Unearth The Voyage
Craving a fork-and-knife pie that could double as a workout? Missouri is quietly stacking serious deep dish bragging rights, from St. Louis to the Ozarks and beyond.
I mapped a road trip, loosened my belt, and chased buttery crusts, molten cheese avalanches, and sauce with swagger. Bring an appetite and a friend who does not mind sharing slices the size of a paperback novel.
1. Mr. G’s Chicago Pizza & Pub – Branson
The aroma hits first like a friendly bear hug, buttery and bold. Mr. G’s in Branson serves a deep dish with walls of crust that hold serious swagger.
Cheese stretches into ribbons, and the sauce sits on top, chunky and bright, with herbs you can actually taste.
Ask for a half-and-half if you cannot decide, then watch your server flex to carry it. The sausage has that peppery snap, while mushrooms stay meaty without getting soggy.
After a day of shows, this pie feels like the encore you came for.
I once tried to eat three slices and tapped out at two and a half, laughing at my optimism. Share with the table and claim victory together.
Pro tip: let it rest a minute, because patience rewards you with cleaner slices and fewer cheese slides.
2. Mr. Gilberti’s Place Chicago Pizza – Hollister
Locals whisper that Mr. Gilberti’s is where weekend plans become traditions. The crust here is buttery yet sturdy, a golden throne for lush cheese.
Order the Chicago deep dish with Italian sausage coins, and the fennel perfume will make you grin.
Service is friendly in a no-rush way, perfect for deep dish timing. The sauce is bright, a little garlicky, and balanced enough to keep bites lively.
Bring patience and enjoy a salad or cold beer while the pie earns its height.
I once lingered on the patio, listening to conversation hum while that glorious pan arrived like a parade. Slices lift with a satisfying tug, and the table goes quiet for a beat.
Save room for leftovers, because tomorrow’s slice rewarms into pure comfort.
3. Pizzarelli’s Pizzeria (Chicago Deep Dish) – Ellisville
Ellisville keeps a tasty secret inside Pizzarelli’s sturdy pans. The deep dish arrives like a festival float, rimmed high and loaded.
Sauce goes on top, ruby and rustic, with oregano that wakes your palate.
I love the pepperoni and giardiniera combo for a zingy twist. The crust is substantial but not dense, almost biscuit-like around the edge and tender within.
Friendly staff will guide you on timing, so settle in and sip something cold.
Tip from one hungry traveler to another: preorder your toppings with confidence, because this pie holds them. Leftovers stay impressive the next day and resist sogginess.
Bring napkins and your camera, because that first slice pull makes a victory shot.
4. Pi Guy Pizzeria – St. Louis
Math jokes meet mozzarella at Pi Guy Pizzeria, and I am counting slices, not numbers. Their signature cornmeal crust gives a distinctive crunch that deep dish rarely shows.
The sauce is bright and layered, with a slow-simmered tang.
Go half and half for variety or lean into veggie toppings that stay crisp. The kitchen balances heft with structure so the slice never slumps.
Service is upbeat, the vibe urban-casual, and the beer list pairs neatly with big flavors.
I once claimed I would do research and accidentally ate an extra slice. The pie cools into perfect photo form, then eats even better.
Pi keeps the deep dish conversation lively, proving that texture can rival sheer volume.
5. Blackthorn Pub & Pizza – St. Louis
Blackthorn looks like a secret hideout for serious pizza plotting. The deep dish is famously hefty, with a buttery edge that crackles.
Sausage lands in generous craters, and the cheese melt is borderline theatrical.
Expect longer bake times, so settle in with a pint and conversation. Toppings integrate, not just stack, which makes each bite balanced.
The sauce leans herby and slightly sweet, smoothing the richness.
I remember timing a slice like a strategy game and winning. Ask for a side of crushed red pepper to tune your heat.
When the check arrives, you will be plotting a return trip before your plate is clean.
6. Salvage Yard Bar & Grill – St. Louis
Gears, neon, and a monster pie make Salvage Yard a flavorful pit stop. The deep dish lands with attitude, thick crust hugging molten cheese.
Pepperoni edges crisp beautifully, and jalapenos add a green spark.
It is a bar and grill, so expect big energy and loud cheers on game nights. Pair your slice with a draft that can cut through the richness.
The sauce tastes backyard-fresh, chunky and confident.
One night I shared with two strangers and we left as friends. The staff is quick with refills and honest topping advice.
Drop by hungry and bring a playful spirit, because this place feeds both appetite and mood.
7. Jet’s Pizza (Detroit-Style Deep Dish) – St. Louis
Square up for Jet’s, where Detroit-style rules the pan. The edges caramelize into crispy cheese lace, and it is wildly addictive.
