Where to Find Good Pizza in Chicago

Chicago is a pizza haven! You'll find a lot of places that offer pizza here. I wouldn't be surprised if McDonald's offered pizza at some point in time. The thing is, in my opinion, there are only certain places you SHOULD get pizza from. In particular, places where pizza is the main fare. I'm usually leery about getting pizza from places where pizza is one of the options, although there are exceptions to my rule. I also tend not to get pizza from retail chains. I have nothing against Pizza Hut or Dominos, I like them, and actually I like Papa John's as well if you have one near you (usually you'll find them near a college campus), but Chicago has so much more to offer as far as pizza places than the usual places or corner restaurants.

Pizzeria Uno or Pizzeria Due (deep-dish)

Go to the downtown locations ONLY. You'll possibly see the bar-n-grill version in the suburbs, or even in other cities, but I don't recommend it at all. Go where it's authentic - downtown Chicago. The original location (Pizzeria Uno) is on Wabash and Ohio Streets and has been there since the 1940s. If you go inside the establishment you can tell it has history written all over it! I'd recommend the sit-down experience at least once, otherwise if you're familiar with the food there, order about an hour in advance and then pick it up on your way home, or make a special trip for it. Be ready to spend anywhere from $15-30 for it depending on size and toppings you get.

What do I like most about them? The sauce, actually. They have this tomato sauce they put on top of the pizza that's so good. I usually get extra so it'll get into the bread as well and soak it up a bit. My normal craving whenever I go there - double sausage with extra tomato sauce. Yes, it sounds like a ton of calories, but I only get it every once in a while. Besides that, I know it'll last me about two or three days as I get the largest one possible. A side of chicken wings just completes the meal for me.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (deep-dish)

There are a handful of Lou Malnati's Pizzeria locations throughout the Chicagoland area (including suburbs). What I like about them, surprisingly, is the crust. That butter-crust it worth it all! I like their Italian sausage also, but the crust... my God!!! I've had a couple of good combinations here. As usual, extra sausage and extra tomato sauce are my toppings are choice. Another one I've had which was really good is the pepperoni with spinach and mushrooms. I was really impressed that they seasoned their spinach. Most people usually just throw it on there and it cooks with the pizza, but they season their spinach with garlic I believe and then put it on the pizza to cook and it tastes really good. If you try them, I recommend either of those, or see what toppings fit you. Above all else, get it with the butter-crust... it'll be worth your while, trust me.

Giordano's (stuffed)

I always call Giordano's the "tourist's pizza place." They do have good pizza though. I don't have any specific recommendations, but it would be one of the top places I'd go to for good Chicago-style pizza. The thing to note is that they have what is called a "stuffed" pizza. Most other places call it deep dish, but theirs is stuffed. It's almost more like a pizza pie than anything else.

As far as location, I recommend the one on Rush Street at Superior Street, not too far from the Water Tower Place. I do recommend that you call ahead to see what the wait is for seating because if you don't (as with most Chicago pizza places) you will be waiting a while.

Pizza Capri (thin-crust)

Pizza Capri has three locations - Lakeview (at Belmont & Sheffield), Lincoln Park (at Halsted & Willow), and Hyde Park (at 53rd & Harper). I recommend this for individual dining, but also for corporate dining. I know the company I work at has ordered pizza from this place and it's good every time. Everything tastes real and fresh and I haven't had any "bad days" with them.

I've eaten inside their Lakeview location and had a great experience. I actually ordered a pizza with vegetables on it and LIKED it! If you haven't noticed, I tend to prefer meat on my pizza, but I've been branching out more and more to vegetables, especially as I've gotten older. Anyway, they have more than just pizza, but it's a full-fledged restaurant. Take the family here, sit down and enjoy good pizza at a reasonable price.

Sam's Club (thin-crust)

Yes, I do realize this is a warehouse shopping place. You go here to buy food in bulk and other merchandise at cheaper prices. And yes, I also realize it costs $40 for general membership here. But if you have a membership I recommend that you try their pizza. Once you checkout, go over to the food stand, order a slice of pizza... it'll only cost about $2.00. That's unheard of in this day and age. Usually they have cheese, pepperoni, and all-meat pizza. It's so good though.

You'll find most Sam's Club warehouses on the outskirts of the city. There's one in Evergreen Park, one in Calumet City, one in Cicero, one in Evanston, and other places I'm sure, but those are the ones I'm most familiar with. I'm not saying pay the $40 membership fee just for the pizza, but if you already have a membership, make the most of it by at least trying a slice once you checkout.

Whole Foods Market (thin-crust)

This one might surprise you! You can usually find pizza here in their prepared food section. If you get two slices you'll only pay $5.00 and they are generous slices of pizza with great toppings. You may feel better in that since it is Whole Foods, they're going to use good ingredients. Have you ever had something from there that was greasy? Not likely. Consider them if you want a thin-crust slice of pizza and you're near one. You won't wait nearly as long as you would from a retail place and usually slices are already made and kept warm for pending customers. They have basic slices such as sausage and pepperoni; I've also seen Hawaiian -style, and chicken alfredo slices. Like I said, it depends on location, so if one doesn't have it, another location might have it.