Craving that perfect slice of Chicago-style pizza but worried about your waistline? Old Chicago’s menu offers a delightful mix of comfort food classics and modern nutritional options that’ll satisfy both your taste buds and dietary goals. From deep-dish delights to lighter fare this beloved restaurant chain has evolved to meet diverse dietary needs.
Whether you’re counting calories tracking macros or simply curious about what’s on your plate Old Chicago’s nutrition information empowers diners to make informed choices. With a range of options from indulgent pizzas loaded with toppings to surprisingly light salads and appetizers there’s something for everyone – including those watching their nutritional intake.
What Is Old Chicago Restaurant?
Old Chicago Restaurant operates as a casual dining establishment founded in 1976 in Boulder, Colorado. The restaurant chain specializes in Chicago-style deep dish pizza served alongside craft beer selections.
CraftWorks Holdings owns Old Chicago with 80+ locations across 22 states in the United States. The restaurant’s atmosphere combines elements of a traditional pizzeria with a modern American sports bar setting.
The menu features signature pizzas, pasta dishes, calzones, burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, desserts. Each location maintains 24-36 craft beers on tap with rotating seasonal selections.
Key Features of Old Chicago:
- Chicago-style deep dish pizza using handmade dough
- World Beer Tour program offering 110+ global beer varieties
- Full-service bar with cocktails, wine, spirits
- Family-friendly dining areas separate from bar sections
- Sports viewing areas with multiple HD screens
- Weekly food specials and happy hour promotions
- Families seeking casual dining options
- Sports enthusiasts watching games
- Craft beer enthusiasts exploring new brews
- Groups celebrating special occasions
- Casual diners wanting American comfort food
| Restaurant Details | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Locations | 80+ |
| States | 22 |
| Beer Selection | 24-36 taps |
| Menu Categories | 8+ |
Signature Menu Items and Nutrition Facts
Old Chicago’s menu features iconic dishes with varying nutritional profiles. The restaurant provides detailed nutrition information for each menu item through their website and in-store materials.
Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Nutrition
A standard 10-inch Chicago-style deep dish pizza contains 1,800-2,400 calories based on toppings. Individual slices range from 300-400 calories with 14-18g of protein and 28-35g of carbohydrates. The signature Chicago Seven Pizza tops the caloric scale at 380 calories per slice with 16g of fat and 42g of carbohydrates. Plain cheese deep dish offers a lighter option at 320 calories per slice with reduced sodium content. Gluten-free crust alternatives reduce the calorie count by 80-100 calories per slice.
Classic Wings and Appetizers
Traditional bone-in wings deliver 90-110 calories per piece depending on sauce selection. Buffalo wings contain 100 calories per wing with 7g protein and 8g fat. The Italian Nachos appetizer serves 6-8 people at 2,100 total calories. Lighter starter options include the House Salad at 140 calories and Mediterranean Cucumber plates at 180 calories. Sauce choices impact nutritional values significantly – garlic parmesan adds 80 calories while buffalo sauce adds 45 calories per serving.
Burgers and Sandwiches
The Classic Cheeseburger contains 850 calories with 48g protein and 52g carbohydrates. Specialty burgers range from 780-1,100 calories based on toppings and sauce selections. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich offers 640 calories with 42g protein as a lighter alternative. Turkey burgers reduce calories by 200-250 compared to beef options. All sandwiches include choice of side with french fries adding 380 calories or side salad adding 140 calories to total meal nutrition.
Popular Diet-Friendly Options
Old Chicago accommodates diverse dietary preferences with options that align with various nutritional goals. The menu features customizable items enabling guests to modify ingredients based on their dietary requirements.
Low-Carb Menu Choices
Old Chicago offers several low-carb alternatives for carb-conscious diners. The Naked Wings contain 0g carbs per serving when ordered without sauce. Garden salads topped with grilled chicken provide 8g net carbs when ordered with oil vinaigrette dressing. Customizable pizza options include a crustless pizza bowl with 12g net carbs featuring cheese melted over toppings. The Mediterranean Chicken delivers 14g net carbs when paired with steamed broccoli instead of pasta. Bunless burger options served with side salads contain 6g net carbs.
