There’s no shortage of speedy, freshly made pizza around town these days; quick gourmet pizza in the Chipotle mold is all the rage. But 800 Degrees is different — this is Neapolitan-style pizza, with a beautifully blistered crust that’s just the right amount of chewy and char. The same company that brought us Umami Burger owns this L.A.-based small chain, and here they show the same focus on big flavor. Choose a regular or gluten-free crust, then a base prep (margherita, bianca, marinara or verde). Each additional ingredient is $1, but take care not to give in to temptation and overload the pizza, as Neapolitan-style pizzas can get soggy in the middle. My advice is to stick with one of the terrific Specialty Pies, like the Angry Bee ($8.85), a margherita pizza with soppressata, garlic, Calabrian chiles and honey; or the autumn-appropriate Zucca ($9.05), a bianca pizza topped with sweet roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, bacon and a touch of rosemary oil drizzled on to finish. Can’t get enough cheese? Try the Burrata, which is essentially fresh mozzarella filled with cream and topped with roasted beets and balsamic vinegar ($6) or with prosciutto and melon ($11). There are a few salad preparations, but you can also build your own, much like the pizza. Grab a glass of wine or beer and finish with gelato. The restaurant is spacious with high ceilings and drop-dead gorgeous chandeliers that look like they were borrowed from the Ritz Carlton. So pick up your food and join the happy student- and faculty-heavy crowd at Evanston’s newest pizza destination.
800 Degrees Pizza
812 Church St.
Evanston
224-307-2803
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