Review: Dicey's Pizza & Tavern in Lincoln Park

From the city’s renowned hospitality group, Land & Sea Dept., Dicey’s has officially moved into the adjoining Parson’s space on Halsted in Lincoln Park. After closing up shop in January at their original Ukrainian Village location, Dicey’s has brought their tavern-style pizzas and Italian-inspired menu to the North Side.  

Shareable starters include the new Giardiniera Cheese Curds, crispy, fried mozzarella and giardiniera served with a spicy giardiniera aioli. Other pre-pizza options are highlighted by Dicey’s Meatballs, house made with slow-cooked pork & beef and topped with marinara and parmesan; Giardiniera Dip made with house-pickled chopped giardiniera, cream cheese and parmesan, served with chips or crudité and Garlic Parmesan Tater Tots topped with Calabrian chili aioli. Needless to say, there’s a bit of spicy kick in everything! 

Fresh salads include a twist on a classic in the Caesar, made with bite-sized florets of cauliflower and crunchy kettle chips tossed with romaine, aged Italian cheese and a creamy lemon anchovy dressing; and the Chopped Greek with romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, artichoke, feta cheese and red wine vinaigrette.  

Sandwiches, available during lunch only (until 4pm), highlight traditional Italian meats and toppings such as The Italian Submarine with hot capicola, genoa salami, hard salami, mortadella, provolone, Calabrian chili aioli, tomato, onions, lettuce, red wine vinegar and oregano; and the Dicey’s Meatball Sub layered with slow-cooked pork & beef meatballs, marinara, provolone, mozzarella and parmesan. Want one of the best deals in town? Head into Dicey’s from 11am to 2pm, Monday through Friday, for a $12 half cold sandwich and salad combo. 

Specialty pizzas include the Peppy Boy made with old world pepperoni, hot honey, mozzarella, parmesan, wild oregano, tomato sauce and Calabrian chili oil (this is hella spicy so ask for it on the side if you don’t want to have a Hot Ones situation), and Hippy Flip, a vegetarian pizza topped with parmesan cream, roasted mushrooms, taleggio, mozzarella, lemon and green onion. We’re of the ilk that loves pineapple on pizza so of course, we’re recommending The Hawaiian, a tomato-sauce based ‘za topped with mozzarella, REAL bacon, pineapple and fresh basil.  

But don’t skip on the Classics! Our surprising favorite on the menu is the no-frills Sausage, another tomato-sauce based canvas smattered with finely crumbled and house made Italian sausage alongside melty mozzarella and parmesan. You can also build your own culinary masterpiece with your choice of sauce and nearly two dozen premium toppings to choose from. We’re suckers for dipping sauces to go with our crusts so if you’re anything like us, add on delicious dippers like their signature ranch or the so-amazing-you'll-want-to-take-more-home roasted garlic butter!  

Nice but totally not necessary, cap off your salty meal with a little bit of sweetness by grabbing some cannoli to enjoy while still at the table or as a treat when you make it home. The cannoli come filled to order in two different varieties – Raspberry & Pistachio and Chocolate.  

Dicey’s has a selection of regional and local draft and canned beers, including their new Dicey’s Tavern Beer, a perfect pairing with the restaurant’s aesthetic that references both neighborhood corner bars and old school pizza parlors. Elements of ‘classic era’ pizza parlors such as custom plates, red tumblers and the like are evident in the small touches and are set inside rooms with custom millwork and seating.  

In addition to beer, Dicey’s offers an equally robust selection of specialty cocktails, frozen drinks, and specialty shots. The menu features a rotating selection of frozen drinks, known as D’ICEEZ, including the famous Original Negroni Slushie courtesy of Parson’s in the adjoining space.  

Dicey’s is located 2435 N Halsted St and opens daily at 11am.