One Illinois pizza kitchen has been feeding hungry diners since 1926. Another started slicing thin-crust pies in 1932. I love knowing that some of these ovens have been fired up for nearly a century.
The styles surprised me even more than the birthdays. There’s a regional style named after a cluster of river cities. There’s a dining room built around a Leaning Tower theme.
There’s even a pizzeria with tin ceilings and a 1920s look that feels like a time machine with cheese.
What ties them together is the drive. These are pies worth putting real miles on the car, and the map stretches nearly the length of the state. Some even send pizza out a drive-through window.
Writing about them made me ridiculously hungry. I’m already debating which road trip comes first. Thin crust or deep pan?
I honestly can’t pick, so maybe I won’t have to.
1. Harris Pizza #1
Some cities get a famous skyline. The Quad Cities got their own pizza style, and this Rock Island spot serves it with serious pride.
Quad City-style pizza starts with a crust that turns crisp outside with a slight chew. The sausage comes finely ground and spread wide, so it shows up in nearly each bite.
Then comes the cheese, and there’s a lot of it. Real mozzarella blankets the toppings and sits on a flavorful sauce that pulls the pie together.
It’s the sort of pizza that justifies an hour in the car. In western Illinois, a Harris pie is reason enough to plan a detour.
The menu stretches past the classic sausage pie, too. You’ll find creative toppings, sandwiches, and a full vegetarian menu for anyone skipping meat.
Ordering is straightforward, whether you’re picking up pizza for the road or arranging a meal for a group. Check current dine-in availability before making the restaurant your planned sit-down stop.
Friday evening is the busiest stretch, and the restaurant doesn’t take reservations. Want a calmer visit? Wednesday and Thursday late mornings tend to be quieter.
Can’t stay long? Curbside pickup, takeout, and delivery are options, and catering can bring the pies to your next party.
Doors open at 11 AM daily. Closing time is 8:30 PM Monday through Thursday, 9 PM Friday and Saturday, and 8 PM Sunday.
Clean tables and quick turnarounds make this an easy pick for lunch alone or dinner with a group. Kids get their own menu, so the youngest pizza critics are covered too.
Address: 3903 14th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201
2. Lino’s | Italian
Pisa might be thousands of miles away, but its famous tilt shows up on Rockford’s east side. Lino’s leans into Leaning Tower-inspired decor, and it’s a fun backdrop for dinner.
Rockford has its own pizza pride, and Lino’s sits near the top of that conversation. The pizza here holds its own next to a full menu of pasta and more.
Fish is another standout on the menu. Small plates and dessert give you reasons to linger after the last slice disappears.
A gluten-free pizza is available for anyone avoiding wheat. It’s good to know before you arrive with a mixed group.
When the weather cooperates, the patio opens for outdoor dining. Live jazz on the patio turns an ordinary weeknight into something that feels like a little getaway.
Dinner reservations are recommended, and there’s usually a wait. Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds, so book ahead if you can.
Planning a celebration? A private dining room can handle birthdays, family gatherings, or a big group that wants its own space.
Takeout is easy to order online. There’s also delivery and a drive-through when you want Lino’s at home.
The restaurant opens at 4:30 PM daily. It closes at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
The vibe works for date night, family dinner, or a friends’ night out. Dogs are welcome outside on the patio if your four-legged pal wants to tag along.
Address: 5611 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108
3. Bianchis Pizza Downtown
Bring cash and a little nostalgia. This downtown Ottawa pizzeria serves thin-crust pies in a 1920s-inspired room that feels like a step back in time.
Look up and you’ll spot tin ceilings. Stained glass windows and low lighting finish the old-timey look without feeling stuffy.
The pizza keeps things classic. Bianchi’s thin crust is known for being consistent, so the pie you love today should taste the same next time.
Here’s a tip worth remembering. Ask for the spicy sauce to drizzle on top, and you’ll get a kick that wakes up the whole slice.
Remember the cash part, because this spot is cash only. Hit an ATM before you arrive so dinner doesn’t turn into a scavenger hunt.
Prices stay reasonable, which makes it easy to order an extra pie. Takeout is available, but there’s no delivery.
Bianchi’s is closed on Tuesday. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday run from 4:30 PM to 8 PM.
Friday and Saturday stay open later, until 9 PM. Those evenings are also the busiest, so arriving early is a smart move.
Reservations are accepted, and there’s a private dining room. Kids’ birthday parties work well here, which means pizza and cake can share a table.
Ottawa sits along the Illinois River, and this place makes a fine stop on a day trip. Staff stay attentive, so you can relax and enjoy the old-school setting.
Address: 607 La Salle St, Ottawa, IL 61350
4. Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza
Crispy cheese edges might be the best part of a deep pan pie. At this Carbondale institution, those caramelized corners are practically the main event.
The deep pan pizza comes with a thick crust and a sweet sauce. Generous toppings and loads of cheese make each slice feel like a full meal.
Not in a deep-dish mood? The menu also covers thin-crust pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads, plus dessert for the finish line.
Southern Illinois takes this place seriously. College students, families, and travelers all end up here, and the dining room can fill fast.
That popularity means you may wait for a table and for your food. Deep pan pizza takes time to bake, so think of the wait as part of the deal.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so timing helps. Friday evening and Saturday afternoon into evening run busiest, while Tuesday night is usually calmer.
