I'm flying up to Chicago in September to catch the Amtrak to Salt Lake City before working a race at the track formerly know as Miller Motorsports. I've got a day and a half, and I want to see what true Chicago style pizza is like. Where is the best? And any recommendations of stuff that I should see while I'm there? Thanks!
That depends on what you consider "Chicago Style" pizza.
Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself said:That depends on what you consider "Chicago Style" pizza.
Shouldn't the people in Chicago know?
I'm 14 years old and it's the first week of April. It's still cold and rainy and a lingering Chicago late winter night and we're on the lakefront smelt fishing and we're catching nothing. They aren't running that night.
Connie's Pizza delivery truck is doing a slow cruise near Burham Harbor and stops and asks - you guys want to buy a pizza? Sure, whatcha got? We only have loaded pizzas left.
Almost 50 years later and I can still remember how great it was.....
Ok, what is true Chicago style? I had always seen the term referring to a deep dish style pizza with sauce on top. Is that correct? I'm looking at that 7" deep dish from Connie's as a Super, and I'm hungry already 😭
When you see our round pizza cut into squares, you'll understand.
In reply to Appleseed :
I've only got two days in town, so I need something a little less vague 
Tavern style. Thin crust, cut into squares, whatever toppings you like. If you can fold it, it's not a slice of pizza, it's a taco. Ask 50 people who live here, and you will get 50 different places to go. I'm born and raised in south suburbs, I like Beggars, Fox's, Giordano's, even Papa Joe's is ok. I don't go downtown much but Pequad's is good. Flo and Santos is also good. For something different, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder is fun. These are just my thoughts, everyone has their favorites
Ok, so what I'm beginning to see it that it's not just the deep dish that those of us not from the area think of as Chicago style, there are different variants that I need to look at as well. It looks like I may spend a couple of days trying different pizzas. I can think of worse things to do!
Ok, let me refine my question - is there a really good place that serves slices so that I can go and try several different versions of pizza and get experienced?
On the not-pizza front, if you're into old arcade games (like pac-man, etc) then you owe it to yourself to check out the Galloping Ghost Arcade. 885 classic arcade games, probably the largest arcade in the world, certainly one of the largest. 9415 Ogden Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513, https://www.gallopingghostarcade.com/ . $25 entry with free play of all games all day.
Deep dish is the classic Chicago pizza. I like Giordano's but know that they're a chain. My niece loved it, my kids loved it, and the adults enjoyed it too. I don't think they sell by the slice, and one or two slices will fill you up pretty well.
In reply to dculberson :
Oooo, that sounds fun! Definitely going to have to check that out. Thanks for the tip!
Ok, that's what I thought, but I don't want to be the dumbass tourist that doesn't listen to the locals. If there is something that I need to experience as part of Chicago, I want to check it out. You can plan some things, but always leave free time for the stuff that you find out about that you don't always see on the travel guides.
And as soon as I typed that, I realized I have to go check Man Vs. Food and Somebody Feed Phil to find out where they've been in Chicago
Deep dish pizza is just lasagna with extra ingredients.
In reply to Racebrick :
No Italian would ever, ever say that.
Don't get me wrong, my comment wasn't meant as a slight to anyone's opinion. We do eat deep dish a couple times a year, but just as something different. Yes, absolutely try several kinds while you're here. Just like NYC and else where, everyone has a favorite, some are chains, some are locally owned. It does always get me going when I travel somewhere and ask a local where the good pizza is and they tell me Pizza Hut up the street! It's like going to Olive Garden for authentic Italian! :D
Understand that deep dish is definitely Chicago style, but we save that for special occasions. Graduation, child birth, anniversaries. If you ate that every Friday, your heart would detonate within a year.
I'm partial to Nancy's deep dish myself.
In reply to Iusedtobefast :
When people ask me for a good restaurant in the Chicago area I usually tell them Applebee's has a decent burger......
Is it too late to suggest Detroit?
Yes, I didn't see that as an option to get on Amtrak lol I do want to hit up Detroit sometime, may do that on my trip to Road America next year.
I'm partial to Gino's East, I like the cornbread crust. However I get Lou Malnati's most of the time since its the closests. Get the buttercrust and well done. Pizza is kinda of a religious war in Chicago though. I don't care for the local thin crust. I'd honestly rather buy a national chain that does normal triangles. Meh. Just avoid Uno/Duo. They are pretty much tourist traps. I heard a lot of good things about Pequod's but I've never been. TBH most of the deep dish is pretty good wherever. I just think some of them are too crusty and taste like burnt bread.
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