The Tribune has a really nice piece on a local pizzeria. Said pizzeria made all sorts of headlines after being named 'the best pizza in America' by that leading gastronomical publication, GQ. Upon that issue being released, the popularity of the mom and pop shop literally went through the roof. Please read this. It touches on the struggle of a neighborhood restaurant run on the simplest of premises struggling with the burden of the great unwashed masses streaming in and expecting, well, everything under the sun... valet parking, instant access, yes's all around. The beauty of the owners is their stated belief in quality over quality, in a neighborhood eatery doing something really well. In so many ways they are truly unique -- no car means the ingredients on the pies change each day depending on what they find within walking/biking distance.
It is wonderful to see people doing something they love for the sheer enjoyment of what they do. The art and beauty lies in their view of their eatery as a piece of life in the larger quilt of a city and of life; rather than on the bottom line and expanding to maximize profit.
If for no other reason than to see what drives those individuals among us who follow their hearts, read this.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-0906-great-lakesep06,0,1578827,full.story
