What Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom Is

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is a casual restaurant and bar chain where you order food and drinks at a counter or table, then eat in a dining room with televisions showing sports. It's not a fine-dining restaurant — you're ordering pizza, sandwiches, and appetizers the way you would at a neighborhood spot, but the chain operates in multiple states with a consistent menu and setup. The "taproom" part means they pour their own beer and keep a rotating selection on tap, though they also serve wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.

The restaurant works on a straightforward model: you arrive, find a seat or stand at the bar, order from a server or at the counter depending on the location, and your food comes out when it's ready. There's no reservation system at most locations — you walk in and wait if it's busy, or sit right down if it's slow. The atmosphere is built around watching games, so expect noise, multiple screens, and crowds during major sporting events.

Key Takeaways

  • Old Chicago serves personal and large pizzas, sandwiches, wings, and appetizers, with prices varying by location but typically in the $10 to $20 range for entrees.
  • The bar stocks craft beers on tap, house-made sodas, wine, and cocktails, with beer flights available so you can sample multiple brews in one sitting.
  • Most locations don't take reservations, so you arrive and sit down or wait depending on how busy it is, particularly during games and weekend evenings.
  • The restaurant is designed as a sports bar with multiple televisions, so it's loud during events and quieter during off-peak hours.
  • Payment happens at your table or at the counter depending on how you ordered, and they accept cards and cash at most locations.

The Menu and How Ordering Works

Old Chicago's core menu centers on pizza — you can order a personal 10-inch or a large 14-inch, and choose from their standard toppings or build your own. They also make sandwiches (usually Italian beef, chicken, or vegetarian options), wings in various sauces, and appetizers like nachos, fried cheese curds, or bruschetta. Prices depend on your location and what you order, but a personal pizza typically runs $10 to $15 and a large pizza $15 to $22 before tax and tip.

When you arrive, a server will either come to your table or you'll order at a counter — the process varies by location. Tell them what you want, and they'll bring it out once it's made. If you're ordering at the bar, you can order food there too, and it comes to you at your seat. Most locations have a printed menu at the table and online menus you can check before you go, so you know what's available and what the prices are in your area.

Beer, Drinks, and the Taproom Side

The "taproom" part of Old Chicago means they brew or source craft beers and keep them on tap. The selection changes by location and season, but you'll typically find 20 to 40 different beers available at any given time. They offer beer flights — a sampler of four or five small pours so you can try different styles without committing to a full glass. A flight usually costs $8 to $12 depending on which beers you choose.

Beyond beer, they serve wine by the glass or bottle, cocktails (usually classics like margaritas or Old Fashioneds), and non-alcoholic drinks including their own house-made sodas. If you're not sure what to order, servers can recommend beers or drinks based on what you like. The bar is a common spot to sit if you're watching a game solo or with a friend, and you can order food from there just like you would from a table.

Seating, Crowds, and Game Day

Old Chicago locations are built around sports viewing, so the dining room has multiple televisions tuned to different games. During major events — NFL Sundays, March Madness, playoff games — the place fills up quickly and can be loud and crowded. If you want to watch a specific game, arrive early or call ahead to ask if they're showing it and how busy they expect to be.

On quieter weekday afternoons or early evenings, you'll find plenty of open seating and a calmer atmosphere. Most locations don't hold tables or take reservations, so you arrive and sit down if there's space, or put your name on a wait list if it's full. Wait times during peak hours (Friday and Saturday evenings, game times) can range from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the location and how busy it is.

Payment and Tipping

How you pay depends on how you ordered. If a server took your order at the table, they'll bring the check to you and you can pay with a card or cash. If you ordered at a counter, you typically pay when you order. Most locations accept both credit cards and cash, and many have card readers at the table so you can pay without handing over your card.

Tipping is expected at Old Chicago the same way it is at other casual restaurants — 15 to 20 percent is standard if you had table service. If you ordered at the counter, tipping is optional but many people leave a dollar or two. The bill includes food, drinks, and tax, and you'll see the total before you pay.

Dietary Restrictions and Special Requests

Old Chicago can accommodate some dietary needs, but it varies by location. Most places can make pizzas without certain toppings, offer vegetarian options, or modify sandwiches. If you have a severe allergy, tell your server — they can tell you which items are safe or direct you to the kitchen staff who know the ingredients. Gluten-free options are limited at most locations, so call ahead if that's important to you.

The best approach is to ask your server what's possible when you order. They know the menu and can tell you what can be modified and what can't. If you're ordering online or calling ahead, you can ask about options before you arrive.

Parking and Location Details

Old Chicago locations are typically in shopping centers or downtown areas with parking lots or street parking nearby. Parking is usually free, but it varies by location — some downtown spots may have metered parking or paid lots. Check the specific address of the location you're visiting to understand parking before you go.

Hours vary by location, but most Old Chicago restaurants open in the late morning (around 11 a.m.) and stay open into the evening or night. Some locations are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, while others may have different hours on Sundays or Mondays. Check the location's website or call ahead to confirm hours before you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

Most Old Chicago locations don't take reservations — you walk in and sit down if there's space, or wait if it's busy. During major sporting events or on busy weekend evenings, wait times can be 30 minutes to an hour. Calling ahead to ask how busy they are can help you decide when to go.

Can I watch a specific game there?

Old Chicago has multiple televisions showing different games, so they usually have several sports on at once. If you want to watch a particular game, call the location and ask if they're showing it. They'll let you know which TV it's on or whether they can put it on for you.

What's the difference between a personal and large pizza?

A personal pizza is 10 inches and designed for one person, while a large is 14 inches and feeds two to three people. Prices are different — personal pizzas are cheaper — so choose based on how hungry you are and whether you're sharing.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

Old Chicago can make vegetarian pizzas and sandwiches by leaving off meat toppings. Vegan options are more limited since most pizzas come with cheese, but you can ask your server what's possible. Call ahead if you have strict dietary needs so the kitchen knows what to prepare.

What if I want to order food to go?

Most Old Chicago locations offer takeout — you can call ahead to order, or order when you arrive and pick it up at the counter. Takeout prices are the same as dine-in, and they'll pack everything so it travels well. Some locations may also offer delivery through third-party apps, but availability varies.