best pizza in Chicago?

Russell Dawkins · « **on:** 15 May 2010, 11:03 pm »

In a couple of days we're making an insane family trip to Chicago to hear their orchestra play Mahler's 5th, for the benefit partly of our french horn playing, Mahler loving son. Insane partly because we are flying out from the Canadian west coast just to do this.

While we are there we would like to try some of this famed Chicago style pizza, but trying to find the ideal pizza place by Googling the subject brings a confusing set of results - extremely contradictory, with reviews apparently from the competition mixed in with real reviews.

My wife is on a gluten-free diet, so somewhere that caters to this would be perfect!

All recommendations gratefully received.

thanks, Russell

cab · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 May 2010, 11:09 pm »

For deep dish, Lou Malnatis, Giordano's, or Gino's East are all awesome. For thin, Sally's is unbeatable....

Scott F. · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 May 2010, 12:00 am »

Here is a second vote for Giordano's. My wife and head up to Chicago (from St Louis) once or twice a year. Each trip we make a stop on the way back home and pick up a couple half baked Giordano's pizzas.

Good stuff

John Casler · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 May 2010, 12:12 am »

Quote from: cab on 15 May 2010, 11:09 pm

For deep dish, Lou Malnatis, Giordano's, or Gino's East are all awesome. For thin, Sally's is unbeatable....

I second the Gino's East CornCrust Spinich Pizza.

I don't even like pizza and I miss it. They used to have a couple locations here in LA and we went there weekly.

bregez · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 May 2010, 01:23 am »

Most tourists seem to like Pizza Uno, Pizza Duo, Malnati’s, and Giordano’s. These places have become chain restaurants in the area. Gino’s East in River north (633 N Wells St.) is interesting to go eat at and see all the graffiti on the walls. GQ magazine declared Great Lake Pizza on the north side (Edgewater) of having the best pizza in the nation. The pizza is good (not deepdish), but you almost have to certainly carryout as there is only seating for 14 in the restaurant. Gino’s North (Edgewater) is also a small place with good pizza. It is not affiliated with Gino’s East. My favorite is Bill’s Pizza in Mundelein (North suburb of Chicago). Both their thin crust and deep dish are hard to beat.

JDUBS · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 May 2010, 01:32 am »

When I lived in Chicago a few years back, Lou Malnati's was my favorite.

-Jim

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 May 2010, 04:42 am »

Giordano's for me, too

It's been a long time, tho...gave up dairy years ago (and hell has my life improved from that one - it was just poison in my particular system)

Deep dish gluten-free, Russell? Doubtful it can be done. Rice crust just don't taste anything like wheat (my wife is gluten-free and those frozen rice crust pizza's border on dreadful) and all corn is no longer a pizza...it's a tostada or something

Enjoy you're trip, tho..wonderful city, that Chicago.

John

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 May 2010, 05:02 am »

Thanks for all the tips.

I'm guessing good gluten-free is wishful thinking!

bregez · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 May 2010, 05:26 am »

I am not sure about the gluten free thing. All of the pizza places mentioned have websites so maybe more information can be found there. I live in Chicago walking distance to many of the places mentioned and went out for pizza tonight. I ended up going to CPK (California Pizza Kitchen). I am a native of Chicagoland and have eaten my quota of deep dish pizza. I now fancy thin crust. I also put ketchup on my hot dogs

. Enjoy your stay in Chicago, the weather is supposed to be good next week.

Eric · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 May 2010, 08:42 pm »

For Chicago stuffed find a place call Bacino's

http://www.bacinos.com/

Eric · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 May 2010, 08:43 pm »

Quote from: bregez on 16 May 2010, 05:26 am

. I also put ketchup on my hot dogs .

Blasphemy

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 May 2010, 08:50 pm »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 15 May 2010, 11:03 pm

In a couple of days we're making an insane family trip to Chicago to hear their orchestra play Mahler's 5th, for the benefit partly of our french horn playing, Mahler loving son. Insane partly because we are flying out from the Canadian west coast just to do this.

While we are there we would like to try some of this famed Chicago style pizza, but trying to find the ideal pizza place by Googling the subject brings a confusing set of results - extremely contradictory, with reviews apparently from the competition mixed in with real reviews.

My wife is on a gluten-free diet, so somewhere that caters to this would be perfect!

All recommendations gratefully received.

thanks, Russell

I was just there three weekends ago(Porcupine Tree concert) and had to have a slice of Giordano's deep dish!! That was my favorite. All the pizza joints listed are excellent, but stay away from Pizza Uno and Pizza Due. These are tourist traps and long lines. It's a great city!! Enjoy! I've been gone for a little more than a year and keep kicking myself for moving!! Check out Michigan Ave. One of the prettiest roadways in the world!!

ctviggen · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 May 2010, 09:00 pm »

Quote from: cab on 15 May 2010, 11:09 pm

For deep dish, Lou Malnatis, Giordano's, or Gino's East are all awesome. For thin, Sally's is unbeatable....

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

John Casler · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 May 2010, 09:00 pm »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 16 May 2010, 05:02 am

Thanks for all the tips.

I'm guessing good gluten-free is wishful thinking!

Corn does not actually contain Gluten and is considered safe for Gluten Free diets.

The Corn Crust of GINO's East might be OK (although I would check their website or call to make sure they don't add "both" wheat flour and corn flour)

All I know is it is addictive to my palate.

ctviggen · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 May 2010, 09:05 pm »

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.

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 May 2010, 09:15 pm »

If your anywhere near the Northwest suburbs( Buffalo Grove) you could order from Nino's Pizzeria & catering. 3 Time Winner "Best Pizza in the Suburbs"
They also deliver. 847-947-4111

Best Pizza, bar none

nature boy · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 May 2010, 09:58 pm »

When on click on AC these days, all I do is get hungry. Wish I was traveling to Chicago for pizza.

NB

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 May 2010, 11:51 pm »

Thanks again, all. I've just learned from a former Chicagoan that Frontera Grill is worth checking out, too.

nicksgem10s · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 May 2010, 01:22 am »

I have only been to Chicago once so I am a newbie but I am lucky to have a brother in law that went to Depaul University and stayed in Chicago after graduating.

He took us to his favorite pizza place in Lincoln Park called Pequod's Pizza.

http://www.pequodspizza.com/

We had incredible deep dish pizza and an excellent salad

. I would love to go back sometime soon.

It was worth every calorie. I am probably lucky that they do not have a location here in Southeast Michigan.

I would eat a lot more pizza if they did.

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 May 2010, 03:38 pm »

If you want authentic Italian pizza and a great outdoor venue check out Osteria Via Stato. I ate lunch there 3 weeks ago and it was awesome. They also have Peroni on tap!! Very good Bloody Mary as well. Great for people watching. Here's a link:

http://www.osteriaviastato.com/