Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
958 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Menu
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Address :
958 W Wrightwood Ave
Chicago, IL, 60614 - Phone (773) 832-4030
- Website https://www.loumalnatis.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Kelly S.
Lou's is 3rd on my Chicago deep dish pizza list. 1st is My Pie, 2nd is Gullivers. Lou's sauce is somehow lacking garlic or something. I found it a little blah. The crust was just ok - a little tough and again, lacked seasoning. Service was very good and I LOVED the Malnati salad.
(3)Misha T.
famous for a reason! I had a small sausage patty and a couple of 312s and was quite pleased. The waitress accidentally spilled some water on my friend and they gave us a free giant cookie topped with ice cream (BJs calls it a pizooki)! Great service, great food and I wanna go back.
(5)Sharon F.
Lou Malnati's. If you say it fast enough it sounds like "luminatis", which is totally cultish after you've heard it long enough. EVERY single Chicago local tell me that Lou's is king when it comes to deep dish in Chicago, as if it is some conspiratorial cult, so I just had to try it out. Our rookie mistake was picking this Lincoln Park location on a Saturday night! Even for a party of 2, the wait was long during dinner. Luckily the staff at Lou Malnati's is smart, and served a few thin crusts to keep the hungry mob at bay. We ended up getting in just over an hour after our name went in. Usually I storm out if I have to wait 30 minutes, but with patience as a virtue, the pizza pie was totally worth it! Tip: If you foresee a long wait, order the pizza ~20 minutes ahead of time for it to be served right as you settle in. There is plenty of street parking and bars in the area, so don't wait inside like a sucker. Grab a pre-drink instead. The Malnati salad was a great appetite starter, and enough to feed at least 4 adults. We went with the Malnati Chicago Classic with sausage and the buttercrust just blows you away. For those with an appetite, the 9" is perfect for a party of 2. We could barely eat half! What I loved about Luminatis (my new name for it) was that all the ingredients were fresh. Tomatoes were chunky and firm, cheese was chewy and the dough tasted like it just came off mom's hands. If only the wait was a little bit shorter, I would become a true Chicagoan convert too.
(4)Laura D.
Great Pizza! Best in the city, never disappoints! They can get super busy and sometimes it's hard to get through, but it's worth it.
(5)Steph U.
So good, but so crowded! They don't take reservations, so it's really difficult to eat in, especially if you have a large group, which is why I'm giving this place 4 stars. I brought my parents here when they were visiting from California and we ended up ordering to go, since the wait was over an hour and a half (at 9:15pm!). The pizza was amazing and my parents were definitely impressed. We ordered the italian sausage with mushrooms. I also found out they deliver to my area, so I will for sure be doing that soon.
(4)Martin P.
Had a great time out at this restaurant and take out and delivery is great. The food is excellent probably the best top 3 pizzas in Chicago.
(5)Mike L.
Da best deep dish in Chicago. I think this is the best locale for sit down; however the Elkgrove Village is also good.
(5)Pete B.
Sunday late lunch with my daughter. Got the garlic bread for appetizer. So so good. Bread was perfect. The sauce is one of the best I've had. My daughter who is picky, couldn't get enough of it. The pizza is some of the best I've ever had. So much flavor. The cheese is fresh and abundant. Ive been the ginos, and while the food there was good, ill come back here next time. Better service, quicker service, and cheaper prices. I'm a fan! I wish St Louis (home to some of the worst pizza in the country) had a place with food half this good....
(5)Luke G.
This would be my second time eating here as I live 9 1/2 hours south of this establishment. My only other deep dish experience was with Pizzeria Uno, and I did not care for it. This part of the review is for people that have not ever had deep dish or are looking for a point of view of that from a person outside the "deep dish country." First of this is what a pizza "pie" is, because if you have a slice of pie it is not thin and crispy. It is a deep combination of toppings and ingredients that you need a fork and knife to eat. Speaking of these delicious toppings and fantastical ingredients, Lou uses some A+ pizza toppers. A tip or word of advice, check out the online menu and have what you want ready to tell the hostess because it usually takes 30 minutes for your round bliss in a pan to be made. Also the crust is not your typical dough that you would expect from a pizza. It is more of a flaky butter crust you would see from a apple pie, just not sweet, just buttery...mmm.mm.mmm. We ordered the small pepperoni pizza with added mushroom, garlic, and extra cheese cause that's how we roll. We are not big people so this filled us up, just having 2 slices a piece, now to be fair we did have some bruschetta before. So we met our carb intake for the year in this setting but HEY! you have to live a little right!? Any time I come to Chicago, I will seek this place out and its many fine establishments.
(5)Man V.
I got this recommendation from a close friend. Couldnt have been better unless there were topless dancers(cheezy I know)! A great deep dish experience. The pizza had great balance. Couple this with a fantastic salad and tireless service and get rated a 5...which is what they get.
(5)Leslie B.
I was born and raised on Lou's, my allegiance will never falter. It is simply the best deep dish in the Chicagoland area. For my 50th review...Lou Malnati's. You literally cannot go wrong with a Lou Malnati's pizza, deep dish or thin. My personal favorite is sausage, green pepper, onion, mushroom deep dish. Lou's has a delicious buttery crust, chunky tomato sauce, and thick layer of cheese that cannot be beat. To start, I really like their Malnati's salad, the vinaigrette is awesome. For this specific location, I would suggest picking up during peak hours. The actual dining room doesn't have a ton of space and you could easily wait an hour for your table. If you choose to wait, definitely pre-order your pizza. This is extremely helpful when it comes to having your meal almost ready by the time your table is. IF you've never had Lou Malnati's (shame on you, go now.) then you should dine in. While I will eat Lou's anywhere, I have to say that pizza in the restaurant trumps the takeout. Deep dish just doesn't hold up well when transported. Should you dine-in, order the cookie skillet. You'll be too full, but order it anyway.
(5)Kevin O.
Long story short: They won't deliver to me even though I am only 2.5 miles away. No Lou's will. I live in Chicago in a busy/nicer part of town so this shocked me. Pizza is good, service was not. I have updated this to 3 stars instead of 1 only because the district manager contacted me and was very nice about it. She said they still couldn't deliver to my area, but at least was nice about the situation.
(3)Eric S.
We just visited Chicago and had the best deep dish pizza in town. Do not miss this place when you are in Chicago.
(5)Jennifer C.
During my brief stay in Chicago, we made it a point to visit Lou Malnati's and Giordano's to settle the score between which pizzeria offers the better deep dish. Being from New York, I couldn't have been more excited to try authentic deep dish from Chicago. Nothing does justice to a food legend than actually eating from the place where said phenomenon began. I'm really glad I had this chance to visit Chicago and experience some truly fine deep dish pizza. Sadly though, it did not occur at Lou Malnati's. The crust on my personal pan pizza was solid like a rock, and not in that good, Whispers' 1987 hit, "Rock Steady" sort of way. No, it was a complete betrayal of the delicious sample piece I had at the counter as we waited for a table, which was a thin crust, spinach pizza, and was seriously divine. Their deep dish however, just did not live up to expectation. It was similar to having frozen pizza. My friends were equally unimpressed. In my opinion, there really wasn't much of a battle between Lou's and the other deep dish behemoth, Giordano's. Gio's was infinitely better.
(2)Tom B.
There are more opinions on deep dish pizza than there are pot holes in the streets of this town so I will not even go down that road. It's all about consistency and quality in the pizza business. Lou's has delivered that for years and continues to despite their growth....other favorites who became regional chains have not. I'm a purist when it comes to DD pizza and always go with their signature "Lou Malnati Chicago Classic" which is extra sausage,a rich tomato sauce and butter crust. I order it uncut so it can go in the oven at home for 5-8 minutes and then served for that "just out of the pizza oven" taste you get when you are at the restaurant. Yummmmm.
(4)Elizabeth G.
We had never been to Chicago and new we HAD to try Chicago style pizza. My friend discovered that Lou Malnati's was THE place to go. We were staying downtown but seeing a comedy show a few blocks away from this location. We walked in with about 1 1/4 hours before the start of the show and realized we did not have a lot of time. The bartender was SO helpful and accommodating. She took our pizza order so it could begin cooking and let us sit down once two others had left. She was friendly and customer service oriented. Not to mention, the food was fantastic. We split a house salad that had the red wine vinaigrette dressing and it was perfect. I do not eat cheese and they made me a no cheese personal size veggie pizza. Again, perfect. This place was great and I suggest everyone go here while visiting Chicago!
(5)Carina D.
The pizza here is so amazing. Deep dish amazingness!!!! Next time I'm in Chicago I will be coming back here again!!!
(5)James E.
My favorite Chicago deep dish so far. Have yet to try Gino's or Giordano's though. If you're considering Lou's or Uno, please go to Lou's instead! I like that this location has a modern decor instead of the old touristy style. Free street parking near the dog park.
(4)J J.
Delivery was way late and hate to say $32. For a large pizza Lou's is just another overpriced pizza place
(2)Christina R.
There cheese or sausage pizza is freakishly good! If you have not had Lou's.. then you need to! Skip the veggies.. it takes to make it a little watery.
(5)Jenny C.
Poor customer service. Called an hour ahead so that when we got there our pizza would be ready. We we arrived 50 minutes later, they said "we just put in your pizza so it will be another 35 minutes.". When we got the pizza we noticed our order was incorrect. The waitress basically insisted we were wrong, even though we confirmed our order when we called in. First time there, and probably the last.
(1)S K.
Garlic sausage deep dish, crust remains crispy. Small's the perfect size for 2. The Malnati's salad is enough to keep bringing me back. Yum-O!
(5)Dan S.
We wanted to eat some real Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. This place fit the bill. We ordered the Malnati Salad and the Malnati Classic pizza. Both were so good that we are considering ordering the dressing and frozen pizzas from "Taste of Chicago".
(5)Sean C.
Sausage Deep Dish is supposedly atomic, but honestly, I tasted the underlining grease foremost. California yuppie speaking. And I say this is a yukfest with too much gobs of cheese on their pies. Don't trust their salads, what did it travel over five states to get here? #oralhygiene
(2)Helen D.
BEST DEEP DISH PIZZA EVER!!!!!!!! The moment I sunk my teeth into this amazing piece of heaven I could smell, taste and feel the love that went into making this. I absolutely love pizza of all sorts and deep dish definitely tops it. I loved the fresh ingredients and how the crust is crispy and hot. The next time I go to Chicago I'll have to go grab my personal pan pizza. I've been informed that they deliver it to your house but I prefer the fresh version vs. the frozen one packed with dry ice.
(5)Amy Y.
Whenever guest want classic Chicago deep dish pizza I usually take them to Lou's. It has awesome butter crust. "The Lou" is our favorite with its awesome cheese mix, butter crust, and spinach/mushrooms. Also, it has multiple locations and ones outside downtown usually have fairly reasonable wait time. Anything not pizza is not as good, but I guess we usually are just here for the pizza.
(5)Brian Y.
I have been going to Lou Malnatis for years and think it is the best deep dish pizza in Chicago! The butter crust is a must add when ordering! I usually take their pizza to go, so this review is more for the pizza than the dining in experience. Still, I have never had a complaint with my dining in experiences at their Evanston and Lincolnwood locations.
(5)Erica J.
They just remodeled this location - it looks great, kind of like modern meets rustic. There's bar seating now, too. Be forewarned - this place is pretty small, and I don't know if it was just the night we visited but it was awkwardly quiet in there, despite it being full. The seats at the high tables were LOW... it feels like your face is in your food. Otherwise, the service and food were great!
(4)Lauren B.
After visiting Lou malnati's I learned there are two types of people in Chicago--Lou fans and Giordano's fans. Our trip to Lou's was OK--we got there around 9:30 at night (so pleased that it was open late!) and had a coupon for a free appetizer from our Hostel. The bruschetta was fantastic--fresh, on good bread--and with enough pieces so all 3 of us could have 3. They kept our water glasses full and constantly checked on us. Our waitress was super cool. Now...the pizza. The dough was almost like bread and the crust was hard. The cheese was really thick. There was not enough sauce on it for my taste (although the sauce was fresh and really tasty!) and at some points you were just eating cheese and crust which I did not care for. Unfortunately I did not get around to trying Giordano's so i can't speak for the differences. Once I got through my first slice, I hit a wall. I got so full so quickly that I couldn't get through my second slice.
(2)Monica T.
Sooooooo good! Noms. Deep dish is amazing and even the salad was really good. This location is trendy and cute.
(5)Alan J.
I have lived in Chicago for a year and finally got around to trying Lou Malnati's. I tried Gino's East about a year ago and wasn't impressed. I ordered the Malnati's Salad, Chicago Classic and a Corona. The Malnati's Salad was robust and flavorful. I like my salads drenched in dressing and full of things other than lettuce. This salad was amongst the best I ever had. The Chicago Classic was pretty good, not great. I'm not yet convinced that Chicago deep dish is better than New York thin crust. The service was good and I will be going back.
(4)holly s.
So, after leaving my first review, I starting thinking about that pizza and started craving it all the time!!! Weird- I gave it 3 stars last time and called it a decent pizza, but then started craving it later. It's like the cheese started oozing all around my brain and invaded all its cells. So we finally went back and got the original, and wow, I see why it never left my memory. Perfect crust (yummy butter crust), sweet sauce, spicy sausage, and the most yummy cheese- PEFECT! Loved it. Can't wait to return to Chicago just to get this pizza!
(5)Dawn H.
Great pizza and even better service. Manager went out of his way to help us out. We forgot to print our Blackhawks tickets at home. The manager let me email them to him and he printed them for me. Totally saved the day!
(5)Emma W.
I thought it was good but mom dad and bro didnt like it so much but ues for me it was delicious!
(4)Ben B.
Lou Malnati's is the best pizza in the city. I usually hit the location on Wells, but my first dine-in visit at this location was every bit as tasty. The pizza is world-class. Seriously, there isn't a better slice on earth. This location has a small dining room, but it's a very cozy feel. A sofa and upholstered chairs are gathered around a flat screen TV. The walls are covered in old Michael Jordan Sports Illustrated covers. It feels like your friend's awesome basement/game room if your friend's awesome basement/game room had an endless supply of fresh, hot, amazing pizza. Pepperoni. Buttercrust. These are the stars and stripes of my own personal flag. I claim this stomach for Lou Malnati's. An empire that will last forever. ** Warning: Expect to wait 60-90 minutes if you want a table on a Friday night.
(5)Christina L.
Totally overrated, what a bummer. The homies and I were visiting from LA and expecting some yummy deep dish from Chi-town. Several people recommended Lou Malnati's and after a long day of hiking and some cali weed, we anxiously ordered some garlic bread w/ cheese and 'The Lou' (spinach mix, mushrooms and sliced roma tomatoes covered with three cheeses) add pepperoni. Fast forward 1 hour, the garlic bread was not garlic-y at all and the marinara dipping sauce was flavorless. :( The deep dish itself was soggy and again, lacking in flavor. The much acclaimed 'butter crust' was not even buttery! One slice in, we had to get rid of the pizza - and I'm asian, I hate wasting food! Perhaps, they had an off day or this location is not the producing up to par.. in any case, I won't be taking any home to the boo as I had promised him.
(2)Lindsey A.
Worst 1st time experience. Bucktown wouldn't deliver to me and neither would lincolnwood. They answered the phones rudely and annoyed like I was bothering them. I wanted to try this pizza for the first time and the closest location is less than 5 miles away. Customer service terrible. That just shows they don't value their customers or care to make new ones.
(1)Robert B.
Delicious pizza and good service. The lunch special of a personal size deep dish pizza with choice of soup or salad and beverage is a real bargain, especially in a city not known for bargains. Congratulations and thanks.
(4)Jonathan L.
The pizza is delicious! It's my first time trying Chicago's deep dish pizza. I was told by my friends that this place was one of the best in Chicago. I originally was planning to go to Giordano's but they told me their pizza has lots of sauce. If you want to have better toppings and more cheese, this is the place to go! The prices are very reasonable. Splitting a large with four people is only around 8 dollars plus tip.
(4)Christina L.
Every now and again, I get a hankering for a real Chicago deep dish pizza. I hadn't been back to Chicago for 4 years, so I was already plotting out where I was going to get my pizza. I've been to Gino's and Giordano's (touristy, yes -- but delicious and satisfying) My friend took me to Lou Malnati's. It definitely had a local vibe going on and didn't seem too touristy. The inside made me think I had been transported 20-30 years in time and into someone's living room. There were couches, a TV, and wooden tables scattered around. It was a little odd, but I wasn't there for the ambiance. I decided to get a salad to start - something healthy to balance out the heavy pizza I was about to consume. I settled on the Chicken Club Salad. If you're looking for a healthy salad, stay away from this. It tasted fine, but they were heavy handed with the dressing (which was pretty rich). The salad had romaine lettuce, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, bacon, and tortilla chips. The small was enough to feed 3 people. It was not really the "light and refreshing" salad I was looking for. I'd suggest getting the dressing on the side and asking for less cheese if you're looking for something relatively healthy. We got the "Malnati Chicago Classic". The 9" Small was definitely enough for 2 people. This has sausage, extra cheese, tomato sauce and the famous Buttercrust. Maybe I should've gone with the spinach one, but I was pretty underwhelmed by the pizza. It was really heavy (I knew this coming in - it is deep dish pizza after all, not a Lean Cuisine), and there was excessive amounts of cheese that was salty. The crust was extra buttery but seemed unnecessary since I like my crust a little more dough-like and not butter pie-like. It was decent, but not the best I'd ever had. Ironically, I find myself thinking that Zachary's in the Bay Area, Little Star & Patxi's in San Francisco are better deep dish pizzas than this traditional Chicago pizza. Sad, but true in my book. I wouldn't go back here again - I think I prefer the touristy Giordano's, but that's me! It was inexpensive - the salad and pizza for 2 came out to $20 pre-tip.
(3)Joe M.
I must first do my NY sensibilities justice and say that given the choice between the two, NY style thin crust and Chicago style deep dish, I would choose thin crust, without thinking twice about it. It's just engrained in my being. I don't have a history with deep dish. If I lived somewhere far removed without a pizza culture, it would probably be a toss up. And I think that is the ultimate compliment I can pay. I had tried deep dish at Giordano's and was completely turned off to the idea of deep dish. It was just heavy, crackery and felt like a meat pie. I figured in order to give deep dish a fair shake I should try it again at a better place. I'm glad I did. I could discuss how awesome the Malnati Chicago Classic was, and how a few days later we stopped in at a different Lou Malnati's and ordered another one. But anyone that knows about Lou's knows the deal. And anyone who hasn't experienced deep dish, and has found their way to this review, has an pretty good idea. I can say that I officially now get the appeal of deep dish. From the butter crust, to the sausage disc, to the 15lbs of cheese, to the tangy, chunky tomato sauce. The total is far superior to the summation of its parts. The only thing that still confuses me about Chicago and pizza is that there are so many places that also sell NY style thin crust pizza. Why? You can't get deep dish here in NY. Embrace the deep dish. It's certainly good enough to stand alone.
(5)michael s.
Lou Malnati's IS Chicago style, deep dish, pan pizza. The classic. The bell-weather. The standard-bearer. Dining-in gets you a fresher pie, so make the trip if you can. Gotta try the sausage (a unique, only-in-Chicago homage to meat that's basically a single, giant layer of sausage, spread over the entire surface of the pizza) and always ask for buttercrust. The outside is golden & crunchy on the edges, the inside is moist and delicious because it sucks up all the great flavors of the rest of the pizza. The cheese is stretchy, rich and flavorful. And the sauce, with it's big chunks of tomato and perfect tanginess, is so aromatic and flavorful, you'll be craving it long after the pie is gone. Enjoy with some oregano, parmesan and red pepper and you'll be in heaven. Quintessential. If you think you'll want dessert, order the deep dish chocolate chip cookie when you order your food. They cook it up in the oven and it takes a while. And if you love the taste of Chicago pan pizza, but want something a little less filling, Lou's thin crust is a nice alternative (pepperoni and green peppers make a great combo.) Take-out/delivery can sometimes get a little watery/runny, so order it uncut and "well-done" to evaporate some of the moisture (it won't be burnt). By the time it reaches your home, it'll be perfect. True story. As far as locations, all of them are good; the Wrightwood one is closest to my hood. The atmosphere is pretty basic, the pizza is the star. The one downtown near the Merchandise Mart (one Wells) is my favorite, for no rational reason, and they opened a new one in river north that's probably the space of them all. I've heard that the one in Lincolnwood might be their first location, and it's worth the trip if you're anywhere near there. A mecca for pan pizza lovers. EDITORIAL NOTE: if you're from New York or the East Coast, and you wanna whine/posture/mouth-off that NY pizza is better than Chicago Style, please shut your pie hole. Seriously. You really want to make an argument that one style of pizza is better than another? That's like saying that Pele is better than Michael Jordan. You can't cross the streams like that. It's really bad to cross the streams. The truth? ALL styles of pizza can be great. And all can suck. Depends on the place. Resist the temptation to compare across categories. It's what the pizza illiterate do. There may be a "best NY slice" (i love NY pizza, too) a "best Chicago 'pan' pizza" and a "best Connecticut style", but there is not and never will be a "best overall pizza" It's like comparing apples to iPhones; doesn't compute. Plus, we have such a rich pizza landscape in this town, you shouldn't even lump all "Chicago-style" pizza together. Ain't fair. Ain't right. There are at least 3 different types of Chicago pizza, which should only be compared/judged within their own category. (Again, don't cross the streams.) - Deep dish "pan" pizza (Lou Malnati's, Pizano's, Uno's, Due's, etc.) - Deep dish "stuffed" pizza (Giordano's, Art of Pizza, Eduardo's, Chicago's Pizza, etc.) - Thin "party-cut" pizza (Aurelio's, Pat's, Vito & Nick's, etc.) You can also find square-cut slices (like from Pompei) which seem to be a Chicago-only tradition, but a category of one. Home Run Inn and Connie's are equally tough to categorize, in their own ways. Outliers. You can also find plenty of traditional neapolitan, brick-oven style pizza places around town (Frasca, Pizza D.O.C, etc.), Connecticut-style places (Piece, etc.) and a few decent NY-style places, too (Apart Pizza, 5 Burroughs, etc.) All I'm saying is, don't be a pizza hillbilly. ALL types of pizza can be transcendent and deliver you to a better place. You just gotta open your mind when you open your mouth. And when it comes to Chicago style, deep dish "pan" pizza, Lou Malnati's (and nephew Rudy Malnati's "Pizano's") take the cake.
