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Business & Tech

Papa's Pizza: Bringing Back Pizza Perfection from Years Past

Oak Forest's legendary pizza establishment is back on track and picking up steam with palette-pleasing Italian fare and an old-fashioned atmosphere.

When Sam Tuhaimer, a former grocer, took over three years ago, he knew there was work to be done to restore the restaurant's former reputation to its original glory. 

First, he had thoughts of updating the restaurant—"add a modern sports bar, maybe a beer garden.” His wife, Nuha, had different plans in mind. 

She noticed that the pizza restaurant had a charm that was few and far between. She intended to preserve the charm and the memories for those who had grown up eating Papa's, if anything, for the sake of nostalgia. 

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When Patch visited we noticed mingling between customers at different tables, people joining in conversations with complete strangers while having a great time. 

Scott Kaminski has been a regular customer since his father, Peter Kaminski, first brought him there to dine three years ago. 

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“My father openly admired the Walter Payton glass he was drinking from and jokingly asked if he could take it home. The owners just gave it to him and said they were getting new ones soon anyway” said Kaminski.  “I thought that was pretty cool.” 

Kaminski joined a nearby couple in conversation as the three enjoyed their meals.

The thin crust pizza the establishment offers seems to be a local favorite, as customers line up at the pick-up window awaiting their orders. The owner, known to his customers as Sam, thinks it is a result of high quality ingredients such as the fresh veggies and mozzarella that is shredded twice daily on premises to assure the best flavor and freshness. Tuhaimer said that people should come in and taste the pizza for themselves because it is too difficult to describe the perfected thin crust and unique sauce with words alone. 

Customers Irene and Rich come in weekly, as they have for the past 20 years. They sit in the same booth as they have for years and place the same order every single time.

“A few weeks ago they surprised us and changed their order slightly by asking for medium sauce instead of easy sauce on their pizza” said Tuhaimer.

The pair praised the owner and said, "He has brought back great quality food and even added a few new things to the menu such as fresh, crisp salads and homemade soup."

Bob, another customer that decided to walk in later and join the couple for a beer, said “the food is consistently good, he (Tuhaimer) has done a great job turning this place into what it used to be.”

The menu includes standard pizzeria fare such as mozzarella sticks and fried ravioli as appetizers. The pizza takes the main stage, of course, but for those with something a bit different in mind, Tuhaimer suggests the lasagna. 

“It is my wife’s recipe, she is an amazing cook,” he said.

Several diners ordered beef sandwiches the night we visited and it seemed to be unanimous that "Sam makes the best beef in town."

For those watching their waistlines, there are salads and all menu items can be adjusted to fit your desired tastes and dietary needs. The restaurant has weekly specials easy on the bank account, with $12.99 large and $15.99 family size pizzas available Monday through Wednesday.

The facility can accommodate banquets up to 150 guests, as well as smaller parties and events.  Catering is also available, with a delivery area with borders of 135th—182nd streets, from Kedzie to Harlem Avenues. They will deliver outside of this region if requested.

“Papa’s went through a lull (under the previous owners’ mismanagement), but the quality has been restored to its original recipes and glory," Tuhaimer said. "The people of Oak Forest were brought up eating Papa’s pizza, I want them to know that the quality has returned. We take pride in being the original Papa’s and our food speaks for itself.”

PLEASE VISIT the Papa's Pizza listing in the Patch Places directory for more information.

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