Italian Fiesta Pizzeria: Chicago’s Hidden Gem with New Jerk Chicken Pizza

Italian Fiesta Pizzeria, a cherished fourth-generation family business in Chicago, continues to delight with its classic thin cracker crust and homemade fennel sausage. Yet, their secret jerk chicken pizza has unexpectedly become a standout. Keith Lee, a notable TikTok food critic, shared a video of his visit to the Hyde Park location, highlighting their half jerk chicken, half sausage pizza. This branch famously served former neighborhood residents, Barack and Michelle Obama.

“As soon as our doors opened, demand was non-stop across locations,” said Christine Mikulec, granddaughter of founders Connie and Phillip DeCarlo, who established the restaurant in the 1940s. Mikulec co-owns the pizzeria with her siblings and cousins. The jerk chicken pizza features melted mozzarella atop tender white meat chunks with a distinctive dark sauce sourced from Jerk Villa, a well-known local Jamaican eatery. Steven Harris, co-owner and hands-on manager, noted the chicken is cooked with their spice blend before being used on pizzas.

The oven-baked process infuses the chicken with impressive flavor, and the jerk sauce replaces the usual red pizza sauce. Additional toppings can be added, staying true to traditional Chicago pizza practices. Initially introduced quietly, the jerk pizza gained popularity after Keith Lee’s review, leading to a temporary depletion of sauce supply. They plan to make jerk chicken an official menu item by year’s end.

Their sausage pizza remains a bestseller, known for its flavorful thin crust and homemade sausage, crafted from pork butt seasoned with their family recipe. Italian Fiesta’s sauce is unique, featuring a blend of tomato puree, secret spices, and water with no cooking involved. The crust, made from a specific flour blend with milk and butter, delivers a pastry-like texture.

Established in 1944 by Sicilian immigrants on 67th Street, the pizzeria’s tradition continues with whole milk mozzarella, a key to its rich flavor profile—even when eaten cold. The pizzeria also offers unique combinations like turkey sausage with hot giardiniera or jerk chicken with jalapeño and pineapple. Despite their takeout-only policy, the pizzas’ quality remains high, with slices available in various topping combinations.

Besides pizzas, Italian Fiesta serves an Italian beef and sausage combo and traditional baked mostaccioli. The catfish dinner, paired with spaghetti and signature garlic bread, provides an excellent taste experience. Though the waiting area is small, the food quality encourages prompt car consumption. Despite operational changes, the legacy pizza remains unchanged. The origin of the name ‘Italian Fiesta’ remains a family mystery, believed to reflect the founders’ celebratory spirit.

Italian Fiesta Pizzeria is located at 1919 E. 71st St., with five locations across Chicago. It is open daily, with extended hours on weekends. Prices range from $1 for ginger ale to $29.75 for a large jerk chicken pizza. Accessible for takeout only, the pizzeria holds a ‘very good’ two-star rating by the Tribune.