Looking for best deep dish Pizza and also great restaurant in Chicago??

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

Taking my son to Chicago to visit colleges; one night at a top restaurant and one eating Pizza.

Any recommendations on either front?

2

not deep dish (I got no recommended DD places sorry…)

First place has been voted #1 in the country a couple of times. Quirky owners, no changes allowed… Bonus is it is close to a great beer place Hopleaf
Great Lake
1477 West Balmoral Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 334-9270 ‎

this place features thin crust pizzas cooked in a coal oven (sort of New Haven style)
Coalfire
1321 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642-6447
(312) 226-2625

3

The places Mel recommends are good but not “Chicago style”. If you are looking for deep dish I recommend Lou Malnati’s. Order the butter crust. As far as other restraurants, many great options. A recent dinner at Tru was fantastic and as good as anything I’ve ever had at L2O or certainly Trotters. If you are not looking for 3 star then I would recommend Naha, Bistronomic (haven’t been but the chef is fantastic and great reviews so far) or Picolo Sogno for Italian.

4

Chicago! [cheers.gif]
I went to both Northwestern University and University of Chicago. Fortunately for your son, these two schools have
improved markedly since my days, selecting far better students. Unfortunately for you, they have also become more
expensive. Oh, well, no more 1959 Bordeaux for the next four years. neener

As far as lead-heavy pizza goes, my recommendations are Lou Malnati’s and Bacino’s.

5

I’m with Mel. Can’t recommend deep dish pizza (aka casserole in a crust). For great dining go to Alinea.

6

Talking to people from Chicago, it seems only tourists eat deep dish there.

7

Oddly, not far from the truth. I only order it when out of towners are around.

That said, in my opinion Pequod’s is the best deep around. I usually go with mushroom & sausage.

8

If one is going to go the deep dish route, I’d recommend Malnati’s and avoid Giorodano’s. It isn’t nearly as bad as some let on but it is also likely a bit touristy.

Restaurants… Alinea is at the top. Haven’t done Next. The places I’ve been to relatively recently…Tru and L20 higher end, Trotter’s last year was a disappointment especially in the light of the (now-undeserved) reputation and cost. Haven’t been to Avenues or Everest in a while. Love Naha and Blackbird. If you want steak David Burke’s. Last couple of visits to Bristol were very, very good.

JD

9

What John said. I would also add Graham Elliott to the restaurant list as well. Maybe instead of a “Chicago-style pizza”, go to Portillo’s and get an Italian Beef!

10

This is the guy who made Pequod’s famous.

SUPER quirky pizza place (call them about coming)
Burt’s Place
8541 Ferris Avenue
Morton Grove, IL 60053-2828
(847) 965-7997

check out the video from No Reservations

11

I saw that episode. Made me want to eat there, even if it’s not proper pizza.

12

My team at work has been to Burt’s a couple times in the past year–quite an experience given the room and Burt & his wife as hosts. Good escape from the office. And I’d agree it’s good pizza, obviously similar to Pequod’s but I prefer Pequod’s just a bit–not sure why, just have felt better about the pizza there.

13

Portillo’s is a great suggestion, and get a Chicago-style hot dog while you’re at it. These are Chicago’s true gifts to fast food.

14

Deep dish is unique and no one makes it like Chicago. That being said I don’t eat it too often. I would also recommend the original Uno’s or Due’s at 600 or so North Wabash. This is what spawned the chain but is nothing like the chain. Like others have said stay away from Giordano’s.

GH

15

My Chicago friends have always recommended Uno and Due. As a matter of fact, I was just about to post. They certainly offer a nice change of pace from the real thing here in New York. [highfive.gif]

16

I have to throw Art of Pizza on ashland out there. Like other chicagoans, I don’t eat deep dish all that often, but this is generally a go to for me and they offer up deep dish by the slice so that you don’t have to down a whole pie between both of you

17

Thank you everybody. Managed to get into Tru, and will go with Malnati. I also hear hot Dougs is wortheating at, even though it may be hard to find.

I have heard wonderful things from a friend about Schwa, but the nobody ever seems to answer the telephone, and the message thing is full. Anybpdy got a secret way of getting in there? Thanks again, guys

18

schwa takes a shitload of calling to get in. They don’t really pick up the phone and don’t always return messages. Its worth it to get there, but it does take a lot of effort

19

Never been to Schwa and doubt I ever will. I have a thing about begging to get into a place to eat or drink. I tried the Art of Pizza a few weeks ago based on a recommendation from one of my employees. I concur it was very good and the by the slice option was nice. So if you want to do a Chicago junk food tour this would be a good stop. Enjoy Tru Mark.

20

For reservations at Schwa try to call hang up and call right back. It might help. Honestly I am with Nick I am not going to beg to go to your resturant.

George