The 24 best deep dish pizzas in Chicago

What is it? A pandemic-born pizzeria with locations in West Town and Berwyn.

Why we love it: Every pizza has a defining feature—whether it's the zingy red sauce, the buttery crust or the imaginative toppings. At Milly's, it's not hard to tell what sets owner Robert Maleski's pies apart. A halo of caramelized mozzarella wraps around each creation, lending a deeply satisfying crunch to each slice. Crafted in small quantities, these pan pies usually sell out, but if you can get your hands on one, go for the Que Suerte, with pineapple, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño and brown sugar bacon.

Time Out tip: Availability is limited, so it’s best to order ahead.

Address: 925 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 4-8pm

What is it? An Edgewater restaurant serving unique sourdough deep-dish pizzas.

Why we love it: At this small Edgewater spot, the deep-dish pizzas are unlike any other in town. Owner George Bumbaris uses a sourdough starter and recipe that’s based on lagana—a Greek flatbread similar to focaccia. The bottom of each pie is also dusted with cornmeal while the edges of the crust are caramelized. And instead of putting the toppings under the sweet red sauce, Bumbaris layers them over it. The menu pays tribute to famous Georges throughout history with fun creations like Weasley’s Spicy Red Top (Italian sausage, fire-roasted red peppers, spicy cherry peppers, ricotta) and  Michael’s S&M (spaghetti, meatballs, ricotta, roasted garlic).

Time Out tip: Minimize your wait time by ordering ahead online.

Address: 6221 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3-9pm; Sat 2-9pm; Sun 2-8pm

What is it? One of the most recommended deep-dish spots in Chicago.

Why we love it: Pequod’s has two locations (Morton Grove and Lincoln Park), making it easy to get your fix of its popular pan pizza. The pizza here is known for its caramelized "halo" crust, created by sprinkling cheese edge to edge and baking it until it’s crisp and brown. But our favorite part of this pie is the sauce—refreshingly bright and undoctored, it tastes like fresh tomatoes.

Time Out tip: With a substantial crust and a generous selection of toppings, you really can’t go wrong with any combination of ingredients.

Address: 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-2am; Sun 11am-midnight

What is it? A classic Chicago deep-dish pizzeria.

Why we love it: Boasting more than 70 locations across the city and suburbs, it's not hard to see why Lou Malnati's stands out among its competitors. The trademark buttery crust (literally trademarked, they call it Buttercrust™) is reminiscent of crispy Italian breadsticks and holds in the cheese and toppings. We recommend adding sausage, a thin patty of seasoned meat that covers the entire pizza, ensuring that every bite contains the perfect balance of crust, cheese and toppings. 

Time Out tip: The namesake Malnati salad—with tomatoes, black olives, 'shrooms, salami and gorgonzola—is positively unmissable and pairs perfectly with a slice.

Address: 1120 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-11pm; Fri, Sat 11am-midnight

What is it? A suburban Cary pizzeria serving pan pies that are well worth the trek.

Why we love it: At Uncle Jerry's Pizza Company, owner Jerry Czerwinski (who we wish were our uncle, too) ferments the dough for two days and also seasons it, making the crust the star component. It’s layered with Italian cheese all the way to the edges, resulting in a crunchy caramelized crust, plus bright tomato sauce. 

Time Out tip: You can’t go wrong with the classic housemade sausage, but we recommend the Sweet Sting—cup and char pepperoni, which is placed over the sauce, and habanero-infused hot honey.

Address: 133 W Main St, Cary, IL 60013

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 4-9pm; Fri, Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-8pm

What is it? A popular Lakeview pizzeria that debuted more than 30 years ago.

Why we love it: Chicago institution The Art of Pizza offers a standout pie, and whether you order an entire 14-inch pizza to go or stop in for a stacked slice, you’re bound to get the authentic Chicago experience. The golden brown crust—a product of the restaurant's well-seasoned pans—is a signature touch that diners will find on every slice.

Time Out tip: Although there's nothing wrong with specialty pies like the Hawaiian or Southwestern, Art's Special is arguably the best option on the menu, stuffed with sausage, onions, mushrooms and green peppers.

Address: 3033 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-11pm; Fri, Sat 11am-midnight

What is it? An Italian eatery that serves top-notch deep dish in locations across the city and suburbs. 

Why we love it: Rich Labriola got his start baking artisan bread before opening one of the city's finest pizza spots, which makes total sense when you taste the deep-dish pie. The focaccia-style dough is double-proofed and lined with fresh mozzarella, creating a fluffy interior that's backed by a caramelized cheese crust with extra crunch. 

Time Out tip: The Buratta and Basil—made with mozzarella, provolone, pecorino, burrata and fresh basil—is our go-to order, but the Danny’s Special is also delectable.

Address: 535 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-10pm; Sat 11am-11pm

What is it? Morton Grove's best deep dish pizza joint.

