Restaurant Review – Coalfire Pizza

I have been craving pizza for weeks— and this week I finally got it! Coalfire Pizza, located at 3707 N Southport Ave, is a perfect weeknight date spot. We came in on a Tuesday evening around 6, which was apparently the perfect time! There were a few tables occupied, but it was otherwise relatively quiet. We were seated immediately- in the room that has giant, lighted marquis letters that spell… PIZZA. I was already charmed! The menu is simple, with just a few starters, build-your-own pizzas, and Coalfire’s pre-created pizzas. We decided to start with the Apple & Endive Salad: escarole, frisee, radicchio, sliced honey-crisp apples, farro, gorgonzola, walnuts, and a black pepper vinaigrette. First of all, the portion was gigantic! We had more salad than we could finish between the two of us; always a pleasant surprise. This salad was fantastic! I loved all the different types of greens, they were so bright and crunchy. It was loaded up with plenty of walnuts and cheese- some of my favorite salad toppings! The farro added great texture and the vinaigrette was nice and light. We decided to build our own pizza! Each pizza starts with mozzarella, sauce, and pecorino Romano cheese. We added red onion, jalapeño, and Berkshire sausage. We absolutely loved it! The crust is thin and crispy at the edges, but soft throughout the rest of the pizza. The sausage had a wonderful flavor and was very rich. We both like spicy food, so the addition of the jalapeños was awesome! The pizza is about 14 inches, which was more than enough food for the two of us. We even had a couple of slices leftover to take home! We will definitely be back to try other pizzas- we’re hooked!

Coalfire has another location in West Town at 1321 W. Grand Avenue. Lakeview hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4 pm to 10 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 11 pm, and Sundays from noon to 9 pm. West Town hours are almost the same; with the exception of Sunday evenings when they are open until 10 pm. Both locations are closed on Mondays. For more information, visit their website.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO