While the weight debate rages on amongst designers and feminists, there is one place in Chicago where thin is always in. At Pat's Pizza, there are no worries about your dress size; the real debate here is whether to turn your back on Chicago deep-dish style and go for the best thin crust in the city.

Pat's has a longstanding tradition for crispy pizza pies in Chicago since 1950. The original recipe crust takes three days to make but only a few minutes of restrained excitement to devour. The pizzeria and restorante has been family-owned since Nick Pianetto Sr. started it in 1950 at 3114 N. Sheffield Avenue. The restaurant has since moved to Lincoln, but the food remains the same. The new space is reminiscent of a Little Italy eatery, with green and white striped awnings and checked tablecloths. Expect to see families in the big booths and couples canoodling in a corner.

Pizza is either served deep-dish or thin-crust (you can double stack the crust for only $1.50). It is topped with any of more than a dozen ingredients, from plain-old pepperoni to gourmet gorgonzola. Sick of pizza (fat chance)? Pat's understands. The menu is chock full of both Chicago and Italian staples. Customers can custom-make their own pasta dish with choices of noodles and sauces; all come with garlic bread and salad. Try the homemade gnocchi and prosciutto in a cream sauce for $10.95. For the Italian hater Pat's even serves up ribs or fried chicken.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Pasha Carroll