Louisa's Pizza & Pasta

Why oh why did you change your pizza dough. It is no longer the butter crust the old owner used to make. Dont think you can fool people by saying it wasnt changed. The dough is really white. No nice crunch when you bite into the pizza. It is a huge difference and a huge disappointment as the crust is not good anymore..sorry.

Nice little hidden gem. Its old school but in a comforting way. Dim lighting makes it a perfect place for a romantic date night. Pasta was very good. The pan pizza was to die for and one of a kind for this area. Everything tasted homemade and fresh.

Had dinner and drinks with friends. Went to pay with gift certificates and owner would not accept them because they were over a year old. I have been a regular customer there for over 36 years. Owner wouldn’t take the time to talk to us so my friend went to her and she laughed at him. Wow! So disrespectful. They took our $100 and now have lost 6 patrons who were all 30+ year old customers. We will also be spreading the news!

Does not honor gift certificates older than a year, emphasizes they aren’t in the wrong cause of legal loop hole despite most gift cards in Illinois needing to be legally valid for 5 years. Leans into the “small” business excuse for their poor service, out dated decor, and rude behavior.

First timers from Saturday night. My husband had lasagna and I had shrimp Diavolo. We split an order of gnocchies. It was delicious!!! Big portions so took home doggie bags and enjoyed everything again. Outstanding staff! They made us feel very welcomed. We will definitely be back with friends next time.

This was a neighborhood bar converted to a restaurant 42 years ago. The bar is still there, it feels very classic Chicago neighborhood establishment. The pizza comparison to your big names would be Geno's, but I like this more. The crust is a little buttery, they are not shy with the tomatoes/sauce (personal preference), we got sausage as well, and the finished product is very quality. Highly recommend.

First time back in over 17 years, due to a move. Sadly, and I’m trying to be very fair here, not what it used to be. We always ordered pizza, never tried anything but the pizza. The pizza used to be the very best I ever had. Not anymore, still good, but not excellent, and not worth the high cost. I ordered a medium with sausage, peperoni, spinach, mushroom, onion, and garlic. The mushroom pieces, when you could taste or find them, were no larger than a small pebble. The garlic was hit or miss and the pizza could stand more spinach and a few more onions. The peperoni covered the whole pie, but were thin slices. The sausage, my biggest disappointment, was few and far between, maybe a couple nickel size pieces on each slice. I remember when the sausage covered the whole pie, you could not take a bite without getting sausage. The sauce was still the same, chunky and delicious. Overall, I’m willing to pay the price, but sadly, not for this pizza, at least not the one I received. Back in the day, I once order pizzas for the old St Francis Blue Island Hospital. The elderly family member, lady, who used to sit at the end of the bar special made the pizzas for me. They all were EXCELLENT, but one had large pieces of salami on it as well. A huge hit. That’s the Louisa’s I remember.

Louisa’s is my entire family’s and my favorite pizza. Old school, comfortable atmosphere where you can come with a date or entire extended fam. Started with my grandpa and to his kids, to us grandkids. Special salad is also amazing!

A friend of a friend recommended this place. The inside had a good atmosphere although the tables were up against a banquet wall sideways. I guess its easier when large parties come to just turn them. The waiter was nice when we asked for recommendations. He stated the pizza, Bolognese sauce, and lasagna as most ordered. Also that the pasta was made in house which is always a plus. I am not a fan of pizza other than NY style so I steered clear of that. We ordered the lasagna and the Bolognese with spaghetti. I always have my garlic powder in my purse and again was thankful that I had. The bolognese sauce was meaty but lacked flavor and needed help. The lasagna was slightly better. The pasta itsself was good. Both portions were enough to take home. Probably won't be back but others seem to enjoy it as they have been in business for a while.

A large party of 8 went on a Friday night and this place was able to accommodate. Seated right away. Definitely a local pizza and pasta place. Some of us had the deep dish pizza which takes 45 minutes so get that order in right away. Some had pasta dishes which was very good size portions. I had the deep dish pizza we created our own had 3 items and we were not disappointed. The crust was nice and crispy just the right amount of sauce. This is a must when in Chicago. We did have dessert as well 3 options we had chocolate cake and the lemon cake. Very sweet and rich good sizes to share. We had great service very attentive. Give this place a try won't be disappointed.

This is amazing pan pizza. Not thin but not too deep, just great tasting pizza in the south suburbs. Lasagna was good too. Cozy little restaurant with charm. I left there completely satisfied. No draft beer but plenty of high quality bottles of your favorites. I will return.

Amazing pan pizza! Salad was amazing & great dirty martini. A bit dark and intimate ambiance and service was very nice!

