The Story of Big Gay Sal's Pizza

  Big Gay Sal's Pizza was founded on the idea of bringing people together through the love of delicious food. This is the story of how it all began.

The Visionary Behind the Pizza: Mike & Sal

New to Chicago, Mike and his partner Phil met Sal in 2019 after moving to Chicago.

“Sal was always a friendly face to us when we'd go to parties and other social events. Every time he walked through the door, he'd have a cheerful smile and come up to us and give us hugs.” - Mike

One night, Sal walked into an event with three pizzas he made. A lightbulb went off in Mike’s head, and said to Phil: “I have it! Big Gay Sal’s Pizza.” Phil replied: “You can’t call him big.” Mike’s reply: “It has nothing to do with his size. It’s his big heart, smile, and our commitment to the community!” 

Mike approached Sal with the idea of starting a pizza place together, which at first, he thought was crazy. With a dream, hard work and determination, the rest is history.

The Journey Begins: From Idea to Reality

Mike & Sal envisioned a place where the LGBTQ+ community and allies could gather, celebrate, and enjoy great food in a safe, inclusive environment. And in 2023, they found the perfect location. With the support of loved ones, investing partners, our landlords and the City of Chicago, the exciting journey of bringing Big Gay Sal's Pizza to life began. 

Opening: A Dream Realized

March 7th 2024, Big Gay Sal's Pizza opened its doors for the first time. The Opening was a huge success, with friends, family, and members of the community celebrating the realization of our dream. The place was filled with laughter, love, and the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked pizza.

Our Vision: Building a Safe Space for All

In addition to serving excellent food, Big Gay Sal's Pizza works tirelessly to create an atmosphere that welcomes, embraces and celebrates diversity and inclusion.

Our Legacy

Today, Big Gay Sal's Pizza is thriving, thanks to our amazing staff, their passion, and the love support of our incredible community. Our pizzeria is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work, and the belief that everyone deserves a place where they can feel at home.

Thank you for your patronage and for being a part of our story – one of love, inclusivity, and, of course, fantastic food.