Native Chicagoan, I like all the options mentioned, but I grew up near the original Giordano's so that will always be my favorite. Stuffed spinach is the best. We get it shipped to us here, but a fresh pizza at the restaurant is definitely better.

My fellow chicagoans, there is a Rosati’s take out in Frederick!!!! So much better then the Ledo’s crap we put up with around here.

I’ve only had deep dish a couple times. It was years ago, so don’t remember where, but do remember that while it tasted great, it was so filling. Nobody would ever call pizza “health food,” but deep dish left me feeling so full. Much prefer the simplicity of a NY style pizza.

Chicagoan who will always say Lou Malnati’s. I know purists like Pequod’s and some other small niche places but Malnati’s is reliable and divine.

Lou Malnati's. I've been to about 5 of the most recommended ones, based on all the lists and blogs, and it was by far my favorite. Uno's was by far the worst.

I’m a Chicagoan and like Lou Malnati’s the best of the deep dish options.

I was excited to try deep dish pizza. Went to Lou Malnati’s and waited forever for our pizza to arrive, and when it did, it was underwhelming.

I strongly prefer New York style pizza, or even thin crust Neopolitan over Chicago style.

The Chicago pizza was a soggy mess and the butter crust was just bad. I was so disappointed.

I like Bartoli’s the best

Anonymous wrote:Deep dish pizza = lasagna. Don’t understand this food.

You say this like lasagna is a bad thing?

My husband grew up in Chicago. Giordano's is what they got as kids so that pizza reminds him of his childhood. He would go to Gino's East downtown by the hospital as a teenager so that pizza reminds him of those years. We've been to Lou Malnati's and order it online and we enjoy it, I think it's so good. He got Rosati's once in Florida and found it lacking (which may be because it was Florida). But all of his Chicago friends and family talk about Pequod's and we hope to try it the next time we're in town.

Lou's, butter crust is mandatory.

Anonymous wrote:My husband who grew up in the Chicago suburbs love Rosatti's.

+1! I had forgotten about Rosati's. My college bf grew up in Arlington Heights and we would get Rosati's sometimes when I visited with him and it's great. Thanks for the memory, PP.

I also like Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, and Gino's East. Chicago pizza is pretty awesome.

Deep dish pizza = lasagna. Don’t understand this food.

I like Giordanos. The giant sausage patty in the middle of Lou Malnati’s sort of freaks me out.

-long time Chicago resident, DC transplant now

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pequods is great for a local of course, but as a tourist I think you should do the tourist thing and go to either Lou Malnati’s or just do the ultimate tourist one and go to Pizzeria Uno.

I agree with this. The original Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due are great but be prepared for a long wait. Also, for some reason, the suburb locations aren't the same. It has to be the original Uno's in the city.

From Chicago and I agree that you should start with the touristy option. I recommend Lou Malnati's. Or if you have time, do Pequods too!