First time here was 8 years ago for my birthday. My fiancé surprised me and took me back for my birthday this year. It was just as pleasant as before! Nice, quiet, low lighting, kind and informative and very very tasty and fresh food! Our server surprised me with a slice of cake, candle lit. That was very nice of him. Most definitely recommend! Food is authentically delicious.

Very happy with our entire experience! We started with the Supreme salad enough for four to share. The pizza, sausage and mushroom ,excellent in all respects. The crust not to cruchy not too soft, the sauce, perfection, a hint of olive oil and garlic, The sausage, perfection. All in all excellent. THANK YOU.

Best pizza on the south side. Most unique version of a deep dish pizza. Consistent quality and service.

This has been bookmarked for a while. Ive been having this craving for a new pizza place the last few weeks so I decided to give it a try. The reviews were mixed; I was hoping to be impressed and give a raving review. I placed an order to go, and headed over to pick it up. The place is dated and dingy, which could be good or bad. Some dingy and dated Italian joints in the city are the best of the best in regards to food. I was SHOCKED at how much $$ the food was, and how much it lacked in flavor. I ordered a pizza with onion, mushroom and green pepper, I also ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce to try. I tried a few noodles and tasted absolutely nothing, honestly. I don't think they add salt to anything. I added parmesan and crushed red pepper but ultimately threw away the $24 tin of noodles after 4 bites. You don't even get soup or salad -- that's ridiculous for the price! The pizza was a little reminiscent of Lou Malnati's with the crust, but next time, ill just go to Lou's.

I've always loved the pizza here but on occasion it doesn't always meet its own previous standards. was there three weeks ago with 5 others and ordered two pizzas well done, the pepperoni was fine but the dough on the inside of the sausage pizza was kind of raw. Maybe the chef wanted both pizzas to come out at once but we would not have minded waiting a . longer to have it come out right. our server was good and we will still be back

We have been long time customers of Louisa's for 20 years. Anytime we have a taste for a super good pizza that was our place. Their crust was the best. This past Sunday we were so disappointed. We ordered a pepperoni, spinach pizza. The pizza crust was SO dry and very little sauce. It really was a bad pizza. We asked if they had changed their recipe, and they had not. Something changed because in a rating from 1 - 10, it was at best a 4. Don't know if we will return since we can get much better pizza at a much lesser price. If the recipe did change, consider changing back. Please.

My wife and I tried the pizza and we are very disappointed in it. First we had the minestrone soup. It was bland and tasteless. No wonder there is Italian seasonings with salt and pepper and cheese. I tried my best to make it taste better than what was served. We ordered the garlic bread that was decent as far as taste. Then we get our pizza and my wife and I are wondering where the cheese it on the pizza? It was sausage and dough and tomato? Cheese was barely on the pizza. I ate here in 1997. It was a way better product then. Whoever bought this place and ruined it needs to look at the quality because soup was bland. Pizza was awful and at that I am still wondering where the cheese was? Great service as we had a great waiter. But this place was terrible as far as food. WHERE WAS the CHEESE? Seriously! Buyer be where because this place isn't worth trying. Ownership needs to relook at the food and wonder why people give you bad reviews. This was the worst pizza and soup I've ever eaten. I gave you one star because you have very good waiters. But I came for the food. I'm never coming back and I plan to let people know because they have asked me is this place any good. And my answer will be absolutely not. Curtis listen to people here are stating the same thing as I have. The product needs help. I don't care if you're the original owner. You weren't listening. The minestrone soup was bland and tasteless. The pizza had barely any cheese on it. If it's a DUE's or lou malinati pizza you're not doing it any justice at all by serving tasteless food. Own it and fix the issues or you're gonna be closing your doors. Because the quality of your food is awful. Curtis take some ownership and fix these problems. They are real issues and I'm sure you are tired of hearing them. But what are you doing to bring me back into your restaurant. Nothing I guess. If you continue to serve food that's sub par your customers will go elsewhere. In all of Illinois and Chicago there is a Mecca of pizza. Your pizza and soup really need help. You don't want a guy like me speaking up in your restaurant. If I did do that it wouldn't have gone well. I know food and yes I'm a chef and what was served was awful. At that I have had better pizza and soup at better establishments. Your restaurant needs to relook at the product your serving.

Our absolute favorite pizza place on earth! We've been going here for 40 years. The pizza, ambience & people are all so wonderful. All the food is good, but we usually get pizza and chocolate cake for dessert. Thank you for your consistently good food all these years. We are so lucky to live so close!

