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The 7 best deep-dish pizzerias in Chicago

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There’s so much to love about Chicago, but deep-dish pizza forever has a soft spot in our hearts. This is our definitive list of Chicago’s best restaurants and pizzerias that have mastered the buttery crust and stuffed filling.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

Lou Malnati’s is an iconic institution in Chicago, opened in 1971. There are dozens of locations across the city, so you can’t miss out on the signature “Lou” pie, stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes on a garlic buttery crust. It seems like a simple dough-cheese-sauce balance, but this deep-dish pizza stands out among its competitors with its trademarked Buttercrust™, fresh ingredients, and many topping options (try the Italian sausage!).

The Art of Pizza

Get the authentic Chicago experience at this spot in Lakeview: a flaky crust, brightly spiced tomato sauce, and the simple cheese and spinach. You can order an entire 12-inch deep-dish pizza or a single slice, but either way, you’ll be in awe of the golden herbed crust and Instagramable mozzarella cheese pull. No fancy Neapolitan pizza at an Italian restaurant can compare.

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Giordano’s

Giordano’s is another chain spot dependable for their deep-dish and highly recommended by locals. Opened in 1974, this pizzeria boasts a sweeter crust, mounds of buttery mozzarella, and signature melty pies with all kinds of ingredients (Italian sausage and spinach are popular add-ons). This stuffed pizza is lighter than most, even with its additional middle layer of filling.

Pequod’s Pizza

Pequod’s — in Morton Grove and Lincoln Park — has perfected the Chicago pan pizza. Expect a fluffy dough crust, caramelized “halo” of cheese, a fresh, bright tomato sauce, and a generous amount of ingredients piled on top of the buttery, puffy crust. Avoid visiting this neighborhood treasure on a weekend as the lines snake out the door.

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.

This pizzeria is famed for their stuffed pot pies, baked with the crust on top. Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co’s stuffed pie is flipped upside-down, letting the homemade sausage-laced bolognese sauce and cheese fillings slide into the triple-raised Sicilian crust. Remember to bring cash to this joint!

Gino’s East

Gino’s East serves up stuffed pizza in a cornmeal crust with a tangy tomato sauce. Opened in 1966, this restaurant has developed a drool-worthy menu, including a simple margherita and the spicy “Chi-talian Stallion,” with Italian beef, roasted sweet peppers, and giardiniera. You have to pair it with a house-brewed beer, and fully enjoy the old-school, comfy vibes of the restaurant.

Nancy’s Chicago Pizza

Founders Nancy and Rocco Palese created their own stuffed pizza based on a family recipe for scarciedda, an Easter cake traditional in parts of Italy. Their signature 12 in pie features two layers of crust, fresh ingredients and cheese stuffed inside, and sauce covering the top, weighing in at an impressive 5 lbs. Prepare yourself before arrival.

 

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The deeper the dish, the better the pie.

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Chicago may be worth a visit for the deep-dish pizza, but the city is also an amazing place to live in for all the fun things to do and the welcoming community. Take a free tour of our coliving homes in Chicago, located near many of these top pizzerias, and get the full Chicago experience with your fellow suitemates.

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