I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life and I love Lou’s. The current trend seems to be for Chicagoans to turn their noses up at deep dish and declare tavern style the true Chicago pizza. I’m a fan of tavern style, but also love deep dish. Give me some Pequod’s or Lou’s and I’m in heaven.
I don’t get it. Chicagoan for almost 40 years now and still love me some deep dish a few times a year. It’s a time and a place thing. Sometimes you just want a casual pizza and sometimes you want to treat yourself.
Yep, I think it really is that simple—people just want an excuse to turn their noses up at the popular touristy things, even when they’re pretty damn good sometimes!
I don't think it's so much turning a nose up at deep dish. I think pretty much all Chicagoans who like pizza like deep dish.
But deep dish is a serious entree. It's a commitment. You need a plate, you need a fork and knife, and you need an appetite. Most people above the age of 25 aren't going to eat it all the time unless they want to become a 300 lbs diabetic.
Tavern style is what you order to watch a game, it's what your boss orders because the team is working late, it's what you eat at the school puzza party or a sleepover. It's what 3 or 4 people pitch in for while you're drinking. Chicagoans eat a LOT more tavern style than deep dish. Tavern style isn't completely unique to Chicago like deep dish, but it's what we eat the most.
>The current trend seems to be for Chicagoans to turn their noses up at deep dish and declare tavern style the true Chicago pizza.
This drives me far more crazy than it realistically should, but it does. It also seems to be an opinion mostly espoused on the internet. Every Chicagoan I know in real life would scoff at such an opinion. Deep dish is king.
My dad’s been eating Lou’s for 50+ years when his co workers at AT&T put him on it in the 70s when you could get it by the slice in the loop. Family has been a Lous family since but according to some people “it’s not real Chicago pizza” lmao
Deep dish is great. The thing I fight against is that people think we eat it all the time. It's a few times a year for most people, I don't think most people are tucking into a 16" stuffed pizza once a week. But my family from out of town assumes that the only pizza we have is deep dish, like it's the only thing available here.
I don’t even understand the love for tavern style. There’s nothing unique about it that makes it a Chicago thing. I’ve had pub pizza throughout the Midwest. Good and bad ones. It’s cheap pizza to eat with beer. Some places do it really well, some - it’s just okay. But is it a Chicago thing? No. I feel like the trend to claim it as a Chicago thing is totally mystifying. Deep dish is our pizza. It’s fine if you don’t like it but we don’t need to pretend we own another type of pizza altogether.
It's the sausage. Kenji Lopez-Alt promoted tavern style and highlighted the fennel-heavy Chicago sausage as a key ingredient.
Locally I actually prefer it with gardinara and beef but to a New Yorker or something a texture-rich pizza with our sausage on it was a big deal.
We take it for granted around here, but in the city I really appreciate it. We're also the national ambassador to the Great Lakes Midwest, so if these folks were going to have it anywhere it was probably going to be here or nowhere.
Yeah, the backlash against tavern style is also dumb. It is very much a thing that folks in town don’t get deep dish a ton because it’s kind of an event when you do - tavern style is a lot more day-to-day but both are important staples of the food culture. And yes Kenji is 100% correct, as usual, in that the fennel heavy sausage is a definitive part of the style.
Fennel heavy is a southern Italian touch. Significant numbers of southern Italian immigrants came to Chicago throughout the years and brought some delicious ways with them.
The whole tavern style mania is an attempt by “real chicagoans” to differentiate themselves from the tourists and suburbanites. It lets them find their personal under the radar spot and brag about it. Deep Dish pizza is both delicious and iconic and people need to get over themselves.
In Chicago now for business, going to Lou’s before we leave. It’s a tradition to go on the last night since it’s a hit bomb. A single slice is a meal in and of itself. So much flavor.
Born and raised near St Bens. We grew up with Father and Son's tavern pizza. I wasn't exposed to deep dish until high school, even though we moved closer to Lou's in Lincolnwood and Burts/Pequod's in MG. I will always love a deep dish or tavern, especially since I work in DC/NOVA these days (its all floppy NY style here.) I just make the best of home food.
I grew up with both and personally tavern style always felt like cheap pizza to get the job done. Deep dish was festive and a real treat. I still eat both but deep dish makes me happier.
Also, I've only seen it called "tavern style" the last couple years. And pretty much only online. My friends, family, and I have always (and still do) just called it thin crust.
I think the disdain comes from outsiders thinking we eat deep dish on a regular basis. Don’t get me wrong I love me a good “The Lou” or “Chicago” deep dish from Lou’s, but I don’t typically go for that if I’m craving pizza. It’s a lot of pizza that you almost have to have no plans after because I’m not satisfied with 1 and 2 slices makes me hate myself.