If you like old school Italian joints high on the nostalgia scale, I'm talking pizza dives that used to exist in the 90s that felt like an old 70s basement (cue "that's amore" on the stereo, gaudy tablecloths, carpet floors, banquet seating, old drop ceiling, and a bar that still has its seats bolted to the floor), this place is for you! -Family style Italian "Special Salad" that could feed probably 5 people for $18. -Homemade lasagna with made from scratch noodles (Tuesday's special for $18.50). Their pizza is still the absolute best thing they serve though. If this is your first time, GET IT, and add fresh garlic. It's particularly awesome with that! That's all you really need to know about this place is that it's super traditional, the service is always great, and food comes out quick. It still gets 5 stars from me because it is that down home Italian experience, even if I don't love everything on the menu. For complete transparency... ((LBVH: The Special Salad, while huge, is basically iceberg lettuce drowning in red wine vinegar. It's good in a traditional sense, but $18? a $5 regular salad 1/5 the size would make a little more sense. But, I get it, it's served family style, no prob. Lasagna has a solid red sauce, and the noodles really are incredible. Super thin and you can tell they are homemade. Next time, I would *not* get the meat one though. Their meat was grey, pasty, and kind of hammered to death with very little noticeable seasoning, particularly SALT. It tasted like bland beef. No sausage, noticeable fennel, or strong seasonings to kick it up a notch. Nevertheless, some parts of this lasagna were seriously great. I'd go back to get the cheese one. The portion size was also enormous, in keeping with home style Italian food-- enough to feed 2! We also had rigatoni in vodka sauce which needed more salt and butter to make it restaurant worthy, but the worst part was the vodka wasn't cooked off so it left it very astringent and bitter tasting. It won't be the vodka sauce of other restaurants you have in your head, so I'd skip this dish. We weren't happy with it.))

I had dinner here after the Museum of Science and Industry, and even it has been a good couple of years, and seen on the menu and also confirmed by the waiter, they stopped having an individual pizza, which I used to get, which was 4 slices, that would be served on a plate, and not a pan. And I got a small which is 4 slices, that is brought out in a pan like if you ordered a medium or large.

Several friends and I have been eating the deep dish for years always excellent but lately we all have the same complaint. Where's the sausage? Covid cut backs? Disappointed.

Been going to Louisa's almost 40 yrs. Absolutely loved it. In my top 5 best pizza in the Chicagoland area. In the last few years, Curtis one of the owners must have changed the recipe and got cheap. Always priced higher than most, but worth it for the quality product. Louisa's just dropped out of my top 20 pizza's . I asked him if he changed the recipe, Curtis got all defensive and walked away from me, in the middle of our conversation. Definitely different recipe, but for the worse. May never go back. Too many better choices in the Pizza capital of the world. Please go back to the old proven recipe !

In response to the managers response....stop it, you are not using the same recipe. A lot has changed. The dough is the biggest standout to me. Your pizza went from the best and worth paying the premium to absolutely awful and nit chance I pay that premium. I put up a response in defense of your business when i saw the recent 1 star reviews. In reality i havent been there in a while. I ended up picking up some pizzas and they were terrible. Clearly you dont know what has changed but i would figure it out. I will not return. Sad. Does that make sense to you, Mgr?

Let me start by saying this isn't your traditional cheesy Chicago deep dish. But it is still one damn good pizza. The crust on this pizza is phenomenal. It's buttery with a slight crunch which compliments the sauce very well. The sauce is chunky and very flavorful. It could have used more sausage and I love my cheese but this pizza lacked a lot of cheese, but maybe that was a good thing as it tasted great with the amount that it had. Overall it was a very good quality pizza and I would definitely come again. I did do carry out, but I wouldn't mind dining in. If the sauce on their pizza tasted like this, I could only imagine what there putting on their pastas.

Wow! Homemade!!! Real Homemade pastas, cherished family recipes handed down only to the family! Pizza... yea, amazing authentic Chicago Style pizza without the drive!

The pizza was horrible and watery also soggy waited half hour for a pizza customer service was horrible and the owner was making a scene in front of customers also got the cops called and the ambiance was also horrible

Best part Marlene our waitress was great. Pizza was good but very high priced. Checked the prices for main courses. Ridiculous high .Would never pay their dinner prices.Used to be good and reasonable years ago. Probably my won't be going back . Too bad.Was very good years ago. Surcharge for a credit card to boot will keep me away.

Not the Louisa's of old. The quality is not the same and the prices are out of sight for the food you get.

def a different style of pizza than usual. like a thinner type of deep dish. wanted to like it more. but was really just crust and sauce i didn't even notice cheese on it at all. crust was good though. also wanted to sit at the bar but it was covered in halloween decorations like they didn't want people to sit there

Excellent food, pizza was good, service by 81 year old Maralee outstanding and very nice ambiance.