(5)Amanda G.
Oh. Em. CHEEEESE!!!! Lou gets it - good food, fast friendly service, and the best three cheese bread I've ever eaten. And their wings are some of the best, too. How is that possible? My husband went here on the recommendation of a friend from Chicago and we were not disappointed. He ordered the Buffa-Lou (ha!) wings - 9 wings (equally distributed between drumettes and wingettes - LOVE!), with a sauce that makes your lips tingle, but with plenty of flavor to offset that heat. Their ranch dressing was pretty damn decent too. I tried the cheesy gorganzola they offer as well, but the ranch was the ticket. I ordered the three cheese bread - its a French baguette that's been sliced lengthwise, smothered in garlic butter and topped with melted, stringy, ooey, gooey Parmasean, Cheddar and Mozzarella and served with a full cup of their homemade marinara. The thing was as long as my arm! So. Good. (tip - if you like the ranch that comes with the wings, dip the cheese bread in it. Heaven!) I also ordered the bruschetta - perfect amount of garlic and parmasean cheese with finely diced tomoatoes on a toasted baguette. Ended up taking most of it home since I was fast running out of room (don't you just want to order every damn thing from an italian place? I know I do!) and we still had the pizza to come. It was just as good 12 hours later as a midnight snack. I have to say I'm not a huge fan of deep dish pizza and I like my sauces under the cheese and without huge lumps of tomatoes (its a texture thing for me). Unfortunately this is the way Lou does their deep dish. However, the buttercrust - their signature - is PHENOMENAL. My husband loves deep dish and said this was off the hook. Because its deep dish, it takes 30 mins to cook. That's just how it is. Get an app and cool your jets b/c its totally worth waiting for. We went back 2 days later to the S. State Street location - and it was just as good, so our experience wasn't a one time thing.
(5)Jessica S.
was here a few months ago. good pizza and chicken wings. The Lincoln Park location is also good
(4)Taryn L.
Overall, very good pizza. The house salad for 4 was more than enough for 6. Coated lightly with dressing. Dressing was extremely sweet - not a bad thing, just sweet. We split two medium pizzas between the 6 of us, which gave us each 2 pieces, more than enough. The "Lou" ("fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese") was my favorite, though I couldn't decide whether or not I actually liked the cheddar cheese - sure made it cheesy. The "Malnati Chicago Classic," sausage with tomato sauce on a butter crust, was scrumptious, though I must admit I picked off a little bit of sausage. Better too much than not enough, right? The crust on both was perfectly baked, crunchy but fluffy. Right amount of sauce, right amount of cheese. Service was quick, our server was pleasant and attentive, not much to be said about the atmosphere. One of dining companions (currently living in Chicago) expressed that this wasn't true deep dish. I'm not of Chicago roots but it seemed like deep dish to me and definitely was tasty. It's rare that I eat the leftover crust at the end but I did - ate it all! Since I only get to visit, I'd try another spot next time but if I lived in the area I would definitely return when I got the craving.
(3)Stephanie O.
Any reason to eat a pizza that's 6 inches deep is a good reason to me. I went on a college visit to DePaul and I needed to eat lunch. Good reason? Good enough. I'm from Cincinnati, and our pizza...is...eh. We really should stick to putting thin chili on top of spaghetti. Therefore, words cannot explain my excitement over trying a legitmate deep-dish Chicago style pizza. My family arrived there shortly after they opened, and it was already packed. That's always a good sign. I can't say I'm a big fan of the seating area; there's a big screen TV and couch in the middle to make it feel more homey, but instead all the tables are crouched and I felt like I was sharing more with my neighbors than they needed to know. We ordered a bruschetta first, and it was so-so, typical tomatoes on bread. We just wanted our pizza, really, but we were so hungry we needed something to hold us over. When it finally came, OH BOY, pure excitement. This is what a pizza should look like. The oversauced, undercheesed, not-sure-if-it's-thin-or-thick stuff I get in my city couldn't hold a candle to this. It was beautiful. And the first bite...absolutely wonderful. There was plenty of cheese and a nice amount of sausage. I loved that it wasn't sauce heavy; I'm not a sauce person. My one complaint? I actually disliked the crust. I understand why people like it (other people at my table did), but it wasn't working for me. At least this pizza knew what it was though. So many times I've expierenced pizza that was a huge contrast between 2 different styles. This pizza was Chicago deep dish, and it knew it. I'm going back to Chicago in a few months, and I plan on trying more of the city's culinary delights, from the pizza to the hot dogs. For now, however, I have to sit at home eating chili spaghetti, sadly craving Mr. Lou Malanti's deep dish. :(
(4)Erin T.
We went in because it was packed!! Figured it was bound to be good and we were blown away! Service was fantastic and the pizza was truly wonderful. The only thing I'd say is that the 'pizza for 4' was way too much!! However, we did our best to eat our way through it all.
(5)Julie L.
Excellent deep dish pizza!!!! Friends warned me that I wouldn't enjoy the thickness and gooeyness of deep dish, but I'm glad my first experience with it was at Lou Malnati's. I think we had the Lou special and it was superb. The cheese wasn't too overwhelming and I enjoyed my two slices. I don't think anyone could really eat more than two slices of deep dish before getting sick of it. The medium sized pizza generously fed 4 adults with several more slices to take home. I also enjoyed their spinach bread appetizer. Paired great with the marinara dipping sauce. I didn't care too much for the thin crust pizza though. Great service here as well. I would definitely come back the next time I visit Chicago!
(4)T B.
Great deep dish! Excellent sauce and pepperoni. It's really hard to get a table here, so I prefer to just do take-away or delivery.
(4)Seung Eun C.
For me, the best thing here is the Malnati's salad.. It's simple.. Lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, tomatoes, bacon, and some olives, but the dressing was absolutely superb.. We shared the smaller size, but I could have eated a large all by myself! Who needs pizza?? We ordered the medium butter crust with cheese, sausage, pepperoni, and garlic. Trust, it will be VERY cheesey! It was a little too thick for us and we were getting rather full from the crust... So we just started to pick at the toppings.. Flavors were good and I'm sure if you like thicker crusts, it could blow your mind. Nothing against Malnatis, but I think we'll stick to thin crust. Two thumbs straight up for the deelish salad though!!! Oh, and if you sign up on their website, they send you free coupons. We got a free appetizer with our lunch. YAYAAY!
(4)Hugh B.
I am not sure why the tourists pack themselves into the downtown places like Uno and Due. The pizza here is every bit as good and it is so much less of a hassle. We went with a biggish group (10) on a Saturday for lunch. Service was efficient and friendly. Pizza was delicious -- we had two deep dish and two thin crusts, and every one of them was perfect. No crowds. No waiting. No jostling. And plenty of street parking on a Saturday afternoon.
(5)Steph D.
Hands down, best pizza of my life. And I worked in the pizza business for 9 years. We had the Malnati Classic deep dish with added garlic, and also got a thin crust cheese for our son. We also had the stuffed spinach bread. Average dining experience, good waitress. Thought it was interesting that every single family with children was seated upstairs....almost in exile... but that's fine with me. Just noteworthy. I'm giving 5 stars because of the amazing quality of the food. Everything else would have been a 3-4. But I will definitely go back next time I'm in Chicago. I'm a fan.
(5)Erica S.
I was very skeptical in eating deep dish pizza again after my first trip to Chicago and having a not-so-good experience at Gino's East, but since my sister who's been living there for almost 2 years has recommended it, I had to give it a try. We waited about an hour on a Thursday night to dine in. Started off with a small Malnati Salad, which was perfect for the 4 of us. The large would have been way too much. To be healthy, don't forget to ask for dressing on the side! The ingredients and the dressing are nothing fancy, but it went well together that it was one of the best salads I've had. Even my mom who normally doesn't like or eat salad enjoyed it. Then we had our large Malnati Chicago Classic pizza. My sister suggested the 12" Medium, which the menu said serves 3, but my husband insisted on getting the 14" Large. Of course, it was a mistake getting the Large as it was 2 slices too much. It was cut into 8 slices, but my mom and I were done after the first slice. I was expecting the buttercrust to be greasy and unhealthy, but I was wrong. The crust was actually light and it was very tasty with the sauce, cheese, and the whole layer of sausage. It didn't taste unhealthy like the one I had at Gino's East. YUM x3! Now I have a positive opinion on deep dish. Not the kind of pizza you could eat all the time, but good to have on occasion.
(4)David G.
I can't say enough about Lou's pizza. I still think it's the best deep dish. I went to this particular location when my girlfriend believed that Chicago style pizza was garbage based on a bad experience at another pizza place, so I took her to Lou Malnati's to give her proper Chicago style pizza and she loved it! To reiterate my ravings about Lou's pizza, they are delicious. I could probably eat the crust straight, and that's how much I believe Lou's pizzas are well built. Their signature pizza, The Lou, is great even for vegetarians. It's three kinds of cheese, spinach, mushroom and fresh sliced tomato. I love how Lou's also sells frozen pizzas, in case you want to take the pie on a long journey. A few notes about this location. It's pretty difficult to park here, seeing as it's in Lincoln Park. The location is also smaller than others. If not many people are waiting, they have sofas and a flat screen television you could watch. They will allow you to order your pizza while you're waiting for a table to save time, and they will also let you order drinks while you wait. Overall the staff here is great. Some of the best Chicago style pizza, and if you're trying to prove to a loved one that Chicago style pizza is actually pretty good, Lou's is a great bet.
(4)Cary C.
As a native New Yorker, comparing NY and Chicago pizza is like apples and oranges. I enjoy eating both styles. Having eaten there though, I'm bummed that there isn't a Lou Malnati's in NY. Came here with a buddy while on a baseball road trip, and we both chowed down a large pie that serves 4 people, and it was marvelous. Can be a bit of a wait, but it's well worth it. Visitors can easily find interesting things to see in the neighborhood while waiting (The Biograph Theater is blocks away). Will definitely come back here next time I'm in town.
(5)Anthony M.
Although we are not experts in Chicago deep dish pizza, we loved the thick crust and sauce medley. The sausage was cooked very well and the butter crust was delicious. But, we should have asked for more garlic. A little more garlic would have made this five-star worthy.
(4)Anna G.
SLOOOOOWWWWW service. Took us over 40 minutes to get our two pizzas. Staff was not apologetic- in fact never even mentioned how slow- like it was expected. The pizza was fine. We aren't from Chicago and eating pizza with a fork is not the best, but it was good and really isn't 'pick me up' kind of pizza. It was very tomato-y which is, I guess, traditional Chicago Style Pizza. I wouldn't go again. The service was too slow, and it was just 'fine'- not 'OH MY GOD SO GOOD" at all. We will keep looking for the 'can't wait to go back' pizza. I can't believe people order this mail order online for so much money- not worth it at all.
(3)Henry H.
- Didn't realize how long it's been since I've been here, the dining area is totally remodeled. The remodel really fits the feel of the neighborhood. I personally liked the old decor, with the Jordan SI covers on the wall the couch and TV gave it a real h
(5)Eric Y.
Great deep dish pizza; make sure to get the butter crust option. The Malnati salad is good too. My criticism of this location is that the TVs are too small and there aren't enough of them (sorry, that's not really relevant, is it?)
(4)Gina S.
This location was fairly small, about 11 tables, a couch and two cozy chairs. We were told the wait would be 1hr 15min, it was more like 45 minutes so it wasn't too bad. They asked us to pick our pizza and place the order while we waited for our table. A pretty smart idea if you ask me, it help combine our total wait time considering it takes 30-40 minutes to make and bake a deep dish. There's a bar next door and they took my number and called right before our table was ready. This was my first time to Lou Malnati's, so we went with the classics. I don't think we could go wrong with a Malnati salad and a Lou deep dish pizza. Both were good. The Malnati salad is their spin on an Italian house salad. I really liked the blue cheese and bacon bits. We had a Large Lou pizza, and boy was it HUGE! But we wanted leftovers for breakfast. The crust is nicely baked with a good crisp crunch to it. There really was no red sauce on the pizza. I was disappointed because that's my favorite part! I asked for extra pizza sauce on the side, but I ended up with a cup of what looked like whole tomatoes with a light watery sauce right from the can. It didn't appear they doctored it up with a special family secret seasoning. The overall pizza favor was pretty flat. I wish there was more spice or zip to the pizza, which they could have gotten if they had a good sauce. Not bad, but not my favorite.
(3)Jennifer C.
This is the must stop in Chicago for pizza! This is a small location - but totally worth the wait. They have a great individual lunch pizza special. The pizza is a perfect combination of the crust, sauce, cheese and some tomatoes on top. Service here is great - and the pizza is not that expensive. Order a big pizza to ensure you have leftovers!
(5)Brandon V.
Without a doubt, my favorite deep dish pizza in Chicago. The servers are typically at least above average in terms of level of service, and the bottomless sodas are ENORMOUS. The stuffed spinach bread is a definite must-try as an appetizer. My only caveat is to be prepared for a struggle finding street parking nearby and for a long wait for a table, especially on the weekend.
(5)J.M S.
The original and the best. (for all locations) Pick up is my norm from this location, but if eating in, a comfy & sporty atmosphere.
(5)Gina W.
I love Lou Malnati's deep dish! This is a small location though, and therefore their menu is slightly smaller. They don't have a deep frier, so no mozzarella sticks or zucchini for an appetizer. Great pizza, salad, and skillet cookie, though! :)
(4)Mia A.
First time visiting Chicago && this was the first place I've eaten. This pizza is overhyped. Came here bcuz a coworker saw them featured on FoodNetwork. I think they are popular bcuz of the history. I'm still here. Waiting on other ppl in our group to receive their food. Why is it standard for a small spinach deep dish pizza to take 35 minutes? I thought they'da sprinkled some dazzle dazzle on it to taste better. Never coming back here.
(1)DeMarco B.
Best Chicago deep dish I've had. The wait wasn't too bad and they gave us the option to order in advance/let us drink in the lobby. The seating was way smaller than I had thought (like 8 tables max). Worth the wait, would go again, or perhaps order out!
(5)Cathy N.
My flight from California to Chicago gets delayed.. so I spend about 7 hours without any food, and was FAMISHED by the time I got into town. Luckily, my BF's awesome cousin had ordered from Lou's, and a deep dish sausage pizza was waiting at her place to tame my hunger pangs! I have NEVER had deep dish pizza before, and was MADLY impressed by what I tasted. This stuff is a-ma-zing. Plenty of sausage, plenty of fresh tomato sauce, and lots of ooey gooey cheese. I usually have a smaller appetite, but the pizza was so good that I couldn't stop eating it! What a great first impression of Chi-town grub :) Thanks, Lou!
(5)Tristan Z.
Was in Chicago for my first time and told I need to get Lou Malnati's. Overall, it wasn't amazing, though that could have been because I had two friends hyping it up. Don't get me wrong--it was delicious--but it wasn't anywhere close to the best pizza I've had. I do like certain aspects of it; for example, how they bake cheese on the outside of the crust. The delivery was pretty quick, and the prices were reasonable. Had both the "Lou" and the Malnati Chicago Classic. I liked the former better though am generally more a fan of veggie pizza anyway. The serving sizes are pretty big so no need for anything above an individual if you're eating it solo.
(4)Beso M.
one of the best chicago style pizzas around, nough said
(5)Tanya N.
Absolutely the best pizza I've ever had in my life. Ordered sausage bits and pepperoni deep dish. My mouth was watering the whole time. Excellence!
(5)Anne L.
Best deep dish in Chicago. We were able to try a deep dish sausage pizza finally at the Taste of Chicago and it was amazing. The perfect amount of everything and not overly saucy like some pizzas can be. My hubby and I both agreed after trying so many other deep dish pizzas in Chicago Lou Malnati's is by far the best....plus we normally both prefer thin crust pizza. Which speaking of thin crust pizza, we also have ate at their restaurant and we tried the stuffed spinach bread appetizer which was deliciously cheesy and tried a thin crust which was perfect cracker crust. This place definitely knows their pizza and I highly recommend!
(5)Andrea S.
I had my first meal in Chicago here and I loved it! The deep dish was very saucy and flavorful but the BBQ salad was my favorite. I was told the salad comes with a LOT of dressing so we got it on the side and it was perfect. We topped off the meal with an ice cream cookie (should have shared an individual between the two of us) but that was amazing as well. Definitely recommend this place as the first stop for a Chicago deep dish pizza.
(4)Michelle L.
Malnati salad is delicious. First place we learned that we can order the deep dish pizza to be 'well done' -- amazing!
(4)Missy G.
FAVORITE pizza place in the city. Great experience both in the location and with delivery. We have ordered the Lou's salad that comes with their homemade dressing. The basic salad serves two and is contains ingredients like gouda cheese, bacon, mushrooms, greens, tomatoes and black olives. LOVE it. Fresh tasting and a perfect starter while your pizza is cooking. Note that if you are eating at the location, you will want to order some type of salad or appetizer as their pizza takes up to 25-30 minutes. We order the thin crust with pepperoni and cheese. We have also ordered just cheese and the deep dish. All options are excellent. We personally like the thin crust better just based on personal preference of pizza, but you can't go wrong with doing a deep dish. Very flavorful sauce and ingredients, and the crust is great. It is worth the extra time spent for the pizza to cook. The service was excellent as well. No complaints, very attentive. Definitely returning as this is our go to pizza place in a city that spits out pizza at every corner.
(5)Kendall M.
Had pizza delivered from here while visiting friends in Chicago. Delicious gluten free pizza (quite possibly one of the best gluten free crusts I have tried to date) and thoughtful customer service as they asked if we wanted the pizza cut or not, saying it traveled better and stayed warmer if it was uncut. Wish they had more options for toppings. Pineapple and jalapeños would be key additions to the topping line up. Would highly recommend!
(4)Bobby C.
While I may claim to be 'all-knowing' when it comes to thin crust NY style, I'm certainly a philistine when it comes to deep dish Chicago. Usually too filling and not enough cheese for me. But when I'm in Chi, I always try to get the best deep dish from friends' recommendations. Malnati's did not disappoint. The perfect cheese to crust consistency. They even let me split two totally different halves of a pie for no extra charge. In LA that;s considered restaurant blasphemy! I had half 'Lou Malnatis' which is their signature sausage based pie--truly amazing. To balance the holiday calorie intake, I ordered the 'Lou' which is their veggie pie with mushroom, spinach and multiple cheeses. Equally delish in it's own way. I'd make a trip out of my way for this place. Wonderful service. TV with leather couches inside and very reasonably priced.
(5)Carrie P.
Lou Malnati's deep dish is passable. It's not bad, but the crust and sauce is a bit bland. Honestly, I'm on the fence about whether to give two or three stars, but with so many better options in the city I think I need to round down. Service was fine, at least. Atmosphere is generic. For the food, though, you'd do better at Chicago's Pizza, Giordanos, or arguably even Gino's East.
(2)Melanie R.
I'm typically a thin-crust kind of girl, but when in Chicago... The prices were surprisingly cheap given the hype for this place, but you more than make up for that with time spent waiting. Granted we went on a Saturday, but we had to wait for about an hour and the waiting area is tiny and has very limited seating. On the plus side, they've got a system (and it works!) to put in your order while you're waiting, so that you don't have to spend another 30+ minutes once you get your table. Our party of 4 ordered a large pizza and a salad-- that's 2 slices per person and even still we ended up with half of it left over. One slice is all it takes, folks!
(4)Patrick B.
Not only is this the best pizza in Chicago, it's the best place to be in Lincoln Park for service and friendliness by the entire staff. From the people at the front desk to the servers and bartenders, they could not do more to make sure that everything was just the way we wanted it. You can really tell that they all LOVE their jobs there and it shows. Seems to me that Lou Malnatti's really takes the time to hire the right people to make this organization as successful as it is. The manager, Peter, stopped by our table, too to make sure we were enjoying our meal! Top notch manager with a great smile and a way to make everyone comfortable and want to come back. I'll definitely be back!!!!
(5)Michele S.
Great for deep dish carry out. I'm still a fan of the veggie Lou. Servers make sure you have utensils, extra cheese and hot pepper flakes. Very crowded location -- it the original. I wouldn't eat in. Always a line or people waiting for their orders. I managed to find street parking outside under the el.
(4)Jeff R.
