So anyways, I was sad about not getting to visit or taste Chicago. We were driving by Gary, IN, when I had to reference my Saveur magazine because some things did not get packed (possible hotels list, restaurants open on Christmas in Chicago, etc...). I re-read and mentioned to Brad that if we don't stay in Chicago, we have to at least eat some Chicago deep dish pizza. I mentioned a Mexican place listed in the 'zine as a back-up plan but I was hoping for pizza. Burt's Place happened to be on the cover of the magazine. I forgot about the article as I was only looking at the listings. I make the first call to Burt's Place and Burt Katz, owner and pizza maker answered. Yeah! They were open on Christmas. I had an inkling that Burt’s Place would be open on Christmas. He gave me excellent directions. This five mile detour on our vacation was the best detour ever.
And, I get to brag about Burt's Place before Anthony Bourdain. (It's not like Burt's Place is a secret as I mentioned he got feature in Saveur last year). Brad was really glad I brought my magazine. He liked that I surprised him with the restaurant on the front cover because I did not tell him who I was calling and he thought were we going to eat Mexican. We thoroughly enjoyed Burt sharing with us that Anthony Bourdain filmed his place in October. We love A.B. and were honored to be taking part in our own “no reservations”. Now we know and experienced one of A.B.’s new 2009 “No Reservations” episode before airing.
I said to Brad; "when we walk in, do you think Burt will know I was the one that called from the road in Gary, IN?" Even without the magazine in tow, Burt will know. We didn't have to walk in. I whipped out the camera again and took an outside shot of the restaurant from the van. It is 4:30 Chicago time and Burt's Place just opened. My flash was a dead giveaway that we arrived. Brad laughs and says Burt's in the window. And later so is his wife.
We were the first customers of the evening. Burt and his wife, Sharon, greeted us as if we just came in for a family dinner. Brad told him we drove all the way from PA for some of his pie and that began a fabulous evening of conversation, food and drink. It was a personable environment.
There is much going on with the decor. The building use to be an old blacksmith shop dating back to the 1900s. Burt has a lot of memorabilia and over-sized gadgets hanging on the walls and set in the window sills. The lighting is dark as you may see in the pictures. My flash washed everything out but I could not resist taking pictures of the pizzas and Burt. (groupie, through and through) I loved the dishes as they are from the International House of Pancakes (which I did not realize is IHOP - duh! I have not eaten at one. I almost think these plates are from really old IHOPS. They just had that feel.). Burt and Sharon actually vacationed in Lancaster County last year and loved it. Good and Plenty was a favorite dining spot of theirs. We had a great time in this local neighborhood eatery.
The rotary phone rings loudly. Everyone calls in their order whether they eat in or take out. Sharon answered a “do you deliver” call. When Sharon said no deliveries, she hangs up. Unless it is 35 feet to a table – Burt cackled. We joked we would deliver it if it was on our way but it probably would not make it to the customer. The phone rings again and Burt says it’s the same people. I holler the wife yelled at her husband, you know they don’t delivery. Just order the pizza and pick it up. We all laugh about the calls. (two other tables seated now) .
The pizza - Awesome. That is what we came for - awesome food. Fresh, homemade ingredients. One picture is of a call in before the pie was baked. Ours (onion, sausage, mushrooms) was after it was baked.
This last shot is of me almost stopping myself wishing Burt a "Merry Christmas". I did not want to assume but the Katz's are Jewish. Silly me. So Burt pulled out his "Merry Christmas to all my Gentile Friends" sign and we have a good laugh at my expense.
