The Clifton Brings Wood-Fired Pizza Back To Downtown Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — Giambotta Pizza's closing in 2022 marked the departure of a go-to spot for wood-fired pizza in downtown Plainfield. The Clifton, which opened July 15 in its place, brought it back.

The Clifton, located in the white former house at 24136 W. Lockport St., is the latest venture from co-owners Dan Tacone and Ben Devee, who operate Next Whiskey Bar across the street.

Tacone described the new restaurant as a "modern American wood-fired kitchen." What that means, besides offering wood-fired pizza, is a majority of the menu is "touched" by the wood-fired oven.

"We enjoyed the stuff that we got from Giambotta, and when they moved out, our realtor reached out to us and said, 'Would you guys be interested in the space?' and we didn't hesitate for a second," Tacone told Patch. "As soon as we started thinking about the concept, we're like, there's no pizza in town, at least in the immediate downtown area. Giambotta had that kind of cornered, but now that they're gone, let's carry on the pizza side of things and just add to it a little bit."

Since opening, prawns and polenta as well as meatballs have been two customer-favorite dishes on the menu.

"If you have a menu that is wide and vast and can cater to all those people," Tacone said, "so because we do it that way, it's hard to designate one or two terms because we have everything from tacos to steak, fish, we do Italian, we do Mexican, we have a mahi tuna bowl, so we do Asian."

Where Giambotta once had a pizza oven and to-go counter in the room right off the entrance, The Clifton transformed the space, knocking down some walls to open up the space. Another room in the front serves nightly diners, while also doubling as a private room for when guests want to host events.

"We like things to be open and communal where people can people-watch and you're not segregated off to one area or one room," he said, explaining that concept that was the reason for The Clifton's horseshoe-shaped bar.

RELATED: Giambotta Pizza On Lockport Closing

The build-out took about two years, Tacone said.

"I think that's maybe a little bit more why people were excited because it was about a two-year project," he said. "Those that were waiting patiently were very happy to see us finally open."