You’re standing on the corner of West Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa, and the humidity is basically a physical weight on your shoulders. You want pizza. Not the floppy, grease-slicked New York slice that folds like a cheap wallet, but something substantial. Something that feels like a structural engineering project. That’s where the Aces Chicago Pizza menu comes in. It’s a specific kind of local legend, particularly for those who moved down from the Midwest and realized that most Florida "deep dish" is just thick bread with a sprinkle of cheese.
Aces isn't just a place; it's a vibe.
It’s small. It’s tucked away. If you blink, you’ll miss it while driving toward downtown. But the smell? That sticks. It’s the scent of cornmeal crust and simmering tomato sauce that’s been reduced until it’s thick enough to stand a fork in. People argue about Chicago pizza constantly. Is it a casserole? Is it a pie? Honestly, who cares what you call it as long as the cheese pull reaches your forehead.
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The Deep Dish Reality on the Aces Chicago Pizza Menu
The core of the Aces Chicago Pizza menu is, unsurprisingly, the stuffed pizza. Now, look, there’s a massive difference between "thick crust" and "stuffed." If you order a stuffed pizza here, you aren't getting a slightly taller crust. You are getting a bottom layer of dough, a literal mountain of mozzarella cheese, your toppings, and then another thin layer of dough on top of that.
Then comes the sauce.
The sauce is on the very top. It’s bright. It’s chunky. It’s got that acidic kick that cuts through the massive amount of fat in the cheese. If you go for the "Aces Special," you’re looking at a combination of sausage, mushroom, onion, and green pepper. It’s the classic. It’s heavy. You will probably need a nap immediately after eating two slices. That’s not a warning; it’s a promise.
One thing most people get wrong is the timing. You can't just walk into Aces and expect a deep dish in ten minutes. Physics doesn't work that way. A real Chicago stuffed pizza takes 35 to 45 minutes to bake properly. If a place serves it to you in fifteen, they’re lying to you, or they’re using a microwave. Neither is acceptable. At Aces, you wait. You grab a drink. You talk. You wait for the magic to happen in that oven.
Thin Crust is the Secret Hero
Don't sleep on the thin crust. Seriously.
In actual Chicago neighborhoods, people eat thin crust way more often than deep dish. The Aces Chicago Pizza menu honors this with a tavern-style thin crust. It’s crispy. It’s "party cut," which means it’s sliced into squares instead of triangles. There is something fundamentally better about a corner square piece of pizza. It’s mostly crust and crunch.
The sausage is the tell. In Chicago-style spots, the sausage isn't those weird little pre-cooked pellets you see at the big chains. It’s raw, seasoned pork pinched onto the dough so it cooks with the pizza. This allows the juices and the fennel-heavy seasoning to seep into the cheese. It’s a game-changer.
Beyond the Pizza: Wings and Such
If you’re staring at the Aces Chicago Pizza menu and you aren't in the mood for a three-pound pie, the wings are surprisingly solid. They aren't trying to reinvent the wheel. They’re just crispy, well-sauced, and reliable.
Then there’s the Italian Beef. This is the litmus test for any Chicago-style joint. You need the right bread—usually Gonnella or something similar that can handle being "dipped." At Aces, the beef is sliced thin and served with giardiniera. If you don't know what giardiniera is, it’s a mix of pickled peppers and vegetables in oil. It’s spicy. It’s oily. It’s essential. You can get it "wet," "dipped," or "dry," but if you get it dry, you’re kind of missing the point of the experience.
Why the Crust Matters So Much
Most people think pizza is about the toppings. They’re wrong. It’s about the fermentation of the dough and the heat of the oven. The Aces Chicago Pizza menu relies on a crust that has a distinct yellow tint. That’s the cornmeal. It adds a grit and a crunch that prevents the bottom of a heavy stuffed pizza from turning into a soggy mess.
There is a specific structural integrity required to hold up two inches of cheese.
