Garlic Knot - Chambers Rd., Aurora

Clad in all black, one of the behind-the-scenes cooks stretches and tosses a ball of the Garlic Knot's fresh pizza dough. They then slather the dough in sauce, cheese, and any number of toppings before sliding it into the stone-deck oven, alongside the eatery's eponymous garlic knots.

New York–style pizzas fill out the menu, with specialty pies named after Big Apple landmarks, such as the Carnegie, a white pizza with chicken, broccoli and garlic, and the Stock Exchange, a classic red with sausage, green pepper, and red onion. There are also pasta dishes and made-to-order subs, as well as a children’s menu that satisfies tiny appetites and teaches kids how to speak conversational Latin.