One of my favorite Chicago meals ever since I can remember has been a deep dish pie from Lou's. It's a childhood memory and just plain good eating. I love good Chicago deep dish pizza, but I understand that not everyone feels the same way about pizza "pie" vs. thin crust. The reason for today's visit was for a good and cheap lunch before heading off to Ann Arbor for some football. In case you didn't know, Lou has a great lunch special from 11-2 for $7.25 that includes a small salad, drink and personal size pizza. And for those of us that always over order (sometimes on purpose for leftovers), the personal size is perfect, especially mid day. That's all I have, great pizza and great value for a mid day meal. I love Lou Malnati's pizza and probably always will.
(5)Daniel M.
This a review for all the Lou's I have visited over the years. This is Chicago's best deep dish pizza hands down. And if you don't think so, you better check yo' self before you wreck yo' self! The butter crust, chunky tomato sauce, and sausage patty make these pies the masterpieces they are. If you have never had Lou's and are a pizza lover, run don't walk to the Lou's nearest you. Their thin crust is also pretty good too when the cheese is cooked. Have had it a few times where the cheese was not cooked to my satisfaction. But thin crust is not why you come to Lou's.
(5)kevin c.
This is for not only this location, but for all the locations I have been to in including Naperville, Mt prospect carry out, and wicker park carry out. I personally love Manati's deep dish. It is easy to argue about great pizza in this city, but this is my fav. There are many other excellent deep dish pizzas however. I love Malnati's because of the sauce and the melding of all ingredients. I prefer the regular crust to the butter crust. I also love it because you can taste individual ingredients as you eat it. p.s. the thin crust is really good as well.
(5)Cameron N.
My wife and I ate here last night and had a great meal. They don't take reservations so that's something to be cognizant of. We arrived at 6:15pm on a Wednesday and it was still a 30-40 minute wait for a party of 2. Lou's is worth the wait though. There is actually a bar right around the corner (SE) that you can grab a drink at. We started with the Malnati salad. The mix of ingredients (olives, salami, gorganzola, etc.) makes for a perfect combination. They do a great job of pre-mixing the salad dressing as well so it's just the right amount. The tomatoes are super fresh and elevate the flavor profile of the dish. Unless you haven't eaten for a week the medium size is perfectly sufficient. You would actually think it's a large when they bring it out. It will provide two people two big bowls of salad each. The pizza was obviously to die for. It takes about 30 minutes for them to cook it from the time you order. When we were waiting for our table they actually gave us the option to "pre-order" our pizza so it could be prepared faster. If you are super hungry or have children this may be a good option for you to consider. We chose the Malnati classic. The buttercrust, cheese, lean sausage and tomatoes are phenomenal together. The Malanati family hand selects the tomatoes and they get their cheese from a local dairy that has been supplying them for 40 years. Combine this with years and years of crust perfecting and you have the makings of a stellar pizza. The next time we visit we really want to try the 'Lou' which has spinach and mushrooms. Word to the wise, if you are "creating" your own pizza from scratch keep in mind that they charge you the full price for each topping even if you elect to only put it on half of the pizza. This wasn't an issue since we selected the classic but you can rack up costs quickly if you think your bill is 1/2 of what they will actually charge you.
(4)Jelena Z.
It was that time of year again-- my brother's annual visit from St. Louis! Translation: the only time I allow a little Lou's in my life. I called, placed the order for a medium sausage deep dish with butter crust and an hour later, we were feasting like we hadn't ate in days. I was kind enough to send my brother home with a few slices, and I horded a few for myself as well. If I'm going to dabble in deep dish... only Lou's!
(5)Cherie D.
Not great. My friends and I stopped in and the wait was too long, we ordered out and had them deliver, deliverer forgot some stuff. Pizza just wasn't all that great.
(2)Michael L.
Always a great Chicago pizza company, this place holds itself up.
(4)Doug R.
I convinced some friends to make a 7 block treck on a shitty Chicago night for what I had been told was on of the better deep dishes around the city. Weren't they on the Travel Channel or Food Network or something? I dunno, maybe it was Fieri ranting about the whole layer of MEATY sausage on the pizza that intrigued me and made me convince my friends to go. I mean come on, "Malnati's" just sounds awesome! I think what I am most disappointed by about this place-this particular location-is the experience; specifically the ambiance. Granted! A restaurant should be judged on its food firstly, but this place is so spectacularly horrible that it must be discussed! Malnati's dining room has the feel of a living room that was set up by someone with a lot of money, but really really cheap taste...in the early 90's. FOR EXAMPLE: big couches in front of a big screen TV, A LOT of maple wood treatments with white walls, wretched green, orange and black carpet, too many mirrors and wall to wall faded, cheaply framed Michael Jordan Sports Illustrated covers. Now that I think of it, this probably would have been my dream bedroom when I was 8 years old...in the early 90's. They also had early 90's soft ballads on the piped in music-seriously. I guess I'll give them points for continuity? Maybe in 10 more years this place will catch the retro cycle and be cool. But now, its more like they are painfully out of style. We ordered beers just for the sake of boredom really. No draft, just a few high priced bottles with diner style glasses that were chilled (no need to chill glasses with good beer actually). OK I get it, this isn't a beer bar. Thanks for having Sam Adams and 312? We ordered an app, because, well, we didn't know any better I suppose. We got the stuffed spinach bread and after the first bite we were pleased. The third bite was terribly cold in the middle and seemed to fit perfectly on top of heavy, sad, vinyl table cloths. Thawed to order, yes! Also, the plates were plastic. Fucking plastic. Really?! A few looked like they came from Wal-Mart and a few looked like they had been yanked from a school lunch room. Ahhh early 90's memories...Thanks Malnati's! Our sausage and pepperoni deep dish came out eventually and looked nice. That butter crust is pretty buttery and therefore tasty. But after one slice, the dryness and toughness of the crust sets in and it does not make it that enjoyable. The sausage was very nice, and yes Guy, there was tons of it. Nice reporting. The pepperoni was average. Overall, the pizza was hearty and just barely good enough to make the trip worth it...I think. But it does not hold a place in my heart! No sir. I've had better deep dish at Uno's and even in Branson, MO for Jordan's sake (granted the owner is from Chicago and used to work at Uno's)! I got the feeling that the locals treat this place like we treat Branson, MO around here: you only go when your lame aunt and uncle or grandparents show up and demand you go. So there you go. I just made the tenuous comparison to Branson, look what you've made me do Malnalti's. Next time I'm making the 45 minute journey out to Burt's Place.
(2)Bill S.
I was suggested to try Lou's from the bartender at our hotel during a recent trip. I've had pizza in Chicago before, but I wanted a local's perspective on the best deep dish pizza. And while the pizza was excellent, the service was very slow. We waiting almost 45 minutes for a table and almost another 30 minutes for our food. They did comp one of our sides for the wait though. Overall, I really want to try them again because the pizza was that good. We had the signature "Lou's pizza", it was very, very good.
(4)Jon B.
Another Pizza place to memorize when you're in the city, with plenty of north and west side location you can easily find this pizzaria. I recommend The Malnati Chicago Classic. I've had both their thin crust and deep dish and being a Chicago man i prefer the deep dish.
(4)Lauren W.
The airport shuttle driver offered us recommendations of things to see and do in the city including a visit to Lou's. This local tip confirmed our research about the Chicago must eat. We ordered the new spinach salad which was delicious and The Malnati Chicago Classic deep dish pizza. Our server was attentive and made sure we understood there was a 30 min wait on the pizza, she even served the salad at the table. Pizza was incredible, simple but bursting with flavor. A must eat whilst in Chicago. Oh and the sodas are huge and I mean HUGE!
(5)Priya S.
Few words Deepdish- vegetarian -my experience -awesome....
(5)Jon H.
Lou Malnati's is a great example of chicago pizza. The wait times can kill, but they let you order when you put your name done, and viola, 50 minutes later, when you sit down at your table, and another 15 mins after that, your pizza arrives. We forgot to get the butter crust, but even without it the pizza crust was amazing. We had a half cheese and half pepperoni for 2 size (each size pizza has an indication how many people it could feed, which is perfect). The crust was flaky and crisp, the sauce was tangy and sweet, the cheese was plentiful, and the pepperoni provided ample coverage. Service was quick and helpful, and oh yeah, the salads and the sodas/iceteas ARE HUGE. Best of all? Two people with drinks and a salad was under $40 with tip. Best affordable chicago-tradition (outside of hot dogs).
(4)Stelio F.
Favorite pizza joint in Chicago. Love both the deep dish and thin crust.
(5)Angus L.
Malnati's Gluten free pizza is the best of the best! Ive been gluten free for 2 years, and have tried alot of GF pizza. Theres is amazing. If I could eat it everyday and not gain a million pounds I would. Its that good. Also I have met the owner at one of the locations a couple times, and he is a really great guy. I could not love this place more!
(5)Kent L.
Generally speaking, of the main Chicago pizza chains, I would rank in the following order: Giordano's, Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, Unos. Gino's and Lou's is a toss-up depending on the location. If you are talking Lincoln Park, Lou's trumps the Gino's in the area.. Different pizzas, but atmospheres are worlds apart. For example, the Gino's in Lincoln Park uses disposable silverware and does not have free refills on the sodas, while the atmosphere at the LP Lou's is laid back and comfortable with couches and a flat-panel tv (which was great for Shark Week when we went). We always get the large pepperoni deep dish. DO NOT FORGET TO ORDER WITH THE BUTTER CRUST! We forgot this last time around and were very sad when we realized it.. don't be cheap, IT IS WORTH THE EXTRA $0.75!!
(4)David S.
Great pizza as always. Can't go wrong with sausage or sausage and pepperoni. My favorite Chicago pizza place over Geno's East and Giordanos. Parking is a bit of a hassle if you are traveling through, but always worth the effort.
(4)Robin M.
This was truly Meh. I had the deep dish pepperoni pizza with the famous butter crust. Lots of tomato sauce and cheese, and pepperoni (I guess). I'm not sure because this was one of the most tasteless pizzas I have ever had. Really. It was like eating really heavy air. Maybe they were having an off Sunday; it happens. But count me out for trying it again. Meh.
(2)Will D.
The pizza here is good. Yes they take a while but I wish I hadn't ordered an appetizer and just filled up on beer because the pizza was good and I ran out of room. -1 star because I thought the crust was a little over cooked.
(4)Amanda C.
I have never really understood the serious Lou Malnati's fans... I think the pizza is good but have never been wowed by it. The experience here was mediocre, starting with the 45 minute wait and the hostess not marking down that we were waiting to sit outside. Unfortunately we sat inside, which was ok but not what we had asked for. An apology would have been nice. We ordered the house salad which was great and Lou's pizza with spinach and mushrooms. I thought the pizza was a 3/5. I think it needed more sauce? Maybe this is just how they make it. They serve beer and wine and have a living room in the restaurant area complete with couches and a TV. Samples for waiting customers are a plus. I have heard this location doesn't make their pizza with as much "love" as other locations, so will probably try it again sometime.
(2)Michael D.
They screwed up the pregnant wife's order but more than made up for it by picking up the tab. Excellent customer service. Oh I almost forgot, the pizza is really good too.
(5)Emily S.
I used to LOVE Malnati's. I hadn't had it in awhile, so my husband and I ordered a Chicago classic (sausage pan) for delivery while we completed some projects around the house. The pizza arrived an hour later, soggy and kind of sweaty-looking. There were WHOLE tomatoes on top (like whole canned tomatoes that hadn't been chopped or broken up at all). We each had one piece - and a couple hours later neither of us felt well at all. We didn't really think anything of it until we each ate a slice for lunch the next day. Same thing - both of us were nauseous a couple hours later. We ended up throwing the rest of the pizza away. If there is ONE thing we don't do in our house, it's throw pizza away! That should tell you how gross this was. Never again.
(1)Samantha H.
Any true Chicagoan knows only tourists come here due to the massive whoring out of the suburban (not even from Chicago) joint on Food Network. Anyone actually from here will tell you to go to Giordanos (I literally can't think of one person who would recommend this place and I've lived here 30 years). Their cheese is like hard in texture and their sauce too sweet. The only decent part of this pizza is the crust, which is pretty nice and buttery. It's not authentic, it's not anything compared to Giordanos, it's only good for tourists, not locals, and it's not even from Chicago! Not that I would ever go here on my own, we used to order it at work due to the proximity when we had parties. They also have a strange obsession with whole pieces of food on their pizza (tomatoes, sausage, etc.). I guess keep it for the tourists, us real Chicagoans will keep eating Giordanos.
(1)Dien H.
The staff was very friendly! Our server Hannah was superb. The Chicago deep dish was fantastic, the Lou deep dish wasn't too shabby either!
(5)Becky W.
We stopped here while visiting my sister who lives in the area. It was very crowded, and the wait area was unbelievably tiny. The worst part was the people coming in for carry out trying to get into the soda fridge had to squeeze past all the people waiting. Otherwise, the staff was very helpful and let us place our pizza order while waiting so we wouldn't have to wait longer at the table. We shared the Malnalti salad, but had the olives on the side (I can't stand them). I was very glad we did, because after the wait, I was starving so the salad and the complimentary bread was needed. The crumbled Volpi salami was a little too hard and crunchy for my taste, but the mushrooms and tomatos were very fresh and the dressing was flavorful, but not overpowering. I would recommend the salad, but if you have sensitive teeth, skip the salami. We ordered the pepperoni deep dish pizza and added mushrooms and sliced tomatos. I loved the sauce and thought the extra tomatos were a welcome and flavorful addition, but my mom wished she woudn't have ordered them since the sauce was pretty chunky already. Again, the mushrooms were great, but it could have used more pepperoni as it was hard to find any on many slices. The crust was a little mushy on the bottom, but after having overcooked crusts at other "famous" Chicago deep dish places, I look back on the crust as good. I would definitely pick this as my favorite all around deep dish in Chicago, and worth the trip!
(4)April P.
My cousin insisted that this was THE Chicago deep dish pizza to try while I was in town. He had an order of the "Lou" delivered to his apartment. After just one look and one bite, I was in heaven. The "Lou" consists of spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. It was nothing like anything I'd ever had before. After 2 slices, I was already in a food coma. I'm not sure how it is dining at the restaurant but I'm definitely a fan of Lou's. Can't wait to try out what else they have to offer!
(4)Wei H.
So I went back, twice! Tried the Lou, loved it! This vegetarian version is definitely more of my cup of tea because it's not as rich as the meaty Chicago Classic. We also got the 3 cheese bread and boy that was a lot of bread! We had a carry-out order so unfortunately by the time we got home on a cold December night, the cheese wasn't as runny as we'd want. A quick fix in the oven would have made it delicious again but we were so hungry we went straight at it. On my third trip to Lou Malnati's, my friend and I tried the thin crust - sausage, green pepper and mushroom. The additional toppings add-on fees aren't that terrible. I loved loved loved the thin crust - just the right amount of cheese, sauce and toppings! Needless to say, us two finished that medium designed for 2-3 people... Bottom line is: the food is great and the wait really isn't that bad at the two locations I have been to. Their pasta portions are huge but I find them too salty personally. If you have out of town friends visiting, take them to Lou! I had this perfect excuse to do so for three times and as much as my jeans hate me, I will still go if the opportunity avails. :)
(4)Iris L.
I have to say, I'm a fan of Lou Malnati's. I usually prefer them over Giordano's. Saturday night around 8:30 was the first time I went to this location. We were told the wait would be about half an hour. An hour later, we finally sat down. I'm okay with waiting a while, but only if they tell me how long. The staff did offer samples of pizza to everyone waiting, so that was nice. Our waitress was super nice, though. The Lou is definitely my favorite and the crust was super tasty and crisp. This location isn't as nice as the one in River North, but at least it has a seating area unlike the one in Wicker. All in all, I recommend Lou Malnati's, just not this location.
(3)Rene F.
Bad service, hostess so arrogant. Decided to leave, not worth the wait. Had Lou Malnati's before in other location where customer service is better than this bad attitude reception.
(1)Heather P.
I just moved only a mile away from where I used to live and learned that there is not a single Lou Malnati's that will deliver to my new address. Hey Lou - what's the big idea?!?! Really - a whole extra mile for a loyal customer such as myself is too much for you. Looks like I will be taking my rather regular deep dish pizza cravings to one of your more convenient competitors. Too bad, your loss!
(1)Arika S.
This place is exactly what you would expect for a Chicago deep dish. Salad was good - sweet italian vinegarette was delish! Vegetarian pizza was great...only downfall was the time (takes at least 30 minutes for the pizza to cook) Price was very reasonable!
(4)Kathleen A.
Malnati's is my second favorite deep dish joint in Chicago (Art of Pizza is #1). Gathered up a large group of my girlfriends for my last visit home so I could fuel my 8-month old craving for deep dish pizza. One complaint-they don't take reservations, even for large parties. I even tried calling an hour in advance to see if I could reserve a table, but no go unless someone from my party was present. The place is pretty small inside-I was surprised. No bar area to hang out while you wait either. But you can always pre-order your pizza which is a plus. I love this pizza-the buttery crust and amazing sauce. I usually order sausage and it never lets me down. The Malnati's salads are also amazing and so is their house dressing!
(4)Stu S.
My husband loves great deep dish pizza, so before our current trip to Chicago for the 4th of July he checked Yelp and found Lou Malnati's and found one just a block from the house we're staying at. I'm really glad he did this homework because I'm now a fancier of Chicago deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's and thank God they've got quite a few locations in this great food City. We stayed in Lincoln Park and found the location on Wrightwood and Lincoln just a block away and off we went one recent steamy afternoon. Surprised by the small dining area within what looks like a very big restaurant, we had to wait for a table and then saw that most of the space is dedicated to take out and making frozen pies to take home and cook. It's a big operation, another testament to success and customer appreciation of their fine products. The menu also offers pasta, salads, sandwiches and other varieties of pizza but they're really known for their deep dish and that's what we chose along with a garlic bread appetizer. Both individual pizza's arrived after about 15 minutes and I was shocked at how dang good they were. The crust was a pie shell of perfectly cooked, light pizza dough that contained the high quality ingredients like a baby's bottom in diapers. Balance and the terrific ingredients and masterful cooking made these both really fine dining and I'd go back in a heart beat. Service was pleasant and professional, not much ambience, prices are amazingly reasonable, the restaurant is clean and cheerful. The fact that we had to wait to be seated on a weekday afternoon after 1:00 PM tells me people really like this place and I'm so glad we went. This is a very good place for pizza, so I hope you try it and love it.
(5)Gwen R.
Okay, this pizza is so good that I am suspicious of any review on here referring to "meh" or "disappointment". WHAT?!?! The deep dish pepperoni is where it's at and I have tried several competitors....nothing even comes close to the perfect balance Lou's achieves with the crust and the toppings. Try the cheese bread, too---it's a great precursor to what's to come. Also, the service at this location is OUTSTANDING. Always have a great server and the counter staff is always courteous and upbeat. It's a great value, too---hard to find in this city sometimes, but you definitely get what you pay for here.
(5)Dan B.
Pizza, pizza, pizza. Boy do I love it and while Lou's isn't my death bed deep dish pizza it's top notch. The sauce isn't a deep full layer on top and not as flavorful and sweet as I prefer. This place had great service on a Thursday night and anytime you order deep dish, do yourself a favor and pre-order. Saves you time and usually gets you a seat when this place is busy, which I hear is usually the case. Glad I could find a local craft brew on the menu as well. Wish Viccino's had a downtown locale but this will certainly due.
(4)Caroline M.
Best Chicago Deep Dish, period. This coming from a Chicago Native. All I gotta say, is that right when my plane lands (if I am out of town for an extended period of time), I call my mom so that the Pizza arrives just as I get home. Deep dish, butter crust, well done, onions and sliced tomatoes. If you can't decide which salad to get, go with the Malnati Salad. Lasagna= deliciousness Raviolis= yum-oh Italian Beef= sexy Basically anything you get is gonna be awesome, ya know. Oh and one last thing, always go for the meat sauce.
(5)Rachel W.
I LOVE lou's pizza...it's by far the greatest deep dish in Chicago. No contest. Make sure to order their butter crust for both thin crust and deep dish. My favorite is to order the 'lou'...Fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. I believe it comes standard w/the butter crust but make sure. Add the Malnatis salad and you have the perfect meal. I pretty much never branch out from pizza and salad, but why order a sandwich from a pizzeria when the pizza is this good? I wouldn't recommend dining in unless you're the parent of a child on a soccer/softball/baseball team
(5)Grace J.
Def order The "Malnati Chicago Classic" rather than the "Lou" and if not..make sure to order with buttercrust...makes a big difference! :) Everyone always seems to order the cheesy bread, but...that's a lotta bread..! We usually order the maltnati salad which comes with a sweet dressing and crunchy bacon bits. Save room for the pizza though~
(4)Matt M.
This Malnati's is not as good as the ones in the suburbs. Its dingy inside and the pizza does not seem to contain really fresh ingredients. But its still as addictive as crack. But the service here is great and the wait staff is attentive without being overbearing.
(4)Kenia G.
Great deep dish pizza, right amount of sauce and very cheesy :). The crust was buttery and crispy. Everything was delicious, I gave it 4 stars just because I prefer New York Pizza but overral great experience.
(4)jason b.
Our first-ever Chicago style pizza! The small was enough to feed both my wife and I. Tasted good, we would be back if we lived in the area. Long wait but I guess that's normal for Chicago style pizza preparation? Service was friendly.
(4)Scott F.
