From diverse neighborhoods that bustle with culture to the incredible historic skyscrapers, Chicago today is one of the most successful hubs in America. And at the heart of that culture is food.

This city has some of the most iconic food in the world, from the no-ketchup Chicagoan hot dogs to the Maxwell street Polish sausages. The food scene has distinct and multiple styles of cuisines. But the most celebrated of it all is its pizza culture.

Deep dish pizza is Chicago’s signature. So what’s so special about the deep dish pizza, you may ask?

Calling it a “pizza” is in itself a bit of a stretch, as it is thicker than any regular pizza. Deep-dish pizza as its name implies is deep. And the unlikeness doesn’t end there.

The pizza has an inch-thick crispy crust layered by mountains of mozzarella, a solid layer of sausage, green peppers and onions, topped with tomato sauce. This pizza is built backwards- the crust topped with cheese, then meat, and finally crushed tomatoes spread on top.

And it's Italian as it is American.

The deep-dish story started in the late 19th century when the Italian immigrants flocked to the city to start a new life. And when they came, they brought with them their love for pizza.

It was two Italian descendants that gave Chicago the deep-dish pizza. Deep-dish resulted from their experiments to create a fusion of Italian and American styles. Thus, the deep-dish was born a pizza - bigger, thicker and brawnier. Apt for the City of The Big Shoulders.

Finding the Best Pizza in Chicago

No trip to this city is complete without a slice of the cheesy, saucy deep-dish pizza. And if you ever searched for ‘best pizza places in Chicago,’ you’ll know it’s a slippery slope.

At Slice, we always try to find ways to bring your local community closer to you. To help you find the perfect pizzeria for you. That is why we listed out the best pizza places in the city. You can have a slice of the finest that the city has to offer.

1) Lou Malnati's

• Established: 1971
• Signature dish: Deep-dish

One argument even the Chicagoans can’t seem to get over is: which is best, Lou Malnati's or Giordano’s.

Mr. Lou Malnati is one of the original inventors of the deep-dish. His place, the Lou Malnati's is an iconic pizzeria serving the classic deep-dish pizza.

Lou Malnati’s is popular among locals and tourists alike.

For here you get to eat the original deep-dish pizza made from the recipe that’s passed down from the man who first made it himself.

It’s a slice of pizza history.

In these difficult times, they have used techniques like flash freezing to deliver pizza nationwide. The nation’s comfort food arrives on your doorstep, as fresh as it gets, right when you need it the most.

2) Vito and Nick’s

• Established: 1923
• Signature dish: Tavern-style pizza

Vito and Nick’s is a popular pizzeria. They celebrated their centennial year in 2020. Vito and Nick’s is the real king of the tavern-style pizza, thin-crust and sliced into squares.

True locals argue that the thin crusts are as authentic to the city as the deep dish. The owners take pride in creating memories for generation after generation of locals.

With a deeply entrenched carryout culture, they are planning on riding out the current situation.

3) Giordano’s

• Established: 1974
• Signature dish: Deep-dish

When it comes to deep-dish, it is either Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s. Giordano’s is famous for its big deep-dish stuffed with lots and lots of cheese. The pizza here is as cheesy it can get.

The sauce has some serious herb and tomato flavor.__ The pizza has a top and bottom crust with seasonings and toppings stuffed in between. Their stuffed pizza does make for the stuff of legends.

4) Burt’s Place

• Established: Re-opened 2017
• Signature dish: Pan pizza

After a break for a year and a half, Burt’s reopened its doors to their longtime fans in 2017.

The pizzeria is famous for its deep-dish pies that boast a signature caramelized crust. Burt’s pizza is almost identical to what Pequod’s serve, but they have a secret sauce that makes it even tastier.

5) Middle Brow Bungalow

• Established: 2020
• Signature dish: Specialty Pizzas

It’s a new generation pizza spot that fired up its oven in January 2020, but has already attained a reputation close to generations-old names in the pizza scene.

Middle Brow Bungalow is a brewpub where you can get the best pizza the city can offer and some beer to go with it.

6) Dante’s Pizzeria

• Established: 2011
• Signature dish: NY style pizza

This pizza spot has a name that’s inspired by The Divine Comedy itself, cannot deliver anything less than epic. So Dante’s Pizzeria has a lot at stake.

And boy they deliver.

The pizzeria is famous for its New York-style pies with toppings like shrimp, prosciutto, jalapeños, pineapple, and pepperoni. The crouton-crunchy crust puffed with lightly browned air pockets is just perfect.

Use the Slice app, get it delivered to your doorstep, and try one for yourself.

7) Marie's Pizza & Liquors

• Established: 1940
• Signature dish: Tavern-style pizza

If you think Chicago’s pizza scene is centred around deep-dish alone, then you are wrong. It’s broader and more complex than that.

Contrary to popular belief, most locals dig the tavern-style pizza. And Marie’s thin crust pizza is popular among people on the Northwest side.

If you love to taste thin crust pizza topped with Italian beef, shrimp, anchovy, or pepperoncini, do go straight on to Marie’s.

8) Pequod’s

• Established: 1992
• Signature dish: Pan-style pizza with a “caramelized crust”

It is love at first bite.

Pequod’s is famous for its pan-style pies, loaded with sausage, spinach, ground beef, and giardiniera. What sets Pequod’s apart is its “caramelized” crust, which takes the classic taste of deep-dish to new levels.

9) Papa Joe’s

• Established: 1969
• Signature dish: Pan-style pizza

Voted #1 in the Northwest Area, Papa Joe’s took home the award for thin crust and Chicago style pan pizza.

It is famous for its authentic Italian fresh homemade pizza.

Established in 1969, Papa Joe’s is a family-owned pizzeria that has passed down through generations. Made with fresh dough, signature homemade Italian sausage and 3 blends of mozzarella cheese, their pizza is always on point.

Use the Slice app to order fresh pizza from Papa Joe’s at the best prices and get it delivered to your home steps.

10) Pete's Pizza

• Established: 1950s
• Signature dish: Thin crust pizza

Pete’s pizza is one of the finest pizzerias serving the incredible pizza.

With a history going back to the 1950s, Pete’s pizzeria follows cooking traditions brought back from Italy.

From fresh dough to all-natural real-milk cheeses, every ingredient that goes into making the pizza is carefully chosen.

You can enjoy Pete’s famous thin-crust pizza by ordering it through Slice.

Pizza is a mighty part of the American life and culture. On its way to global dominance, pizza still brings the local community together in these unique times. And you can always check Slice for the best price options and discounts for your pizza.