Legendary Chicago brand opens doors – and region’s first pizza drive-thru – with ribbon-cutting and 75th anniversary giveaways
Chicago, IL (RestaurantNews.com) Leona’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, the historic Chicago institution known for serving “Chicago’s Original Pizza,” will open its brand-new location at 3102 IL-120 in McHenry on Tuesday, July 8.
Located just off Elm Street and near Fox Lake, the restaurant will mark the fourth in Chicagoland and introduce Northern Illinois’ first pizza drive-thru. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Mayor Wayne Jett and local officials.
In addition, to honor Leona’s upcoming 75th anniversary, the first 75 guests in line on opening day will receive a FREE personal pizza.
“Opening our doors in McHenry is a meaningful milestone for all of us at Leona’s,” said owner and CEO Billy Marino. “It’s a chance to share the tradition we’ve built over generations with a new part of our community. We’re proud to offer the same iconic, classic flavors that have been part of Chicago’s world-class dining scene since 1950 – now with the convenience of a drive-thru made for today’s diners.”
The restaurant will serve Leona’s signature lineup of Chicago-style pizzas – including thin crust, stuffed deep dish, Sicilian and pan – made with time-honored recipes and premium ingredients. Guests can also enjoy a range of Italian-American comfort foods, from hearty pastas and flatbread sandwiches to crisp salads and shareable sides.
The McHenry Leona’s will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and joins existing restaurants in Irving Park, Lyons and the West Loop. Keep up with the latest menu items, events and special offers by visiting Leonas.com or following on Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
About Leona’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
Founded in 1950 by Leona Pianetto Molinaro Szemla in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, Leona’s Pizzeria & Restaurant is a legend in the city’s pizza history. As one of Chicago’s oldest operating pizzerias, Leona’s was among the first to offer branded delivery cars and signage as early as 1952. Now under the leadership of CEO Billy Marino – whose family has deep ties to the brand and its founding family – Leona’s is honoring its legacy while embracing a modern, streamlined model focused on convenience, quality and growth. With smaller-format stores and a renewed commitment to its original recipes, Leona’s continues to honor its original traditions while embracing innovation, ensuring it remains “Chicago’s Original Pizza” for years to come.
For more information about Leona’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, visit Leonas.com.
Contact:
Laron Roland
Champion
469-951-0455
lroland@championmgt.com
