13 Pizza Places In Chicago, Illinois That Locals Are Passionate About
Chicago takes pizza seriously. From legendary deep-dish to crispy tavern-style thin crust, the Windy City offers pizza experiences that spark heated debates among locals about which spot truly deserves the crown.
Beyond the tourist favorites, Chicago neighborhoods hide authentic pizzerias where generations of families have perfected their craft, creating loyal followings and pizza pilgrimages across town.
1. Pequod’s Pizza: The Caramelized Crust Champion
Located in Lincoln Park, Pequod’s has achieved cult status for its signature caramelized cheese crust that forms a blackened, crispy “halo” around each pan pizza.
The deep interior remains perfectly chewy while the outer ring provides a sweet, charred crunch unlike any other pizza in the city.
Locals willingly endure weekend waits that can stretch over an hour just for a taste of this distinctive style.
2. Vito & Nick’s: South Side Thin Crust Legacy
Family-owned since 1946, Vito & Nick’s serves the quintessential Chicago tavern-style pizza – cut into squares, not triangles, thank you very much.
The cracker-thin crust somehow supports generous toppings without sagging, a feat that’s earned this Ashburn institution fierce loyalty.
Cash only and no delivery policy haven’t deterred generations of Chicagoans from making the pilgrimage to this no-frills South Side landmark.
3. Spacca Napoli: Ravenswood’s Authentic Neapolitan Haven
Owner Jonathan Goldsmith trained in Naples before opening this shrine to authentic Neapolitan pizza in 2006. The centerpiece wood-burning oven, imported from Italy, creates the perfect 900-degree environment for 90-second pizza magic.
I remember bringing my Italian grandfather here – he took one bite and went silent before declaring, “This tastes like home.” The perfectly blistered crust with its signature leopard spots keeps pizza purists coming back.
4. Piece Brewery & Pizzeria: New Haven Style Meets Craft Beer
Piece brings Connecticut-style pizza to Wicker Park, featuring a thin, oblong crust with charred edges and minimal toppings.
The red pizza comes with tomato sauce and mozzarella; the sauce-only option here is the Tomato Pie (no mozzarella), while the white pizza features garlic and olive oil, and the traditional mozzarella version satisfies cheese lovers.
What sets Piece apart is their award-winning brewery operation. The combination of house-brewed beer and distinctive pizzas creates a lively atmosphere that’s packed most evenings.
5. Pat’s Pizza: The Unassuming Lincoln Park Institution
Since 1950, Pat’s has been serving their distinctive thin-crust pizza from a humble storefront that time seems to have forgotten.
The dough, made fresh daily, achieves the perfect balance – thin enough to be crispy yet substantial enough to hold generous toppings.
When I was growing up, my dad would bring home Pat’s every Friday night, the box grease-stained and aromatic.
Their sausage, made in-house with a secret spice blend, remains the stuff of Chicago legend.
6. Coalfire: West Town’s Coal-Oven Revolution
Coalfire introduced Chicago to coal-fired pizza when it opened in 2007, creating pies unlike anything else in the city. The coal-fired oven produces a distinctively charred and blistered crust with a slight smokiness.
Their signature Margherita showcases the perfect balance of fresh mozzarella, basil, and that uniquely smoky crust.
The small West Town location often has lines out the door, prompting the owners to open a second Lakeview spot that maintains the same exacting standards.
7. Bonci: Roman-Style Pizza Revolution in West Loop
Gabriele Bonci, Rome’s famous “Michelangelo of Pizza,” brought his scissor-cut, rectangular pizza al taglio to Chicago in 2017.
Each slab is sold by weight and features inventive topping combinations that change daily. The focaccia-like crust achieves the impossible – airy and light yet substantial and crisp.
My first visit, I watched in awe as the counter staff wielded large scissors, cutting precisely the amount I wanted, from prosciutto-fig to potato-rosemary combinations I’d never imagined on pizza.
8. Paulie Gee’s Logan Square: Hipster Haven for Wood-Fired Creations
Brooklyn transplant Paulie Gee’s brought artisanal wood-fired pizzas to Logan Square, quickly becoming a neighborhood fixture.
Their creative combinations go beyond traditional toppings – think hot honey drizzles, housemade sausage, and unexpected ingredient pairings.
The Logan Squares section of their menu features Detroit-style square pies with crisp, frico-like edges (not tavern-style thin crust).
The restaurant’s vintage aesthetic, complete with reclaimed wood and ambient lighting, perfectly matches their approach to pizza: respectful of tradition while unafraid to innovate.
9. Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co.: Streeterville’s Waterfront Gem
Robert’s claims to have created “Chicago’s perfect crust” after years of experimentation, and many locals agree. The dough undergoes a 48-hour fermentation process, creating exceptional flavor and texture in their thin-crust creations.
Their Ogden Slip location offers stunning river views while you enjoy inventive options like the Duck Prosciutto or Mushroom Umami pies.
I stumbled upon Robert’s during a lakefront bike ride and found myself returning weekly for what became an obsession with their fennel-specked sausage pizza.
10. Jimmy’s Pizza Café: New York Slices with Chicago Heart
Jimmy’s brings authentic New York-style pizza to Chicago, complete with foldable slices and a water filtration system that mimics NYC tap water.
The massive slices feature the perfect ratio of tangy sauce to cheese, with a crust that achieves the magical balance of crisp exterior and chewy interior.
Their Sicilian square slices have developed their own following, thick yet light with crispy bottoms. Weekend mornings often see lines forming before they open, with devotees willing to wait for their pizza fix.
11. Bartoli’s Pizzeria: The Neighborhood Favorite Doing Double Duty
Bartoli’s accomplishes something rare in Chicago pizza circles – excellence in both deep dish and tavern-thin styles. Founded by the grandson of the original Gino’s East founder, pizza heritage runs deep here.
Their deep dish features a buttery crust that stays sturdy rather than soggy. The tavern-thin, meanwhile, achieves the perfect crisp-yet-foldable texture that neighborhood pizza should have.
Their spinach-garlic-basil pizza converts even the most dedicated meat lovers.
12. Candlelite: Rogers Park’s Retro Pizza Paradise
The neon sign has guided pizza lovers to this Rogers Park institution since 1950. Candlelite specializes in tavern-style thin crust with a distinctive sweetness to the sauce that sets it apart from competitors.
The retro interior feels frozen in time, with wood paneling and vintage booths adding to the charm.
Growing up nearby, my family celebrated every little league victory here – win or lose, actually. Their sausage and giardiniera pizza represents Chicago in perfect harmony.
13. Lou Malnati’s: Deep Dish Royalty
No Chicago pizza list would be complete without Lou Malnati’s, the deep dish institution that locals actually frequent (unlike some tourist spots).
Their butter crust provides the distinctive flaky foundation that separates great deep dish from merely good. The sausage option features a singular patty covering the entire pizza rather than crumbled pieces.
While tourists line up at the Michigan Avenue location, locals know the Lincoln Square spot offers the same quality with shorter waits and neighborhood vibes.