Chicago, a city renowned for its architectural marvels, vibrant arts scene, and diverse culinary landscape, proudly boasts a food as dramatic and iconic as the city itself: deep-dish pizza. This isn’t just pizza; it’s an experience. Forget the thin, foldable slices of New York; Chicago-style deep-dish is a culinary masterpiece, a symphony of flavors and textures orchestrated within the confines of a well-seasoned cast iron pan. While pizzerias abound throughout the Windy City, a select few have elevated the art of deep-dish to legendary status.
A true Chicago deep-dish arrives at your table steaming hot, presented in the very cast iron pan it was baked in. The server, wielding a specialized pizza cutter, expertly slices through the layers, revealing a breathtaking cross-section. As the first slice is lifted, a glorious cheese pull stretches towards the plate, a visual testament to the generous helping of mozzarella within. This is a pizza often tackled with a knife and fork, not out of pretense, but out of necessity – to capture every last morsel of sauce, cheese, and perfectly cooked toppings.
With so many tempting options, choosing where to begin your deep-dish journey can feel overwhelming. From the classic interpretations that started it all to innovative creations boasting stuffed crusts, decadent spinach fillings, or triple-cheese blends, this list will guide you through the 12 best places to savor the quintessential Chicago experience: deep-dish pizza.
1. Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Address: 29 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Phone: +1 312-321-1000
The undisputed originator of Chicago deep-dish, Uno Pizzeria & Grill, formerly Pizzeria Uno, holds a special place in culinary history. Founded in 1943 by Ike Sewell, Uno revolutionized pizza by inverting the traditional formula. Instead of a thin crust, Uno’s employed a thick, buttery crust that formed a deep bowl, perfect for holding copious amounts of cheese, toppings, and a rich tomato sauce.
While Uno’s has expanded into a national chain, the heart of the operation remains in Chicago, with two locations just a block apart in the River North neighborhood. These are the only places to experience the authentic, original deep-dish. The classic Uno’s deep-dish features a thin but sturdy crust, a generous layer of mozzarella cheese, your choice of toppings, and a distinctive tomato sauce ladled on top. However, Uno’s also offers modern twists, including pizzas topped with crispy chicken tenders or stuffed with Chicago-style Italian beef, demonstrating its ability to adapt while honoring its heritage. Stepping into Uno’s is like stepping back in time, a taste of culinary history that continues to satisfy generations of pizza lovers.
2. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria represents the legacy of deep-dish excellence, tracing its roots back to Pizzeria Uno. Lou Malnati, a key figure at Uno’s, branched out to establish his own pizzeria in 1971 in Lincolnwood. This single location quickly blossomed into a sprawling franchise, boasting over 50 locations scattered throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond.
Lou Malnati’s commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of its pizzas. They source their vine-ripened tomatoes from California, ensuring a vibrant and flavorful base for their sauce. The mozzarella cheese comes from Wisconsin, prized for its creamy texture and exceptional melt. But the true hallmark of Lou Malnati’s is its signature butter crust, adding a rich, savory dimension to the deep-dish experience.
For the quintessential Lou Malnati’s experience, order the "Chicago Classic." This masterpiece features a generous helping of extra cheese, savory sausage, and that irresistible butter crust. Pro-tip: to minimize your wait time, especially during peak hours, ask the restaurant to start baking your pizza while you wait for your table.
3. Giordano’s
Giordano’s brings a unique and unforgettable twist to the deep-dish landscape: the stuffed pizza. Brothers Efren and Joseph Boglio, drawing inspiration from their mother’s Easter pizza pie recipe, opened the first Giordano’s pizzeria on Chicago’s South Side in 1974. Their creation was not merely deep-dish; it was a culinary engineering feat.
The stuffed pizza begins with a bottom crust, carefully crafted and pressed into the pan. This crust is then filled with a generous layer of cheese, your choice of toppings, and, crucially, another layer of dough on top, effectively creating a "pizza pie." The finishing touch is a vibrant tomato sauce and a dusting of Parmesan cheese, applied to the upper crust.
Giordano’s crust is known for its mild, flaky texture, achieved through a high gluten content. They use Californian tomatoes for their sauce and Wisconsin mozzarella for that perfect cheese pull. To avoid lengthy wait times, Giordano’s offers a pre-order option, allowing you to customize your pizza in advance and enjoy a quicker dining experience.
4. Ricobene’s
Address: 252 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
Phone: +1 312-225-5555
For those craving deep-dish pizza without the typical long wait, Ricobene’s offers a more casual and immediate solution. This no-frills establishment specializes in selling pizza by the slice, with a diverse array of topping combinations that push the boundaries of traditional pizza. From classic pepperoni to over-the-top creations like spinach lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella, and provolone, Ricobene’s caters to adventurous palates. Whole pies are also available for those seeking a more substantial meal. While the deep-dish is a definite draw, Ricobene’s is equally renowned for its breaded steak sandwich, a local favorite slathered in sauce and cheese, available in both regular and king sizes.
