“Everyone has a food memory. People have great memories of our food, so we want to keep it going.”

— Angela Cecola, Owner, Armand’s Pizzeria – Elmhurst

When you walk into Armand’s on West First Street, you’re stepping into more than a pizzeria—you’re entering a legacy. With roots dating back to 1956 on Chicago’s Taylor Street, the Caringella family has built a business defined by tradition, quality, and loyalty.

“We’ve been in this location for 22 years, and we still use the same family recipes,” says Angela Cecola, who now runs the Elmhurst location. Her father, Michael Sr., started the business and passed it down through generations. “We offer many varieties of pizza, including our Yardstick pizza—which is three feet long and a foot wide. It’s a big seller for larger families.”

The Elmhurst location, just steps from the train station, offers a warm, classic atmosphere with a handsome bar and dining space for 100. A spotless open kitchen, visible from the pickup counter, reinforces Armand’s commitment to transparency and quality. Guests come for the pizza, of course—but also for signature dishes like stuffed artichokes, homemade minestrone, and pasta fazoli.

Angela’s late son, Mark, helped run the Elmhurst restaurant starting in his teens, mastering everything from bar service to bookkeeping. A treasured photo at the bar shows him with film director Francis Ford Coppola, who inspired Mark’s love of fine wine. Those wines—yes, Coppola’s—are now featured on the menu.

It’s stories like these that keep customers coming back. Some employees and patrons have been with Armand’s since the Elmwood Park days, and their families are now regulars in Elmhurst. “Everyone has a food memory,” Angela says. “People have great memories of our food, so we want to keep it going.”

Whether you’re sharing a Yardstick pizza with family or stopping in solo for a glass of Coppola’s Claret, Armand’s in Elmhurst serves up more than great food—it serves up community.

Armand’s Pizzeria
105 W. 1st Street, Elmhurst, Illinois
(630) 782-9222
armandspizzeria.com/elmhurst