For this segment of Chowdown Showdown, I visited a few local pizzerias to find the parlor who deserves the best pizza prize for the Yorkville area.

A pizza is the perfect dish for a Sunday football game, birthday parties, and other fun casual occasions. I judged the following pizza’s by taste and quality and recommended the one that stands as most excellent.

Genoa Pizza, 202 E Countryside Parkway

My first stop was Genoa Pizza where I tried the thin crust cheese and sausage pizza. Once I entered the small shop I was overwhelmed by the smell of pasty sauce, herbs, and other ingredients. The pizza smelled so good I dug right in and completely forgot to take a photo of the pizza as a whole. It was that good!

The flavorful sauce was tasty with steep tomato paste, seasoned with garlic and oregano. The cheese complemented the sausage. The crust was not too soft or too crispy, but had a satisfying crunch in every bite. I was very pleased with this pizza. Pizzas have evolved since their orginating days, but I believe Genoa Pizza is what pizza tasted like long ago.

The good at Genoa Pizza: The pizza was prize-worthy from start to finish.
The bad at Genoa Pizza: Nothing.

Suzy’s, 4353 Tuma Road

My second stop was Suzy’s where I picked up a 7-inch cheese and sausage pizza. Although the sausage looks like anchovies in the photo I’ve provided, the pizza was satisfactory. The thin crust was a bit on the dark side but did not ruin the taste of the pizza. The slices were seasoned with garlic and other herbs that completed the traditional taste. The prices were very reasonable and cheaper than the rest of the pizza parlors I visited.

However, it failed to leave an impression. Although good, the actual eatery is what caught my attention. The establishment was divided in half by a long corridor. One half stood as an family friendly eatery complete with tables and booths. The second half was a full service bar equipped with pool tables, good music, and a lively crowd.

The good at Suzy’s: The pizza was tasty and the facility full of fun.
The bad at Suzy’s: The pizza failed to make an impression, but I’d still recommend the group-friendly establishment to families and friends looking for a pleasant evening.

Maciano’s Pizza & Pasta, 272 E. Veterans Parkway

The third restaurant I visited was Maciano’s Pizza & Pasta. Here, I ordered a cheese pizza. The crust was a tad chewy and somewhat crunchy, but it was missing the sauce tang the other parlors' possessed. It was seasoned with garlic, herbs and stuffed with cheese and tomatoes. It was an acceptable pizza, and I would rate it as average.

The eatery was very nice and had a lot of other authentic filling options the other restaurants did not. I would definitely revisit the restaurant to try another menu item, such as their popular pastas, but I would not order another pizza.

The good at Maciano’s Pizza & Pasta: The menu offered a wide range of authentic Italian dishes.
The bad at Maciano’s Pizza & Pasta: The pizza was average and not memorable.

The Winner: Genoa’s Pizza was unforgettable and what comes to mind when I think of authentic pizza.

Next week: Chowdown Showdown will move to Mondays with a quest for the best gyro in Yorkville.