If you live in the Roger's Park area, you need to visit Zimi's. If you've lived in Chicago long enough, you know that this city is good for most food but genuine, quality Balkan food is hard to come by. There's a handful of places that offer the delicacies of the Balkans using ground beef and Zimi's is one of them. Located on Western St. and Lunt, you can't miss their metal Zimi's sign or the outdoor seating area. It's a bonus that there's street parking (it's Chicago so yes, you'll have to pay) and for those that are car-less, the 49B bus connects you from the south and north so very public transportation friendly. The atmosphere inside is very welcoming and cozy. Be warned that if you visit on the weekends, chances are you mind find large tables filled with families. They aren't arguing1 that's how they talk. It can be a little loud on the weekends but what establishment isn't when it's that full? The establishment is very clean, waiters are attentive and kind and there's many food options to choose from. My family always orders cevape here because it's really hard to find all beef cevape. Cevape are a grilled dish of minced meat found traditionally in the Balkans. The meal is served with 10 pieces of cevape (shaped like sausages), homemade bread that is called lepinje, onions, kajmak (I don't even know how to describe this aside from dairy cream food, don't skip out on this) and ajvar. I love Zimi's cevape because they are juicy and tender- it is super easy to overcook them which causes them to dry out and lose all of the juices. They are seasoned well (balkans have a tendency to overdo it so the fact that this wasn't, major win) and the food is fresh- fresh. My children who could normally live off of chicken nuggets and fries absolutely devoured the cevape from Zimi's and have proudly asked for it randomly instead of Chick-a-fil. That just speaks to the quality and taste of Zimi's- there's a reason it's a family favorite. It's SO good. My family also loves the pizza here- true Balkan pizza not the American one that overwhelms your taste buds with tomato sauce and cheese. All their pizzas have so much flavor, you can't go wrong with any of the choices. My personal favorite is pljeskavica- which is stuffed meat. I won't do justice explaining it as much as you will experience it trying it so try it. Everything on Zimi's menu is genuine and quality Balkan food and I highly recommend visiting it. The food is great- the price of the food is great too. Balkan people can eat so it comes at no surprise that the portions here are more than generous. So generous that it wouldn't surprise any audience if Zimi increased its prices on some food items in the future because the food that they offer on the Northside are hard to come by. Check this place out for yourself- you'll see it's worth the hype and more. Highly- HIGHLY- recommend! read more

Always enjoy this place. We take an hour drive to get to this place and it has been worth it every single time. The food is fresh and delicious. We have tried anything from pizza, the burek, the cevapi and the salads. Will continue to go back. The service is friendly and the ambiance is always casual and fun. read more

By far the worst pizza I've ever tasted undercooked some type of weird spice in it maybe sandalwood Jasmine I have no idea it was awful read more

Zimi's Pizza and Grill - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had the Grandma's pizza, the meat platter, calamari, and chicken wings. Everything was delicious. Even our picky grandson ate everything. The bathroom was immaculate!!! Great and reasonable place to eat! read more

We have been ordering takeout here several times over the last couple of years, and this review is past due. The food and service are really good. Above all, and the reason for this review, are Zimi's love for and support of the community: A biannual International Festival took place at an elementary school nearby this weekend, and Zimi's gladly donated a generous amount of qofte, nicely packed, and helped us proudly represent the Albanian culture, food, and traditions. We will continue to order from here, and his kind gesture was most appreciated. Thank you everyone at Zimi's!!! read more

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Casual yet classy is how this local pizza and grill is. It of course has pizza, but that's only part of the menu. Zimi's also has things like paninis and salads. Good prices for the portions. The food is better than expected for what it costs and you get a lot too. After looking for a pizza place neither of us had been to yet, we found out about this one on Western Avenue. It's located north of Devon Avenue past all those Indian restaurants. The food here happens to be Balkan and Italian, so an interesting combination there. Got a vegetable pizza that always about $14 for a medium. Then we also got a Veggie Panini. It's $9 for a pretty big one. This had balsamic vinegar glaze on lettuce, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Came with fries. This was as filling as pizza. Has lots to choose from. It's not just a place for pizza. Those looking for a place with Eastern European, Italian, and Middle Eastern food can come here and find lots of stuff. read more

