Mar 24, 2025 - Food and Drink
How Bob's Pizza in Chicago makes pickles work
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Any "Seinfeld" fan (like me) knows that putting cucumbers on pizza is controversial.
The bite: Bob's "Pilsen-style" pickle pizza with a creamy, garlic base topped with salty pickles and dill.
- I love olives on pizza but the pickles offer a more subtle briny taste. It wouldn't be overkill if you wanted to top it with some giardiniera.
- The crust is the standout for its crisp bubbles and chewiness so fresh it's almost like ripping off a chunk of baguette.
Between the lines: Pilsen-style is really an homage to Bob's first location in Chicago, according to chef Matt Wilde.
The verdict: Kramer was right — cucumbers, at least pickled ones, absolutely belong on pizza. Delicious!
If you go: Bob's Pizza has locations in Old Town, Hyde Park, Evanston, and, of course, Pilsen.