Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom in Chattanooga: Beer-Forward Pizza Bar with Competitive Pricing
Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom is a casual, counter-service pizza restaurant with an extensive beer program, located in Chattanooga with a focus on hand-tossed pies and rotating craft taps. The concept combines a neighborhood pizza shop with taproom depth, making it distinct from both quick-service chains and high-end pizzerias in the local market.
What Old Chicago Actually Is
Old Chicago operates as a full-service pizza restaurant with a dedicated bar, not a fast-casual counter pickup. The space functions as a sit-down destination where beer selection drives as much traffic as the food menu. Unlike newer artisanal pizza concepts focused on a single style, Old Chicago anchors its identity in hand-tossed, American-style pizza paired with a beer list that rotates seasonally. The brand maintains a consistent casual tone across locations, meaning the Chattanooga site delivers predictable quality and menu structure rather than a local chef's singular vision.
Menu, Pizza Styles, and Pricing
Old Chicago makes hand-tossed, pan-style pizza, a middle ground between thin New York crust and thick Detroit square format. Signature pies include the Skeptical Chicken (grilled chicken, bacon, cheddar, ranch drizzle) and Thai Pie (peanut sauce, chicken, vegetables, crushed peanuts). Build-your-own options let you choose sauce, cheese, and up to seven toppings.
Individual pizzas (one to two people) typically run $12 to $16 for standard builds; specialty pies add $2 to $3. Large pies (three to four people) range from $16 to $22. Appetizers, salads, and sandwiches fill gaps in the $8 to $14 range. The taproom serves beer, soft drinks, and occasionally wine. Verify current pricing by phone, as regional pricing varies.
How It Compares to Other Chattanooga Pizza Options
Old Chicago occupies the casual, beer-forward middle tier. Against Niki's Pizza, which emphasizes thin-crust New York style and operates as a small neighborhood shop without a liquor focus, Old Chicago trades intimacy for breadth of beer and a broader menu. Against Pasta Factory, which leans toward Italian-American dining with pizza as one component, Old Chicago centers pizza as the primary draw. Against chain-adjacent competitors like Blaze or MOD, Old Chicago delivers more personality and a curated beer list in exchange for slower service. The choice depends on priorities: choose Old Chicago for beer variety and hand-tossed crust; choose Niki's for New York purist pizza; choose Pasta Factory if you want dining beyond pizza.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Old Chicago works well for beer enthusiasts pairing exploration with casual food, groups of four or more ordering multiple pies, and diners who value consistency. It suits lunch crowds and post-work hangouts equally. It does not suit purists seeking single-style Neapolitan or wood-fired pizza, nor those prioritizing speed or solo dining at a bar counter. Families with young children will find it functional but not optimized; it reads more as a bar that serves pizza than a family pizzeria.
What a First Visit Involves
Upon arrival, seating is first-come, first-served at tables or bar stools. A server will present the pizza menu and beer list simultaneously. Ordering pizza takes two to three minutes; standard pies take 12 to 15 minutes from order to table. Beer selections are straightforward if you know your preference; staff can guide unfamiliar diners through the current tap list. Plan for 45 minutes to an hour for a one-pizza, two-beer meal.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Old Chicago's Chattanooga location operates in the North Shore area. Hours typically run 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, with Sunday hours 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (confirm by phone, as seasonal adjustments occur). Parking is available on-site or via surrounding lot access. The space accommodates groups and accepts both cards and cash.
Old Chicago fills a practical gap in Chattanooga's casual dining: it delivers consistent, above-average hand-tossed pizza alongside a beer program serious enough to visit for the taps alone, without the wait or premium pricing of dedicated pizzerias. It works as both a weekly pizza stop and a planned taproom visit.
