Rich Jensen cuts the ribbon on November 17 at the new location for Pizza Castle. (Photos by Don Pointer)
Comings & Goings: Pizza Castle now open in Hickory Hills
Co-owners Rich Jensen and his wife, Kathy, get ready to cut the ribbon.
By Bob Bong
After almost five decades of serving pizzas from a small storefront in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood, Pizza Castle co-owner Richard Jensen had an opportunity to move into a bigger space and he jumped at the chance.
So, Jensen packed up the family business and made the move a few miles south to Hickory Hills.
Pizza Castle held a grand opening last Thursday at their new location at 7737 W. 95th St. in the Ricky Rockets plaza.
“The best news,” Jensen said. “Was that the pizzas are the same.”
He was worried because the pizza oven that he had been using since taking over the business in 1973 was too big to make the move to the new location and he had to buy a new oven.
“It was a great oven,” he said hinting that someone might want to move in and start up a new pizzeria.
“The oven is key to making good pizza,” he said. “So far, people are happy.”
Pizza Castle was already the name of the pizzeria when his brother Paul bought the place.
“We talked about changing the name, but decided to leave it be,” he said.
Pizza Castle was and remains a family business. Jensen’s wife, Kathy, and his sons Erik, Rick and Kris are all part of the staff. Kris is also a North Palos firefighter.
Jensen said the new location is about three times the size of the Gage Park location. “We went from about 750 square feet to 2,200 square feet,” he said. “We now have a walk-in cooler. Ten tables for sit down service. And we have outdoor seating.”
The new place also comes with a seven-seat bar that will allow Pizza Castle to offer gaming machines, as soon as their license is approved.
“We’ll have four machines, but we needed a liquor license. We only will sell beer and wine.”
Pizza Castle features very thin crust pizza. It has two house specialties: The King Arthur has sausage, mushrooms, green pepper and onion; the Pie by Di has sausage, mushroom, pepperoni and jalapenos. Pizza sizes range from 10-inch to 18-inch.
But pizza isn’t all they do at Pizza Castle. The menu includes sandwiches, pasta, wings, calzones and shrimp.
In addition to the new dine-in option, Pizza Castle offers catering, delivery and take out.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call 708-930-5600 or visit eatatpizzacastle.com.
They are still hiring, if interested.
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Live 5 minutes from their original location and am sad they left. You all are gaining some seriously good tavern style pizza. This was my favorite in Chicago, and will become your favorite soon, I guarantee. Will still make the trip out once a month though, it is too good to go without!
For got to mention, they hand make their own sausage and it is the best you will ever have on a pizza! Sausage and jalapeño for the win.
Been coming to your location in gage park till I retired also my son ulbought there till we moved to Lemont
Congratulations Rich and Family on the move. Lots of great memories at the 55th Street Place playing Foosball till 3 am and catch in the parking lot. And the Best Pizza in the Entire Universe. Any chance of getting a Pizza Castle T-Shirt ? Mine fell apart in 1983. Thanks !!
My Granny Tanny Helen’s ???? spot. This place hits home for me as an adolescent growing up! Time shared In the community! Class Act! From Bob to my Aunt Irma!
So awesome…congratulations! We’ll have to come to visit. Lived 1/2 block away before we moved 36 years ago. You aren’t that close now, but sure are a heck of a lot closer!
Pizza Castle has always been delicious . We’ve been ordering from there for 35 + years . It is a happy family business and I love the fact that you will still have the same ingredients at your new location. My mom literally lived a few doors down so it was so convenient & my mom would order the double dough pizza with extra sauce and we’ve been going there with different family generations. Everything there is delicious! Congratulations on your new move. Looking forward to trying out the new place
Congratulations from the …Cadena Family .
Love Love Love this za !
My sister and her bestie worked there for many years back in the day . I’m looking forward to visiting the new place.
The pizza is still the best in Illinois. New location and the pizza tastes just like at Gage Park. So glad to have a great pizza nearby.