UNITED CENTER – CHICAGO, IL

The United Center is home to the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls.  While this has not been a great year for the Bulls (we’re tryin’ for Zion) they have still have glimpses of greatness.  The Bulls will likely barely have 20 wins but they have beat some good teams, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder.  This was the case on this particular occasion when they were victorious against Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and the rest of the Thunder.  If they aren’t a great team, one thing they have is great pizza.

While Lauri Maarkenen and Zach LaVine may not be household names, yet, the Giordano’s Pizza is.  The pizza is fantastic.  This is the first season where Giordano’s has been a sponsor of the Bulls and it is fantastic.  The pizza can be purchased at the main location on the first level where it is made to order, or at many concession stands around the stadium.  The stadium has both deep dish and thin crust pizza.

 The pizza is just as fantastic as the pizza found at the restaurants throughout the city.  The food is fantastic, the lines are long and worth every second of the wait.

While the pizza is great, the atmosphere is even better, win or lose.  It helps when they win but the Chicago Bulls is currently the fourth most valuable team for a reason.  I highly recommend coming to see MY Chicago Bulls and eating the pizza.  I have written about the United Center pizza many times but each season the pizza gets better and better.  I also like how they keep working to make the dining experience better and better, year after year (if only we could do that for the team).

UNITED CENTER – CHICAGO, IL

The United Center, home of the 6-Time NBA Champion Chicago Bulls, who appear to be tanking in grand fashion, is by far one of my favorite stadiums on planet earth.  I am a totally biased Chicago Bulls fan, but with a statue like that of the GOAT, Michael Jordan, how can I think anything else.  I have visited this stadium too many times to count, and each time is amazing, win or lose.

On this particular occasion the Bulls lost to the Rockets in a very competitive game.  I got to see Carmelo Anthony in one of his 10 games as a Houston Rocket, and “Hoodie Melo” even made an appearance.  The game was fantastic.  I finally got to see Chris Paul in real life as well.  The game was great, and as always the pizza was too.

I was rather disappointed to find out that Woodgrain pizza was gone and replaced with Giordano’s Pizza.  I now can only get Woodgrain at Midway since none of their locations are near my house.  I also cannot get spinach pizza anymore.  However, Giordano’s is tried and true.  It is a staple in this city.  I go there very frequently, however, its just as good at the stadium.  The stadium has stuffed and thin crust.  The thin crust pizza is much thinner than the extra thin, which is not thin, at the store.  It is very good, so a good differentiation between what you get at the stores and what you get at the stadium. The flavors, however, are just as good.  I love Giordano’s anyway so the super thin crust makes it even better.  If thin is not your thing, the stuffed will be just as good as that in the store.  If you get it from the main location on the lower level you can get your pizza made to order.  The pizza is hot, fresh, fantastic, awesome, terriffic, and every other positive word.

If pizza is not your thing you can still get Chicago Dog’s, hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, BBQ, and whatever else you want in addition to a likely blowout.  LOL!

WRIGLEY FIELD – CHICAGO, IL

Wrigley Field is the home of the 2016 MLB World Champion Chicago Cubs.  The stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in the country and it is definitely the most magnificent of the older stadiums.  While it is very similar to Fenway in design the ivy and the location relative to the city makes it stand above the crowd.  The stadium is simply wonderful and I highly recommend visiting it and possibly taking a tour (it is not something I’ve done yet but I did one at Fenway and now I want to do it at Wrigley).  I hear the tours are great.

Since this is a pizza blog, I will begin to talk about pizza.  The pizza here is fantastic.  The pizza used to be awful before they decided to partner with Giordano’s Pizza.  Giordano’s Pizza is likely the most popular stuffed pizza in Chicago.   The pizza is simply fantastic.  They serve both stuffed and thin crust pizza at the stadium.  I chose the stuffed pizza on this visit.  I had the thin crust on my last visit.  Both are spectacular.

The stadium three different varieties: sausage, cheese, and pepperoni.  I purchased the cheese pizza.  The pizza is just as good as the pizza at the stores around the city.  They are individual pizzas if the pizza is stuffed.  The thin crust pizza is sold by the slice.  I believe the only options are pepperoni and cheese, but since I was not looking for thin crust on this visit I cannot confirm.  The concession stand locations that sell pizza can be found on the opposite ends of the stadium.

The pizzas are identical to those in the store which was great because I knew when I walked in the stadium that it was going to be a good time no matter what the outcome of the game.  The pizzas are thin crust or stuffed, not deep dish, meaning they make the stuffed pizzas like a pie with a crust on top.  The cheese and toppings are in the middle with the sauce on the top layer of the crust.  The actual layers of crust are not very thick, however there is a thick layer of cheese, and toppings if you choose, in the middle.  The amount of cheese and sauce are perfect for a stuffed pizza.  You need a decent amount of sauce, however some local restaurants have too much sauce or not enough cheese.  Giordano’s is one of the restaurants who have a perfect mix.

