How Alex’s Washington Gardens Evolved to WG Pizzas | Eater Chicago
"After owners siblings Ben and Jessie Glazer and husband-and-wife team Michael and Franny Kaulentis took over in 2019 and recently underwent a branding makeover (shortening the original name to WG Pizzas), the operation expanded into Chicago in 2024 by opening inside an Avondale ghost kitchen to introduce city dwellers to their pies. The Glazers have been scouting Chicago locations with plans to open multiple restaurants to “spread the gospel of tavern-style pizza across the country,” while acknowledging that the new locations won’t replicate the original Highwood spot: “I don’t think I can recreate this, this is a special place,” Glazer says. Ben, who grew up on the North Shore and also spent years playing music (he recalls touring Big Ten schools and opening for acts such as OAR), reflects that “I feel like I’ve lived two lives,” saying he feels the same adrenaline running a restaurant as he did performing. Starting next month, the brand will feature collaborations with high-profile chefs: Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises chef Max Robbins will debut a pizza with vodka sauce, Calabrian chili, basil, smoked mozzarella, and Parmesan in February; Won Kim of Kimski and Lilac Tiger will follow with a pizza in March; and Javauneeka Jacobs of Rick Bayless’s Frontera Grill is up in April. The Chicago location is listed at 3517 N. Spaulding Avenue and is available for pickup or delivery via third-party services." - Ashok Selvam
