Name: Inside Roots Pizza South Loop, Bringing a Retractable Roof to Printer’s Row
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Inside Roots Pizza South Loop, Bringing a Retractable Roof to Printer’s Row

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Chicago may see many pizzerias in the near future, but none quite like the new in Printer’s Row. Pizza spots don’t rely on dine-in customers, and have the strong carryout and delivery capabilities to survive the pandemic. Roots, 744 S. Dearborn Street, has even more advantages, including a patio outfitted with a glass retractable roof.This is Roots’ fourth location, following West Town, Lincoln Square, and Old Town. They all serve Quad Cities Pizza, cut into the strips with malted crust and loaded with cheese. Fifty/50 Restaurant Group co-owner Greg Mohr is a Quad Cities native. He says the extra cheese serves as insulation that keeps pies tasty during delivery or carryout. Roots is known for its chef’s pizza series with talent including Won Kim (), Rick Ortiz (), and Oliver Poilevey (). The pizzeria is also known for its fried mozzarella sticks.The bi-level behemoth, 744 S. Dearborn Street, is outfitted with two ground level patios and 23 TVs. Mohr says the $600,000 glass roof on the second floor takes about 20 seconds to retract. Roots is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, but the company has yearned to create more of a bar scene at night. The 21+ rooftop gives them that opportunity, and the design takes pages out of Fifty/50’s Old Town set up. Roots occupies the first floor, but ride the elevator on top of Second City comedy club, and visitors will kind , the zany sibling rooftop bar.Mohr hopes they can build some synergy with Chicago Bears fans as is a short distance away. Of course, many wonder if football season will take place this year. COVID-19 has also affected Roots’ design. They were able to integrate plexiglas shields and other social distancing precautions into the room. There’s also a separate carryout entrance where customers can pick up sweet treats from the group’s popular .Customers tell Mohr that the new Roots is either in Printer’s Row or South Loop. If they’ve spent a lot of time in Chicago, folks say the building is in Printer’s Row. And the rooftop gives off a beautiful view of the Dearborn Street Station tower. South Side rooftop and patio areas are rare. Fifty/50 now has two, as it also operates near McCormick Place. Mohr likes opening venues in a neighborhood. It builds community and gives the company flexibility to share resources and work staff.Mohr says Fifty/50 won’t open a new restaurant for a while, but there are positive signs that the economy is recovering. While carryout debuted earlier this week, Friday night is when the fourth Roots opens to the general public., 744 S. Dearborn Street, Open 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily through July 19; As of July 20, hours are from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.Sign up for our newsletter.The freshest news from the local food world

Chicago may see many pizzerias in the near future, but none quite like the new in Printer’s Row. Pizza spots don’t rely on dine-in customers, and have the strong carryout and delivery capabilities to survive the pandemic. Roots, 744 S. Dearborn Street, has even more advantages, including a patio outfitted with a glass retractable roof.This is Roots’ fourth location, following West Town, Lincoln Square, and Old Town. They all serve Quad Cities Pizza, cut into the strips with malted crust and loaded with cheese. Fifty/50 Restaurant Group co-owner Greg Mohr is a Quad Cities native. He says the...

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Ashok Selvam

Naomi Waxman

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Inside Roots Pizza South Loop, Bringing a Retractable Roof to Printer’s Row

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