9 Illinois Pizza Places That Locals Say Serve Deep Dish Worth Every Bite

Growing up in Chicago, I learned pretty quickly that pizza isn’t just dinner, it’s practically a way of life. And when it comes to deep dish, well, we take it more seriously than most people take their fantasy football leagues.

There’s nothing quite like plunging your fork into that golden, buttery crust, breaking through a wall of gooey, stretchy cheese, and finally hitting that tangy, rich tomato sauce on top. It’s indulgent, it’s messy, and it’s pure magic.

In Illinois, deep dish isn’t just food, it’s tradition, pride, and sometimes even bragging rights. Over the years, I’ve hunted down the best of the best, and these nine spots have truly earned their legendary status among locals who know that a real pizza experience should be unforgettable.

1. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

still remember my first Lou Malnati’s experience at age seven – that buttery crust completely changed my understanding of what pizza could be! Their signature crust has a distinctive butteriness that creates the perfect foundation for their vine-ripened tomato sauce.

Family-led Chicago institution founded in 1971, Lou’s doesn’t mess around with their recipe. The sausage layer covers the entire pizza like a meaty blanket rather than scattered chunks. My Chicago friends debate endlessly about the city’s best pizza, but Lou Malnati’s consistently tops local polls.

Their cheese pull is Instagram-worthy, but trust me, you’ll want to put down your phone and focus on enjoying every heavenly bite.

2. Giordano’s

Their cheese pull is Instagram-worthy, but trust me, you’ll want to put down your phone and focus on enjoying every heavenly bite.

3. Pequod’s Pizza

Holy caramelized crust, Batman! Pequod’s has ruined regular pizza for me forever with their signature blackened edge. The cheese that burns against the pan creates this sweet-savory ring around each pie that pizza aficionados travel miles to experience.

Located in Lincoln Park, this place looks like a dive bar that happens to serve life-changing pizza. The atmosphere is no-frills – just how locals like it. My brother-in-law swore he hated deep dish until I dragged him to Pequod’s last summer.

Now he dreams about that caramelized edge! Their slightly sweeter sauce balances perfectly with the charred cheese, creating flavor complexity that’s impossible to replicate at home.

4. Gino’s East

Graffiti covers nearly every surface at Gino’s East – a tradition they’ve embraced since opening in 1966. Today, the graffiti tradition is strongest at their downtown flagship location. Their distinctively golden crust (no cornmeal – the yellow color comes from food dye) sets them apart from other deep dish contenders.

Last Christmas, my entire family ordered their frozen pizzas when we couldn’t make it to Chicago. The sausage patty option deserves special mention – covering the entire base with a layer of perfectly seasoned meat.

While tourists flock to their downtown location, locals know the suburban spots often have shorter waits and identical quality. Their robust, chunky sauce has a distinctive spice blend I’ve tried (and failed) to replicate.

5. Pizzeria Uno

Goosebumps hit me every time I visit this historic spot where deep dish was supposedly invented in 1943. The original location on Ohio Street still serves the style they first made famous, though the claim that it was Ike Sewell alone who created it is debated.

The crust has a distinctive biscuit-like quality – slightly flaky yet sturdy enough to hold mountains of toppings. My grandpa used to tell stories about visiting Uno’s in the 1950s when lines wrapped around the block.

Today, despite having locations nationwide, pizza purists insist only the Chicago original delivers the authentic experience. Their sauce has remained remarkably consistent through decades – tangy, chunky, and never too sweet.

6. Bartoli’s Pizzeria

Family legacy runs deep at Bartoli’s – founder Brian Tondryk is the grandson of Fred Bartoli, one of Gino’s East original founders! After one bite of their perfectly balanced deep dish, I understood why pizza-making talent runs in their DNA.

Unlike many competitors, Bartoli’s doesn’t overwhelm with cheese. Their ratio of ingredients creates harmony rather than excess, making it possible to enjoy multiple slices without feeling like you’ve swallowed a brick.

The neighborhood vibe at their Roscoe Village location makes every visit feel like you’re in someone’s home kitchen. Their thin crust deserves honorable mention too – a controversial statement from a deep dish devotee like myself! Fresh basil scattered post-bake adds an aromatic element missing from many traditional recipes.

7. Louisa’s Pizza & Pasta

“Drive an hour for pizza? You’re crazy!” That’s what I told my cousin before she dragged me to this Crestwood gem. Now I’m the one convincing friends to make the pilgrimage! Louisa’s flies under the radar compared to famous city spots, but locals fiercely guard this secret.

The family-run operation makes everything from scratch daily – you can taste the difference in their slightly sweeter sauce and impossibly flaky crust. The dining room feels frozen in time with wood-paneled walls and red checkered tablecloths.

No frills, just phenomenal food. Their spinach deep dish converted my vegetable-hating nephew into a believer! Call ahead – their limited hours and loyal following mean they sometimes sell out.

8. Barone’s

The deep dish spot locals praise is Barone’s of Glen Ellyn (475 Pennsylvania Ave), established in 1971. My Italian grandmother gave this place her rare seal of approval – high praise indeed! Their deep dish features a distinctively spicy sauce that warms your soul.

The family recipe hasn’t changed since opening in 1972, and thank goodness for that. The tiny dining room holds maybe 30 people max, creating an intimate atmosphere where you’ll inevitably end up chatting with neighboring tables.

Last visit, I watched a couple on their first date go from awkward small talk to animated conversation once their pizza arrived – Barone’s bringing people together through cheese and dough!

9. Nancy’s Pizza

Nancy’s claims to have invented stuffed pizza back in 1971, sparking one of Chicago’s greatest food debates. The distinctive double-layer crust creates a fortress containing lakes of melted cheese and toppings. My first apartment was dangerously close to their Lakeview location.

My wallet suffered but my taste buds rejoiced! Their sauce deserves special recognition – chunky yet smooth with noticeable basil notes. Nancy’s has expanded throughout Illinois while maintaining quality control. The cheese-to-sauce ratio leans heavier on cheese than most competitors, making their pies particularly indulgent.

While deep dish purists might argue it’s a different category entirely, Nancy’s stuffed pizza represents Chicago innovation at its finest. Their spinach special with garlic remains my go-to order twenty years later.

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