Deep Dish Dreams: Exploring the Iconic Pizza Scene of Illinois

There is definitely more to explore about the rich pizza scene in Illinois! While the famous deep-dish and tavern-style thin-crust pizzas are central to the state’s pizza identity, there are several other interesting aspects and stories that make Illinois’ pizza culture truly unique. Here are some additional insights that highlight the state’s diverse pizza offerings and history:

Chicago’s Lesser-Known Pizza Styles:

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While deep dish is synonymous with Chicago pizza, the city offers other unique styles that are gaining recognition:

1. Stuffed Pizza: Giordano’s is famous for popularizing this style, but other spots like Nancy’s Pizza also serve this hearty, double-crust pizza stuffed with cheese and topped with a layer of sauce. The stuffed pizza is often confused with deep dish but is distinct due to its extra layer of dough over the cheese.

2. Tavern-Style Pizza: The thin, crispy crust pizza cut into square slices is just as iconic in Chicago as deep dish. Known as “tavern-style” or “party-cut” pizza, it’s the kind of pizza many Chicagoans grew up eating at neighborhood bars and restaurants. Aurelio’s Pizza, with locations throughout the state, is famous for its sweet sauce and crispy thin crust, making it one of the most beloved purveyors of this style.

The Legendary Story of Pizzeria Uno:

The story of Chicago deep-dish pizza begins with Pizzeria Uno, founded in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo. Originally, Sewell wanted to open a Mexican restaurant, but after a business partner became ill from testing the recipes, he pivoted to pizza. Sewell believed that pizza could be more than just a snack, so he created the now-famous deep-dish style, loaded with cheese, a chunky tomato sauce, and a thick crust. It was designed to be a meal in itself, and its success led to the creation of Pizzeria Due, followed by countless imitators throughout the city and beyond. Today, Pizzeria Uno remains one of the most iconic pizza destinations in Chicago.

Pizza and Cultural Diversity in Illinois:

The multicultural fabric of Illinois is reflected in the wide variety of pizzas available throughout the state. In Chicago, for example, you can find pizzerias that fuse traditional pizza-making with flavors from different cultures:

• Middle Eastern-Inspired Pizzas: At Middle East Bakery & Grocery in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, you’ll find pizzas with toppings like za’atar, halloumi cheese, and lamb, blending Mediterranean flavors with a pizza base.

• Mexican-Inspired Pizzas: Many pizzerias in Chicago’s Latino communities serve “Mexican pizza,” featuring ingredients like chorizo, jalapeños, and salsa verde. At Pizza Y Pan Pa’Ya in Chicago, you can try creative fusion pies that bring together Mexican and traditional pizza elements.

The Pizza Puff: A Chicago Original:

A lesser-known but beloved local pizza delicacy is the Pizza Puff. This deep-fried handheld pastry, filled with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and various toppings, was invented in Chicago by Iltaco Foods in the 1970s. Often found at hot dog stands and casual eateries around the city, the Pizza Puff is a crispy, indulgent snack that has become a Chicago favorite, especially for those looking for a quick bite of pizza on the go.

Pizza and Beer Culture:

Illinois, and particularly Chicago, has a thriving craft beer scene, and many pizzerias take advantage of this by offering curated beer menus. Pizzerias like Piece Brewery and Pizzeria in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood not only serve up award-winning New Haven-style pizza but also brew their own craft beers on-site. Pizza and beer pairing events are common across the state, allowing diners to enjoy a slice while sipping on local brews.

Quad Cities-Style Pizza:

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While Chicago may dominate the pizza scene in Illinois, the Quad Cities, which straddle Illinois and Iowa, have their own distinctive style of pizza that is worth trying. Quad Cities-style pizza is known for its malty, slightly sweet crust, which is made with a higher percentage of cornmeal. The sauce is often spicy and spread under the toppings, and the pizza is cut into long strips, rather than squares or triangles. Harris Pizza, which opened in 1960, is credited with being the first to serve this unique style. The Quad Cities-style pizza has a devoted following in Illinois and neighboring Iowa.

