Top 10 Deep Dish Pizza Spots in Chicago

Direct Answer

The Best Overall deep dish pizza in Chicago is Lou Malnati's, the city's most beloved institution, famous for its flaky, buttery crust, blanket of fresh Wisconsin mozzarella, and signature "Buttercrust" — the gold standard that most visitors and locals name first.

The Best Value pick is Pequod's Pizza in Lincoln Park, where a legendary caramelized cheese ring around the edge delivers arguably the best single deep dish in the city at a fair, no-frills price. This list is built for visitors, locals, and pizza pilgrims who want to know where to get the real thing across Chicago and its neighborhoods — from River North and the Loop to Lincoln Park, Old Town, and the suburbs.

Every spot below is a real, currently-operating, well-known Chicago establishment with a documented following.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each pizzeria against what Chicagoans and visitors actually argue about over a slice, leaning on Yelp, Google Reviews, The Infatuation, Eater Chicago, and decades of local "Best Of" lists. The weighting:

• Crust and cheese quality — 30%
• Consistency and service — 20%
• Value for the experience — 15%
• Atmosphere and setting — 15%
• Menu range and signature pies — 10%
• Local reputation and history — 10%

A spot with a great pie but inconsistent kitchens or rough service drops; the winners deliver a knockout pizza every single visit.

1. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Cuisine: Chicago deep dish | Price: $$ | Best for: The definitive, can't-miss Chicago deep dish

With its original suburban location in Lincolnwood and outposts across River North, the Loop, Gold Coast, and beyond, Lou Malnati's is the name most people give when asked for Chicago's best deep dish. The Malnati family traces its roots to the city's very first deep-dish kitchens, and the result is unmistakable: a flaky, buttery "Buttercrust," a thick layer of fresh Wisconsin mozzarella, lean sausage in a patty, and bright, chunky tomato sauce on top.

Order The Lou (spinach, mushrooms, three cheeses) or the classic sausage. Expect a 45-minute bake, so call ahead. A large lands around $25–$30.

Pros:

• The most consistent deep dish across every location
• Iconic flaky, buttery Buttercrust
• Fresh Wisconsin mozzarella and a perfect sausage patty
• Ships nationwide, but tastes best in-house

Cons:

• Popular locations have real waits
• The long bake time tests your patience

Verdict: The definitive Chicago deep dish — if you eat one, eat this.

2. Pequod's Pizza 💎 BEST VALUE

Cuisine: Chicago pan / deep dish | Price: $$ | Best for: The best single pie in the city at an honest price

In Lincoln Park (with a Morton Grove original), Pequod's has a cult following for one reason: the caramelized cheese ring. The kitchen pushes mozzarella up the edge of the pan so it crisps into a chewy, burnt-caramel crust unlike anywhere else. The pan-style pie sits between thin and deep, with a sweet, garlicky sauce on top.

Locals routinely call it the best pizza in Chicago, and the laid-back, sports-bar vibe keeps it unpretentious. A large pan pizza runs about $22–$28, making it the value champion.

Pros:

• The legendary caramelized cheese crust ring
• Frequently voted Chicago's single best pizza
• Unpretentious neighborhood-bar atmosphere
• Outstanding pie-per-dollar value

Cons:

• No reservations and frequent waits
• Cash-friendly, casual service won't suit everyone

Verdict: The Best Value pick — the city's best slice of pizza for a fair price, hands down.

3. Giordano's

Cuisine: Chicago stuffed pizza | Price: $$ | Best for: Towering stuffed deep dish with a cheese pull

Giordano's, founded in 1974 and now a Chicago staple with locations in the Loop, River North, Greektown, and the suburbs, is the king of stuffed pizza — a deeper cousin of deep dish with a second layer of crust sealing in a flood of mozzarella. The signature stuffed spinach and classic sausage pies produce the famous, gravity-defying cheese pull.

The rooms are tourist-friendly and central, making it a reliable first deep-dish experience. A large stuffed pie runs about $28–$34.

Pros:

• Iconic double-crust stuffed pizza
• Dramatic, social-media-ready cheese pull
• Central, tourist-friendly locations
• Reliable quality across the chain

Cons:

• Stuffed style is very filling and rich
• Long bake times for the deep pies

Verdict: The stuffed-pizza benchmark — go here for the over-the-top cheese pull.

4. Gino's East

Cuisine: Chicago deep dish | Price: $$ | Best for: Cornmeal-crust deep dish and graffiti-wall history

Open since 1966, Gino's East is one of the original deep-dish institutions, known for its distinctive golden cornmeal crust that bakes up crunchy and sweet. The River North flagship is famous for walls covered in decades of customer graffiti. The classic deep-dish sausage — a full patty under the cheese — and the "Supreme" are the moves here.

