Chicago's Deep Pan Pizza Paradise

Chicago is famous for its deep-pan pizza, and there are many restaurants in the city that serve this iconic dish. Locals and tourists alike flock to eateries such as Giordano's, Lou Malnati's, Pequod's, and Bartoli's to indulge in the dense, cheesy, and irresistibly gooey pizza that Chicago is known for.

While some may consider deep-pan pizza a casserole, others adore it. This style of pizza, unique to Chicago, is baked in a tall, circular pan with a thick crust filled with cheese, toppings, and a layer of tomato sauce.

Whether you're a native Chicagoan or a visitor, there's no denying that Chicago's deep-pan pizza is a must-try.

Deep-pan pizza restaurants in Chicago with the best crust

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its buttery, flaky crust, made with cornmeal and generous amounts of butter. The best deep-pan pizza crusts in Chicago are said to be crunchy, flaky, and tender all at the same time.

Lou Malnati's: With multiple locations across Chicago, Lou Malnati's is famous for its flaky, buttery crust. The restaurant has been serving deep-dish pizzas since 1971, and its recipe is said to be an adaptation of the original Pizzeria Uno recipe.

Pizzeria Uno: Founded in 1943, Pizzeria Uno is the birthplace of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Their original recipe included a dough made with scalded milk, butter, and sugar. Over the years, the recipe has evolved, but Uno's continues to be a go-to for deep-dish pizza with a thick, buttery crust.

Gino's East: This pizzeria, founded in 1966, is known for its fattier, biscuit-like dough. Their crust is said to be similar to Pizzeria Uno's but with an even higher fat percentage, resulting in an extra flaky and tender texture.

In addition to these well-known spots, many other pizzerias in Chicago offer delicious deep-pan pizzas with exceptional crusts. Some recipes include cornmeal for added crunch, while others use a mix of butter and oil for a perfect crunchy texture.

When it comes to deep-pan pizza in Chicago, the crust is a crucial component, and these restaurants certainly deliver on that front.

The best stuffed crust pizza in Chicago

Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza, which is characterised by its thick crust and large amounts of cheese and tomato sauce. The city is also famous for its stuffed pizza, which is similar to deep-dish pizza but has an additional layer of dough covering the toppings and even more cheese.

Giordano's

Giordano's is a well-known pizzeria in Chicago that has been serving pizza since 1974. They are famous for their stuffed deep-dish pizza, which they ship nationwide. They use Wisconsin mozzarella, specially produced for them by local cheese makers, and hand-picked tomatoes grown in Northern California.

Nancy's Pizza

Nancy's Pizza has been serving Chicago-style pizza since 1971 and is credited with inventing the stuffed pizza. Their stuffed pizza is 2 1/2 inches high and features two layers of crust stuffed with cheese and toppings, covered in spiced sauce. The recipe was inspired by the founder's mother's recipe for scarcedda, an Italian Easter pie from her hometown in Basilicata, Italy.

Pizzeria Uno

Pizzeria Uno, founded in 1943, is where Chicago-style deep-dish pizza was invented. The original recipe included a dough made with scalded milk, butter, and sugar. The recipe was later adjusted to use water and olive oil, and the dough ball was made larger to cover the full sides of the pan.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Founded in 1971 by the son of Pizzeria Uno's original pizza chef, Lou Malnati's is another famous Chicago deep-dish pizzeria. They are known for their thick-crust pizzas, which are sometimes made with cornmeal for texture and can be parbaked before adding toppings.

Other Options

Some other popular places for stuffed pizza in Chicago include Bacino's of Lincoln Park, J.B. Alberto's Pizza, and Chicago's Pizza and Pasta.

The best vegan deep-pan pizzas in Chicago

Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza, and vegans can join in the fun too. Here are some of the best spots for vegan deep-pan pizzas in the Windy City.

Kitchen 17 is a vegan restaurant and bar in Chicago, known as the birthplace of the original vegan Chicago deep-dish pizza. They make their vegan meats, cheeses, breads, sauces, and desserts in-house. They also offer catering services and sell their products wholesale. Kitchen 17 has a full menu of vegan pizzas and other comfort foods, like burgers and salads. They have been open since 2013 and are located in Avondale.

My Pi Pizza is a vegan-friendly pizzeria with a full vegan menu, located in the hip and chill neighborhood of Bucktown. They have been in business since 1971 and offer a range of vegan pizzas, sandwiches, and other options. My Pi's vegan deep-dish pizza has a perfect texture, and the sauce is seasoned to perfection. They also have vegan meats and other toppings to choose from.

Dimo's Pizza is a fast-casual Wicker Park slice shop with several vegan options. They have traditional vegan cheese and Margherita pizzas, as well as more creative options like the Vegan Mac and the Vegan Buff Chick. They have eight vegan pizzas to choose from, so there is something for everyone.

Other vegan-friendly pizzerias in Chicago include Reno, Paulie Gee's, Roots Handmade Pizza, and Dante's Pizzeria.

