Confusion reigns supreme regarding national pizza day! When confronted with the deal that Jet’s Pizza is offering customers on January 23-tomorrow, a free slice/square from 1-5 p.m. I went online to see else was offering what to customers.

According to everything I’ve read, National Pizza Week has come and gone and the day is February 9, 2023, however, pie is key. Everyone knows that Pi Day is 3/14 and some restaurants include pizzas on that day.

I recommend pizza enthusiasts check with their favorite joints to see what they’re doing and when they are doing it. Nobody gets bonus points for paying full price.

I figure this is as good a time to run through my pizza highlights of 2022, including some first and last time visits. Without guessing how many pies I enjoyed this past year, I only tried 3 new spots, but the lack of quantity didn’t equate a lack of quality.

I got to the B Square Pizza party later than some, but I really enjoyed the Detroit style pizza at the pop-up/ghost kitchen located in Saranello’s in Wheeling. I never understood why it was limited to carry out and delivery. The unique crust, toppings and size were perfect. Unfortunately, they closed up business before the year ended.

I happen to favor Chicago thin, tavern style pizza and found two great examples last year. Joe’s Pizza in Wheeling is an old-school operation that’s been serving great pizza in Wheeling since 1966. Amazingly, they have video-gaming because the “dining room” is little more than a few booths and chairs, take-out window and refrigerator. That being said, I loved the large, thin pie I shared with Alice and Tom. One of the bonuses is their willingness to divide a pie into thirds or fourths. I’ll definitely return.

More by accident, I enjoyed a really nice tavern style pie at Morton Grove’s top tavern, The Bringer Inn. Like Joe’s, BI generates some revenue from video gaming, but this is also a neighborhood sports bar and meeting place. I was able to get a more manageable, personal pizza and enjoy a few games on television.

Without realizing it at the time, my trip to Gulliver’s on Howard, proved to be the first stop (of two) on the Burt Katz victory tour. Friend Joe and I went to Gulliver’s for their grand farewell. Joe’s connection and emotional attachment to the 57-year-old favorite was far stronger than mine, but I enjoyed my last shot at the famous pan pizza. It was pretty cool to be there-that weeknight.

Even after reading Steve Dolinsky’s definitive, “The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide,” I can’t guarantee that a pizza joint knows the difference between pan pizza and deep dish. Many places use the terms liberally. It’s like differentiating between Danny and Hal Breeden.

A few months later, I thoroughly enjoyed a personal pan from Katz’s #2 operation, Pequod’s in Morton Grove-down the block from both Burt’s Pizza and Bringer Inn. Personally, I enjoyed this pizza far more than Burt’s because it had more tomato sauce and the ground beef had more flavor than Burt’s many toppings. I grabbed this one to-go and enjoyed it al fresco.

I enjoyed the many meals I had with friends at Lou Malnati’s last year, but the best pie was a first for the toppings-limited behemoth. Due to some clever advertising, I tried their new offering-Italian beef with giardiniera. The pan held up nicely to the zing and meat. It was an excellent example of a Chicago favorite. I don’t think a thin would work as well.

I’m happy to say all of my pizza experiences were positive and that I was able to enjoy many of them with friends. Even though people are pretty passionate about their pies, I’ve found that one needn’t share a pizza to enjoy the experience.

Keep an eye out for specials and deals and maybe you’ll happen upon a new favorite. I’ve got a pretty solid rotation of joints, but I’m always willing to expand.