Episodes

  • The 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness ‘Mom & Pops’ Champion: Bartolini’s

    The 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness ‘Mom & Pops’ Champion: Bartolini’s
    Mar 27 2026
    Our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament, sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven, started with 128 pizza places in our “Mom & Pops” bracket. The one to come out on top was Bartolini’s of Midlothian! A day after winning our month-long tournament, owner Chris Bartolini joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats […]
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Champions are…

    Our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Champions are…
    Mar 26 2026
    After 4 weeks of voting on 160 Chicago pizza places, 128 Mom & Pops and 32 Local Chains, the polls are closed and we have our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Champions. Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-host and WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff joined John Williams and Andy Masur to announce and call the winners. Listen […]
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  • Billy Bricks pairs their pizza with award-winning Moo Joe’s ice cream

    Billy Bricks pairs their pizza with award-winning Moo Joe’s ice cream
    Mar 20 2026
    Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber has been busy. With seven Billy Bricks Pizza locations and a mobile fleet of pizza and ice cream trucks, he’s bringing his Moo Joe’s ice cream to Evanston in the beloved Parlor on Central (2002 Central Street). Ric joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on Chicago’s Very Own Eats to […]
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  • Chicago’s Very Own Eats’ 100th episode with Dan Raskin from Manny’s Deli

    Chicago’s Very Own Eats’ 100th episode with Dan Raskin from Manny’s Deli
    Mar 12 2026
    Between St. Patrick’s Day, Illinois Primary Election Day, and just being one Chicago’s all-time great places for comfort food, it’s an understatement to say Manny’s Deli is busy. Because of that, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff were glad 4th-generation owner Dan Raskins could make time to join them for the 100th episode of Chicago’s Very […]
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  • Jarosch Bakery is in good hands and still ‘baking memories’

    Jarosch Bakery is in good hands and still ‘baking memories’
    Mar 6 2026
    Jarosch Bakery opened in Elk Grove Village in 1959, and has been a staple in the community ever since. In 2024, owners Ken and Kathy Jarosch sold to family-owned Ideal Bakery and still remain very involved with Jarosch’s in its new era. Ideal Bakery president Chris Kowall joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the […]
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  • How Bob Sirott inspired this year’s Pizza Madness tournament

    How Bob Sirott inspired this year’s Pizza Madness tournament
    Mar 6 2026
    Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joins Bob Sirott to talk about the 2026 Pizza Madness tournament and how Bob inspired a twist for the local chains competition. Click here to vote in the Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament 2026 and the Chicago Pizza Madness 2026: Local Chains Division.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • WGN Radio’s Chicago Pizza Madness is underway

    WGN Radio’s Chicago Pizza Madness is underway
    Mar 4 2026
    Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago’s Very Own Eats” Mike Piff joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Lisa Dent, to talk the 2026 Pizza Bracket. This year, the bracket features more pizza joints than ever before. 128 “Mom and Pop” pizza places will duke it out in their own bracket, separated by region, while 32 […]
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament 2026

    Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament 2026
    Feb 27 2026
    How has it already been a year since our last Pizza Madness Tournament? After doubling the field last year to 128, and the championship victory by Rosati’s, we go into Year 4 of Chicago Pizza Madness with another new twist! We have moved the local chains into their own 32-competitor division, and will allow 128 […]
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    Less than 1 minute