If you go to Malnati, make sure to ask for the butter crust.

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, 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.

I'm certainly not "most people," though I do eat plenty of thin crust too. :D

Lol...put a pizza in front of me, and I'll eat it!

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.

If the weather is decent, a very doable option is Giordano's in Rosemont. Take the Blue Line just one stop to River Road and then walk up River Road to Higgins Road. Giordano's is right at the intersection of River and Higgins.

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.

Giordanos is not in the same league as Pequods or Malnatis.

:confused: 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.

Anyone have a tavern style recommendation for tomorrow? Got an out of town visitor. Anywhere in the city is fine.

Marie's
4129 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60630

Vito and Nick's
8435 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60652

I mentioned Pequods and the chain outposts in earlier posts. I guess your experience is a little different than mine. I don't think I've EVER gone for deep dish with other Chicagoans. The times I've gone, it's been with visitors who just have to have deep dish, and then it's usually combined with other touristy things, thus River North. But yeah, you can absolutely get the chains outside of downtown. I've found very few small neighborhood places that do deep dish outside of Pequod's, but maybe it's because I don't look that hard.

I'm pretty sure last summer I finally convinced my brother that deep dish is for tourists after he tried tavern style.

Vito and Nick's was absolutely delicious! Excellent suggestion.

Thank you ILP, VERY important difference, most stuffed pizzas have way too much cheese IMO.

Are you suggesting this New Yorker, who likes deep dish every so often, stay away from Giordano's?

I'll be in town in May, and will post a lunch in the Community forum if anyone wants to join me.

dh

Absolutely not!

I'll go with you to Giordano's anytime!