ever conform!

I’ve accepted the disorganized and inconsistent service in exchange for BOGO pizzas on Monday nights. I can’t help myself.

TRADITION
I have been coming here since I was a little child. It is my Dad’s favorite pizza, so when he is in town we still come here. Recently it was his birthday and this is where he wanted to eat, so we packed up the family and headed out for dinner.
I was amazed at how crowded this place was for the day after Thanksgiving. I figured everyone would be at home eating cold turkey sandwiches but that was not the case.
When you arrive here you place your order at the front counter and then wait for your number to be called. It is really funny because the guy calling the numbers tonight was getting his whole mouth into the microphone. It sounded like a bad drive thru speaker. I am not sure how anyone knew what number he called.
While we were waiting for our pizzas I took my little one to the window to watch the cooks make pizzas. She loved it. I was a little bored but I remember when I was a child I was fascinated with this process. It’s probably because I’m older and I love to cook. I really want to get back there and make my own pizza.
We usually get a couple of combo baskets of fried mushrooms, cauliflower & zucchini. My Dad loves these but I think they are just terrible. I’m a fan of the pizza here. I wouldn’t recommend ordering these because they are not going to win any culinary awards.
I’ve seen other people order sandwiches but they never look great to me. So I can’t recommend anything else here besides the pizza. We ended up getting 4 different pizzas for our party. I was able to taste the pepperoni & black olive and the sausage. Both were really good but I liked the pepperoni & black olive a lot more. Which is kind of funny because my Dad kept asking who ordered that pizza. It was my little girl. My Dad doesn’t like change much, so we typically order the same pizzas every visit. As a child my Dad only ordered sausage as a topping and that was it. I thought it was cute how the little one could bring a little change to the table. I know that when we eat here again my Dad will make sure to order the little one her favorite pizza. He is a good grandpa like that and doesn’t forget.
If you’ve never had a pizza here then you are in for a unique treat. I love the crispy crust. I wish I knew how to twist the dough to make the braided crusts on their pizzas. If my wife leaves her crusts I immediately eat them. Yeah they are that good. The crust is golden in color with a perfect crispy crunch. It is buttery with a corn meal grit to it. No other pizza place in Chicago makes a crust like this.
I hope that this location stays in business forever. At one time Barnaby’s had almost 40 locations. They were even purchased by Bally’s who had planned to add arcades to all of the locations but this never happen. I have seen other locations close over the years but I would be sad to see this one go because it has become a family tradition. It has been open for over 4 decades and we are on our third generation of out family eating here. So this place is more then just a pizza place, it is part of our lives.

I’ve been coming here since the ’70’s and continue to when I really want a good extra thin crispy pizza!
It’s pretty much a self service joint where you wait in line to place your order and then wait for your number to be called to pick up your order. The drinks come from the bar and the appetizers and pizza from the food line.
Their appetizers are nothing special to speak of and they serve the usual fare like garlic bread, cheesy bread, mozzarella sticks etc, but come here for the pizza!
The only thing I don’t like is there are no large tables for the entire family, rather you sit in booths next to each other, side by side if you are more than 4 people.

I’ve been here a few times over the years with friends and headed here recently to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
The place was pretty busy, as it was prime dinner time on a Saturday night. We walked in and saw our large party toward the back. They had reserved quite a number of tables in one general area so that we could all sit together. Even so, the booths are small, made for only 2 or 4 people, so talking to more people than fit at the table was a challenge. There are no chairs to pull up for others to join a table.
Still, the food came out quickly and was tasty. We started with onion rings (my favorite), which were perfectly fried up, garlic bread, and fries (they needed salt). Then, not too much later, the pizzas came out. They ordered three kinds — cheese, pepperoni, and sausage. I stuck to the pepperoni and was pleasantly surprised at how much pepperoni was on the pizza. The pizza was well cooked (not overdone), and there was ample cheese. My only complaint is that I felt it was a little on the greasy side. Still, it’s a good choice for thin, braided, cornmeal crusted pizza.
There are also sandwiches, but I didn’t have one.
They do serve alcohol, though don’t expect a huge selection. We had beer, but there are a few wine and mixed drink choices. The alcohol prices are cheap — even on a Saturday. I think a rum and coke was $ 5 and Leinenkugel’s was a little over $ 3.
I will be back with friends, but I’m not sure I’d make this place a destination place for pizza.