Why we love it: After temporarily closing in 2015, iconic pizza parlor Burt's Place reopened in 2017, much to the delight of its longtime fans. Burt’s still takes phone orders ahead of time (highly recommended), but the building's interior has undergone a gut rehab, adding a bar with several draft taps. Fill your pie with a hodge-podge of ingredients, including sausage, onions, mushrooms, banana peppers and fresh spinach. 

Time Out tip: From the city, a relatively quick Metra ride will get you there in a jiffy.

Address: 8541 Ferris Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053

Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Sun 4:30-9:30pm; Thu-Sat 4:30-10pm

What is it? A casual pizzeria with locations in West Town and Roscoe Village.

Why we love it: Brian Tondryk named Bartoli's Pizzeria after his grandfather, Fred Bartoli, one of the founders of Gino’s East. Tondryk was so impressed by Bartoli’s success that he took his family’s recipe, made some tweaks and opened this Roscoe Village pizzeria in 2013 and another location in West Town in 2020. 

Time Out tip: Order the Union Stockyard for some serious meat sweats and a bit of old-fashioned Chicago nostalgia.

Address: 658 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-9:30pm; Fri, Sat 11am-10pm

What is it? A prolific deep dish pizza restaurant with locations in nine states.

Why we love it: Boasting a crazy number of outposts throughout the city and 'burbs, Giordano's traces its roots back to Torino, Italy, where Mama Giordano's famous "Italian Easter Pie" was born. These days, it's one of the easiest spots to grab deep dish in the city. And it works—it's been around since 1974, serving deep dish pies that you really don't need more than one or two slices of.

Time Out tip: This is a great spot to visit on a trip to Chicago or to bring your out-of-town friends.

Address: 130 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri, Sat 11am-midnight

What is it? A traditional Italian restaurant serving mouthwatering deep dish pies.

Why we love it: Pizza sauce must run in Rudy Malnati Jr.'s blood. His father, Rudy Malnati Sr., opened Pizzeria Uno in 1943, putting the deep dish style on the map. In 1991, Rudy Jr. opened Pizano's, which now boasts four locations across the Chicagoland area. Diners are treated to a roster of traditional ingredients and intriguing combinations, like the Mark's Special with garlic, sliced tomatoes and basil.

Time Out tip: For out-of-towners who want a taste of Chicago deep dish, you can get pies shipped to your address.

Address: 864 N State St, Chicago, IL, 60610

Opening hours: Daily 11am-11pm

What is it? A Chicago deep dish pizza chain with ties to Lou Malnati’s.

Why we love it: Digging into a slice at Pizzeria Uno on the corner of Ohio and Wabash takes you back to where it all began in 1943—depending on who you ask. Though disputed by Lou Malnati’s and Rosati’s Authentic Italian Pizza, Pizzeria Uno claims to be the originator of Chicago’s notoriously thick pizza pies. 

Time Out tip: Today, there are over 75 locations worldwide, so whether you're in Lakeview, New York or India, you can get your deep dish fix.

Address: 29 E Ohio St, Chicago IL 60611

Opening hours: Daily 11am-11pm

What is it? One of the best-known deep dish spots in Chicago.

Why we love it: In 1966, two taxi drivers named Sam Levine and Fred Bartoli decided that what the quieter streets east of the Magnificent Mile needed most was some good pizza. Today, the area is crowded with restaurants and hotels, but the signature recipes that made Gino’s East famous remain unchanged. And if you love the crust, you can thank Alice Mae Redmond, the chef that Levine and Bartli entrusted to develop the dough that’s still used at every location.

Time Out tip: The Mag Mile location is the perfect spot for dinner after a day of exploring the city.

Address: 162 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-9pm; Fri, Sat 11am-10pm

What is it? One of the city's go-to restaurants for deep dish pizza.

Why we love it: PMQ Pizza Magazine Hall of Famer Connie’s Pizza was once a small storefront and an OG in the delivery service biz—in the 1960s, founder Jim Stolfe loaded pizzas on the back of his truck and sold them to people sitting on porches. Today, the warehouse-sized building offers a full bar, outdoor patio, live music throughout the summer and an extensive menu of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and more. 

Time Out tip: Grab a beer and order any size deep dish with as many ingredients—options include meats like soppressata, capicola, gourmet sausage and veggies such as bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms and sweet onions—and enjoy the feeling of being pleasantly stuffed.

Address: 2373 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-9pm; Fri, Sat 11am-10pm

What is it? An old-school pizza parlor.

Why we love it: The late Louisa DeGenero was an employee at Pizzeria Due before moving to the south suburbs and opening her own place, Louisa's Pizza & Pasta, in 1981. Today, DeGenero’s family carries on her legacy by continuing to create exceptional pizzas boasting a light and buttery crust, chunks of Anichini Brothers sausage, part-skim mozzarella and a flavorful tomato sauce seasoned with homegrown herbs.

