Carreno’s Pizza

Sad news to report, the owner, Joe Carreno passed away before the New Year (2012) and both of his locations are now closed.

decent… nuthin more
fast and friendly delivery but the pizza is nuthin to brag about
thin crust is kinda thick… kinda dry…(very little) sauce n (gobs of) cheese werent very flavorful but at least the toppings were fresh and tasty

what do you do when you need something to eat while watching boardwalk empire? Pizza. So Carreno’s it was.
We got delivery, so everything is based off that and the pie itself. The delivery got to my friend’s in the time they said and it was nice and hot. I liked the sauce on this and overall the pizza was pretty good. We got thin crust and the crust was pretty good.
This was good pizza, but more in the I need something now that will satisfy the crave type category. That is just fine by me as this certainly filled that need

I thought this ‘za was pretty good…
I’d had some of their thinner crust pizza a long time ago, and was hankering for some pizza, so tried it again last weekend.
I was a little weary of ordering something because this is one of those places that does it all — pizza, ribs, chicken, mexican (yah.), fries, sandwiches, etc. etc. It seems like when places try to cover every possible food genre, they inevitably end up falling short in a number of those genres. But, we gave it a shot anyway.
We ordered a ‘pan pizza’ with veggies, chx nuggets, a combo sandwich with fries. I did not try the sandwich but heard it was ‘okay’. I did try some fries and didn’t like them at all — they were the generic, bland, blah kind. No thanks.
I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the pizza. It was like a not-​fully deep dish pizza, but almost. On the thicker side. Lots of big pieces of veg (broccoli, spinach, mushroom), good crispy crust, semi-​sweet sauce. Loved it — the first night. After several days of pizza leftovers, I did overdose a little (a lot) and have since put myself on a pizza ban for the foreseeable future.
But, when I’m good and ready, I’d definitely order some pizza from them again! (I would NOT order fries)
It helps that they’re about a block away from the pad… but still. It was good. And the order was ready for pickup in under 30 mins — pretty fast for a Friday night dinner order.
Note: They also print coupons (we used a 25% off one) that are found in area coupon mailers.

Tum tum tum tum… TUMS!
Not a good pizza pie by any standards.
After years of contemplating ordering from here, I finally pulled the trigger.
Bad mistake.
This is the kind of pizza pie you eat after a night of heavy drinking… only and if you like your heartburn, ouch.
Overpriced, comparable to a pizza chain, i.e. Little Caesars?

Good pizza for when you’re drunk… I don’t think I’d come here otherwise. But, seriously good after you’ve had a couple…
These guys are nice too! I saw a drunk guy sleepin’ in here for like an hour once and they just let him sleep it off :) I love when people get that sometimes you’re drunk, need a slice, a nap, and no one messing with you.

We’ve ordered delivery from Carreno’s a few times since moving to this neck of the woods a few years ago and I’m really not a fan. The delivery has always been pretty quick and the prices are okay. But the pizza has been soggy every time. It’s definitely not a «cracker crust» pizza unless we’re talking about crackers soaked in chicken noodle soup. For my time and money, I’d choose Robey’s before Carreno’s.

Carreno’s holds a special place in my heart. Ordering it brings back the memory of the carpet picnic my husband and I had on the floor of our new apartment the first night we lived together. We didn’t have any furniture yet, but we had a Carreno’s special and each other, and that’s all we needed.
I like Carreno’s. The crust is crispy and delicious. The sauce is slightly sweet. The cheese is thick and greasy. Plus they’re right up the street so we can pick it up or have super fast delivery. I don’t go for Carreno’s every time I want pizza, but I always go back to it, and it always hits the spot.

…and the (pizza hunting) beat goes on… and the beat goes on…
Carreno’s: I suppose if I were out routinely gettin’ my party on and coming home schwasted, you’d be the bee’s knees. As I’m really more of just a chubby kid in search of a pair of comfortable shoes these days, I reckon you were too much of a blandish pile of goo for my liking. You’re a guilty pleasure, to be sure. Piles upon piles of cheese on maybe just a little too thick and doughy pan crust… like at Pizza Hut. The price is right, though…18 bucks for your XL Pan with a bottle o’pop to boot. But for our ½ Hawaiian and ½ «Carreno’s Special», I felt like all of that cheese-​crust-​ness was there to hide my lack of topping volume. I mean, come on… one piece of ham per slice on an eight slice pizza? I’m not OCD guy or anything, but I noticed.
All of that said, I actually liked coming to pick up my pizza. I suppose I’ve never included this critical evaluation factor in my ratings before, but after my D’Agostino’s experience last week, I’m going to keep it in the repertoire. You guys are happy, joking around, and really look as if you like making pizza. There’s something to be said for people who like what they do and do it well.
I’ll try you again because you’re right up the street, but think I’ll go thin crust next time. Keep on keepin’ on!

