The Joys of Living Near Chicago, The Greatest City in the World

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
11/05/2013 at 15:45 • Filed to: Keep Oppo Hungry, Foodlopnik, Chicago, Deep Dish, Uno's, Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, OppositeLock

For those of us lucky enough to experience all three, which Chicago Pizza deep dish is your favorite?

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And also, there is Portillo's which is a whole other food coma...

DISCUSSION (61)

pdx107 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 15:50

Only ever been to Uno's on that list, however I felt that pizza at the Exchequer was far superior.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > pdx107
11/05/2013 at 15:52

Never been, but I am definitely going to check it out.

And I would definitely recommend Lou's.

Cajun Ginger > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 15:54

All I have to say is thank you for not putting Giordanos on that list.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 15:55

Boo to the vote for Uno's! Boo!

Gino's for life!

ddavidn > Cajun Ginger
11/05/2013 at 15:56

Fun times. That's the only pizza I've had in Chicago...

Gasolinelollipop > Cajun Ginger
11/05/2013 at 15:58

Whats wrong with Giordanos?

conrader > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:02

I've only ever been to Giordano's, but I loved it. So much.

lone_liberal > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:04

I liked quite a few places in Chicago but I think Gino's crust wins it for them. I haven't been to Chicago since the mid-80s so things could have changed.

Cajun Ginger > Gasolinelollipop
11/05/2013 at 16:04

Every time I've had it the crust has been raw.

Gasolinelollipop > Cajun Ginger
11/05/2013 at 16:06

I've been to the one downtown and was always happy with the quality. Its also been 8 years since I've had Chicago deep dish pizza.

Cajun Ginger > Gasolinelollipop
11/05/2013 at 16:08

I used to get pizza from the Evanston one. Don't get me wrong I still ate it because free since I wasn't the one paying for it.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Cajun Ginger
11/05/2013 at 16:11

I should specify that these are the three firms in Chicago to lay claim to the title of who created the Deep Dish Pizza.

PatBateman > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:14

Screw the pizza (although it's good)! Gene & Georgetti or GTFO.

I suffered from an incredibly delightful food coma there last year.

maximillious > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:16

I didnt have Lou's until long after Gino's Uno's and Gior's and it kicks all their asses so hard. I am so happy to see it is in the lead!

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > maximillious
11/05/2013 at 16:19

I never liked Tomatoes as a kid, and then I had Lou's.

If there is such a thing as crack infused Tomatoes, Lou's is responsible.

maximillious > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:20

Dude I am right there with you. I dont know if you had their pesto pizza but I grew up an Atheist and after that I believe in all the gods.

Deputy Kovacs > PatBateman
11/05/2013 at 16:22

C'mon Pat, we all know there's better food in my city.

Try Japonais or Sunda if you're the sushi loving investment banker to be, like myself. If you enjoy dumping bodies in the Skokie Lagoons, try Chicago Cut.

Oh, and Lou's has the best pizza on the north shore, hands down.

Deputy Kovacs > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:23

Where in the Chicago area are you from Fractal?

Dr Emilio Lizardo > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:23

Of those three, Lou Malnati's. Especially if you are talking about a franchised outlet of Gino's East or one of the unholy obscenities that is Uno's Chicago Grill instead of the original of either of those. Malnati's is pretty consistent from store to store. Malnati's can sometimes be a little soggy or greasy, especially if you take it out instead of eating there, but the disk of sausage you get is very good if you like sausage. Some people find it too heavy, but they are wrong.

I would recommend you try Pequod's. Some people don't like the caramelized crust, but again, they are wrong. Pizano's also has very good crust, but the sausage is not as good at either as at Malnati's and this is Chicago, so sausage is important. Now, if I can get someone to put Malnati's sausage in Pizano's crust then I will have found my new lord and master. But I think the grease from Malnati's sausage may be what affects the crust so that may not be possible.

desertdog5051 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:25

The place closest to any Blues bar.

pdx107 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:26

I was in town 2 and a half years ago and it was one of the few things I could find open in the loop after going to the Chicago Fire/Timbers match.

