The traditional “where is the best pizza” question
It has to have happened to you. The out-of-town friend/acquaintance/associate e-mails and says, “So, I’m visiting Chicago for the first time next week.” (Why is it always their first time? Why have so few Americans actually visited Chicago, and not just O’Hare?) Anyway, they then say, “Where should I go to try out that Chicago deep-dish pizza?”
This week’s version had a small wrinkle — they didn’t want to go to a chain. Well, define “chain”. Uno’s? OK, I get that — the Uno’s franchising has diluted the authenticity of Uno/Due here in the Windy City (though I still occasionally take visitors to Due). Gino’s? I can’t even keep straight all the pizza places in town named Gino’s. How about Lou Malnati’s? The “chain” is still family-owned and exclusively here in Chi-town.
I typically send visitors to Lou Malnati’s. It’s been my consistent favorite for a very long time. If they are adventurous, and are up here near me in the northern suburbs, I’d choose Buffo’s in Highwood. Their stuffed deep-dish pizza rocks! of course, you need angioplasty after eating it, but hey, life’s short.
Fuckan a right!
I’m a Pequod’s fan myself. I love that carmelized crust. Yum!
It’s ALL about Gino’s East. The rest are frauds…
633 N. Wells St. (Ontario and Wells)
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 943-1124
Fax: (312) 943-9589
Lou Malnotti’s rules. Out here in Nowheresville (Kane County), I might refer someone to Rosati’s.
I personally go for Chicago’s Pizza (chicagos-pizza.com) because both their thin crust and deep dish are awesome. And their cannolis make me see god.
Thumbs up…I agree with Lauren on Chicago’s Pizza. I am so addicted to it, I eat half a pizza (even though I am full) and have a stomach ache for an hour…but it is sooo worth it. Yum!
JB Alberto’s is the best pizza in the city. Can’t get enough.