If you’ve never been to Chicago or its surrounding suburbs, the pizza scene can be difficult to navigate. Here is The Daily’s guide to pizza in the Windy City.
Tavern-style vs. deep dish
A big source of contention among Chicago residents is whether tavern-style or deep dish truly represents the city. The two couldn’t be more different.
Tavern-style is known for its signature thin, crispy crust. It is often cut into squares, and common toppings include sausage or spicy giardiniera. It’s probably more practical to enjoy on an everyday occasion, since it’s easier to transport and eat. The pizza style has a storied history in Chicago, created in the World War II era. It was originally served on the South Side of the city, designed to keep people in taverns, buying drinks for longer periods of time.
Deep dish also has a long history in Chicago. It’s known, as its name suggests, for its thick, dense crust. Also notable is its inverted style: the cheese goes under the tomato sauce. Like tavern-style, it’s commonly served with sausage. The iconic style of pizza evolved over time, but was originally introduced in the mid-1900s.
Each person has their own preference of style, but it’s important to note that the two styles fill two entirely different niches. Both, in their own way, represent the city.
Restaurants
In Evanston and Chicago, there are some classic pizza joints everyone should hit up before their time at Northwestern is up.
Deep dish is easier to come by in Evanston, with classic chains Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s within walking distance from campus. NU students often debate which option is better. Both restaurants are known for their deep dish, but you can also order tavern-style if you’re interested.
There are also some non-tavern, non-deep dish options to enjoy near campus. Bob’s Pizza, a popular spot for NU students, serves Pilsen-style. Union Squared offers Detroit-style. Plus, students looking to grab a slice on campus can use a meal exchange to grab a MOD Pizza in Norris University Center.
In downtown Chicago, there’s a bigger range of options. Some famous deep dish places include Pequod’s Pizza, Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta and Pizzeria UNO. If you’re looking for tavern-style, Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria and Candlelite are some well-known spots.
Pizza preferences vary person by person, so recommendations on the best place will change depending on who you’re talking to. Luckily, for pizza enjoyers in Chicago, there’s something for everyone.
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Twitter: @nicolejmarkus
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