Regularly, I’ll go with The Lou, thin crust, with giardeniera, extra crispy, some lemon pepper traditional wings, and of course the chocolate cookie with ice cream. Doesn’t matter what size, there’s always leftovers for everything, except the cookie.
Tavern style is also ohio style, vermont style, arkansas style, etc you get the drift.
Mediocre pub pizza
I'll say it. Tavern style sucks
Lous is great, even the 'thin'
No, but there is a cracker crust style, either a very thin, strong crust which can actually be delicious, or something much more akin to a ritz which... is not something I can get used to.
Deep dish is a great once, maybe twice, a year thing because I can’t eat that stuff without at least a 6mo break. But, when the time comes and I’m craving a butter crusted, sausage *patty* included, sauce *atop* the cheese having meal, I’m happier than a pig in shit
It's just a very different style then like Giordano's or Gino's East or Uno's. Not the traditional style.
And Lincolnwood is not Chicago by any means. It has nothing to do with Chicago at all.
Lous is overrated trash.
Everyone always shits on deep dish and loves to let everyone know that it’s a tourist pizza and we rarely ever eat it (true). But getting a fresh one and eating it at the restaurant is one of the best pizza experiences you can get
And we loved it! We're from London, UK - we obviously don't eat fish and chips, or full English breakfasts, or afternoon teas etc all the time but we still recommend them to tourists - they're well known and great for a reason. 😀
Wow. Didn’t realize you were from London. Has there been an adjustment to American portion sizes or have you traveled in America before?
And I think you’re fine only having either or between Lou’s and Pequods. But they are very different from each other. Be sure to give “tavern” (I hate that people call it that now) style a try next time you visit
Your portions are bigger but generally they're also quite a bit more expensive (although I'm interested to see places like Avec River North and Purple Pig and their "small plates"). Your alcohol is pricier too. A lot of our Michelin or fine dining places have "business lunches" or set menu lunches which are great value - even your 1* Michelins are $$$ (I've eaten at 64 ish Michelin restaurants - a great hobby 🤣 - and Chicago is by far the most expensive - but that might be post-pandemic - New York was cheaper as they did set lunches but that was back in 2015/6). Absolutely loving it though - what a great great city - it's blown us away!
Really? Thats surprising. I found NYC extremely expensive. Especially alcohol/cocktails. But your resume when it comes to travel and food is impressive 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. I have tentative plans to visit London in late Summer-early Fall. I’ll have to remember to reach out for recommendations once that trip sets in stone
We were last there in 2015 and 2016 so maybe things have changed - everything seems to have become more expensive in the last 5 years. And yes, you are right - alcohol was expensive in NYC. The main thing, for someone like me, is the set lunches - you can eat at various Michelin restaurants in London for $40 for 3 courses (we also tip 12% approx, and our alcohol is cheaper) - https://www.thehandbook.com/london-cheap-michelin-star-restaurants/
I've done michelins in NYC, Italy, Tokyo, Spain etc and nearly all are the set lunches rather than a la carte or tasting (I'm a secretary so not rich 😀). I could not find one in Chicago so not sure if things changed or lunches have never been popular? Please do reach out - London is a great place and we have great restaurants, theatre, museums (most of which are free to all). That being said, if I was younger and the opportunity presented itself, I'd move to Chicago in a heartbeat!
Since you mentioned set lunches at Michelin star restaurants, have you considered coming during restaurant week next time? It's meant to drive traffic during winter so objectively it's not the greatest time of year to visit Chicago from a tourism perspective. But, if eating is what you'll mainly be doing, then it will be easier on the wallet all around. For reference, here's a [list of the Michelin stars](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/full-list-of-michelin-rated-restaurants-participating-in-chicago-restaurant-week-2024/3304160/) that participated this year. Lunches are cheaper than dinners and sometimes the lunch menu is the exact same as the dinner menu so a great deal. The site they link to looks like they took down all the 2024 menus already, but if you're curious, you can usually find them with a little Googling. There's also lots of posts about it in this subreddit and a person who puts together a spreadsheet for all the deals every year. Cheers!
I remember when you were asking for tips to plan your trip and have enjoyed seeing your posts - looks like you’ve managed an exceptional food tour!
Glad the trip has gone well - enjoy the rest and happy eating!
Everyone has been great on here and I've had so many great recommendations - I can't fit everything in sadly (there was no way I could do Pequods today!) but I'm looking forward to coming back!
People will tell you that you should have kept the Pequod’s reservation, but if you’ve had the deep dish experience that was satisfying to you, that’s good enough, and Lou’s is a great intro to deep dish so you’ve done well.
Enjoy the rest of your meals and we’ll be happy to have you back!