Late-Night Pizza Culture:

Chicago, known for its vibrant nightlife, has a robust late-night pizza culture. Many pizzerias stay open until the early hours of the morning, serving hungry revelers looking for a post-party meal. Spots like Art of Pizza, which offers both deep dish and thin crust, are favorites among night owls. Meanwhile, Dimo’s Pizza is known for its unconventional topping combinations (think mac and cheese pizza) and its availability to those seeking a late-night bite in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizza Options:

As dietary preferences and health-conscious eating have grown, so has the demand for vegan and gluten-free pizza options. Illinois, particularly in cities like Chicago, is home to several pizzerias that cater to these diets:

• Kitchen 17 in Chicago specializes in vegan pizzas that are 100% plant-based, offering innovative flavors like vegan pepperoni and dairy-free mozzarella.
• Paulie Gee’s Logan Square offers gluten-free crust options, allowing those with dietary restrictions to enjoy their wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas without compromising flavor.

Famous Pizza Festivals in Illinois:

• Chicago Pizza Summit: This annual event celebrates Chicago’s diverse pizza scene by bringing together some of the best pizzerias from across the city. Held at Thalia Hall, the Chicago Pizza Summit features a wide variety of pizza styles, from deep-dish to tavern-style, and attendees can sample slices while enjoying live music and drinks.
• Slice of Summer Festival: This pizza festival, held annually in Chicago, gathers top pizzerias, food trucks, and vendors to showcase their best pizzas. The event also features pizza-making competitions, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

Pizza and Sports Culture:

Pizza and sports go hand in hand in Illinois, particularly in Chicago, where fans of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks enjoy pizza while watching games. During Cubs season, the Wrigleyville neighborhood is packed with fans enjoying slices from nearby pizzerias like Dimo’s Pizza and Big G’s Pizza. Meanwhile, pizza places like Pequod’s Pizza are perfect spots for pre- or post-game meals for Bears and Blackhawks fans, with Pequod’s famous for its caramelized crust on deep-dish pizzas.

Famous Pizza Stories in Illinois:

• Oprah Winfrey’s Love for Giordano’s: Giordano’s gained national fame when Oprah Winfrey named it one of her favorite pizzas, specifically praising their stuffed deep dish. Her endorsement helped spread the word about Giordano’s beyond Illinois, leading to nationwide recognition for the Chicago-based chain.

• President Obama’s Favorite Pizza: President Barack Obama has famously expressed his love for Chicago’s deep-dish pizza, particularly Davenport’s Home Run Inn pizza. While his favorite is often debated, Obama’s ties to Chicago have only helped bolster the city’s reputation as a pizza capital.

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Illinois’ pizza scene is diverse and filled with culinary history, offering everything from world-renowned deep-dish to unique styles like Quad Cities pizza. Whether you’re in the bustling streets of Chicago or a quiet town along the Mississippi River, the state’s pizzerias deliver unforgettable flavors and a deep-rooted connection to the communities they serve. Exploring Illinois’ pizza culture is a journey through time, tradition, and innovation—perfect for both pizza purists and adventurous foodies alike.

Yes, Illinois has its share of famous pizza stories that have shaped its pizza culture, particularly in Chicago. These stories reflect the evolution of pizza in the state, from the creation of Chicago deep-dish to celebrity connections and pizza feuds. Here are some of the most famous pizza stories from Illinois:

The Birth of Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza at Pizzeria Uno

The most iconic pizza story from Illinois is the creation of Chicago’s legendary deep-dish pizza. This style was invented in 1943 at Pizzeria Uno in downtown Chicago by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo. Sewell initially wanted to open a Mexican restaurant, but after deciding against it, the two turned to pizza, thinking they could create something more substantial than the traditional thin-crust version. Sewell’s idea was to make a pizza that was almost like a “pizza pie,” thick and hearty enough to be a full meal.

The deep-dish pizza they created had a buttery, crunchy crust, layers of gooey cheese, and a rich tomato sauce on top. This style of pizza flipped the traditional order of toppings upside down, with sauce on top of the cheese and toppings. It was baked in a high-rimmed pan, giving it a crispy crust and thick interior. The creation of deep-dish at Pizzeria Uno sparked a pizza revolution, leading to the birth of other iconic deep-dish pizzerias like Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s.

