As the new year settles in, you may be looking for some good places to eat.  If you’re a pizza lover, you may be looking for some good restaurants to help offset the cold, gloomy days of winter.  Here are five top choices:

5.) Vito and Nick’s (8433 South Pulaski Road, Chicago IL) – This family-friendly joint on the south side of Chicago is a great choice for thin-crust lovers looking for a great meal at a reasonable price.  The thin-crust is Chicagoland famous, with other menu options such as sandwiches and pasta.  If you’re near the South Side this winter, definitely check out Vito and Nick’s for a meal you won’t regret.

4.) Giordano’s (815 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL) – If you’re a deep-dish lover, then this is the place for you.  Giordano’s has several restaurants across the Chicagoland area, but my favorite location is downtown.  The deep-dish pizza is filled with cheese, topped by mouth-watering tomato sauce with a thin layer of motzarella cheese crowned on top.  The crust is huge, around an inch high and three inches long.  The entire deep-dish pizza usually takes an hour to make, but the wait is worth it.  The thin-crust pizza is good as well, along with the several appetizer options, such as the mozzarella sticks.   Bottom line, if you’re in the mood for some deep-dish pizza, this is the place for you.

3.) Fox’s Pizza (9655 W. 143rd St., Orland Park, IL) – This pizza has a unique taste that keeps you wanting more – in fact, I would call Fox’s Pizza “addicting.” In my opinion, the thin crust cheese pizza is the best.  You can also enjoy a well-grilled burger with fries if you don’t feel like having pizza.  The restaurants are usually crowded, so the wait for your food can take awhile.  Otherwise, Fox’s Pizza is a great eat and keeps you coming back.

2.) Gino’s East (521 S. Dearborn St., Chicago IL)  – This restaurant is without a doubt one of the most famous pizza joints in Chicago, and is known world-wide for both thin-crust and deep-dish.  The appetizers are a bargain, but the pizzas are relatively expensive.  The restaurants are located all across Chicago, but my favorite one to eat at is the original Gino’s East on Dearborn Street in downtown Chicago.  There are signatures all across the walls, and you are encouraged to sign anywhere.  But if you are in need of a quick bite to eat, this may not be your best option due to the long waits for seating and food.

1.) Aurelio’s (1212 S Michigan Ave, Chicago Il.) – If you’re picky on the quality of the pizza sauce, then I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed eating here.  Aurelio’s homemade sauce is famous all across Chicago, with every restaurant satisfying the hungry customers that eat there.  Deep dish is an option, but I highly recommend the thin-crust.  The combination of the rich sauce, perfectly sliced cheese, and delicious crusts will leave you begging for more.  If you have some room for dessert, be sure to order the famous deep-dish cookie.