In this era of the "gastropub," when bars are increasingly trying to cater to a wider customer base with elegantly prepared foods, it's nice to find a no-nonsense, old-school Chicago bar and pizza joint that sticks to what it does best. Such is the case with Angie's Pizza, located on the far Southwest Side. Not much has changed in that part of the city, and Angie's is a throwback to when a thin-crust and a pitcher of beer was all that one needed to have a good Friday night.

Walk in, and you'll find a long bar that's seen its share of good times, worn but still standing. Tables and seating dot the main dining room, with lighting just dim enough for the romantics among us. Angie's serves classic Chicago thin crust and stuffed pizza. Prices range from $6.45 for an eight-inch thin crust to $24.95 for an 18-inch pie with four ingredients. Pizza isn't the only meal Angie's does right. It specializes in classic pub grub like burgers, hot and cold submarine sandwiches, calzones and Italian comfort food. House specialties include "Sophia Loren pasta" made with spicy tomato-basil cream sauce with bacon.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Chuck Sudo