“NUTS ON CLARK” Presents Food of the Windy City Part I: Deep Dish Pizza

Besides gourmet popcorn tins, there are a few foods that make Chicago claims for its own.

Among these is Chicago deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers and steaks.

In this post, we’ll focus on deep dish pizza. The classic Chicago-style deep dish pizza is not what non-Chicagoan might know it as, if they were educated by our national pizza chains. Real deep dish pizza holds all the toppings and cheese between two layers of dough with the top layer being nothing but thick, chunky marinara sauce.

This is fork and knife pizza, people! If you can pick it up with a hand and hold a beer in the other, you’re enjoying a lazy imitator. Once in Chicago, you’ll have myriad options as where to order this elusive pizza.

That’s where the debate begins. Everyone has his favorite place for deep dish. Here are three of the most popular ones.

Giordano’s
Founded in 1974, Giordano’s is often chosen as the source for Chicago-style deep dish pizza. With red and white table cloths, a friendly and helpful staff, and pizza as deep as the Grand Canyon, it’s no wonder Giordano’s is such a city favorite. These are pizzas just made to be stuffed with Chicago favorites like sausage and onions. Throw in a location next to Millennium Park in the downtown Loop, and Giordano’s offers up a little slice of heaven.

Locations:

  • 1040 W. Belmont Ave.
  • 223 W. Jackson Blvd.
  • 5159 S. Pulaski St.
  • 730 N Rush St.
  • 5309 S. Blackstone Ave.
  • 2010 W. Montrose
  • 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave.
  • 815 W. Van Buren St.
  • 6314 S. Cicero
  • 6836 N. Sheridan Rd.
  • 5927 W. Irving Park Rd.
  • 135 E. Lake

Gino’s East
Another heavyweight in the battle of Chicago-style deep dish pizza, Gino’s East was chosen as the best by People magazine. The legendary pizza place, supposedly opened off Michigan Ave. and Superior Ave. by two taxi drivers who complained of Chicago traffic, has been a Windy City favorite since 1966. With an authentic decor that stills looks like it did when it opened and pizza that the city flocks to, Gino’s East is a home run.

Locations:

  • 633 N. Wells St.
  • 162 E. Superior St.
  • 8725 West Higgins Rd.
  • 2801 N. Lincoln Ave.

UNO Chicago Grill
Uno Chicago Grill, formerly known as Pizzeria Uno, might be the most famous pizzeria on this list. Non-Chicagoans have likely seen Uno locations in airports throughout the country and might be familiar with its brand of deep dish pizza. Still, that is no reason to ignore the one that started it all. Built in 1943 by a University of Texas football player and a World War II G.I., Uno’s quickly became a Chicago-wide (and then a country-wide) favorite. One bite of its deep dish pizza will tell you why.

Locations:

  • 29 East Ohio St.
  • 619 North Wabash Ave.
  • 49 East Ontario St.

And don’t forget, after you enjoy a Chicago-style deep dish pizza, make sure to get some Chicago gourmet popcorn like gourmet caramel popcorn.

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