Lou Malnati's serves up beloved Chicago deep-dish and thin-crust pizzas with a buttery crust, just steps from the Chicago River on vibrant Michigan Avenue.
"If you want deep dish (and not the pan-style variety), order Lou Malnati’s. It’s the best version of classic Chicago-style pizza, meaning its sauce is on top with the cheese and toppings underneath. The crust is buttery and flaky, there’s a ton of cheese, and the whole thing is pretty much a gooey and delicious mess. The weight of it when the delivery person puts it in your arms might make you nervous, but just go with it. Treat it like it’s your baby and you’ll be fine." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor
"Lou Malnati’s appearance on this list is more than a lifetime achievement award. Though ownership is pursuing expansion, the deep-dish masters, which originated in suburban Lincolnwood, continue to deliver a quality product with innovations like buttercrust, low-carb sausage crust, and more. The deep dish at Lou’s is very good, even though most Chicagoans don’t want to wait in line. You know if a local loves you if they’re willing to take a tourist. The thin-crust tavern style is also solid and a good place to introduce locals to both styles at once if visits are short. No one cares about Emily anyway." - Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff
"Lou Malnati’s is the best version of classic Chicago-style pizza, meaning its sauce is on top with the cheese and toppings underneath. The crust is buttery and flaky, there’s a ton of cheese, and the whole thing is pretty much a gooey and delicious mess. The weight of it when a delivery person puts it in your arms might make you nervous, but just go with it. Treat it like it’s your baby and you’ll be fine." - adrian kane, john ringor
"If you want deep dish (and not the pan-style variety), order Lou Malnati’s. It’s the best version of classic Chicago-style pizza, meaning its sauce is on the top, with the cheese and toppings underneath. The crust is buttery and flaky, there’s a ton of cheese, and the whole thing is pretty much a gooey and delicious mess. The weight of it when the delivery person puts it in your arms might make you nervous, but just go with it. Treat it like it’s your baby and you’ll be fine." - adrian kane
"If you can’t get to Pequod’s, Lou Malnati’s is the next best version of a classic Chicago-style pizza (sauce on top, with cheese and toppings underneath). There are multiple locations throughout the city, which means getting your deep dish fix is considerably easier. The crust is buttery and flaky, there’s a ton of cheese, and the whole thing is pretty much a gooey and delicious mess. You can even order a personal-size deep dish pie. It’s like a slice, except it’s round and weighs eight pounds. After a trip here you might want to make sure your touring schedule is light the rest of the day." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
