Italian Fiesta Pizzeria has stood the test of time, earning a solid reputation for their Chicago-style thin crust pizzas and homemade fennel sausage. However, a secret menu item, the jerk chicken pizza, has recently captured the spotlight.
Keith Lee, a well-known TikTok food critic, featured the pizzeria in a video on a Sunday in late August, highlighting a half jerk chicken and half sausage pizza. He visited their Hyde Park location, an area previously frequented by Barack and Michelle Obama. Christine Mikulec, the co-owner, explained the surge in business: “As soon as our doors opened, it was just nonstop at pretty much all of our locations all day.”
Mikulec now co-owns the business, which her great-grandparents founded in the 1940s, with her brother Steven Harris, sister Megan Johnson, and their cousins, Chris King and Jessica Suva. Italian Fiesta operates five locations in Chicago and the south suburbs.
Jerk Chicken Pizza
The jerk chicken pizza, available whole or by the slice, combines tender white meat with a flavorful dark sauce from Jerk Villa. It’s topped with mozzarella over a crispy crust. Steven Harris, who manages and co-owns the business, detailed the process: “We cook our own chicken in our spices for a couple hours, let that cool, then chop that up.”
Harris spreads the jerk sauce as the base, foregoing the usual red sauce. They ran out of sauce shortly after Lee’s review but have since restocked and aim to add the popular pizza to the official menu by year-end.
Sausage Pizza
The sausage pizza remains a classic favorite. Their homemade sausage, made from pork butt and seasoned with a family recipe, retains its appeal. The sauce is a simple mix of tomato puree, secret spices, and water, used uncooked to maintain brightness and depth.
Signature Crust
The crust is a family secret, thin yet rich in flavors. It’s crafted with specific flour, milk, and butter, resembling a paper-thin pastry. The dough rests briefly for about an hour before being rolled out.
History and Legacy
The business was passed down from the original founders. Patti Tubbs shared that her Sicilian grandparents started the pizzeria back in 1944. The establishment has transformed from an eat-in joint to takeout only, retaining its commitment to quality with whole milk mozzarella cheeses.
Recommended Pairings
Whole pizzas are highly recommended, though half-and-half toppings provide delightful combinations. Plump shrimp with garlic or turkey sausage with hot giardiniera make notable pairings.
Additional Offerings
Other menu items, such as the Italian beef and sausage sandwich or the baked mostaccioli, showcase generous portions. The fried catfish dinner, paired with spaghetti and garlic bread, is another customer favorite.
Visiting Italian Fiesta
While they offer takeout only, the experience is enhanced by their quality meals. Despite a crowded waiting area, patrons are advised to enjoy their meals immediately if possible. Parking is limited, adding a degree of hustle to the visit.
The name Italian Fiesta remains a mystery, attributed to a creative choice by the founder. The pizzeria continues to serve its community from its original 71st Street location.
Italian Fiesta Pizzeria
1919 E. 71st St.
773-684-2222
italianfiestapizzeria.com
Hours: Daily from 11 a.m., Sunday through Thursday until 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m.
Prices: $27.75 for a large sausage pizza, $29.75 for a large jerk chicken pizza, $24.65 for a medium shrimp and garlic pizza, $3.75 for a jerk chicken slice, $9.75 for a catfish dinner, $1 for ginger ale.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, takeout only, no public restrooms.
Rating: Very good, two of four stars.
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