My summary, which repeats other comments: 1) Pizza was overrated. I like the idea of a sheet of sausage, but it did not translate to actual deliciousness. 2) Love that they have an outdoor space, but the actual location is on a busy corner and not conducive to enjoying your food or conversation. 3) Service was hit-or-miss, with our server disappearing for huge blocks of time. 4) Front desk staff lacks in friendliness. They seem put-off with pick-up orders and with people asking about seating updates after an hour of waiting. 5) Be prepared to wait a long time. If they say 20 minutes, they mean 60. 6) Chocolate chip cookie pizza was great. Lastly, if you are under the age of 100, bring an I.D. I watched a woman, clearly in her 60s or more, refused a glass of wine because she did not have ID.
(2)Katrina F.
Now this is THE best Chicago deep dish pizza. All those other places that are stuffed crust are just full of cheese and do not come even close to the perfection that is Lou's. The crust is a little buttery and wonderfully crisp- a must for any good pizza. The sauce is an equally important ingredient and theirs is wonderful with chunks of tomato- yum! I'm a big fan of the standard sausage pizza but the vegetarian and Chicago classic are great as well. I also highly recommend the Lou's salad- I have not had salad from any other pizza place that comes even close to this goodness! I always have been and will be an addict for life!
(4)Greg P.
If you regularly put ketchup (or catsup) on wet bread at home, but you're in the mood to pay way too much for it, as well as wait an hour, then come here and order a deep dish pizza. However..... it is pizza, after all. That's the only reason for the 2nd star,
(2)Jenny T.
Oh no...not good...I'm sinking...into a pizza coma. I don't know if you know this about me, but I am a full-blown pizza addict. I could eat pizza everyday. Sometimes I wonder if I could even have a relationship with pizza, but always decide against when picturing myself kissing a greasy, tomato-y piece of pie. Ick! However, my boss has just introduce me to my new lovey named "Lou Malnati's Pizza". The thin crust is so crispy, thin, & delicious that I believe I may have eaten 5 pieces. Yeah, five pieces in front of my co-workers and boss-it's a bit embarrassing looking back on it. I ate the mushroom & olive pizza, which was to die for! There was just enough sauce (I'm not a huge sauce fan) & more than enough veggies!! I didn't like the plain cheese though. It tasted too much like cheap cheese & had a weird texture. Mm-mm, I did not appreciate it! No way, no how! Edwardo I love your "natural pizza", but I think I may have found a bette & tastier lover and he goes by the name Lou.
(5)Meredith B.
mmmmm.... It's not exactly gourmet, and yes it is a little greasy, but I think it's some of the best deep dish that you can get for delivery in Chicago. I've eaten in the restaurant once - nothing special about the ambiance. My friends and I always order the deep dish pepperoni, and the Chicken Club Salad. Now that salad is something special. The dressing has a powerful, addictive quality that keeps us picking at it for hours, until 2 am. The pizza is tasty, filling stuff - one slice is enough for me (though I am a wee thing) - and there's no shortage of gooey cheese....
(4)Babs H.
A friend turned me on to Lou's last year and I haven't looked back since. The funny thing is, I had a slice of her left over next day cold pizza and I still thought it was really good. I came in for a fresh za and that is precisely what I got! The crust had a good flavor, was not soggy, and thick as a brick. I usually don't like chunks of tomatoes in my sauce but I really liked their sauce, too. I've been here a handful of times to dine in and never had trouble being seated. Also, the times that I've ordered pick up they've always been prompt. The staff has always been friendly and welcoming, especially to new comers. I sent a group of friends from Nashville there and they loved it! In fact, they had nothing but good things to say about Lou's.
(5)Eric L.
Did I really eat a pound of cheese? Sausage, peppers, onions, buttercrust - w/ a side of giardiniera. I think I'm getting aroused.
(5)Lisa S.
We wanted to round out a trip to Chicago with a dinner of deep dish pizza, so I was put in charge of scouring Yelp for a place within walking distance of the Days Inn so us out-of-towners would not have to figure out parking. Lou Malnati's came up in my search and after reading a passage that stated something like "Best Deep Dish in Chicago" we were sold. We walked by the windows and peered into the dining room before entering. The place looked cozy with tartan carpet, nice lighting, a comfortable couch in the middle of the dining room. Upon entering we were told by the very attractive hostess that the wait was 15-20 minutes to be seated but that we could look over the menu and put in our food orders right away because deep dish pizza takes longer to cook. How thoughtful! And then she offered to bring us something to drink while we waited. Doubly thoughtful! The dining room has a certain charm to it, with Sports Illustrated covers pertaining to Michael Jordon framed and hung on the walls. I question some of the choices, because if you are idolizing Michael Jordon would you really want to hang up covers that trashed him? Regardless it made me chuckle. Our group can never decide on pizza toppings so we are accustomed to getting separate orders, and I choose the deluxe filled with sausage, onions, green peppers and mushrooms. I ordered the individual because I wasn't famished, but now I wish I would have ordered a larger size just to take home leftovers because this pizza was seriously delicious. Shell out the extra 75 cents and get your pizza with butter crust, there's really no other way to eat it. The staff was as good as the pizza! Friendly, attentive, and warm this place has a real family atmosphere to it. If I lived in Chicago Lou Malnati would become a part of my weekly ritual without a doubt.
(5)Kelly C.
I always hold a certain level of skepticism whenever I try a new deep dish pizza place since the ones I always go to in Berkeley/San Francisco are really really good. But it is Chicago and I had to give it a try. I was pleased with Lou. The atmosphere of the place was great, we saw near the bar and were surrounded by TVs playing Sunday football. Pizza wise, the tomato sauce was great, flavorful and chunky. What stood out to me the most was the crust, it wasn't overly thick and hence too filling, it was a solid crust- buttery, flaky and complemented the sausage filling, sauce and cheese perfectly.
(4)Kariyushi C.
I discovered this pizza when two friends were in town visiting and wanted authentic deep dish pizza. Instead of an estimate on delivery, they tell you the precise time your pizza will arrive. It may be an hour after you called, but you know they won't be late. In fact, they're usually about 15 minutes early. They really layer the toppings and they go heavy on the veggies, which I love. The only reason this place doesn't get five stars is that it's only good while it's smokin' hot (the cheese gets tough as soon as it cools down) and I often feel quite ill after downing two or three slices. If you want to get real Chicago deep dish, I believe this is the place to go. I've never had crust like this, it's fabulous.
(4)Sam L.
Order Lou's to go so you don't have to wait for a table there! Lou's special is delicious!!!
(4)Kate N.
My favorite pizza in Chicago. I'm more of a fan of their thin crust than deep dish...but maybe it's just because I can't wait the hour it takes the deep dish to cook. I crave the thin crust, for real. Their tomato sauce is divine.
(5)Sasha W.
It's my first day in Chicago, I'm super hungry, and I've been craving pizza for weeks. Couple that with the fact that deep dish is my favorite kind of pizza, and you've got the most excellent welcoming ever. Aside from the 45 minute wait, this place is perfect welcoming ever. But they were so nice about the wait too, that I really didn't mind. So thank you Lou's for being a great representative of Chicago Pizza =). Thank you. really.
(5)Gayle D.
I love love love this pizza! It's what I want for my birthday every year! Go for the butter crust. Sausage, deep dish. Mushrooms.... mmmmmm. The only reason I don't have my birthday party at this place every year is the decor. Not sure how to describe it...no character. Just functional, really. But once the pizza arrives I don't notice!
(5)Yoko Y.
All's I got to say is Lou's needs to muscle their way into the Reggio's space at O'hare. Reggio's gives a bad name to Chicago pizza and Lou's does the opposite. Their deep dish pizza is great. The sauce is tomato heaven and the crust is just buttery goodness. And the cheese, it's crazy. I haven't seen hot cheese stretch out like spaghetti since I was a kid. It was very unruly to handle but it was so yummy. Both pepperoni and the Lou's pizzas are great choices but I think the pepperoni pizza packs more of a punch. Of note, these pizzas take 30 minutes to bake, regardless of size. *I don't recommend the garlic bread. It was BLAND.
(4)Mara A.
Still as horrible as the first time. Ordered it today (not by choice) had one slice and whats the point! you dont taste anything! its a pointless 300 calories! dont do it!!!
(1)Shawn Z.
I love deep dish. It's a good balance of dough and cornmeal. Awesome toppings
(5)ButtaflyPoet P.
This is thee best pizza I have ever inhaled. NY has nothing on Chicago pizza, thin crust included. I am not originally from Chicago so I really make sure I take all my out of town guests....so I can have more Lol
(5)Vickie L.
This Lou's restaurant is really cute, it's like you're eating in someone's living room. We didn't have too much of a wait. We got the garlic bread to start and it was fricking huge! We got a sausage & pepperoni deep dish pizza and it was loaded with toppings. My one complaint is that they don't put enough sauce on for my taste, so I always steal my bf's tomatoes to make up for it. Parking is pretty hard in this area, so hopefully you live closeby and can take the bus or walk.
(4)Siobhan D.
I don't think I understand the fan following and their love for this, but to each his own. The cheese bread was soooo unhealthy but so freaking good and the marinara dipping sauce was rad. The service was nice, and attentive and it made me feel like I was home in smalltown Pennsylvania more than a big city like Chicago. Not busy when you get there on the later side, and they had a good selection of beers while you wait for your pizza. I had the individual size deep dish cheese, which was perfect for one, but the buttermilk crust was not my fav. It was too hard to cut through, it overtook the rest of the pizza flavor. But it's worth it to try all the pizza Chi-town can offer.
(2)M M.
Very Bad. Pizza tasted like air and was very expensive for that.
(1)Chris M.
By far the best! I was born and raised with a Lou Malnati's around me at all times, and I intend to keep it that way. I have been to the the one in Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, Lincolnwood, and the one on Lincoln Ave in Chicago. Oh yeah, and I'm Italian so my opinion matters more, right? Consistency is the key to the Malnati's secret. You can always taste all of the ingredients you order on the pizza. Here's a couple tips for all you rookies: 1) If you want to dine in, you can order ahead and your pizza will be ready when you get there. 2) I suggest getting the pizza well done and adding the butter crust. Soooooo good! Enjoy! Lou's blows Gino's, Uno, and all those other places out of the water!
(5)Jill W.
Any Lou Malnati's -- best deep dish in Chicagoland. I recommend the sausage or cheese. I've also heard the thin crust is good too, but I couldn't go here and not get the deep dish.
(5)Nik B.
This is hard to write, because Lou's pizza is 5 stars in my book, but I went to Lou Malanati's tonight in search of non-pizza. A glance at the Sandwich portion of the menu tells you that the Chicken Parmesan sandwich is the "house specialty." Really? First of all, for a sandwich it took way too long to make. A sandwich with boring white bread, two chicken breasts nicely fried but covered in a blandly boring tomato sauce with some mozzarella cheese on top. Oh and the side of chips is literally a sealed bag of Lays that comes with your meal, which I thought was hilarious. Lesson learned: when it comes to Lou's, stick to the deep dish pizza.
(3)Monis R.
A true sports pizza place. Sport memorabilia is on every wall. My mom and I sat in the Michael Jordan room. It had his Sports Illustrated covers all over it. (That's a lot btw). The relaxed atmosphere brought a sense of comfort and nostalgia to me. Being in Lou's my heart and brain said to me, "Hey Monis, I wish there was neighborhood pizza place like this wherever you live." A gigantic leather couch and love sofa surrounded the dining tables. In front of the couches is a crystal clear TV that let me watch the Cubs while my mom drank her red wine and ate her Caesar salad until the pizza was ready. The pizza that we ordered filled the entire room with an aroma so delicious; you never wanted it to go away. It was a better fragrance than a new car smell. The blend of all of the Italian ingredients was an aphrodisiac to my nose. The first bite that I took with the cheese still bubbly was crisp, a little tangy, meaty, tender, and went down into my stomach without any immediate repercussions. It was hot and fresh. Never eat a Lou's frozen. I know you can order them, but you need to go to Chicago to eat them.
(5)Chris C.
Growing up in Chicagoland, I never really knew how good we had it when it came to pizza. Once I got older and did some traveling, I realized just how terrible the pizza can be in most of the cities around the country. Of all the excellent places in Chicago to get pizza, Lou Malnati's is easily the best. It is not too thick or cheesy, which I think sometimes other Chicago pizza places can be, and the butter crust is amazing. In fact, I would say the butter crust is the key that sets it apart from all the other places. Plus, they aren't stingy at all on the toppings. It is also pretty consistent across all their locations, I haven't had a bad experience yet. The staff is always friendly, and the service good (if a little slow, those awesome pizzas don't cook real quick). If only I could find the kid that unscrewed the red pepper cap the last time I went.... even Lou Malnati's isn't very edible with an entire bottle of crushed red pepper coating the pizza.
(5)Ria A.
This is my favorite Chicago pizzeria. I've tried Giordano's, Gino's East, Pizzeria Uno, and some other small pizza places but I think Lou Malnati's is the best. Coming from LA, I'm not used to such thick, cheesy slices of pizza but Lou Malnati's has just the right balance of cheesiness, toppings, and crust. I personally think the "Lou's Pizza" deep dish is the best. This pizza is topped off with all kinds of tasty veggies. I've had the Lou's Pizza on thin crust and it didn't turn out so good so definitely go with the deep dish and if you want to make it extra fatty, you can add a slab of butter to the crust to make it extra flaky and tasty! I just love the crust here! I've tried the sausage pizza too and having such a big slab of sausage topped onto my pizza like a lasagna isn't exactly my favorite. So unless your a meat lover you might want to pass on the sausage. The salads are really good. I love their ceasar salads here. If you're dining in the warm and toasty bread is great too. If you're here on a visit you can even buy frozen pizzas here to take home!
(5)Jessie S.
I was surprised by how thin the crust is on this deep dish pizza. We did remember to get the butter crust and was expecting to LOVE it but it was just sort of meh. To be fair we did get personal size pizzas and I think those don't tend to be as good as the full size version. We did sit outside and it was a glorious day. I would like to try it again since so many people seem to love it. Maybe we were there on a bad day or something.
(3)J O.
Not 5 stars just b/c i'm not a deepdish style girl- from cali but i must say their deepdish is very tasty! My 1st deepdish experience was at Gino's East (which I heard from locals was great), but I thought was gross! So for my second experience, I was skeptical but Lou Malnatli's has changed my mind about deepdish pizza =) They even ship all across the US.
(4)Tolga E.
We went to Lou Malnati's because he makes the quintessential Chicago pizza. Also, because he was on Throwdown with Bobby Flay, and I freaking love that show. We chose the Lincoln Park location because, well, we were visiting Chicago and Lincoln Park sounded like a cool place. Honestly, this was a charming restaurant. We went late on a Saturday night, and we only waited 20 minutes or so for a table. We even got drinks and sat at the weird old couch that sits in the middle of the dining room in front of an old-school projection big screen tv. But when we got to our table, and received our pizza, which was the classic combo with the "layer" of sausage and butter crust, it was clear why we came. That is some darn good pizza. And anything that features a layer of sausage is automatically awesome. Overall, it was really, really good. I'll stop short of saying it was fantastically great, but it was really good. For fantastically great, you probably need to go to Burt's Place. But Lou Malnati's still rocked, and he was definitely worthy and justified in his defeat of Bobby Flay in the throwdown. Good for Lou.
(4)Jodi R.
I've been eating at Lou Mo's since I was a kid. This location is consistent and delivers In a timely fashion. The dining room & exterior recently had a face lift. Additional seating in the way of high tops have been added. New to the menu is a lunch special of 1/2 order of pasta, house salad & drink ( the largest cup I have ever seen in a restaurant) for about $7 or $8. There are several other new items on menu Pizza takes about 35 min., so be patient Sometimes I crave their spaghetti and marinara. Great place with kids. Basically you could go here in your pj's, but please don't. Service is always friendly. Wish they had a veggie based minestrone instead of chicken & pork. Parking, well it's Lincoln Park. There's always sports on the TV.
(3)S M.
Awesome deep dish pizza!!!! Enough said.
(5)Carey A.
We were referred to Lou's by ChaCha (a service that you text questions to..the number in case you are wondering is 242242). We walked to the Pizzeria not knowing what to expect. We walked in to a packed waiting area and found out that the wait was 45 minutes to an hour. My husband always says if there is a wait it must be good. So with no other plans, we put our names down and give them our pizza order. They do offer little slices of pizza awhile you are waiting and will never bring you drinks if you ask. You can call in an order, pick up pizza to cook yourself or dine-in. You can also eat inside or out. There is about ten tables inside - no booths. We ordered a deep dish pep pizza and three cheese bread. Both were very good. We had left overs and ate it for lunch the next day - still delish! We'll be back to dine for sure!
(5)Marissa D.
Yes, yes, Lou Mal's is still the best deep dish ever...we go for the cheese and sausage every time and are happy campers. For those of you who like a little hotness in your life, this tastes even better with some hot red pepper flakes on top. I have to correct my previous review on two counts. First, 1-1.5 pieces is usually not enough...definitely need the full 2 pieces. Secondofly, the pizza no longer tastes weird when I reheat it...probably because I usually do it in the oven now instead of the microwave. Ok...that's all.
(5)Brent W.
Lou's. Yet another culinary institution in Chicago, and amongst the big boys of deep dish players, this is your Go-To Guy, the 'Reign Supreme', the Creme de la Creme, the Upper Crust of deep dish giants if you will. I'd have to say if I were to rate a pizza on looks alone, w.out even taking a bite, Lou Malnati's would get a 5-star right off the top. It looks that good. I mean reaaaal good! Suffice to say, though, when you finally do get into it, it's exactly what your eyes said it would be, and that's a damn fine tasting deep dish. Actually, for a deep dish za, it has a surprisingly "light" tasting corn meal crust that's just a touch flaky and with just a touch buttery taste that's not at all overpowering. Ingredients commensurate with the quality of dough, and that is to say they are very fresh and delicious. I usually opt for their exclusive sausage recipe (crumbled, no slab of sausage for me, thanks!) green pepper and onion. Finished off with fresh cheese and their unique blend of crushed tomatoes that make up their version of a pizza sauce and you're pretty much set w a Chicago all time classic. So why all the praise and only a 4-star? Well, I only do deep dish a few times a year and prefer a thin crust, NY or New Haven Style myself, so i'd be hard pressed to give any deep dish a 5-star rating...even though, to me, Lou's is the *best* example of it in Chicago; or anywhere in the world for that matter.
(4)Dom G.
What can you say about a place that gives away free appetizers when they get busy? Worth the wait Pizza is AMAZING Family place by all means, take the whole family and if you have a Birthday, take them too...I wish I was there now!
(5)Tsubasa O.
In Northern California, the best deep-dish pizza is Zachary's/Patxi's - both are very rich with tomato on top. I've never been to Chicago, so this is what I know. I'm in Chicago for a 48-hour vacation, so I need to eat as much deep dish pizzas as I can for both dinners. One of them was going to be Burt's, so I had to pick between Giordano's, Gino's and Malnati's. The waiting room in the middle of the restaurant was one of the weirdest configurations ever. Couch and big screen tv in the middle of the restaurant, as other people eat pizza around us. We got the traditional deep dish with the buttercrust and it was delicious. A layer of sausage with all other meaty and veggie goodness. Unlike what we get served in the Bay Area, it wasn't super-saturated with tomatoes, and I liked it better that way. The stuffed spinach bread wasn't anything special - it was a mini pizza without the sausage and just unnecessary filler. We got the large pizza for 3 people and it wasn't really enough, so plan accordingly.
(4)Sylvia I.
I'm not usually a huge fan of deep-dish pizza, but my brother-in-law really wanted to bring me here for my birthday. The whole family ordered a malnati salad...which was way too much if you're hoping to eat some pizza too. Honestly, we should have ordered one salad and split it among the 5 of us! I'm not sure what's in Lou's 'famous' dressing, but we were raving it about and said we could be convinced to come here just for the salad! The pizza was good, but I still prefer NY-style pizza. It was just really filling and after eating our salads, we only had room for 1 slice each. Definitely order your pizza with the buttercrust. And the cheese pizza tasted better than the sausage. During the summer, they'll have a few tables out on the sidewalk, which makes for good people watching. Definitely get here early as the wait can be long, even during a weeknight.
(4)Samantha L.
Ok, so I recently had "The Lou" pizza with pepperoni added, and THAT is delicious. They have decent pasta and salad as well. I don't think I would ever order any other pizza from here than the deep dish Lou, but I will be ordering that again.
(4)Loren H.
Loved the pizza! I think Zachary's in Berkley is still the best as far ingredients, but this is the BEST deep dish in Chicago I have had. The sausage was fresh and was not overpowered by the cheese like a lot of other places. This place is aces....I had no idea that Jordan was on that many SI covers too! ha ha
(5)Johnny B.
Actually prefer their thin crust pizza (not that thin, but compared to deep dish, well...). I enjoy their deep dish, but it doesn't have enough sauce for me. It is very minimal for such a thick slice of pie. The cheese is also not the huge gooey layer you find with some other deep dish pizzas. Actually, I'd venture that Lou's is the least deep of the deep dish, but that's a completely unscientific assertion. I do love the huge chunks of sausage, when you get it as a topping. Also a fan of the crust. All in all, their deep dish is good, just not great. But like I said at the beginning, I prefer the thin. Order the Lou - tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and a mix of cheeses. It's awesome.
(4)Jen A.
