by Mona Gallagher

Created on: February 23, 2009   Last Updated: March 02, 2009

Imagine a pizza so large, it's transported to your table with an overhead crane. That's what you find at The Pizza Machine in downtown Springfield, IL. It's a family owned establishment with a fun reputation. Godfather Pizza has three pizzerias in the Springfield area and though they're a chain, they want to make a deal you can't refuse. Luca is authethic Italian food without the bells and whistles.

As you board the trolley for your tour of Springfield sites you're transported back to a simpler time as you lean back and drink in the sights. You spot Mario's Pizza Northeast of the city and later you see Luca's Pizza Southwest of the city. You know you've hit pizza payday when you see these Old World Italian name establishments in Springfield.

You may be tempted to jump off the trolley, and temporarily abandon your tour of historic sites, at the whiff of exquisite aromatic pleasures that invade your senses, but try to hang in there, dinner time is near.

Fast forward to dinnertime: We'll start with hungry families and bored children who've been touring the city all day. The kids are revved up and wanting to have fun. You might prefer a peaceful place to unwind, but you know the children need some fun type diversion and you give in to The Pizza Machine.

The Pizza Machine,107 Cook, Springfield, IL

This place is not just a pizzeria, it's a pizza experience. If you have hungry and adventurous children this is the place for you. Overhead-automated cranes deliver the gargantuan "5-foot across" pizza to groups or parties. If your family is standard size, you can order standard size pizzas instead of the 40" and 60" inch pizzas.

The Pizza Machine will appeal to anyone who wants to dine in a fun place with custom artwork adorning the main dining room and a choice of activities. There is an arcade room and the upscale Infinity Room that seats 150 people suitable for banquets and parties. There is even a stage where performances can take place. Pizza machine transports you to a new world.

So is the pizza good? The locally owned estabishment offers a world famous stuffed pizza and when you serve 60" pizzas, they had better be good! Imagine returning a 60" pizza because it was not satisfactory.

Luca Pizza, 2937 West Iles Ave, Springfield, IL

With a name like Luca Pizza, you just knew this place had to serve authentic Italian pizza with Old World know how. They've been in Springfield for 32 years and members of the Caro family still run the business. They make homemade dough, homemade

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