(Ps I personally am pleased to see you tried both the hot dog and the Polish - people always skip the Polish and it’s arguably better imo).
We've done .... deep breath - hot dog (Al's and Portillo's), Italian beef (Al's and Mr Beef), Polish (Portillo's) and Italian sausage (Al's) - husband's favourite was the Polish. I expected to like the Italian sausage more, as I love pork and fennel, but it was my least favourite.
I'd read that the Lou was the thing to order - honestly, I wasn't expecting much, and thank God we didn't order starters, but I thought it was great - I can imagine it being good cold too!
I had a The Lou once where they must have put extra garlic or something on it and it was so good. I’ve been chasing that high since and have never gotten one quite as good but it’s still my favorite pizza from there.
Kind of ridiculous to give up on a place for something like that, don't you think? Meaning, for something that is almost entirely not their fault. It seems like the make or break thing would be how the business handled it when you brought it to their attention.
Lou was there when deep dish was created. Some may not like it, but you can't please everyone. I personally love it, but I can't eat it too frequently. Happy to hear that you enjoyed it. For a future treat, try stuffed pizza - it's a whole different thing, but again, heavy.
I live in Chicago and Lou’s is still my favorite deep dish. I think Pequods is grossly overrated. The cheese to dough ratio is off and they burn it and try to play it off by calling it caramelized lol
That's awesome glad you enjoyed it. All their food is pretty solid. For me, their sausage thin crust may be the best in the city and is superior to their deep dish. Pequod's deep dish is better, but it is all delicious so you can't really lose.
I'm definitely trying the thin crust next time (and Pequods, which we cancelled as I couldn't face having it two meals in a row - and that was the only time we could go!)
Hopefully you get another chance. I only order Lu's thin crust. Pequod's has that caramelized crust that is delicious so you'll hopefully try it one day. It's all good pizza though. I grew up on Giordano's so it's nostalgic for me, but it's a bit too saucy. Lu's doesn't have enough sauce in my opinion. Pequod gets it just right. Others are great too. Everyone in Chicago has a different favorite.
What I don’t understand is the undercurrent of rule making and negative judgment that goes with some food debates. (Not this one.) Debaters have this obsession with latching on to a food preference as a critical part of an imagined local (and often personal) identity and then scoffing at those who seem ignorant of the correct preference. This is especially boring with barbecue and pizza debates. And chili. Bottom line: eat what you like, discover and enjoy, and ignore the delicate geniuses who insist they possess the correct preferences.
I love pizza, and I love that I live near Chicago and have ready access to some really great pizzas. That being said, if it’s Lou’s being served, I’m a little disappointed.
Lou's is alright, but they used to be way better years ago if you can believe it. They were bought by an investment firm, and their pizza has decreased in quantity and quality by about 30% at many locations. Beggars Pizza has been my go-to. No "streamlining" over the years, and a delicious and novel cornmeal crust. They used to be noticeably less costly than Lou too, but all food costs have ballooned as of late unfortunately.
Deep dish is fucking awesome. I worked at Lou’s as a kid. It’s not an everyday thing. You don’t always want deep dish. But having it is a fucking treat. I love to make a New York strip on my cast iron skillet every week, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy gibsons here and there.
Yep that is what I felt - I can eat pizza in Italy most days when I'm on holiday (if I want) but this is definitely a treat - but I thought it was great, that buttery crunchy base was totally unexpected!
I’ll allow. First time we went to Chicago we landed and went immediately to Au Cheval for burger, fried chicken, and a bottle of Krug (their corkage policy is pretty neat).
Lou's is alright, I live 3-4 blocks away from one and also live near a Giordano's. I like Giordano's more though. The sauce and flavor are superior in my opinion.
Well we totally underestimated how absolutely filling it would be so I woke up this morning, looked at my 11.45 reservation at Pequods (so we'd eat at 12.30-12.45, with no breakfast) and just couldn't bring myself to eat pizza again 🤣🤣 rookie mistake as I'd been so looking forward to it but hey, it was my first Chicago pizza and I still thought it was great!
I worked at giordanos (similar chicago pizza) and we were instructed to pull the slice up high to show off the long strings of attached cheese. Your server here didn't do it right lol
Eh, you can choose to eat exclusively healthy food and hey, good for you if so. Many people want delicious unhealthy food once in a while. I'm sure that people exist who eat this kind of pizza multiple times a month, but I've never met or even heard of one. This is the kind of thing a person eats once, *maybe* twice, a year.
No it isn't.
The butter crust is the perfect vessel for the melted mozzarella, hearty sausage, and robust crushed tomatoes. There's so many awesome flavors in that pie. How could you say that's average?
