Old World Pizza has been a staple in Elmwood Park for decades, tucked into the North Tower Plaza strip mall at 7230 W. North Ave. New owners, Patrick Sumara and Danielle Michelon, have just spread the dough over their first full year, with an eye on carrying this treasure into the future.
“When I met Pat, he’d already been a customer of Old World for 20 years,” Michelon said. “I explained that I grew up near Midway Airport where there’s good pizza on every single block. But when I moved to Forest Park, I wasn’t really finding my pizza spot yet. He told me that he was going to introduce me to a place that he knew I was going to fall in love with it.”
Old World’s thin crust pizza was just what she was hungry for.
It’s a story as old as time … Michelon fell in love with the pizza and Pat. They got engaged, then when their favorite pizza spot went up for sale, they figured it would be a good fit and a great adventure. Their vision, according to Michelon, is, “to make it that favorite neighborhood place again.”
Old World’s beloved thin crust pizza. (Provided)
Flavors are what has kept this place in business and the new owners haven’t changed a thing.
“I definitely take my hat off to our primary chefs Amadeo and Nacho. They put a lot of pride into their work and they definitely care a lot about the recipes,” Michelon said. “We laugh about it now, but when we first took over Amadeo said like, ‘we’re not touching the pizza recipe!’ And we told them, that’s why we bought it, so that no one could change the recipe.”
Chef Amedeo has been with the restaurant for 25 years.
A few items have been added to the menu, including one sandwich that honors a concoction that used to be available only to kitchen workers at Old World.
“It was a sandwich that Amedeo made for the team – off menu. And when we tried it, we’re like, ‘oh, yes,’” Michelon said. “This is exactly what we were looking for. We added it and we named it after him.”
Old World’s take on Italian beef. (Provided)
Amadeo sandwich. (Provided)
It’s a Dagwood sandwich, Italian style: ham, pepperoni, Italian beef with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, two types of cheeses – mozzarella and American cheese – and a choice of giardiniera or jalapeno peppers.
Also on the menu is an award-winning deep-dish pizza, a wide variety of sandwiches, including an Italian beef that Michelon believes gives the more famous sandwich down the street at Johnny’s a run for its money.
Wings, pasta, salads, calzones, desserts and more fill the menu. Lunch specials, party packs and catering options fit most every need.
Wings and sauces aplenty at Old World. (Provided)
There is a small dine-in area, but most sales are takeaway and delivery. Michelon said that they want to make sure people get exactly what they want. Say, your ordering counterpart doesn’t like so many onions (but you love them)? They will dice them for you, split the sides of the pie into halves, or send them on the side.
“Our new slogan is: ‘No one should be unhappy when it comes to pizza,’” Michelon said. “We are paying homage, respect to the origins of the place. That’s why we loved it and wanted to pick up the ball and carry on the legacy.”
To that point: recently a middle-aged customer came in for deep dish. He hadn’t eaten one from Old World since he was a teen but had mouth-watering memories. He quizzed the new owners about whether the recipe had changed. Michelon assured him that they hadn’t touched it.
“And he said, it tastes exactly like when I was 18,” she said. “I’m so happy!”
Know Before You Go
7230 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park
– in North Tower Plaza
originaloldworldpizza.cooriginaloldworldpizza.comm
Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday 3:30 to 9 p.m.
Tues-Thurs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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