The pizza here is good with a unique crust. If anyone was going to order from here that is the one thing I would suggest. Now with the disappointing part... We are huge fans of rigatoni with vodka sauce but I'm not too sure if they are home making the vodka sauce or not but it came off with an odd taste that I have never had before just was not a fan of it. The "special salad" for $13.50 is by far from special. It's chopped iceberg lettuce with hardly anything in it. I could make a better salad than this at home for much less. we were pretty disappointed with that one. For what you are getting I would have to say that the prices are not worth it but really up to you to decide. The only reason I'm giving it three stars is for the pizza.

Before we moved 9 years ago, this was our pizza place when we wanted to treat ourselves. We were driving through the area and couldn't wait to stop in. Our disappointment when we received our pizza is hard to put into words. NO TASTE AT ALL. Hard to believe sausage could have no taste. Our bruschetta was just as bad, served on soft bread which wasn't even sliced evenly. It's time for this place to close.

The service here was swift and prompt. The team here sat us down immediately and took our orders. This was my first time in this establishment, and I must say that I will be back. Italian food is really delicious and it's very good to see that some restaurants still care about their clientele.

This place is a total rip off. I ordered a large pizza Half with two toppings the other half with two other toppings and was charged for four toppings 3.00 each.. total... $12 instead of six. Bringing the price of my pizza to $41!! Looking on their menu lasagna $25?? Really?? An Italian salad $19?? Don't even get me started on the prices of alcohol absolutely absurd! Probably why the bar did not have even one customer sitting at it. A small side salad $5.25??? I could have had a cheaper meal in downtown Chicago... I will not be back... If you do decide to try go here, Bring cash. the straw that broke the camels back is when the waiter told me there would be a 4% up charge for use of a credit card... Unbelievable!!

Wow , just blew me away this was a our favorite place to go for true Chicago deep dish pizza. Well guess NOT now . Hours are 3 - 9 . And this superbowl Sunday we went to get our pizza on at 6:23 pm. Well seeing that one couple was in the place they wanted to close . See Louisa,s has no big screen tv,s, we love that! The weekend befor we felt the same vibe , If they dont have business just close for the night. Not to mention skimping out on product. Just not the same ,we miss you Louisa. She is rolling in her grave. Bye for now , hopfully you guys get the idea its hard to run a business and it takes devotion to your clients! Rember we all made you what you are.

Pizza recipe is indeed part of original four (e.g Pizzeria Uno, Pizzeria Duo, & Lou Malnati's) with an unique unforgettable buttery crust. Atmosphere is a dimly lit dining room served in a high-walled cast-iron pan. Toppings are top notch and cheese was good but I'd suggest ordering with extra cheese.

I am your typical Chicago pizza loving girl. But I recently found out, that like me, a lot of people don't like Lou Malnatis's thin. So when my BF told me we're coming here for dinner and I saw that the pizza "looked" like Lous, I was all womp womp womp. But then behold!! Started off with their huge house salad which we shared and then order one sausage and one pepperoni/sausage pizza. Both were amazing. Went on a Thursday night, not crowded, the young waiter was attentive to our party of 8 and I will DEFINITELY be back. There's no list better than a "to-go-to pizza" list, and this made it!!

It was burnt and no one cared. The owner was busy entertaining friends. It use to be great pizza . It sucks now and we won't be returning after may years as regular customers. New owners may help . The current management obviously doesn't care about the product they're serving.

It's all delicious! We enjoyed our Good Friday, foods- I really enjoy this restaurant , thank you

Outstanding pizza! Got carry out and had a beer at the bar. Family place with special food and service. Curtis (owner) was a joy to talk with and can see why food and service was great. #pride #pizza

In the top 10 for pizza! Charming atmosphere wonderful service! We'll definitely go back to try some of the pasta dishes they're supposed to be known for their gnocchi.

We visited on Dec. 27th and ordered two pizzas and had enough to take some home! We had not had Louisa's Pizza in years. It came hot and done just as we ordered it and was as good as I remembered. Our waitress has been there for years, so efficient and friendly. We live out of state now, but try to go there whenever we are in town!

Haven't been here in 20 years and back then I remember the pizza crust being much more flavorful and crunchy but I guess I was wrong. Very good toppings but the crust was more bland and soft than I remember. Brown floors, walls, ceiling, chairs, stools, booths, and table cloths in the dining room are quite unappetizing. I resent when owners do not put any profit back in the business to make the space as palatable as the food. This place has nothing on Lou Malnati's and Paisano's.