Decent stuff. The thin crust pizza was pretty good, sauce was a touch too sweet for my tastes, but not bad by any means. I ordered half sausage, half pepperoni. I’ll stick with the sausage from now on, the pepperoni in combo with the slight sweetness of the sauce just didn’t do it for me. The crust was a bit thicker, with rolled edges so if you can’t stand the cracker-​style thin crust, this might be for you!
The potato skins were a bit meh, they looked good, but ended up being pretty bland. Mozzarella sticks were very good, though we didn’t get any marinara sauce with them.
The perch dinner was about average, and again with the missing sauce, no tartar included.
They delivered to Uptown, even though we’re a bit away from. Call and see if they deliver to you, you might be surprised.

After receiving an advertisement in my door for this place, I thought, «why not.» The prices were really good – and I was having a hell of a time finding a good pizza place in my new neighborhood, Avondale.
The pizza, thin crust with pepperoni, was delivered quickly, hot, and good.
I am a pizza snob… and I typically like thin crust. While I am a Pizza Metro and Lou Malnati’s addict, I’ve been searching for someone who can do a decent thin crust job… and the last place I picked. Mazaons or something. was suggested in my Unilocal talk topic – where to get pizza in Avondale. I was very very disappointed… so when I received this coupon/​menu from Carreno’s I figured they couldn’t do worse… besides, they are $ 5 – 10 cheaper than any other pizza place in this area.
I used the «coupon,» «special offer,» or whatever it is mentioned on the front of the menu (I assume that this is the most often ordered combo). In the special you get: 1 large 14″ pizza with one topping, a side (choose from wings, garlic bread, breaded mushrooms, fries, potato skins, salad, extra topping, or rib tips), and 1 liter of RC for &12.99. This came out to $ 17 something with delivery charges ($ 3) and tax, so with a decent tip the whole thing was $ 21 (the delivery, though quoted at 1 hour took 20 mins, and the driver actually rang my doorbell instead of not being able to figure out what «rear building» meant and rigging my neighbors).
Anyway… this isn’t Chicago’s best thin crust, but so far it is the best thin crust for the area… and damn, it is so cheap that I don’t know if I will chance anyone else. I will definitely order again, though next time I will try something other than the garlic bread… that was a bit eh… stale. But hey, it was free; and when dipped in ranch and siracha, anything is delicious!
–side note – they deliver beer at reasonable prices (think 6ish domestic, 8 corona)

Great thin crust pizza. I always order the «Special» (sausage, onions, mushrooms, and green peppers) For you newcomers to Chicago, that is pretty much a staple here in Chicago. Every pizzeria has the same combination, and they just give it a different name. (special, deluxe, etc)
Anyway, this pizza is simple great. The crust is always the right texture (on the crispy side and never mushy). Best of all, they are very generous with the toppings. Never any skimping !! The cheese is tasty and also heaped on throughout. It is just one great pizza and while this is Chicago, and other places mail in the area have specials that I try (half off etc) I ALWAYS come back to Carreno’s when I am in the mood for a great thin crust pizza. Now here is the best part… delivery is amazingly fast and the pizza always comes hot… just like you are dining in and they brought it to your table. Need any more comments? This is a winner.

My 5-​star rating of Carreno’s may be premature, as I’ve only stopped in once –last night –and that was just for some slices. But what slices they were! Thin, wide and greasy, with extra-​large pepperonis overlapping each other and covering the entire surface of the slice, baked to crispy perfection, yet still foldable, should you roll that way.
The place itself is very non-​descript, the interior utilitarian and unadorned, the only distraction from its mission being a mid-90’s CRT television mounted high on a wall. You know those «Hogan’s Alleys,» the mock-​up urban spaces the FBI, etc. use for live-​fire training in a simulated city environment? This would be the token pizza joint in one of those places –the interior is strictly business (it’s like the anti-Ranalli’s). When I visited, there was an old Italian guy chewing out a delivery driver, who talked with a heavy South Side brogue. A young kid of vaguely middle eastern appearance took my order and answered phones, a saggy-​panted black kid was on break, two Mexican guys were working the ovens, and a hipster beardo was in line behind me, probably on his way back to Logan Square. It was like a Benetton ad for old school pizza. Looking forward to returning there, for sure.

