Mod Pizza's First Chicago Joint Is Open In Roscoe Village ... And It's Fast

ROSCOE VILLAGE — Chicago's pizza scene has a new style — fast.

Seattle-based Mod Pizza, which operates more than 200 restaurants worldwide, has opened its first location within city limits at 3643 N. Western Ave.

Mod was founded by a former Starbucks executive who had the idea to marry "made-to-order" fast food — a la Chipotle and Subway — with pizza.

Personalized build-your-own pies are cooked and served within minutes of ordering, thanks to really big, really hot ovens, according to a company FAQ.

In addition to speed, Mod has earned a reputation for its vegetarian and vegan options and a pricing scheme that charges by the size of the pie, not the number of toppings, alllowing customers to pile on ingredients without piling on the cost.

Unlike another freaky fast chain, Mod doesn't deliver, but does offer carryout as an option. The menu also includes salads, desserts and a small selection of beers.

The chain has been around since 2008, which raises the question: For a company that prides itself on being super-fast, what took it so long to get to Chicago?

^{Mod's first Chicago location, 3643 N. Western Ave. [All photos DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]}

^{Customers choose from dozens of ingredient options.}

^{The thin crust pizzas are ready within minutes of ordering.}

^{Mod's pizzas are priced by the size — 6-inch or 11-inch — not the number of toppings.}

^{Oh yeah, and there's more than pizza on the menu.}