WICKER PARK — Toppers, a fast-expanding Wisconsin-based pizza franchise that serves until 3:30 a.m, will be opening a new outpost in a Wicker Park strip mall on Feb. 16.
The fast-casual chain, which started in Wisconsin in 1991, has more than 60 locations in 11 states and focuses on fresh ingredients, with each store making dough from scratch daily.
Toppings range from classic pepperoni and sausage to the "taco topper," which includes ground beef, tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa.
According to a countdown clock posted in the window of Toppers Pizza at 1658 N. Milwaukee Ave., the new outpost will be celebrating a grand opening on Feb. 21.
Alisa Hauser says Toppers enters a crowded pizza scene:
Free 9-inch personal pizzas, or "myzas," and orders of "Topperstix," the chain's version of cheesy bread sticks, will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 21. Toppers' regular hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. daily.
Toppers primarily focuses on takeout and delivery, though there are a few seats at a counter for folks who want to dine in.
Baked in a hearth oven and similar to California-style pizza, Toppers pies are made with double garlic butter and use at least one-quarter of "real Wisconsin cheese," before being topped with quirky ingredients such as french fried onions, mac 'n cheese and tater tots.
The Topperstix are also available as cinnamon sticks. There are 16 "dipping sauces," for the breads, including garlic butter, bacon honey mustard, nacho cheese and vanilla and chocolate frosting.
In addition to pizza, Toppers offers buffalo wings, seasoned with mild or hot sauce, as well as chili and Parmesan garlic seasonings.
Toppers General Manager Uriah Hose, who previously worked at Jerry's Sandwiches in Wicker Park and Andersonville, will be managing the outpost, which is owned by Wisconsin resident Jackie Apkarian.
Apkarian said on Wednesday that the new spot will bring up to 15 new jobs to the area.
A first-time franchisee who learned about Toppers from her daughter, a Marquette University student who would bring the pizza home, Apkarian said she is also mulling adding an Oak Park Toppers spot, too.
Mark Cairns, director of franchise development for Toppers Pizza, said on Wednesday that the Bucktown/Wicker Park area was selected as the chain's next location because it's "an extraordinarily vibrant area with a great nightlife scene."
"It’s hip and cool and fits with the Toppers Pizza mentality," Cairns added.
Elsewhere in Chicago, there are Toppers in the South Loop, Greektown and Wrigleyville.
Toppers Pizza, 1658 N. Milwaukee Ave. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. daily. Takeout, delivery and a few dine-in counter seats along a window. Phone: 773-486-4000.
Toppers Menu Wicker Park/Bucktown
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