What is Chicago pizza? It’s no secret that the crust is king, but what else is Chicago-style pizza known for? The most unique and recognizable element of Chicago pizza, deep-dish crust is at least an inch deep, allowing room for extra sauce and toppings. With its even higher crust, stuffed pizza resembles a pot pie or casserole dish more than a New York-style thin-crust pie! Keep reading to learn more about Chicago-style pizza, plus the best spots to give it try yourself.
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How Do You Make Chicago-Style Pizza?
Now that you know what the expect from Chicago pizza, how do you make it? If you’ve baked pizza at home on a pizza stone, making deep-dish is completely different! First, you’ll need an iron skillet or a round, steel pan similar to a cake or pie pan. Then follow these steps:
- Oil the pan to create a crispy crust.
- Press a thick layer of dough up onto the sides of the pan.
- Cover the crust with sliced mozzarella cheese. Why cheese first? Because Chicago-style pizza takes extra-long to bake, the cheese would burn if it were added last on top. To prevent that, Chicago pizzas are assembled “upside-down.”
- Add various meat options like pepperoni or sausage.
- Add other toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, and anything else you like.
- Make a thick sauce from crushed canned tomatoes and spread on top.
- Fold in a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Chicago-style Pizza: Style Points
What can you expect when you order Chicago-style pizza? Grab a fork and check out these Chicago pizza facts:
- The extra-high crust makes space for lots more cheese, tomato sauce, and toppings than pan pies. With a name that references onions, it’s no wonder that Chicagoans like their pizza with plenty of flavor.
- Tomato sauce is much thicker than the sauce on pan pizzas.
- You may need a knife and fork. Enjoying real deep-dish Chicago pizza can be more of a sit-down meal with a fork, knife, and napkins.
- This is not grab-and-go. You can try it, but deep dish is not the ideal pizza for eating with your hands!
- Along with white flour, the crust can include cornmeal and semolina flour.
Chicago’s Best Pizza: Bartoli’s Pizzeria
FAQ
What makes a Chicago pizza different?
Why is deep-dish a Chicago thing?
Is Chicago deep-dish a pie?
What Chicago pizza resembles a pie?
Does Chicago have a pie?
From the juicy fruits of spring and summer to nostalgic spices in the fall, Chicago has plenty of pie available all year long. The city’s bakeries and restaurants have something special to offer whether it’s whole or by the slice. Fancy a cream pie? Or one made with seasonal fruit?
What is the best apple pie in Chicago?
But the one constant, the classic apple, might be the best apple pie in the city. Pie, Pie My Darling, Chicago’s much-adored spot for vegan treats (often with gothic flair), offers a weekly rotating menu of pies and cakes exclusively for pre-order and pickup at its West Town shop. Keep track of options via Instagram and place orders online.
Where can I get Thanksgiving pies in Chicago?
A Chicago pie institution, Bang Bang is offering Thanksgiving pies for pickup at its Logan Square location. The venerable pie maker has holiday-friendly flavors such as pumpkin, chocolate caramel, chocolate pecan, and apple. Place orders online. Sign up for our newsletter. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice.
Where can I buy sweet potato pies in Chicago?
Choices include apple, pecan, sweet potato, and brownie walnut. Along Taylor Street, long a center of Italian immigrants in Chicago near UIC, Scafuri has been baking memories since 1904. The bakery is open Thursday through Sunday, but their famous pecan pie can be ordered online. This Greater Grand Crossing bakery specializes in sweet potato pies.