Unearth The Voyage
Chicago’s deep dish pizza isn’t just a meal – it’s an experience that locals cherish. While tourists flock to famous downtown spots, true Chicagoans know the best deep dish often hides in neighborhood joints away from the crowds. These neighborhood pizzerias serve up that perfect combination of buttery crust, gooey cheese, and chunky tomato sauce without the long lines and tourist prices.
Pequod’s Pizza – The Caramelized Crust Legend
That blackened, caramelized cheese crust isn’t a mistake – it’s Pequod’s signature move that keeps locals coming back for decades. This Lincoln Park institution serves deep dish with a crunchy, almost-burnt cheese ring that adds a smoky dimension you won’t find elsewhere.
The interior feels like a classic Chicago tavern, with wooden booths and sports memorabilia covering the walls. No frills, just seriously good pizza. Their Morton Grove location offers the same legendary pies with slightly shorter wait times.
Pro tip: Order ahead by phone – the wait for a table can stretch to two hours on weekends. Their pan pizza might look slightly thinner than traditional deep dish, but that concentrated flavor and perfect texture more than make up for it.
Art of Pizza – Lakeview’s Hidden Treasure
Family-owned since 1989, Art of Pizza remains the neighborhood secret locals hesitate to share. Their deep dish achieves the perfect sauce-to-cheese ratio, with a buttery, flaky crust that somehow stays crisp even under all those toppings.
Unlike fancier establishments, this casual Lakeview spot focuses entirely on pizza perfection. The no-frills counter service and simple dining room might not impress on Instagram, but your taste buds will thank you. They’re also one of the few quality spots offering deep dish by the slice – perfect for solo pizza adventures.
Regulars swear by the Art’s Special with sausage, mushroom, onion, and green pepper. For late-night pizza cravings, they’re open until midnight on weekends, a rarity among top-tier deep dish establishments.
My Pi Pizza – Rogers Park Gem Since 1971
“We were making deep dish before it was cool,” could be My Pi’s motto. This Rogers Park institution has been perfecting their recipe since 1971, maintaining a fiercely loyal neighborhood following. Their unique whole wheat crust option adds a nutty flavor dimension that distinguishes their pies from downtown competitors.
The modest storefront on Pratt Boulevard might not catch your eye, but locals know it houses deep dish royalty. The sauce here deserves special mention – chunky, herby, and made from California plum tomatoes that provide the perfect sweet-acidic balance.
Owner Rich Aronson still oversees operations, maintaining the quality that’s kept generations of Chicagoans coming back. Their spinach and mushroom deep dish has converted countless vegetarians to the deep dish faith, with its generous cheese layer and perfectly sautéed toppings.
Labriola Bakery & Cafe – North Side Sophistication
Rich Labriola started as a bread baker, and that expertise shows in his uniquely tender deep dish crust. This North Michigan Avenue spot (technically just outside downtown) creates what they call “pizza in the pan” – a focaccia-inspired approach to deep dish that locals adore.
The crust achieves the impossible: airy and light yet substantial enough to hold generous toppings. Their cheese blend incorporates aged provolone, adding complexity that elevates each bite. Unlike many deep dish spots, Labriola’s atmosphere feels upscale without being stuffy – perfect for date nights or family celebrations.
Don’t miss their fennel sausage pizza, where housemade meat crumbles provide the perfect savory counterpoint to sweet tomato sauce. For those who find traditional deep dish too heavy, Labriola’s refined interpretation might be your gateway to Chicago pizza appreciation.
Bartoli’s Pizzeria – Roscoe Village’s Family Legacy
Pizza runs in the Bartoli blood. Owner Brian Bartoli’s grandfather helped found the original Gino’s East, but this Roscoe Village spot represents his own pizza vision. The result: deep dish with a distinctively flaky, almost pastry-like crust that breaks Chicago pizza tradition in the best possible way.
The restaurant itself feels like walking into a family gathering – warm, welcoming, and usually filled with regulars from the neighborhood. Their sauce deserves special mention, with a fresh brightness that cuts through the richness of the cheese and buttery crust.
While they honor tradition, Bartoli’s isn’t afraid to experiment with seasonal specials. Summer brings their famous sweet corn and bacon deep dish that’s worth the trip alone. Gluten-sensitive pizza lovers rejoice – their gluten-free deep dish actually tastes like the real thing, a rare achievement in Chicago pizza circles.
