'Deep Dish is an Indoor Sport' Residents Protest Lou Malnati's Sidewalk Cafe

Northcenter residents surrounding the site for a proposed Lou Malnati's agree on one thing: eating deep dish is an indoor sport. 

About 24 neighbors gathered at Sulzer Library Monday to learn more about the pizza joint, slated to replace the Golden Angel at Lincoln and Montrose when its owners retire. 

While most said they would enjoy the company's presence in the neighborhood, all of them agreed a sidewalk cafe would be too noisy for the staunchly-residential area. 

Blake Smith lives directly south of the proposed cafe and is an expert on noise as an acoustic specialist for Hard Rock International. 

"I don't think Hell's Angels are moving in, but people are loud when they eat pizza," said Smith, who has two small children at home. "Lou Malnati's, we welcome you, but that outdoor seating is not going to happen."

Tim Schmitt, from 222 Architects who is designing the building, said the company hasn't done a noise study. 

The sidewalk cafe calls for 50 to 60 seats on the west side of Leavitt Street, but ultimately needs to approved by Ward 47 Ald. Ameya Pawar. 

The alderman hasn't given the green light to everyone wanting al fresco dining, said constituent services director Ernie Constantino. Because of residents' complaints, Pawar rejected a sidewalk cafe request for Wild Goose on Lincoln Avenue. The Piggery, on Irving Park, had a conditional permit requiring outdoor service to stop before 11 p.m.

But even if Pawar shoots down the sidewalk cafe, Lou Malnati's interior designer Lindsey Kornblatt said the company would still be interested in coming to Lincoln Square. 

"Yes, we would definitely still be coming; it's just figuring out the best solution with neighbors," she said.

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But before the restaurant can become a reality, the property needs to be rezoned because of the full service aspect of the restaurant. Unlike the Golden Angel, Lou Malnati's will sell liquor with a small bar. 

If the city council approves the zoning change and the proper permits are obtained, the pizza company hopes to start construction in early 2014 for a fall opening. 

Construction includes completely gutting the inside of the existing structure, along with two wooden residences on the southern end of the property that are both in disrepair. 

With the expanded space, about 90 to 100 people will fit into the restaurant. Outside, Lou Malnati's designers plan green space on the north end of the lot with plants and benches. 

"We get a lot of people waiting in view of the park and plan to have an Italian ice cart in the summer," Kornblatt said.