I was headed to Northwestern Cutlery to have knives sharpened today and figured it was my perfect excuse to try Bonci. If you haven't read about it yet it is the 2nd location of a famed pizzeria in Rome. Lots of bragging rights for Chicago that the we were chosen as the location for the only other one in the world.
There was a line out the door as I imagined there would be. You take a number and wait to be called. We were told by the host that they were averaging about 2 minutes per ticket number. There were about 15 numbers in front of ours and the estimate was more or less correct.
Once our number was called I felt a bit of pressure to quickly look at the choices in the glass display and make a decision. This will not be as much of a problem once the hype wears off as you'll be able to see the display without the throngs of people in front of it. There were many, many options (more than a dozen?)
It was a very hard decision as they all had very interesting flavor combinations and looked delectable in the case.
I selected a spicy eggplant, a 'nduja, and a cippolini with oven roasted tomatoes.
This is Roman-style pan pizza and they slice the size you want with scissors to order. I got 3 slices that were about 2" wide.
As you are ordering they are weighing your slices and then they hand you a receipt that you continue with down the counter and pay at the end while they are heating your pizza. Our total bill (for 2 with one soda) was $21. I thought that was totally reasonable. I expected it to be more expensive.
We waited 3-4 minutes for our pizza to be heated and took it to go as the store front was crowded. We immediately ate it in the car and I was surprised at how wonderful the textures were. The very crisp bottom was complimented by the doughy yet pillowy interior and the toppings were top-notch.
The spicy eggplant was spicy due to red pepper flakes and a copious amount of garlic that I thoroughly enjoyed. The cippolini was the surprise favorite due to the herbs and imported Italian cheese flavor.
I am excited to go back when it's less crowded to enjoy sitting and eating there. Limited seats (all stool/counter seating) but many in the front and back face the pizza counter/ovens.
Bonci (pronounced Bahn-chi)
Address: 161 N Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607
Mon-Thurs 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fri-Sat 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sun 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Phone: (248) 705-0402
Senorita P.