10 Best Places for Deep-Dish Pizzas in Chicago

Pequod’s Pizza has been a rite of passage for Chicago foodies due to its famous caramelised crusts. First opened in Morton Grove in 1970, the pizzeria's pan-style pizzas have crispy, blackened edges that form a solid foundation for toppings like Italian beef, sausage and giardiniera. The crunchy cheese and refreshing tomato sauce make it an essential deep-dish restaurant in Chicago.

Food and restaurant programs regularly feature Pequod’s Pizza, and visitors from around the world would arrive for a bite. The overwhelming demand for the crispy-edge pan-style pizzas led to a 2nd location in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood. Whether you head to Lincoln Park or the northwest suburbs, be prepared to wait in line for your slice.

At the family-run Bartoli’s Pizzeria, a few generations of hard work helped create a Chicago icon. With multiple "Best Pizza in Chicago" awards, the restaurant draws eager customers from across America. Its flaky, golden crust has extra cheese inside that pairs with layers of mozzarella and tomato sauce.

After enormous success at its original Roscoe Village location, Bartoli’s opened a West Town shop due to popular demand. While the pizzeria serves its Chicago Classic version with Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers, the Deep Dish Spinach & Cheese also earns high marks. Savour the speciality deep-dish pizza that combines a spinach and cheese mix with creamy mozzarella, before topping it with a thick sauce.

Burt’s Place founder Burt Katz transformed the Chicago deep-dish scene by inspiring the recipe used at several famous Chicagoland pizzerias. His pan pizzas served with caramelised crust continue to drive a sense of nostalgia at the Morton Grove Restaurant. Upon gaining praise from Anthony Bourdain in 2009, Burt’s Place was on every pizza lover’s radar. Soon after, the pizzeria received an overhaul to boost customers' dining experience.

Burt Katz's legacy continues to thrive in the newly remodelled space that crafts pan pizza using his methods. From a 10-inch pan to an extra-large (16-inch) pan, sprinkle your pizza with toppings like sausage, pepperoni, onions, green olives, sliced tomatoes, spinach, garlic, banana peppers and more.

Swing by Pizzeria Uno if you’re wandering the River North District. In business since 1943, the original deep-dish pizza spot now shares its beloved pies with patrons all around America. Founders Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo boldly combined authentic Italian recipes with hearty meats, cheeses and vegetables to invent a thicker pizza for hungry visitors.

Today, Pizzeria Uno continues to serve classic recipes, such as the Numero Uno and Chicago Classic. The Numero Uno uses its own chunky vine-ripened tomatoes, mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, sausage, onions and peppers. With the Chicago Classic, you’ll get extra sausage and cheese to satisfy your cravings. It’s easily among the best places for deep dish pizzas in Chicago.

The Art of Pizza amazes customers with flaky crusted pan-pizzas topped with spiced tomato sauce. For over 30 years, the award-winning pizzeria has whipped up pies for Lakeview residents. Using the freshest ingredients, its shopping list includes Wisconsin cheese, California vine-ripened tomatoes, and delectable toppings.

Their thin-crust and pan-stuffed pizzas come by the slice, but you can also order whole pies. But the enormous loads of cheese will make even 1 slice a hearty meal. Try some of the menu’s top specialty choices such as the Art’s Southwestern (ground beef, onions, bacon, BBQ sauce base) and Art’s Special (sausage, onions, mushrooms and green peppers).

Ricobene’s is a Chicago staple that has served hungry customers since 1946. While the old-fashioned eatery is known for its breaded steak sandwich, its pizza earns lots of 5-star reviews. Its deep-dish pizza selections are topped with crushed tomatoes and come with a delectable range of topping combos. You can order pizzas by the slice or grab a whole pie when you're running on an empty stomach.

Sample The Works for a meat-heavy favourite that comes with sausage, pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. Their Spinach Lasagna combines ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and spinach for bites of creamy delight. For a Ricobene’s special, sample the Breaded Steak Pizza with bite-sized pieces of breaded steak with mozzarella and tomato sauce.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is one of Chicago’s most recognisable pizza brands with over 50 locations. After working decades in the pizza business, Lou Malnati opened his first shop in 1971. Malnati’s expertise spawned a delectable recipe containing California vine-ripened tomatoes, Wisconsin mozzarella and its signature butter crust. The trademarked buttery crust makes the pie thin and crisp on the edges to retain the cheese and toppings.

With its sausage, extra cheese and tomato sauce spread on the butter crust, the Malnati Chicago Classic is an authentic deep-dish taste. Try Malnati’s full-scale dine-in restaurants or their carryout only locations to satisfy your pizza craving wherever you are.

Bacino’s of Lincoln Park caters to vegetarian customers with a range of health-conscious speciality pizzas. Menu items like the Broccoli Bacino’s thin pizza and spinach supreme stuffed pizza are a delight for veggie lovers. Other healthy ingredients used in many of Bacino’s recipes include bell peppers, mushrooms, and skim mozzarella.

Bacino’s also offers veggie-friendly appetisers like Tuscan-style bruschetta and spinach and artichoke bread to complement their heart-healthy deep-dish pies. And for meat lovers, the Bacino’s special stuffed pizza with Italian sausage is a delicious alternative. If you're not craving a stuffed pie, order one of the thin-crust pizzas.

Giordano’s famous stuffed pizza has given new meaning to the word ‘filling’ since opening in 1974. It introduced one of Chicago’s heaviest pies using its Italian family roots and Mama Giordano’s Italian Easter pie. Their Chicago Classic Deep Dish packs gargantuan levels of cheese atop crispy, cheese-filled crusts. An extra layer of dough makes 1-2 slices enough to stuff any hungry patron.

Giordano’s sources its signature mozzarella cheese from Wisconsin farmers and tomatoes from Northern California to produce the pizza sauce. The menu includes tasty topping combos like the Bacon BBQ Chicken and Super Veggie Deep Dish. If you prefer lighter portions, try the thin-crust pizzas with all the signature toppings.

My Pi Pizza is a team of dedicated bakers in Chicago that strive to produce the tastiest deep-dish dough for customers. Hidden in a Bucktown strip mall, the over-the-counter spot is a fantastic place to order pizza by the slice. Their pan pizza uses family recipes with a secret tomato sauce, vine-ripened San Marzano tomatoes, and the finest meats, herbs and spices.

Whether you choose a deep-dish or thin-crust pizza, each order comes topped with upwards of 4 Wisconsin cheeses. Although the crust is a bit thinner, it’s tripled-baked for extra crispiness. Vegans will love veggie-friendly toppings like vegan sausage, fresh spinach and black olives. If you’re undecided on which pie you’d like, go with the stellar daily specials.