Marie's Pizza & Liquors

Like turtles and Cher, Chicago’s tavern-style pizza spots are prone to longevity. Marie’s in Albany Park has been around since 1940, and is known for its thin crust pies and perpetually Christmas-themed dining room (which has been closed since 2020, but you can order takeout and sit on their large back patio).  What sets their pizza apart is its cheese blend, which has a complex, salty funk that balances nicely with sweet tomato sauce. The crust is kind of bland, but we don’t mind because it gives the toppings a chance to shine.