Roots Handmade Pizza - South Loop Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Roots Handmade Pizza - South Loop, where pizza lovers unite for a fresh twist on a classic dish. Situated at 744 S Dearborn St, this cozy spot is famous for its Quad Cities-style pizza, featuring a unique malt crust that balances crispiness and chewiness, leaving patrons raving about its texture.
The menu invites diners to start with delightful appetizers like Popcorn Chicken Bites tossed in hot honey, or homemade Mozzarella Sticks served with marinara. Signature pizzas, including intriguing options like Chicken Tikka Masala, showcase bold flavors that cater to adventurous eaters and traditionalists alike. Reviewers consistently highlight the inviting ambiance — a laid-back and spacious setting ideal for casual dining.
With easy accessibility via their phone (773) 645-4909, a visit promises not just a meal, but a memorable experience.
Appetizers
Mozzarella Sticks
Made completely from scratch. Housemade and Hand-Stretched Mozzarella, Herbed Breadcrumbs and Marinara Sauce
Panza Bread Sticks
Quad Cities Mozzarella Blend, Garlic Parmesan Sauce and Pizza Sauce
Popcorn Chicken Bites
Tossed with Hot-Honey, Served with Creamy Ranch
Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper & Artichoke Dip
Served with Grilled or Crispy Pita Chips or Vegetables
Bone-In
Boneless
Step 1 - Choose
Step 3 - Select a Sauce
Select a Sauce
Our Famous Buffalo, Spicy Korean Red Pepper, Spicy Garlic, Nashville Hot, Honey Malört, Sweet Chili, Smokehouse BBQ, Teriyaki Honey Orange
Ranch
Blue Cheese Dressing
Celery & Carrots
Step 4 - Add Ons
Salads
Cobb
Romaine, Arugula, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Pickles, Corn, Scallions, Dill, Egg, Garlic Sesame Croutons and Buttermilk Black Truffle Dressing
Roots Caesar*
Romaine & Red Leaf Lettuce, Crispy Prosciutto, Garlic Sesame Croutons, Shaved Parmesan and Creamy Caesar Dressing
Tomato, Avocado, & Mozzarella
Romaine & Red Leaf Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Fresh Housemade Mozzarella, Sunflower Seeds and Cilantro Vinaigrette
BLT
Arugula, Romaine, Red Onions, Roasted Carrots, Grape Tomatoes, Garlic Sesame Croutons, Parsley, Radish, Blue Cheese Crumble, Bacon, Pears and Blue Cheese Dressing
Greek-Like
Romaine & Baby Spinach, Parsley, Dill & Mint, Kalamata & Green Olives, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Red & Green Bell Peppers, Feta Cheese, Pepperoncini, Fried Capers, Sunflower Seeds, Crispy Pita and Greek-Feta Vinaigrette
Kimchi
Cabbage, Spinach, Goat Cheese, Beets, Almonds, Cashews, Togarashi, Ramen, Carrot and Kimchi Vinaigrette
Southwest Chipotle Chicken & Avocado
Arugula, Cilantro, Cabbage, Pulled Chicken, Radish, Avocado, Crispy Shallots, Pickled Red Onions, Tajin-roasted Sweet Potatoes, Tortilla Strips, Black Beans, Corn, Queso Cotija and Creamy Chipotle Dressing
Sesame Chicken
Shredded Cabbage & Romaine, Pulled Chicken, Roasted Mushrooms, Roasted Carrots, Broccoli, Radish, Scallions, Parsley, Fried Ramen, Toasted Sesame Seeds and Sesame Vinaigrette
Not a Carrot In the World
Romaine, Kale, Arugula, Avocado, Scallions, Radish, Mango, Roasted Cauliflower, Crispy Shallots, Sesame & Sunflower Seeds, Lemon, Roasted Carrots and Carrot Tahini Dressing
Beet