Vegetarian and Vegan Selections
Old Chicago features plant-based options across multiple menu categories. The Impossible™ Burger serves as a meat-free alternative with 19g of plant protein. Garden salads come with options like sunflower seeds, tomatoes, cucumbers, mixed greens. Build-your-own pizzas accommodate vegan preferences with dairy-free cheese alternatives. The roasted vegetable pasta transforms into a vegan dish by removing cheese garnish. Appetizer options include hummus plates with fresh vegetables. Side dishes feature steamed broccoli, house salads, seasonal vegetables. The kitchen accommodates special requests to modify dishes for strict vegetarian or vegan requirements.
Tips for Healthier Dining at Old Chicago
Old Chicago offers multiple ways to enjoy its menu while maintaining healthy eating habits. These practical strategies help diners make nutritious choices without sacrificing taste.
Menu Modifications and Substitutions
Customizing menu items at Old Chicago creates healthier alternatives. Diners select whole wheat crust for pizzas to add 4 grams of fiber per serving. Switching to grilled chicken instead of fried chicken on sandwiches reduces calories by 200. Requesting sauce on the side cuts sodium content by 30%. Pizza modifications include light cheese, extra vegetables or requesting a thin crust instead of deep dish to reduce calories by 40%. The kitchen accommodates requests to substitute side salads for fries, saving 350 calories per meal. Guests opt for vinaigrette dressings over creamy options to decrease fat content by 15 grams.
Portion Control Strategies
Smart portion control starts with splitting large pizzas among 3-4 people. Ordering appetizer portions as entrees reduces calorie intake by 400-600 calories. The half-size salad options contain 250-350 calories compared to full portions at 500-700 calories. Taking half the meal home creates two reasonable 500-calorie portions from most entrees. Sharing desserts among 4 people limits sugar intake to 15 grams per person. Guests order individual pizza slices instead of whole pies to consume 300-400 calories versus 1800-2400 for an entire pizza. Using smaller appetizer plates from the server helps control portion sizes naturally.
Hidden Calories and Things to Watch For
High sodium content lurks in Old Chicago’s signature dishes, with pizza sauce containing 580mg per serving. The Italian nachos pack 2,300mg of sodium alongside 1,420 calories. Cheese toppings add 100-150 calories per ounce to any dish.
Hidden fats appear in several menu items:
- Garlic bread contains 12g of fat from butter glazing
- Ranch dressing adds 140 calories per 2oz serving
- Meat toppings contribute 80-120 calories per portion
- Cheese blends average 100 calories per ounce
Calorie-dense ingredients in popular items include:
| Menu Item | Hidden Source | Added Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Dish Pizza | Oil in crust | 200-300 |
| Buffalo Wings | Fryer oil | 160-180 |
| Pasta dishes | Cream sauce | 300-400 |
| Desserts | Whipped cream | 120-150 |
Beverage calories create unexpected additions:
- Craft beers range from 150-300 calories per pint
- Specialty cocktails contain 250-400 calories
- Bottomless soda refills add 150 calories per 12oz serving
- Milkshakes pack 600-800 calories each
- BBQ sauce adds 70 calories per 2oz
- Alfredo sauce contains 280 calories per serving
- Pizza dipping sauces range from 120-180 calories
- Signature wing sauces average 150 calories per portion
Conclusion
Old Chicago stands out as a restaurant that successfully balances indulgent comfort food with health-conscious options. Their transparent approach to nutrition information empowers guests to make informed dining choices that align with their dietary goals. While famous for deep-dish pizzas and craft beers customers can find lighter alternatives and customizable menu items that cater to various dietary preferences.
Whether someone’s looking to enjoy a classic Chicago-style pizza or seeking healthier options the restaurant offers flexibility in portion sizes and modifications. Through mindful menu choices and customization options diners can create meals that satisfy both their cravings and nutritional needs at Old Chicago.