For more than three decades, Little Joe’s Pizza has been a local favorite in Tinley Park. And now, after a major renovation and new ownership, the neighborhood pizzeria is serving up a fresh take on tradition while keeping the flavors customers have loved for generations.
Located at 7976 W. 167th St., Little Joe’s reopened in July 2024 after a six-month facelift led by owner Joe Christiano of Lockport. Christiano officially took over the restaurant in January 2024 and immediately set out to modernize the space while preserving its community spirit.
“Little Joe’s has been around since the 1960s in Chicago, and the Tinley Park location opened in the late ’80s,” Christiano said. “I completely gutted the place for a facelift, which was much needed to modernize it and make it cleaner.”
While the look may be new, Christiano said the heart of Little Joe’s remains the same.
“Some customers might not like the change, and I totally understand,” he said. “But I kept the pizza the same and 95 percent of everything else has been changed for the better.”
Christiano brings two decades of restaurant experience to his role. After college, he worked for a large restaurant group, eventually becoming a regional director overseeing more than 10 locations. When the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the restaurant industry, he took a new direction, opening The Phoenix Kitchen and Cocktails in Homer Glen, an upscale concept known for its wood-fired grill, handcrafted cocktails, and organic wine list.
At Little Joe’s, Christiano continues to emphasize freshness and quality. “Everything is made in-house to keep it fresh,” he said. “Customer favorites include the pizza, meatballs, pot roast sandwich, corned beef sandwich and nachos.”
He describes the Tinley Park location as having a “neighborhood pizzeria sports bar vibe like Cheers,” where regulars have become more like family than customers.
The restaurant’s menu remains broad and satisfying, featuring thin-crust, deep-dish and stuffed pizzas, along with a wide variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta and seafood. A kid’s menu rounds out the offerings, making Little Joe’s a comfortable choice for family dining.
Christiano said his goal is to create a welcoming space for anyone looking for good food and good company. “Come on by to have a great pizza, see your favorite sports team play, and meet some new friends,” he said.
Little Joe’s Pizza is open daily for lunch and dinner, offering dine-in service, takeout, and convenient delivery through Slice, an online platform that supports local pizzerias by providing affordable, pizza-focused ordering and delivery options.
Excellent food, excellent atmosphere. The pizza is back to where it used to be. The sandwiches are delicious and the staff is really courteous.