Romaine, Arugula, Roasted Beets, Pears, Goat Cheese, Toasted Pistachios and Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette
Step 1 - Pick Your Greens
Choose 2: Baby Greens, Shredded Cabbage, Red Leaf Lettuce, Romaine, Arugula (+$1), Baby Kale (+$1), Spinach (+$1)
Step 2 - Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
Choose 5: Beets: roasted, Black Beans, Black Olives, Broccoli: steamed, Carrots: shredded, Cherry Tomatoes, Corn: roasted, Cucumbers, Giardiniera, Green Bell Peppers, Jalapeños, Mushrooms: raw, Mushrooms: roasted, Pepperoncini, Pickled Red Onions, Pickles, Pineapples, Red Onions, Red Bell Peppers, Radish, Scallions, Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts (+$1), Carrots: roasted (+$1), Curry Cauliflower: roasted (+$1), Fresh Mango (+$1), Kalamata & Green Olives (+$1), Sweet Potato: tajin-roasted (+$1)
Step 3 - Plenty to Crunch On
Choose 2: Crispy Shallots, Crispy Pita, Fried Capers, Garlic Sesame Croutons, Ramen: crunchy, Sunflower Seeds, Taco Chips, Tortilla Strips, Almonds: toasted (+$1), Cashews: toasted (+$1), Pistachios: toasted (+$1)
Step 4 - Go for Cheese
Choose 1: Aged Manchego (+$2), Bleu Cheese, Cheddar, Chihuahua Cheese (+$1), Cotija, Feta (+$1), Goat Cheese (+$1), Housemade Mozzarella (+$2), Local Cheddar Curds (+$2), Ricotta (+$2), Shaved Parmesan (+$1), Vegan Cheddar (+$2), Vegan Mozzarella (+$2)
Step 5 - Our Famous Dressings
Choose 1: Avocado Cream (+$1), Balsamic Vinaigrette, Bleu Cheese Dressing, Buttermilk Ranch, Black Truffle Cream (+$2), Caesar Dressing*, Carrot Tahini, Cilantro Vinaigrette, Creamy Chipotle Dressing, Greek-Feta Dressing, Kimchi Vinaigrette, Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette, Louis Dressing, Sesame Vinaigrette, Vegan Ranch (+$2)
Step 6 - Top It Off
Get That Protein! Avocado (+$3), Bacon (+$1), Blackened Shrimp (+$6), Fierce Tofu (+$6), Fried Herbed-Breaded Chicken (+$6), Garlic Shrimp (+$6), Grilled Chicken Breast (+$5), Hard Boiled Egg (+$1), Popcorn Chicken (+$5), Pulled Chicken: cold (+$5), Salami (+$2)
Build a Salad
Quad Cities Style Pizzas
Old School Cheese
Our special Quad Cities Mozzarella Blend and Pizza Sauce on our signature Malt Crust
Classic Pepperoni
Our special Quad Cities Mozzarella Blend and Pizza Sauce on our signature Malt Crust with a healthy amount of Pepperoni. We don't skimp on our toppings
Crumbled Sausage
The Quad Cities Speciality: Crumbled Sausage, Roots Pizza Sauce, and Fresh Mozzarella
Taco
A Quad Cities Original: Taco-seasoned Crumbled Sausage, Roots Pizza Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella and Cheddar. Topped with Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Taco-seasoned Chips
Margherita
Roasted Tomato Sauce, Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, and Fresh Basil
McDowell's
Seasoned Ground Beef, Louis Dressing, Fresh Mozzarella + Cheddar. Topped with Onions, Lettuce, and Pickles. The National Pizza of Zamunda
Vegan
Ground Seitan, Smoked Seitan Bacon, Roots Pizza Sauce, Vegan Mozzarella and Vegan Cheddar. Topped with Lettuce, Pickles, Tomatoes, and Vegan Ranch
Garden
Roasted Mushrooms, Diced Green Peppers, Roasted Red Peppers, Olive Mix, Roots Pizza Sauce, and Fresh Mozzarella
Sarah Grueneberg's - Monteverde Big Ragu
Tomato-braised Pork Shoulder, Meatballs, Sausage, Calabrian Peppers, Stracchino, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, and Pesto
