[tonyptony]

"Deep dish" and "pizza" don't go along, in my humble opinion.  It's thin crust or no crust. 

It's okay if you want an American version of Sicily's mistaken impression of a pizza. Although in parts of Naples you can find squarish, thicker crust versions of pizza along with the real thing. But in the Boot "thick" crust is still thinner than most of the monstrosities that are called "thin crust pizza" here. Take the deep dish for what it is - a Midwestern specialty that's good in its own right. 

[mcullinan]

yum pizza! NY pizza is much better though! just repzentin yo

[John151]

Take into consdieration the location and the ambience.  I really enjoy Pizzaria Uno and Due - they provide a very unique experience, and aren't too far out of the way.  I also prefer their pizza over all others, but everyone has their own favorite. 

Word of caution:  The sausage on a Gino's deep dish is basically one giant saugage pattyl  Make sure everyone partaking is a meat lover before ordering this.   

On the topic of thick vs thin, I used to be a deep dish fanatic, but as I age I find I really enjoy a good "Margherita pizza", but good ones are really hard to find. 

Regarding NY style pizza:   

Regarding catsup/ketchup on hot dogs:   

[ctviggen]

It's okay if you want an American version of Sicily's mistaken impression of a pizza. Although in parts of Naples you can find squarish, thicker crust versions of pizza along with the real thing. But in the Boot "thick" crust is still thinner than most of the monstrosities that are called "thin crust pizza" here. Take the deep dish for what it is - a Midwestern specialty that's good in its own right. 

If I was going to Chicago, I'd probably partake in some deep dish.  I used to love deep dish pizza, but after being around thin crusts for a while, I would never actually frequent a deep dish pizza place. 

But the best pizzas are a combination of crust, sauce, and toppings (and cheese, if such pizzas have cheese).  Homemade for all of these is good, save cheese, and then good cheese is good.  Sadly, since I've consistently been on low carb this year, I've only had one small pizza (Pizza Puttanesca, with very thin crust and no cheese).   

[lonewolfny42]

Russell....

I'd try them all....


And don't forget....beer goes good with pizza.... 

http://www.classiccitybrew.com/chicago.html

[evan1]

yum pizza! NY pizza is much better though! just repzentin yo

And we know who has the best pizza in NY

http://www.bing.com/local/details.aspx?lid=YN630x10984116&qt=yp&what=trios+pizza&where=New+York%2c+New+York&s_cid=ansPhBkYp02&mkt=en-us&q=trios+pizza


Who dat man in the chair

[art]

Take the deep dish for what it is - a Midwestern specialty that's good in its own right. 

Yes, just don't call it "pizza". Still, I would eat it.

If I could. At this point, I think I would eat any pizza that did not contain the dreaded dairy product.

Of course, back where our ancestors came from, mozzarella was made from water buffalo milk. Now I know why we have so many cheeses (in Italy) made from milk other than cow's milk.

We can't eat it after we turn 50 or so!

Pat

[tonyptony]

Yes, just don't call it "pizza". Still, I would eat it.

Truth be told my sister-in-law lives in the Chicagoland area and I've had her homemade deep dish (I don't add the word pizza after it) when visiting. It really is quite good. It doesn't hurt that she's a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

As for the buffalo milk mozzarella, I could not agree more. There are still places at least on the East Coast where you can find pizza made with the real thing. But even so there should only be enough on it to hint that there is any kind of dairy product sitting on the sauce.

[art]

When you make your first million, you can fly me up there, to try some!

You know I will never make a million........

Pat

[Jason T]

I also put ketchup on my hot dogs

My wife's family all put sour cream on their hot dogs and sometimes chopped tomato/onion. I thought it was gross til I tried it, now my kids won't eat their hot dogs without sour cream lol. Cami says its a Mexican thing...

[gonefishin]

Gluten is what makes dough be able to rise and to be thin and yet pliable and strong.  It's unlikely that one could form a pizza crust without some gluten.  That is, a typical pizza crust.  People on low carb diets (like me) tend to forego pizza crust in favor of something else (e.g., low carb torillas), but it's not really pizza at that point; it's some impostor.

   Lou Malnati's has a Celiac pizza.  While it's not made with a crust, it is supposed to be tasty (I think they use a sausage crust).  Chicago actually has a decent number of Ceiliac friendly spots.

   dan

[Russell Dawkins]

Well... we all were blown away by Chicago!