Lou Malnati’s and the Malnati Family Legacy

Another famous Illinois pizza story is tied to the Malnati family, whose legacy began with Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, one of the most beloved deep-dish pizza institutions in Chicago. Lou Malnati worked at Pizzeria Uno for years before branching off and opening his own namesake restaurant in 1971 in Lincolnwood, a northern suburb of Chicago.

Lou Malnati’s quickly became famous for its buttery, flaky crust and rich tomato sauce, often filled with layers of Italian sausage or pepperoni. After Lou Malnati’s death in 1978, his sons, Marc and Rick, took over the business, continuing the family tradition of crafting high-quality deep-dish pizzas. Today, Lou Malnati’s is one of the most well-known names in Chicago pizza, with dozens of locations across the city and nationwide. The family’s commitment to preserving Lou’s original recipes and traditions has made it a pizza powerhouse in Illinois.

The Giordano’s Stuffed Pizza Rivalry

In the 1970s, a new contender entered the deep-dish pizza scene: Giordano’s. Brothers Efren and Joseph Boglio, immigrants from Italy, opened Giordano’s in 1974, introducing a twist on the Chicago deep-dish style by serving stuffed pizza. The stuffed pizza had a double crust—one on the bottom, filled with cheese and toppings, and another on top, with tomato sauce layered over it.

The stuffed pizza created a rivalry between Giordano’s and other deep-dish giants like Lou Malnati’s and Uno’s, each claiming to offer the best version of Chicago’s favorite pizza. While both styles are similar in their towering presence, Giordano’s double-crust pizza offered an even more indulgent experience for cheese lovers. The “stuffed vs. deep-dish” debate has long been part of Chicago’s pizza lore, with locals often divided over which style reigns supreme.

Oprah Winfrey’s Love for Giordano’s

Giordano’s rose to national fame in the 1980s when Oprah Winfrey declared it one of her favorite pizzas. Oprah’s endorsement helped bring Giordano’s, and Chicago deep-dish pizza in general, into the national spotlight. Her praise for Giordano’s stuffed pizza helped fuel the restaurant’s expansion beyond Illinois and turned it into a must-visit spot for tourists. Winfrey’s connection to Chicago and her public love for deep-dish pizza made Giordano’s a household name and further solidified deep-dish as a symbol of the city’s food culture.

Barack Obama’s Favorite Chicago Pizza

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President Barack Obama, a proud Chicagoan, has also played a role in popularizing Illinois pizza, especially during his time in office. Obama has frequently spoken about his love for Chicago-style pizza, with one of his favorites being Davenport’s Home Run Inn pizza. Home Run Inn, another long-standing pizzeria in Chicago, is known for its thin-crust pizza, offering a crispy alternative to the city’s famous deep-dish.

During Obama’s presidency, there were several lighthearted debates about his favorite pizza spot, with some sources claiming that Obama also enjoyed pizza from Pizzeria Uno and Giordano’s. Regardless of the exact location, Obama’s love for Chicago pizza has certainly brought even more attention to the city’s rich pizza culture.

The Vito & Nick’s Tavern-Style Tradition

While deep-dish often steals the spotlight, tavern-style pizza is just as beloved by many Chicagoans. One of the most famous tavern-style pizza joints in Chicago is Vito & Nick’s, which has been serving thin-crust pizza since 1932. Tavern-style pizza, which features a thin, crispy crust cut into square slices, has a huge following among locals, and Vito & Nick’s is one of the most iconic places to get it.

The restaurant has been run by the same family for generations, and it’s known for its laid-back, neighborhood vibe. The pizza is cut into bite-sized pieces, perfect for sharing over a beer, making it the ideal pizza to enjoy in Chicago’s many taverns and bars. Vito & Nick’s has even been featured on television shows like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, helping to bring tavern-style pizza into the national spotlight.

The Pizza Puff: A Chicago Original

The Pizza Puff is a deep-fried pizza pocket that has become a Chicago staple, especially in casual eateries like hot dog stands and fast-food joints. It was invented by Iltaco Foods, a family-owned business in Chicago, in the 1970s. The Pizza Puff is filled with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and various toppings like sausage or pepperoni, all wrapped in a flour tortilla-like shell and fried to crispy perfection.

