Love pizza but in the mood to try something new? If you like flavor, fresh toppings, and a delicious, non-greasy, thick crust you should try Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist in northwest Fresno.
Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist is a newer-to-Fresno, fast casual-style pizza place located at 3050 W. Shaw (on Shaw and Marks just a few doors down from Edo-Ya in the Target shopping center).
Chicago-style pizza is known for its thick, doughy crust, but “what’s the twist?” you might be asking. The twist is the option to enjoy delicious Indian fusion-style pizzas in addition to traditional favorite topping combinations.
A portion of the menu at Chicago’s is comprised of mouth-watering, traditional Indian dishes that have been combined with the greatness that is deep dish pizza, and the end result is an absolute party for your taste buds. Local franchisee and Fresno native Tejinder “Teji” Padda says the restaurant is part of a growing chain of locally owned franchises originally from Sacramento (another location will soon open in Clovis).
How popular is the combination of pizza with traditional Indian food flavors? So popular, this isn’t the only pizza fusion place in the neighborhood. Located just across Shaw is the newly opened Curry Pizza Company. So clearly, Teji is on to something with his menu offerings.
When I asked Teji what pizza he’d recommend to someone who hasn’t tried Indian food before, he recommended the Chicken Tikka Masala or the Butter Chicken pizza, which is his top seller. All pizzas are made to order, and you can ask for mild, medium or spicy, depending on your tastes.
My family decided to try out Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist recently, and in tow, we had a friend of my ten-year-old son’s. As is typical for kids, both boys weren’t feeling adventurous when it came to their pizza orders, so they each ordered their favorite traditional toppings (pepperoni and crispy bacon for my son, Canadian bacon and pineapple for his friend).
My husband and I wanted to try the Indian-style pizza, and though I was leaning toward Chicken Tikka Masala pizza based on a mouth-watering photo I’d seen in my Instagram feed, our server suggested we try both the Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken as a half-and-half. I’m so glad she did.
The Chicken Tikka Masala side was good. Very good. But the Butter Chicken side was amazing! I expected Butter Chicken to have a milder flavor than the other, but it was actually the opposite. The Butter Chicken pizza was extremely flavorful and the toppings on all of our pizzas were fresh and plentiful in quantity.
The thick, pan crust was pillowy but not greasy, and it was baked perfectly with lightly crispy edges. The amount of cheese was generous, and the melt was great—bubbly and perfect.
The atmosphere at Chicago’s Pizza is very casual: somewhat plain, but clean and comfortable, and the dining area is perfect for a laid back meal. Take out seems to be a popular choice, too, if you don’t feel like dining in.
Service was friendly and it was clear the manager wanted us to be happy with our food. A chilled bottle of ranch dressing was provided without us having to ask for it, once we sat down. We also ordered a side of samosas, which came with two dipping sauces—they were superb. (I’m actually really wishing I had some right now as I write this.)
If you’re in the market for a fresh take on pizza, or simply love a good thick crust, I highly recommend giving Chicago’s Pizza With a Twist a try!
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