Once we got there and looked around, pizza slipped to a much lower point on our priority list.

What an amazing city! The people were friendly and genuine, the food was great and reasonably priced. We stayed right downtown at the Palmer House Hotel which really felt like traveling back 30 years.

The first night we went out to the Jazz Showcase club to hear the DePaul Big Band with Ira Sullivan who had actually played with Charlie "Bird" Parker. I was concerned that it might be too loud for my wife's 85 year old mother, but she genuinely enjoyed it and wanted to stay until closing time. She is a skilled pianist (took from the same piano teacher as Glen Gould, and at the same time!) and this was her first big band experience in a very long time.

The next day we heard the Chicago Symphony play Mahler's 5th which was amazing in a number of ways. The trumpet in particular stood out for me as the most beautiful trumpet sound I have ever heard. The playing of so many of the musicians was so first rate that it wouldn't be right to single them out, except to say that even the bass drum playing was noteworthy! A very fine experience, extending even to the quality of the acoustics in the Symphony Hall.
My son, following along with a small copy of the conductor's score, was suitably inspired by the 7 french horns.

I was amazed at the architecture and really impressed at the vision of whomever was responsible for preserving those beautiful old buildings at the north end of the Magnificent Mile (no exaggeration at all) and setting those equally worthy high rises and sky scrapers around them. That all this should also be steps away from that fittingly huge beach park by Lake Shore Drive just adds more to the impression. We will be back with more time to spend.

We simply had no idea what we were missing; Chicago is a great city and cannot be seen at all in two days!.

We took two days to drive there and two to drive back via Sarnia and Lansing and the north shore of Lake Erie both ways. 5 hour flight and we were home.

6 days to remember!

Thanks to all for the tips, and now I have some idea why ex Chicagoans miss it.

[TheChairGuy]

Cool, Russell

I've stayed at the Palmer House many times....it's doesn't have the finest rooms at all (even after what seems like continuous renovations over the past 20 years), but that fresco'ed ceiling is nearly like being in the Sistine Chapel....or in some power Caliphate's old home.

Those of you not aware of this amazing ceiling:


So glad you enjoyed Chicago...it's simply an amazing place (despite the lousy weather - both icky summers and freezing winters) and among the most overlooked grand cities of the world to me (not that I've traveled them all )

I'll be there this Tuesday and Wednesday myself on biz

John

[Russell Dawkins]

Here are a couple of the photos I took showing the old against the new:


(showing part of "The Bean")

[pardales]

Love Chicago.....big city offerings with midwest charm. Glad you had a good time.....yes, much more than pizza!

[weirdo]

Ria's  and .... practically any neighborhood pizza joint. They don't stayin business in Chicago unless they have good pizza. I moved from Chicago  approximately 30 years ago and it has been that long since I had good pizza.

[Scott F.]

Hi Russell,

Yep, Chicago is a blast. So much to do. I'm glad we live just a few hours south (about 5 hours down in St Louis).

If you are looking for a unique 'get away' experience in Chicago, try one of the many theme hotels in town. On many occasion my wife and I go up for a long weekend and catch a play or a musical down in the Theater District.



The Burnham

Right across the plaza from The Oriental (Ford Theater) is the Burnham hotel. It's an old insurance building that was converted to a hotel. The rooms are plush (but small), there is a trendy restaurant in the lobby. It's a little on the pricey side but I think you can do a Priceline and get it cheaper. It's walking distance from many of the theaters and a quick CTA transfer from the Magnificent Mile.

Even during the cold months Chicago can be loads of fun to visit. On occasion we head up just after Thanksgiving when the Festival of Lights is going on and do some Christmas shopping Downtown. With all the lights glowing, the sidewalks crowded with holiday shoppers, the window displays and a chill in the air, it's actually quite fun. It really gets you in the holiday mood.

Glad you hear you enjoyed yourself 

[decal]

Wow,that Pizza Hut place is the BOMB!!!!!!!   

[jeanlerye]

There are a lot more pizza to explore in different side of the world. I also believe that there is really a good pizza and probably the best pizza in Chicago, aside from its wonderful view. I am expecting too mush regardless of their special products, like pizza as we mentioned and I know people would be absolutely proud of its amazing taste.