10 Local Looking Deep Dish Slice Shops In Illinois You Might Want To Try
Deep dish pizza is an Illinois treasure that locals proudly defend and visitors eagerly seek out. These hefty pies, with their tall crusts, layers of cheese, and chunky toppings, represent more than just food they’re part of the state’s identity.
If you’re hunting for authentic deep dish pizza experiences that locals love, look no further than these ten standout pizzerias across Illinois.
1. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Chicago’s Deep Dish Royalty
Since 1971, Lou Malnati’s has been serving what many consider the ultimate Chicago-style pizza. Their buttery, flaky crust comes from a secret family recipe that’s been guarded for generations.
What makes Lou’s special is their exclusive sausage blend and vine-ripened California tomatoes. Each pizza is handmade from scratch, never frozen or mass-produced.
With multiple locations throughout Chicagoland, you’re never far from this iconic pizza experience. The Malnati Chicago Classic with sausage, extra cheese, and that signature buttercrust is their must-try pie that keeps locals coming back decade after decade.
2. Giordano’s Home of the Stuffed Pizza Legend
Family recipes brought from Turin, Italy gave birth to Giordano’s famous stuffed pizza in 1974. Their pies feature two crusts with generous fillings sandwiched between them, topped with that signature bright red sauce.
Waiting 45 minutes for your pizza might seem excessive until that first bite. The cheese pull from a Giordano’s slice has become Instagram-famous stretching impossibly high as servers place that first piece on your plate.
Though now expanded to multiple states, the Chicago locations maintain the authentic experience. First-timers should try the Special, loaded with sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions all tucked inside that famous double-crust construction.
3. Gino’s East Graffiti Walls and Golden Crusts
You’ll spot Gino’s East by the graffiti-covered walls where decades of diners have left their mark. This Chicago institution started in 1966 when two taxi drivers and a friend created their now-legendary cornmeal crust recipe.
The golden-yellow crust offers a sweet, crunchy contrast to the tangy tomatoes and gooey cheese. Their sausage patty covers the entire pizza base in a single layer a signature move that sausage lovers appreciate.
Though now a small chain, the original Superior Street location delivers the most authentic experience. Don’t leave without trying their Chicago Fire pizza, featuring spicy sausage and fire-roasted red peppers that create a perfect flavor balance with that distinctive cornmeal crust.
4. Bartoli’s Pizzeria The Newcomer Making Waves
Fred Bartoli’s grandson opened this Roscoe Village gem in 2013, bringing pizza-making heritage from his grandfather (Gino’s East co-founder). Bartoli’s stands out by offering both deep dish and thin crust pizzas that consistently earn top ratings.
Their deep dish features a caramelized cheese edge that crunchy, lacey border where cheese meets crust that pizza enthusiasts treasure. The sauce balances sweetness and acidity perfectly, with fresh herbs visible throughout.
Despite being relatively new, Bartoli’s has quickly earned neighborhood favorite status. The Funghi Supremo with roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions and truffle oil showcases their willingness to bring sophisticated flavors to traditional deep dish format.
5. Connie’s Pizza – A South Side Institution Since 1963
From a small Bridgeport food truck to a Chicago institution, Connie’s Pizza represents classic South Side pizza heritage. Their deep dish features a distinctive flaky, almost pastry-like crust that sets them apart from competitors.
Though they’ve expanded into frozen pizzas and multiple locations, their flagship restaurant on Archer Avenue delivers the authentic experience. The sauce leans slightly sweeter than most, with noticeable oregano and basil notes.
Generations of White Sox fans have made pre-game stops at Connie’s a tradition. Their Classic Chicago deep dish with its perfect ratio of crust-to-cheese-to-sauce proves that sometimes traditional execution trumps innovation when you’re already doing something right.
6. Aurelio’s Pizza – The South Suburban Pioneer
Before deep dish conquered Chicagoland, Joe Aurelio opened his first pizzeria in Homewood in 1959. Their “party cut” square slices of deep dish create perfect corner pieces with extra crust often the first to disappear from the table.
Aurelio’s sauce has a distinctive pepperiness that loyal fans can identify blindfolded. The slightly thinner deep dish style (compared to downtown competitors) allows for quicker cooking while maintaining that essential Chicago-style character.
Though now with locations across several states, the original Homewood restaurant remains a time capsule with wood-paneled walls and red checkered tablecloths. Try their signature “The Super Six” with six perfectly balanced toppings that’s remained unchanged for over 60 years.
7. Home Run Inn From Tavern to Chicago Empire
Named for a baseball that crashed through the window of the original tavern, Home Run Inn began serving pizza in 1947. Their distinctive deep dish features a buttery, almost shortbread-like crust with a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the gooey interior.
If you’ve had their frozen pizzas, the restaurant experience offers an entirely different level. The sauce has a bright, fresh tomato flavor that frozen versions can’t capture.
With nine locations across Chicagoland, the Little Village original on 31st Street provides the most authentic experience. Their sausage-mushroom combination showcases their perfectly seasoned house-made sausage that remains one of Chicago’s best kept pizza secrets.
8. Pequod’s Pizza Caramelized Crust Perfection
Pequod’s blackened caramelized crust might initially look burnt to newcomers, but this deliberate signature style creates a toasty, cheesy ring that pizza aficionados travel miles to experience. The Lincoln Park location buzzes with energy even on weeknights.
Unlike some competitors, Pequod’s places cheese directly on the dough, then toppings, then sauce creating that famous caramelized edge as cheese bakes against the high-sided pan. Their chunky tomato sauce offers more texture than most.
Despite appearing on countless “best pizza” lists, Pequod’s maintains its neighborhood joint atmosphere. The pan pizza with pepperoni and sausage showcases their perfect technique that crispy blackened edge giving way to a tender interior with distinct layers of flavor.
9. Art of Pizza – By-the-Slice Deep Dish Heaven
When deep dish cravings hit but you can’t commit to a whole pie, Art of Pizza on Ashland Avenue comes to the rescue. This Lakeview gem pioneered the concept of by-the-slice deep dish, allowing pizza lovers to sample different varieties without the typical 45-minute wait.
Their crust achieves the perfect balance substantial enough to hold generous toppings yet light enough to avoid the heaviness that sometimes plagues deep dish. The chunky tomato sauce features visible herbs and garlic pieces.
Don’t let the casual counter-service setup fool you their pizza regularly wins citywide competitions. The spinach-mushroom-garlic slice demonstrates how vegetarian options can shine in deep dish format when executed with this level of care.
10. D’Agostino’s Pizzeria Neighborhood Favorite Since 1968
While tourists flock downtown, Chicagoans in the know head to neighborhood spots like D’Agostino’s in Wrigleyville. This family-owned pizzeria balances old-school tradition with just enough modern touches to stay relevant through changing decades.
Their deep dish features a distinctive herb-infused crust that adds aromatic complexity to every bite. The slightly chunkier sauce maintains its bright flavor even under generous cheese and toppings.
Cubs fans have made pre-game pizza here a tradition since 1968. Their signature “Meaty D’Ag” with house-made Italian sausage, pepperoni, and bacon showcases their perfect understanding of topping balance generous without overwhelming the structural integrity of their perfectly executed deep dish.
