Armand's Pizzeria

The Victory Tap in Elmwood Park was owned by boyhood friends Michael Caringella and Armand Christopher in 1956. Mike worked at his family's Taylor Street butcher business, and Armand was a talented artist. Both of these elements were included into their new enterprise. Mike bringing his culinary expertise and family recipes to the kitchen, where he produced many of Armand's signature dishes, and Armand displaying his unique artwork in the main dining area. A coin flip determined the name of the restaurant; the winner was Mike, who chose Armand's Victory Tap as the name. Mike's unique thin crust pizzas were selling by the hundreds every week. Customers could witness the pizzas being hand tossed and placed in one of Chicago's only huge spinning pizza ovens from Grand Avenue. Mike and his family sold millions of pizzas, as well as other trademark products like Stuffed Artichokes, Baked Clams, and Antipasto Salad, throughout the years at Armand's Victory Tap. Armand's Pizzeria is growing and spreading across Chicago and the suburbs.