Maybe I’m just corny (that’s a rural Illinois joke) but I love a restaurant with not only great food and drinks, but also a theme. The kookier or more over-the-top, the better. While a great local diner always fills my cup, I do find it exciting to search for something a little different that gives you an experience as well as a great meal. So when I discovered this tiki bar pizzeria in Arlington Heights, Illinois — where two completely opposite worlds collide — I knew I’d have to check it out.

Lola's Pizza & Tiki Bar, 1612 E. Rand Road., is located in the northwestern Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights.
tiki bar pizzeria in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Lola's Pizza & Tiki Bar/Google
The unique restaurant showcases authentic Italian recipes within a tiki-bar-themed diner, complete with bamboo and teak woods, dim, but colorful lighting, and plenty of Caribbean and Pacific decor.
Lola's Pizza & Tiki Bar/Google
Lanterns hang from the ceiling to provide ambiance while you enjoy your meal.
Elliott Serrano/Google
And while you may expect to be dining on a skewer-roasted pig, the diner actually specializes in mouthwatering Italian favorites like pizza, chopped salads, sausages, and more. Many of the recipes came from the owner's time spent as a teenager cooking with his mother and grandmother
Lola's Pizza & Tiki Bar/Google

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The name "Lola" comes from the owner's beloved Pomeranian dog, who serves as the inspiration behind the kitschy family restaurant.
Lola's Pizza Place/Facebook
I have a feeling Lola and I would both love to take a bite out of this gooey meatball sub.
And what goes great with pizza and homemade Italian fare? Tiki drinks, of course! From Mai Tais to daiquiris to martinis, the drink menu is full of amazing and creative takes on tropical drinks, complete with over-the-top garnishes and presentations.
Ariene/Google
The menu also changes with the season, meaning Halloween, Christmas, and even St. Patrick's Day all have flamboyantly themed drinks.
The popular Taal cocktail blends rum with citruses and passion fruits before being topped off with a flaming lime.
Raffy Pisowodski/Google
My favorite is this super fun shark drink, which is served not only in a shark glass, but has a shark gummy and maraschino cherries in its jaws.
Lola's Pizza Palace/Facebook

So, is this tiki bar pizzeria in Arlington Heights, Illinois making it to your bucket list? What’s your favorite themed or unique restaurant in Illinois? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip by checking out the Lola’s Pizza Place website and Lola’s Pizza Place Facebook page, as well as the Kahala Koa website and the Kahala Koa Tiki Bar Facebook page. Want to keep the pizza party going? This best-selling Chicago pizza tour is a favorite (but hurry, it often sells out!).

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Lola's Pizza & Tiki Bar, 1612 E Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, USA