Novel Pizza, Pilsen
26 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/chicago30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 11 threads.
What people say, in short
Novel Pizza in Pilsen draws strong recommendations for tavern-style pies, and its longanisa pizza has independent fans. One diner particularly likes the crispy crust and balanced sauce. Dissent is mostly about taste and value: some find the pizza too salty, one finds it too sweet, and separate diners dislike the chewy crust and ricotta dollops. A visitor also describes a frustrating order-ahead situation.
Address
Novel Pizza Cafe, 1759 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Signature dishes
- Tavern style pizza, Pan pizza, Longanisa pizza
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Novel Pizza, Pilsen, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/L0LUNA in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026taste
Loves the crispy crust, balanced sauce, and generous pepperoni on this tavern style pie.
- Recommendsu/_princessbuttercup_ in r/chicagofood · Dec 2025taste
Recommends the pizza enthusiastically, especially the longanisa.
- Recommendsu/ElMonstro26 in r/chicagofood · Feb 2025taste
Calls it a solid pie and probably the best pizza in Pilsen.
- Recommendsu/HeavenHasTrampolines in r/chicagofood · Feb 2025taste
Praises tavern and pan pizzas, fries, coffee; only complaint is closed Mondays.
- Recommendsu/GlassRisk8322 in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026
Says Novel Pizza is among the best in the Midwest.
- Recommendsu/madeofcroatia in r/chicagofood · Apr 2026
Says they absolutely love Novel Pizza Cafe in Pilsen.
- Recommendsu/lysergic_Dreems in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026variety
Praises the longanisa pizza and ricotta pie, and likes the large quarter-pizza slices.
- Recommendsu/Puzzled-Sea-4325 in r/chicagofood · Apr 2026
Names Novel Pizza Cafe in Pilsen as a recommendation.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Mixedu/greengasman in r/chicagofood · Dec 2025taste
Dislikes ricotta dollops but otherwise thinks the pizza looks decent.
- Recommendsu/vega_d2 in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025
Names Novel Pizza in Pilsen as a recommendation.
- Recommendsu/okaythisisit in r/chicagofood · Apr 2026taste
Glad to have Novel nearby when wanting a good slice.
- Recommendsu/julio1990 in r/chicago · Nov 2024
Lists Novel Pizza Cafe as a favorite.
- Mixedu/IndependenceApart208 in r/chicagofood · Feb 2025wait time
Says the pizza was really good but the inability to order ahead is a big barrier.
- Recommendsu/____tim in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026
Says it is the best pizza in Chicago in their opinion.
- Mixedu/Status_Green_6055 in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026taste
Did not love it, though notes the pepperoni was plentiful.
- Recommendsu/acidhousetechno in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026taste
Had the marg pizza once and thought it was great.
- Mixedu/Round-Okra-5165 in r/chicagofood · Dec 2025taste
Wants to like it but found the crust too chewy on two visits.
- Recommendsu/Mother-Eye6862 in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025taste
Calls Novel Pizza in Pilsen tavern style and delicious.
- Mixedu/bigz22 in r/chicagofood · Feb 2025taste
Says Novel puts too many ricotta dollops.
- Recommendsu/BlazingEntrails in r/chicagofood · Nov 2024
Names Novel Pizza as favorite.
- Recommendsu/went_figure in r/chicagofood · Aug 2024taste
Says Novel in Pilsen has a legit alico pan pizza.
- Mixedu/SpicyTunie in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026taste
Finds it a bit too sweet, including the giardiniera pie.
- Recommendsu/NCKLS22 in r/chicagofood · Dec 2025price
Calls Novel good and describes it as a splurge spot.
- Recommendsu/midwestern_boi in r/chicagofood · Dec 2024
Lists Novel Pizza Cafe in Pilsen among their picks.
- Recommendsu/Nuance007 in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026
Says the place is great.
- Recommendsu/flashdude64 in r/chicagofood · Jan 2026variety
Went and tried the unique pizzas, calls longanisa a must, and loved it.
- Recommendsu/true_north1984 in r/chicagofood · Dec 2025
Calls it Chicago's best.
- Mixedu/Klutzy-Criticism-468 in r/chicagofood · Dec 2025taste
Had it once, thought it was good but almost too salty even for a salt lover.
- Recommendsu/jaspersrevenge88 in r/chicagofood · Feb 2025taste
Says solid thin crust and the fries are good too.
- Mixedu/New-Industry-9544 in r/chicagofood · Nov 2024wait time
Says the 16-inch is pricey and ordering is a hassle with no phone.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.