Lou's wins. I've been gradually trying out the assorted Chicago-style pizza places (okay, not ALL of them, but the ones "known" for deep dish) and Lou's was the last - and best - I tried. It tastes better than Giordano's or any of the other stuffed pizzas. It just does. The cheese is better, and the crust is less dry. While my friends and I have trouble finishing off an entire medium stuffed pizza from any of the other places, we'd eat past the point of satiation here. It's not just the stuffed pizza. The thin-crust and bruschetta are good, too. There's usually a wait, but it's worth it. The girls up front are very sweet, and they'll put your pizza order in before you sit down so it'll come out right away. Plus, there's random thin-crust pizza to munch on while you're waiting. I'm also a huge fan of the Michael Jordan wall art (all of his Sports Illustrated covers, ever) and the cozy couch area with the big tv. So...until further notice, Lou Malnati's = my favorite Chicago-style pizza.
(5)Samantha B.
I don't understand the hype surrounding Lou Malnati's pizza. It is just not a good interpretation of great deep dish. The crust is soggy and has a weird beer taste. The sauce is also not sauce, it is more like canned tomato's with spices. The cheese is good but that doesn't make up for everything else. I live steps away from this place and I just cant bring myself to eat here, maybe I will try some of the other items. I think I will stick will my tried and true deep dish pizza joints.
(2)Kimberly L.
Let me begin my review by saying that while I am, like, a third generation Chicagoan, I just don't give a rats a** about deep dish pizza. Really. There's just way too much cheese for it to be enjoyable. But the Lou...oh the Lou. It changed my perception of the deep dish. It's got fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes and three kinds of cheese. I order this with a buttercrust. I don't have it often but the few times I have...it's been tasty. Now...word...this is not a light meal. Anyone who has ever had deep dish or stuffed pizza knows this. If you've just arrived to this town and no one shoved a fat slice of deep dish pizza down your throat as you stepped off the plane, you've now been warned. Deep dish pizza means you're going to be immobilized for several hours until you snap out of the food coma. So if you just have to try deep dish, this is a very solid choice. Giordano's tastes okay but always makes me feel sick afterward. Oven Grinder is overblown. Uno's is a greasy mess. Gino's East is an unsanitary armpit.
(3)Lisa S.
Best Chicago style pizza, hands down! My favorites are the Lou Pizza and the Malnati Salad.
(5)Jonathan A.
I like Lou Malnati's. A lot of people don't. I'm usually a fan of Chicago deep dish at most places, but I have to say, I go for the thin crust here. It's so buttery and crispy. The only thing I'm not to keen on is their sausage, but I'm not a big sausage fan either. It's not the best pizza in town, but I won't turn it down either. You can order frozen deep dish pizzas and have them shippedt to relatives and friends out of town which makes for a nice gift.
(4)Michael T.
I don't even like pizza. For all the fat and carbs, it's just never been worth it to eat more than a day's worth of calories in 3 slices. Oh, but that was before I met Lou. Lou, you converted me. I actually tried Malnati's pizza when I lived in Seattle and had seen a spot on the restaurant on the Food Network. Having a friend who is a huge cheese and sausage freak, I ordered a couple of pizzas for his birthday. I grudgingly had a bite and proceeded to devour half the small pizza. It's everything that makes it great - the fantastic crust, the fresh sauce, the mountain of sausage, the cheese - oh, the cheese - and that was just the flash-frozen/shipped-to-me kind. When I actually went in to the restaurant for the first time, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I still don't eat a ton of pizza because of the caloric considerations, but if/when i'm going to bother, it's Lou's or nothing.
(5)Elena A.
I love Lou Malnati's pizza. It is my favorite deep dish pizza. Unfortunately, this location can be hit or miss on its service. The first time I went, I went with a large group and was treated great. The last time I went, it was still relatively early but despite the open tables, they told me that they were closing the seating area because they were "backed up on pizza orders". I'm sorry, but you're a pizza restaurant. What did you expect? My friends & I were pretty hungry so we just ordered take-out. The pizza was delicious but 3 stars for unsatisfactory service.
(3)Christina D.
Good pizza. And I don't even like pizza. Especially not deep dish. They just need to add some cheesecake to the dessert menu. THEY HAVE FROZEN ONES TO TAKE HOME, WHY NOT READY TO EAT?
(4)Jeremy S.
I'm not a Chicago resident, so maybe it's inappropriate for me to cast a vote on Chicago Pizza. Haha yeah forget that I'm a yelper so I can't help myself... I thought Lou Malnati's made a decent deep dish pie. But watch out, the sauce on top is very thin and bites may be intermittently tomato-less. I checked with a native Chicagoan and he offered the same critique. As other yelpers mentioned, you must be ready to wait a while to get a table. However, the good news is they'll let you have beers while you wait (even though there is no bar).
(3)Jean H.
One of the best dish pizza!!
(5)Mike M.
Best pizza I have had in my entire life!.......enough said
(5)Bobuzzi C.
Favorite pizza place in Chicago. It's not quite as thick as Gino's, but good, chunky tomato sauce and the butter crust is tasty. Heats well for leftovers too.
(5)Amy J.
This pizzeria has been recommended all over the place so we went here for traditional deep dish Chicago style pizza. This was an excellent choice for dinner. I got one of the specials which was the perfect size for one person. If you like deep dish, chances are you'll find something you'll like here. The prices are reasonable and the staff were really friendly. This location was also pretty quiet so we were able to chat and catch up.
(4)Eric M.
I live in Cali. Been to Chicago twice. Not a day goes by where I don't day dream about Lou Malnati. Even in these hard economic times, I log onto their website and think... Shoud I have one shipped over, or not? I have bills to pay, and a wife to support... but... cant I just have one deep dish Fed Ex'd? Some days I wish I never walked into the pizzeria, that way I wouldnt have this damn craving for it every day. Until next time Malnati.... til next time. Save a booth for me.
(5)Scott M.
During one of my first trips to Chi-Town, I was seriously searching for the "great Chicago" pie that everybody claims exists..."Who has it" was my main question. Well downtown Chicago, the overwhelming choice was "Lou Malnati's". 5 visits later, I can testify that Lou Malnatis is the truth. Probably one of the top three pizza spots I have been to in my entire life. Thick as hell, with the sauce covering the actual pizza, first time Chicago Pizza eaters might be a little bit confused as to the structure of this pie. But dont hesitate, this is how its done. And damn, do they do it. I typically get the sausage & pepperoni pie. If you get a large, between two people you guys will be able to eat 1/2 of it. I think a large typically comes with 6 slices....dont be fooled. Unbelievably heavenly...i dont think I can say anything that any other reviewers have not said already....so I think Ill quit.
(5)John N.
I been wanted to eat a deep dish pizza FOREVER so I can compare who has the BETTER pizza(NYC or Chicago) and I finally got my chance last weekend. I was torn between Uno and Lou Malnati's but after doing my research Lou Malnati's has the better deep dish. I found a Lou Malnati's close to our hotel so we all want there. I was surprise that there were no lines so I was extremely happy. We sat down and pondering what to get but decided instead of getting a hugh pie that we just split it up on whatever topping someone wanted. One of my friend wanted all veggie, my gf wanted anchovies and garlic, and us boys want w/the Chicago Classic. It take about 30 min to get the pie but I didn't mind. We got some chicken wings which was good but it wasn't even spicy when I even asked our waitress to burn my mouth. The pie arrive and we just all dig in and it was DELICIOUS. The topping were ok but the crust of it was sooooo frankly. I try everyone pie expect for the veggie one but I like deep dish alot more then thin crust. Don't get me wrong, i eat tons of thin crust pizza in nyc every night when I walked home from work but if I had to choose 1 over the other then deep dish is for me. I can finally know the difference between a Chicago/NYC. The next day was even better because when we got back to my friend house, we reheat the left over and it taste even BETTER. I wish I brought another large pizza to go and I can eat it every day boohoo
(4)Ron S.
Great pizza of course, but this location in particular is only okay. I am really surprised the place is so small and cramped; the whole restaurant doesn't hold even 50 people. In the dining room, they have a big tv along with end tables and a couch. It is very stupid that they even have it because there could be at least 3 more tables in the section and who is going to sit down in the middle of a dining room to watch tv anyway.
(4)Sara M.
Lou Malnati's, why are you so delicious? It's amazing. I might be biased because I have a friend who works here, but I feel I would love it anyways, beacause the crust is perfection, the toppings are fresh and delicious and I am never let down by any toppings that I or my friends choose!! Honestly, when I say the crust is amazing, I mean it to the point that one time, I secretly cut the crust off of my friend's Lou's pizza to eat it. I was too full for another slice, but just the crust was all I wanted.
(5)Matt G.
I grew up on Lou's so I am quite familiar with the food here. Everything is really good. When you dine in, there is nothing like fresh deep dish from here. The portions are large and you'll have left-overs. A word of caution...each location has a slightly different menu. For example, the Lincoln Park location does not have a fryer, so no cheese sticks or cheddar cubes here! The pizza is always about the same at each store but some of the other menu items are different or not there.
(4)Annie M.
Really good pizza, amazingly crisp buttercrust flavorful flaky pizza crust -- actually crusty, and soft and moist on the inside. Spinach bread -- amazing. Really good, bread (same kind of dough for making crust) stuffed with spinach and mozzarella, dipped into marinara.
(4)Danny G.
of course i ended up there because of my cousin who is a native to chicago, but i have to admit while we were waiting for our table there was a semi-livingroom so we could drink beer on the sofas and wait for our table. the deep dish was fantastic and it seemed like we tried every dessert there. they were all fabulous. will eat there again.
(4)Theresa Y.
The pizza was great. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there is no draft beer. Come on, man!
(4)Bess R.
Wheat-free pizza. Nuff said. Okay, maybe not enough. Been doing the low-carb/low-sugar thing for a while now, and my wheat-allergic man-friend hasn't had pizza in 3 years since his diagnosis so we were THRILLED to hear about Malnati's pie. It is pretty decadent, with a sausage patty crust, and then all the normal sauce, cheese and toppings you want. We tried mushrooms and onions, and it was perfect. Satisfied our cravings, and didn't screw up my diet or his health. Perfect!
(5)Philip K.
This was some good pizza, I'd had it once before and remember it being a little deeper, that's what she said. Sorry. The sauce was really good, I like the tomatoes, the sausage was really good, and the crust was the best part. Those are the keys to a great pizza, awesome crust, the sauce, and the sausage. Our service was really good too, served our pizza for us, even the second slices. Which is all we could manage.
(4)Christina P.
Lou Malnati's was the first Chicago deep dish pizza I've ever had and man..... the pizza was sooo good!!!! I had the Chicago Classic.. definitely recommend it!! The House Salad was actually really good too! Don't show up starving because it takes about 20-30 minutes to cook the pizza. I thought prices weren't bad at all and the attire here is way casual. I'm sure there are probably a ton of hole in the wall places that have amazing deep dish pizza but if you are an out of town-er visiting the city and you don't got all day to search, this is a good stop!
(4)Jeff B.
ONLINE ORDER ( tastesofchicago.com ): I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with this 'Chicago' style pizza... Unfortunately, I guess, I don't live in Chicago. Probably won't be finding myself there anytime soon either. BUT, low and behold, they SHIP THIS STUFF! AWESOME! I had to try it, my life wouldn't be complete until I did. After dropping a little more than what I would get charged at a national crappy pizza joint, my Malnati's deep dish pizza's were on their way. They arrived packaged very well; in foil tins packed with dry ice. 45min. later I was in pizza nirvana! The tomato sauce is amazing, along with the delicious crust and large amount of mozzarella cheese. I am a fan!
(5)Carlo C.
some local friends took me here last night and i have to say i was really impressed. they said it was their personal favorite pizza i chicago and i can see why. being from guam, i don't have much to compare it to as the only deep dish pizza i've eaten prior to this was pizza hut. lou's was great. had the butter crust pepperoni deep dish pizza and it was pizza awesomeness. will be out trying different pizza and other italian food while here in chicago. so far, so good. also had the buffalo wings and it was pretty good too. i wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place to anyone
(4)Deirdre R.
Best deep dish pizza I have eaten. Delicious signature salad as well. Great food. Great service!!
(5)Rhys O.
Always great. Had the bruschetta for the time. Absolutely AMAZING!!!! Must try!
(5)S. K.
A little off the beaten path but the malnati salad is reason alone to go. It's the first and only deep dish I've had so I cant really compare it to anything. It was pretty good but maybe I'm just used to Californian style of Pizza with a little bit less cheese and more veggies. The pizzas are pretty big and you could probably share an individual and a salad with one other person.
(4)P W.
I wasn't too impressed with the pizza when I ate in the restaurant. I drank a lot of beer and liquor next door at Grand Central for the Ohio State game and ate the leftovers while walking back to the hotel. Maybe it was the alcohol that made it taste better, was good deep dish pizza. I don't know how I feel about Chicago style pizza. It seems ass backwards with the cheese on bottom!
(3)Rachel M.
Where should i start...Let's just say before heading here i made sure i did my research as to which restaurant will give us a good taste of what chicago deep dish pizza is all about...unfortunately most reviews of this place are definitely falsely accusing of being the best pizza, most amazing pizza they've ever tasted...sorry kids...the 4 of us did not think that at all I'll rate: -Spinach Salad - not bad...dressing was pretty good...i like the sweet vinigrette -Calamari - kinda soggy but the spicy taste was different from what im used to i'll give it 3 stars The "Deluxe" individual size - I was expecting much more from the pizza, especially since it comes highly recommended, and because I have rarely met a pizza I didn't like. Not only was the pizza, just ok, it just wasn't good. The crust was soggy and the toppings (green pepper, onion and tomato) didn't taste fully cooked. The toppings mixed with the flavor of the sauce resulted in a taste that resembled wet bread topped with salsa, more than a deluxe pizza. I may have tasted the pizza on an off night, but I wouldn't recommend it. I would have to taste the pizza again to be fair. Mostaccioli ala Malnati - menu description of this pasta alone made my mouth water but when i got it...it was bleh...nothing to jump through hoops for and taste was missing something, not sure what it was but even i can make a better pasta dish than this =( Lasagna-The lasagna was not bad, since it satisfied my hunger after a red bull-vodka hangover, but I'd have to say that I reached over for more forkfuls of spinach salad than lasagna (which I doggie-bagged half at the end of dinner). The waitress had to been new because she had to "ask" her boss to see if we were allowed to order from the children's menu...yes we are over 12 years old but we only wanted the corn dogs!! We almost borrowed some 4yr olds just to order CORN dogs...but waitress said it was fine, AFTER i asked if it was ok with her manager The best review i can give this place was that we didnt have to wait an hour like they said...i believe it was only 20min and we did order the pizza prior to being seated.
(2)A A.
Excellent Deep Dish Pizza. the best deep dish i have found. this location brings pizza samples out while you wait to have your pizza made and to be seated. This is a must try pizza if you are from out of town.
(5)Kathleen B.
Pizza gets a 5 but the remodel gets a 1. This used to be a great place to go because it felt like you were eating dinner in your parents living room. But they sold out and turned it into a more Lincoln Park-esque establishment with loud music and a bar. Also, when we were there the night before the 4th the air conditioning had broken which made it even more awful. Their pizza will always be great and we will still do carry out orders but when we want to eat out we will head just up the street to Pat's Pizza where there isn't an hour-long wait and it feels like an actual pizza restaurant instead of a wannabe trendy establishment.
(1)james g.
Reading all these stellar reviews makes me wonder if I went to the right place. But then again, all the stellar reviews are why we went there in the first place. We walked in with great expectations, and walked out disappointed. The good parts include decent appetizers and fine service. Unfortunately, the bad parts include the pizza. Now, I love deep dish pizza, and was trained by my momma to think that Chicago pizza is the best in the world. And i had just come back from a summer in Taiwan, which left me with a deep craving for good pizza. Despite my normally endless appetite, pieces of our two pies (the Lou and a Sausage and Onion) sat there unloved by the end the of meal. The Sausage pie, in particular, seemed bland and uninteresting. And, even more damning, leftovers were uneaten over the course of three days, despite being surrounded 24 hours a day by 6 hungry boys. Maybe we just hit an off day, but I'm not planning on going back.
(2)Ben S.
The food was very good, service very good but there is something above and beyond here: Terrific management! They do an incredible job here. If you want to experience what great management can do for a restaurant, check it out. Have been now several times and I am taken with it each time.
(4)Kim B.
Lou Malnati's has the BEST Chicago-style pizza in the city - hands down. I always order the "Lou" loaded with fresh tomatoes, spinach, and different types of cheeses - delish! There is nothing like their butter crust, deep dish pizza. Order it uncut to keep the crust crispy! Their thin crust is excellent as well. Actually, I've never had anything at Lou's I haven't enjoyed. If you haven't tried their pizza, you really must!
(5)Jaimie B.
I had an out of town guest from New Orleans who wanted to try 'Chicago style deep dish pizza'. The wait was 45 minutes, we choose first available, and actually got seated outside on the patio within 5-10 minutes of waiting. The pizza was good. I'm just not a huge fan of pizza anymore so I can't really judge, although my guest said it was over cheesed.
(3)Dpb T.
My fav, non deep dish pizza while in chitown
(4)Ms. O.
Not bad pizza, but not the greatest.
(3)Marcel M.
Can't be Lou's Pizza. I've loved the pizza since I was a kid living near the Lincolnwood location. My only complaint is the place is pretty small, but the location still gets 5 stars since they give you a nice comfy leather couch in the middle of the room to chill on. Buttercrust all the way.
(5)Cory K.
on the way home from a wedding in wisconsin, we stayed in chicago overnight before flying home to san francisco. while there, we decided to see as much of chicago's sights as possible, and take in some of what chicago is known for: DEEP DISH PIZZA WOOHOO!! i totally love me some deep dish! while in wisconsin we'd just happened to watched a tv show on pizza, where they talked about lou malnati's as one of the best deep dish pizza's around, so of course we decided to hit it up. the ambiance is fine... more like a sports bar than a pizzaria, but i don't really care about that, as long as the pizza is knock-my-underpants-off delicious! the service was good, the people were friendly, and the wait was fine.... then came the pizza.... really? this is the famous chicago deep dish pizza? it was tasty, and the meat and sauce were good, but there was way too much cheese and juice, and it was a little bland. definitely good pizza, don't get me wrong, but not the oral orgazmatron I was expecting. san francisco's little star classic deep dish pizza with cornmeal-crust, tons of veggies and sausage, impeccably seasoned has this beat hands-down.
(3)Lauren M.
I absolutely love the thinner crust pizza at Lou Malnati's!! Minus one star because there is ALWAYS a wait, and no reservations allowed at this location. But I suppose that is just a testament to the popularity of the pizza!
(4)Chris J.
Best deep dish I've had in Chicago--far better than Giordano's, and preferable to Uno or Edwardos. The sauce has much more of a fresh tomato taste than the others, and the butter crust is fantastic. Just a clearly better deep dish pizza. The service at this location has also been excellent--very attentive and cheerful. Cost is reasonable, and the huge, gooey chocolate chip cookie/vanilla ice cream is phenomenal. My fave spot for pizza in Chicago.
(5)Alyssa S.
I like to think that I have some friendships that will last forever. However, if I ever move from Chicago, and those friends don't send me Lou's every year on my birthday, I will dump them girls so fast... That's how much I love this pizza. Also, for those of you with a social conscience, Malnati's opened up a restaurant in North Lawndale (when no one else would) where they employed ex-offenders who were trying to stay out of jail (which no one else would) and donated a percentage of restaurant profits back to the community (which...you get the idea). Pizza that eases my middle-class liberal guilt? Awesome.
(5)Chas V.
This review applies to the entire chain and specifically to their deep-dish pizza As far as chain Pizza joints go these guys make the best deep dish pizza in Chicago. Yes, I saw the recent Time Out Chicago article where they ranked 5th, but three of the pizza places ranked higher weren't chains, and they were just plain wrong about Giordano's ranking higher. Giordano's would rank higher maybe in 1989 or so, but their quality has suffered significantly over the years and it is not what it used to be. Malnati's is the best. Trust.
(5)Natalie L.
Lou Malnati's is my second favorite place for pizza in the city behind Gino's. The deep dish just has amazing flavor, the crust is beautifully crumbly, and the sauce is a bit sweet without being overly sweet. My advice is to order the buttercrust, and if you are ordering sausage and you're worried about grease or balance, order it crumbled instead of the patty (although the patty is more authentic). I think sometimes I take Malnati's for granted. I used to have it every time I came home from New York and sometimes by mail order and I started to think, oh, this isn't the best, but then I moved back to Chicago and had some other deep dish pizza and realized that yes, Malnati's is in fact, the best. And although I do give a slight edge to Gino's in flavor, Malnati's has an edge on Gino's in price--it is definitely not as expensive if that's a concern. But yes, it is not as good for delivery as at the restaurant--but it's still damn good.
(5)fab f.
Second Time I visit and for the second time I had a great experience of a Chicago Pizza. Fresh tomatoes, a lot of cheese, great crust. Place is ok. Always crowded, but I never waited too much. I always take the large pizza, so I can bring home some and enjoy later.
(4)Lesley S.
Absolutely love their pizza, it is the best ever. Rich, buttery crust and great list of toppings. The sauce is basically just some chopped up tomatoes and isn't too overpowering which appeals to me because I am not really big on tomato sauce. I'm not a big fan of this location, though. The setup is really strange. First off, it is carpeted with really ugly plaid, thin carpet. I have no clue why you would put carpet in a restaurant. This place looks like someone's family room. The tables are around the edge and in the middle there is a couch and big screen. One time I was there a woman got up and actually went to lay down on the couch. I was actually embarrassed for her but she acted like this was perfectly normal- just taking a little catnap after she stuffed her face and then she was on her merry way. Oh- no bar either. At least last time I dined in there wasn't. They just had beer and maybe wine, I think. If I had reviewed one of the other locations, I would have given it 5 stars.
