The Cami family believes that Noli’s food has the power to dissolve your problems. One bite of the oily, cheesy, New York style pizza makes that morning commute but a distant memory. Everything here comes fresh, homemade and mouth-watering-great. This family-owned pizza joint (staffed by a husband-and-wife team, Noli and Raimonda, and their two daughters) provides heaping portions and prices that remind you that you're not in New York. Lucky Midwesterner, you.

Serving up Albanian family recipes and thin crust pizza (reflecting the business's New York roots), Noli’s offers more than run-of-the-mill parlor eats. In addition to pizza, Noli’s offers sandwiches, fresh pasta, and byrek, an Albanian specialty that has people swooning. Wrapped in crisp phyllo dough, with spinach and cheese neatly folded inside, Noli's byrek achieves an airy quality and a sweet and savory taste. Better yet, one byrek (six pieces) costs only $5. Noli’s also sells homemade bread, and Noli insists you must smell it before you taste it.

Be sure not to miss out on the homemade yogurt, a recipe Raimonda has spent years perfecting. Noli recommends eating the sweet and salty combo with both the bread and the byrek. More than the comfort food is the comfortable environment bred by the Cami family. Whether you come for pizza or for a pep talk, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Emily Fiffer