Zimi's Pizza and Grill - Veggie Panini - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great pizza and the cheese burek is a must. We had it delivered and ordered through an app so not too much to share there accept the pizza and cheese burek came quickly and heated up easily. Will be ordering from there again. read more

Balkin food is new to me & my family & we are never disappointed when we order from Zimi's. The pizza, the Mixed Grill, everything tastes like it was made by a loving Grandmother. Try everything on the menu - won't disappoint. read more

Yum yum yum yum yum. The grandma pizza is amazing. Five stars for everything! We also got a salad and piece of mascarpone cake. I believe that the cake is food-service, but it was good anyway. read more

We like to try local small businesses. We've seen this place pop up and heard good things and we were not disappointed. We had the Qebapa and it was delicious (tried to get a pic but was too hungry that I got a partial picture) next we got the grandma pizza, it was very yummy. We also got a margarita pizza but after eating the grandma pizza I would have just been satisfied with the grandma pizza. We definitely will be coming back to try the other food on the menu. Happy that we found this hidden gem. read more

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The food is always good. The place is always clean . The speaker to you and make sure you are okay when dining in. And it's great to see people of all ages and colors foreign and domestic . Oh did I say the food is great..... read more

I went here because I lived in the area. It was pretty good! I had pizza and mozzarella sticks. The food was fresh & hot! It was a pleasant surprise! read more

Love your pizza and other items of your menu. I have brought my family here and we always leave happily satisfied. Thank you. read more

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The food is an excellent way to try the foods of Albania and the Balkan region. The sausages and veggie plates are awesome. The kids menu never fails. I suggest one tries the sample meat platter. The restaurant is very clean and the owner treats everyone like they are family read more

Experienced first hand racism while walking in the building. My group were trying to find a place to sit down and we were told this isn't the place for us to eat at. read more

Tasty food , friendly. Owner, friendly workers and clean environment , when I go to this restaurant I feel the taste of my back home food, especially qebapas and burek read more

Been Looking forward to being able to have a real 'Chicago Roast Beef' sandwich on my most recent trip. I have never been to "Zimi's Pizza and Grill' before. I ordered the Roast Beef Sandwich and was happy. It came with fries, which I was happy with. They have Coca-Cola canned products for sale. Street Parking. Plenty of tables with chairs. Clean Friendly they have TVs for viewing read more

What a gem hidden in Chicago. This place offers a little bit of everything. Albanian food, pizza, paninis, salad, etc. We got the mixed meat plate to share and it was more than enough for 2 people and sooo good, along with a side of fries. To end the meal I got a macchiato which was very good. Go here, you won't be disappointed! P.S. it's BYOB. read more

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Great decor in this place. It was empty when we ate a 530pm dinner on a Tuesday night. Our waiter was helpful in explaining some of the items on the menu. We ordered the fried calamari, Grandma's pizza, and Qofte. The calamari was well fried but they were just rings which means frozen. The grandma pizza tasted great but that kind of pizza meant a lot of crust. Qofte was the one new thing I was able to try. It was surprisingly good: tasty meat with an odd texture. I'd come back and try more of the Balkan food. read more

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Zimi, you did it again! These pizzas blew my socks off. The aged purple meat pizza was very terrific and awesome because it combines two elements basic to life here on earth, jerky and pizza. Super-duper fresh crust was like Olympic style break dancing in my mouth! The mushroom pizza was just as dope, with the feeling of eating an entire forest! Other fare was also scrumptious and garlicky, so your blood will be purified and fortified against the creatures of the night. Eating there was fun as well, with five televisions all providing closed captions, so every literate member of your party can enjoy their program of choice. I struggled to focus on just one because a dog training show was up against a painting instruction show which was competing with tennis and an episode of Family Ties (the one where Skippy is in love with Mallory, oh wait, that is every episode isn't it?) . The crew there is wonderful! Very helpful and nice! Al fresco available as well. read more