(4)Catherine D.
Okay, I'll admit it - I was not a believer in Chicago style pizza. At all. (Call me biased, but I'm more of a NYC style kind of woman.) The thought of not being able to pick up my slice and having to eat pizza with a fork and knife really turned me off. Then, I met Lou. I had Chi-town style pizza at another place (the name of which escapes me, BUT it's the place with all the writing on the walls and booths) and I hated it. I was turned off by everything Chicago style pizza was about. The bottom of the crust was so doughy and raw. Weird. However, Lou's was great! Flavorful toppings, tasty crust. (The option to have the crust "well-done", for those that like a firmer bottom) If you want, you can even take a frozen one home to enjoy later. AND there were free samples of pizza while our group was waiting for a table. And who doesn't like good, free food? I would definitely eat here again. Lou's made me believe.
(4)Mike K.
i dont really like the Chicago style pizza (that tastes like lasagna) but i wanted something distinctively chicago in a way i like. Basically, we had "the lou" with the butter crust and it was awesome. Loved it. Totally worth it for an amazing pizza meal
(4)Jen S.
Lou Malnatis is my favorite Chicago deep dish. If you're not looking for deep dish, they also have great thin crust pizza as well. When I order thin crust, I usually get the Lou Special, which has fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. Amazing!
(4)Jason V.
Without a doubt the best deep dish pizza in Chicago.
(5)Dawn G.
Talk about thinking ahead there was a decent wait 20-30 minutes on a Sunday night, odd I know, but anyway- the nice host came over and took our order so upon sitting he was right it wasn't the typical 45 minutes sitting waiting to eat- the spinach bread app was great and the Lou added w/sausage was good too. We (the three of us) shared the brownie sundae- pretty yum and for a day of gluttony it was worth it- our waitress was nice, but not memorable, which was kind of sad; however she had a ton of tables, which made me feel bad for her-we were friendly towards her and she was polite as time allowed- which given the amt of tables she had was too much imo. Hopefully she gets some help I wouldn't want that many tables!
(4)Eric H.
I was in the mood for deep dish pizza after browsing DePaul and the Lincoln Park neighborhood and this place more than satisfied my craving for good deep dish pizza. Not sure it's the best pizza in Chicago but for the price, it was outstanding
(5)Ryan K.
My personal favorite pizza place in this city that respects pizza to a large degree. The deep dish is just so good. And the delivery is timely and responsible. They always seem to remember to call 5 minutes beforehand. Just like I asked them to do.
(4)Anne B.
After one piece of deep dish here, I'm done. Finished. Stuffed. In that regard, it's a bargain. And I can't fault its buttery crust. I prefer the taste of Giordano's stuffed pizza, with its toppings and tomato sauce so charmingly inverted, but it's hard to find much to fault with Lou's.
(3)Brad K.
Great deep dish pizza, bruschetta, and garlic bread!
(4)Cathy H.
Good deep dish, but frankly, I'm not sure what everyone's raving about. Or about what everyone is raving, if you're interested in the grammatical technicalities. Anyway, it's good, but Pizza Capri and Giordano's is about the same. I also wouldn't pay extra for the butter crust--a friend raved about it and I thought it was going to be super awesome, but it was just...meh. Actually, it was a bit less flavorful than most crusts. Boring.
(3)Laura N.
Even the simple stuff is great here. The deep dish (butter crust) is definitely worth ordering, but so are the basics (you know, like pepperoni & mushroom, etc.) You can call your order in ahead of time, and they will make it for you as you walk over there. Outdoor patio seating too. Great for families - just don't bring your kids there on game days or late nights, there is a bar right next door that does get busy, with Lincoln Park and DePaul crowds.
(4)Stuart W.
One of many Pizzeria in Chicago. I love this place and there's usually parking if you go during off hours. They have one of the best stuff pizza in the business. The crust, sauce and cheese are amazing. It's making me salivate just thinking about it. :-)
(4)Mary S.
LOVE the pizza! And I love the fact that they have deep dish pizza that is relatively healthy. I got the non-butter crust, extra cheese and veggies. They actually have low fat cheese (which tasted GREAT!), so I used that instead of regular cheese. Awesome guilt-free stuff! :)
(5)Blanket J.
As a Chicagoan, I am ashamed to read so many negative reviews of this place. 1. The crust is NOT bland, it is FRESH (sans gobs of salt and all that other BS that is in many other crusts). 2. There is NOT too much cheese, though I would say that about Giordano's... 3. The tomatoes and sauce taste very fresh. 4. If you get a lot of meat on the pizza, yes, it is greasy. Blame the meat, not the pizza... This isn't rocket science here. I can understand how someone who dislikes pizza in general would not like it because, well, it's PIZZA. The best way to judge the quality of a pizza is to get it plain. I challenge anyone to get a plain old deep dish Lou's pizza (tomato sauce and cheese) and tell me that it's not better than the rest. Sorry for the rant, but I go way out of my way for a slice of Lou's and don't like hearing bad things about it, especially from people who don't like pizza in the first place! BOTTOM LINE: If you like pizza and you like fresh tasting food, you will LOVE lou's.
(5)nick a.
My favorite pizza in Chicago The deep dish crust is crunchy and the tomato sauce is amazing. If you have not tried the pizza here you have to.
(5)Eme L.
I'll start off by saying that I've never been a fan of Chicago-style deep dish pizza (even after 8 on/off years of living in Chicago). Give me a thin crust with great sauce and cheese - I'm happy. On a trip back to Chicago, I was convinced to try Lou's for "old times sake.". We started of with the stuffed bread with marinara. Super yummy! I had the 6-inch special. Maybe it was the size - the larger sized pizzas can be a bit daunting - but I was very pleased the the taste and texture. I think I've been win over!
(4)J.B. S.
I'm a pizza fanatic, and this is my favorite deepdish pizza in the entire world. The crust is crispy and flavorful, similar to cornmeal. It is not all doughy and heavy like other places. Sauce and cheese are both perfect. You can eat the pizza 2 days later from the microwave, and it *still* tastes perfect, and that's the ultimate test. Minus one star because all of their restaurants are boring to eat in. Carryout is best.
(4)Roxy A.
While we didn't actually get to dine-in because there was unfortunately a very long wait..having this pizza delivered basically owns all my other pizza delivery experiences..i wish we had chicago style pizza for delivery back in "cali!!!" Basically Lou Malnati's is so far THE BEST CHICAGO STYLE DEEP DISH PIZZA I've ever had!!!! The "Lou" pizza is so tasty...fresh spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese. I loves it. Plus with the veggies in this pizza they don't taste all soggy and weird..b/c I've had other pizzas w/ veggie toppings and they end up tastin all mushy . Also when you call for delivery they ask if you want them to cut it or have it uncut (they suggest having it uncut so it doesn't get all soggy n gross by the time it gets to your house). This pizza was awesome and the next time I head to Chi-city I will definitely be havin' me some Lou's pizza!
(5)Chiara H.
I'm not crazy about deep dish pizza, even though I was born a hard-core Chicagoan. With that said, I decided to give Lou Malnati's a try. My dad ordered deep dish pizza, and I got Sicilian-style pizza (the kind with the really thin crust). I liked mine, but when I tasted my dad's, I instantly got a cheese overdose. The crust was soggy and bland. Perhaps I'm biased as a deep dish hater, but even my dad (who could live off deep dish pizza for the rest of his life) wasn't impressed. Maybe we just came on a bad day. The graceful and friendly service almost makes up for the lack of flavor and disproportionate ingredients on their deep dish pizza (for that day, at least), and that's why I'm giving it three stars.
(3)Lori M.
This place is clearly not for the advanced users of pizza and it's healing properties. A transparent suspect of a really poor manager and even worse cooks and janitorial staff to back the place up. We waited for 24 minutes for a table when the "room" had 6 empty unclean tables. The cleanup guy seemed to have novacaine in his thumbs, and even after we were seated, he hadn't actually cleaned the table! The manager stood around (I think he was smoking a Halloween bong) chatting with his incompetent staff right inside the front entry for what seemed like a lifetime. Our server/waitress girl was pleasant, and clearly not thrilled with the operational environment with which she found herself working in...she tried really hard with what she had to work with, which wasn't much. The Lou Malnati salad which we 3 shared wasn't bad, though doused in a sugary vinaigrette that was unrecognizable. The garlic bread looked like they pulled it out of Hoagie Hut's dumpster and threw it in a toaster oven. The pizza, even though thin crust took 30 minutes + which turned out NOT to be worth the wait, sucked more than I anticipated. We ordered two mediums, a peperoni for a teen pizza freak, and a spinach, garlic, & olive for us two petulant pizza priestesses, and collectively, almost in unison, after 3 bites, we all declared, "tasteless, crap". $50 tab and a lousy experience later, we left our vinyl tableclothed dining room, and headed out with a ton of leftover pizza, to find the nearest homeless person who might be really hungry. Jean, Marc, and Rick - I suggest you take a hard look at this location, hopefully your other locations are up to your family standards, but I can't imagine an Italian family who would be proud of this place. Nel bocca del lupo!
(1)Duco Y.
Hate to think how many pizza's I've eatin here in California. Seems like every Friday night my family and I try and find the perfect pizza and have tried them all. Native Californian that had my first pizza in Pasadena California in a place called Sunny Italy and that goes back a long time ago. Sorry, but this has got to be the very best pizza I have ever had. Everything about this place was terrific. So pleased.
(5)Susan L.
What more can you ask for than a heart-shaped Chicago style pizza for Valentine's day? I don't live in Chicago anymore, but I'm STILL having one shipped for the occasion! EDIT: Yes, we really did have a Chicago-Style pizza for Valentine's Day dinner. It was a huge hit, and tasted WONDERFUL--so nice to have a little *slice* of home in Philly. It came with a heart-shaped raspberry cheesecake, which we also devoured with a vengeance.
(5)Karl S.
Wow, get the pan pizza! I got extra sauce - it's great. Thanks!
(5)Stephanie L.
Lou's is my favorite deep dish in Chicago so far. I go with the classic sausage and butter crust. The wait at this location can be VERY long so plan to stay awhile if dining inside. A deep dish takes at least 30 minutes. They have a small dining room. Take out is a great option.
(4)Danny C.
Not bad. Great pizza, friendly staff, and a decent (if a little overpriced) beer selection. Their crust really makes the pizza, it is extremely buttery and almost like a pastry crust rather than a bread crust. Appetizers are sort of blah, but the pizza is great and represents a pretty decent value. Atmosphere is pretty lively, friendly, and family-oriented. Great for groups, and it's still easy enough to hold a conversation while watching the restaurant around you. Would definitely go back again!
(4)Ashley J.
had some deep dish here and was pretty pleased. although, i thought it was a tad buttery/greasy. and i'm a big fan of grease and i know a bulk of that comes from the cheese. buutttt, i don't know...... that's what's holding back my 5 star review. it really was an awesome deep dish though--like a mountain. buutttt....i'm kind of a bigger fan of bacinos.
(4)Matt R.
You want true chicago style deep dish pizza? Here's the place to go! Very good pizza along with a selection of other traditional Italian dishes. Make sure not to miss this true Chicago staple.
(4)Katie R.
This is the Lou's I order from when I get pizza delivered. I love Lou's, next to Due it's my favorite deep dish in the city. I probably would NOT go back and eat in at this location. Sort of loud, sort of small. Not much atmosphere at all. I've never been disappointed with the food though. If you are getting food delivered: always, always ask for your pizza uncut. The sauce, crust and cheese stay in much better shape. When you have it cut, the juices from the sauce tend to leak into the cracks/make your crust soggy. Maybe this is why people seem to be reviewing the sauce as dry? Either way, delicious to have delivered, but don't go here to eat in.
(4)Ang R.
I never eat at Lou's, and probably never will. That said, I like ordering Lou's in. It's reliably good; nothing spectacular, but among the best purveyors of Deep Dish goodness. I'd rather have Due, but what can you do? Lou's is everywhere, not so Due. The Lou's Special, it must be said, is fantastic. I can't order it all the time, but when I do, I'm always happy with it. I can't forsee a time when I don't order from Lou's every once in a while. We'll try other pizzas, and I'll probably love other pizzas, but sometimes, you just need this stuff.
(4)Iliana C.
AMAZING!!! If you want to try deep dish pizza this is the place to do it! The sauce on the pizza is to die for. The service is friendly and it's where all the locals seem to perfer. Even my friend that hates deep dish pizza found it to her liking.
(5)Hope A.
From what I understand about Chicago style pizza- its a loyalty thing. Kind of like how you cheer for the Cubs or the White Sox, you either like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's. I was told by a local (Cubs fan) that Lou's was the best pizza in town. And so we went. There was about an hour and a half wait, so they took our order, took or phone number and off we went to find a bar. The hostess called us about an hour later, informing us that our table was ready and she was really nice about having to hunt us down. And (surprising to a San Franciscan) she didn't give our table away or give us attitude about wandering off. I love the midwest. Anyways, this was some darn good pizza- but it didn't hold a candle to my beloved Harold Washington pizza at Windy City. (See review below) So, I am going to hold off on awarding that final one star until I have Giordano's and can decide for myself. Sorry Kevin.
(4)Niki C.
First time Lou Malnati eater here. We order it last night & I don't know if I was expecting the Holy Grail of 'Za or what, but it was good, but not "As God is my witness I shall never go hungry again" good. I actually liked the thin crust that the bf ordered more than I liked my "The Lou" deep dish. Definitely worth another try, though, & with it being just up the street, why not? Cookie pizza? Uh ... sign me up. Edited: Ordered a small cheese "deep dish" pizza the other night. Now, I know that I'm going to catch holy hell for this, but what is so "deep dish" about it? It's a thick crust with some cheese slathered on top & some sauce on top of that. I really don't taste what all the fuss is about here.
(3)Melanie B.
Catered my wedding rehearsal dinner and the delivery guy was nice enough to help set everything up for us. As always, the pizza was beyond amazing. The pasta was only okay, and the bruschetta was decent. It was so nice to share a bit of our hometown with all of our guests!
(4)Jen C.
The BEST PIZZA known to man, woman, transgender, transvestite, etc.
(5)Santiago A.
This place was great. Very, very good. I think it is hands down the best deep dish in this town. However, I'm not a super fan of Chicago-style pizza to begin with. I think I liked this one so much, because they have a slightly different twist to it that makes all the difference. Usually this style goes wrong with a sauce, sauce, and more sauce approach. They have their recipe down pat and add an extra layer of cheese to balance out the pie better.
(5)Kristin C.
Try as I might, I just cannot get into the whole deep dish pizza craze. I am so much more a thin crust girl. With that being said, I DO like Lou Maknati's deep dish the best out of all I have tried (I just stay away from the snausage because it comes in a meat-patty style that freaks me out). I also enjoy their thin crust very much - I like Spinach and Pepperoni. Everytime I actually eat on site, I see at least one Zagat-Guide-toting loser (c'mon, be subtle buddy) deciding whether it is worth the wait or not (there is always a wait). I have no problem waiting because it means pre-ordering your pizza (a must anyhoo) and drinking miller lites or cheap wine in the lobby. Great tourist watching-especially once the buzz kicks in.
(4)Brandon C.
I'm lactose intolerant. I'm an Ohioan who isn't a big fan of Chicago style deep-dish pizza. I love Lou Malnati's. The wait is a little long if you're going for dinner on the weeknd, but they have think crust pizza on the counter for you to munch on. They'll also place your pizza order while you wait so that it comes out fresh pretty quicky after you get seated. There isn't a ton of parking in that area normally, but Wrightwood (west of Sheffield) has some spots that aren't zoned.
(4)Ted b.
I love this place!!! I've eaten deep dish at a ton of places in and around Chicago but Lou Malnati's beats them hands down. From the crust the the toppings, they do not miss...
(4)lana v.
Best pizza ever! I am not joking, I can eat it everyday and be in heaven. They also offer low fat cheese which tasted exactly like the regular cheese, so while you are still eating pizza, it can at least be a little healthier. I am not impressed with the salads they offer, but the pizza is amazing.
(5)v m.
the "Lou" (veggie) pizza is quite possibly one of the best deep dish pizzas i have ever had. also the chocolate chip pizza (dessert served with cookie, ice cream, and whipped cream) is quite tasty. their thin crust pizzas are good too, but maybe i'm just tired of them because we have them at most of our corporate functions... relatively well priced i'd say. this specific location is right under the el so i always opt to sit inside...
(4)Kristin C.
There is no reason to ever step foot inside another Chicago pizza place. It'd be like committing adultery. On second thought, I do enjoy a trip to My Pie every once in a while ...so I guess that makes me a pizza slut.
(5)Cassandra M.
We went here after seeing Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Network. We chose to get the lunch special, only $6.95 for a big soda, salad, and a personal one topping deep dish pizza. My husband and I swapped halves with each other, his pepperoni and my sausage so we could try both. As an appetizer we had tried the stuffed spinach and cheese bread, it was good, I will be attempting it at home. The server was EXTREMELY nice. Over all the experience was nice, but it was not my favorite pizza, still searching, we try a new pizza place every time we go to visit Chicago. I found the pizza needed a little more tomatoes/sauce and had asked for more to put on top. The interior was nice and family oriented, big flat screened t.v. my husband loved, it was switched to ESPN. We will go back, maybe try "The Lou".
(3)Jessie S.
This place has the most amazing pizza, both thin crust and deep dish!
(5)My D.
Maybe I'm biased because I'm a Chi-town girl for life, but nothing beats a Lou Malnati's pizza. The toppings, the butternut crust, the chunky sauce... it feels like home everytime. It's even better now that they have the crustless pizza aka 'no-dough pizza'. Get this: the entire crust is replaced with a layer of sausage! Could you ask for anything better???
(5)Brian B.
In a town known for deep dish, this is simply the best. It just doesn't get any better than a Lou's deep dish with the sausage patty, pepperoni and delicious butter crust, in my humble opinion. You can't go wrong with Giordano's either, I just think this is a bit better.
(5)Debbie W.
As someone who splits time in a few cities, chicago pizza isn't my favorite. But.....Malnati's was the best I have had. If you want deep dish chicago pizza, this is the place to have it.
(4)Rachel H.
Lou's was the second stop on my friend and I's foodstravaganza on Friday night and as always it didn't disappoint. We were starving so we started out with some minestrone while we waited for our pizza. Not being a huge minestrone fan, I'm always happy when one really hits the spot like this one. This location is often crowded, so crowded in fact, that once Martha and I had to go to CPK as our second choice. Shameful, I know. Don't kick me off Yelp please.... anyway... since we went at about 10:30, the dining room was pleasantly empty. Also in this dining room there's a huge leather couch in front of the tv. I definitely thought about sprawling myself out and making myself at home. Instead we downed gigantic diet cokes, and stuffed ourselves with deliciously cheesy, sausagey, buttery pizza. Our waitress was friendly. The only reason this location is 4 stars instead of five is b/c like someone else has mentioned, they don't have any of the fried appetizers on the menu at this location, and I really enjoy their calamari.
(4)Anjali B.
Very good classic pizza - weird staff. Not nice at all when we went in for pickup, and got visibly frustrated when we were trying to get our money together (it didn't even take that long), and it wasn't even that busy. Jerks. I prefer Giordano's anyway.
(3)Aimee W.
Glorious. The restaurant decor makes me feel at home--Michael Jordon paraphernalia. The low fat cheese makes me feel better about myself when eating this little piece of heaven. Ask for your pizza uncut when delivered or carrying out--keeps the crust crispy.
(5)Bryant C.
Ok, so I have had Lou's about 5,000 times and have never reviewed it. If you are looking for Chicago style it is hands down the best. I love pizza and have been to all of the typical Chicago style places. Lou's is always the best. Their Malnati salad is really good as well. The thing I like about Lou's pizza that is different from the others is the sauce, which is slightly sweeter and chunkier, and the crust. The crust is corn based and not flour based. Lou' shits the spot every time.
(5)Terren J.
My first Chicago deep dish pizza was eaten here. I came with a huge group so it took a while for us to get seated. Initially we thought 3 pies would be enough for 14 people but this one guy (who apparently didn't know how fulfilling deep dish pizza can be) thought we needed to order more and proceeded to order 3 more. Needless to say, our group could not eat the extra pizzas so we boxed them up and handed them out to people on the streets. haha. I stuffed myself with 2 slices and they were fantastic. Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza is what I expected Chicago pizza to be like. It's 10x better than Gino's East.
(5)Joe U.
Order the salads, they are fresher than most places are capable of serving. Tasty house dressing, too. For some reason they never seem to have the order ready when I come pick up. Good quality overall.
(3)Samael M.
I'm not generally a fan of Chicago Style Pizza, but this is amazing. Until I tried their pizza I didn't even like much sauce on pizza, preferring more cheese in the balance, but it is truly exquisite, full of spice and the occasional sun dried grape tomato. I am just guessing at that last part, I don't know if they are sun dried, but they taste better than any tomato I've ever had. Cheese and toppings are there in spades, they skimp on nothing. I've ordered some Chicago pizzas, even from "top" places, that made me feel like I was just eating bread. I'm not from Chicago, so the concept of a 20 dollar pizza is new to me, but you definitely get your monies worth, in quantity and taste. The only downsides are that it can get soggy, usually during the leftover phase, and despite the taste you will have some. The other is that this location opens at 4pm and I have to wait to satisfy my craving.