Before pizza got all fancy-​pantsed and trendy faux italiano wood ovened and yuppified, there was Carreno’s. Pizza when pizza is what you want hot and greasy and delivered lightening fast.
Old school pies priced like they should be. You want a damn goat cheese and artichoke pizza… go elsewhere you pizza hipster! This place rocks!

Carreno’s Pizza rules!!! It’s kind of a little messy from all of the people scarfing down pizza on their way to rumble in the heart of Wrigleyville or coming back after early time drunkery, but it’s the perfect stopping point between east meets western.
A friend and I stopped in on a Friday night unable to figure out what it was we were trying to order. The guy working the counter pointed out a good deal and we sat down waiting for our food. Lo and behold my buddy comes back with two ice cold MGDs and I couldn’t believe it! Pizza and beer at a super low priced place like Carreno’s!
It was awesome we ended up sitting there drinking for awhile and watching an AL West playoff game. When the pizza came out a little bit slower than the people working there expected, the guy behind the counter was nice enough to give us a couple of more beers on the house!

Carreno’s has been a family tradition for over twenty years (I grew up just down the block). They have provided solid pizza for countless celebrations, funerals, etc. We dutifully followed them when they moved across Damen to their present location. The kind Mexican family who owns the place has always been very friendly. My father’s last meal would surely be a slice of their thin-​crust bacon pizza. (yuck).
As for me, I think their thin-​crust is good with lots of cheese and a spicy-​oregano sauce. It has disappointed some who are fans of that newfangled «east-​coast» stuff that’s sweeping the town. A surprising standout? Their stuffed pizza. Oozing with delicious cheese and tasty sauce, it holds its own against better known rivals like Lou’s and Pizza Art. The other food? Having grown up watching my father devour buckets of rib-​tips caused me to swear off non-​pizza items.”

I love crispy thin crust pizza’s, and the ones here do not disappoint. Carreno’s is more of a carry-​out/​delivery place, but they do offer some tables and a TV should you want to dine in. The slices are a bit pricey.

We live really close to Carreno’s so my roommate and I order from there all the time. They have awesome meatballs. And we like their pizza. The menu is pretty big and I’ve had a few items but the meatballs are sooooo good.
An added bonus: I ordered a can of pop when we got delivery the last time and the delivery guy forgot to give it to me, I didn’t catch it either. Then 5 minutes later there was a knock — he brought me the pop. I was so pleased.

I starting frequenting Carreno’s in the late 80’s when they first opened across the street. I have to admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for this place. I have known the owner for a long time. Like most restaurant owners he works his ass off to make his Pizza place the best it can be. While I admit that it’s not the best Pizza in town, I will tell you that they really good BBQ Pork Ribs and Beef Sandwiches. The menu is pretty extensive and has a lot to offer other than Pizza.
I agree with Bob W’s review when he says never trust a review written by someone who orders a slice of Pizza in Chicago. It sounds like a New Yorker to me.

Let me start this review by explaining one thing. NEVER trust a pizza review written by a person living in Chicago that would buy a slice of pizza. Nicholas and Gretchen, presliced or precooked pizzas are purchased by bumpkins, tourists and New Yorkers. It is eaten only by infidels. An authentic Chicago pizza is fresh and cut in small squares. Presliced reheated pizza is not a choice Mike Royko (R.I.P) offered in his official rulebook of proper Chicagoan etiquette. Perhaps you two were reviewing the cardboard under the pizza. If that is the case Carrenos must have some good cardboard to rate two stars.
I find the fresh made pizza to be among the best available in the neighborhood. I have never purchaced a slice from under the heatlamp.
Service, you ask? A few years back, we placed a delivery order in 25 below zero temperature. Carrenos is at Addison and Wolcott. I lived at Eastwood and Western. Quite a few blocks away. I have never been a monkey that will shove a pizza in my head as soon as it is served in the dining room or delivered. I know to wait a few minutes. Due to the inclement weather
I assumed I could dive right in. I burned the hell out of the roof of my mouth! That’s how good the delivery is. When I called the manager on duty to tell him this, he laughed his ass off, as I am the only person that ever called and was injured by the pizza, and complimented them on the prompt delivery. As we were regular customers at the time, he even told us our next pizza was free.
The Italian beef sandwich is what I miss most about Carrenos now that I am living in Texas, (or is this Hell? The sign said Texas). I prefer Roma’s on Cicero or J. B’s on Morse, but that’s quite a drive from the neighborhood. Carrenos still has a HUGE beef sandwich that is damn good at a fair price.
Should one of you review readers discover Uvalde Texas is now in Carrenos delivery area, please let me know!
(Gretchen, I’ll bet you hate the Cubs too).