what is a chicago pie

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.

what is a chicago pie

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.

what is a chicago pie

Chicago’s Best Pizza: Bartoli’s Pizzeria

FAQ

What makes a Chicago pizza different?

Chicago-style pizza usually refers to deep-dish pizza, which is a thick pizza baked in a pan and layered with cheese, fillings like meat and vegetables, and sauce–in that order. The crust is usually two to three inches tall and gets slightly fried due to the oil in the pan.

Why is deep-dish a Chicago thing?

Deep-dish. According to Tim Samuelson, Chicago’s official cultural historian, there is not enough documentation to determine with certainty who invented Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. It is often reported that Chicago-style deep-dish pizza was invented at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago, in 1943, by Uno’s founder Ike Sewell.

Is Chicago deep-dish a pie?

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!

What Chicago pizza resembles a pie?

In Chicago, deep-dish pizza is the most popular type. It is baked in a shallow pan with a high edge, allowing it to hold a large amount of cheese and chunky tomato sauce. It can be deep-dish or stuffed. Because it is so deep, it resembles a pie more than it does a flatbread.

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.

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