The Beginnings of The Chicago Connection
Back in 1978, Art Williams left Chicago to play basketball for the Fresno State Bulldogs. But over the decades, he never forgot he tastes of home — the deep-dish pizzas and Chicago-style beef and sausage sandwiches his mother perfected as proprietor of the Williams Inn restaurant on Chicago’s South Side.
Those familiar with the Chicago signature style pizza pies — and pies do accurately describe the thick-crust, heaped-topping pizzas. Our restaurant will serve up just what you have been looking for!
The Chicago Connection, a place where you will always find Fresno State and Chicago sports on! Cold beer and great food, here’s not a better place in town to watch all your favorite sports teams!
Word on the Street Ex-Fresno State athlete opens pizza restaurant
Back in 1978, Art Williams left Chicago to play basketball for the Fresno State Bulldogs. But over the decades, he never forgot the tastes of home — the deep-dish pizzas and Chicago-style beef and sausage sandwiches his mother perfected as proprietor of the Williams Inn restaurant on Chicago’s South Side.
Now Williams has brought those hometown specialties to Fresno. On May 31, he opened his new restaurant, The Chicago Connection, an all-family affair that he hopes his California customers will like enough to spread far and wide.
“It’s like a gourmet pizza, you know?” is how Williams, 50, describes the deep-dish Chicago-style pizza he serves at his new restaurant in the Hoover Marketplace shopping center at the corner of First Street and Bullard Avenue. Those familiar with his hometown’s signature pizza pies — and pies do accurately describe the thick-crust, heaped-topping Chicago-style pizzas when compared to the more common, thin-crusted New York-style pizzas — know what he’s talking
about.
Or, as Williams, a star Bulldogs player turned Fresno educator, describes the difference, “It’s like eating a cheap donut, and then going to a French bakery.” But The Chicago Connection isn’t just about pizza. Williams also serves signature
Chicago-style sandwiches, including tender corned beef and an Italian beef and sausage combination he calls “The Capone,” as well as a selection of other dishes and beer, wine and champagne to give “that Chicago flavor.”
“It’s a family restaurant,” he added. His brother, Steve Williams, is a manager, and his son, Arte Williams, runs the front counter. His wife, Debra Williams, and daughter, Niki Williams, also work there.
But if Williams’ hopes for the restaurant come true, The Chicago Connection will soon expand beyond his immediate family. He’s hoping to franchise the concept throughout the state, “and throughout the nation, really.”