Aurelio's Pizza
Encyclopedia
Aurelio's Pizza is an Illinois restaurant chain which centers its business around the thin crust variety of Chicago-style pizza
. Aurelio's Pizza has two corporate owned stores and 44 franchised locations in 6 states.
first pizza restaurant, The Italian Village in 1952.[1
In the mid-1950s, one of James’ nephews, Joe Aurelio Jr., came to Macomb IL
to work in the restaurant. Joe eventually moved back home to the Chicago area in 1959 and founded his own pizza restaurant, named Aurelio’s. This was a small, 4 table restaurant on Ridge Rd. in Homewood. Both Aurelios specialized in a distinctive thin crust pizza that was sliced in 'Chicago style' square pieces. By 1977, Aurelio’s had grown so popular that they opened the world's largest pizzeria near its original store in what was formerly a 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) industrial warehouse. The company's slogan is "Aurelio's is Pizza!" When James Aurelio died, the Macomb branch of the Aurelio family sold The Italian Village and it became a Aurelio’s Pizza franchise - and like the original Aurelio’s it is also still in the original location. The chain's main competition is Rosati's Pizza, Nancy's Pizza
and Home Run Inn
, as well as many smaller family-owned establishments.
Chicago-style pizza
Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish pizza style developed in Chicago. Chicago-style pizza has a buttery crust up to three inches tall at the edge, slightly higher than the large amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce, acting as a large bowl. The term also refers to "stuffed" pizza, another...
. Aurelio's Pizza has two corporate owned stores and 44 franchised locations in 6 states.
Aurelio's Pizza History
James Aurelio, founded Macomb IL’sMacomb, Illinois
Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg. The population was 18,588 at the 2000 census. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.- Geography :...
first pizza restaurant, The Italian Village in 1952.[1
In the mid-1950s, one of James’ nephews, Joe Aurelio Jr., came to Macomb IL
Macomb, Illinois
Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg. The population was 18,588 at the 2000 census. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.- Geography :...
to work in the restaurant. Joe eventually moved back home to the Chicago area in 1959 and founded his own pizza restaurant, named Aurelio’s. This was a small, 4 table restaurant on Ridge Rd. in Homewood. Both Aurelios specialized in a distinctive thin crust pizza that was sliced in 'Chicago style' square pieces. By 1977, Aurelio’s had grown so popular that they opened the world's largest pizzeria near its original store in what was formerly a 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) industrial warehouse. The company's slogan is "Aurelio's is Pizza!" When James Aurelio died, the Macomb branch of the Aurelio family sold The Italian Village and it became a Aurelio’s Pizza franchise - and like the original Aurelio’s it is also still in the original location. The chain's main competition is Rosati's Pizza, Nancy's Pizza
Nancy's Pizza
Chicago Franchise Systems, Inc. operates italian-based Chicago-style restaurants in Illinois area which specialize in Chicago-style cuisine They have operated since 1990, when they took over the popular Nancy's Pizza chain of pizzerias. Nancy's itself was started in 1971 by Nancy and Rocco...
and Home Run Inn
Home Run Inn
Home Run Inn is a pizzeria chain based in the Chicago, Illinois, metropolitan area of the United States. It has seven locations, including two in Chicago, Addison, IL, Bolingbrook, IL, Westmont, IL, Bellwood, IL, Melrose Park, IL and Darien, IL...
, as well as many smaller family-owned establishments.
Menu
The chain's specialties are its thin crust pizza and calabrese, also known by most as a calzone. They are not particularly known for traditional Chicago deep dish, though they do offer a thick crust and stuffed crust on the menu. In addition, a variety of other menu items are available, including talian beef], meatball sandwiches, a variety of salads, many appetizers and a special warm cookie dessert. All of the locations offer delivery and carry-out they have 32 full service restaurants with dining rooms and alcoholic beverages. The featured menu item at most Aurelio's locations is their #23 Super-Six thin crust pizza and spinach calabrese.Awards
- Two-time winner of the renowned Silver Platter Award, as being selected by fellow Chicago area restaurateurs as a favorite place to dine (awarded by Food Industry News)
- Best Pizza 2007 Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-TimesThe Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
External links
- History of The Italian Village http://www.eaglepublications.com/thisweek/1174658871_8182.pdf
- Aurelio's website