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Salt Creek Pizza claims Elk Grove Village spot for family-friendly dinner joint

While it was vacant for three years after Pope's Pizza & Pub closed, the space at 66 E. Devon Ave. in Elk Grove Village has been home to a pizza place since the 1970s. That tradition continues with Salt Creek Pizza & Pub, which opened in December and caters both to families and couples looking for good food and beer.

Motif: The bar area features video gaming machines, long tables and five TVs tuned to sports. The dining room is set with candlelit tables and wooden booths, the same ones that were at Pope's but refinished, with historical pictures of the village hanging from the brick and wood walls. A fireplace sits at the center and there are a few more TVs for sports fans.

Food: Popular starters include the Reuben egg rolls and nachos, while the buffalo chicken and margarita pizzas and pulled-pork sandwich are the top-selling entrees. The sandwich was messy but tasty, with the juicy pork topped with slices of pickles and served on a toasted bun with a heaping side of crispy, sweet onion rings. The Buffalo chicken pizza features a crunchy crust and chunks of lightly spicy chicken drizzled with a mix of hot sauce and ranch dressing.

Liquid consumption: Opt for a beer flight, which features six-ounce pours of four craft beers from a menu that changes twice a month. The bar offers a dozen on tap and 20 more by the bottle and tends to sell out seasonal brews quickly. Beer fans will want to take advantage of the $11 flights on Thursdays or the $1 discount on all craft beers on Saturdays. Other weekly drink specials include $4 house wine Wednesdays and $4 bombs on Fridays. The bar also regularly hosts sampling events from beer makers.

Crowd: The bar area brings out a solid crowd on weekends, with forty-something drinkers having beer or wine while chatting and watching sports. The dining room caters to couples, families and groups of seniors. Wednesday is especially popular with families, with a balloon artist making complex creations for kids.

Service: I found it nearly impossible to get someone's attention at the bar, but had much better luck when I got a booth in the dining room. Our friendly server was happy to talk about his favorite food and beers. The owner was also stopping by tables to greet customers and talk about their experiences.

Music: Two-piece acoustic bands perform Fridays and Saturdays, sometimes getting diners up for a bit of karaoke.

Parking: A small lot offers free parking.

Overall: Salt Creek Pizza & Pub provides a homey place to share a pint and slice and find entertainment for the whole family.

  The Buffalo chicken pizza comes drizzled with hot sauce and cooling ranch at Salt Creek Pizza & Pub in Elk Grove Village. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  A variety of beers are on tap at the Salt Creek Pizza & Pub in Elk Grove Village. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Mozzarella logs are served with a side of marinara at the Salt Creek Pizza & Pub in Elk Grove Village. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Onion rings make a crispy starter at the Salt Creek Pizza & Pub in Elk Grove Village. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Salt Creek's pub burger gets added flavor from onion marmalade, candied bacon and an over-easy egg. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Karen Fabin, left, and Laura Fitzgerald, both of Elk Grove Village, chat at the Salt Creek Pizza & Pub in Elk Grove Village. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Salt Creek Pizza & Pub opened in December in Elk Grove Village. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Derith Hutchins of Wheeling, clockwise from left, has drinks with Kris Kontek, Mike Konteck and Katie Czeszewski, all of Elk Grove Village, at the Salt Creek Pizza & Pub in Elk Grove Village. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Salt Creek Pizza & Pub

66 E. Devon Ave., Elk Grove Village, (847) 258-5604, <a href="http://saltcreekpizzaandpub.com">saltcreekpizzaandpub.com</a>

<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday

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