(5)Ari M.
If Giordano's is more pizza than you can handle, but you've still got a taste for deep-dish, Lou's is the place to go. And you've got to have it with Buttercrust! loumalnatis.com
(4)Michelle L.
I may be biased because Giordano's is my favorite which is why I am only giving 4 stars. The crust is a little too thin but it is still amazing deep dish with delicious sauce. The place is too small it is always very crowded so you should prepare to have to wait for some time. It was nice though because we put our pizza order in while we waited since it takes about 45 minutes for the pizza to be ready anyways.
(4)Michael B.
The classic deep dish pizza has a crust that tastes like savoury shortbread. The sauce and sausage fresh, delicious and cooked perfectly. Expect to wait but they take your order as you wait.
(4)Piyush S.
I had never eaten chicago style pizza until I visit Chicago last weekend. Had to go to Lou Malnatis. I never thought Deep dish pizza would be so flavourful. When I look at the deep dish, only 1 taste comes to my mind and tats chesse. But when I ate the pizza in Lou Malnatis, it was very very flavourful. Matter of fact, I have to tell that it is the best pizza I have eaten in my life, better that the thin crust ny style pizza. The sauce, topping, cheese, bread everything else is in just such great balance. Now I know the difference between fast food pizza and the real pizza. Lou Malnatis chicago style pizza is a classic.
(5)Adolfo L.
We surveyed all the deep dish places online, and got some advice from friends who had lived here. I even posted on Chicago Yelp Talk for recommendations. We heard names such as Gino's East, Due, Uno's, Giroardi's, and the such, but we heard a lot of passion for Lou Malnati's. This place sounds like where the locals go to get their fix of the city's speciality pizza. Thanks to the people who gave a heads up on the tourists traps. Next time you guys come into San Francisco be sure to avoid Boudin's (Chowder), House of Nanking (Chinese), and Rice-a-Roni. We ordered "the Lou" which was composed of fresh spinach, mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano, and cheddar cheese. It seemed fitting to get the specialty, but I initially wish it had some meat. I quickly noticed the buttery thin crust of the deep dish. And you'd think it'd be a thick crust, but it eems that real Deep Dish has a thinly patted crust that's raised high to encase the toppings. This is what really puts the pie in pizza pie because it certainly cradled the abundant mix of cheese, tomato sauce, and vegetables. And you know what? Who the hell needed meat when you have a pizza pie with that much substance? That's a gem, the Chicago Deep Dish. But I have to point out that contrary to their beliefs, good Deep Dish does exist outside of Chicago. Yes, Zachary's in Berkeley and Lil Star in SF comes pretty close. Chicago, thanks for your Deep Dish. In return you can have our Rice-a-Roni. We never wanted it in the first place.
(3)Nicole P.
WOW. I thought i didnt like deep dish because it often has too much cheese and not enough sauce. But this pizza was beyond good. It had a buttery, crunchy crust, lots of garlic and hot melty cheese. I will be going back as soon as i'm in Chicago again. We all enjoyed the pizza and the service.
(5)Sara F.
Looks like they changed the category. Nice. Power to the people. GO TO LOU MALNATTI'S!!! ITS SOOOO GOOD!
(5)Jay R.
Never understood the love this place gets-perfectly average pizza in every way. It's not bad,mind you-it's always seemed to me to be pizza for the masses; blandly seasoned with decent crust and OK toppings. If you love it, fine-I won't try to talk you out of it. But me,I just don't get it.
(3)Meg C.
Friends of ours recommended this place for deep dish, so we headed there one evening. We tried two different kinds of pizzas and both were delicious. Our friend said that their deep dish wasn't even the thickest you could find in the city, but it was their favorite. I cannot imagine trying to eat pizza any thicker than this! It's like eating a casserole in slice form. You can really get by on just one slice or two if you are starving. Good service.
(4)Jessica S.
Everyone's gotta try Chicago deep dish pizza once, right? My only other experience with Chicago deep dish has been Uno's, so that's my baseline. The Malnati salad was great -- yay for bacon and great dressing -- and we ordered the Lou pizza. It was a little runny on top, probably due to the tomatoes, but it was very good overall. The crust was crisp and not soggy and sweaty, huge plus. It was a bit over-cheesy, but for some reason didn't taste as greasy as some of the Uno's I've had in the past. We each ate about two slices (more or less) and afterwards we all felt fat and comatose. Not in a bad way, just in a "oooohhh I shouldn't eat anything else all day" kind of way. Service was alright. The place was overly air-conditioned (brrr! bring a sweater) but I like the sports memorabilia (not sure about the roomwide homage to Michael Jordan) though it's a little weird to have a couch area (like in a family room) sitting in front of the TV. I wonder if anyone actually sits there?
(4)Tony W.
Must say, I wasn't sure about deep dish. I'm also actually surprised it's taking me so long to taste one (ny snob). It was great! really great!! Not sure why there is any debate or comparison to NY style. Kinda like hot dogs compared to hamburgers, some people just like one, the other or both. I fall into the last camp, I like both deep dish and NY. I ordered the Malnatis (extra cheese and sausage) best six bucks I spent on food this week One thing, if you are going to eat there, be ready for a long wait. They do ask that you put your order in upon arrival (takes thirty minutes to prep and cook). My reccomendation, call ahead and pick it up! Unless you do not mind the wait.
(4)Wolfgang R.
Celiacs- this is the place to go for good pizza! Two choices, regular thin crust gluten-free or a thin layered sausage crust. I've now tried both and they are great! For me, there was no cross-contamination either! I congratulate Malnati's! It was a popular place so we had a short wait (we could order while waiting). Great helpful waitress and wonderful food!
(5)Molly L.
Lou's is tied for my favorite pizza place in Chicago. Go Lou's! It doesn't matter what kind of pizza I get; it's all amazing. Thick or thin, Lou's isn't a Chicago institution for crappy pizza. Also, get the Butter Crust. Mmmmm. :-)
(5)Joanna K.
I loved their deep dish pizza!!!! So Awesome!!!
(5)Tony S.
Plain and simply good deep dish pizza. Sauce is great and perfect to the cheese ratio; people always complain about either too much cheese or too much sauce in a deep dish. Lots of toppings to choose from but I went with just pepperoni which was thankfully a little more thick than than usual slices. The crust is awesome, I wish they could make it in bread stick form its that good! I'll stop by here again for sure on my next visit to the second city.
(4)Brian M.
Being a New Yorker at heart (and living in New England), I was not expecting much when it came to this type of pizza, especially considering that I follow a Celiac diet. When I heard that they had gluten-free pizzas I was envisioning a horrifying thick crust made of rice flour and whatever other nasty stuff ends up in gluten-free pizza crusts. Imagine my surprise when I found that they make the crust purely out of ground sausage. Cover that with tomato sauce and cheese and let me tell you: best gluten-free pizza ever. While not for the faint of grease, it's delicious and let's be honest: you'd probably be getting sausage on your deep dish anyway. I can only hope that this brilliant idea makes its way eastbound. Keep up the good work.
(5)Peter D.
Chicago Classic, Caesar salad and Three cheese Bread excellent....... Men's bathroom DISGUSTING!
(3)David M.
Arrived on a crowded Saturday night @ 9pm. Told wait would be 45 minutes, but we could place our pizza order and it would be ready when we got our table. Cool! They had some thin crust samples in the waiting area and the staff offered soft drinks to everyone. Very nice. Much to our delight, after 20 minutes they called our name and we were seated. The place is clean and sparsely decorated, and that's just fine. Server looked to be the bartender as well, and she was great. As promised, our pizza arrived soon after we were seated. This is a very efficient tool they use. We didn't even have to give the server our order, since we already let them know at the hostess stand. Well, we have never had Chicago pizza, and have always thought NY style couldn't be beat. But, well, this was pretty damn good. Better than NY? Yes? No? Maybe. I thought the crust would be gooey and dense. It was thick for sure, but airy and crisp as well. How do they do that? It had great butter flavor, too. The toppings were fantastic. Cheese stretched from Chicago to Milwaukee but wasn't greasy at all. The sausage was to die for. And maybe I'm just naive, but the crushed tomato sauce seemed fresh. If not fresh, a very high-quality canned product (probably Stanislaus brand, those suckers do tomatoes right). So, so good. I've been Googling for good Chicago pizza in Dallas since we got back, but there is no way you can get something this good anywhere except Chicago. Go here. We did. Twice.
(5)Lindsay C.
I like my pizza like I like my men...thick and covered in tomato sauce. This place is delicious!! I am a weirdo and prefer to scrape off the sauce, pull off the cheese, and then reapply the sauce. I'm just weird. It has nothing to do with how awesome this pizza is.
(4)Jamison K.
So this visit was more of a casual evening. I normally order take out but figured after some cabin fever it was time get out and chat over some great pizza. As is standard in most pizza places when dining in we made our order a bit beforehand so we weren't waiting long. Pizza was great, server was great, I was a big fan of the enormous drink cups, but the best part actually came when I went to use the restroom (which was inevitable after such huge cups). I head to the men's room, and note it is very clean but the water isn't working (I tend to check this because I'm that guy). As I walk out one of the staff tells me he's sorry about what I've discovered and they're working on it. He then proceeds to bring me over to the ladies room, has a female server check if there was anyone inside, and then tells me to go on in while he watches the door for me. This guy simply could have told me tough crap and gone on with his duties, but he helped a guy out (maybe knowing those drink cups were so big). Mad props.
(5)Antonio A.
Can you take heaven, mix it with pizza sauce and toppings and bake it in an oven with deep dish crust to perfection? Well, my friends, that's exactly what the good folks at Lou Malnati's have done here. Prices are moderate for Lincoln Park. Give it a try!
(4)Courtney W.
This place is very family friendly and the atmosphere is definitely low key and comfortable. This isn't my favorite Chicago style deep dish pizza, but it's far from awful. The classic pizza with cheese, sausage, and tomato sauce is outstanding and by far my favorite. The Lou with spinach, tomato, and mushroom is also good as well but I love the thick sausage they put on the classic. When we arrived on a Sunday night (before Million Dollar Quartet) we were told we'd have to wait 25 minutes for our party of 7. They sat us within ten minutes. We ordered our pizza ahead of time because we were worried about being late and our pizza came out about fifteen minutes after we sat down. Our server was really attentive as well and even took a picture of our group when we asked. The bottom line is, the pizza is traditional deep dish. I always end up taking extra home and I know I'm looking forward to a few slices when I'm done with work today!
(4)Sara E.
I like their pizza, LOVE the Lou Malnati salad, and wish the ladies who work the register would quit correcting my pronounciation of "Malnati"... I'm sorry, I get tongue-tied. Please stop, it's embarrassing enough without you commenting. The location creates a lazy girl's dilemma - it's too close to legitimately ask for delivery, but who wants to go outside in this weather?
(4)Cycette H.
I've decided that this is MY FAVORITE PIZZA SPOT. The pizza has consistently been tasty, they have THE BEST CRUST. it's nice and buttery. And I am talking about the thin crust as I don't like deep dish and I haven't tried it here. I can't say much about the staff, because I've only ordered to go, but they to have been consistently polite and accurate in telling me that my pizza will be ready in 30 minutes. They have a frequent pizza club or something. You may want to ask about it if you eat there often. I looked at the brochure and saw that they wanted $40 and said," no." Even though I'd get the $40 back, I didn't want to fork up the money.
(5)Joe L.
Tip: You can actually call in your order ahead of time if your touristing in the area, and have them make it for you as you walk there. Lets just put it out there, I loved deep dish pizza. If given a choice, I would get deep dish over NY style pizza anytime (sorry NYC). However, my experience with deep dish has been limited to the national chain of UNO's. Lou Malnati's makes Uno's (the chain not the Chicago restaurant) look like an amateur in a pro boxing match. Not only is Malnati's a good pizza restaurant, based on their bruschetta (which I use to judge all Italian places), it's also a pretty decent Italian restaurant. The pizza itself was pretty big. My mom and I managed to put away a 12" medium sized pizza. For all those people who say 2 slices will fill you up for sure... well I;m sorry your wrong. My 5 foot tall mom could put away 2 slices easy (and that was after getting a big italian dip sandwich earlier) so if you can only put away 2 slices.... well you need to man up. We got the regular, which I think is sausage, peppers, onions and mushrooms. The ingredients were plentiful, like everyone says, because of the way they make the pizza, you get sausage in almost every bite. YUM Anyway, for the price, I thought the pizza was pretty big. it was bought out to us as soon as it was out the oven, with the cheese still sizzling. In fact, I would have preferred them to keep it in for a bit longer cuz I thought the center was a bit soggy. But just a bit. We got the Massive serving sizes, great pizza, good bruschetta (big portion too), good prices. And the best part for me? The crust. crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside with a great buttery flavor (I didn't even get the butter crust). It was like having a great breadstick built into your pizza. The bruschetta was huge and served fresh as evidenced by the crunchiness of the bread after we received it. Usually there are 6 slices of bruschetta for around 6 dollars, Lou Malnati's gives you 8 slices. WIN.The topping was chopped tomatoes with onions and a little bit of basil and Romano and Parmesan cheese. The tomatoes could have been more fresh, but they weren't overly soft. The dessert was a little bit disappointing. I got the individual sized ice cream pizza thing. the ice cream totally overwhelmed the pizza crust, and because the bowl is heated, that melted the ice cream as well. Sometimes, simpler is better. Overall, a pretty good deal. We ended up paying around 20 dollars for app, pizza, and dessert. The pizza and appetizer were great, but they were let down by the dessert. Oh, and microwaved pizza in the morning? awesome. (yes we ordered more)
(4)David S.
An iconic deep dish pizza that is a must have Chicago classic. Recommended to me my a 14 year Chicago veteran. I had the peppronie and it had a ton of melted cheese on it and is best warm and melty. They deliver but remember that it takes around 30 min just to cook a deep dish so order early.
(5)Jason G.
I was very impressed that the hostess offered to text me when our table was ready, therefore enabling us to stroll around the neighborhood instead of waiting in the lobby to be seated. The pizza was very good, a hint of garlic was appreciated and the cheese was just gooey enough. Get the butter crust. That's what we were told and it was good. Not sure what it would have been without it. Either way, it wasn't enough to pull me from the crust at Pequod's. It also had a nice homey feel with the couches and TV playing the game. I felt, for the second time this weekend that I was in a friend's parent's basement.
(4)Larry L.
I grew up in NJ and love NY style pizza. I live in NYC now and I'm glad to be reunited with the pizza of my childhood. However, Chicago style pizza has a special place in my heart being the pizza of my mid to late 20's. You really can't compare the two types of pizzas and you just have to accept the fact that there can be two types of pizza that are almost exact opposites but equally good. I normally wouldn't order a vegetarian pizza, but the GF convinced me so we ordered the Lou. It's spinach, mushroom, sliced tomatoes and mozzarella+cheddar. It's ok..but I'm not a big fan of the cheddar or the sliced tomatoes. Next time - I'll stick with the sausage. I should mention the dining room. It has a weird layout. It has a living room feel to it with a set of couches in front of a TV that is surrounded by trophy cases. I think it makes eating in feel really weird especially when you have spoiled Depaul kids laying across the couches like it was their home.
(4)Nikki C.
This particular location sucks. I don't know if its the douchosity from being so close to the Grand Central next door, the lincoln park zip code, or what, but the staff and the place itself has no personality. It actually reminds me of a really bad date which was arranged by a friend's parents and thought we would be a good couple because she once sang in a church choir and i like music...yeah..NOT! The deep dish is all this place is about, get it to go, do delivery, skip the idea of sitting here in their dining room which reminded me more of a VFW social hall.
(3)Aaron W.
Best pizza in the world. That is all
(5)Dave K.
This was a recently discovery and I am extremely disappointed at myself for not going there sooner. For meat lovers, nothing beats a Lou Malnati's deep dish pie. I wouldn't call myself the pizza devotee, however I will make sure that I stop by Lou Malnati's every time I am in the Windy City, and do so for as long as I live. Their sausage pie has more meat than any other pizza I've ever had, plenty of meat, but not overbearing. I believe every bite should have an equal portion of dough, cheese, sauce, and meat. The ratio shouldn't favorite one ingredient over another. Ingredients: Sauce: not your typical thick tomato sauce/paste spread on a piece of dough. It's a lighter sauce, almost "diced-tomatoes", if you will. If you're not big on the heavy dose of tomato sauce, this will do the trick. Oh and that crust, that buttery crust; crunchy outside, soft inside, is made to perfection. Cheese: I was told that all-natur'al Wisconsin Mozzarella is used in every pie. Whatever that is.. I love it. For that reason only, I wish California was next to Wisconsin. Paradise, right? Not done. Save room for their Chocolate chip dough pie, filled with 4-5 scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with whip cream and a cherry. Chocolate chip dough baked into a pizza crust-like base. If you're counting the daily calorie intake, this place is so not for you. I say this should be everyone's priority, numero uno destination, as soon as you exit the airport in Chicago.
(5)Brian P.
Friendly staff, long wait, excellent deep dish pizza. Restaurant is wheelchair accessible too.
(5)Matt M.
This Lou's has been my delivery standby after living in Lincoln Park for 2 years. Whether you're getting a simple cheese deep dish, "the Lou" or even their thin crust, you're getting a decent pie that's tough to beat. As a fan of deep dish over stuffed, Lou Malnati's really doesn't have much competition. Just remember that a real deep dish takes 45 minutes to prepare, so your delivery will be about an hour on most evenings and more on peak nights. This location also does NOT do lunch Monday through Thursday. I leave you with one warning: this is good enough that you'll be uncomfortably full afterwards.
(4)Matt M.
Great fresh pizza. It doesn't get any fresher than Lou's!
(5)Lionel G.
THE PIZZA is AWESOME but the staff is just as awesome! I order carry out every now and again and the staff know me by name. They greet me with a smile and have my order ready to go when I arrive. The loyalty card has paid off tremendously! Although there are many Lou Malnati's in the city this one has a GREAT neighborhood feel to it and the food is to die for.
(5)MARK G.
Yummy pizza. I usually go for thin and crispy pizza or thin and greasy pizza. This IS NOT THAT. It is thick and cheesy and heavy and meal-like and I dare you to try and eat three pieces and NOT need to take a nap. You can't do it. It's like TylenalPM. This pizza will put you down like a wounded animal. I have one of these pizzas a year.... it would seem gluttonous to have more than that.
(4)Christine F.
AHHH. Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place. Anyway, this is my favorite Chicago style pizza out of the big three. The crust is crispy and buttery, the sauce is super tangy and oh, they don't skimp on the cheese. And don't forget to order the buttercrust when you go. This location is fairly small and if you come at a busy time you should expect to wait, but it's delicious. The service has always been good. I don't eat this very often because I would weigh 500 pounds if I did, but seriously, top notch stuff.
(4)Nicholas D.
Give me extra garlic, 'nuff said... Lou Malnati's is absolutely one of Chicago's best pizza establishments, but this particular location is by far the best out of any pizza place in Chicagoland. Come grab a table on the sidewalk during the summer and enjoy the scenery in this Lincoln Park neighborhood. I always get a deep dish, and it's never failed me. What's even better is, if there is a line you can place your order while you wait for a table so it doesn't take forever once you sit down. Definitly a must have!
(5)Haley S.
This is my FAVORITE deep dish. Took my best friend and her fiance yesterday - they were visiting from NYC - they loved it. We got to Chicago classic - it was AWESOME. I only go when I have visitors, given the calorie count - but ooh, is it worth it.
(4)Chatzy F.
Hi, BEWARE FOOD POSION ISSUE Order from here on Saturday 4/24/2010; 3 weeks ago, Pizza was not cooked, was suppose to credit my credit card never did. I tried to re-heat pizza so it was cooked properly then I got food posioning. Still not fully recovered from this ordeal. My stomach will not be the same! Will never order here again!
(1)Patrick C.
Best Deep dish in Chicago hands down! Italian sausage + Hot giardiniera + Butter Crust = Heaven
(5)Kathy H.
I like the Michael Jordan memorabilia but this is not the best Chicago style pizza I have ever had. I know this is blasphemous but for the best Chicago style pizza you must go to Zachary's in Berkeley, California.
(3)Tiffany W.
BEST PIZZA IN CHICAGO HANDS DOWN! get the Lou's the veggie one, its incredible. thick crunchy crust, nice and cheesy! MMMMmmm my mouth is watering!
(5)Chexll M.
Hands down... I love their pizza.... Although, some people complain about the wait time... its worth it because it is freshly made....
(5)Lisa H.
AWESOMENESS!! Lou Malnati's has officially replaced Giordano's as my #1 deep dish pizza. I have not tried Due's yet, but LM's deserves five stars without a doubt. We got two buttercrust, deep dish pizzas, one with fresh tomatoes/mushrooms, the other with sausage/pepperoni. Both were absolutely amazing. The next morning, there was a mad rush for the refrigerator to fight over the leftovers. Observations: (1) Buttercrust is...exactly what it sounds like. AMAZING. (2) The ingredients are very high quality. The sausage was incredible and the freshness of the tomatoes really popped. (3) It's not greasy for deep dish pizza, which I love. Sometimes deep dish is just too oily for me. Delivery service gets 5 stars. It took less than 45 mins to get the pizza, and extra points for the sweetheart delivery guy. He called when he got close to our place. When I met him, he asked me where our building actually was (we live in an alley building) and offered to walk it up there for me. I gave him a huge tip .. . and this was BEFORE I even tried the awesome pizza!!