Charlie Mckennas' - Lillie's Q BBQ Pulled Pork
Pulled Pork smoked over peach wood, Hot Smokey BBQ, and Fresh Mozzarella. Topped with Carolina Dirt BBQ Rub & Slaw
Rick Ortiz's - Antique Taco
Chili Cheese Curd Pizza, Chorizo Chili, Cheddar Curds, Chihuahua Cheese, Mozzarella, Pickled Jalapeños & Onions, Avocado Cream, Tortilla Strips, Black Olives, and Scallions
Chef Series Collaborations - Quad Cities Style Pizzas
Neighborhood Faves - Quad Cities Style Pizzas
Tikka Masala Butter Chicken
Butter Sauce, Marinated Chicken, Ginger, Curry, Onions, Paneer, Methi, Chili Oil, Lime, and Fresh Mozzarella
Korean Fried Chicken
Red Pepper Sauce, Garlic Purée, Kimchi, Fresh Mozzarella, Smoked Gouda, Korean Fried Chicken, Scallions, Sesame Seeds, and Cilantro
Step 1 - First Pick a Size
12" (1-2 people), 16" (3-5 people)
Step 2 - Put Some Meat on It
We ain't skimping. Sausage: Crumbled (+$3), Pepperoni (+$3), Anchovies (+$3), Bacon (+$4), Blackened Shrimp (+$8), Canadian Bacon (+$4), Garlic Shrimp (+$8), Ground Beef (+$4), Italian Beef (+$5), Popcorn Chicken (+$6), Pulled Chicken (+$5), Prosciutto (+$3), Salami (+$3), Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork (+$6), Vegan Bacon (+$4)
Step 3 - Some Premium Toppings
(+$2.50): Artichoke Hearts, Arugula, Black Olives, Broccoli Florets, Coleslaw, Corn, Garlic, Giardiniera: our Special Recipe, Green Bell Peppers, Jalapeños: fresh, Jalapeños: pickled, Kalamata Olive Blend, Mushrooms: fresh, Mushrooms: roasted, Pepperoncini, Pineapple, Red Onions: pickled, Red Onions: fresh, Roasted Garlic purée, Red Bell Peppers, Spinach: fresh, Scallions, Tomatoes: sliced or diced
Step 4 - Make it Even Cheesy-Er
(+$2). Bleu Cheese, Cheddar, Cotija Cheese, Provolone, Ricotta, Aged Manchego (+$3), Feta (+$3), Fresh Mozzarella (+$3), Goat Cheese (+$3), Shaved Parmesan (+$3), Vegan Cheddar (+$3), Vegan Mozzarella (+$3)
Step 5 - Side Sauces
(+$2): Avocado Cream, Bleu Cheese Dressing, Korean Red Pepper Sauce, Garlic Parmesan, Lillie's Q Smokey BBQ, Tikka Masala Butter Sauce, Ranch, Sour Cream, The Fifty/50 Buffalo Sauce, Vegan Ranch
Step 6 - How Do You Want it Cut
Go with strips when building 2 toppings or less. Quad-city style strips, Traditional pie cut
Build a Pizza
Some Sides
Seasoned Curly Fries
Sweet Potato Tots
Roasted Broccoli w/ Garlic Butter
Mac & Cheese
Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake
Funfetti Cheesecake on a Graham Cracker Crust. Topped with Whipped Cream and Glazed Fruity Pebbles
Baby Ruth Cheesecake
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, swirled with Caramel and Baby Ruth candy on an Oreo Crust. Topped with Chocolate Ganache and even more Baby Ruth
Chocolate Cream Pie
Dark Chocolate Mousse on an Oreo Crust. Topped with Whipped Cream and Oreo Cookie Pieces
Key Lime Meringue Pie
Fresh Key Lime Custard on a graham Cracker Crust. Topped with Whipped Cream
Brownie Sundae
Warm Old Fashioned Brownie, topped with your choice of either Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream. Finished off with Whipped Cream and Chocolate Sauce
Feed Your Inner Child
Drinks
Soda
Pepsi Diet Pepsi Sierra Mist Dr. Pepper Pepsi Zero Orange Crush Ginger Ale
Freshly Squeezed Lemonade
Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Iced Tea
Coffee
Milk
Chocolate Milk
Root Beer
Try our Root Beer. It's our very own recipe!