I ordered dinner for three of us, the one night I didn't want to cook! We ordered pretty simple meals that were terrible and cost us $66!!!! We were all disappointed. There was zero flavor, my pasta was bland and overcooked, chicken was so dry, I couldn't eat it, the meatballs were mush and kept falling apart and the bread was hard as a rock! More disappointed at the cost for what we were served more than anything!

We have been coming here for 30+ years and always enjoyed the food and especially the pizza. Tonight they actually served us a $24.00 Burnt pizza! Took over an hour to get it. It Was so hard that it bent our forks (see pic attached). Now I know why it took so long to receive our dinner. Waitress said she would compensate with 2 beers and Italian ice. As we left I spoke to the owner who did not offer any additional compensation for the most horrible pizza ever served! She should have offered to either take the pizza off the bill or a credit to come back another time. Owners needs to start paying attention to what comes of kitchen and being a lot more personable. I'm now starving and going to eat Beggar's pizza. Oh, and a Corona beer is now up to $6.50!

Hi everyone! I just left Louisa's and it was absolutely delicious! We had the antipasti salad, cheesy garlic bread and a large extra sausage, extra cheese pizza. All were fantastic and our waiter made everything perfect.

So after suffering through the Crestwood theater experience.... We were ready for some good comfort food. My two teenagers and I settled on pizza. Didn't really know any spots in the area so I yelped it. Not many promising results but one stood out... Louisa's!!!! The decor is decent with a big bar. They have another side/room to the place for large groups. Honestly the place smelled bad like it was a storage facility for old people. Usually I leave when i don't like the smell of a place but we were desperate. We ordered a large spinach, garlic and green peppers pizza. It was good! All of the ingredients were fresh. Nice crushed tomatoes in the pizza sauce. Good solid crust that wasn't soggy or chewy. Without a doubt I will be back! Might just bring some air freshener with me... Lol

After seeing the restaurant in passing over the years, and finally seeing it on Chicago's Best.. we decided it was time to try it. It was really delicious. We had a very, very long wait ahead of us for a large sausage deep dish pizza.. but the mottz sticks were delightful. Eating in was a bit crowded. The next time, I would suggest to call ahead & order double the ingredients.

Best kept secret in crestwood'. Absolutely amazing pizza and pasta dishes with huge portions! Must try!

Louisa's deep dish is a mix of Pizano's and Burt's. Coincidentally, I believe Louisa's owner has some relation to the Pizano family. The fresh tomatoey sauce was very similar to Pizano's, not too saucy with chunks of tomatoes. The crust and toppings were similar to Burt's. The crust was more breadlike and the sausage tasted really good as does Burt's. I can't say which sausage is better but you can judge for yourself. The establishment was packed on a Friday night. Other tables were ordering other items other than the deep dish pizza. I think Louisa's would be more popular if it weren't for the location. It's a shame because the pizza is awesome! Friendly/prompt service as well.

Great Pizza - gets it from years working at another famous Pizzeria in Chicago - only better!!! Family owned and take pride in classic artisan Italian food. The grand Mom. Louisa taught her family well and they carry on the Italian hospitality by maki g you not only well fed, but also make you feel welcome. This is genuine Italian. -- you'll really enjoy it. - truly.

We were near Chicago because of personal business and my boyfriend wanted some deep dish pizza. This place came up as a good option for the neighborhood we were in so we checked it out. It's a charming place, very old school vibe but I must say that deep dish pizza may not be for me.. I'll give it another shot when we are actually in Chicago and not some suburb of Chicago but I'm not very optimistic..

The best pizza ever! A stop every year for my annual trip from Los Angeles. It is now a tradition.

Stopped in for the first time with a large party for a surprise birthday lunch for someone. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating if they tried and the pizzas were phenomenal. I'll definitely be coming back.

We were at Louisa's on Saturday 2-9-19. We had drinks and ordered 3 pizzas for our group of 8 adults. We did order the 3rd pizza approximately 10 minutes after our original order of 2. The first 2 pizzas arrived timely and were good. The 3rd pizza arrived 10 or 15 minutes after the first 2. I and others at the table noticed that the 3rd pizza was undercooked. I mentioned it to the Waiter and shortly there after a very rude manager told me that the pizza was fine and every pizza is cooked exactly 20 minutes at 500 degrees. They would not take the small 3rd pizza off the tab. 8 adults drinks and a $270.00 tab and the SOB would not remove the small pizza. Never will I go back to Louisa's. For what that small pizza cost them to make $5.00.