What is Chicago-Style Pizza?

Chicago style pizza is known to be the best tasting pizza in the country. What makes Chicago style pizza so special and legendary? Chicago style pizza is a deep dish pizza that was invented in Chicago in 1943 at Pizzeria Uno. The pizza consists of buttery crust, that is approximately three inches tall from the edge of the pizza. The appearance of the crust is higher due to the chunky tomato sauce and large amounts of cheese. The ingredients acts as a bowl better known as "stuffed", which is another type of Chicago style pizza.

These pizzas can be made with thin crusts but deep dish is the term used to describe Chicago style pizza. Chicago style pizza is a big part of Chicago culture. Stuffed crust pizza was created in the late 1970s by two Chicago pizzerias, Giordano's Pizza and Nancy's Pizza. The stuffed crust pizzas are taller than the deep dish. Other types of Chicago style pizzas are pan and thin-crust pizza. A pan pizza is similar to the deep dish but the crust is thicker. Thin-crust pizzas are thin and has a crunching effect when you bite the crust. Italian tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese are used but there are no tomato chunks. Thin-crust pizzas are cut into individual squares also known as a "party cut".

If you want the most authentic Chicago style pizza in the city, there is only one place to go. The original Pizzeria Uno now known as Uno Chicago Grill. Where the Chicago style pizza originated. Pizzeria Uno changed their names twice in 1997. The first name change was Chicago Bar & Grill and what is goes by today, Uno Chicago Grill. Uno Chicago Grill serves the best Chicago style pizzas in the city. Not only does Uno Chicago Grill serve pizzas on their menu, they also serve pastas, salads, chicken, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and desserts. Ike Sewell established his franchise pizza chain in 1943 and it is still going strong. Uno Chicago Grill has 216 pizzerias in 32 states. Uno Chicago Grill is still located at 29 East Ohio. Chicago style pizza has its place in history.

Other fine Chicago pizzerias include:

Pompei Bakery, which prides itself on using their family's 100 year old dough recipe, always hand rolled and always fresh. Plus, they now have a new item on the menu: a personal deep dish pizza for only $5.00.

Damenzo's Pizza has the regular type of toppings, there is nothing ordinary about their pizza slices - they are humongous. Damenzo's Pizza also offers stuffed pizza and pan pizza to suit any palate. The pizza puffs, or calzones, are exquisite; pizza lovers from across the Midwest come to taste the delicious crust and fresh toppings that make up these pizza puffs.

Bacci Pizzeria makes a stuffed pizza or pan pizza that comes in a small, medium, or large. Try the ?Bacci Special?: pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, green pepper, onion, and an optional garlic crust. Everything on the menu is made to order, and their homemade pizza dough and sauce is made fresh daily.

Aurelio's Is Pizza has stuffed crust pizza that is fantastic and moderately priced. Everyone raves about Aurelio's sweet sauce, and even if you are not a big fan of thin crust pizza, you will love Aurelio's.

Gretta is a contributor at Chi-Town Grub, a resource for those who love dining out without going out. Users can order food from Chicago's best restaurants right from their web browser.