Rocco Ranalli's

My first meal in Chicago and I have to say it was not bad, we had our food delivered to the hotel and Rocco Ranall's delivers (it was late when we arrived to the hotel),so the desk clerk gave us 2 menu's to choose from and we went choose Rocco.

Had some antipesto salad and the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Not bad for a first meal in town but not great.

I do appreciate your fast delivery and good tasting pizza Rocco.

Love this place has the crispest thin crust pizza in the city! We did a large thin crust with extra sauce, was most excellent.

I am torn writing a review of this place, as I have been going here for about 28 years.  I remember as a child eating amazing pizzas here, and as an adult being a regular here.   Since then it has moved locations, closed, re-branded and reopened.  When it finally reopened a few years ago, I decided to come back.  At that time I told the manager Jake that their food had changed and was not of the same quality it had been before, he listened.....  Jake was an amazing manager.  He took the place from a cheap beer and pizza place to craft beers and gourmet burgers etc.  Something happened later and he abruptly left.  This is a shame because he was the keystone that made this place good.

This place is a bar and a restaurant.  But they are not connected in terms of management as there are different owners for each as I understand. Rachel is a good bar manager and runs it well, you can tell she cares.  The regulars are good people, the staff lots of fun and down to earth/approachable. The beer selection, prices and service at the bar are fair and above par....  

There is a gentleman who runs the food operations and every time I see him, he looks the part of a chef, but that is it I believe.  The food at Ranalli's is forgettable.  I have read reviews on here about the food tasting dirty.    They are correct.    I don't want to say it but the last two times I have eaten here has me writing this review.  I have ordered pretty much everything on the menu here and it all could be better.  Ranalli's food has a pronounced taste.  Like a dirty oven or grill top. Like the hood has never been cleaned and the grease just drips on the flat top "seasoning" it.    Last week I ordered a chicken sandwich (my standard go to) and had to return it because it smelled like fish! It had a repulsive smell and it made me dry heave.  I am always returning salads because the egg has gone bad or chicken fingers because they are wet and undercooked.  I am not a picky eater.  I hate returning food, and when I do I don't order anything else.  I find myself apologizing for returning it, that's just how I am.  The pizza is OK. But with so many great pizzas in Chicago, I refuse to consume those calories just for the hell of it.  There are so many things you can do with a crust to make it taste better, flakier, different, but here it's tasteless, hard and has that made yesterday taste to it. Not to mention the pizza itself is super greasy!  The burgers taste dirty.  Like they haven't cleaned the grill in forever.  It's not a char taste it's a dirty taste.  I had to return the macaroni and cheese they call famous.  It was dry and there was barely any sauce.   This is a problem.  There are about 10 bachelors who live in the area and frequented this place for their dinners.  It's like a second living room, but in the last year I know 8 of them have stopped eating here, me being one.  That's a lot of money they are missing.   The presentation of the food is lackluster as well.  It just seems like everything is lumped on your plate.  Fries are soggy.  You can tell just by looking at them.

I will probably get shunned for writing this review as I know most of the people at this place, but I have brought the food issues up to management and the food keeps getting worse.  There is so much potential here for great food and late night dining and delivery, but when you are paying $10 for a burger or chicken sandwich, at least clean the grill before cooking it.  There are about 100 choices for food on the menu and it is all mediocre.  I'd rather them do 15 options and perform them well, with fresh ingredients and care, rather than sloppily throwing Sysco food on a plate.

Get it together people!  The food used to be great!  Ill write another review if something changes.   I just want this place to be my go to neighborhood food spot and recently it just hasn't been delivering.