Parlor Pizza Bar River North

"The original Parlor Pizza in the West Loop is surprisingly club-like for a pizza place, so it’s not surprising that the one in River North has the same kind of upbeat atmosphere. Also like the original, this one is huge, with a nearly-identical menu of wood-fired pizzas, salads, and bar snacks. The pizzas are solid (the “bee sting” with hot honey and ’nduja is really good), and there’s a big bar in the center of the restaurant that’s perfect for watching sports. photo credit: Christina Slaton" - Adrian Kane

"It’s 5pm and the only thing you, your significant other, and the couple you’re supposed to hang out with can agree on is watching the game, preferably aboard a pizza raft, floating on a sea of alcohol. Before you spend two hours on a dead-end discussion that results in all four of you sitting alone in your apartments with CPK, remember there’s a River North location of Parlor Pizza. Like the one in the West Loop, it’s huge, casual, and fun, with a nearly identical menu of wood-fired pizzas, salads, and bar snacks. The pizzas are solid (try the “bee sting” with hot honey and ’nduja), and there’s a big bar in the center of the restaurant that’s perfect for watching sports." - adrian kane

"Parlor Pizza Bar’s new River North outpost delivers solid pies in a spacious and casual setting. Joanne Trestrail prefers the “simpler pizzas to the ones with long lists of ingredients.” The classic Margherita and pepperoni-topped Sgt. Pepper are winners that sit on “sturdy” crusts, and salads are also “surprisingly deft.” An antipasto chopped salad is a “substantial meal all by itself, generously outfitted with prosciutto, pepperoni, artichoke hearts, provolone and firm little potatoes.” Desserts include a “tacolato” of banana fudge gelato and an assortment of toppings in a double chocolate shell. [Crain’s]" - Jeffy Mai

"Parlor Pizza Bar offers Neapolitan crusts, craft beer, and an almost-club atmosphere." - Ashok Selvam