Millcreek Pizza House is a Place I’d Be Nostalgic for Someday if I Went There as a Kid Today

These are no frozen pies slung into an oversized Easy-Bake Oven; Millcreek Pizza House is making carefully crafted Chicago-style thin-crust pizzas that anyone can enjoy. Photo Courtesy: Millcreek Pizza House

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To get the full experience when visiting Millcreek Pizza House (MPH), I didn’t make my way directly to the restaurant. Instead, I started by working up an appetite at the outdoor roller rink situated directly in front of it. MPH has become an anchor of the ever-evolving Millcreek Common, nestled between the old standard Tres Hombres Mexican Grill and Cantina and James Beard semifinalist Normal Club’s ice cream truck.

Feet sufficiently sore from skating, I turned in my roller skates and made my way into the airy, glass-walled dining room of Millcreek Pizza House, then through the open garage-style door and out to the large, inviting patio.

This practice of making your way from the roller rink to seek out a slice of pizza feels inherently nostalgic. That said, these are no frozen pies slung into an oversized Easy-Bake Oven behind the prize counter at the roller rink of our childhood; Millcreek Pizza House is making carefully crafted Chicago-style thin-crust pizzas that anyone in the family would enjoy.

When I spoke with Stacy House, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Jim, I realized that this nostalgic feeling was very much intentional. As House explains it, she wanted to create the kind of pizza place she grew up frequenting south of Chicago. She addressed the expectation of Chicago deep dish by saying, “Living in Chicago, of course we’d go out for deep dish on occasion, but for every week pizza, this is what you’re getting.”

As I sat down, I ordered a root beer, which is really the only beverage I want with pizza, if I am being really honest with myself. I had come to enjoy MPH’s new rodizio program, where you can accept or reject a slice from the pizzas as they come out of the oven and are brought around the dining room. Given their location, I love the choice to implement this program. You can bring the family, and everyone can get what they want.

The first slice I had was the classic Margherita, which was great: cracker-thin crust, sweet fresh tomato, loads of basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Then, wanting to do a thorough job, I proceeded to try every pizza they brought around. I believe there were 12 by the end of the night. I had to roll myself out of there, but I did it for you. After trying everything I could, these were the standouts for me.

First, the “Little Miss Figgy.” This is a drug I have not yet built up a resistance to, and I have found myself craving it since my visit. It has pesto, cheese, fig and is drizzled with hot honey. It’s spicy, cheesy, sweet; I love it. I need more Miss Figgy!

Second is the classic cheese. I just think of Kevin McCallister in Home Alone ordering a “lovely cheese pizza, just for me.” What else can I say? It’s a great cheese pizza; you can’t go wrong.

Lastly, there’s what I think is their best pie: the “Sweet Home Chicago.” This has red sauce, mushrooms, caramelized onions, Italian sausage and giardiniera. The sweetness of the onion, along with the spiced sausage and acidic, pickled pop of the giardiniera, is really perfect. I think it encapsulates the nostalgic, homey feeling that Stacy and Jim House are trying to create at Millcreek Pizza House.

Millcreek Pizza House is in the heart of Millcreek Common at 1357 East and 3300 South. You can check out their menu online or find them on Instagram @millcreekpizzahouse.