What is Chicago's Finest Dish?

Photo byCraveDFW

When it comes to defining Chicago's quintessential dish, one word rises above the windy fray: deep-dish pizza. This isn't just any pizza; it's a culinary marvel, a cheesy fortress, and a gooey, delicious paradox that defies the laws of pizza physics. In Chicago, deep-dish pizza is not just a meal—it's an event, a celebration, and a statement that says, "Why settle for thin when you can have a pizza that’s got some serious depth?"

Imagine this: you walk into a Chicago pizzeria, the air thick with the tantalizing scent of baking dough and simmering tomato sauce. The waiter brings over a deep-dish pizza, and it’s like a glorious cheese and sauce mountain, calling you to scale its heights. The crust is buttery and flaky, the cheese stretches for miles, and the toppings are buried in a sea of rich tomato sauce like buried treasure. One slice and you’re done—hooked, captivated, a deep-dish devotee for life.

Giordano'sPhoto byCraveDFW

Cutting into a deep-dish pizza is an adventure in itself. You wield your fork and knife with the precision of a surgeon, knowing that each layer—crust, cheese, toppings, sauce—deserves its moment in the spotlight. As you take your first bite, the flavors meld together in a symphony of cheesy, saucy goodness that could make a grown person weep tears of joy. It's like a pizza, but also a lasagna, and somehow, it's the best of both worlds.

Where should you embark on this deep-dish journey in Chicago? Here are five of the best spots to dive into this cheesy wonder:

Lou Malnati’s The crust here is legendary, buttery perfection. Just one bite, and you’ll be saying “Lou who?” with a mouth full of pizza.

Giordano’s Known for their stuffed pizza, Giordano’s takes deep-dish to new, cheesy heights. Bring your appetite and maybe some stretchy pants.

Pequod’s Pizza Famous for their caramelized crust, Pequod’s deep-dish will have you coming back for seconds and thirds. It’s that good.

Gino’s East A Chicago classic, Gino’s East serves up deep-dish with a crust that’s worth writing home about. Or at least texting a few friends.

Art of Pizza Voted best deep-dish by the locals, Art of Pizza’s version is a masterpiece. Your taste buds will be clapping in applause.

Next time you find yourself in the Windy City, don’t just grab any old slice—dive into a deep-dish pizza adventure. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll leave with a full belly and a heart full of deep-dish love.