The story
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria on North Wells Street stands as a quintessential Chicago institution for those seeking an authentic deep dish experience. The restaurant recently earned high praise during a cross-country pizza showdown, where creator Giovanni Fois declared their iconic style the winner among three major American varieties. Whether you opt for the classic sausage pie or the decadent version featuring double mozzarella and double tomato, the quality remains consistently celebrated by enthusiasts. Creator Bertra highlights that the venue is a must-visit, noting that their trademarked buttery crust is truly incredible.
While the reputation of this Chicago staple is well-earned, visitors should come prepared for premium pricing. Fois noted that the experience is undeniably amazing, though he highlighted that the cost can be steep, reaching $80 for two pizzas. For those willing to invest in a top-tier slice, Lou Malnati’s remains a must-visit destination.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 4 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers call Lou Malnati's deep-dish pizza a Chicago classic, praising its buttery crust and rich sauce. The overall vibe is warm, nostalgic, and satisfyingly indulgent.
“This is the classic deep dish pizza with mozzarella, tomato sauce, parmesan on top, and sausage inside. The crust is like a buttery shortcrust pastry, not a bread dough. The mozzarella is real mozzarella, not a substitute. The tomato sauce is not acidic, very balanced, not too salty. The sausage is very spicy with lots of pepper and herbs. The crust is crunchy and buttery, like the edge of a homemade pan pizza that gets a bit overdone but not burnt. I'd say 90% of this pizza is mozzarella, but it's good. I've been wanting to try this for years and it's better than I expected. It beats the Detroit pizza I had before. I could eat a whole one, even though it's heavy enough for 85 people.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. Most active: Bertra, Giovanni Fois
Lou Malnati's is the place that invented and trademarked the buttery crust deep dish pizza, and it's a must-visit in Chicago — the pizza is incredible and beats any other I've had.
Dishes mentioned
Chicago Classic
This is the classic deep dish pizza with mozzarella, tomato sauce, parmesan on top, and sausage inside. The crust is like a buttery shortcrust pastry, not a bread dough. The mozzarella is real mozzarella, not a substitute. The tomato sauce is not acidic, very balanced, not too salty. The sausage is very spicy with lots of pepper and herbs. The crust is crunchy and buttery, like the edge of a homemade pan pizza that gets a bit overdone but not burnt. I'd say 90% of this pizza is mozzarella, but it's good. I've been wanting to try this for years and it's better than I expected. It beats the Detroit pizza I had before. I could eat a whole one, even though it's heavy enough for 85 people.
Double Dough Double Cheese Pepperoni and Jalapeño
This one has double tomato, double cheese, pepperoni, and jalapeño. It's three times as thick as the classic. There's an insane amount of mozzarella, even more than the classic. The pepperoni adds a spicy, savory kick that the classic was missing, and the jalapeño helps too. I could eat four of these in a row. It's pure pleasure. Calling it pizza is a stretch because it's really a savory cake with pizza ingredients, but it's so good.
- Giovanni FoisLoved
HO PROVATO LE 3 PIZZE MIGLIORI D'AMERICA - CHICAGO VS NEW YORK VS DETROIT · @ 12:00
Lou Malnati's is the quintessential Chicago deep dish pizzeria — the double mozzarella version is incredible when hot, but the classic sausage version is also good; however, both are very expensive ($80 for two pizzas).
Dishes mentioned
Deep Dish Pizza with Double Mozzarella and Double Tomato
This is the deep dish with double mozzarella, double tomato, salami, pepperoni, and jalapeño. The crust is super crunchy, buttery, full of flavor — like a huge biscuit. The mozzarella is real, stringy, and good. It's incredibly cheesy. I've never tasted a pizza like this. It's really good. Hot, it's mind-blowing. But when it gets cold, it becomes a mess — a lump of mozzarella, loses flavor. I'd put it first among the three styles.
Classic Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage
This is their classic version with just sausage. Less mozzarella, so you taste the dough and tomato more. The crust is buttery, you can really taste the butter underneath. It's very fatty but good. Compared to the double version, it has fewer points, but I'd still recommend it. The dough is great, the tomato is right, the sausage is good.
