For decades, Candlelite served beer and ultra-thin crust pizza on the far North Side. The pizza was cracker-thin and square cut, a style of pizza that is as distinctly "Chicago" as our nationally-famous deep-dish.
Not too long ago (about 18 months, I think), Candlelite closed. Their signature sign that used to announce birthdays and weddings of regulars simply read, "Closed". My heart sank when I drove by and saw that message and I immediately felt guilty for not going more often. Fortunately, it wasn't shuttered for long. A group of regulars got together to re-open Candlelite. It underwent a remodeling and expansion and is again open for business.
The pizza is as good as ever. It doesn't noticeably deviate from the original recipe. Candlelite's pizza is about as cracker-thin and crispy as it gets.
I made my first "post-remodeling" visit recently and I was very impressed how the place has been updated while still holding true to what made Candlelite such a neighborhood favorite. It's bigger, cleaner, and a little shinier now. There are nice new TVs at every viewing angle (and in the bathroom). It's more of a "restaurant" now, but it still primarily feels like a bar environment. The menu has been slightly expanded, but I focused on pizza. (A medium with sausage, mushroom, and onion). It (along with a salad and two pints of Guinness) fed two of us for dinner, without a scrap left over. An old addiction has been rekindled.If you're like me, you like your thin crust crispy and you'll love Candlelite.
Cheap eats tip: Hit Candlelite with some friends on a Tuesday night for 2-for-1 pizza night.
Candlelite is located at 7452 N. Western Ave (just S. of Howard), 773-465-0087, street parking possible.