The Chach
It’s an off-night in the off-season, so you venture inside the always-packed Chicago-style pizzeria that has the good fortune to be located just a bean’s throw from Millennium Park. Your waiter, a fit late fiftysomething fellow with a bushy gray mustache who looks like he just stepped off a firetruck, attacks the table with the brisk but friendly demeanor of a server who knows how to keep the folks happy and the tables turning. Your first time here, you ask him what he recommends and he tells you firmly the “Rudy’s Special.” You comply. At the end of your meal, when he’s checking back on you, you ask a small question about the place. And then it happens. Time stands still, or at least your waiter, who goes by “The Chach” does. He tells you everything you want to know and much more. You learn about his life. He learns about yours. He tells you the history of this restaurant, and the Rudy Malnati branch of the legendary pizza family, which owns this small chain. You realize that, for better or worse, you’ve never quite experienced a waiter like this. As you talk, he welcomes you into his “family” and tells you about the customers who always ask to sit in his section, some of whom come from far away to relive the experience. A half hour later, you’ve been “Chachified.”
Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta, 61 East Madison, (312)236-1777, pizanoschicago.com
Best of Chicago 2012
[…] Battista and I had to try famous Chicago deep dish pizza, so we went to Pizanos and was served by Uncle Joe Chach, the funniest and friendliest waiter I’ve ever […]
Sitting at his table right now. Legend!
Who’s gonna stop the uncle Chach? NOBDY. And another heads up if you ever get to experience a meal with the uncle Chach he collect Tee shirts. And you really will deal like part or the familia.
On a professional trip to Chicago, I just had my first but not my last meal at Pizano’s. The food and drink were satisfying, but the main event was The Chach. He’s kind of like the Chicago version of the Angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I feel somehow my life has changed.