National Pizza Day 2020 Deals Across McHenry County

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — While we know there are “holidays” for everything these days — dogs, cats, toothaches and tater tots, to name a few — when it comes to any day involving pizza, we can’t resist going there.

We also can’t resist snagging a good deal; and when you combine a good deal with pizza, consider our better judgment out the window.

Pizza chains with locations in McHenry County and across the country are rolling out specials, deals and freebies to commemorate National Pizza Day 2020, which is Sunday. Whether your jam is Brooklyn style or Chicago deep dish, pizza lovers can unite on this singular day to pay homage to their favorite slice.

There are plenty of places across McHenry County to stop in and get your National Pizza Day fix. According to Yelp, these are the 'Best 10 Pizza Places in McHenry County, IL':

• 1) Your Sister’s Tomato
• 2) Napoli Pizza
• 3) Rosati’s Pizza Sports Pub
• 4) 3 Stars Pizza
• 5) StoneBakers
• 6) Vinny B’s pizza
• 7) Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria & Pub
• 8) Papa Murphy’s
• 9) Wayne’s Pizza
• 10) Pino’s Last Call

Here’s a look at the pizza places offering mouthwatering deals for National Pizza Day, according to popular discount website Retail Me Not and Parade:

Chuck E. Cheese — 4725 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake: You can get a medium one-topping pizza and two drinks for $16.99 or two large one-topping pizzas with four drinks for $32.99.

Domino’s — several locations nearby including 168 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake: Get a large carryout three-topping pizza for $7.99.

Einstein Bros. Bagels — 289 N Randall Road, Lake In The Hills: Join the brand’s Shmear Society Rewards and redeem a coupon at participating stores for two pizza bagel slices for $3 with an additional purchase.

Green Giant: Want to keep it healthy this National Pizza Day? Green Giant is offering $1 off its new cauliflower pizza crust.

Little Caesars — 5899 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake; 327 Randall Road, Lake in the Hills, 4320 W. Elm Street, McHenry, and more locations across McHenry County: Try the new stuffed pretzel crust pizza for just $9 or the pretzel crust pizza for $6 at any location nationwide from 4 to 8 p.m.

Marco’s — 3106 Three Oaks Road, Cary: Buy any large pizza and get a medium cheese for free with the code BOGOCHZ. Also, get a medium pizza for $6.99 with the code MED699 through Feb. 23. Deals can vary by location.

Olive Garden — located in the Shops at Fox River, 3451 Shoppers Drive, McHenry: Buy one entrée, get a second for $5.

Papa John’s — 248 S Randall Road, Algonquin; 3804 W. Elm Street, McHenry; 524 Northwest Highway, Cary: 25 percent off regular menu-price orders.

Papa Murphy’s — 119 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock: Get 25 percent off your next $20 online order with Papa Murphy’s email or text. On National Pizza Day, get $3 off your online order of a large or family-size pizza using the code PIZZADAY.

Pizza Hut — Several nearby locations including 6314 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake: Get $5 off online orders of $25 or more.

In addition to the above restaurants and pizza chains, Planet Fitness — yes, a fitness center — is celebrating National Pizza (and Bagel) Day, and invites everyone for free bagels in the morning (7 a.m. to 10 a.m.), and for free pizza in the evening (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) Sunday while supplies last. Anyone 18 years and older (with valid photo ID) is also welcome to work out for free all day long at any of Planet Fitness' 2,000 U.S. locations, including 5320 Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake, and other McHenry County locations.

"Planet Fitness’ pizza history dates back to 1999 when a day-long shortage of hot water in its Concord, N.H., club – the company’s third location – prompted its staff to order pizza for members in appreciation of their patience and understanding," according to a news release sent to Patch. "The gesture was so well received and fostered such a strong sense of gathering and community that Planet Fitness implemented a monthly free pizza giveaway in all clubs shortly thereafter – and the tradition continues today more than 20 years later."

'Pizza Monday' now takes place on the first Monday of every month at Planet Fitness locations.

Want to continue celebrating with pizza? Several pizza places are offering heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine's Day, which falls on Friday, Feb. 14.

Wayne's Pizza has the "perfect gift" of heart-shaped pizzas available now, starting at $16.25. Papa Murphy's is once again featuring its HeartBaker take-and-bake pizza.

* Send National Pizza Day deals or details on businesses selling heart-shaped pizzas to rebecca.bream@patch.com.

The History of National Pizza Day

Though flatbreads with toppings were consumed by ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, the modern birthplace of the pizza is southwestern Italy’s Campania region, home to Naples. The city was known for its throngs of working poor, and these Neapolitans required inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly, according to National Today.

Pizza — flatbreads with toppings that can be eaten for every meal — fulfilled this need. Early pizzas featured toppings such as tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and garlic.

Pizza would remain relatively unknown beyond the borders of Naples until the 1940s. Across the ocean, immigrants flocking to the United States from Naples replicated their flatbreads in New York and other American cities. The flavors and aromas of pizza began to intrigue non-Neapolitans and non-Italians alike.