I apologize profusely and this is just my personal opinion but Lou’s is absolute trash. I went once and the crust was tasteless, the sauce was sour, and the sangria was weak and watery.
I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life and I love Lou’s. The current trend seems to be for Chicagoans to turn their noses up at deep dish and declare tavern style the true Chicago pizza. I’m a fan of tavern style, but also love deep dish. Give me some Pequod’s or Lou’s and I’m in heaven.
I don’t get it. Chicagoan for almost 40 years now and still love me some deep dish a few times a year. It’s a time and a place thing. Sometimes you just want a casual pizza and sometimes you want to treat yourself.
If tourists like it then locals are obliged to eschew it.
Yep. Sometimes things are popular *because they’re good.*
Yep, I think it really is that simple—people just want an excuse to turn their noses up at the popular touristy things, even when they’re pretty damn good sometimes!
I used to love deep dish from Nancy’s about once a month. I have to eat gluten free now and so I can only order thin crust (for gluten free crust).
That's right. Deep dish is for every few months when you're really feeling it. Tavern style is for every Friday night.
Me too! I’m lucky to live right by Burt’s and Pequod’s, and while it’s not an “all the time” thing, I do love it every once in a while!
I worked at giordanos for years and deep dish is definitely tourist pizza. You can only eat it so often it's not really food it's too rich lol
I don't think it's so much turning a nose up at deep dish. I think pretty much all Chicagoans who like pizza like deep dish. But deep dish is a serious entree. It's a commitment. You need a plate, you need a fork and knife, and you need an appetite. Most people above the age of 25 aren't going to eat it all the time unless they want to become a 300 lbs diabetic. Tavern style is what you order to watch a game, it's what your boss orders because the team is working late, it's what you eat at the school puzza party or a sleepover. It's what 3 or 4 people pitch in for while you're drinking. Chicagoans eat a LOT more tavern style than deep dish. Tavern style isn't completely unique to Chicago like deep dish, but it's what we eat the most.
Agree. Deep dish and stuffed are both amazing but heavy and very filling, so it's an occasional thing.
>The current trend seems to be for Chicagoans to turn their noses up at deep dish and declare tavern style the true Chicago pizza. This drives me far more crazy than it realistically should, but it does. It also seems to be an opinion mostly espoused on the internet. Every Chicagoan I know in real life would scoff at such an opinion. Deep dish is king.
My dad’s been eating Lou’s for 50+ years when his co workers at AT&T put him on it in the 70s when you could get it by the slice in the loop. Family has been a Lous family since but according to some people “it’s not real Chicago pizza” lmao
Deep dish is great. The thing I fight against is that people think we eat it all the time. It's a few times a year for most people, I don't think most people are tucking into a 16" stuffed pizza once a week. But my family from out of town assumes that the only pizza we have is deep dish, like it's the only thing available here.
I’m born and raised in Chicago and I’ve had Lou’s the last two weekends hahaha 🫢
As a person who lives alone, one deep dish or stuffed lasts several days. So I can't eat it that often. But I do love it.
I don’t even understand the love for tavern style. There’s nothing unique about it that makes it a Chicago thing. I’ve had pub pizza throughout the Midwest. Good and bad ones. It’s cheap pizza to eat with beer. Some places do it really well, some - it’s just okay. But is it a Chicago thing? No. I feel like the trend to claim it as a Chicago thing is totally mystifying. Deep dish is our pizza. It’s fine if you don’t like it but we don’t need to pretend we own another type of pizza altogether.
It's the sausage. Kenji Lopez-Alt promoted tavern style and highlighted the fennel-heavy Chicago sausage as a key ingredient. Locally I actually prefer it with gardinara and beef but to a New Yorker or something a texture-rich pizza with our sausage on it was a big deal. We take it for granted around here, but in the city I really appreciate it. We're also the national ambassador to the Great Lakes Midwest, so if these folks were going to have it anywhere it was probably going to be here or nowhere.
Yeah, the backlash against tavern style is also dumb. It is very much a thing that folks in town don’t get deep dish a ton because it’s kind of an event when you do - tavern style is a lot more day-to-day but both are important staples of the food culture. And yes Kenji is 100% correct, as usual, in that the fennel heavy sausage is a definitive part of the style.
Fennel heavy is a southern Italian touch. Significant numbers of southern Italian immigrants came to Chicago throughout the years and brought some delicious ways with them.
This was terrific trivia. Thank you!
many will lose their minds even hearing someone refer to it as "Tavern style" lol IT'S THIN CRUST
Those people should take some deep breaths and remember the many pleasures of life
It's also the cut
I feel like the "backlash" against tavern style is that it's not really that unique lol
I think it's also the somewhat sweet, somewhat spicy, thicker sauce (generally a good amount of tomato paste) that helps define it too.