I’ve seen people try to eat this with their hands. Don't be that person. Not at first, anyway. Use a knife and fork for the first few bites of a stuffed slice. Once it cools down and the cheese "sets" a bit, then you can go in for the hand-held approach.
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The Local Impact
Aces has managed to survive in a competitive Tampa food scene because they don't compromise on the Chicago identity. They aren't trying to be a "fusion" place. They aren't putting kale on the pizza. They are serving the same heavy, caloric, delicious food you’d find on Western Avenue in Chicago.
The prices are fair, but remember you’re paying for density. A small stuffed pizza at Aces weighs more than a large thin crust at most other places. You have to factor in the "leftover potential." This pizza actually tastes better the next morning when you eat it cold over the sink. That’s a scientific fact.
Navigating the Menu Like a Pro
If it’s your first time looking at the Aces Chicago Pizza menu, avoid the temptation to over-order.
- Start with an appetizer, but keep it light. The fried mushrooms are okay, but you’re here for the main event.
- Choose your crust style first. If you’re in a rush, go thin. If you have an hour to kill and an appetite to match, go stuffed.
- The "Meat Lovers" is a trap. It’s delicious, but it’s so much protein that it can actually overwhelm the flavor of the sauce. Stick to two or three toppings.
- Get the giardiniera. Put it on the pizza. Put it on the beef. Just trust me.
The restaurant itself isn't fancy. It’s a "counter-service-mostly" kind of deal. It’s about the food. You see people from all walks of life in there—construction workers, office types from downtown, families. It’s the great equalizer. Everyone looks the same when they’re trying to navigate a massive string of mozzarella.
Common Misconceptions
People often complain that the Aces Chicago Pizza menu is "too expensive."
Let's break that down. A medium stuffed pizza might run you $25 to $30 depending on toppings. That sounds high for a "pizza." But that medium pizza will feed three grown adults until they are physically uncomfortable. When you look at the cost per pound of high-quality mozzarella and hand-pinched sausage, the value proposition starts to make a lot more sense.
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Another misconception: "It's too salty."
Chicago-style pizza is inherently salty. The cheese, the cured meats, and the seasoned crust all contribute to that. It’s a savory bomb. If you’re looking for a light, airy Neapolitan pizza with a drizzle of honey, you are in the wrong building.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of the Aces Chicago Pizza menu, follow these steps:
- Call ahead. If you want a stuffed pizza, call it in 45 minutes before you want to eat. This is the ultimate pro tip. You walk in, sit down, and the pizza arrives three minutes later. You’ll look like a genius.
- Check the hours. Like many local spots, they can have funky hours or be closed on certain holidays. Always double-check their social media or Google listing before making the trek.
- Be specific about your "beef" order. If you’re getting the Italian Beef, specify if you want it "sweet peppers" or "hot peppers" (giardiniera). The "hot" isn't incredibly spicy for most, but it adds a necessary vinegary crunch.
- Park carefully. That stretch of Kennedy can be a nightmare. There is parking, but it’s tight. Take it slow.
- Order extra sauce. If you’re a "sauce person," ask for a side of their red sauce. It’s great for dipping the crust edges of the stuffed pizza.
Aces remains one of those "if you know, you know" spots. It doesn't need a massive neon sign or a huge marketing budget because the food does the heavy lifting. Whether you're a Chicago transplant looking for a taste of home or a local looking to see what the fuss is about, the Aces Chicago Pizza menu delivers exactly what it says on the tin: authentic, unapologetic, heavy-duty pizza.
Take a friend. Bring an appetite. Don't wear a white shirt. The sauce is unforgiving, but the experience is worth it.
After you’ve conquered the stuffed pizza, try the thin crust on your next visit just to see the contrast. You might find yourself becoming a "thin crust" convert, which is the most Chicago thing that could possibly happen to you. Either way, you’re leaving full. That is the Aces guarantee. Go early, stay patient, and enjoy the cheese.