Legendary Chicago Pizza
Deep-dish or thin crust? Who has the best Chicago pizza? Hoo boy, I’m not getting in the middle of that one!
I’ll leave that debate to the Chicago natives, local papers, magazines, and TV stations.
But I will tell you about several top contenders for best Chicago pizza.
Note that while many “best pizza” lists include suburban or out-of-the-way locales, I have included only those pizzerias located where a visitor is likely to go — fairly close to downtown, or with easy access via public transportation.
Gino’s East of Chicago
Local chain with about 12 locations. Famous for it’s polenta crusted, enormous and oozy deep dish pies. See Gino’s website for other locations. Note: Time Out Chicago (see below) did not like Gino’s. Whatever …
River North Location
633 N. Wells St. (@ Ontario)
312-943-1124
El: Brown Line to Chicago or Red Line to Grand.
Near North/Mag Mile Location
162 E. Superior (@ Michigan Ave)
El: Red Line to Chicago (then several blocks walk) or Bus: 146 to Superior
Giordano’s
A Chicago chain with about 42 locations, including several in the Loop and one in Near North. Serves both thin crust and signature stuffed deep dish. See Giordano’s website for more locations. Note: Time Out Chicago (see below) liked Giordano’s too.
Near North location (very close to Mag Mile):
730 N. Rush St. (@ Superior)
312-951-0747
El: Red Line to Chicago
Loop Locations:
310 W. Randolph
312-201-1441
El: Brown, Green, Orange, Purple, Pink Lines to Randolph
Prudential Plaza
135 E. Lake
312-616-1200
El: Red Line to Lake
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
A local chain with several locations, including River North and Lincoln Park. Serves both Chicago deep dish and thin crust. Shows up at or near the top of many “best of” lists, including Time Out Chicago’s Pizza Issue (see below). See Lou Malnati’s website for other locations.
River North location:
439 N. Wells (@Hubbard)
312-828-9200
El: Brown Line to Merchandise Mart
Lincoln Park location:
958 W. Wrightwood (@ Sheffield & Lincoln)
773-832-4030
El: Red, Brown, or Purple Line to Fullerton.
Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due (River North)
While Pizzeria Uno has become a huge franchise chain, this location is the “original,” bringing deep dish pizza to Chicago in 1953. The pizzas here are said to be better than at other locations. Serves deep-dish pies (no thin crust) which 45 – 60 minutes to bake, so be prepared to wait. Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due are across the street from each other in River North. Note: Time Out Chicago (see below) did not even mention Pizzeria Uno.
Uno is at 29 E. Ohio St. (@ Wabash)
El: Red Line to Grand
213-321-1000
Due is across the street at 619. N. Wabash (@ Ontario)
312-289-5110
FOR MORE INFO
Check out The Pizza Issue, from TimeOut Chicago. Includes their “Best of” picks for deep-dish, bar-style thin, and Neopolitan pizzas. A much more extensive and sophisticated list than mine, but hey, they live there … plus they have a staff!
Feel free to chime in with your own favorite Chicago pizza joint! Just submit a comment below, or email me at carol@lipstickgetaways.com.