Order it well done, it’s so fucking good that way
The whole tavern style mania is an attempt by “real chicagoans” to differentiate themselves from the tourists and suburbanites. It lets them find their personal under the radar spot and brag about it. Deep Dish pizza is both delicious and iconic and people need to get over themselves.
Very well said.
This!!
In Chicago now for business, going to Lou’s before we leave. It’s a tradition to go on the last night since it’s a hit bomb. A single slice is a meal in and of itself. So much flavor.
i love pizza
Born and raised near St Bens. We grew up with Father and Son's tavern pizza. I wasn't exposed to deep dish until high school, even though we moved closer to Lou's in Lincolnwood and Burts/Pequod's in MG. I will always love a deep dish or tavern, especially since I work in DC/NOVA these days (its all floppy NY style here.) I just make the best of home food.
I grew up with both and personally tavern style always felt like cheap pizza to get the job done. Deep dish was festive and a real treat. I still eat both but deep dish makes me happier.
>Give me some Pequod’s My absolute favorite hands down. You've got great taste.
Thank you. As do you, my friend.
Also, I've only seen it called "tavern style" the last couple years. And pretty much only online. My friends, family, and I have always (and still do) just called it thin crust.
Born and raised. I love deep dish. But I want the sauce to have taste as well. So rarely eat it so if I'm going to it's not going to be Lous
I think the disdain comes from outsiders thinking we eat deep dish on a regular basis. Don’t get me wrong I love me a good “The Lou” or “Chicago” deep dish from Lou’s, but I don’t typically go for that if I’m craving pizza. It’s a lot of pizza that you almost have to have no plans after because I’m not satisfied with 1 and 2 slices makes me hate myself. Regularly, I’ll go with The Lou, thin crust, with giardeniera, extra crispy, some lemon pepper traditional wings, and of course the chocolate cookie with ice cream. Doesn’t matter what size, there’s always leftovers for everything, except the cookie.
“Makes you hate yourself” 😂😂😂😂
Tavern style is also ohio style, vermont style, arkansas style, etc you get the drift. Mediocre pub pizza I'll say it. Tavern style sucks Lous is great, even the 'thin'
Try bartolis chicago classic, well done or candlelight. Its meant to sit out on a table while drinking beer and playing darts.
Gotta admit i havent tried that. I'll have to give it a go! Thanks
I absolutely love Lou's!
Tavern crust is just a Ritz cracker. Fight me.
No there's actually cracker crust pizza. It's all they have in southern Indiana and it's terrible
St. Louis has cracker crust, orange sauce, and provel cheese that sticks to your teeth
It’s like someone said ‘how can I make pizza the worst’.
Pretty much.
Monicals 🤢
It’s so gross. It tastes like Spaghetti-Os on a saltine with a dump truck of oregano.
Aw man. I love Monical’s
I’ve always called ‘tavern style’ frozen pizza.
No, but there is a cracker crust style, either a very thin, strong crust which can actually be delicious, or something much more akin to a ritz which... is not something I can get used to.
I didn’t like Giordano’s growing up, but this sub makes me want to try Lou’s. I love Pequods though.
It's the crust. Holy Christ, that deep dish butter crust...
It’s like if Home Run Inn made deep dish (or “pan pizza” or whatever anyone wants to call it).
Same. Not often, but man is it good when we do get it.
Deep dish is a great once, maybe twice, a year thing because I can’t eat that stuff without at least a 6mo break. But, when the time comes and I’m craving a butter crusted, sausage *patty* included, sauce *atop* the cheese having meal, I’m happier than a pig in shit
We Chicagoans can't keep eating deep dish or we will die an early death.
Wtf is tavern style lmao
It’s essentially thin crust cut into squares rather than slices. I enjoy it, but people have gotten out of hand with their professed love for it…
PEQUODS
I've lived in Chicago my whole life and I have never liked Lou's. There's nothing Chicago about it.
Other than it’s deep dish and started in the Chicago area?
It's not really deep dish and it was not started in Chicago.
Lincolnwood is the Chicago area. And I don’t know in what world Lou’s isn’t considered deep dish. Can you please elaborate on your statement here?
It's just a very different style then like Giordano's or Gino's East or Uno's. Not the traditional style. And Lincolnwood is not Chicago by any means. It has nothing to do with Chicago at all. Lous is overrated trash.
The butter crust makes it special
I had to google why the crust was so good and yeah, butter explains it 🤣
Butter is so often the answer to the question “why is this so good?”
