Where to Get the Best Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago?
“There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap.” Kevin James
Invented somewhere in the 1940s, the deep-dish pizza is loved by locals and tourists of Chicago alike. Sure, thin crust is charming, but where’s the fun in that?ย
Instead, consider delving into a thick layer of tomato sauce with a cheese-filled center and tasty stuffing’s!
The windy city is famous for its deep dish, but no two pizzas are created equal. The Chicago pizzerias have given a unique spin to the classic recipe. And the hot debate of which one is the best continues!
However, you need to make your deep dish experience deeply unforgettable! So here is a round-up of 10 places to get the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago! The list will include the absolute best spots, from famous pizza chains to hidden sub-urban joints!
But wait, there is bonus content too! This post will have all the insights into deep dish history and its connection to Chicago!ย
So, prepare your fork and knives and unfasten the jeans button; it will go DEEP!
What is a Deep Dish Pizza?
The Chicago-style pizza is remarkably different from what you’ll find in other parts of the U.S. However, most people still don’t know the characteristics of a deep dish except that it is, of course, DEEP! Tourists might even confuse it with a casserole.ย
The original deep-dish pizza is made in a pan instead of a tray or pizza peel. It also rearranges the typical layering sequence. The thick chunk of marinara sauce is on the top instead of the cheese.ย
Typically, Chicago pizza has the following main characteristics
- Sweet thick pastry crustย
- Lots of cheese at the base
- Cooked at moderate oven temperature (around 300-350 Degrees Fahrenheit)
- Long slow cooking time of almost 50-60 minutes (yes, people eagerly wait an hour to eat it!)
Today, the distinction is not clear-cut. The diners have introduced variations of deep-dish pizza as well. So, be ready to experience a lot of sauces, stuffing’s, and toppings.ย
Though anything with a thick crust is fair game, Chicago generally has three types of deep-dish pizza.
The Original Deep Dish
It has a moderately thick crust with a chunkier tomato sauce. You’ll mostly find it crumbly with loads of mozzarella. The thick bread takes time to bake, so the sauce is kept on top to avoid burning it.
Pan Pizza
This one is the same with a ring of parmesan cheese. Chefs cook it in a pizza pan which caramelizes the cheese. The crust is also kept a bit broad.
Stuffed Pizza
This one is a popular variation with many types of stuffing available. The distinct feature is an additional layer of dough between cheese and sauce withย stuffing’s. It is extremely thin, so you won’t even notice it while eating.
The ends of stuffed pizza are sometimes taller than the dish and seem flaky.
The differences, however, are becoming blurred. When people come to Chicago, they want to eat an excellent overloaded pizza, and pizzerias serve precisely that!
History of Deep Dish Pizza
Pizza is as old as 600 B.C. Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians have been using toppings on flatbread for a long time. But pizza came to America in the 20th century. The first pizzeria opened in New York was G. Lombardi’s in 1905.
Did you know? Today, almost 200 million people in America consume pizza!ย
Then, from New York, the pizza traveled to Chicago around the 1920s. However, it was in the 1940s that deep-dish pizza took over Chicago by storm.
So, who invented this iconic up-side-down technique? There is some debate on that! Most sources claim that the owner of Chicago Pizzeria Uno, Ike Sewell, developed the deep dish version.ย
Do you want to read more about the fascinating history of pizza? Check out Pizza: A Global History (Edible) by Carol Helstosky!
Whoever invented this tasty delight, it is no doubt that Chicago has become the most popular for it. So, if you want to head to the best places serving deep-pan pizza in Chicago, keep reading!
Visiting Chicago for the first time? Also, check these 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago to Spice up your Feed!
10 Best Places to Get Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago
Deep dish has become synonymous with the windy city! And today’s list will include the ten best purveyors of deep-dish pizza in Chicago.
Whether you absolutely love deep dish variation or are the first timer for Chicago pizza, you must try out the following places:
These pizza places are almost always busy, so you might want to settle for a takeout or order ahead. But if you’re more into fine dining, check out the list of 6 unique restaurants in Chicago!
1. Giordano’s
CREDIT: TRIPADVISOR.COM IMAGES
Giordano’s is one of the most famous pizza spots in Chicago. Tracing its roots back to Italy, this pizzeria has been serving the people of Chicago since 1974. Everything about Giordano speaks of class and nostalgia, from its architecture to its pizza slice.
Walk into this pizza chain, and you’ll feel you are in the diner of an old Italian movie. The checkered tablecloths with nostalgic photo frames give the old-school pizza parlors a modern twist.ย
Giordano’s deep dish is one of the tallest in Chicago. Their specialty is the “Chicago Classic Deep Dish,” just the perfect stuffed pizza one can ask for.
