Why do the likes of Saveur Magazine and Anthony Bourdain of the Food Network come to the nondescript-looking pizzeria in the 8500 block of Ferris in Morton Grove? Because pizzaiolo (that's Italian for pizza maker) Burt Katz has spent years perfecting the crust, sauce, base, cheese, toppings and everything else about his now-legendary pizza.Burt closed the place for a couple of months while he was in the hospital and recuperating, but Morton Grove Mayor Dan DiMaria announced at Monday's village board meeting the restaurateur is reopening Burt's Place Thursday.

"Burt, it feels good to see you sitting there and back in action," he said to Katz, who attended the meeting. The mayor encouraged residents to keep Burt's phones ringing.