If there are those in your party who want things other than pizza, there are the standard Chicago concession stand foods; Chicago dogs, hot dogs, fries, burgers, or chicken fingers.  However, if you want to feel like a real Chicagoan you should get some Giordano’s pizza.

THE UNITED CENTER – CHICAGO, IL

The United Center is home of the National Baskeball Association’s (NBA’s) Chicago Bulls and the National Hockey League’s (NHL’s) Chicago Blackhawks.  I most recently visited the stadium on the night that the Chicago Bulls played the Dallas Mavericks.  The game was a great game.  I expected both teams to play poorly because both teams are tanking but both played well, with the exception of Christiano Felicio playing almost the entire game instead of Bobby Portis (who came in off the bench at the end of the game and won the game for us).

The game was amazing but I also got to see some of the biggest names in basketball, as well as some up in coming names.  Seeing Dirk Nowitzki and Mark Cuban made my entire week.  I also saw the J J Berea, Rick Carlisle, Harrison Barnes, and the rookie sensation Dennis Smith, Jr.  Zach LaVine was playing for the Bulls and he will be a great player in the NBA.  Bobby Portis is also a rising star for the Bulls as well.

Now, for the pizza.  The pizza at the United Center adds to the greatness of the stadium.  You have two options, Woodgrain Pizza, which cooked fresh to order. They have a standard menu but you can customize the pizza to your liking.  I always add spinach to the four cheese pizza.  They even have a Philly cheesesteak pizza.  They have grated parmesean cheese and even Chicago staples such as the Chicago Dog (hot dog) and Italian Beef sandwiches.

If you do not want thin crust pizza you can also have Connie’s deep dish pizza.  Connie’s is popular around Chicago.  It is not the Chicago stuffed pizza that the city is famous for, but it is still very good.  The only issue is that it is not fresh.  It is good and can be found in your grocer’s freezer.  Many people love Connie’s but I love Woodgrain Pizza so I always choose Woodgrain.

If pizza is not your thing they have many other options.  My husband went for the cheeseburger and fries at Legacy Burger.  While I would never defect and get something other than pizza, if you must, there are other great options at the stadium.

We even got a full moon out of the deal.

UNITED CENTER – CHICAGO, IL

The United Center is the home of the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls. I have written about this stadium many times, however this experience was a little different.  The stadium has a new atrium that recently opened.  The centerpiece of the atrium is the Michael Jordan Statue.  The statue was relocated from the outside of the stadium to accommodate fans visiting the statue in inclement weather.  While the stadium is located indoors you do not need a game ticket to enter the atrium.  The statue appears to have been refinished and is now more magnificent than ever.

 

Since this is a pizza I should talk about pizza.  Once again I chose to eat at Woodgrain Pizza.  This is the best pizza place of any stadium that I have visited.  I previously stated that this title belongs to Dante’s Inferno Pizza at Progressive Field in Cleveland  , OH.  Woodgrain Pizza has many options.  The thing that makes Woodgrain Pizza amazing is that you do not have to order from the menu because they will make you whatever you like.  I ordered the four cheese pizza but I added spinach.  You can have any of their specialty pizzas or you can make your own basic or specialty pizza.    The food is also made very quickly in a wood fired oven.

Woodgrain Pizza is located on the lower level in the same location where DiGiorno’s Pizza used to be.  While DiGiorno’s was good, the decision to go to Woodgrain Pizza was fantastic.

The United Center also has Connie’s Pizza.  The pizza is deep dish, and very good.  While the pizza is deep dish it is not stuffed, which is what many people consider the “Chicago Style” deep dish pizza.  If wood fired pizza is not your thing, then you can go wrong with a slice of Connie’s Pizza.  Connie’s can be found at many concession stands around the stadium.

 

THE UNITED CENTER – CHICAGO, IL

 

The United Center is the home of the streaking Chicago Bulls.  As of this writing they have won five straight games.  Who said we were going to only win 16 games this year?!  I got to witness them beat Kristaps Porzingis and his New York Knickerbockers.   It was also great to see Bennie the Bull again as well.  I specifically enjoyed watching the Bulls players attempt to defend a 7’3” unicorn in Kristaps Porzingis.

While I was there to attend the game, I was also able to eat some good pizza.  As I have written a few times before, the United Center has always had OUTSTANDING pizza.  They used to have the most amazing wood fired Digiorno’s pizza topped with oregano.  They then moved to more local Connie’s Pizza at the concession stands.  Connie’s sells deep dish pizza, not stuffed.  They have cheese and pepperoni.  The pizza is delicious.  They also have a wood fired thin crust pizza that is cooked to order, Woodgrain Pizza.