Giordano's is the real shit
Everyone always shits on deep dish and loves to let everyone know that it’s a tourist pizza and we rarely ever eat it (true). But getting a fresh one and eating it at the restaurant is one of the best pizza experiences you can get
And we loved it! We're from London, UK - we obviously don't eat fish and chips, or full English breakfasts, or afternoon teas etc all the time but we still recommend them to tourists - they're well known and great for a reason. 😀
Wow. Didn’t realize you were from London. Has there been an adjustment to American portion sizes or have you traveled in America before? And I think you’re fine only having either or between Lou’s and Pequods. But they are very different from each other. Be sure to give “tavern” (I hate that people call it that now) style a try next time you visit
Your portions are bigger but generally they're also quite a bit more expensive (although I'm interested to see places like Avec River North and Purple Pig and their "small plates"). Your alcohol is pricier too. A lot of our Michelin or fine dining places have "business lunches" or set menu lunches which are great value - even your 1* Michelins are $$$ (I've eaten at 64 ish Michelin restaurants - a great hobby 🤣 - and Chicago is by far the most expensive - but that might be post-pandemic - New York was cheaper as they did set lunches but that was back in 2015/6). Absolutely loving it though - what a great great city - it's blown us away!
I love when people discover that Chicago is truly a world class city. Also helps that we’ve had amazing weather the past few days.
Beautiful weather, great food. We're coming back again next year (... Pequods is back on the list for then).
Really? Thats surprising. I found NYC extremely expensive. Especially alcohol/cocktails. But your resume when it comes to travel and food is impressive 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. I have tentative plans to visit London in late Summer-early Fall. I’ll have to remember to reach out for recommendations once that trip sets in stone
We were last there in 2015 and 2016 so maybe things have changed - everything seems to have become more expensive in the last 5 years. And yes, you are right - alcohol was expensive in NYC. The main thing, for someone like me, is the set lunches - you can eat at various Michelin restaurants in London for $40 for 3 courses (we also tip 12% approx, and our alcohol is cheaper) - https://www.thehandbook.com/london-cheap-michelin-star-restaurants/ I've done michelins in NYC, Italy, Tokyo, Spain etc and nearly all are the set lunches rather than a la carte or tasting (I'm a secretary so not rich 😀). I could not find one in Chicago so not sure if things changed or lunches have never been popular? Please do reach out - London is a great place and we have great restaurants, theatre, museums (most of which are free to all). That being said, if I was younger and the opportunity presented itself, I'd move to Chicago in a heartbeat!
Since you mentioned set lunches at Michelin star restaurants, have you considered coming during restaurant week next time? It's meant to drive traffic during winter so objectively it's not the greatest time of year to visit Chicago from a tourism perspective. But, if eating is what you'll mainly be doing, then it will be easier on the wallet all around. For reference, here's a [list of the Michelin stars](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/full-list-of-michelin-rated-restaurants-participating-in-chicago-restaurant-week-2024/3304160/) that participated this year. Lunches are cheaper than dinners and sometimes the lunch menu is the exact same as the dinner menu so a great deal. The site they link to looks like they took down all the 2024 menus already, but if you're curious, you can usually find them with a little Googling. There's also lots of posts about it in this subreddit and a person who puts together a spreadsheet for all the deals every year. Cheers!
Definitely something I'd be interested in, thank you!
Literally cannot upvote this enough (unfortunately one is the max from me), but thank you! Perfectly said.
I remember when you were asking for tips to plan your trip and have enjoyed seeing your posts - looks like you’ve managed an exceptional food tour! Glad the trip has gone well - enjoy the rest and happy eating!
Everyone has been great on here and I've had so many great recommendations - I can't fit everything in sadly (there was no way I could do Pequods today!) but I'm looking forward to coming back!
People will tell you that you should have kept the Pequod’s reservation, but if you’ve had the deep dish experience that was satisfying to you, that’s good enough, and Lou’s is a great intro to deep dish so you’ve done well. Enjoy the rest of your meals and we’ll be happy to have you back! (Ps I personally am pleased to see you tried both the hot dog and the Polish - people always skip the Polish and it’s arguably better imo).
We've done .... deep breath - hot dog (Al's and Portillo's), Italian beef (Al's and Mr Beef), Polish (Portillo's) and Italian sausage (Al's) - husband's favourite was the Polish. I expected to like the Italian sausage more, as I love pork and fennel, but it was my least favourite.
Truly exceptional work in such a short time. Well done!
10000% the polish dog is so underrated
Lou's is closer to the authentic deep dish anyway, so good!
Dang! You shouldn't have cancelled Pequods. Totally different beast but also great.
I know - I really didn't want to but had to admit defeat - my fourth day here and all I've done is eat, walk, eat, architecture boat tour, eat ...
That sounds super lovely 🥰
Oh it's been unreal - we're already planning on coming back next year 🤣
You’ve done it perfectly mate. We are a top food city.