Found this place while searching for more good food options near me and how did I not know this place existed sooner? Pizza AND Balkan food, a restaurant after my own heart. I'm kicking myself really. So I stopped in yesterday evening to grab a slice of pizza and cheese burek and while sitting outside on the lovely patio seating talked to a very nice gentleman who turned out to be the the owner! When I tell you this is the absolute best burek I've had in a very long time please know I'm not exaggerating. Burek was my favorite growing up and this one was perfect. It was cooked to perfection - not dry but also not rubbery. Just wonderful chewy, cheesy, flaky nostalgia. It may actually give my baba's a run for her money. Of course I got yogurt to go with it and that was delicious as well. The pizza was also very good (are you sensing a theme?) and I will definitely be back for both in the very near future and I'm excited to try everything else they have! As a first generation who grew up on this food and someone who worked in a pizzeria in college I take my burek and pizza very seriously so I am very very happy to have found such a wonderful place so close by, but even if it wasn't I would definitely make the drive. It's well worth it! read more

Tried their 18" NY Style with chicken. Made fresh to order. Took about 10 minutes. Served screaming hot. The crust was crispy on the outer edges and soft, easy to fold. Generous amount of Mixed blended cheeses. Their sauce was sublimely outstanding. Interesting seasoning with a hint of garlic. Could not taste the usual added sugar which is normally utilized to hide the lack of actual seasoning. The owner's son took our order and served myself and son. Very hospitable. It's obvious this establishment takes pride in their restaurant. Highly recommended. A GEM. We will be back. Thank you for a wonderful experience. read more

Delicious pizza near home! So excited to have this place nearby. I have some food allergies and they were really responsive/ took them seriously. Everyone was super sweet. We had the veggie pizza, no peppers, add olives and the white pizza. We also had the shepherds salad without peppers. All of our food was amazing. I am usually disappointed by gluten free crust but theirs is so freaking GOOD! Welcome to the neighborhood! We are so happy to have you. read more

Zimi's Pizza and Grill - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Did the mixed meat platter and garlic knots with shepherds salad for delivery, which was prompt. The meat platter is a savory carnivore delight with umami mouth bombs in abundance. The shepherd salad's mix of goat cheese,krinkly greens,olives and assorted herbs served with frisbee-like garlic knots was very satisfying Next time we are going for Grandma's Pizza! read more

Good food but very poor customer service Every time I place an order they always get it wrong I always order pizza here but end up leaving with messed up order. read more

5 stars for the XL cheese pizza. Haven't tried anything else yet, but definitely will, based on how good the pizza was.

Burek, where have you been all my life? These meat, cheese or spinach/cheese pies are so delicious: reminiscent of Greek spinach pies with a light and crispy yet soft and chewy pastry. New to the menu... a must try! My husband and I are still dreaming about them. My third visit to this place did not disappoint: particularly love the grilled ground meats (spicy and mild are both great) Casual, welcoming, no frills setting and service. A nice reward after a long walk around the picturesque Indian boundary park. read more

Zimi's Pizza and Grill - Welcoming, casual ambiance. - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sooo good! the pizza is awesome, service was great, kid friendly - we had a great time.

Zimis was actually pretty great. We found it in instagram and got suckered in. So glad I was targeted ha! I ordered food to go for the bears game so I didn't go in and speak for the service. Frankly I was worried when I went in. Nobody was there during dinner time but I quickly realized that many people were actually getting take out. We had a dried beef pizza (without mushrooms), cevapi and qofte combo and a cheese burek. Everything was amazing. I was so impressed with the flavors. The cevapis were some of the best I have ever tasted and trust me I am Eastern European, I am well versed. The kajmak was great and so was the cabbage salad that came with it. The bread that came with it was heaven. It was home made and just so fluffy that it almost felt fake. The taste was out of this world. I liked the burek but it wasn't my favorite which is the reason why this review has 4 stars. Granted though, I was so satisfied with it, I am looking forward to go there again and stuff my face. Give this place a chance my fellow yelper, you wont be disappointed read more

