Chicago is a cosmopolitan city with a plethora of cultures, and just about as many types of pizzas. Each separate part of town feels like its neighborhood pizza place has the best slices in Chi Town. However, there are some things done differently at different pizzerias, and it is no small matter in the Windy City. Here are 4 of the top pizza restaurants in the Chicago area.
1. Pizzeria Da Nella
Founded by Nella Grassano, this pizzeria has become a mainstay for many Chicagoans. The flagship pizza is the magherita pizza, and is a staple among pizza lovers. After moving around to a few multiple locations, Pizzeria De Nella has seemed to find a permanent home in Lincoln Park. The restaurant even bakes all of its pizzas in a Vesuvian stone pizza oven made from volcanic ash.
Mondays are $7 magherita pizza nights, which comes with Portobello mushrooms, mozzarella, garlic, and a mushroom purée, but all the pizzas on the menu are worth the price. Pizzeria da Nella Cucina Napoletana is at 1443 W. Fullerton Avenue.
2. Café Luigi
Image via Flickr by vagueonthehow
Cafe Luigi defies convention and offers Chicago’s best New York style pizza by the slice. Cafe Luigi offers large portions of huge thin-crust pizzas slices at a good price. The crust is crispy with just slight bit of chewiness at the end of the crust, making it perfect for dipping it in marinara or ranch. They also deliver, but there is often a long wait since the pizza is that good. Café Luigi is at 2548 N Clark St.
3. Mista Pizza
Image via Flickr by Naotake Murayama
This is another super-thin pizza specialist that offers taste over quantity. One pizza they are famous for is the Napolitano, which comes with the toppings of plum tomatoes, arugula, mozzarella, herbs and spices, and EVOO.
Mista Pizza is at 2921 N Broadway Ave Located only a short walking distance to the Willows Hotel, which is one of many nearby, excellent Chicago accommodations in the area.
4. Pequod’s
Image via Flickr by osphia
Pequod’s is the quintessential Chicago-style pizza with deep dough, crispy-edged pizzas adorned with a generous amounts of sauce, cheese, and toppings. Their claim to fame is the thick, crisp, crunchy crust which caramelizes when baked. The pizza is never soggy thanks to the cast iron cookware that distributes heat evenly throughout the pizza. This allows for consistently crunchy crust complemented by sauce and gooey cheese. The appetizers are also a great snack to munch on while waiting for a pizza.
Pequods has an irresistible lunch special for $4.95, which includes a beer and a 7″ pizza, giving it one more reason why it is a must-see stop for any pizza lover. Pequod’s is located at 2207 N. Clybourn Ave.
This list is by no means comprehensive, and there are so many faces to Chicago it is hard to just choose one. Try out all these different pizzas places during your stay in Chicago and compile a list of your favorite pizzerias in Chicago.