While less glamorous than deep-dish or stuffed pizza, the Pizza Puff holds a special place in Chicago’s culinary history. It’s a popular grab-and-go snack for those looking for a quick bite, and it has become a nostalgic comfort food for many locals who grew up enjoying Pizza Puffs at their favorite neighborhood spots.

Pizza Feuds and Friendly Rivalries

Chicago’s pizza scene is full of friendly rivalries, especially between the deep-dish giants. Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, and Uno’s have long competed for the title of best deep-dish in the city, with passionate fans taking sides in the debate. However, this competition has led to some playful moments, such as when Chicago’s pizzerias banded together to “defend” deep-dish against critics from other cities.

One of the most famous instances of this happened when Jon Stewart from The Daily Show famously called Chicago deep-dish pizza a “casserole” in 2013, sparking a lighthearted yet heated debate about which city—New York or Chicago—has the better pizza. In response, Chicago’s pizzerias, including Lou Malnati’s, sent pizzas to the show, defending their beloved deep-dish as a true culinary masterpiece.

Quad Cities-Style Pizza and the Harris Legacy

While Chicago dominates the pizza scene in Illinois, the Quad Cities region has its own unique pizza story. Quad Cities-style pizza, which originated at Harris Pizza in Rock Island, is known for its malt-flavored crust, spicy tomato sauce, and toppings placed under the cheese. The pizza is cut into long strips rather than the traditional squares or triangles, giving it a distinct look and taste. Harris Pizza has been serving this unique style since 1960, making it a local institution and adding to the diversity of Illinois’ pizza culture.

These stories reflect the deep roots pizza has in Illinois’ food culture, from the iconic deep-dish that put Chicago on the map to the lesser-known but equally beloved regional styles. Whether it’s the creation of stuffed pizza, celebrity endorsements, or ongoing pizza rivalries, Illinois’ pizza stories are a testament to the state’s enduring love for this iconic dish.

One of the best pizza festivals in Illinois is the Chicago Pizza Festival, which celebrates the diverse pizza scene in the city that’s famous for its deep-dish and thin-crust pizzas. Here are the details:

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Chicago Pizza Festival

• Location: Chicago, IL

• Overview: The Chicago Pizza Festival is a must-attend event for pizza lovers, offering attendees the opportunity to sample various styles of pizza from some of the best pizzerias in the city. From classic deep-dish pies to tavern-style and Neapolitan pizzas, this festival showcases the wide variety of pizza styles that make Chicago a world-renowned pizza destination. The festival gathers top pizza vendors from all over the city, allowing you to enjoy everything from traditional recipes to modern, creative takes on pizza.

• Highlights:

  • Pizza Tastings: Sample pizzas from some of the top pizzerias in Chicago, including famous spots like Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, and Pizzeria Uno, as well as newer, artisanal pizza makers.
  • Live Music: Enjoy live entertainment while indulging in slices from across the city.
  • Pizza-Making Demonstrations: Learn from professional pizza makers during live demonstrations, where they share their techniques and secrets behind crafting the perfect pizza.
  • Pizza Competitions: Watch as local pizzerias compete for titles like “Best Deep Dish” and “Best Thin Crust,” as judged by both attendees and food critics.
  • Family-Friendly Activities: In addition to pizza, the festival often includes activities for kids, making it a fun event for the entire family.

• Timing: The festival is typically held in the summer months, often in July. Exact dates are announced in advance through event organizers.

• Website: Information about the festival is usually available through the Chicago Pizza Festival website or through event platforms like Eventbrite as the event date approaches.

Why It’s the Best:

The Chicago Pizza Festival is a great opportunity to sample a wide range of pizza styles that have defined Chicago’s culinary identity. Whether you’re a fan of classic deep-dish, tavern-style thin-crust, or something more experimental, this festival brings together the best of Chicago’s pizzerias in one place. It’s the perfect way to experience the city’s rich pizza heritage while enjoying live music and a fun, community-focused atmosphere.

If you’re a pizza enthusiast, this festival should definitely be on your list, as it provides an unparalleled opportunity to taste and celebrate one of Illinois’ most famous culinary exports.