What is Chicago-Style Pizza? Everything You Need to Know

Chicago-style pizza is a beloved American classic known for its thick, deep crust and layers of gooey cheese. It is different from traditional pizza, which has a thinner crust. Chicago pizza is more like a pie with a tall crust and hearty toppings.

This pizza style has been around for several years and remains a staple in American food culture.

In this guide, you can learn everything about the origins of the Chicago-style pizza and what makes it so special.

Origin Of Chicago-Style Pizza

Chicago-style deep dish pizza was first created back in the 1940s at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. Italian immigrants were behind the innovation, aiming to create pizza that was more like a casserole. Over the past few years, Lou Malnati and other Chicago pizzerias have helped popularize the pizza.

What Makes Chicago-style Pizza Different?

Chicago-style pizza truly stands out because of its thick buttery crust, the crust is basically a few inches deep, allowing for layers of cheese, meat, and sauce. You must know that the pizza is baked on the sides of the pan to give it a unique shape. Toppings like Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce are arranged in layers to make the pizza a hearty meal.

Main Ingredients of Classic Chicago-style Pizza

What makes Chicago pizza tours so memorable is the high-quality ingredients. You need to know that a perfect Chicago-style deep dish pizza features a lot of ingredients.

Mozzarella cheese is thick, melty, and rich. Tomato sauce generally includes chunks of tomatoes with herbs, creating bold flavors.

Olive oil adds richness to the crust and prevents it from getting soggy. Italian sausage is a common topping, adding savory flavor and depth. One of the defining features of the pizza is loaded with cheese.

The Crust Is Thick and Buttery

The crust is where Chicago-style pizza truly shines. Made with olive oil and butter, it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The deep crust is responsible for holding the toppings and keeping the pizza together. The crust is formed using the sides of the pan, giving it a perfect edge.

Chicago-style Pizza Varieties

There are basically two types of Chicago-style pizza:

• Deep Dish
• Stuffed Pizza.

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust and layers of cheese and tomato sauce. Stuffed pizzas basically feature an even thicker crust and are stuffed with more cheese, sauce and toppings as compared to traditional deep dish.

Some pizzerias are also likely to serve a tavern-style pizza with a thin, crisp crust, but the deep dish and stuffed varieties are basically the most iconic.

The Tomato Sauce: Key To Flavor

The tomato sauce that is used in Chicago pizza is very important for the taste. It is different from your typical pizzas as the sauce is placed on top of the cheese, which keeps it from burning during baking.

The sauce is typically chunky and seasoned with Italian herbs like oregano and basil. This gives your pizza a fresh, tangy flavor that complements the richness of cheese and crust.

Toppings in Chicago-style Pizza

No doubt, Chicago-style pizza is famous for its cheese and sauce, but the toppings can vary widely.

Some prominent options include:

• Italian sausage — a Chicago favorite for added flavor and spice.
• Pepperoni is a common addition to many Chicago-style pizzas. Mushrooms and green peppers are likely to include fresh vegetables for added textures.
• Olives and onions are perfect for additional toppings to suit any palate.

The thick crust is ideal for holding all the toppings without compromising the texture.

The Chicago Pan Pizza Experience

Eating Chicago-style pizza is truly an amazing experience you should not miss out on. Unlike your regular pan pizza, the deep dish requires a fork and a knife because of the thickness of the layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings are cut into wedges.

You can say that each bite is a hearty delight. You can even say that it’s more like eating a savory pie than a pizza.

Why Is Chicago-style Pizza So Prominent?

Chicago pizza tours are one of the best ways to experience the pizza culture of the city. Its popularity lies in its ability to stand out among other pizza styles. You need to know that the layers of cheese and bold pizza sauce make it unique.

Taste Chicago-style Pizza Today!

Ready to try the famous Chicago-style deep-dish pizza? Explore menus of you nearby restaurants on allHungry today. If you cannot make it to Chicago, you can always get it delivered right at your doorstep.

Don’t miss out on one of the America’s most iconic foods. Indulge in a slice of Chicago’s finest today with allHungry.

Conclusion

Chicago-style pizza is truly a hearty, indulgent twist on traditional pizza. From its layers of cheese and tomato sauce to its thick buttery crust, the pizza is a true American classic.

Whether you enjoy a pizzeria you know or make your own at home, the experience is one that every pizza lover like you must have.

The next time you are craving something rich, and that is fine, you know exactly where to turn.

Feeling hungry? Try a slice of Chicago’s best deep-dish pizza today!