The first pionering settlers arrived in the area where Huntley is now during the mid-19th century. They didn't form a community though, but occupied widespread homesteads where they survived by subsistence farming. It was a few years later after the Chicago and Galena Railroad laid their track across state and built a refueling depot by the South Branch Kishwaukee River that Huntley began to develop as a village. Once the rail route was in full operation, a general store and houses sprang up around the depot which had become a transport hub for local dairy farmers. After an electric railroad system from Elgin to Belvedere, running through Huntley, was installed in the early 1900s, the village began to evolve into a bedroom community. While the village's main population growth didn't occur until the first decade of the 21st century, by the 1970s there were enough residents to tempt an Italian family to take the risk of opening a restaurant in Huntley. One of the most popular dishes on their menu from the moment they opened the doors of their business was pizza.

Huntley in Illinois is known for Thin Crust pizza

Huntley is known for thin crust pizza and in the Huntley pizzerias they bake their thin crust pies two ways, thin or extra thin. They're also not averse to doubling the quantities and offering you a double crust either so if a thin crust doesn't quite satisfy your appetite, you won't be going hungry. There are a couple of possible reasons that Huntley is known for thin crust pizzas. By the time the pizzerias in Huntley were opening, the thin crust New York-style pizzas was America's number one favorite pizza. They don't bake that soft based type of pie in this Illinois village though, but stick to the typical Italian way of making it so, although it's not a known fact, it's quite possible that Huntley is known for thin crust because the pizzeria owners are descendants of families from the Naples or Rome areas of Italy.

Best Delivery Pizza in Huntley, Illinois

When you want the best delivery pizza in Huntley you want one that will inspire you to say wow when you open the delivery box. One pizzeria in Huntley that dispatches pizzas with a real wow factor is the Street Slice Pizza Cafe on Main Street. At the Street Slice Pizza Cafe they know how to prepare a delivery pizza that will have your mouth watering before you even take the first bite. While Street Slice's pies may be named after famous streets in New York, the pizzas are authentic Italian style and not New York-style. They even bake a great Sicilian square pizza as well as stone-fired flatbreads that are all as equally well presented and totally delicious.

Best Takeout Pizza in Huntley, Illinois

After a session of ten pin bowling at Bowl Hi-Lanes or a round of golf at the Pinecrest Country Club, it's understandable you're probably thinking of pizza. If you are and you want a take-out, you'll find the best take-out pizza in Huntley on Vine Street at Tufano's Pizzeria which is right nearby where you are. Tufano's Pizzeria has been baking pizzas from the same premises in Huntley for over twelve years. The pizzeria occupies an end position in a row of stores with a parking lot out front. Inside, the décor is basic, but there are a few slot machines you can try your luck on while you wait for your pie to cook. If you don't win on the slots, don't worry, the pizza you get from here will be an outright winner no matter which one you decide to get.

Best Pizza near Huntley, Illinois

Marengo

Head twelve mils northwest from Huntley on the US-20 and you'll come to Marengo. There's more than enough to fill a day with interesting and fun activities in this Illinois city. If you're going with kids, they'll love the Donley's Wild West Town and Museum where they can watch the shows and have a ride on amusements like roller coasters or go panning for gold. There are two great hiking spots in Marengo too. The first is the H.U.M Trail which is a paved trail suitable for hiking and biking. The second is the Marengo Ridge Conservation Area where there's a network of trails running through the woodlands. Before you start the trip back to Huntley, stop by StoneBakers on East Prairie Street for a stone-baked pizza.

Elgin

Elgin is a round a fifteen mile drive southeast of Huntley and is a place that has some fascinating museums. Electric trolleys were one of the things that impulsed the growth of Huntley in the early days and you can find out all about them at the Fox River Trolley Museum. To learn about the local area there's nowhere better than the Elgin Public Museum where there are exhibits related to the city and surrounding area's history. To do a bunch of things all in one place go to Lord's Park. In Lord's Park, apart from over a hundred acres of grounds to explore, there's a farm zoo with bison, pigs, deer and several other small mammals. The Elgin Museum of Natural History and Anthropology is also in the park. If you have time to fit it in, try a pizza at Nick's Pizza and Pub on South Randall Road.

Lake in the Hills

To have a change of scene from Huntley without going too far afield, the village of Lake in the Hills is not a bad choice. Lake in the Hills is just a five mile drive east of Huntley so it takes less than fifteen minutes to get there. Once you arrive, head straight for the lake and either the Indian Trail Beach or the Butch Hagele Beach. Even if the weather isn't right for swimming and sunbathing, they're great spots for a lakeside stroll. If you want to get out on the water but don't have a craft you can hire canoes at the Three Oaks Recreation Area and go wildlife spotting or fishing. If you don't hook your supper, go for a pizza at Moretti's Pizzeria and Ristorante on North Randall Road.