Pizza Night
Our favorite pizza spots, new restaurants and game night experiences, summer getaways, and upcoming events
Joe Arendt
March 20, 2025
Morning, it’s Burbs Explored, your trusted guide for exploring and living well in the Chicago suburbs. Happy first day of spring, despite waking up to snow this morning. On the agenda this week:
Our favorite pizza spots across the burbs
New restaurants and fun game experiences
Ravinia’s summer concert lineup
A New Buffalo getaway guide
The best upcoming events
UPDATE: Looks like most readers prefer our coverage of the broader Chicago suburbs so we are going to revert back. We still hope to launch regional focused newsletters later this year, and will continue to test different ways to cover the various suburbs. Appreciate everyone’s feedback!
Weekly Spotlight
Tomorrow night is pizza night at our house. We usually rotate between a few local favorites but love trying new spots when we can. We are spoiled with great pizza options throughout the Chicagoland area. Everything from deep dish and tavern style to Detroit squares and wood-fired pizza can be found throughout the suburbs. Our list includes places that have been around for decades along with newcomers that are impressing locals and critics alike. Whatever your pizza style preference, we encourage you to check out our favorites below.
What are your favorite pizza spots in the suburbs? Hit reply and let us know what places we should check out!
News & Updates
Chicago’s original game night experience is coming to Bell Works in Hoffman Estates later this spring (link)
A board game-themed restaurant is coming to Batavia (link)
Ravinia Festival announced their 2025 summer lineup which will include Cynthia Erivo w/ the CSO, Kygo, Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe, James Taylor and His All-Star Band, Al Green, Diana Krall, Earth, Wind & Fire, Lenny Kravitz, Maren Morris, and more! (link)
Tickets for the The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens are on sale now, with the event happening April 26-May 25 (link)
Small Cheval hopefully will be opening their latest suburb location in Wilmette this summer (link)
Popular celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis will be opening two restaurants in Joliet and Aurora later this year (link)
PLACE WE WANT TO TRY: We recently heard great things about Stumara, a Georgian restaurant in Wheeling, that was just named one of the best new restaurants by Chicago Mag (link)
Midwest Getaway
Ready to plan your summer getaways? While our focus is on the Chicago suburbs, we also love to explore the surrounding Midwest region. One of our favorite spots for a weekend escape or family road trip is New Buffalo, Michigan. We have curated our favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and play around Harbor County. Check out the guide below, and let us know your favorite Midwest getaway spots!
Upcoming Events
FEATURED EVENT: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler Restless Leg Tour
NORTH SHORE
Sketchbook Brewing Laughs N’ Drafts | March 20 (Skokie)
Chicago Botanic Garden The Orchid Show | Through March 23 (Glencoe)
Super Hero Skate | March 29 (Glenview)
North Shore Restaurant Month | Through March 31 (multiple towns)
Captain’s Carrrnival | April 5 (Winnetka)
Easter Egg Hunt | April 5 (Highland Park)
FORTS! Build Your Own Adventure | Through April 6 (Glencoe)
Bites & Brews | April 10 (Glenview)
Bunny Brunch & Egg Hunts | April 12 (Wilmette)
Pinstripes Kids Club - Easter Crafts | April 12 (Northbrook)
Elawa Farm Spring Brunch & Egg Hunt | April 12 (Lake Forest)
Spring Egg Hunt | April 19 (Glencoe)
52nd Annual Egg Hunt | April 19 (Winnetka)
Buck Russell’s Cupcake Workshop | April 19 (Wilmette)
NORTHWEST SUBURBS
Hi Infidelity at Durty Nellie’s | March 21 (Palatine)
Improv Comedy at Mikerphone Brewing | March 22 (Elk Grove Village)
Heady Cup Coffee Open House | March 22 (McHenry)
Yoga and a Beer | March 22 (Algonquin)
Chicago Reptile Show | March 23 (Crystal Lake)
Superhero & Princess Party | March 26 (South Barrington)
Pinstripes Painting & Brunch | March 29 (South Barrington)
Tala Coffee Class 102: Brewing Basics | March 29 (Libertyville)
Indoor Farmers Market | March 29 (Woodstock)
Blumen Gardens Baby Rave | March 30 (Sycamore)
Tokio Pub Street Food Fest | Through March 31 (Schaumburg)
Progressive Pub Dinner | April 3 (Mount Prospect)
Port Edward Spring Wine Tasting | April 3 (Algonquin)
Phase Three Brewing 6th Anniversary | April 4 - April 13 (Lake Zurich)
Wine & Design Tour | April 5 (Lake Barrington)
Tina Fey & Amy Poehler: Restless Leg Tour | April 6 (Rosemont)
Pinstripes Kids Club - Easter Crafts | April 12 (South Barrington)
WESTERN SUBURBS
Preservation Collaborative Wine Dinner | March 20 (Geneva)
Publican Quality Bread Dinner Series | March 21 (Oak Park)
Indoor Farmers Market | March 22 (Batavia)
Women & Wine | March 23 (Glen Ellyn)
Brews & Yoga | March 23 (Downers Grove)
Common Good Omakase Cocktail Experience | March 23, 30 (Glen Ellyn)
Illinois Vintage Fest | March 29-30 (Wheaton)
Easter Egg Painting at JoJo's shakeBAR | April 1-20 (Naperville)
Morton Arboretum Tequila Dinner | April 4 (Lisle)
Wonder Works Dino Works | Through April 7 (Oak Park)
Cosley Zoo EGGciting Family Night | April 11 (Wheaton)
Pinstripes Kids Club - Easter Crafts | April 12 (Oak Brook)
Catigny Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch | April 12-23 (Wheaton)
Brookfield Zoo Spring Fest | April 12-13 (Brookfield)
Flashlight Egg Hunt | April 17 (Glen Ellyn)
Spring Fun At The Forge | April 19 (Lemont)
The Great Egg Hunt | April 19 (Naperville)
Enjoy this newsletter? Please share it with your friends!
Did a friend forward this email to you? Subscribe here
Let us know your favorite local spots and events (reply or submit here)
Interested in advertising? Details coming soon.