27 Postcards
Roots Handmade Pizza is a laid-back pizzeria and bar serving delicious Quad Cities-style pies with a malted crust and a stellar Midwestern beer lineup.
"Roots is great for a few different reasons. One, the pizza is really good—it’s Quad-Cities style, meaning it has a slightly sweet crust that’s cut into rectangles, and most of the toppings are under the cheese. Their menu is extensive, with a rotating group of pies designed by local chefs, and almost everything (including their mozzarella) is made in-house. And lastly, they have giant selection of really great salads. So you can even satisfy that person in your group who keeps repeating that they “only want a salad.”" - adrian kane
"Chicago has a pretty big reputation to uphold when it comes to pizza - besides a killer hotdog, good pizza is one culinary expectation of this city. Roots has dodged the critics by taking a Quad Cities spin on pizza, even amidst the deep dish fame of traditional Chicago style 'za. By using dark roasted malt in their crust, they create a thick, sweet, and marvelous base for some delicious pie concoctions. It’s not traditional – but it’s a treat. Their “midwest is best” mentality may not be seen any better than their constantly updated draft lists from the Chicago-area’s heaviest hitting breweries (Pipeworks, Three Floyds). This is without a doubt the best spot in the neighborhood to grab a limited release beer." - Potluck Creative
"This is how pizza is done in the Quad Cities: with a malted crust, baked crispy and then cut with a large pair of kitchen shears into shareable strips. For the most authentic experience, order the taco pizza, covered with crushed Doritos. There are locations in Printer’s Row and West Town." - Eater Staff
"Roots is a solid neighborhood option for dine-in pizza. The pies are Quad Cities-style, which means they’re round but cut into rectangles, and the toppings are under the cheese. The menu is huge, with a decent selection of salads and rotating roster of pizzas designed by local chefs. A huge bar area and large patio, as well as the interesting specialty pies, make it a great local spot for a hangout - especially if you’re with a large group." - adrian kane, veda kilaru
"Probably the most family-friendly pizzeria in Chicago — they even give kids pizza dough to play with. The pizza is so-called “Quad Cities” style with malted crust and cut into strips. The beer list is deep, and there are those famous fried mozzarella sticks." - Eater Staff
