Chicago Pizza Guide - Deep Dish to Tavern Style and Everything in Between
Feb 24, 2017, 5:09 am
#17
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what i want to know is why is no one vouching for the north side/blue line places i mentioned? rated well on google, i like greasy spoon, seems to be neighborhood haunts, etcetc, what am i missing? i had malnati's which was good but i just know deep down (like that pun) there is better. or maybe malnati is the best and i just need to make something better at home for everyone here. someone please confirm or deny this. surely there some neighborhood dive in cicero that does it 11/10.
. You will rarely see anyone in a neighborhood bar/restaurant ordering deep dish, it's usually the Chicago tavern style thin crust. The "neighborhood haunts" specialize in tavern style, not deep dish. It's a unique style of thin crust, excellent pizza, but not what you're looking for.Except when out of town guests are visiting, I'd guess most people here eat deep dish maybe once a year, and it's at the big places downtown. And if you took a poll, Malnati's would probably be mentioned most often. You really can't go wrong there.
Pequod's has the ambiance you want, but not the crust. Completely understand...I like their crust, but there's too much of it in relation to the toppings. It's a few blocks from my house and I enjoy their thin crust. I don't think you'll have a wait there at the times you mention.
Honestly, for what you describe, you'll get the best quality at the downtown places, IMO.
Feb 24, 2017, 8:28 am
#18
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I think part of the issue is that people who live here don't eat a lot of deep dish pizza. I know that's not what the many tv shows and articles would have you believe . You will rarely see anyone in a neighborhood bar/restaurant ordering deep dish, it's usually the Chicago tavern style thin crust. The "neighborhood haunts" specialize in tavern style, not deep dish. It's a unique style of thin crust, excellent pizza, but not what you're looking for.
Except when out of town guests are visiting, I'd guess most people here eat deep dish maybe once a year.
. You will rarely see anyone in a neighborhood bar/restaurant ordering deep dish, it's usually the Chicago tavern style thin crust. The "neighborhood haunts" specialize in tavern style, not deep dish. It's a unique style of thin crust, excellent pizza, but not what you're looking for.Except when out of town guests are visiting, I'd guess most people here eat deep dish maybe once a year.
Feb 24, 2017, 12:35 pm
#19
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I probably should have phrased my post in terms of general availability of thin crust vs. deep dish rather than preference. It takes a long time to cook and is a heavier meal, making it fairly unsuitable for your typical neighborhood restaurants and taverns. And for those of us living in the city but not "downtown", if you want deep dish you go to River North.
Feb 24, 2017, 2:14 pm
#20
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hey i have a 11 hour layover from 0900-2000 on a weekday. so after polaris lounge nap+drink+eat i'm definitely going to crave some deep dish.
i've had lou's and uno, both decent but looking to mix it up, prefer something more neighborhood'y (ie cheap beer in a plastic cup). what would yall recommend?pequod’s? what about gino's? spuntino? dino's? anything else?
looking for quintessential deep dish (flaky crust, tons of cheese and sause) and i don't care if it's stuffed or traditional but i'd like to try pan pizza (as per the article above). i like my pies simple: cheese and 1 meat or cheese and 1 or 2 veg. or just cheese and basil.
loose criteria:
-deep dish (all we have where i live is amazing neapolitan pies, i'm over it)
-close to the el
-in town (or on the blue line) so i can pivot afterwards to a museum or something
-open between meals (1400-1700)
-not a chain (but don't care if it is the best)
-beer + bar + relaxed environment
edit: just saw this devastating photo of bread from pequod's, this epitomizes what i do not want: https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...nRrMz_8Q/o.jpg
i've had lou's and uno, both decent but looking to mix it up, prefer something more neighborhood'y (ie cheap beer in a plastic cup). what would yall recommend?
looking for quintessential deep dish (flaky crust, tons of cheese and sause) and i don't care if it's stuffed or traditional but i'd like to try pan pizza (as per the article above). i like my pies simple: cheese and 1 meat or cheese and 1 or 2 veg. or just cheese and basil.
loose criteria:
-deep dish (all we have where i live is amazing neapolitan pies, i'm over it)
-close to the el
-in town (or on the blue line) so i can pivot afterwards to a museum or something
-open between meals (1400-1700)
-not a chain (but don't care if it is the best)
-beer + bar + relaxed environment
edit: just saw this devastating photo of bread from pequod's, this epitomizes what i do not want: https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...nRrMz_8Q/o.jpg
Feb 24, 2017, 2:41 pm
#21
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This has been posted many times, but bears repeating. If you like Giordano's fine, but it's not traditional deep dish pizza. It it stuffed pizza (i.e., the toppings are "stuffed" between a double crust with tomato sauce covering the top crust). I know the poster is interested in either one, but for anyone else, they should be advised.
Last edited by ILuvParis; Feb 24, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Feb 25, 2017, 9:09 am
#23
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I probably should have phrased my post in terms of general availability of thin crust vs. deep dish rather than preference. It takes a long time to cook and is a heavier meal, making it fairly unsuitable for your typical neighborhood restaurants and taverns. And for those of us living in the city but not "downtown", if you want deep dish you go to River North.
It's been years since I've gone to River North for deep dish, the crowds of tourists make the lines insane. There are multiple Malnati's on Lincoln (2600/Wrightwood, new one at 4400/Montrose, original in Lincolnwood). Pequods on Clybourn. Those cover the once in a great while I want deep dish. Giordano's on Belmont just west of the Red/Brown/Purple Line covers stuffed.
Feb 26, 2017, 6:15 am
#25
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Feb 26, 2017, 6:48 am
#26
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It's been years since I've gone to River North for deep dish, the crowds of tourists make the lines insane. There are multiple Malnati's on Lincoln (2600/Wrightwood, new one at 4400/Montrose, original in Lincolnwood). Pequods on Clybourn. Those cover the once in a great while I want deep dish. Giordano's on Belmont just west of the Red/Brown/Purple Line covers stuffed.I'm pretty sure last summer I finally convinced my brother that deep dish is for tourists after he tried tavern style.
Mar 6, 2017, 7:08 am
#28
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Thank you ILP, VERY important difference, most stuffed pizzas have way too much cheese IMO.
Apr 9, 2017, 9:07 pm
#29
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I'll be in town in May, and will post a lunch in the Community forum if anyone wants to join me.
dh
Apr 10, 2017, 11:32 pm
#30
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