The Tavern-Style Pizza Pilgrimage

While tourists clog the entryways of Magnificent Mile deep-dish parlors, locals know that tavern-style pizza—a cracker-thin crust cut into squares—is the true currency of Chicago pizza culture I Found Incredible Taver…Chicago USA - GrazePath…. This route avoids the typical traps, starting at the Gino’s East South Loop location. While the brand is synonymous with heavy cornmeal deep-dish, the South Loop outpost excels at the thin-crust variety, providing a lighter entry point to a heavy evening Gino's East | Deep Dish…Gino's East Southloop De…. The logic here is simple: skip the graffiti-covered spectacle of the original location and focus on the spinach mozzarella sticks, which are arguably more essential than the pizza itself at this specific stop Gino's East South Loop -…. The second leg moves south into Bronzeville and the near South Side, where Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar serves as the utilitarian heart of the crawl. This is not a venue for those seeking white-glove service or curated aesthetics. It is a sports bar where the tavern-style crust is sturdy enough to support a heavy hand of fennel-flecked sausage Chicago USA - GrazePath…. The pro move here is ordering the wing flight; the skin is shattered-glass crispy and provides a necessary savory distraction while the pizza bake time stretches. It is a loud, unpretentious environment that captures the city’s neighborhood loyalty perfectly. The journey concludes in Little Italy at Scafuri Bakery, a historic fixture that offers the necessary thermal reset. Moving from the salt and grease of a pizza crawl to the quiet, refined sweetness of an Italian bakery is the only way to end an evening in Chicago without feeling completely sidelined. The almond crescents and lemon knots are non-negotiable. They provide a sophisticated, low-key finale to a route that prioritizes regional authenticity over Instagram-baiting aesthetics.

What to Expect

Expect to walk approximately 4.8 miles if completing the full route on foot, though a short rideshare between the South Loop and Williams Inn is common to save time. Costs are moderate ($25–$40 per person including drinks). Gino’s East is generally efficient, but Williams Inn often has a wait for both tables and pizza, so timing this for a weeknight is preferred. Dress is strictly casual—this is a journey through sports bars and neighborhood bakeries. Scafuri Bakery closes earlier than most late-night spots, so check seasonal hours to ensure the almond crescents haven't sold out.

The Route

1

Gino’s East - South Loop

74

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity32

Infrastructure61

Terrain100

Safety78

Lighting98

Amenities58

Transit80

"Skip the deep dish wait and dive straight into their thin crust with a side of the spinach mozzarella sticks—it's the real hero of the South Loop location."

30-45 min34 min

34 min · 1.8 mi74

2

Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar

74

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity32

Infrastructure61

Terrain100

Safety78

Lighting98

Amenities58

Transit80

"Ignore the wait and the 'mid' service for the wing flight; it's a crispy masterpiece that pairs perfectly with their tavern-style thin crust."

30-45 min57 min

57 min · 3.0 mi68

3

Scafuri Bakery

68

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity26

Infrastructure47

Terrain100

Safety60

Lighting100

Amenities54

Transit80

"Skip the coffee and go straight for the almond crescents and lemon knots; it's a perfectly quiet spot to crash after your pizza crawl."

45 min - 1 hr9 min walk

Frequently Asked Questions