After exploring the science of thinking at Mind Works, I was absolutely starving. With this in mind, I did a quick deep dive into my saved locations on Google Maps for a close and convenient food option. Scrolling through my saves The Art of Pizza on State with its lone dollar sign caught my hungry eye and I started the short trek over.
Google claimed it was an 11-minute walk, but with my poor food planning it honestly felt like an eternity. Before long, however, the glowing neon ‘open’ sign was welcoming me to a, thankfully, fairly empty restaurant.
Walking right up to the counter I ordered myself a slice of the thin-crust pepperoni pizza for the incredibly reasonable price of only $3.99. Service was quick and within seconds I was holding my decently-sized piece of pizza and finding a seat to eat it.
Ultimately, I sat near the door facing a fun muralled wall. The artwork consisted of several iconic Chicago landmarks like the Ferris wheel, the Chicago Theater, Buckingham Fountain, and of course the Art of Pizza with a State and Polk Street sign.
The pepperoni slice hit the stomach and the heart. It was a throwback, a blast from the past of Mall slices once upon a time.
Cue The Mall Montage
Malls were still the place to be when I was a pre-teen (teen too!) It was one of the first places a suburban tweener could wander parentless with their gaggle of friends! I would proudly swing about my bag(s) as I walked endlessly in circles (maybe rectangles?)
My favorite Mall scene is from Stranger Things! The 80s mall montage is iconic! EL is so amazing. Although “Pretty in Pink” has a great scene too!
Inevitably before our parents dragged us back to reality, we would drift our way to the food court. Pizza always seemed to be the lunch of choice since Cinnabon is apparently not a meal!
Slice N it Back
Although I prefer Thin Slice, Art of Pizza offers a wide range of lunch and dinner options at a fantastic price point. A slice of pan pizza will only set you back $4.75. For those of you who love deep dish a slice of the stuffed crust is a meager $5.25. Overall, it is an excellent place to grab lunch or dinner on a budget while enjoying all the Loop has to offer.
When lunch was finished, I cleaned up and headed out onto State Street. Then I began my 20-minute trek to The Chicago Cultural Center.
OMG! This place is so close to my apartment, I will have to try it!
Love your humor in this piece! Made me smile and giggle a bit!