It's an old-school, full-of-character spot that captures the city's pizza heritage. A large deep dish runs about $26–$32.

Pros:

• Distinctive crunchy cornmeal crust
• Historic 1960s deep-dish pioneer
• Fun, graffiti-covered flagship atmosphere
• Generous sausage layer

Cons:

• Cornmeal crust divides purists
• Tourist crowds at the flagship

Verdict: A historic original — come for the cornmeal crust and the graffiti-wall charm.

5. Pizzeria Uno

Cuisine: Chicago deep dish | Price: $$ | Best for: Eating where deep dish was reportedly invented

Pizzeria Uno in River North is widely credited as the birthplace of Chicago deep dish, dating to 1943 under Ike Sewell. The original pie — a tall, buttery crust holding sausage, cheese, and chunky tomato — is still served in the cozy, historic basement room. Its sibling, Pizzeria Due, sits a block away for overflow.

For anyone who wants to taste deep dish at its source, this is the pilgrimage stop. A large deep dish runs about $25–$30.

Pros:

• The reputed original home of Chicago deep dish
• Historic, atmospheric 1943 setting
• Sister location at Pizzeria Due nearby
• Classic, no-gimmick deep-dish recipe

Cons:

• Small space means waits at peak times
• Some find the pie heavier than rivals

Verdict: A must for history buffs — taste deep dish where it reportedly began.

6. The Art of Pizza

Cuisine: Chicago deep dish / pan | Price: $ | Best for: Deep dish by the slice, no fuss

On the North Side in Lakeview, The Art of Pizza is a locals' favorite that has quietly won numerous "Best Deep Dish" awards. Its calling card is a beautifully balanced stuffed and pan deep dish with a flaky, buttery crust — and, crucially, the rare chance to grab deep dish by the slice for a quick, affordable fix.

No tourist hype, just an excellent pie. A whole large runs about $24–$30, and a hearty slice is just a few dollars.

Pros:

• Multiple local "Best Deep Dish" wins
• Rare deep dish available by the slice
• Flaky, well-balanced crust
• Affordable, no-frills neighborhood spot

Cons:

• Tiny dining area, mostly takeout
• Easy to miss without a local tip

Verdict: The locals' secret — the best way to grab great deep dish fast and cheap.

7. Bartoli's Pizzeria

Cuisine: Chicago deep dish | Price: $$ | Best for: A Gino's-lineage recipe in a neighborhood gem

In Roscoe Village, Bartoli's is run by a grandson of a Gino's East founder, and it shows: the deep dish carries that signature cornmeal-crust DNA with fresh ingredients and a more intimate, neighborhood feel. The classic sausage and the "Dimitri" (a loaded specialty) are standouts, and the patio is a warm-weather draw.

It's a local favorite that rewards getting off the tourist track. A large deep dish runs about $26–$32.

Pros:

• Authentic Gino's-lineage cornmeal crust
• Fresh, high-quality toppings
• Welcoming neighborhood atmosphere and patio
• Less touristy than the big-name flagships

Cons:

• Single location, away from downtown
• Smaller kitchen means waits when busy

Verdict: A neighborhood gem — Gino's-style deep dish without the downtown crowds.

8. My Pi Pizza

Cuisine: Chicago deep dish | Price: $$ | Best for: A throwback recipe with serious local roots

My Pi Pizza, with roots dating to the 1970s and a current home in Wicker Park / River West, is a deep-dish original beloved for its buttery, flaky crust and generous, well-seasoned fillings. It flies under the radar compared with the big chains but earns devoted local loyalty for sticking to a classic, time-tested recipe.

The casual room and friendly service make it an easy neighborhood pick. A large deep dish runs about $24–$30.

Pros:

• Time-tested 1970s deep-dish recipe
• Flaky, buttery crust loyalists swear by
• Friendly, casual neighborhood vibe
• Avoids the tourist crush of the chains

Cons:

• Lower profile, so easy to overlook
• Limited locations

Verdict: An under-the-radar classic — a buttery, old-school pie worth seeking out.

9. Labriola Chicago

Cuisine: Italian / Chicago deep dish | Price: $$$ | Best for: Deep dish in a polished Mag Mile setting

On the Magnificent Mile in Streeterville, Labriola is a bakery-café-restaurant whose "Chicago-style double dough" deep dish stands out for using house-made dough from a serious bread program. The result is a richer, more refined crust than most. The full Italian menu, central location near Michigan Avenue, and sit-down comfort make it a strong choice for visitors who want deep dish without a dive-bar setting.

A large deep dish runs about $28–$36.