Dr Emilio Lizardo > Cajun Ginger
11/05/2013 at 16:26

They vary tremendously from store to store. Which one do you frequent? I find Edwardo's to be better in general for stuffed pizza anyway.

PatBateman > Deputy Kovacs
11/05/2013 at 16:27

I do enjoy sushi... Hopefully, I'll send enough big deals to Nuveen next year and they will bring me up to Chicago for a "tour" of their facilities. Over a 3 day weekend.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Deputy Kovacs
11/05/2013 at 16:28

I hear Chicago Cut is amazing, but I'll probably have to get financing on my steak...

Deputy Kovacs > PatBateman
11/05/2013 at 16:29

You're an ibanker Pat? Going on a couple bond roadshows?

PatBateman > Deputy Kovacs
11/05/2013 at 16:31

Financial advisor (who has been at home all day due to some work getting done on my house, and who is going absolutely stir crazy right now). If all goes perfectly, I'll send them about $1B worth of short term muni bond business in the next 12 months. That's enough for a f*cking trip.

Deputy Kovacs > PatBateman
11/05/2013 at 16:35

Ha. I'm sure you could expense a three day weekend in just deal fees from that weekend. Maybe reschedule it to a ski trip in Vail.

PatBateman > Deputy Kovacs
11/05/2013 at 16:46

Funny story: last year, my wife and I took an early Saturday morning flight from Houston to Midway. As we checked into the Blackstone, we remembered that the restaurant in the hotel (Mercat, a Tapas eatery) was supposed to be good, so we went in for lunch. When we sat down, they told us about their tasting menu, which included your choice of one of two soups: a beer cheese soup, or a chorizo (spicy Central American sausage) based soup.

"I'll have the beer and cheese soup, please."

Waiter, in an extremely to-the-point-of-hamming-it-up Brazilian accent: "But sir, you must trrry the chorrrrrizo soup. You see, chorrrrrrizo is a wonderfully delectable sausage we have flown in from Southern Mexico..."

"No, I appreciate it, but I will have the beer and cheese soup, thanks."

"But sir, the chorrrrrizo is so wonderful, and if you have never had it..."

"Look, I know a lot of people from around here have never had it, but we're from Texas. I literally had chorizo in my breakfast taco this morning at the airport. But you know what I have NEVER had?"

"Yes sirrrr, beer and cheese soup it is."

Gamecat235 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:51

Former Chicagoan here. I don't see My Pi, so my first vote it thrown out.

I don't see Giordano's, but I suppose my preference with them over Lou Malnati's is more based on memories than actual pizza.

Ah fuck it, I'm still voting My Pi. Screw you poll, I vote how I want. Until I die, then I'll keep voting.

TVs_Frank > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:51

I'll be honest. I hate deep dish because the vast majority just wind up screwing it up and making tomato soup on a crust.

Erdnase > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 16:52

Any of the above. Damn, but deep dish is great! I need to head down to Chicago more often.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Gamecat235
11/05/2013 at 16:52

These are the three firms laying claim to the title of original deep dish pizza.

Gamecat235 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 17:01

Original? Pfffft. Uno's period. If age is your only criteria.

Giordano's has been around long enough to qualify for inclusion based on age. They are old enough to hold the office of president.

And hell, My Pi has been around forever as well.

I demand an inquiry, this election like all good Chicago election is rigged! I'll be contacting my ex-alderman!

Gamecat235 > TVs_Frank
11/05/2013 at 17:02

In Chicago? They screw this up? What?

TVs_Frank > Gamecat235
11/05/2013 at 17:04

In the periphery. Half-assing is a time honored tradition of the restaurant business.

Gamecat235 > TVs_Frank
11/05/2013 at 17:06

Ah... Yes. There are a couple of awesome places in the northern and southern suburbs that knock it out of the park, and a lot of places that simply do not get it. At least that was the case, and I imagine it continues to be so.

