In a bold move to invigorate Lincoln Park’s culinary landscape, Replay Lincoln Park owners are bringing ‘90s nostalgia to the forefront with the launch of Slice Hut, a New York-style pizza haven housed within the former Broken English Taco Pub space.
Mark Kwiatkowski, a seasoned hospitality veteran, has transformed the corner of Lincoln and Sheffield into Slice Hut at Neon Gardens, marking the debut of phase one in a dual-phase opening. Located at 2580 N. Lincoln Avenue, Slice Hut offers a menu brimming with Sicilian slices, gelato delights, and whole pies, promising a nostalgic trip with every bite.
The venue, previously amalgamated from several neighboring buildings in a 2015 renovation, now boasts a 16-seat setup reminiscent of retro pizza joints. Kwiatkowski’s vision includes a homage to the iconic Pizza Hut era, complete with exposed brick walls, a Coca-Cola clock, and red-and-white checkerboard tablecloths that harken back to a bygone pizza era.
“We wanted to capture the essence of pizza’s cultural impact,” Kwiatkowski explains. “Drawing inspiration from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ partnership with Pizza Hut in the ‘90s, Slice Hut embodies a retro-cool design that pays tribute to pizza’s pop culture allure.”
Patrons can savor a variety of pizza flavors like chicken bacon ranch, Buffalo chicken with blue cheese sauce, and unconventional options like macaroni and cheese pizza pinwheels. The menu also features salads, sandwiches, and gelato sourced from Vero Coffee & Gelato in suburban Elmwood Park, ensuring a diverse dining experience.
Outside, a convenient loading zone caters to takeout customers, while a walk-up window invites passersby to grab a quick slice on the go.
Not stopping at Slice Hut, Kwiatkowski and team are gearing up to launch Neon Gardens, an adjacent full-service restaurant and bar slated to open on July 19. This ambitious venture promises a dynamic dining and entertainment space, blending the chaos of ninja-inspired aesthetics with artful nods to Renaissance masterpieces and street art.
Neon Gardens will feature a 50-seat bar adorned with spray-painted interpretations of Renaissance paintings and a sunlit atrium resembling a graffiti-laden Roman garden. The venue will also house a game room echoing the neon-lit, underground ambiance of the Turtles’ lair, complete with arcade games and multi-game consoles.
During the day, Neon Gardens will cater to families, transitioning after 9 p.m. into a vibrant 21-and-up venue with dimmed lights and lively music, aiming to elevate Lincoln Park’s nightlife scene. Kwiatkowski anticipates that the venue will inject fresh energy into the neighborhood, appealing to a diverse crowd seeking an immersive dining and entertainment experience.
“Lincoln Park is experiencing a resurgence,” Kwiatkowski remarks. “With a renewed vibrancy, we aim to attract locals and visitors alike who crave a blend of nostalgia, great food, and dynamic social spaces.”
This dual venture by Replay Lincoln Park promises to redefine Lincoln Park’s dining and social scene, offering a fusion of culinary innovation and cultural homage in the heart of Chicago’s iconic neighborhood.