Bar Cargo, Downtown Chicago’s Roman-Style Pizzeria, Will Close After Seven Years

Bar Cargo, the pizzeria in the heart of River North that opened in 2017, with square-cut Roman pies, is closing. After seven years, the restaurant will close on Sunday, December 1, according to an Instagram announcement.

Part of Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants, along with Broken English Taco Pub, the newly reopened Tavern on Rush, and Tuscany on Taylor, Bar Cargo brought stability to a restaurant space at 605 N. Wells Street that had been a revolving door. Bonci Pizza popularized Roman-style pizza when it debuted in Chicago in 2017 with its first location in America, the city’s tastes in pizza had reached a breaking point. Chicagoans were developing a wide appreciation for different pizza styles, and many were fed up with being known for only deep dish.

Phil Stefani imported a pizza chef from Italy and his son, Anthony, expanded on his father’s idea. Anthony Stefani says River North doesn’t feel the same as it did seven years ago. He hypothesizes that more diners are heading to West Loop and Fulton Market. High rent and rising costs were some of the reasons behind the decision.

“We truly believe in our product there and at the end of seven years we just had too many obstacles to overcome,” Anthony Stefani writes. “The neighborhood has changed sadly over the last few years and just isn’t what it used to be over there.”

He adds that their landlord was also in a challenging situation and that they tried to revisit their rent structure, but it didn’t work out. Fans can find Bar Cargo’s pizza at the family’s newest restaurant, Stefani’s Bottega Italiana on the Northwest Side in Gladstone Park.

The Stefanis are busy with their other restaurants. Tavern on Rush will soon start brunch and has brought in chef Mariela Bolanos to help out. She was the force behind the success of weekend brunch at Gina Stefani’s West Loop restaurant, MAD Social, and has revived some of her old favorites.

Crain’s first reported the news.

Bar Cargo, 605 N. Wells Street, closing on Sunday, December 1.