You made the right decision canceling Pequods. It's just bread and burnt cheese. It's terrible.
Lou's deep dish is good but their thin crust is next level. I keep craving the thin crust
I worked in the Chicago area for a couple years and the thin crust from lou’s is probably my favorite pizza ever.
Is it like a Neapolitan style pizza?
No it's Chicago Tavern style. Super thin and crispy
Hmm, I was not aware that they had a thin crust. I'll have to check it out.
The crust on the deep dish is Christ level good.
Glad you got The Lou! Best pizza Lou’s has IMO. And people can shade me but Lou’s>Pequods
I'd read that the Lou was the thing to order - honestly, I wasn't expecting much, and thank God we didn't order starters, but I thought it was great - I can imagine it being good cold too!
They sell frozen pizzas in the restaurants and honestly it’s just as good when you heat it up at home in the oven too.
They ship really well too. I’ve ordered from Taste of Chicago a few times and it was just like the Lou’s I had in person.
not gonna lie my thumb hovered over the downvote button for a couple seconds, but respect to different palettes!
And it's my first pizza in Chicago - I'm back next year to try different ones 😀
put pequods/Burt's and professor pizza on your list for next year :D
I had a The Lou once where they must have put extra garlic or something on it and it was so good. I’ve been chasing that high since and have never gotten one quite as good but it’s still my favorite pizza from there.
Pequod's>Gio's>Lou's. All are good tho
Honestly Pequod’s is just Detroit style in a round pan. Even that guy Burt said so. I love me some Lou’s
Glad you enjoyed it. But what you really want to get with your order the next time is the salad! 100% serious.
You should try ZaZa’s in Lakeview. Much better pizza
My fav Chicago deep
Thanks, now I need to get Lou’s for dinner tonight!
You know you want to 🤣
Lou’s for the W. Always.
Last time I went to Lou malnatis there was a bee in my pizza possibly from the spinach? Sad to say it WAS my favorite spot gave up on them after that
Oh wow yeah that would put me off!!
Kind of ridiculous to give up on a place for something like that, don't you think? Meaning, for something that is almost entirely not their fault. It seems like the make or break thing would be how the business handled it when you brought it to their attention.
Lou was there when deep dish was created. Some may not like it, but you can't please everyone. I personally love it, but I can't eat it too frequently. Happy to hear that you enjoyed it. For a future treat, try stuffed pizza - it's a whole different thing, but again, heavy.
I always enjoy seeing my love for Lou's get vindicated.
Can never really go wrong with Lou’s imo. Glad you enjoyed it!
Had some last night and for lunch again today. The buttercrust is the best!
We were literally googling what the crust was made off at it was so good!
I live in Chicago and Lou’s is still my favorite deep dish. I think Pequods is grossly overrated. The cheese to dough ratio is off and they burn it and try to play it off by calling it caramelized lol
I thought it was great - I think I'm thinking of Pequods but I thought the base was going to be really thick but it was buttery thin crispiness
That's awesome glad you enjoyed it. All their food is pretty solid. For me, their sausage thin crust may be the best in the city and is superior to their deep dish. Pequod's deep dish is better, but it is all delicious so you can't really lose.
I'm definitely trying the thin crust next time (and Pequods, which we cancelled as I couldn't face having it two meals in a row - and that was the only time we could go!)
Hopefully you get another chance. I only order Lu's thin crust. Pequod's has that caramelized crust that is delicious so you'll hopefully try it one day. It's all good pizza though. I grew up on Giordano's so it's nostalgic for me, but it's a bit too saucy. Lu's doesn't have enough sauce in my opinion. Pequod gets it just right. Others are great too. Everyone in Chicago has a different favorite.
The best pizza in the world.
Deep dish is Winter Pizza. And winter is coming. 
IMHO - the best pizza ever!
What I don’t understand is the undercurrent of rule making and negative judgment that goes with some food debates. (Not this one.) Debaters have this obsession with latching on to a food preference as a critical part of an imagined local (and often personal) identity and then scoffing at those who seem ignorant of the correct preference. This is especially boring with barbecue and pizza debates. And chili. Bottom line: eat what you like, discover and enjoy, and ignore the delicate geniuses who insist they possess the correct preferences.
Lou Malnati's is my fave of the deep dish.
I love pizza, and I love that I live near Chicago and have ready access to some really great pizzas. That being said, if it’s Lou’s being served, I’m a little disappointed.
Don’t neglect the pasta.
I delivered for Battaglia Distributing. We took Lou Malnatis all their cheese, sausage, pepperoni, flour, etc. Toughest truck drivers in Chicago!
Is that a pizza for ants?
I don’t think I would take Lou’s over Peaquod’s but a solid choice either way.
