The 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness ‘Mom & Pops’ Champion: Bartolini’s

Our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament, sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven, started with 128 pizza places in our “Mom & Pops” bracket. The one to come out on top was Bartolini’s of Midlothian! A day after winning our month-long tournament, owner Chris Bartolini joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats […]

After 4 weeks of voting on 160 Chicago pizza places, 128 Mom & Pops and 32 Local Chains, the polls are closed and we have our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Champions. Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-host and WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff joined John Williams and Andy Masur to announce and call the winners. Listen […]

Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber has been busy. With seven Billy Bricks Pizza locations and a mobile fleet of pizza and ice cream trucks, he’s bringing his Moo Joe’s ice cream to Evanston in the beloved Parlor on Central (2002 Central Street). Ric joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on Chicago’s Very Own Eats to […]

Between St. Patrick’s Day, Illinois Primary Election Day, and just being one Chicago’s all-time great places for comfort food, it’s an understatement to say Manny’s Deli is busy. Because of that, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff were glad 4th-generation owner Dan Raskins could make time to join them for the 100th episode of Chicago’s Very […]

Jarosch Bakery opened in Elk Grove Village in 1959, and has been a staple in the community ever since. In 2024, owners Ken and Kathy Jarosch sold to family-owned Ideal Bakery and still remain very involved with Jarosch’s in its new era. Ideal Bakery president Chris Kowall joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the […]

Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joins Bob Sirott to talk about the 2026 Pizza Madness tournament and how Bob inspired a twist for the local chains competition. Click here to vote in the Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament 2026 and the Chicago Pizza Madness 2026: Local Chains Division.

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago’s Very Own Eats” Mike Piff joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Lisa Dent, to talk the 2026 Pizza Bracket. This year, the bracket features more pizza joints than ever before. 128 “Mom and Pop” pizza places will duke it out in their own bracket, separated by region, while 32 […]

How has it already been a year since our last Pizza Madness Tournament? After doubling the field last year to 128, and the championship victory by Rosati’s, we go into Year 4 of Chicago Pizza Madness with another new twist! We have moved the local chains into their own 32-competitor division, and will allow 128 […]

Sankyu Sushi & Izakaya is new to the Mount Prospect area, and has the goal of bringing an elevated Japanese dining experience to the Northwest suburbs. Sankyu Sushi spokesman Han Jeon joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about why they opened in Kevin’s hometown, what Japanese traditions […]

On the 21st floor of The LaSalle Chicago hotel (208 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL) is a hidden gem that is better described as an “experience” than just a restaurant. Grill on 21, as part of Roanoke Hospitality, offers a modern, elevated twist on the classics you know from American steakhouses, and a bar that […]