Here’s a handy perk for road trippers. Quatro’s offers curbside pickup, so you can grab a pie without heading inside.
Delivery is available too, including a no-contact option. Takeout and catering round out the ways to get a pan pizza into your hands.
Hours are wonderfully simple to remember. The doors open at 11 AM and close at 10 PM, seven days a week.
A vegetarian menu means meat-free eaters won’t feel left out. And if you’re traveling with little ones, high chairs are ready.
Address: 218 W Freeman St, Carbondale, IL 62901
5. Papa Del’s Pizza Factory
Deep dish fans, meet your heavyweight champ. Papa Del’s in Champaign stacks its pies so high that a single slice feels like a project.
Thick, melted cheese is the first thing you’ll notice. A sweet sauce and abundant toppings follow, made with fresh ingredients that give each bite plenty to say.
Champaign-Urbana has no shortage of hungry college students, and this pizza is a local favorite. Visitors traveling through central Illinois often make it a lunch stop.
The newer location is spacious and stylish. A fireplace adds charm on chilly days, and the room works well for catching a game.
Pasta sits on the menu next to the pizza. There’s dessert, too, if you somehow have room after a deep-dish slice.
Plant-based eaters get real choices here. Papa Del’s offers both a full vegan menu and a full vegetarian menu.
Doors open early, at 10 AM daily. The kitchen runs until 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Reservations are available for groups of 10 or more Monday through Thursday and for Friday lunch, but not for weekend dining-room visits. Private event spaces are also available for larger gatherings.
Staying home? Delivery, no-contact delivery, and takeout make it easy to get your fix.
Families will appreciate the changing tables and high chairs. Free wi-fi helps too, especially if you’re working through lunch on a road trip.
Address: 1201 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
6. Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria
Turquoise bar stools and carpet on the walls? Yes, and that’s part of the charm at this South Side legend.
Vito & Nick’s has served thin-crust pizza and Italian favorites since 1932. It’s family-owned, and the place still feels proudly vintage.
The crust here is extra thin, tavern-style, and cut for easy grabbing. It’s a style Chicago loves, and this is one of its best-known homes.
Order the sausage. It’s fennel-forward and packed with flavor, and toppings land in just the right amount instead of burying the crust.
Want a little heat? Giardiniera is a popular add-on, bringing a tangy, spicy crunch that fits thin crust perfectly.
Cash only is the rule here. Stop at an ATM first so you’re not stuck doing math at the register.
The pizzeria doesn’t take reservations. Weekends and Sunday evenings get busy, while Tuesday morning tends to be quieter.
Hours run 11 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday go from 11 AM to 9:30 PM, and Sunday runs noon to 8 PM.
Service moves quickly, and the setting is great for watching a game. Takeout is available if you’d rather eat at home.
Plenty of Chicago pizza fans drive across the city for this one. Once you try that sausage pie, you’ll understand why the Southwest Side feels like a destination.
Address: 8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652
7. Agatucci’s Restaurant
When a restaurant opened in 1926, it has earned the right to keep things classic. Agatucci’s has been part of Peoria dining for close to a hundred years.
The star is a cracker-thin crust cut into squares. It’s bar-style pizza, the kind you can grab one small piece at a time and somehow finish the whole tray.
The crust gets a fire-roasted finish that adds a toasty edge. Toppings like hamburger and mushroom show up on a menu built around the classics.
Don’t skip the fried ravioli. It’s a strong pick for the table, and ordering the larger size saves you from fighting over the last one.
Spaghetti is another favorite here. Salads, sandwiches, and other fried fare fill out the menu for anyone sharing a pie and a little more.
This is a family-run, mom-and-pop kind of place. Service is friendly and efficient, which keeps dinner moving without rushing you.
Plan around the schedule, because it’s dinner only. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and opens at 5 PM the rest of the week.
Closing is 9 PM Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Friday and Saturday stretch to 10 PM for the later crowd.
Agatucci’s accepts reservations, which is a nice bonus on a Friday evening. Parking can be somewhat tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Not staying? Curbside pickup and takeout work well, but there’s no delivery, so you’ll need to make the trip yourself.
Address: 2607 N University St, Peoria, IL 61604
8. Roma’s Pizza
A light, crisp crust carrying a heavy load of toppings sounds like a balancing act. Roma’s in Bethalto pulls it off pie after pie.
This family-owned pizzeria focuses on hearty pizza. The cheese reaches edge to edge, and the toppings go on with a generous hand.
The sauce comes in just the right amount. Herbs give it a rich flavor that helps this thin crust stand out from the crowd.
Beyond pizza, the menu sticks with traditional Italian fare like pasta. Small plates and dessert help round out a meal with friends.
Bethalto sits in the Metro East, not far from the Mississippi River. It’s a short drive for many in the region, and the pizza makes the miles feel worth it.
Roma’s is closed on Monday. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday run from 11 AM to 9 PM.
Friday and Saturday stay open until 10 PM. Those evenings get the most traffic, and the restaurant doesn’t take reservations.
Short on time? A drive-through lets you grab dinner without leaving the car.
Delivery, including a no-contact option, brings pies to your door. Takeout works great too.
Planning a kid’s party? Roma’s is a good fit for birthdays, and the friendly family behind it makes a big group feel at home.
Address: 121 E Bethalto Dr, Bethalto, IL 62010
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