CPOG (Chicago Pizza Oven and Grinder)

last night i ate at a restaurant that made me wonder whether i was being rewarded for something i did in a former life because it was so good. it was also so good that i thought maybe it was a sin to eat something so wonderful and rich and tasty. anyway, if you live in chicago or are visiting sometime soon, you have got to check this place out. holy crap, it is absolutely divine.

they make these pizza pot pies in these little bowls and then when they serve them to you they flip them over onto your plate piping hot. the sauce is to die for. there are only two choices: meat or no meat...and then you can get it with or without mushrooms. the place is strange. the inside is decorated like a swiss chalet...dark brown wood with cozy little boths and low lighting. and it's a cash only joint. when you put your name on the list to be seated (also no reservations)...they don't actually take your name. there is a short, little man who looks at you carefully and says "i'll come and find you when your table is ready." no names given. very strange. i was joking that it was probably some mobster thing...you know "i never forget a face." type of deal. it was funny though cause dipti went to put her name down, or put her face down, so to speak, and everytime the little man went looking for the next party to be seated she would jump up and tilt her head and give him a big smile. he would laugh and say "not yet." hillarious.

the pizza pies are amazing here, but what we liked best were the italian flat bread and the salads. absolutely amazing stuff. we were all almost full before they brought out the main course. i wanted to cry it was so good.

check out their website:

http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/default.htm

be sure to read the history of the place...it's very interesting.