- Credibility:
UPTOWN — The home of the “monster slice” of pizza in Uptown has called it quits after more than 10 years in business.
Papa Ray’s Pizza & Wings closed its 4757 N. Sheridan Road location, according to the pizza chain’s website. It has been closed since at least early August.
A note on Papa Ray’s website confirmed the business is closed and asked customers to visit its Avondale location, 3208 N. Pulaski Road.
“We hope to be back in the Uptown [neighborhood] soon,” the owners wrote in the note. “Stay tuned for more information.”
Papa Ray’s opened on Sheridan Road in late 2011 and was the second location for the pizza chain, which started in Avondale, according to Eater Chicago. The popular late-night spot was known for its extra-large pizza slices, with a full-sized replica painted on the store’s front window.
The business replaced a convenience store on Sheridan Road. Papa Ray’s played a role in revitalizing the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Sheridan Road, including joining a business ban of known gang members and drug dealers who congregated in the area, according to neighborhood blog Uptown Update.
In 2015, Papa Ray’s helped raise money to support the family of its manager, who died by suicide, Uptown Update reported.
Papa Ray’s was founded by two brothers whose family has a long history in the restaurant business, Eater reported. The franchise has six locations with a seventh planned to open in suburban Naperville, according to its website.
Papa Ray’s owners and the owner of the Uptown franchise did not return requests for comment Thursday.
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