So, whether you are a local or just visiting, be sure to check out these spots for a delicious vegan deep-pan pizza experience!

The best deep-pan pizzas for meat-lovers in Chicago

Deep-pan, deep-dish, stuffed crust—whatever you call it, Chicago is famous for its towering, molten, glorious gut-bomb pizzas. And if you're a meat-lover, there's no shortage of options to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. Here are some of the best deep-pan pizzas in Chicago that are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

With over 60 locations across the city, Lou Malnati's is a Chicago staple. Their signature "Buttercrust" is a buttery, ultra-crisp, and pie-like crust that will remind you of crispy Italian breadsticks. Be sure to add their famous sausage patty to your pizza, ensuring every bite is a perfect balance of crust, cheese, and meat. Lou Malnati's is a favourite among locals and tourists alike, so it's definitely worth a try!

Pequod's Pizza

With two convenient locations in Morton Grove and Lincoln Park, Pequod's is another popular choice for deep-dish pizza in Chicago. Their pan pizzas are known for their substantial crust and generous selection of toppings. But what sets Pequod's apart is their caramelized "halo" crust, created by sprinkling cheese to the edges and baking it to a crisp, brown perfection. Their sauce is also noteworthy, tasting like fresh, bright, and undoctored tomatoes.

Milly's Pizza in the Pan

If you're looking for a unique twist on the traditional deep-dish pizza, head over to Milly's Pizza in the Pan. Their defining feature is the halo of caramelized mozzarella that wraps around each pizza, adding a deeply satisfying crunch to every slice. Crafted in small quantities, these pan pizzas often sell out, so be sure to get your hands on one if you can! Go for the "Que Suerte", a mouth-watering combination of pineapple, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño, and brown sugar bacon.

Uncle Jerry's Pizza Company

Located in the suburban town of Cary, about an hour's drive from Chicago, Uncle Jerry's is worth the trip for any deep-dish enthusiast. Their dough is fermented for two days and seasoned to perfection, resulting in a crunchy caramelized crust. The classic housemade sausage is a popular choice, but for something truly special, try the "Sweet Sting", featuring cup and char pepperoni glazed with habanero-infused hot honey.

Gino's East

Gino's East is one of Chicago's most celebrated deep-dish specialists, dating back to 1966. Their cornmeal crust, made from a secret recipe, is the perfect base for their heavy helping of mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce. Try their "Chicago Fire" pizza, loaded with spicy sausage and roasted red peppers, for a true taste of the Windy City.

The best deep-pan pizzas for vegetarians in Chicago

Deep-pan pizza is synonymous with Chicago, and the city is brimming with pizzerias offering this style. Here are some of the best spots for vegetarian deep-pan pizzas in the Windy City.

Pequod's Pizza

With two locations in the Chicago area, Pequod's is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike. Their deep-dish pizzas are cooked in a pan, resulting in a thicker bottom crust with a crispy, greasy fried texture. What sets Pequod's apart is the dramatic halo of toasted, nearly blackened cheese around the rim of the pizza. Their airy dough is baked with a thin layer of cheese, creating a crispy edge with just the right amount of chewiness. The sauce is refreshing and bright, tasting like fresh tomatoes. While the vegetarian pizza typically comes with green peppers, mushrooms, onions, and black olives, you can choose from a variety of vegetable toppings to create your perfect pie.

Giordano's

Giordano's is a Chicago-based chain with numerous locations across the city and suburbs. Their deep-dish pizzas are known for their towering height and generous amounts of cheese. While the crust is not the cornmeal style found in some other pizzerias, it complements the pizza well. Their vegetarian pizza is loaded with vegetables, including mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives, and the cheese stretch is impressive. However, some diners feel that the sauce could be more generous given the amount of cheese and toppings.

My Pi

Located in Bucktown, My Pi is the only Chicago location of this pizzeria, which was founded by a former Northwestern student. Their deep-dish pizzas have a unique crust that remains crisp even after being out of the oven for a while, a coveted quality rarely seen in deep-dish pizzas. The sauce features large, chunky tomatoes, and the cheese is applied with a lighter hand. Their spinach variation, with pesto, is highly recommended, offering an herbal bite that pairs well with the other ingredients.

Kitchen 17

Kitchen 17, located in Logan Square, is a vegan haven that offers one of the first deep-dish vegan pizzas in Chicago. They make their own vegan cheese on-site using soy, ensuring that vegans don't have to miss out on the iconic Chicago dish.

Bartoli's Pizzeria

Bartoli's, with locations in Roscoe Village and West Town, offers a lively spinach deep-dish pizza that deviates from the classic Chicago quartet of sausage, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. The spinach mix is bright and flavorful, resulting in a wetter slice, but the crunchy bottom crust holds up well. The sweet, chunky sauce and molten cheese make for a delicious and satisfying bite.

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