5. Gino’s East
Address: 162 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Phone: +1 312-266-3337
Gino’s East has been a Chicago institution since 1966, captivating locals with its distinctive deep-dish pizza and vibrant atmosphere. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood, Gino’s quickly gained a loyal following thanks to its top-secret dough recipe, resulting in an extra-golden and exceptionally flaky crust. While Gino’s East has expanded with locations throughout the city, the original Superior Street restaurant remains a must-visit destination. Here, patrons are encouraged to leave their mark by signing their names on the walls, creating a unique and ever-evolving tapestry of memories. The LaSalle Street location boasts a craft beer selection specially brewed by Gino’s Brewing Company, designed to perfectly complement your pizza. And for a night of entertainment, catch a show at The Comedy Bar, located on the third floor of the Superior Street building.
6. Connie’s Pizza
Address: 2373 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
Phone: +1 312-326-3443
Connie’s Pizza, established in the Bridgeport neighborhood in 1963, offers a comprehensive pizza experience, encompassing thin crust, pan, deep-dish, and stuffed varieties. The owner of Connie’s believes that the crust is the foundation of a great pizza, and they meticulously craft their dough to perfection before adding any toppings. Regardless of the style you choose, Connie’s pizzas are made with pureed San Marzano tomatoes, aged Wisconsin mozzarella, and your preferred toppings. For those outside of Chicago, Connie’s offers a unique service: they ship freshly made, then frozen, pizzas anywhere within the United States, ensuring a taste of Chicago can be delivered to your doorstep within 48 hours of ordering.
7. Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.
Address: 2121 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614-4613, USA
Phone: +1 773-248-2570
The Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. takes the concept of fork-and-knife pizza to an entirely new level with its signature creation: the pizza pot pie. This original dish, introduced in 1972, is a culinary adventure. Your pizza is served inside a bread bowl made from Sicilian-style triple-raised pizza crust, resembling a hearty soup. Within this freshly baked bowl, you’ll discover a delicious stew of whole plum tomatoes, a melted blend of cheeses, spicy sausage, button mushrooms, and other classic pizza toppings. The pizza pot pie is available in a half-pound individual serving or a full-pound portion perfect for sharing. You can even purchase them frozen to enjoy at home.
8. Mi Pi Pizza
Address: 2010 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Phone: +1 773-394-6900
Mi Pi Pizza sets itself apart with its dedication to quality ingredients and a crust crafted from generations of baking expertise. The dough is made fresh daily and triple-baked for a tender crispness that can withstand the saucy depths of the deep-dish. Mi Pi sources all of its ingredients from the U.S., including Wisconsin cheese and San Marzano tomatoes grown in California, which they claim are even sweeter and more flavorful than their Italian counterparts. If you’re not in the Chicago area, Mi Pi also ships frozen pizzas across the entire U.S.
9. Bacino’s of Lincoln Park
Address: 2204 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Phone: +1 773-472-7400
While many Chicago deep-dish restaurants specialize in meat-laden pizzas, Bacino’s of Lincoln Park offers a haven for vegetarians. Their signature pizza is the Spinach Supreme Stuffed Pizza, a deep-dish pie filled with spinach, skim mozzarella, and mushrooms, which they tout as "heart-healthy." Other vegetarian options are stuffed with vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli. Meat options are also available, ensuring that carnivorous diners are equally satisfied.
10. The Art of Pizza
Address: 3033 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657-3035, USA
Phone: +1 773-327-5600
The Art of Pizza lives up to its name, producing deep-dish pizzas that have earned the acclaim of Chicago Tribune readers, who voted it the best in the city. While thin crust options are available, The Art of Pizza’s deep-dish pizzas – both pan and stuffed – are its claim to fame. The stuffed pizza is incredibly hearty, making it best to order it with just cheese or spinach, as meat can weigh it down and make it soggy. Pizza by the slice is also available, perfect for satisfying a craving without committing to an entire pie.
11. Louisa’s Pizza and Pasta
Address: 14025 S Cicero Ave, Crestwood, IL 60445-2150, USA
Phone: +1 708-371-0950
Located just south of the city in the suburb of Crestwood, Louisa’s has been a beloved traditional Chicago-style pizzeria since 1981. The crust is known for being exceptionally light, fluffy, and buttery, complemented by an acidic tomato sauce with a subtle kick. The sausage pizza is a popular choice, featuring sausage sauteed with fennel and herbs for a traditional Italian flavor. Frozen pizzas are available for takeaway, making it worth the trip to enjoy Louisa’s even after you leave.
12. Pequod’s Pizza
Address: 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Phone: +1 773-327-1512
Pequod’s Pizza is known for its distinctive caramelized crust. On weekends, expect a line of eager patrons waiting to experience Pequod’s unique take on deep-dish. The tomato sauce is particularly acidic, creating a sharp flavor that is balanced by the gooey cheese interior. However, it’s the cheese on the bottom of the pie that caramelizes and becomes crunchy that sets Pequod’s apart. Weekday lunch specials offer a shorter wait and a personal pizza option.
