I had been walking around the USC Village for about fifteen minutes in the rain and clearly I was lost. My bright rainbow colored umbrella going north across the village, then south, then west was probably telling to anyone seeing me make a circle that I had no clue where I was going. I was tempted to ask for help, but I knew if I just turned one last corner I would find the place. I made the turn and no surprise to anyone other than me, I was still lost. Only difference was that by that time I was getting sweaty. I have to be the only person who can sweat in the rain.

Another five minutes later and I could have sworn that I covered the village the same way a new orientation tour guide would have and I was about to give up when a glimpse caught my eye. In between the darts of rain drops I finally saw the sign that read the name of the restaurant I was looking to find: Rance’s Chicago Pizza. Beaming like a light I followed it until I was able to cross into the restaurant and stand in front of the counter.

I wasn’t smiling foolishly at the waitress Chelsea simply because I made my way out of the rain, but because I was excited to try Rance’s for the first time. With their first location in Costa Mesa in 2012 and their second in Long Beach as of 2017, Rance’s has been growing in popularity and locations. The business idea came about when Rance Ruiz visited his older sister while she was in college in Chicago. Trying the loved Chicago style pizza sparked the desire in Ruiz to bring the pizza to Southern California. Alongside business partner Aaron Tofani, the two have now expanded to a third Rance’s Chicago Pizza at USC Village, just outside of Downtown Los Angeles.

The menu offers three styles of pizza: caramelized pan crust, stuffed, and tavern (thin style). Not to be served alone, Rance’s also has wings, garlic sticks, salads, and beer. Standing in the newest location just before their grand opening, I already knew what I wanted to order. I went with a half order of the Bourbon Maple Bacon Wings ($8) and a Caramelized Pan Crust Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza ($22).

A wait for a deep dish pizza runs about 45-minutes, but it’s worth every elongated second. Once the food arrived I started with the wings. Each piece was sweet and rich with a close of spice and the taste was exhilarating from the very first bite. As each wing and drumstick was cleaned, the remanence of the sauce lingered on my fingertips as a final delicious goodbye. That only sounds corny if you haven’t tried them for yourself. The massive pizza was just as good as the wings. A buttery and flaky crust surrounded a thick amount of mozzarella cheese, pepperonis, sausage, and chunks of tomatoes. Pulling a slice from the pan gave way to a long string of cheese and a beautiful warm scent. Biting into it, I was so happy with the way it tasted. It was the way all pizza should taste: warm, filling, and impossible to put down. As badly as I wanted to eat another slice, one was more than enough.

After championing the single slice of pizza, I admitted defeat. There was no one to impress by trying to go for a second when I knew I had no chance of finishing it. Instead, I got a Rance’s box and eagerly took the remaining slices and wings home. I enjoyed trying the restaurant for the first time and was happy to have discovered just how delicious their food was. Granted it may have taken me a while to find them, but once I did I was relieved. And in case you were wondering, I didn’t get lost on the way back to my car.  Go me!

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Address: 835 W Jefferson Blvd suite 1740, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Phone: (323) 329-8000
Hours: Daily 11:00am to 9:00pm
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