Old Chicago

Anyone who's ever written anything knows that one of the hardest things in creative writing (not that I'd call my writing "creative" by any means) is looking at the blank page (or paper) and deciding how to begin.  I often try to pull something from my previous week that may be funny or easy to relate to; I try to make you feel warm and welcome when I start my writing.  (Can I get you something?  I've got water and milk.  I'm sorry, I didn't know I'd be having company today.)

My introduction to this week's post on Old Chicago was going to talk about some of the times I've actually gone to Chicago and the time we had REAL Chicago-style deep dish pizza.  However, I have a more important story to tell.  I injured my foot yesterday, and like an idiot, tried to walk around on it all day (including limping into Old Chicago).  Today, a visit to the doctor revealed a broken bone in my foot.  (I'm currently on crutches for an indeterminate amount of time.)  All of your pity is both expected and gladly accepted.  I'll give you my address if you want to send me "get well soon" baskets or macaroni art to hang on my fridge.

Enough about me (for now), let's talk about pizza!  I'll talk (write), and you read.  That's how this works.

Before we go any further, I'd like to dedicate this week's blog post to my Uncle Phil.  He's currently out of the country, and he enjoys reading my posts as a way to unwind and connect to something back home.  He isn't in Louisville to go to many of these places, but who knows, maybe he'll go visit some the next time he visits.  Anyways, hi Uncle Phil!

On to the food.

For anyone who has spent an extended time living in Louisville, you've likely heard of Old Chicago.  Katie and I knew of it, but neither of us had ever been.  There are two locations in Louisville, as it turns out, and the crowd size during lunchtime on Sunday was an indication of how popular this place is around town.

Luckily, there was a booth very close to the door.  Any further, and there may have been a crowd watching two guys limping in.  Our friends joined us for lunch, and my friend Kyle just had ACL surgery last month.  He's totally faking the limp for attention now.

For an appetizer, we had the sliced pepperoni rolls.  (Bread, cheese, pepperoni, and green onion.)  It comes with 6 rolls, and everyone had at least one.  They were alright.  I plan on trying another appetizer next time, maybe the Italian Nachos.  (There will most definitely be a next time at this place.)

Can you guess what pizza we ordered?  Pepperoni, light on the sauce, you say?  Good guess.  I did not know, however, that "light on the sauce" means "I want absolutely no hint of sauce" but I must have indicated that I'm allergic to sauce in some way.

Even without a noticeable amount of sauce, this was good pizza.  We opted for the medium Chicago-style pizza, which was a good size for Katie and I to share.  (Kyle and Rachel, our dining partners this week, ordered the barbeque chicken pizza and seemed satisfied with it.)

The crust was very thick, as Chicago-style pizzas typically are.  It was also the nice and flaky golden brown that shows you they know exactly how long to cook a pizza.  The cheese was a little thicker than normal pizza restaurants go, which was great.  (It could also be that I noticed the cheese more since the sauce was in such small amounts.)  The pepperoni was satisfactory, just a little burnt around the edges (which I like also). 

Kate and I took two pieces home, pleasantly full but not stuffed.  She reheated and ate hers without me even noticing, so I assume it was delicious.  (She also asked if she could have mine; I tried to give it to her but she let me have it to do my cold test.)  As for cold pizza, this is my first deep dish slice of the year.  I was very happy with it.  The pepperoni flavor really comes out, but it isn't overpowering.  The crust flavor was also very noticeable.  I'd eat another slice, if anyone was to bring it to me. (Bring me things, I'm injured.)

Two reasons I will be going back:  first, they have a pizza buffet.  If I wasn't there on strict blog business, and if my foot wasn't jacked up, I'd have been on that like....like something that is on something else. (I'm not great with similes sometimes. I'll work on it.)

Secondly, they have a (new?) thin crust pizza.  Wanna know what's awesome about it?  SQUARE CUT.  Square cut pizza automatically tastes better than pie cut. (Is that what it's called?  That's what I'm calling it.  Now I want pie.)  I have to go back for one of the two listed reasons at some point.  Anyone who wants to come with is welcome.

For any beer aficionados (thank you spell check for helping me get that word right) reading this week, Old Chicago has a "World Beer Tour" program for customers.  They have 110 beer selections from around the world that, once you complete, you get your name on The Famous Hall of Foam.  (Please don't do all 110 at once.  They have a card you use to accomplish it over time.  If you do too many and get alcohol poisoning, I can't guarantee you will have internet access to read my posts from the hospital.  Just saying, it's all about perspective.)

Time for the results.  (I was going to try this to the Academy Awards from last night, but it's a day too late and I don't want to reach too far for jokes.  Congrats to Jennifer Lawrence, by the way.  After this blog, she's the biggest thing to come out of Louisville since Muhammad Ali.)

Service:  The waiter was on time and checked on us often.  When they brought the pizza out, they put the first pieces on the plates for you.  (Grade:  A)
Atmosphere:  It was pretty busy for Sunday, as I said earlier.  Over 15 flat screens and beer specials on Mondays, this place is probably pretty crowded for Monday Night Football.  I'll remember that for next season.  (Grade:  B+)
 Taste:  Hard to compare this to other places, as this was the first Chicago-style we've had this year.  Solid, solid pizza though.  I can see why it's a popular place.  I'd like to try it again with sauce. (Grade:  B-)
 Accessibility:  As a recently handicapped (sort of ) patron, I only saw booths where I was sitting, but I'm sure they have tables that would make it comfortable for those in wheelchairs. (Grade:  B)

Overall, I really liked Old Chicago, and I plan on going back.  Thanks to friends Rachel and Kyle for joining us for lunch before they move away.  We'll miss you guys!

Update:  As I was editing this, I just realized I forgot to use a coupon that a friend gave me.  I'm highly upset by this, and I don't know what I'm going to do with myself about it.