Best Pizza in Chicago: Where to Find Deep Dish, Thin Crust, and Everything In Between

Pizza in Chicago is not just a meal. It’s a statement, a neighborhood tradition and sometimes even a source of argument. Every slice tells a different story depending on where you go and what you order. This city isn’t defined by one type of pizza but by how many versions it does well.

You’ll find deep dish with layers you can measure. You’ll hear about tavern style from locals who swear it’s the only real Chicago pizza. Neapolitan pies come straight from wood fired ovens with just the right amount of char. There are pies that fill you up and slices you can fold. It’s all part of the same picture.

This guide isn’t based on hype. It looks at what each place does best and which styles stand out in a city full of pizza pride. Whether you’re after late night slices or a sit down pie that takes an hour to bake, this list shows you where to start and why each stop is worth the trip.

Best Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago: Pequod’s Pizza

There’s deep dish, and then there’s Pequod’s. What sets this spot apart is the caramelized crust, created by letting cheese melt between the dough and the pan until it forms a crispy, golden edge. It’s messy, heavy and unapologetically rich. The kind of pizza you remember for days.

While many places layer the sauce on top as a finishing touch, Pequod’s finds a perfect balance. The sauce is slightly sweet, the cheese pulls just enough, and the sausage comes in big, flavorful chunks. Every slice feels like its own meal.

Pequod’s isn’t just for tourists. Plenty of locals still line up on weekends, willing to wait for a table. The atmosphere leans casual, with dim lighting and no rush to leave. It’s the kind of place you settle into.

What to know before you go:
Location: 2207 N. Clybourn Ave., Lincoln Park (also in Morton Grove)
Wait time: Expect to wait during peak hours (call ahead recommended)
Ordering tip: Get the pan pizza with sausage

If you're searching for Chicago deep dish pizza that delivers bold flavor and a crispy edge, Pequod’s is the name that always finds its way into local conversations. Also, chicago has many more deep dish pizza spots, you can read out best deep dish pizza in chicago article.

Best Stuffed Pizza in Chicago: Giordano’s

If deep dish feels like a commitment, stuffed pizza goes even further. At Giordano’s, each slice is a full experience. The layers start with dough, followed by generous cheese, then fillings, more dough, and finally a layer of sauce baked right on top. It’s rich, dense and something between a pie and a lasagna.

The recipe comes from a family in Northern Italy, and it’s been part of Chicago’s pizza story since the 1970s. Over the years, Giordano’s has grown into a household name. While some locals call it touristy, many return for the consistency and comfort it delivers.

A stuffed crust slice from Giordano’s doesn’t rush you. It’s a slower meal, one you settle into with a fork and knife. If you’re visiting Chicago and want to try a signature pizza style that’s both indulgent and unmistakably local, this spot belongs on your list.

What to know before you go:
Location: Multiple across the city (original: 730 N. Rush St., Near North Side)
Wait time: Can be long, especially downtown; pre-ordering helps
Popular pick: Classic stuffed spinach or sausage pizza

• Layers of cheese and sauce
• Tourist favorite but also respected by locals

Best Tavern-Style Pizza: Vito & Nick’s

Tavern style is the kind of pizza most Chicagoans grew up with. It’s thin, crispy and cut into squares. And nowhere does it better than Vito & Nick’s. This south side institution has been serving pizza since the 1940s, and not much has changed since. That’s part of the charm. The walls are covered in memorabilia, the beer is cold and the pizza is made the way it’s always been.

The crust is cracker thin with a good snap. The sauce leans slightly sweet, and the cheese is generous without being heavy. Every bite has texture and flavor. There’s no pretense here. It’s about comfort, tradition and the kind of place where locals bring their kids, then their grandkids.

Don’t expect gimmicks. No truffle oil, no gluten free crust. Just straightforward tavern style pizza done right. If you want to understand what most Chicagoans mean when they say pizza, this is where you start.

What to know before you go:
Location: 8433 S. Pulaski Rd., Ashburn
Cash only: Bring bills or use the ATM inside
What to order: Sausage and giardiniera or the classic cheese

• Square-cut, crispy crust
• Popular with lifelong Chicagoans
• Family-owned with decades of history

Best Neapolitan Pizza in Chicago: Spacca Napoli

For those who crave pizza rooted in tradition, Spacca Napoli delivers a Neapolitan experience that feels like a quick trip to southern Italy. The dough is fermented slowly, the mozzarella is fresh and the tomatoes are imported from San Marzano. Every detail is handled with care, resulting in a pie that’s light, fragrant and deeply satisfying.

