Restaurateur Dan Latino, owner of Waterhouse Bar Group and the mastermind behind both Pitchfork and the original Easy Street in Portage Park, recognized that Pitchfork had run its course after a decade. Driven by his passion for pizza and encouraged by the strong community support for Easy Street’s Portage Park location, Latino decided to bring the Easy Street concept to Irving Park. “I opened Easy Street in Portage Park three years ago. I’m passionate about making pizza, and with everything going on figured it was the perfect time to open a second location since the Portage Park [community] has really supported us,” Latino explained. This expansion reflects Latino’s commitment to evolving with the neighborhood’s tastes and offering fresh, exciting dining experiences.
The Irving Park location is not just a simple re-opening; it’s a refresh and a reimagining of the space. Adding a vibrant touch to the building’s exterior, artist Nora Balayti has created a brand new mural, signaling a fresh start for the location and adding to the neighborhood’s artistic landscape.
Mural by Nora Balayti at Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden Irving Park Chicago, showcasing vibrant colors and artistic design.
Pitchfork Food and Saloon, known for its extensive whiskey selection and hearty menu of ribs and burgers, had a successful 10-year run before announcing its closure on June 9th via a Facebook post. Now, Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden Chicago IL is ready to fill the void, promising a different but equally appealing dining and social experience.
Latino is aiming for an early July opening for Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden in Irving Park. However, like many businesses during the current times, the opening timeline is slightly dependent on equipment delivery. “One of the things we’ve been up against during our opening, because of the pandemic, is a hard time getting equipment. We’re just waiting on our pizza ovens, which should arrive any day now,” Latino shared. Despite these minor delays, anticipation is building for the new spot to open its doors.
Once open, the Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden Chicago IL menu will mirror the popular offerings of the Portage Park location. Patrons can expect a delicious array of pizzas, alongside some potentially familiar favorites from Pitchfork’s menu, as Latino considers incorporating some of Pitchfork’s most-loved dishes. Beyond the food, the Irving Park location will retain Pitchfork’s spacious patio, perfect for enjoying warm Chicago days and evenings. Sports enthusiasts will be happy to know that the venue will continue to broadcast sporting events, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. To complement the food and ambiance, Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden Chicago IL will also introduce a brand new cocktail and beer list, ensuring a refreshing selection of beverages to pair with their pizzas and other offerings.
Exterior of the former Pitchfork location at 2922 W. Irving Park Road, soon to be Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden Chicago IL.
For the latest updates on the opening date and to explore the menu offerings (once available for the Irving Park location), be sure to visit the Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden website. Irving Park residents and Chicagoans alike can look forward to a new neighborhood gem in Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden Chicago IL, promising to be a fantastic addition to the local dining scene.