Dslay04 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 17:07

Lou Malnati's is amazing!

Dr Emilio Lizardo > desertdog5051
11/05/2013 at 17:32

That would be Lou Malnati's on south State street and Buddy Guy's Legends.

3 minute walk according to google maps.

Kailand09 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 17:39

I've often had all three. I don't understand why Uno's is on the list.

Also, while others want to see giordano's, I'm sorry it just simply isn't in the same league. You can just as well go to Rosati's or any other fairly decent pizza place for the same quality pizza.

Gino's is good, but really... Lou's has no competition to me. Deep dish or thin, it's far and above any other pizza I've ever had. Especially that crust.

I've also had some of the top New York pizzas. Not nearly as good, though I'm biased.

Celia the Vampire Slaying Vampire > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 18:10

Lou Malnati's must kill this competition.

cbell04 > Gamecat235
11/05/2013 at 18:18

Came here to say My Pi! Hands down

A Clockwork Burning Chrome > Gamecat235
11/05/2013 at 18:20

My Pi was a chain??

I had My Pi in Tulsa, OK. back in 1980, the only deep dish pizza I ever had.

It was heaven.

Gamecat235 > A Clockwork Burning Chrome
11/05/2013 at 18:22

It would appear so. But one with excellent quality control.

A Clockwork Burning Chrome > Gamecat235
11/05/2013 at 18:24

Indeed.

It was even better for breakfast the next day, lol.

Gamecat235 > cbell04
11/05/2013 at 18:24

I can't vote against them. Such great pizza.

cbell04 > Gamecat235
11/05/2013 at 18:30

I may have to throw my vote in for the lesser of the evils if that god awful Uno's gets any traction in this election!

A Clockwork Burning Chrome > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 18:34

To whoever chose to have Oppositelock follow me, thank you!

I've always loved this site.

Again, thank you.

Jon Ptolemy > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 19:18

I was under the impression (and may be wrong, I admit) that deep-dish pizza was a tourist lure and actual Chicagoans don't really eat it. Correction, anyone?

Reavyn > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 19:40

Totally eating Portillo's right now...

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Kailand09
11/05/2013 at 20:15

I put Uno's on the list because it claims to be the 'Original', but so do the other 2.

Kailand09 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 20:30

True, it is an original one. Though not best in my humble opinion.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Kailand09
11/05/2013 at 20:32

Agreed.

Jean Rhys Lives > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 21:17

My husband would be appalled that you don't have Giodarno's as a choice here, but he's English and doesn't know anything.

I voted for Lou Malnati's, but I never got to have Gino's, even though I lived on the South Side for two years.

Jean Rhys Lives > Gamecat235
11/05/2013 at 21:23

I had a Giordano's down the road from me, and I do have to say, it got me through some tough times in grad school.

Gamecat235 > A Clockwork Burning Chrome
11/05/2013 at 22:18

Was me. You're also an author here

A Clockwork Burning Chrome > Gamecat235
11/06/2013 at 03:45

DUDE!

Thank you so much.

Having always enjoyed the writing here, I'll have to bring my A-game.

I won't let you down.

quarterlifecrisis > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/06/2013 at 08:31

Used to be a couple hours away...I too am disappoint (not a typo) at the lack of Giordano's. I suppose Mal's will do in a pinch...but...not the same

Matt Hardigree > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/21/2013 at 13:17

Where's Nancy's in Lakeview?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Matt Hardigree
11/21/2013 at 13:25

These are the three that claim to be the "creators".

Also, I've never had Nancy's; is it worth checking out?

m > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/21/2013 at 20:30

I say yes. Give them a try. I pick them over Lou's most times. But they're all slightly different. I'll pick any of them depending on which style I'm craving and what's close.

LionelHutzAttorneyAtLaw > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/22/2013 at 22:08

Thanks for the post. Chicago is the greatest in my opinion.