Boiler Room

I was staying with my brother for the weekend, and we were headed home from a punk show where we had burned pretty much every available calorie our bodies could stand. My brother decided we needed "comfort food" - which, given our Wisconsin upbringing, ended up being mostly alcohol. The "PB & J" here is a great deal (Pizza, Beer, & Jameson), especially if you go with the house "Boiler Room" slice, topped with meatballs, cauliflower, and spicy giardiniera. The thing is piled so high it ends up eating more like a pita than a pizza slice, but if you appreciate more experimental pizza, it's well worth your while. Atmosphere-wise, the place is imminently rust-belt - the brick-and-wood decor, tavern lighting, the smell of booze and greasy food, the rumbling of nearby trains drowned out by melodic, raspy-voiced music... Oh yeah, and they have Jameson on tap.

With industrial style decor that is slightly reminiscent of a level of Tony Hawk's Underground and bathrooms that are modeled after CTA cars, the Boiler Room definitely has a unique atmosphere compared to a lot of other bars. This is a great bar if you are on a budget because of the $7.50 PB&J special - a slice of pizza, a PBR tall boy, and a shot of Jameson. The pizza is all right, but not really the main attraction of the Boiler Room for me. But the slices are large and will fill you up. It definitely draws a hipster crowd, as do most bars in Logan Square, but the atmosphere is very cool, and it's a great place to have a laid-back evening to catch up with friends or warm up for the rest of the night. It's definitely worth at least one visit. The bar is cash only and there is an ATM with a $2.50 charge, but they will give you a shot of Jameson if you give them your receipt. This place is great for fans of Jameson because they also have Jameson ice cream!

The Boiler Room is at 2210 N. California in Logan Square. Whole pizzas come one size only, cut into six giant slices that you have to fold over to eat off of stainless steel plates. The pizzas will satisfy anyone looking for a New York Slice after getting their arm twisted into watching a work friend's band play at Township. "Hey, you guys are pretty good!" The PBR meatballs are kind of bland but the sausage is great. The giardiniera is too spicy, or just right if you’ve got to prove your adolescent masculinity. The pizzas can be prepared entirely vegan, making the boiler Room a perfect place for omnivores and herbivores to bitch about their bosses. The fully stocked bar has classic movies projected onto its back wall in a mirrored double image. It's really cool. Since the ATM service charge is $2.50, the restaurant offers a free shot of Jameson to all who withdraw cash from the machine. There is a rotating selection of alcoholic soft serve. Right now it is Jameson vanilla, ginger or swirl. Sample the soft serve in a shot glass before you settle on a whole waffle cone’s worth. But don't go driving with it like a dick just because you won't get pulled over for eating soft serve. You will instantly recall junior high school if you are seated at one of the two tops which are made from old desks and push against your thighs. The staff is friendly and the service is good enough. There is a serene patio in the back with heat lamps above every table that provide a warm eerie red glow. The bathrooms look like el stops. I have visual confirmation only of the men's though. If you like punk rock and good pizza, The Boiler Room is for you.

For the uninitiated, a boilermaker is a beer "cocktail" consisting of a beer and a shot of whiskey. The best deal at the Boiler Room is that (a tallboy of PBR and a generous shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey) plus a slice of your choice of their phenomenal pizza. It's not deep dish, but it will definitely fill you up. You can't go wrong with seating (the booths are roomy, there are communal and small tables, and the bar is very comfortable), but it can get crowded in the evening. The art on the walls is all from local artists, which is pretty cool. And if the weather is nice, definitely check out the outdoor seating in the back. Very cozy. Also the bathrooms are hilarious. They're built like transit cars on the 'L,' complete with hanging straps to keep yourself upright, clanging metal doors for the stall, and a PA that announces that you've arrived at the California stop whenever the door opens or closes.

I lived down the street from Boiler Room for a year and I went there at least once a week. With a killer PB&J special (pizza, beer, & Jameson), you really couldn't go wrong. For $7.50, you get a slice of pizza (cheese, pepperoni, or whatever's on special that day) plus a PBR tall boy and a shot of Jameson. How could you not do it? Also, the pizza here is actually delicious. Yeah, it's not your average Chicago-style 4" deep pizza, but the slices are gigantic and it's truly quality stuff. Even if pizza's not your thing, it's a great place to chill for a drink. The vibe is laid-back, it's decorated like a boiler room, and the "booth" seats are made out of seat belt straps from some Swiss airline. They have good beer on tap, decent cocktails, and (wait for it) Jameson ON TAP. It is certainly one of my top picks in Chicago for a chill night of drinking and noshing.

The cash only aspect kind of sucks, but they have an ATM there if you are low. Apart from that, love Boiler. Pizza is sooooooo good. Love the industrial train décor. Even the bathrooms have old CTA announcements on a loop, so you feel like you’re whizzing in a train station. Hilarious. Lots of pizza options. My favorite is probably the PBR meatballs with the house-made Giardinara. Has this crazy fresh relish type sauce on it. Not that lumpy relish you are used to, but sweet pickles mixed with this sauce that is just perfect, and also goes REALLY well with whatever beer you order. On a budget, grab the PB & J special: a slice of pizza, PBR, and a shot of Jameson. Speaking of Jameson. They make Jameson ice cream here. And yes, it is as heavenly as it sounds. Just be aware they are known to run out. It’s that good.