Their pizzas are a visual treat too! Just cut a slice and see the yards of cheese (yes, yards!) stretching from the pan.
The bread is a bit thicker. However, it is just the right amount of crispiness on the outside with a soft texture in the middle. The sauce is sweet enough to balance the loaded cheese. And voila! There you have it! An excellent mouth-watering Giordano’s pan pizza.
CREDIT: GIORDANO’S IMAGES
2. Lou Malnati’s
CREDIT: TRIPADVISOR.COM IMAGES
Talk to any Chicago local for a hometown pizza hero; you’ll surely get the name Lou Malnati’s. With more than 50 outlets throughout the city, everyone loves this pizza chain in Chicago.
To give you a little background, Lou Malnati was the son of Rudy Malnati, Sr. According to some sources, he brought deep-dish pizza to Chicago. So we can safely assume it’s one of the most authentic deep-dish pizzas you can eat!
The Chicago Classic pizza by Lou Malnati’s is the most loved item on the menu. Their pizza dough is buttery, crisp, and crumbly. They make a crust similar to pies, giving it a unique touch with their special ingredients.
Order their sausage-stuffed pizza with a whole disc of meat at the top. “The Lou” by Lou Malnati is also a hit with stuffings of mushrooms, spinach, and Roma tomatoes. With an acidic sauce and extra Italian cheese, this Chicago-based pizza chain has everyone hooked on their pan pizzas!
You can also find thin crust at Lou Malnati’s. And they serve it in their unique “Tavern” style of square pieces.
CREDIT: LOU MALNATI’S IMAGES
3. Pequod’s
CREDIT: TRIPADVISOR.COM IMAGES
Pequod’s pizzeria packs locals and visitors alike. It is one of Chicago’s most famous locations for enjoying a crispy pan pizza.
This pizza place was opened back in 1971 in the Morton Grove suburb. Burt Katz, the founder of Pequod’s, was on his third pizza-making venture when he hit just the right spot. He invented pizzas with a caramelized crust, still Pequod’s specialty.ย
The Pequod’s pies are unique, with an extra layer of cheese packed between the dough and pan. Thus, the bottom and tall crust are nicely crisp coated in the oven.ย
While at Pequod’s, remember to try their Italian sausage pan pizza. It is renowned for its cheesy exterior and the filling of soft gumball-sized sausages. Recently, the Food Network picked this pan pizza in their top 5 best pizzas in the U.S.ย ย
After almost fifty years since its birth, Piquod’s is still in the game with its authentic Chicago-style pizzas. They have also opened another outlet in the more upscale Lincoln Park neighborhood.
CREDIT: PEQUOD’S PIZZA IMAGES
4. Pizzeria Uno
CREDIT: TRIPADVISOR.COM IMAGES
Pizzeria Uno is the pioneer of deep-dish pizza in Chicago, so it has to be on the list. The best part is that they have maintained their quality and taste even after decades of pizza production. So, be prepared to taste the original nostalgic pizza at Pizzeria Uno.
Their flagship location is East Ohio street, always jam-packed with customers. Therefore, either book a table in advance or cross your fingers to rely on some luck!
The exotic “Chicago Classic” is the most popular choice at Pizzeria Uno. They say it is “extra cheese, extra sausage, and extra good in your mouth.” Uno also makes a hearty crust. It is not too thick but hefty enough to carry a thick chunk of tomato sauce.
The extra cheese and stuffings make it a heavy meal. Usually, a slice or two is enough, even if you are super hungry. Also, Pizzeria Due is an alternate option if Uno is too busy. The founders of Unos opened another outlet just a block away, and it is also an excellent option to taste authentic Chicago-style pizza.
CREDIT: PIZZERIA UNO IMAGES
5. Burt’s Place
CREDIT: BURT’S PLACE IMAGES
Remember Burt Katz from Pequod’s on the list? Well, he sold his restaurant in 1986 to take a break from pizza making. However, in 1989 Burt got into the business again. This time with “Burt’s Place.”ย
People were already fans of the caramelized unique pan pizzas of Burt. Soon, Burt’s Place was also among the top Chicago pizzerias. The husband and wife were the only staff at Burt’s Place in the early stages. But the love for deep-dish pizza attracted customers from all over the world.ย
After its temporary closing in 2015, Burt’s Place opened its doors again in 2017. The long-time fans of the place are still their loyal customers, and they make phone bookings ahead of time. The location is a short ride from the city, so if you’re there, try it.ย
The pizzas carry multiple ingredients. Choose from bell peppers, sausages, spinach, onions, mushrooms, and many more! The thick pizza sauce with fulfilling stuffings will surely make your day.
