A major name in deep dish pizza just opened a Raleigh location (+ another is on the way)

Chicago-style, the double-decker bus of the pizza world, is growing in Raleigh.

A popular national brand of the controversial pizza is expanding in the Triangle with a pair of Wake County locations.

Rosati’s Authentic Chicago Pizza has two new restaurants on the way , one in Raleigh and another in Apex . The Raleigh location held its grand opening Monday, Oct. 21 at 6615 Falls Of Nuese Road, Suite 101 in the Falls Village shopping center. The Apex location at 76 Hunter St., Suite 104, is expected to open next month.

These new restaurants are unaffiliated with the full service Rosati’s in Morrisville , which has been in business since 2010. Both Rosati’s brands originate from the same Chicago-style pizza company founded in 1964, but that company split into two models.

The new Triangle Rosati’s are owned by brother and sister Nnamdi Kp aduwa, who just opened the Raleigh location, and Iruka Iwuagwu, who will open the Apex restaurant.

The two restaurants are takeout and delivery only , Kp aduwa said.

Chicago-style deep dish in Raleigh

In the pizza universe, Chicago-style stands alone. Known for its deep dish crust and towering layers of toppings and sauce, Chicago-style can be polarizing. Often requiring a knife and fork to eat, the style is an enormous departure from the floppy, foldy hand-tossed and thin-crust pies the proliferate the rest of the pizza space.

But Chicago-style lovers are out there, and Kpaduwa said a Rosati’s fan was at the door when the location opened Monday morning.

To those still working through their deep dish bias, Kpaduwa makes the case by pointing out the glue that holds all pizza together — the cheese.

“It’s cheesy, it’s the cheesiest pizza you’ll ever have in your life,” he said. “It’s an experience, really.”

Rosati’s Authentic Chicago Pizza menu

Before owning the Raleigh Rosati’s, Kpaduwa grew up in a McDonald’s family, working for his father who owned multiple golden arched franchises. Kpaduwa said he first started working at 15 and has worked as a general manager in locations from Fairbanks, Alaska to Raleigh.

Beyond the deep dish, the new Rosati’s also serves thin crust pies , pastas and wings .

While a knife and fork is traditional for deep dish pizza, Kpaduwa says hand-held eating can be done if you prefer.

“You can eat it with your hands, the knife and fork is more for the cheese pull,” he said. “We load the pizzas up.”

The new Raleigh Rosati’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for delivery and pickup.

13 of our favorite pizza places in the Triangle that go beyond the traditional pie

A beloved Triangle bakery could open a new cafe in downtown Apex