3 Illinois Deep Dish Places That Aren’t Worth The Calories & 3 That Are
Chicago’s deep dish pizza scene is legendary, but not all pies are created equal.
I’ve spent years navigating the cheesy landscape of Illinois pizza joints, sampling everything from tourist traps to hidden gems.
My waistline has taken quite the hit during this delicious research, but I’m ready to share what I’ve learned.
Let’s cut through the hype and discover which deep dish destinations deserve your calorie splurge and which ones should be skipped.
1. Giordano’s: The Tourist Trap That Falls Flat
My first deep dish experience in Chicago was at Giordano’s, and boy, was I disappointed! The pizza arrived looking Instagram-worthy, but the taste didn’t match the presentation. Their sauce lacks that tangy punch that makes great deep dish sing, and the crust often feels doughy rather than flaky.
Waiting nearly an hour for mediocre pizza while surrounded by selfie-taking tourists isn’t my idea of an authentic Chicago experience. The cheese pull might be impressive, but it’s all show and no substance.
Skip this overpriced chain and save those precious calories for somewhere that puts flavor before fame. Trust me, your taste buds (and wallet) will thank you later.
2. Connie’s Pizza: All Hype, No Heart
Remember that time I drove across town because a friend swore Connie’s was “life-changing”? What a letdown! Despite its long-standing reputation, Connie’s delivers a surprisingly bland deep dish experience that left me checking my taste buds.
The sauce tastes suspiciously like it came from a can, and the cheese-to-topping ratio is wildly off-balance. You’ll find yourself digging through mountains of mozzarella just to find evidence of those pepperoni slices you paid extra for.
The atmosphere feels corporate and soulless – a far cry from the family pizzeria vibe they market. When you’re spending big bucks on Chicago’s signature dish, you deserve better than this forgettable, assembly-line pizza.
3. Lou Malnati’s: Living Off Its Legacy
Lou Malnati’s was once the king of Chicago deep dish, but the crown has definitely slipped. Last summer, I revisited their flagship location and couldn’t believe how far the mighty had fallen! The famous butter crust now tastes mass-produced, often arriving either burnt or undercooked with no in-between.
Service has become assembly-line efficient but soulless, with staff reciting pizza facts like bored tour guides. The sauce, once vibrant and chunky, now tastes processed and one-dimensional.
The prices keep climbing while the quality keeps dropping – a classic case of a business coasting on reputation rather than results. I’m not saying it’s terrible pizza, just that it’s no longer worth fighting through crowds of tourists for a mediocre experience.
4. Pequod’s Pizza: Caramelized Crust Heaven
Holy moly, that caramelized crust at Pequod’s changed my entire perspective on deep dish! The first time I bit into their signature blackened edge, I actually closed my eyes and made an embarrassing noise that had my dinner companions staring.
Unlike the tourist spots downtown, this Lincoln Park gem attracts a mix of locals and in-the-know visitors. The sauce has a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, while the cheese is applied with a masterful hand – generous but never overwhelming.
The restaurant itself feels like old Chicago, with dark wood and sports memorabilia creating an atmosphere that’s authentic without trying too hard. Every bite delivers that perfect textural contrast between crispy edge and chewy center that makes deep dish magical.
5. Art of Pizza: The Slice Shop Sensation
Stumbling into Art of Pizza after a Cubs game changed my deep dish destiny forever! Unlike most places that force you to commit to an entire pie, this Lakeview legend offers deep dish by the slice – perfect for trying multiple varieties without needing a team of hungry friends.
Their spinach deep dish deserves its own fan club, with a creamy layer of spinach that somehow stays bright and fresh beneath that molten cheese blanket. The sauce has a garlicky kick that wakes up your taste buds, while the crust achieves that mythical balance between substantial and airy.
No pretension here – just fluorescent lighting, counter service, and some of the best pizza in Illinois. Pro tip: their pan pizza (a slightly thinner cousin to deep dish) is equally magnificent and doesn’t require a post-meal nap.
6. Bartoli’s Pizzeria: The Neighborhood Gem Worth Finding
When my Chicago-native friend dragged me to this unassuming storefront in Roscoe Village, I was skeptical. Could a place with zero lines and no national press coverage really compete with the big names? The answer is a resounding YES!
Bartoli’s creates deep dish that feels lovingly handcrafted rather than mass-produced. Their sausage pizza features housemade fennel sausage spread across the entire pie instead of those sad pre-formed pellets other places use.
The sauce has a fresh-from-the-garden brightness that cuts through the richness, while the crust achieves that perfect flaky-yet-substantial texture. The dining room might lack Instagram appeal, but the warm family atmosphere and genuinely friendly service make this place feel like the neighborhood pizzeria of your dreams.