Just opened: Paula’s & Monica’s Pizzeria

If the name of this new West Town pizza joint had you expecting to see two cute little old Italian ladies dipped in flour and hand-tossing pies in the air, think again. Paula and Monica do, in fact, exist—they’re the wives of co-owners John Fornari and George Dragne, respectively—but they're not actually the ones making the pizza. John Fornari handles that and says he has about 35 years in the restaurant biz, including owning Johnny D’s Pizzeria in Schaumburg and helping open Natalino’s just across the street.

At this venture, members of both families pitch in on what Fornari dubs “Chicago-style pizza, both thin and pan,” as well as a lengthy list of cold subs, hot sandwiches, salads and Angelo’s gelato and Italian ice. The carryout and delivery operation also sells pizza by the slice and will keep late hours on weekends (2am) to draw the nearby bar crowds. 

1518 W Chicago Ave between Greenview and Ashland Aves (312-929-3615). El: Blue to Chicago. Bus: 9, 56, 66 (24hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average pizza: $14.