The crumb is airy, almost cloudlike, supporting bold toppings with ease.
Try pepperoni cups that char around the rim for a savory snap. The red sauce stripes brighten each bite without overwhelming the crust.
You can build your own or chase their fan favorites.
I once grabbed a four-corner and declared it personal research. Reheats like a champion, especially in a hot skillet.
Not Chicago, sure, but deep, decadent, and absolutely worthy of your Missouri pizza crawl.
8. Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom – Kansas City
Old Chicago plays the hits, and the deep dish is a crowd pleaser. Expect a classic build: sturdy crust, gooey core, and bold red sauce.
The sausage and green pepper lineup stays reliable and satisfying.
With a huge tap list, finding a pairing becomes a fun mini game. Staff knows timing, so you are not left staring at the oven.
Bring friends, because this pie invites communal victory.
I once promised one slice and ended up negotiating for thirds. The leftovers are made for late-night raids.
Consistency is the magic trick here, delivering warmth and comfort on schedule.
9. Rosati’s Pizza (Chicago-Style) – St. Louis
Rosati’s keeps the Chicago lineage alive and well in St. Louis. The sausage patty layer locks in flavor with every cut.
Cheese runs generous, and the crust holds its posture like a champion.
Order ahead if you are in a rush, because this pie takes patience. The sauce leans savory with a steady garlic note.
Families fill the room, and the vibe is cheerful without being chaotic.
I once split a deep dish and still needed a to-go box. Ask for extra napkins and a shaker of oregano.
It is the kind of pizza that makes your schedule bend around dinner.
10. Mellow Mushroom (Thick Pan Pies) – St. Louis
Mellow Mushroom brings groovy vibes and serious pan heft. The crust is thick and tender, with a buttery edge that crackles.
Veggie-forward combos stay vibrant under a generous cheese canopy.
The menu riffs with playful names, but the technique stays tight. Sauces taste fresh, with herb notes that pop.
Gluten-free and build-your-own options keep the table happy.
I once camped at a corner booth and watched pies parade out like art. The staff handles crowds with calm, guiding topping choices.
For a slightly different deep dish lane, this cheerful stop delivers comfort with personality.
11. The Wise Guy – Kansas City
The Wise Guy talks big and backs it up with a towering pie. The deep dish features a buttery rim and a bold cheese blanket.
Banana peppers cut through the richness with friendly fire.
Grab a bar seat if you like action, because the energy hums. The sauce layers in balance, not sweetness, letting toppings shine.
Staff suggests smart pairings, from IPAs to crisp lagers.
I once scribbled tasting notes and then stopped because eating won. The slices lift clean after a brief rest, photo-ready and sturdy.
Come hungry, leave wiser, and maybe brag a little.
12. Northeast Pizza – Kansas City
Neighborhood charm powers Northeast Pizza’s deep pan magic. The crust is substantial without turning into a brick, and that matters.
Cheese keeps a stretchy mood, and toppings arrive evenly scattered.
I like the sausage and onion duo for a comforting profile. The sauce brings a straightforward tomato punch that stays clean.
Order ahead during rush hours, because ovens get busy.
On my last visit, a kid announced this was the best dinner ever. That joy felt contagious as we shared a massive slice.
Honest, unfancy, and exactly what you want on a weeknight.
13. Ohana Pizzeria – Fulton
Ohana means welcome, and this Fulton spot proves it slice by slice. The deep dish arrives with golden edges and a sunny attitude.
If you lean sweet-savory, ham and pineapple turn into comfort fireworks.
The sauce is bright enough to keep every bite lively. Cheese hugs toppings without drowning them.
Service is warm, and kids happily claim the biggest slices.
I once boxed half my pie and still felt accomplished. Try a side of spicy flakes to nudge the sweetness into balance.
This stop turns weeknights into mini vacations, no plane ticket required.
14. Shakespeare’s Pizza (Thicker Specialty Pies) – Columbia
Thou shalt enter hungry at Shakespeare’s, where thicker pies rule the stage. The crust is hearty and flavorful, with a satisfying chew.
Specialty combos pile high, then somehow stay balanced.
The sauce brings a bright, tomato-forward voice without shouting. Cheese coverage is generous and bubbly, stretching like a curtain call.
The line moves quickly thanks to practiced, cheerful chaos.
I once tried to quote Shakespeare while chewing and failed gloriously. Grab a shaker of Parmesan and lean into the theater of it all.
Not classic Chicago, but thick, joyous, and absolutely worthy of your map.
