Chicago's Essential Deep Dish Pizza Opens In Roswell

ROSWELL, GA — Nancy’s Pizza, the Chicago brand that invented the stuffed pizza, is now open at 900 Mansell Rd. in Roswell offering dine-in, bar, take-out and delivery services. The restaurant is celebrating its grand opening on Jan. 23 (National Pie Day) during which all customers will receive a variety of “prizes” – with one person winning free pizza for life.

For those who are not familiar with Chicago pizza history, Nancy’s was one of the key players in the "Golden Age of Pizza" in the 1970s Chicago. The restaurant’s vibe reflects their history with swanky decor that pays homage to the brand’s 1971 roots – the year in which the stuffed pie’s creators, Rocco and Nancy (Annunziata) Palese, introduced the gooey delicacy to their customers.

“Nancy’s was essential to Chicago’s Golden Age of Pizza innovation in the late 1960s and early 1970s,” said longtime Nancy’s business partner and family friend, Dave Howey. “The Paleses took Chicago pizza to new heights by “stuffing” two-inches of cheesy magma into a pastry shell and topping it with a flavorful blend of tomatoes and spices that Rocco prepared behind the locked doors of his spice room. He never wrote down the recipe, but he did share it with two of the people he trusted most – Nancy and me.”

Rocco came up with the idea when the patrons of his tavern style pizza place wanted him to jump on Chicago’s burgeoning deep-dish pizza craze. A proud and independent Italian immigrant, Rocco resisted the call to imitate. He instead created a dish that was inspired by Chicago’s now-famous deep-dish (or pan) pizza, yet deliciously different: he created a thicker, cheesier pizza that resurrected an Italian family tradition – the Easter Pie. For the uninitiated, an Easter Pie is a tart packed with Italian meats and cheeses that are bound together with eggs and enclosed with a pastry top. Henceforth, Chicago has become famous for three styles of pizza: deep-dish, tavern-style thin (square cut) and Rocco Palese’s stuffed pizza.

The Nancy’s corporate culinary team is led by Chef Kayla, an acclaimed chef, and Culinary Institute of America graduate. Under her guidance, the brand has rounded out their classics with dishes like hand-breaded fried mozzarella and homemade croutons for a flavored-packed Caesar salad. She’s also added a few modern dishes such as caramelized brussels sprouts and a blueberry pecan salad.

While the menu is dominated by the brand’s famous stuffed pizza, Nancy’s offers a variety of pizza styles, including thin crust (Tavern Style) and “rustic” pizza, along with chef-created salads, pastas, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. Every item on the menu is made with only the freshest ingredients, and the comfortable bar features a selection of craft, imported and domestic beer (rotated seasonally) on draft and in bottles, signature cocktails and a nice selection of wine.

The restaurant’s design evokes the 1970s in tasteful surroundings with winks at retro design including a classic Smiley button-inspired neon installation that invites patrons to “Get Stuffed.” The venue seats 82 with a patio and also offers take-out, delivery and catering services.

For take-out and delivery, call 770-609-8985, or order online at nancyspizza.com.