Food & Beverage

Chicago chef opens virtual pizza brand

Photo: Provided.

December 2, 2020

Chef Bill Kim's Pizza & Parm Shop, a virtual restaurant based out of the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, opened Wednesday in Chicago as part of the Cornerstone Restaurant Group, a news release said.

Available exclusively for takeout through DoorDash, this pop-up offers people in western Chicago suburbs a chef-driven pizza option.

"Growing up on the northside of Chicago, I had a lot of Italian friends and was constantly surrounded by the cuisine… I think part of me even wanted to be Italian!" Chef Bill Kim said in a news release about the opening.

Kim is a native of Seoul, South Korea, whose family immigrated to the Windy City when he was seven.

"This menu is a homage to them and my childhood with flavors and dishes I love and that travel incredibly well through delivery," he said.

The menu spotlights that square-shaped Detroit-style pizza, which Kim sees as a "happy medium between Chicago deep dish and thin crust styles." In addition to pizza, the menu features a classic chicken parmesan entrée and chicken Parmesan sandwiches. Salads such as a chopped Caesar salad and wings are available as well.

This pop-up follows the launch of Kim's Ramen Bar a month ago in Oak Brook, featuring the chef's take on ramen. Both brands represent new restaurant concepts and menus not present on Cornerstone Restaurant Group and Kim's portfolio of restaurants.

Additionally, Cornerstone operates two other restaurants currently open for takeout and covered patio dining in Oak Brook: Michael Jordan's Restaurant and Chef Kim's The Table at Crate, both in Chicago as well.

"Every restaurateur and entrepreneur needed to get more creative than ever this year," Cornerstone CEO Danny McGowan, said in the release. "We are thinking beyond the four walls of our restaurants and utilizing all parts of that space. The ghost kitchen is a concept we've explored before, but never to this level with two brand new restaurant concepts and menus."