Pros:

• House-made double-dough crust from a real bakery
• Polished, comfortable Mag Mile dining room
• Full Italian menu beyond pizza
• Convenient for downtown visitors

Cons:

• Pricier than neighborhood spots
• Tourist-heavy location

Verdict: The upscale deep-dish option — refined crust and comfort right on Michigan Avenue.

10. Pizano's Pizza & Pasta

Cuisine: Chicago deep dish | Price: $$ | Best for: A Malnati-family recipe in the Loop

Pizano's, founded by Rudy Malnati Jr. of the famous Malnati pizza family, offers a deep dish closely related to the city's gold standard, with a thin-yet-buttery crust that some Chicagoans prefer to its more famous relative. Centrally located in the Loop and River North, it's open late and pairs its pies with a solid Italian menu.

Oprah has famously praised its pizza. A large deep dish runs about $25–$31.

Pros:

• Authentic Malnati-family deep-dish lineage
• Buttery, thin-bottomed crust loyalists love
• Central Loop and River North locations, open late
• Endorsed by high-profile fans like Oprah

Cons:

• Lives in Lou Malnati's shadow
• Downtown spots get busy and loud

Verdict: A worthy Malnati-family alternative — buttery deep dish in a convenient Loop setting.

Where Should You Eat?

What to Look For When Choosing a Restaurant in Chicago

• Call ahead and pre-order — A true deep dish bakes 30–45 minutes, so phoning your order in before you arrive can save you a long wait at busy spots like Lou Malnati's and Giordano's.
• Know your crust style — Decide between a buttery flaky crust (Lou Malnati's, Pizano's), a cornmeal crust (Gino's East, Bartoli's), or a caramelized cheese ring (Pequod's). They're genuinely different experiences.
• Deep dish vs stuffed — Stuffed pizza (Giordano's) adds a second crust layer and is far heavier than classic deep dish. Pick based on appetite.
• Watch portion size — A large deep dish easily feeds 3–4 people; one or two pies usually covers a group, so don't over-order.
• Skip the chain hype when you can — Neighborhood spots like The Art of Pizza, Bartoli's, and My Pi often match or beat the famous names with shorter lines.
• Go for lunch or off-peak — Weekend dinner waits at downtown flagships can be long; a weekday or late-lunch visit is far more relaxed.

What matters less than the marketing implies: a long tourist line or a viral cheese-pull video. Chicago's best deep dish is defined by crust quality, sauce balance, and consistency — not by whichever spot is trending this week.

FAQ

What is the best deep dish pizza in Chicago overall? Lou Malnati's earns our top spot for its flaky, buttery Buttercrust, fresh Wisconsin mozzarella, and rock-solid consistency across every location — the deep dish most locals and visitors name first.

What is the best-value deep dish in Chicago? Pequod's Pizza in Lincoln Park, famous for its caramelized cheese-ring crust, delivers arguably the city's single best pie at a fair, no-frills price.

Where was Chicago deep dish invented? Pizzeria Uno in River North is widely credited as the birthplace of Chicago deep dish, dating to 1943 under Ike Sewell, with sibling Pizzeria Due a block away.

What's the difference between deep dish and stuffed pizza? Deep dish has a tall crust filled with cheese, toppings, and chunky sauce on top; stuffed pizza (like Giordano's) adds a second layer of crust sealing the filling, making it even thicker and richer.

Can you get deep dish by the slice? Yes — The Art of Pizza in Lakeview is the best-known spot for grabbing a hearty deep-dish slice for a quick, affordable fix, rather than waiting on a whole pie.

How long does deep dish take to bake? A genuine Chicago deep dish takes roughly 30–45 minutes to bake, so call your order in ahead at busy spots like Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, and Gino's East.

Bottom Line

For Chicago deep dish, Lou Malnati's is our Best Overall — its flaky Buttercrust, fresh mozzarella, and reliability set the city's standard. The Best Value is Pequod's Pizza, whose caramelized cheese-ring crust earns it a real claim to the best single pie in town at a fair price.

If you want the historic source, a towering stuffed pie, a cornmeal crust, or deep dish by the slice, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Uno, Giordano's, Gino's East, or The Art of Pizza. Call ahead, bring an appetite, and you'll eat the best deep dish in Chicago.

Sources

• Yelp — best deep dish pizza in Chicago
• Google Reviews — Chicago pizza ratings
• The Infatuation — best Chicago deep dish guide
• Eater Chicago — deep dish pizza guides
• TripAdvisor — best pizza in Chicago
• Choose Chicago — official visitor dining guide
• Lou Malnati's — official site
• Pequod's Pizza — official site
• Giordano's — official site
• Gino's East — official site

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