If you don't mind eating your pizza with multitudes of children running around tables or sitting next to a game room complete with stuffed-animal and pinball machines, then J.P. McCarthy's is the ideal restaurant for you and the whole fam. The diverse menu of gourmet pizzas makes up for the zealous children, and the outdoor brick-walled patio caters to a wider crowd, offering an ideal place for a cold brew and a nice slice. The full bar and big-screen TV playing the game don't hurt, either.
The menu of thin-crust pizzas will make your mouth water, offering choices like the Foghorn Leghorn with grilled chicken, red onions, basil, peppers and goat cheese; Judgment Day with tomatoes, garlic, sausage, pepperoni and pepperoncini; or the Athena, with olive oil and garlic sauce, mozzarella, ham, red onions, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini, feta cheese and spinach. Pizzas come in 7-inch, 12-inch, 14-inch and 16-inch sizes; prices average $10, $14, $17 and $20 respectively, depending on toppings.
J.P. McCarthy's, which has served up slices to downtown Winnetka diners since 1996, also offers other enticing edible options. Some of the highlights include fish and chips and the chipotle bleu cheeseburger with crumbled bleu cheese and spicy chipotle sauce. From sandwiches and salads to ribs and wings, there's something for everyone, even the pickiest eaters, making this the ideal neighborhood spot to bring the whole family.
Average cost: $10-$20
Centerstage Reviewer: Katie Chelminski
