Marie’s Pizza and Liquors, the most romantic restaurant in town

Marie’s Pizza and Liquors, the most romantic restaurant in town

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.
Valentine's Day heart shaped pizza at Marie's Pizza and Liquors in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)

The most romantic restaurant in Chicago must be Marie’s Pizza & Liquors on the Northwest Side in Albany Park. This must be true because they have heart shaped pizza. And you should know the importance of heart shaped pizza.

Welcome to Marie's Restaurant & Lounge. Please enter through liquor store. (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)

Yes, other restaurants have heart shaped food for Valentine’s Day, but none have lasted 73 years. Originally opened in 1940 by Theodore Karavidas as a tavern and packaged goods store, it wasn’t until 1950 that Karavidas’ son George added pizza. Marie’s was named after Mary Karavidas, Theodore’s wife and George’s mother. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

Marie's Vineyard at Marie's Pizza and Liquors in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)
Over the years Marie’s Pizza and Liquors has expanded, now under the ownership of George’s daughter, Nadine Karavidas. It takes a certain kind of romantic to create a vineyard within a liquor store, lit with starry lights amidst hanging grapes.
Valentine's Day specials at Marie's Pizza and Liquors in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)
This year for Valentine’s Day, Marie’s has not only heart shaped pizza but new heart shaped desserts too, in addition to their regular sweets, including the cannoli, “made specially for Marie’s — voted top three in Chicago!
Valentine's Day decorations behind the bar at Marie's Pizza and Liquors in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)
But it’s the pizza, heart shaped or round, that’s the soul of Marie’s. The Chicago style, thin cracker crust is a real tavern cut slice of Chicago.
Chicago thin tavern style crust at Marie's Pizza and Liquors in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)
Remember Marie’s delivers not only pizza but anything from the liquor store too. Like I said, the most romantic restaurant in town.
Valentine's Day heart shaped red velvet chocolate raspberry whoopie pie dessert special at Marie's Pizza and Liquors in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)