How To Find Your Favorite Chicago-Style Pizza
As you know by now, Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza--covered in lots of gooey cheese and bubbly tomato sauce, usually with spicy pieces of sausage and a thick, thick crust. You can get these delectable pies anywhere in this city, but those of us who live here know that one deep-dish pie is not interchangeable with another. For example, my husband's favorite is Lou Malnati's because of its crispy, buttery crust. My favorite pie comes from Pizzeria Uno, because I like the texture and the sauce better. But the fact is, if you want to know who's got the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago, you're just going to have to try for yourself. Here, to start you off, are five tourist-friendly local chains you can't miss if you're going to talk about Chicago-style pizza like a local. Most have several locations, so you can check to see if there's one nearer to you. Remember that deep-dish pizzas take a while to bake (up to 45 minutes), so plan accordingly if you're short on time.
Pizzeria Uno's (and Duo)
29 E. Ohio and 619 N. Wabash, Chicago
As many people now know, this is the home of the Chicago pizza. Founder Ike Sewell introduced the deep-dish pie in the 1940s and it became identified with the city. Because this is a national chain, you may have been introduced to Chicago-style pizza by way of Unos in other cities-but this one's the original. Service can be slow and the aisles are crowded, but the atmosphere is loud and great and you can always step over to the larger, but very similar, Pizzeria Duo instead. The thick cheese and the densely crunchy crust and the juicy toppings are all worth the wait. Check out directions and info at http://www.unos.com/.
Gino's East
162 E. Superior St., Chicago
The crispy polenta crust and delicious sauce make for a classic Chicago-style pizza here, at a large, tourist-friendly restaurant that's often packed. I always forget how much I like Gino's pizza until I have one, but there's a reason these pies are legendary. They send their pizzas around the world, too. To order, visit http://www.ginoseast.com.
Edwardo's
1212 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
This small, crowded restaurant place packs a big punch with fresh ingredients and a casual vibe. It's always crowded and is not as well known as some of the others on this list, but it's also inexpensive. The sauce is tasty, too. Consider it the place to go if you're doing the Mag Mile and need a little break with a lot of nourishment for the shopping ahead. Go to http://www.edwardos.com/ for more.
Lou Malnati's
439 N. Wells, Chicago
I do love these pizzas. The signature Lou Malnati's crust is deliciously buttery and crispy and flaky. The sauce is sweet and zesty, full of fresh tomatoes. The sausage is good too (the pepperoni not as good). If you like the pizzas, you can FedEx them around the country so others can try it too. This is one pizza every Chicago visitor should taste. Go to http://www.loumalnatis.com/ for more info.
Bella Bacino's or Bacino's Pizza
75 E. Wacker Dr. or 2204 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Bacino's is probably my least favorite of the Chicago-style stalwarts, probably because the atmosphere is the least exciting, but many people--both tourists and locals--love the place. And I can't deny the spinach pizza is excellent. I don't go out of my way to eat spinach on my pizza but...well, what do I know anyway? Go to http://www.bacinos.com for more information (note that this site features Bella Bacino's, an Italian eatery, as well as Bacino's pizza places). I'm still not buying that their pizza is heart-healthy, though.
Now, go try them all and tell me which one you like best.