CREDIT: BURT’S PLACE IMAGES
6. Pizano’s
CREDIT: TRIPADVISOR.COM IMAGES
It’s the Malnati family again! With the pioneering pizzeria Uno, the two sons of Rudy Malnati Sr. set out to open their pizza restaurants. And yes, both serve the finest quality pizzas (guess pizza-making must be in their blood!).
After Lou Malnati, Pizzano’s is another venture of the Malnati family that opened in 1991. Unlike the other two, Pizano’s is superb in serving the deep dish and the best in thin-crust pizzas. So there is something for every pizza lover!
The deep-dish pizza at Pizano’s has all the traditional ingredients to give you an authentic pan-pizza experience. The classy Chicago-style pizza has the same tender dough with tremendous cheese and stuffings.
However, if you enjoy modem take on pizza making, Pizzano’s will cover you. They also have some funky options on the menu with ingredients like Canadian bacon and Pineapple.
U.S.A. Today picked Pizzano’s as one of the ten best pizzas in the U.S.A. Having multiple locations around Chicago, include it on your must-visit list!
CREDIT: PIZANO’S PIZZA & PASTA IMAGES
7. Millyโs Pizza In The Pan
CREDIT: GOOGLE IMAGES
At Milly’s, you will get a distinct feature in every pie they make. They pack exotic ingredients in a fluffy dough with a ring of caramelized mozzarella.ย
The founder and owner, Robert Maleski, takes his pizza production imaginatively. The choice of toppings is unique, and every pie marks a crispy cheese halo to celebrate the brand’s creation. Whether it’s the red sauce, crumbly butter crust, or one-of-a-kind stuffing, you’ll get to try something new in Chicago!
Milly’s Pizza is actually a one-person show. The pizzeria only makes 35-40 pizzas daily, so it is difficult to grab one. Therefore, order ahead and book your favorite one before it sells out!
CREDIT: MILLY’S PIZZA IN THE PAN IMAGES
8. Kitchen 17
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Kitchen 17 is a delight for vegans! The pizza place has cracked the code for making the best vegan pizzas in town.ย
Pizza (especially the deep dish) relies heavily on cheese. But Kitchen 17 uses two types of in-house cheese products, especially for vegan choices. You can select from a full range of vegan ingredients in your pan pizza.
On Wednesdays, they also go wheatless! You can get all the pizzas with gluten-free dough and enjoy the deep dish experience.
CREDIT: KITCHEN17 IMAGES
9. My Pi Pizza
CREDIT: MY PI PIZZA IMAGES
The setup is small, but the taste is exceptional! That is why My Pi Pizza is in our top 10 today.
Serving pizzas in the Bucktown Strip Mall, the pizzeria has made its name among the big pizza chains of Chicago. Their pan pizza’s soft and crispy crust is a delight to eat.
They serve the classics with Wisconsin cheese, San Marzano tomato chunks, and sweet pizza sauce. But there are also plenty of vegan options, like vegan sausage and artichokes.ย
You can try their pizza on-site or take a carry-out and enjoy it in your lounge
CREDIT: MY PI PIZZA IMAGES
10. Gino’s East
CREDIT: TRIPADVISOR.COM IMAGES
Gino’s East was a joint venture of two taxi drivers who set out to make it big in pizza. However, they credit Alice Redmond for her exceptional skills and recipes that made Gino’s famous.
Today, this pizzeria is known for its incredible unique pizzas. The most popular is “Chicago Fire,” with a patty-like spicy sausage stuffing, red peppers, and onions.
Another creative creation by Gino’s is Italian beef (a Chicago specialty) topped with sweet peppers.
Also, Gino’s has twisted traditional pizza ingredients by introducing “Burger and Fries” pizza. Everything you expect in a beef burger is already in the pizza. And yes, with some fries and cheese at the top!ย
It is definitely worth a try!
CREDIT: GINO’S EAST IMAGES
Final Words
The crispy, chunky deep-dish pizza took the windy city by storm in the 1940s, and there was no looking back! Like the cruise on the Chicago river, eating a deep-dish pizza is a must for Chicago visitors.
Chicagoans love to voice their preference for the best deep-dish pizza in the city, and the debate still continues. The above list, however, includes the Chicago pizzerias most adored by locals and out-of-towners alike.
These pizza parlors have a massive base of loyal customers and numerous accolades. So, if you are new in the town, these ten places will get you covered!
How many of them have you tried? Did the list miss out on your favorite pizza place? Let us know in the comments!
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