The debate over the best pizza in Chicago is always a lively one. Whether it’s based on rankings from online forums or publications, everyone has their own opinions and preferences when it comes to the top pizza options in the city.
The pizza debate in Chicago can get quite heated, with strong opinions about the best style, toppings, and locations. Each neighborhood and community proudly supports its favorite pizza places.
Whether you’re new to the Chicago pizza scene or a veteran with a strong top five, you’ll love this guide. It covers different types of pizza you can find in the city, where you must try to experience Chicago-style pizza as a first-timer, and local pizza spots.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to the best pizza in Chicago.
Different Types of Chicago-Style Pizza
Deep-Dish Pizza
Deep-dish pizza is synonymous with Chicago. This is a must-have Chicago food that has an iconic style. It features a thick, buttery crust filled with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. The hearty pizza is usually cooked in a deep dish like a pie pan or cake tin.
Stuffed Pizza
Stuffed pizza takes the indulgence of deep-dish to another level. It features a top layer of dough that covers the rich fillings of cheese, meat, and vegetables, all topped with a chunky tomato sauce. It’s a must-try for anyone looking for an over-the-top pizza experience.
Thin-Crust Pizza
Also known as “tavern-style” pizza, Chicago’s thin-crust pizza is a local favorite, often preferred even over deep-dish. Characterized by its crispy, cracker-like crust and cut into squares (known as “party cut”). This is a style of pizza that you may also find across the Midwest, not just Chicago.
Chicago Pizza for First Timers
If you’re experiencing Chicago pizza for the first time, you have to start with deep-dish. Chicago-style pizza has many forms and formulas depending on where you go. It has a rich history and has evolved over many generations. If you’re looking to experience Chicago-style pizza for the first time, you can’t go wrong with any one of these institutions.
- Pizzeria UNO: The original birthplace of deep-dish pizza, a true Chicago classic. Its sister restaurant Pizzeria Due can be found right across the street.
- Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria: a family-owned restaurant known for its buttery, flakey crust.
- Giordano’s: Famous for their stuffed pizza, Giordano’s offers a cheesy, flavorful experience.
- Pequod’s Pizza: Renowned for its caramelized crust, Pequod’s is a local favorite with only two locations.
- Pizano’s: Known for its rich history of deep-dish pizza and selection of Italian cuisine.
- Gino’s East: A deep-dish legacy that is credited to a talented Black woman who developed a special dough recipe after working as a pizza chef at a competing restaurant over the previous 17 years
- Art of Pizza: Step outside of downtown to the Lakeview neighborhood to experience this popular deep-dish pizza.
- George’s Deep Dish: A deep-dish pizza with a sourdough crust and unique ingredients located in Edgewater.
Must-Try Local Pizza Spots
Locals have their preferences for the best pizza in Chicago. However, some spots consistently stand out as the best pizza places in Chicago that most people can agree on. Here are some top local favorites:
- Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria: Known for their classic Chicago thin-crust pizza, Vito & Nick’s is a South Side staple with roots in Sicily.
- Robert’s Pizza Company: A unique pizza experience near Navy Pier with thoughtfully crafted pizza created by a self-taught pizzaiolo.
- Roots Handmade Pizza: Known for its Quad Cities-style pizza, a unique style of pizza that you’ll only find in Illinois and Iowa.
- Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder: A fun change up to your average pizza in Chicago known for its pizza pot pie.
- Paulie Gee’s Logan Square: Specializing in wood-fired pizza, Paulie Gee’s is a trendy, must-visit in Logan Square.
- Piece Brewery and Pizzeria: Serving award-winning New Haven-style thin-crust pizza and craft beer.
- Coalfire Pizza: Popular Lakeview pizza spot known for its distinct, thin crust, coal-forged pizza experience.
- Labriola: Offering a variety of pizza styles and Italian fare at a Michigan Avenue location in downtown Chicago.
- Pizza Lobo: Enjoy New York-style pizza slices at this neighborhood tavern and slice shop.
- ZaZa’s Pizzeria: Artisan pizza with signature infused crust and unique pie offering.
- Bob’s Pizza: A local pizza chain founded in the Pilsen neighborhood with signature dough, ongoing specials, and unique flavor combinations.
- Bonci: Roman-style pizza with one-of-a-kind pizza options that change daily.
- Italian Fiesta Pizzeria: A South Side pizza spot with multiple locations, known for its thin-crust pizza options.
- Phil’s Pizza: A cash-only, low-key Bridgeport pizza spot known and loved for its simple approach to a tavern-style Chicago pizza.
- Pat’s Pizza: A North Side institution offering classic thin-crust pizza since 1950.
- Bungalow by Middlebrow: Ingredients sourced from a 150-mile radius of the Logan Square restaurant known for its innovative pizzas, wine, and craft beer.
- Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe: New York-style pizzas made with fresh, local ingredients in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago.
Chicago Pizza Tours
Pizza tours are an excellent way to sample slices from Chicago’s most notable pizza spots. Experience a Chicago pizza tour downtown or through various neighborhoods. Through a tour, you can get a taste of the city’s diverse pizza offerings and the chance to learn about their unique histories.
Conclusion
Chicago’s pizza scene is diverse and delicious, offering something for every pizza lover. Whether you prefer classic deep-dish, crispy thin crust, or something more adventurous, you’ll find the best pizzas in the world in Chicago. Now that you have this guide, don’t be afraid to discover your new favorite slice.
