Pizza Bragging Rights & a New Fine Dining Gem: The South Loop Is Having a Moment on the National Stage

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/South Loop · June 15, 2026

The South Loop is turning heads across the country this week — and it's got the receipts to prove it. Flo & Santos, the beloved Polish-Italian fusion spot that has long been a Sloop institution, recently got a visit from Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy — one of the most influential (and polarizing) pizza reviewers in America. Portnoy awarded their traditional cheese pizza a 7.1, but the team at Flo & Santos wasn't about to take that lying down. The restaurant's general manager fired back with neighborhood pride, pointing out that "El Pres" may simply not be fully versed in the art of classic Chicago tavern-style thin crust — and that their signature square-cut, Polish-Italian fusion pie deserves something closer to an 8.0. Whether you side with Portnoy or the house, one thing is certain: the Sloop's food scene is getting national attention, and Flo & Santos is holding it down with confidence.

And the dining buzz doesn't stop there. Food discovery platform Resy has been spotlighting a new Modern European restaurant now open in the South Loop, adding yet another compelling reason to eat local this summer. Between a scrappy pizza debate making waves online and a fresh upscale dining option landing in the neighborhood, the Sloop's culinary identity is as bold and diverse as ever.

Have you been to Flo & Santos lately, or spotted the new Modern European spot on your radar? Weigh in on the great pizza debate and share your South Loop dining recs with the Socialhood community — we want to hear from you!

Sources:
1. https://www.fox32chicago.com/tag/us/il/cook-county/chicago/south-loop
2. https://blog.resy.com/new-on-resy/new-on-resy-chicago/