Woodgrain Pizza is fantastic.  The pizza is cooked to order, thus it is piping hot when you receive it.  They also have many different options and the ability to build your own pizza.  There is only one location at the stadium and it sells out quickly but if you get there before half time you are sure to get one of the best stadium pizzas money can buy.  It is just that good.  It is also asthetically pleasing.  It has its own little seating area.  They also have grated parmesean cheese and crushed red pepper.

The Woodgrain Pizza location can be found not far from the trophy case displaying the six NBA Finals Championship trophies.  They also have locations in the city.  If you are at the United Center you can’t go wrong with the pizza, but the Woodgrain Pizza is the best option.  I can’t wait to go back.

UPDATED PIZZA RANKINGS

Scale:

0 – Inedible  😫😠

1 – Really Bad  😩 😓

2 – Not Good  but Edible 😞☹️

3 – Good but Not Awesome 🙂😌

4 – Great 😁🤗

5 – Scrumptious, Truly Amazing 😋😃

THE UNITED CENTER – CHICAGO, IL

The United Center is home to the six-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls and six-time NHL champion Chicago Blackhawks.  The stadium is consistently lauded as one of the best NBA stadiums in the country.  I have written about the stadium many times.  As I stated in my previous post the stadium changed its pizza vendor for the 2016-2017 season.  The pizza, DiGiorno’s pizza, was delicious and the new pizzas are also delicious.

 As I alluded to earlier, and stated in the previous post, there are now a couple of pizza options at the United Center.  Woodgrain wood-fired pizza and Connie’s deep dish pizza.  The pizzas are delicious and hot commodities at the United Center.

Woodgrain Pizza is only sold on the first level.  It is a standalone “restaurant” where all pizzas are made to order.  They have four pizzas to choose from but since they are made to order they will make modifications for you.  The pizza is simply amazing.  The pizza shown was a tad burned but still delicious.

Not to be confused with “Chicago-style” stuffed pizza, the pizza sold at the concession stands throughout the stadium are Connie’s Pizza.  Connie’s Pizza is popular in Chicago, with just cause.  It is simply fantastic.  On the pictures above the pizza looks rather blah; however, the pizza is delicious.  The ratio of cheese, sauce, and bread is perfectly balanced.  It is also very fresh since they can’t get it out fast enough.

‘The pizza sold at the United Center is fantastic.  The DiGiorno’s sold used to be very good but the new Woodgrain and Connie’s pizzas are even better.  The lines are long and they sell out fast.  I recommend eating early because they sell out fast.  I will be eating the Woodgrain pizza next time, however, I will likely alternate and get Connie’s every other visit.  The pizza is good and fresh.  I highly recommend both pizzas.

WRIGLEY FIELD – CHICAGO, IL

Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is located on the North Side of Chicago.  Chicago is known for its many sports teams, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, and even the lesser known teams, Chicago Sky (WNBA) and Chicago Fire (MLS).  Chicago is also known for its delicious pizza, more commonly the “deep dish” or stuffed pizza as it is commonly known as to the natives.

 

While Chicago is known for its stuffed pizza, the thin crust pizza is also very popular.  For years one could purchase both Chicago style thin crust pizza and stuffed pizza at Wrigley Field.  The pizza that was served at Wrigley Field was D’agostino’s  pizza, however the natives of Chicago do not generally speak of D’agostino’s pizza when they speak of the great pizzas of Chicago.  One of the most frequently cited pizza, when speaking of good pizza in the city, is Giordano’s pizza.

Giordano’s pizza can be found through the city and the suburbs.  The pizza is simply the best in Chicago and I am glad that the owner’s and operators of the Cubs recognized that a great stadium, in one of the greatest cities in the world should serve the greatest pizza in the city.  While I did not eat the stuffed pizza at the stadium, I eat Giordano’s stuffed pizza regularly and I can say that it is one of the most gratifying pizza experiences one can have.  I did, however, eat the thin crust pizza and it was also very good.  My husband at the pepperoni pizza and he too was very pleased at the quality of the pizza.

For the most part, the pizza was consistent with the pizza that you will find in the restaurants in the area.  However, it was not a saucy as usual.  Even with less sauce, the pizza is still very good.  I am truly glad that the pizza at the stadium was changed from the terrible D’agostino’s pizza to the phenomenal Giordano’s pizza.  When visiting the stadium, I highly recommend ordering the pizza served at the stadium.  I also recommend ordering the stuffed pizza, if you are not a Chicago area native, or current resident.

While I truly enjoyed the pizza at the stadium that day, I can honestly say that it tasted that much better because I ate the pizza while watching the third MLB no-hitter of 2015.  The Philadelphia Philies’ Cole Hamels pitched his first no-hitter and won the game 5-0.  Since I was rooting for the Cubs I was hoping to see the Cubs win, however watching a no-hitter was still a phenomenal experience and made my pizza taste that much better.

ENJOY YOUR GIORDANO’S PIZZA WHEN VISITING WRIGLEY FIELD.