Novel Pizza Cafe, 1759 W 19th St, Chicago | Reviews

Welcome to Novel Pizza Cafe

Located in the heart of the vibrant Pilsen neighborhood at 1759 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608, Novel Pizza Cafe stands as a welcoming destination for those who appreciate the intersection of culinary tradition and a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere. Our establishment is built on the simple philosophy that great food serves as the foundation for meaningful connections. Whether you are a long-time resident of Chicago or a visitor exploring the rich cultural tapestry of the city, our cafe offers a space where you can slow down, enjoy a thoughtfully prepared meal, and experience the unique charm of our local surroundings.

At Novel Pizza Cafe, we believe that the quality of our ingredients and the care put into our preparation process are what define a truly memorable dining experience. We take pride in our craft, focusing on the fundamentals of dough, sauce, and toppings to create a balanced flavor profile that resonates with our guests. Our kitchen operates with a commitment to consistency and freshness, ensuring that every order reflects our dedication to the art of pizza making. We invite you to step inside, take a seat, and become a part of our ongoing story.

What Makes Us Unique

Community-Centric Atmosphere: We strive to create an environment that feels like an extension of your own living room. By fostering a welcoming space at our 19th Street location, we aim to be a reliable gathering spot for friends, families, and neighbors to share a meal and conversation.
Commitment to Quality Ingredients: We prioritize the selection of our components, working with reliable sources to ensure that every pizza we serve meets our standards for taste and texture. Our focus remains on the integrity of the food, allowing the natural flavors of our ingredients to take center stage.
A Thoughtful Culinary Approach: Our menu is designed with intention, focusing on a curated selection of options that highlight classic techniques. By refining our processes, we ensure that each visit to our cafe provides a satisfying and reliable experience for every guest who walks through our doors.
Heart of Pilsen Location: Situated in a historic and culturally rich part of Chicago, our cafe is deeply connected to the energy of the neighborhood. We are proud to contribute to the local culinary scene and appreciate the opportunity to serve the diverse community that makes this area so special.

Join Us for Your Next Meal

Whether you are looking for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner, or a comfortable place to unwind after a busy day, Novel Pizza Cafe is here to provide a warm and inviting experience. We believe that food is best enjoyed in good company, and we look forward to welcoming you to our table. Our team is dedicated to providing friendly service and a comfortable environment, ensuring that your time with us is both pleasant and memorable. We invite you to visit us at 1759 W 19th St in Chicago to discover why we have become a cherished part of our local community. We look forward to serving you soon.

Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
Atmosphere
- Casual
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking

Lilianna Meyer

30-05-2026

I can’t praise this spot enough. I’m so happy to have a new regular pizza spot that actually hits the spot! The owners are really great and the entire team was welcoming when I went in for pick up. The space itself was awesome. It’s small but there’s some indoor seating. The highlight is the decor by both of the owners influenced by their backgrounds. Order type Take out Meal type Dinner Price per person $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk

Ivan Corona

30-05-2026

Don’t get me wrong, the food was tasty, but there was nothing particularly unique about it. The menu is very limited, and I came here expecting more of the Mexican-Filipino fusion they heavily promote on social media. In reality, the pizza … More

Emily Martinez

30-05-2026

As you can tell from the photos, I’ve been to Novel a couple times since they opened 🤩Their pizza truly never misses. I typically stick with the Gremski (tavern style) and flip between hot pep, longanisa/giardinieria and build your own. I’m … More

annie

30-05-2026

hands down one of the best pizzas i’ve ever had. my family and i got 2 pizzas, one tavern style and the other alico style. if i had to choose one, i’d get the alico style. it was life changing and worth every penny!! More

Dan Ward

30-05-2026

Absolutely fantastic! Went on a Sunday afternoon and had to wait around 40 min. Definitely worth the wait. In a town that's known for it's pizza, this is at or near the top of the list. More

Matthew

30-05-2026

Ugh this is a tough one. 3 star feels too generous, 2 feels almost too harsh, but you can't give half stars. This was a "curveball" pick for my time In Chicago. Came across it on it and seemed like people loved it. Visually looked good online. Service was decent. No issues and about what you would expect from counter service pizza joint. Smile and friendly when taking the order. Same for ambience, no wow factor. Basically exactly what you would expect the corner pizza spot to look like. Slightly old school almost dated. Basic. But really mo complaints. It serves its purpose. Now the pizza. That's where it all gets squabbly. Visually it looks great, solid photo pizza. But where here to eat the food not just take pictures. I got half with ricotta and I tried that side first, and I noticed a grainy mouth feel. I thought that was the ricotta so I tried the other side. To my surprise same thing. This grainy mouth feel. When you look close you can see tons of dry herbs on top which it's what I credit for the mouth feel. They don't break down or anything so when over done it just absorbs the grease but adds a weird texture. Was like sandy feeling. Then the crust. With the thin tavern style I was looking for the thing crispy crust. And while it was thin and crispy maybe it's the hydration level of the dough but it is crispy but almost gives stale wafer over crispy pizza crust. Between the crust and the graininess it was hard to enjoy. I think just seasoning the sauce and eliminating the dry herbs on top would make a huge difference even with the crust texture but together it's not a great combination. People clearly like this place. They were steady the whole 50-60 mins we were there. I mean it's only like 6 tables so not hard to look busy but people were grabbing slices and leaving. For what I was looking for and expecting it missed it almost all Around on the pizza side. Food: 2 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 3