The pizzas here come out of a wood fired oven that burns hot and fast. That gives the crust its signature puff and just the right touch of char. The center stays soft while the edges blister. The toppings are minimal but purposeful. You won’t find overloaded pies here. Instead, you get clean flavors, balanced seasoning and just enough cheese.

Spacca Napoli is more than a pizza spot. It feels like a neighborhood gathering place. The staff knows the menu well and the pace invites you to relax. It’s not rushed, and that’s part of what makes it special. Bring a friend, split a few pies and take your time.

What to know before you go:
Location: 1769 W. Sunnyside Ave., Ravenswood
Oven type: Wood fired, built in Naples
Menu favorite: Margherita with buffalo mozzarella

When it comes to Neapolitan pizza in Chicago, Spacca Napoli sets the bar. It honors the style without compromise and does so with warmth, care and consistency. Wood-fired oven and imported ingredients

• Wood-fired oven and imported ingredients
• Traditional techniques and fast bake times
• Light, chewy crust with simple toppings

Best Thin Crust Pizza: Pat’s Pizza

Not all thin crust pizza is created equal. At Pat’s Pizza, the crust is rolled by hand, crisped to the edge, and strong enough to hold toppings without folding under pressure. This place doesn’t chase trends. It sticks with what works, and what works is a pizza that’s simple, sturdy and full of flavor.

The sauce here is slightly tangy, applied in just the right amount. Cheese coverage is even, and the toppings are always fresh. The overall bite gives you crunch, warmth and balance. It’s a different kind of satisfaction compared to deep dish or Neapolitan. It doesn’t overwhelm, it keeps you coming back for one more square.

Pat’s has been a neighborhood standby for decades. It’s where people go after Little League games or on quiet weeknights. There’s no fanfare, no need for reinvention. Just honest, dependable pizza.

What to know before you go:
Location: 2679 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park
Hours: Open daily, great for lunch or casual dinner
Local favorite: Sausage and green pepper

For fans of best thin crust pizza in Chicago, Pat’s holds its own with ease. It may not be flashy, but it’s the kind of place you miss when you leave the city.

• Hand-rolled dough and thin but sturdy slices
• Classic Midwest flavor profile
• Great for delivery and casual nights

Best Modern Take on Pizza: Paulie Gee’s Logan Square

Paulie Gee’s in Logan Square feels like a place where ideas end up on crust. Here, the dough is fermented sourdough, the oven is blazing hot, and the topping combinations range from inventive to wild. This is pizza for the curious. It’s where you’ll find hot honey drizzled over salty meats or roasted veggies paired with sharp cheeses.

The space has a comfortable energy. It’s dim but inviting, industrial yet cozy. You can sit at the bar with a beer or settle in at a table with friends. The menu changes just enough to stay interesting without losing its core favorites. And if you’re vegan or gluten free, this is one of the few spots that gives you real options without treating them like an afterthought.

While the roots of Paulie Gee’s are in Brooklyn, the Logan Square outpost has made its mark with local flair. It doesn’t feel imported. It feels like it belongs. From crust to concept, everything is intentional.

What to know before you go:
Location: 2451 N. Milwaukee Ave., Logan Square
Crust style: Naturally leavened sourdough, wood fired
Recommended pick: Hellboy (with hot honey and soppressata)

For those looking for something beyond tradition, Paulie Gee’s offers the best modern pizza in Chicago without losing sight of flavor or craft.

• Creative toppings and sourdough crust
• Vegan and gluten free options
• Brooklyn roots but Chicago flair

Best Late Night Pizza: Dimo’s Pizza

Dimo’s Pizza doesn’t sleep, and that’s exactly what makes it a favorite for anyone who finds themselves hungry past midnight. This is pizza for the after-show crowd, the shift workers, the students cramming or just about anyone who wants something flavorful at odd hours. With bold combinations and a casual vibe, Dimo’s thrives where most kitchens shut down.

The menu leans into creativity. You might find mac and cheese as a topping or vegan pesto paired with roasted vegetables. But there’s still space for classics, with well made cheese and pepperoni slices holding their own against the more experimental options. The crust is sturdy but not stiff, built to be folded or eaten on the go.

Dimo’s is also one of the few places where you can grab a single slice and not feel like you’re settling. Whether you’re stopping by alone or ordering a whole pie with friends, there’s a balance between fun and food that makes this spot memorable.

