Just wanted to share some memories of the original Home Run Inn location. My grandparents lived on Kostner Avenue, and I was often sent down the alley to pick up a pizza for lunch or dinner. My dad, who grew up at the Kostner Ave. home, used to come to the tavern as a kid to pick up a pail of beer for my granddad. My dad knew Nick from the neighborhood and always asked to see him when we came in for pizzas, frozen or otherwise. In the 1960s, I remember going to the original location for pizza. The tavern had a long, dark wood bar and a tin ceiling. It was the best pizza in town and still lives on in my memory.
I live in Florida now and tell my wife of these memories, and I can still taste the hand-tossed delicacy that was Home Run Inn pizza. I particularly remember the thumb prints in the crust, as each pizza was individually made. Thanks for the memories.
Randall - Florida
One of my favorite childhood memories was in the early 50s and into the late 60's, my dad's best friend would bring a fresh par-baked Home Run Inn to our house every New Year's Eve. My brother, sister & I could only stay up until we had a piece of pizza. My parents are gone now, but anytime I have one now, I can still recall those days.
John - Oak Park, IL
My grandfather John lived across the street from the original Home Run Inn. My grandfather ate lunch at your store nearly everyday of his later life until he died at the age of 92. Mrs. Grittani made his lunch after my grandmother died in the late 1960's. Your pizza is special to me because it is truly part of where I came from.
Ken - Bella Vista, Arkansas
I grew up on Roosevelt Road & 49th Avenue in Cicero in the 40's and 50's and remember the days when Dad would take us in the car to pick up some Home Run Inn sausage pizzas on a Saturday night. The bar on 31st St. was always packed and there were people waiting to buy whatever was available when a no-show's name was called. I now live in Wisconsin but Home Run Inn Pizza is still a must, sometimes purchased frozen or par-baked from a Jewel or Pick'n'Save deli here, but always enjoyed fresh when we go back to Chicago. My wife, grown kids and grandchildren are also big fans of Home Run Inn and we have eaten at all of the Chicago area restaurants. Sometimes we drive down just for Home Run Inn pizza then drive back. Yesterday we went to the new Home Run Inn on Archer Avenue for the first time. Just great, as usual! Please open up a Home Run Inn or two here in the Milwaukee area. I'll even come out of retirement to help you make the dough!
Tom - Greendale, WI
Some of my best memories are of going to Home Run Inn in the early & mid-50's with my grandfather. From entering the old wooden screen door, to seeing the pictures of dogs playing cards on the walls, to taking home a great pizza, those are the ways I still remember Home Run Inn. When I eat pizza nowadays it always falls short of the Home Run Inn pizza I remember. Perhaps one day my family (wife, son and daughter) and I will be able to visit Chicago and create a memory of Home Run Inn for them.
Bruce - Lakewood, CA
In the early 60's I was involved with little league baseball across the street at Lawndale Park. After the games some of the managers & coaches went across the street to enjoy the pizzas, liquid refreshments & discuss the day's games & future games. My son in Florida insists I bring some frozen pizzas to him every time I visit. Home Run Inn will always be a Chicago tradition to our family. The world's best Pizza that never changes over the years.
Steve - Summit, IL
When I was a little girl, my Mom & Dad would take me and my sister to the tavern on 31st Street. Nick's wife would always make some homemade bread made out of the pizza dough for my mom to take home. I remember Nick saying that his restaurant would always be simple - would never have silver wear or plates that had to be washed.... boy how THAT has changed!!! But I still love the pizza and value the fond memories.....
Billie - Chicago, IL
I was a frequent customer at the Darien location. I frequently inquired about openings and it seemed like the servers never left because there wasn't an opening. Well, I got lucky one day - there was an opening and I got hired! I soon discovered that most of the servers had been there about 10 years! I have to say that the employees were like family and the managers treated me great. Ed was wonderful and kind. I have to say that Home Run Inn was my favorite place to work. The customers were great and I loved hearing their memories and stories. When I got married and moved a little further I quit, but my husband and I come into the restaurant to enjoy the best pizza around.
Sharon - Aurora, IL
I have to say this is the best pizza ever! When my family moved to Texas and my parents would visit Chicago they would always bring 2-3 large pizzas. Last year, 2004, I brought my native Texan boyfriend and he admitted that Home Run Inn was the best pizza he ever had.
Christina - Chicago, IL
When I was young my Grandfather and I would drive to Home Run Inn on 31st for special occasions. When I was older I also would make the trek to Home Run Inn when I moved to Downers Grove. Finally after my wife and I moved to Florida you put a place in Darien. We come to visit a couple times a year and Home Run Inn is always one of our first stops. Every time we go back to Florida we manage to take some frozen Home Run Inn pizzas back with us. This way we can enjoy good pizza anytime. Florida is a pizza wasteland nobody down here makes good pizza. Thanks for all the years of enjoyment and please start sending your frozen pizza to our stores on the west coast of Florida.
Paul - New Port Richey, FL
Home Run Inn is truly the best pizza in the world. I am currently in the military and I have traveled all over the world and nothing compares to Home Run Inn.
Shana - Killeen, TX
My Grandparents lived near the Home Run Inn on 31st street. They have been going there since day one. Our family still gathers at Home Run Inn (or Nick's as we call it). We now have four generations at the parties. The thing that keeps us coming back is the fact that the recipe has not changed. It tastes just as good as it did all those years ago.
Beth - Crystal Lake, IL
I grew up in Cicero at 30th and Laramie in the 50's. It was not too often that we could afford it, but one of our family's biggest treats was a Home Run Inn Pizza. The little tavern with a few tables and a great pizza. Those were the days.
Charlene - Chicago, IL
I have been going to Home Run Inn for over 20 years now; it started with a b-day for me. We always brought in a cake and the people that worked there were always wonderful. The pizza cheese just melted in your mouth and that's why my family is now a part of HRI they love to eat there. Thank you for the wonderful memories.
Kizzie - Maywood, IL
I was looking for a good pizza to take home after work. I was east bound on Army Trail Road in Addison, Illinois, and I stopped in. I got the pizza fast, and I got home faster. To my delight, it was the best pizza I ever had and I will be back THANKS HOME RUN INN.
Robby - Chicago, IL
My first memory of Home Run Inn was in 1959 when I was 4 years old and our parents took our family of 8 to eat at your 31st Street location. I was fascinated by the big mural on the wall of the dogs playing cards. My twin sister and I also were intrigued by the people making the pizzas and the line the orders were hung on. Everyone was so nice to us. My husband to be and I went on dates the when you had expanded from the one room you had in the early days. My family of 5 still enjoys your pizza the best!
Judy - Woodridge, IL
You tend to get home sick for things you enjoyed growing up, especially after being stationed everywhere across the world. When you have to settle for what is close by, I actually begin to dislike pizza because there is nothing like the taste of Home Run Inn pizza. I recently got the opportunity to be home and the first thing I craved was a Home Run Inn pizza. I can't wait until my service is done to return back home to enjoy all the things of Chicago I miss so much. Thank you for never changing.
Ruby - Fort Campbell, KY
My first visit to Home Run Inn was in 1970 and I haven't stop eating it since. Now I visit the Home Run Inn in Bellwood. I really enjoyed the days when my children were young and we would go to Home Run Inn and would really enjoy the pizza and pop, but my children would be too busy playing the games in the arcade. Overall Home Run Inn is the best I've ever tasted and I don't think it gets any better.
Gloria - Maywood, IL
Awww... I love that place I also had great memories there. My mom and I used to go there when we to lived in Chicago. I miss the pizza and my mom! I love yall both!
Nancy - Tomball, T