Time Out tip: Without traffic, it's about a 40-minute drive south, but it's worth every moment of the journey.

Address: 14025 S Cicero Ave, Crestwood, IL 60445

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 3-7:30pm; Sun 3-7pm

What is it? A low-key Lincoln Park restaurant known for its stuffed pizzas.

Why we love it: Founder Dan Bacin owned a radio station and a magazine before putting both businesses up for sale to go all in on pizza shop Bacino's. The resulting endeavor showcases fresh ingredients and a from-scratch sauce that's downright bellissimo. This spot's claim to fame is "America's 1st Heart Healthy Pizza," though we're not sure anyone could survive a deep-dish diet.

Time Out tip: We're particularly fond of the spinach supreme pie, which is filled to the brim with leafy greens, cheese, herbs and optional mushrooms (get 'em).

Address: 2204 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-10pm; Fri, Sat 11am-11pm

What is it? A pizzeria serving over-the-top pies.

Why we love it: Tucked in a cozy basement space in Lincoln Park, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. has only a handful of tables and a tourist draw, so you may want to avoid the wait at peak hours. Instead of the traditional deep dish or pan, these pizzas are actually pot pies, built bottom-up in a ramekin and baked with the crust on top. Served tableside, the pie is flipped upside-down and the fillings slide into the resulting bread bowl crust. Overflowing with a sausage-laced bolognese sauce and lava-like cheese filling, this is pizza to the extreme. 

Time Out tip: You really can’t provide a better spectacle for out-of-town guests requesting a Chicago pizza.

Address: 2121 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4-10pm; Fri, 4-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-10pm

What is it? A casual pizza place that's popular among the late-night crowd.

Why we love it: West Town pizza joint Pie-Eyed Pizza is located right off the Chicago Blue Line station, but it’s more than just a place to pop in and grab a slice (though we do recommend eating this pizza any way you can, even on the go). Since 2004, the family-run pizzeria—brothers Evan and Ian Muellner founded the restaurant, and their mom Sandy works to make the delectable meaty toppings—has been serving deep dish classics with a variety of toppings and “things in jars” (we can’t get enough of the giardiniera).

Time Out tip: Be sure to check out the inventive Pie of the Month.

Address: 1111 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 11am-11pm; Fri 11am-2am; Sat noon-2am; Sun 3-10pm

What is it? A traditional pizza joint in the south suburbs.

Why we love it: Nino's Pizza is the go-to spot for those in Alsip who want to indulge in the most impressive deep-dish pizza in the area. The pies feature a tall, flaky crust that forms a thick wall around a delectable combination of gooey cheese and tangy tomato sauce. In addition to their classic deep dish, Nino's also serves stuffed and pan pizzas.

Time Out tip: For an extra dose of flavor, we highly recommend adding some meaty sausage.

Address: 4835 W 111th St, Alsip, IL 60803

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 3-8:30pm; Fri, Sat 3-9:30pm

What is it? A popular Italian spot known for its signature breaded sandwiches and pizzas.

Why we love it: Beloved Bridgeport restaurant Ricobene's may be world-famous for its breaded steak sandwiches (and its spin-off, the breaded steak tavern-style pizza), but the loaded deep dish is no less impressive. All pies are build-your-own, so you can pick from a list of ingredients like peppers, mushrooms, sliced beef, sausage, bacon and—of course—giardiniera.

Time Out tip: There’s also an extensive menu of wings, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs if you want a one-stop shop for all of Chicago’s classic eats.

Address: 252 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60616

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9am-12:30am; Fri 9am-2am; Sat 10am-2am; Sun 10am-midnight

What is it? A tiny pizzeria near Midway Airport.

Why we love it: Deep dish pizza is a popular first stop after arriving at Midway Airport, with Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s both having outposts close enough to satisfy a craving during a layover. For an alternative to the chains, head to Cipriani’s, a no-frills spot offering individual portions of cheese- and sausage-stuffed pizzas plus options like the Cipriani’s Garden, which arrives loaded with mushrooms and spinach or broccoli. The restaurant also offers thin crust pizza for those looking to compare the contrasting styles. 

Time Out tip: There are only a few tables, so consider calling ahead to get your order to go. 

Address: 5840 W 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60638

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 3-10pm; Fri, Sat 3-11pm

What is it? A lively bar and pizza place frequented by DePaul students.

Why we love it: Located near DePaul University, the Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria is a popular hangout for sports fans looking to enjoy a local beer on tap, baskets of garlic knots and wings. But the real star is the pizza, with offerings including Chicago-style deep dish, Sicilian-style thick crust and their signature fusion of both that features a crispy caramelized crust. 

Time Out tip: Vegan deep dish is also available and the extensive list of toppings includes prosciutto, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes and Nashville hot sauce.

Address: 1419 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4-11pm; Fri noon-11pm; Sat, Sun 11am-11pm