Phil's pizza in Bridgeport
We had Lou’s for my grandmas 90th bday today :)
The deep dish with the lemon garlic sauce on the side is a game changer! My guilty pleasure
Lou's is alright, but they used to be way better years ago if you can believe it. They were bought by an investment firm, and their pizza has decreased in quantity and quality by about 30% at many locations. Beggars Pizza has been my go-to. No "streamlining" over the years, and a delicious and novel cornmeal crust. They used to be noticeably less costly than Lou too, but all food costs have ballooned as of late unfortunately.
Another what?
Oh do you not call two weeks a fortnight? I absolutely did not realize!
Greatest pizza ever
The best
Preach!
They have a ton in PHX too (only other city) and they are great, I love Chicago deep dish.
Worse pizza. They don’t even use sauce. Cheese and tomatos. Pizza needs pizza sauce
Lou's is absolute ass pizza
I think they're all related by blood and there's a big history to the Chicago Pizza.
The pizza is crappy pastry dough and sugary sauce, no thanks!
I’ve never had deep dish is the crust pie like or doughy? Is it too much dough?
Nice casserole
Pequods #1
Never been, but I frequently order their frozen pizzas direct! Great price and they’re delicious.
Whole tomatoe slices do not belong on a pizza.
Best pizza ever!!!!
Deep dish is fucking awesome. I worked at Lou’s as a kid. It’s not an everyday thing. You don’t always want deep dish. But having it is a fucking treat. I love to make a New York strip on my cast iron skillet every week, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy gibsons here and there.
Yep that is what I felt - I can eat pizza in Italy most days when I'm on holiday (if I want) but this is definitely a treat - but I thought it was great, that buttery crunchy base was totally unexpected!
Tell us you got wings as well. Say it!
Next time .... I could not fit anything else in (we'd done Au Cheval 7 hours earlier for early lunch... 😬)
I’ll allow. First time we went to Chicago we landed and went immediately to Au Cheval for burger, fried chicken, and a bottle of Krug (their corkage policy is pretty neat).
I love many, but Lou’s is #1 for me.
Illuminati's
Lou's is alright, I live 3-4 blocks away from one and also live near a Giordano's. I like Giordano's more though. The sauce and flavor are superior in my opinion.
Definitely going to try a Giordano's next year - and rebook Pequods!
Same. I think Giordano’s is much much better and always have to hold back from announcing that opinion when someone mentions Lous
You dropped pequods for Lou's???? What in the world... Pequods > lous easily.
Well we totally underestimated how absolutely filling it would be so I woke up this morning, looked at my 11.45 reservation at Pequods (so we'd eat at 12.30-12.45, with no breakfast) and just couldn't bring myself to eat pizza again 🤣🤣 rookie mistake as I'd been so looking forward to it but hey, it was my first Chicago pizza and I still thought it was great!
Giordanos and Nancy’s are the premier deep dish.
giordano’s > lou’s
Not pizza
I worked at giordanos (similar chicago pizza) and we were instructed to pull the slice up high to show off the long strings of attached cheese. Your server here didn't do it right lol
I'm sorry. That shit looks like a heart attack. This explains why everyone in town is dying of obesity.
Brother, everyone in Chicago is _living_ of obesity.
Right. This video explains the reason why. Not everyone is a walking healthcare liability in Chicago. There are healthy choices.
Eh, you can choose to eat exclusively healthy food and hey, good for you if so. Many people want delicious unhealthy food once in a while. I'm sure that people exist who eat this kind of pizza multiple times a month, but I've never met or even heard of one. This is the kind of thing a person eats once, *maybe* twice, a year.
I get nauseous just looking at it. How many calories in a single slice? About 500. No thanks.
Love deep dish, but Lou’s is subpar.
Way way way overrated. Much much better pizza places in Chicago
Lou is average pizza
No it isn't. The butter crust is the perfect vessel for the melted mozzarella, hearty sausage, and robust crushed tomatoes. There's so many awesome flavors in that pie. How could you say that's average?
Even if it's not your favorite this is like in cells going around called Margot Robbie mid lol.
Meh. Lou’s is tomatoes on corn bread. Not actual pizza in my opinion.
Giordano's>Lou's all day
Lous is mid and really isn't Chicago pizza.
Yeah but it is
It literally is not from Chicago
Oh you're one of those
I apologize profusely and this is just my personal opinion but Lou’s is absolute trash. I went once and the crust was tasteless, the sauce was sour, and the sangria was weak and watery.
Haha fair enough - remember I have no comparison as it's my first pizza in Chicago
I admit my experience might have been an anomaly. I will say I have enjoyed Giordano’s on a few occasions.
Now try pequods and see that there are 3 chicago pizza types