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Great Roger's park gem! Just a few blocks away from us and decided to check it out for dinner one night. Friendly service makes you feel very welcomed. Order the garlic balls for appetizer and first time having them and simply amazing. We ordered the chicken ranch pizza and honestly I haven't had a pizza this good in a long time! The sauce the toppings and the dough just mixed in so perfectly. Definitely making this place one of my favorites! Give a try! Oh plus it's byob! read more

Fresh, delicioud, crispy crusted, entirely house made pizzas, particularly the beef sausage and Grandma versions. A delicious, hefty, freshly hand-formed, char grilled cheeseburger. Good fries. Well balanced mix of greens lightly coated with Caesar dreasing. Strong and energizing expresso beverages. All this and traditional Balkan food is served within a warm, woody, clean, fresh, and very friendly environment hosted, owned and operated by Zimi, his lovely wife and their quite large extended family. Inexpensive- a bargain. BYOB! Do not hesitate. Go there right now! read more

The food, especially the Pizza and the Chicken wraps are so fresh and delicious and certainly worth the trip to the West Ridge neighborhood. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The restaurant atmosphere is nice and it's a perfect place for a meal with friends and coworkers or just a simple date night. Grandma Pizza read more

Just celebrated my birthday there and could not be happier with Zimi's! We arranged the party earlier in the week and told them we were expecting 15-20 people. Ended up closer to 30. Nonetheless Hazel and the rest of the wonderful staff stepped up and kept everything running smoothly no matter how much extra we ordered or needed. Balkan grilled meat dishes and salads for appetizers were great. I'm a picky pizza eater and have bern loving theirs for the past year. Excellent thin crust. The "Grandma's" pizza, basically a margarita with a garlicky tomato sauce is to die for. BYOB is always a plus and Hazel kept us supplied with plenty of clean glasses. Ambiance is simple but VERY comfortable and they even went out of their way to put the Bears game on for us. I love this place! read more

Very good friendly clean One through this afternoon, the food was phenomenal. I think one of the best Eastern European restaurants out here. read more

Zimi's Pizza and Grill - Lunch from the other day - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very pleasant atmosphere, super clean, great service and delicious food. I tried Quebapa and they were portioned perfectly with very tasteful plate presentation, taste was solid 10! My wife and son enjoyed pizza and it is hands down the best pizza you will find in Rogers Park/Evanston area. My honest recommendation to all looking for next favorite neighborhood spot! read more

Zimi's Pizza and Grill - Medium Pepperoni Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Delicious Balkan food! We tried the mixed meat platter and it was a generous portion of chicken, qebapa (cevapi), qofte (kofta), steak, and beef sausage, all juicy and flavorful and red meats were medium rare. Didn't think to take a picture, but got the pleskavica next time (pictured) and it was delicious and mildly spicy. My daughter also recommends the hotdog and fries. Looking forward to trying the pizza. The menu doesn't show this, but you can also buy by the slice! A great addition to the neighborhood, across the street from Lickity Split and Always Lou's Florist. And we hear that alcohol & outdoor seating is in the works! We'll be back! read more

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If you are not their regular and you don't speak their language they won't even pay attention to you.

I don't get this, people write great reviews the you go to the restaurant and it is not good. It seem to be generated by locals who desperately want the restaurant to succeed however the food has to be good. read more

Lived in Rogers Park for a few years now and was so relieved to find this place nearby. Their food is ridiculously good, ESPECIALLY considering the prices. Wings, Garlic knots, pizza, fries, mozzarella sticks, salads.. I've eaten every one and it's all been delicious and affordable. Feels like a hidden gem! People are very nice too :) read more

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon, it was very quiet. By the time we left about an hour later the place was filled. The qofte is completely delicious!! Get the larger one so you have leftovers. Trust me you will want more. Grandma's pizza is outstanding with a fluffy thin crust, fresh mozzarella and delicious sauce. The staff were very friendly and attentive, taking the time to explain qofte to us. HIGHLY, highly recommended!! read more