LAKEVIEW — A Michigan-based pizza chain with a cult following will be opening in Chicago next month.
A Jet's Pizza franchise at 2811 N. Ashland Ave. expects to be ready for delivery and carry-out orders in the second or third week of December, the franchise's owner David Falato said. The Sterling Heights, Michigan-based chain is beloved in the mitten state.
"If you’re from Michigan and you don't know about Jet’s Pizza, it’s kind of weird," the restaurant's general manager James Gabriel said. "It has a cult following."
The secret is the Sicilian-style square deep-dish pizza, which Falato claims will be easier on customers' stomachs than Chicago deep dish. Gabriel even describes it as "the Goldilocks" recipe: Not too sweet, not too salty, not too spicy — just right.
"You get deep dishes in Chicago, and you have one slice of pizza and you have to take a nap afterward," Falato said. "[Jet's is] very light and airy."
The chain has locations in Skokie, Arlington Heights and Lombard, but this is the first location within Chicago's city limits. Falato chose Lakeview for its proximity to the DePaul University campus and its young, partying residents. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the pizzeria will be open until 3 a.m. for the after-bar crowd.
If the Lakeview location succeeds, Jet's might expand in the city. Their goal is to open four or five locations, Gabriel said.
Jet's has more than 200 locations scattered across the Midwest and Southeast and is the 17th largest pizza chain, according to PMQ Pizza magazine.
