The Top 15 Deep-Dish Pizza Places in Chicago Ranked by Taste

Chicago is not only the birthplace of deep-dish pizza, it’s the reigning champion. The city’s best pizzerias mix it up a bit when it comes to crusts, sauces, and cheese. Whether you live nearby or are on a pizza pilgrimage, you’ll find just the right slice to appease your appetite.

To help you traverse Chicago’s deep dish world, we’ve ranked the top 15 pizzerias. Each one was picked because it’s got standout flavors, standout textures, and that ineffable ‘wow’ factor that makes deep dish so irresistible.

Bongiorno’s Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria

Bongiorno’s is a perfect mix of old-world Italian tradition and Chicago–deep dish legacy. They make their pizzas with loving care, and their crust is just so crispy, but flaky at the same time. It’s got zesty tomato sauce, creamy, delicious mozzarella, and other fresh toppings. Though not famous like the big names, the pies at this family-owned spot are bursting with heart and flavor.

Spacca Napoli Pizzeria

Spacca Napoli is known for its Neapolitan-style pizza but their deep-dish options are just as good. The crust is buttery and golden, and it’s the perfect vessel for fresh, high quality ingredients. With their pies, they lean towards the lighter deep-dish side in the way that you wouldn’t be too heavy after eating one. Plus, the warm vibe of each visit makes it almost feel like a special occasion.

Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder

“Pizza pot pie” is where this pizzeria stands out. Imagine a dome of bubbling cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and hearty toppings in a perfectly risen dough flipped tableside for the most epic presentation. It’s not your traditional deep-dish but it’s Chicago, and it’s so delicious. The experience is just as memorable as the flavor.

Piece

While Piece is best known for its New Haven-style pies, it shines with some of the best deep-dish found in Chicago. According to reviews, their crusts are delightfully thick and the toppings are always fresh and flavorful. With a nice atmosphere and loads of awesome craft beer, it is a nice place to go have a fun night-out.

Giordano’s

There’s a reason Giordano’s is a household name. Their stuffed deep-dish pizza is full of thick gooey cheese and tangy tomato sauce; an exercise in indulgence. With flaky and buttery double crust, there’s nothing about this that isn’t a celebration. Giordano’s brings a quintessential Chicago experience whether you’re dining in or taking it to-go.

Gino’s East

Gino’s East does offer a cornmeal crust, which gives their deep-dish pies that slight crunch you can’t find at other pizza places. Though its chunky tomato sauce is bold and tangy, it goes perfectly with the rich cheese and hearty toppings. Dining here is a quintessential Chicago tradition; the graffiti-covered walls and nostalgic vibe add to that effect.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

Few names in the Chicago pizza scene are revered as Lou Malnati’s. The game changer is their butter crust –  flaky, flavorful, and slightly sweet. The toppings are noticeably fresh and generous, and their sausage pizza really does stand out. Lou’s has locations all over town and is a must for any deep-dish lover.

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub

This hidden gem offers the best of pub fare and deep-dish pizza. Exchequer’s pies are made of a thick golden crust packed with layers of cheese and bold tomato sauce. With its relaxed, dive bar vibe, Exchequer is a favorite among locals looking for comfort food served alongside a bit of nostalgia.

Pequod’s Pizza

It’s difficult not to love everything about Pequod’s, with its popularity based on its caramelized crust adding an indefensible crunch and sweetness to every bite. Their pizzas are filled with zesty tomato sauce, rich gooey cheese, and bold, robust flavor. No wonder Pequod’s often tops the “best of” lists—it’s a deep-dish icon in its own right.

Labriola Chicago

Deep-dish pizza gets labriola’s gourmet treatment with its use of premium ingredients and innovative flavor combinations. Buttery crusts and just the right tomato sauce on their pies are delicately matched with their fresh mozzarella. Labriola is the right choice for those wanting an upscale take on the classic.

Pisano’s Pizza

Pisano’s offers a simple, yet highly gratifying deep-dish experience. Its buttery, golden crust and perfectly spiced tomato sauce cover a large amount of fresh ingredients. Flavor is taken very seriously here, so it’s a favorite tuckaway spot for the locals who know where to get the good stuff.

Pizzeria Due

Pizzeria Due is the sibling of the legendary Pizzeria Uno, and it continues that family tradition with a little flair. Its buttery rich crust, bright and chunky tomato sauce, and toppings are plentiful without being too much. Just steps from its famous counterpart, Due puts a slightly more modern spin on the original deep-dish recipe.

Pizzeria Uno

It all started with Pizzeria Uno. It’s credited with inventing the deep-dish pizza in 1943, and it serves classic pies Its buttery crust, tomato-rich sauce, and gooey cheese make for a perfectly balanced creation that has stood the test of time. Uno is a must if you want a taste of the history.

Connie’s Pizza

Deep-dish pies with hefty, golden crusts and generous tomato sauce make Connie’s a South Side staple since 1963. It’s a family favorite — and a big group favorite — thanks to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Every cheesy delicious slice of Connie’s fits the bill for Chicago-style pizza.

Pizzeria Ora

Pizzeria Ora makes medium-thick buttery crusts with plenty of toppings. The tomato sauce is nice, robust, and spicy which ties all the ingredients together. It’s a quiet, unpretentious ambiance that packs great taste.

Bacino’s of Lincoln Park

Bacino’s is the place to go for a healthier take on deep-dish. The highlight of their pizza is their stuffed spinach pizza layered with fresh greens and cheese, packaged in a tastefully made crust. Although its lighter profile, Bacino’s doesn’t cut back on taste, showing indulgence and balance can come hand-in-hand.

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