Nearly everyone has a favorite style of pizza and what's the best pizza tends to be a regional argument.
People from the greater Boston area like a large, thin slice that's fairly close to what New Yorkers eat. It might not be quite as large or quite as floppy as the New York version, but both Boston and New York, despite their sports rivalries, seem to mostly agree when it comes to pizza.
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Head to New Haven and the "apizza," as they call it, tends to get a little thinner with the crust close to, if not burned on the bottom. New Haven pizza might also have the sauce on top and clams are a favorite topping.
People from Detroit like to champion their thick, rectangular pan-style pizza. Yes, it looks like cafeteria pizza, but it's a regional favorite.
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There are, of course, many parts of the country that lack a pizza tradition. That's why chains like Domino's, Papa John's, and Pizza Hut exist. All three fall under the "any pizza is good pizza mantra," although anyone who has actually had good pizza might dispute that.
The most controversial pizza style, however, has to be Chicago-style pizza. That's a deep dish pizza that generally requires a knife and fork to eat it.
People from the Chicago-area swear by it, while much of the rest of the country isn't entirely sure it can be called pizza.
Image source: Shutterstock
Chicago's "best" pizza chain has a long history
Calling your chain "Chicago's Best Pizza" while not offering Chicago-style pizza is a very bold claim. Home Run Pizza, however, makes that claim on its website and does have deep history to support its boasting.
"Home Run Inn is a proud, family-owned business – one with deep roots in the city of Chicago. It all started back in 1923 when Mary and Vincent Grittani opened a cozy little tavern on the South Side of Chicago. Fast forward to the early 1940s, Mary and her son-in-law, Nick Perrino, had the brilliant idea to place complimentary thin-crust pizza, cut into squares, at the bar counter as a snack to go with a cold drink," the chain shared on its website.
Offering thin pizza and calling it "Chicago's Best" goes against what many people in the region consider the best style of pizza, but even the Home Run name has been around for a very long time.
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"Then in 1947 came the iconic moment: a baseball from a nearby park crashed through the window – no doubt a home run for a little neighborhood slugger! And just like that, the neighborhood tavern was officially named Home Run Inn. Ever since, we’ve been serving up cold drinks and fresh, tavern-style thin crust pizza, bringing people together with every bite," the company added.
Whether that's truth or something the company made to build its mythology has likely been lost to the annals of time. Still, the chain has thrived, but it has hit a bump in the road.
Home Run Pizza chain closing locations
Home Run Pizza currently has 9 locations, but the chain will shrink by one third, according to a report from a local news station.
"This week will be the last week for several Home Run Inn pizzerias in the Chicago area. Three Home Run Inns will be closing on March 2, a statement from the company," WGN reported.
The locations are the Berwyn store at 6825 Cermak Road, the Bronzeville restaurant at 3401 S Martin Luther King Dr and the Melrose Park location at 820 W North Ave.
As we look to the future, we are making thoughtful decisions to ensure we continue delivering the best possible experience,” Chief Marketing officer Gina Perrino Bolger, a fourth generation family member, said in a statement to the television station.
“As a result, we will be closing our restaurants in Berwyn, Bronzeville and Melrose Park, effective March 2. This strategic shift allows us to focus on our flagship and land-owned locations, enhance spaces and develop menus; invest in innovation; and elevate our brand for years to come,” she added.
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The chain also sells frozen pizza in grocery stores across the region. It defends its style of pizza in a statement on its website.
"When it comes to pizza, everyone has their favorite — whether it’s thin crust, deep-dish, or the convenient fold of New York-style slices. But at the heart of Chicago lies a true treasure: crispy, tavern-style Home Run Inn pizza. This style offers a unique experience with its cracker-thin crust and bite-sized, square pieces, making it perfect for sharing and savoring," it shared.