What to know before you go:
Location: 1615 N. Damen Ave., Wicker Park (also in Lakeview)
Open hours: Late night service until 3 AM on weekends
Top pick: Vegan mac and cheese or classic pepperoni by the slice

When it comes to late night pizza in Chicago, Dimo’s hits the sweet spot between craveable and creative. It’s not just open late, it’s worth staying up for.

• Funky flavors and open late
• Beloved by students and night owls
• By the slice and full pies

Pizza Styles in Chicago Explained

Chicago’s pizza identity is more layered than most cities. While deep dish gets the headlines, it’s far from the only style you’ll find here. In fact, many locals will tell you their favorite pizza doesn’t come in a pan at all.

Deep dish is probably the most famous. It starts with a buttery crust that climbs up the sides of a round pan. Cheese goes in first, then toppings, then sauce on top. It’s thick, rich and best eaten with a fork and knife. A single slice can feel like a full meal.

Stuffed pizza is even heavier. It adds a second layer of dough over the cheese and toppings, then sauce is poured on top. The result is more pie than pizza, dense and built to fill you up. It’s not something you eat quickly, and that’s the point.

Tavern style is the local favorite. It’s a thin crust pizza cut into squares, often with crisp edges and a soft center. It’s designed for sharing, often served in neighborhood bars with pitchers of beer. Unlike deep dish, it’s the kind of pizza you eat with your hands, casually and often.

Neapolitan pizza offers a different experience altogether. It’s rooted in tradition, with a soft, chewy crust and minimal toppings. These pizzas are cooked fast at high heat, often in wood fired ovens. They come out charred in all the right ways and are typically eaten with a knife and fork.

Then there’s thin crust in the broader sense, which includes tavern style but also other variations. Some are crunchy, some are foldable, but all share the goal of highlighting sauce, cheese and toppings in equal measure without overwhelming the bite.

Each style tells a different part of the city’s story. And the beauty of eating pizza in Chicago is that you don’t have to choose just one.

• Chicagoans don’t eat deep dish every day
• Neighborhood favorites vs tourist spots
• Why tavern style is the true local pick

Tips for Visiting Chicago’s Pizza Spots

Go at the Right Time

Many of Chicago’s best pizza places are no secret. That means long waits, especially on weekends or during dinner hours. If you can, visit on a weekday or go right when they open. Some spots let you call ahead or offer online check-ins. It’s worth doing a little planning to avoid standing in line for an hour.

Know What to Order

Each place has its specialty, and the menu usually tells you what they’re proud of. If you’re at a deep dish spot, don’t order a thin crust and expect it to be their best. Ask the staff or glance at what other tables are having. Locals tend to know what works. Some classics, like sausage and green pepper at a tavern style place, are always a safe bet.

Bring Cash (Just in Case)

A few legendary pizza joints in Chicago still don’t take cards. This isn’t about being old fashioned, it’s just how they’ve always done things. Double check before you go. If you forget, there’s often an ATM nearby, but the fees can be high. Better to be prepared.

Be Ready to Wait

Great pizza takes time. Especially with deep dish and stuffed crust, the bake time alone can be forty minutes or more. If you’re in a rush, these styles might not be the best fit that day. But if you have the time, it’s worth the wait. Good pizza isn’t fast food.

Respect the Space

Some of the best pizza in Chicago comes from small, crowded restaurants. You might be elbow to elbow with strangers or sitting at a shared table. That’s part of the charm. Be patient, tip well and enjoy the atmosphere. This city takes its pizza seriously, and so do the people serving it.

The Last Slice

Chicago’s pizza scene is more than one dish, one crust or one location. It’s built on neighborhoods, history and the people who keep their ovens hot year after year. Whether you came for the cheese pulls or stayed for the crispy edges, the best pizza in Chicago is the one that speaks to your appetite and your mood.

What makes this city special is the range. You can sit down for a pie that takes forty minutes to bake or grab a slice on your way home after midnight. You’ll find recipes passed down through generations and menus that change every season. Pizza here doesn’t stand still.

So try something new. Go somewhere you haven’t heard of. Order the thing that sounds weird. Chicago gives you all the styles and none of the rules. Just crust, sauce, cheese and the stories they carry. And maybe, if you’re lucky, a little extra napkin grease.

No matter how many slices you eat, there’s always one more worth having.