HUNTER’S NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: PIECE BREWERY AND PIZZERIA

1927 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
www.piecechicago.com

Many residents of Wicker Park have never known the neighborhood without Piece Brewery and Pizzeria. Open since 2001, Piece has established itself as a neighborhood staple for New Haven-style thin crust pizza and craft beer. Located just steps away from the six corners of North, Milwaukee, and Damen Avenues, Piece continues to draw in the neighborhood’s newer crowds and loyal repeat customers alike, year after year.

For craft beer enthusiasts, Piece is a touchstone small-batch brewery in Chicago. They’ve been brewing in-house for far longer than craft beer has been considered cool again, and it shows—Piece is actually the most award-winning brewpub in Chicago, scoring an impressive number of medals over the years at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.

As for pizza, not all their pies are missing mozzarella! In addition to New Haven-style pizza, Piece serves up classic red, white, and BBQ pizzas. For fans of the infamous—and sadly shuttered—Hot Doug’s, head to Piece for a sausage revival: Hot Doug’s Atomic Sausage pizza is one of their menu’s newest mainstays.

Piece’s continued success is built on its delicious brews and mouth-watering fare, but also thrives because it offers an experience for everyone. Welcoming and friendly to families with children during the day, Piece then transforms into a great spot to grab dinner and check out the day’s sports events, and tops off the evening with rollicking live band karaoke every Saturday night.

Planning your visit: metered street parking is available on North Ave., but Piece is best accessible by public transportation. Catch the #72 North bus, #56 Milwaukee bus, or the #50 Damen bus for drop-off within a block. If traveling via el train, the restaurant and brewery is a short 2-block walk from the Damen Blue line stop.