(5)Brittany Y.
The establishment is nice. Lots of mirrors. I love mirrors. The waitresses were super nice and very attentive but the pizza is just, regular. The people that rave over this pizza have to be stoners, everyone knows they'll eat anything.
(2)Daniel B.
Lots of Cheesy Goodness - Check Yummy Sauce with chunks of tomato - Check Buttery Crust of Love - Check Sausage the size of my fist - Check I'm going to be a fat ass in no time now that I found out they deliver to my work - Double Check I was living in New York a couple years ago and my grandma sent a couple of these bad boys in the mail. Yes, I needed a handkerchief to dry the steady stream of tears running down my face. DON'T JUDGE ME! I love Lou's and have for a long time and I am not ashamed to say that I fanned them on Facebook. I will say it is a tad bit high on the price, but it is worth it. LOU'S FOR LUNCH!
(5)Michael C.
This is good pizza. We went a couple of weeks ago for some deep-dish and were not disappointed at all. The wait, on a Friday night, was 90 minutes, but it was actually more like 50, but they had free thin-crust pizzas in the waiting area to munch on, which was cool. They also put our pizza order in as we waited, so our pie was done soon after we sat down. That's also cool. We got a big salad, which was good, though not great, but that was just to tide us over until the pie came. I thought the pizza was excellent and worth the wait, too. We got a sausage and pepperoni, which both tasted fresh and were on the top in abundance. The cheese is good, the sauce is good, and the crust is very good. All in all, fantastic: I wish I was eating one right now. Everyone was very, very nice, too. So call ahead or maybe go on an off-night, but no matter what, this is worth it.
(5)Travis P.
I cannot get enough of this pizza. First off the crust, that corn meal based crust is thick but has a crisp bite to it. In addition the sweetness from the corn meal adds a whole layer to the pizza. (The usual flour based crust, to me, is too heavy and doesn't add much flavor) The sauce is by far one of the best pizza sauces I have found. The fresh herbs and spices and those juicy tomatoes combine for an amazing blend of taste and flavor. Now I love their sausage pizza, which they spread out so you get a taste in every bit. Overall, the pizza is not as heavy as most other deep dish Chicago pizza places. Every time I go back, it is the flavor that captures me.
(5)Eric L.
I went here years ago after attending the Red Sox/Cubs series @ Wrigley. To be honest, I've been dreaming about Lou Malnati's ever since. Amazing crust, sauce that is spiced just right, great cheese and the prices were fair. Next time I am in Chicago this will be my first stop.
(5)Royce d.
Deep-dish? Or deep connections to a Bavarian secret society? I went to Lou Malnati's with my friends Kohl, José, Mensah, and Jordan to enjoy Chicago style deep-dish pizza. As soon as we walked in, we were told that it would be a 45-minute wait and we could not have banana peppers on our pizzas even if we brought our own. Why does Lou Malnati hate banana peppers? Is he allergic? Are they too tangy? The answer is obvious-- "Lou Malnati" is a homophone for Illuminati. The Illuminati is funding Lou Malnati's and conspiring to end banana peppers. Everything came together when I asked if I could speak with Lou. The man at the front desk told me that I could not speak with him because he was not there. This is because "Lou" is not a real person. "Lou Malnati" is simply a fake Italian name used to represent the hatred for the Catholic Church, blacks, and banana peppers. Lou Malnati's: Free Parking, Free Refills, Free Masons.
(4)Matt W.
Honestly, Domino's is a better bet than Lou's.
(2)Jennifer K.
We ordered take out from here when visiting Chicago. It's everything you want in a deep dish! Yumo!
(4)Andrea C.
an open letter to lou malnatis in lincoln park: lous, i will be the first to admit, you are delicious. your cheesy deep dishiness and buttery crust could make hearts break. and im sure it has. and i love you for that. but for the LOVE, get some more tables. 5? 5 tables inside? come on. you know how much everyone loves you. this past saturday afternoon when i was hankering for deep dish and there was an hour and a half wait....i thought about waiting it out- really considered it...because your pizza is very...very very good. but in the end, i just couldnt do it. not for lunch, lous. just not for lunch. maybe youre better to visit on a weekday. or perhaps i should have done carry out- i dont know, but i do know you must acquire some more tables and a larger dining room or i fear that events like what unfolded on saturday afternoon may happen once again. for the people, please, i beg. do something. eternally yours, andrea c.
(4)Chris Z.
This was great pizza, although I felt like such a glutton afterwards. It is so filling, fresh, and full of flavor. I was taken here by someone who recommended it for Chicago-style pizza and she was spot on. The wait was so long that we ended up going to the store across the street for a 6-pack and drank on the side of the building until our table was ready.
(4)Mary S.
Let me begin by saying the pizza is delicious. I ate here for the first time EVER on Saturday. How is that possible? I don't know. I really don't. I have lived here over five years and have completely skipped this awesome pizza. The reason for the two stars is the heart stopping bass that filters through the restaurant. I went here last night for a relaxing dinner. I didn't expect a fine dining experience. I just wanted to eat pizza with the boy on a chilly June Saturday night. Our dining experience was muddled with the sounds of 96.5 type bass pumping from the club next door at 6 p.m. I felt as if I was inside Grand Central. I would order from Lou Malnati's again but I would never eat in the restaurant. If I wanted to go to a club with douchebag music, I'd just eat shitty food next door.
(2)Michael M.
um. great pizza, but what the ----? they don't take orders over the phone? they deliver for goodness sake! great place besides that. Really good pizza, just kind of annoying to have to wait for it.
(4)Hooman B.
I went to the one near OHare - WOW what a frickin awesome pizza. Deep dish pep., AMAZING. Finally I understand what Chicago Deep Dish is all about... GO here, it's awesome.
(5)Skylar E.
This is probably the best pizza I have had in Chicago to date. The Chicago classic stuffed pizza with Italian sausage and vine ripe tomatoes is my favorite. This restaurant is a great place to take friends from out of town for some classic Chicago style pizza and a few beers. I recommend sitting outside if the weather is nice.
(4)James Michael S.
Classic Chicago pizza place. Skip uno's, gino's and giorodanos and go straight to Lou's if you're looking for a Chicago-chain style pizza restaurant. This is not my favorite Chicago pizza place but its good pizza. I recommend the thin crust but thats a personal preference as I do not care for Chicago-style. The Lou is a good choice or just get your favorite toppings. Very consistent and very good ingredients. Be prepared to wait if you go during dinner hours. Take out is always a good option.
(4)Eric B.
i guess i just don't like deep dish pizza. this one was better than when we tried it before. it wasn't really delicious, it just made me not hungry anymore. delivery time was on point though.
(2)Laura B.
I'll admit I am a loyal disciple of the Church of Chicago Deep Dish and have dined at the altar of the Holy Trinity (Lou's, Gino's, and Giordano's) on many occasions. But I digress. This Lou's is great because it has a stellar location in Lincoln Park, a couch and huge TV (?!) in the small-ish dining room, and satiated my intense hunger (hangover?) one Sunday morning at exactly 11am. No, seriously, I think they had just unlocked the doors before we walked up. Our group of 8 immediately ordered bruschetta, drinks, the lunch specials, and a medium "Lou". The lunch specials are a complete and utter STEAL and should be consumed by everyone within a 10-block radius for lunch every single day. Really. A personal one-topping deep dish pizza with salad and a drink for SEVEN FREAKING DOLLARS?! Proclaim this from the mountaintops, people. The "Lou" is an amazing concoction of veggie delights on a gorgeous specimen of a pizza. It could only be improved by adding patty sausage, but we were with a vegetarian and there are apparently no substitutions. The bruschetta was incredibly crispy and we could pile on the tomatoes at will. Placing a drink order means that a liter-o-cola is soon to be delivered to your side. Guess what? You can also order Lou's ONLINE for delivery anywhere in the country. There IS someone in this world who loves me and his name is Lou. This religion is easy as.... pie.
(5)Rebecca H.
Lou, I am desperately trying to get me some of your supposed yummy pizza, but you're killing me here. I have been here three times now and the wait has been so long that I actually considered going back to the train wreck Grand Central next door before my stomach digested itself. Please, Lou, I'm begging you. Just once, seat me in under 60 minutes so I get my food in under 2 hours. I have tried to see you during off peak times and you just never slow down!
(2)J T.
Food = OK; Service = Good. Food: Chicken wings; Individual pizza - the "Lou Malnati's" The chicken wings were good, but I've had better. The "Lou Malnati's" was decent though I found it to be a bit on the dry side (aka a bit more sauce would have balanced it out). Service: Attentive and on point.
(3)Meagan L.
This may be the restaurant that changed my opinion of deep dish. A true thin crust lover I finally tried what I've been told is the best deep dish in Chicago. While I still love my thin crust, Lou Malnatis did not disappoint. Very good crust, nice tomato sauce and not too much cheese (which is usually what I hate about deep dish, it just makes me feel sick). Their dining room is pretty small, but on a Monday night we got seated within a couple minutes. Our server was attentive and their prices are very reasonable. I don't understand the weird lounge area in the dining room with the couches and tv? Seems like wasted space. I think I'll definitely be back.
(4)Mo O.
One of the Best! Not only in Chicago but across the US! Even while I am out here in CA, we still get Lou's pizza and go to Lou's when we go back to Chicago. This place is a must when you are in Chicago and it does not matter what you order. The crust alone is GREAT, and the rest is heaven in a circle. My personal favorites are the pepperoni deep dish. Thank you Lou and continue your great food!!!
(5)Haleh H.
The pizza was ok, nothing special.
(3)Ryan C.
After 2 and 1/2 years of living in Chicago and listening to people go ape shit bonkers on how great Lou Malnati's pizza is, I finally made it there last week. Curiosity of all the hype started getting to me and wanted to know what I was really missing out on...I just HAD to know. I told the waiter it was my first trip to Lou's and he somewhat shared the joy with me. Once again, I was going back on the hype of everyone else and trying to create my own hype...the waiter was somewhat on board with my joyous moment. The order took 45 minutes, which seems normal for Stuffed Pizza. If you want to know, I had sausage and spinach on my pizza, which makes for a savory blend of tastes. So, the pie comes up and I prepare myself for my first taste. The waiter starts to leave and I told him he's not going anywhere until he witnesses my first bite of Lou's famous pizza. My first taste of Lou's pizza should be celebrated by their staff. Yes, I actually did make him wait for until I took my first bite. MMMM MMMMM MMMMM... it was wonderful and made just right. I love stuffed pizza with cornbread crust. I topped off 3 slices and had to push for the forth slice. It's up the lines of Gino's. Please don't get me started on Gino's vs Lou Malnati's debates. They are both great pizzas. Go there and try it yourself if you haven't been. For such a wonderful pizza pie experience, Lou you earned 5 slices on the 5 slice star rating. You'll see me back again...I promise you won't have to watch me take my first bites for now on.
(5)Flo J.
I love Lou's. I just wish they had a better restaurant in this location to accommodate more people and create a better atmosphere. We carry-out all the time. Butter-crust is a must!!!!!
(4)MandM S.
Once Lou - never anyplace else for Pizza! Thin Cheese with Jalapenos ....Yummy!
(4)Ai M.
I had the cheese, sausage, and spinach deep dish. The cheese is underneath the sauce, making it taste like tomato pie. Spinach is less acidic and cheesier. Sausage is the best. The meat is a whole patty underneath the sauce!
(4)Phil K.
I've had to wait for quite a while just about any time I've gone out for deep dish pizza, so I wasn't surprised that we had to wait about 30-45 minutes for a table. Here's a big tip, place your order while you're waiting so that you get your food much more quickly once you're seated. I think we only had to wait 10-15 minutes for our pie after we sat down. I was a little bummed that our spinach+mushroom deep dish pizza was not as good as the same that I've had at Zachary's in Berkeley, CA. I guess there's a difference between stuffed pizza and deep dish pizza that I wasn't really aware of before. I think stuffed is the way to go, because the deep dish wasn't all that I had hoped for. It was quite good, mind you, but I will consult Yelp more closely next time I'm in the mood for deep dish.
(3)Alonda L.
i tell everyone back in washington how great lou malnati's pizza is.... incredible. i love deap dish pizza. one slice of the small pizza is more than enough for me. and their salads.... so yummy. i love their house dressing. incredible. i have nothing bad to say. when they say it will be done, they mean it will be done at that moment, second, minute in time.
(5)Jacqueline S.
The best pizza in Chicago! My boyfriend and I both grew up in/near Chicago and love Lou Malnati's (one of the many things we had in common when we met in Iowa). Everyone I know loves it too! My boyfriend and I both think it is much better than Giordano's. I love that they deliver! They have never gotten an order wrong and the pizza has never been cold. Great place to order from or to eat at!
(5)Liz Y.
I love deep dish and was so excited when I had a reason to go to chicago so I could get real chicago deep dish pizza. I heard this place, loui's was the best. really!? this is it? my long anticipation for this was very disappointed. this is chicago! you can't be serious. but it was still good...
(3)Joiera C.
Great pizza especially when its fresh andlove the deep dish! Nothing like Chicago pizza!
(5)Megan R.
This is my favorite Chicago-style pizza in the city! It is amazing! They have a great chopped salad but just the pizza alone is enough for me. For an extra flavor boost - try the butter crust...
(5)a w.
I think this is a good option for pizza in the area. They have quality food and you can pretty much always expect that from them. Their pizza is definitey yummy and a great greasy pizza.
(5)Tanya R.
SO OVERRATED!!! We were dying to try this place out after hearing so many great reviews about it being the best pizza in the city. I've had Gino's and Giordano's....even Bacino's, and this place can't hold a candle to any of them. It was definitely not spectacular deep dish, and the atmosphere was small, somber, and very poorly decorated. I wanted to run out of there before the food even came. Good service, but just not the best. So many other places in this city that are SO MUCH BETTER. Plus, I had to sit down (after having 2 slices of a small pizza) because my heartburn was so bad I thought I was going to collapse on the sidewalk. So, I'm no longer listening to what anyone says. If I'm doing pizza from now on, it's Giordano's. Period.
(2)Paul C.
Sweet Lou cooks up the best deep dish in Chicago. Whenever I have family or friends in town looking for authentic deep dish I take them here.
(4)Jeremy G.
The pizza was good, but it definitely doesn't live up to the hype. The buttercrust was not as flavorful as it could have been (a little salt would go a long way) and the sausage was a little bland. Chicago has a reputation for great deep-dish pizza, but I still have yet to find it.
(3)Yuri G.
i tried this pizza a the taste of chicago recently and it was really good! i LOVE the soft buttery crust.
(5)Zack R.
I was a big Lou Malnati's fan when I lived in the suburbs and love it jst the same since moving to the city. This location is very close to me and I've been here plenty of times and never have I been dissatisfied. GREAT atmosphere. I love the old Sports Illustrated magazines that adorn the walls, and Im a big fan of the couch and big TV taking up the middle of the indoor seating which really gives you a comforting feeling, as if you could just come in, plop down on the couch and abuse their free cable without the threat of police intervention. The pizza is as good as always and reminds you that there is still a "big 3" in chicago as far as gourmet pizza goes and Lou Malnati's is one of them. (Gino's and Giordanno's are the other in my opinion.)
(4)Sam G.
The Lou is great. Sometimes the wait is nearly two hours, but I can't really hate on them for that.
(5)Tiff B.
I don't care what anyone else says, Lou Malnati's is the best Chicago style pizza in the world. I always get "the Lou" or just a sausage and mushroom on buttercrust. It's seriously the perfect food!
(5)Ji K.
I did not realize the extent of my love for Lou Malnati's deep dish sausage pizza until I had to give up meat for quite some time. It literally hurt me to see others eat a slice of sausage and not be able to have a slice myself. I still remember the first time I ate a slice of Lou's sausage pizza as a 9-year old. It was literally love at first bite. Yeah, the sausage patty can be somewhat overwhelming-- but, from the perspective of a meat-loving Chicago native, it is heavenly. I've tried the Lou (veggie variety) and it's also pretty good, but the sausage has my heart.
(4)Benjamin B.
Deep dish pie; pepperoni and buttercrust. It's a winner! I live a block away, so I just went out and picked it up. I was impressed! Great flavor, the crust was nice; I generally prefer a stuffed pizza because I like cheese better than crust, but this was darn tasty. Nice sauce, too!
(4)Joe A.
Born and raised in Chicago and know what good Chicago Pizza is and this is it, I have tried them all and nothing compares. Give it a shot and you will not be disappointing.
(5)Amanda Z.
Can't help it, this is my fave of the bunch! I like the thin crust, I like the Chicago style. The crust is crispy and delicious, the sauce is tomato-y, and the cheese is delicious! What's more to say...when people ask me for my favorite "chicago-style pizza", I direct them here!
(5)Kelly T.
Ok Lou Malnati's, you didnt convert me from what I grew up eating, greasy NY thin crust pizza to Chicago style deep dish pizza, but you did turn me into a huge fan! From start to finish our dinner was great- cheesy breadsticks to individual pizzas that were plenty for lunch the next day. Yum yum get you some is all I can say!! The service was attentive and witty- who can ask for more??
(5)Nicole B.
I think Giordano's is better. And that's all I have to say about that right now.
(3)Anonymous P.
Eh, their crust is just too much. It's like eating bread and butter and it just fills you up so quickly. But if you decide to go there, don't order anything with sausage. They pretty much just lay a long, continuous link of sausage around the edges of the crust. Gross. New York pizza is so much better.
(2)Sarah S.
This will probably be one of my briefest reviews as I just don't have much to say about this mediocre place. I just don't understand the hype about this place. It seems to me that a lot of people around here list this place as their favorite deep dish pizza, but I just don't love it. Maybe the fact that I'm from the east coast means I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to deep dish, but it's not that I don't like it - I just don't like Lou Malnati's pizza. I felt like there was way too much tomato sauce in the pizza and not enough of everything else. The crust was meh, and the wait was at LEAST an hour. I was told this place was amazing, though, so I figured the wait was worth it. I was sorely disappointed. The pizza wasn't inedible, but it wasn't great, the service was mediocre, and we had to wait a long, long time for our food even though we ordered it before we were even seated. Never going back here!
(2)Jennifer B.
The pizza here is okay, but not great. I certainly prefer Gino's East, but my brother was in town and he wanted to try someplace else. I thought he was going to cry when the waitress told him they didn't have ham or bacon as toppings. The pizza was just a little bland for my liking.
(2)T B.
Coming from NY, I wanted to see all what Chicago had to offer in a few days. This place came highly recommended from a friend born and raised in Chicago. Even though I am a fan of thin crust pizza- as I think it just makes more sense- I love the deep dish variety here. I am a stickler for the classics so I went with the basic pepperoni. The crust was buttery, yet not doughy, and the cheese and tomato sauce blended so well that I think they should change the name to Wedding Pizza- after Italian Wedding soup of course. If I am ever back in Chicago, I will def come here again.
(4)Ande L.
Well, well, well, I finally got around to trying Lou's dine-in and I thought I'd just add to my growing list of Lakeview reviews.... I'm used to ordering delivery from Lou's, in which case, give yourself about 2 hours, it doesn't matter which day of the week it is. I've tried a few things from here. I've gotten the Lou special and it's pretty good. I prefer to not order the butter crust. I've also gotten the sausage and I almost couldn't finish it. It just wasn't my thing at all. My all-time favorite dish though is the Malnati salad. It is delicious. Lasts me about 2-3 meals, and I practically lick the dressing cup clean. It is that good. So, anyway, back to my dine-in experience... My date and I (please see Ping Pong entry) had to wait an hour to be seated, which isn't that big of a deal considering it's Friday night and we were going to wait at least that long anywhere else. Then, we ordered Coke and they brought us Diet Coke and it took about 20 minutes to grab the waitress's attention. It wasn't even that busy, she just wasn't around. So we ordered pepperoni and I have to say that it's probably my favorite pizza choice at Malnati's to date. See, my thing about Malnati's is that it's good, but I don't think it's that good. I just haven't found any place better, but I'm sure it exists.
(3)Fernando D.
This probably is the best pizza in town..Arguably. The deep dish is great here. The meat they put on it is great cuz they put a whole bunch. It just fills you up pretty quick. Plus it tastes great even if you take some home with ya.
(5)Eric K.
Lou's is my favorite pizza place in the city. I order from this place all the time, and I am never disappointed. The deluxe deep dish pizza is absolutely amazing, might even be the last meal I would ever eat. The crust is the most flavorful I've ever tasted on a deep dish pizza.
(5)Benjamin B.
Great pizza and the wait is quick for pick-up, which is my normal mode of consumption here. We get the thin crust, I know I know, with pepperoni and tomato and it is always slammin'. The Malnati's salad is also terrific and I get to eat all the olives as my fiance doesn't like them.
(4)bj f.
when i'm in the mood for a deep dish pizza, only lou's will do. so many other places produce doughy crusts and filling that tastes like tomato paste, but not lou's. a crunchy, perfectly textured tasty crust lays the groundwork for a perfect balance of cheese and tomatoes. i especially like the fact that in addition to the usual small, medium and large sizes, they offer an individual sized mini which, for me, is perfect for two meals. and because i'm the only veggie in the house, i can order the lou's or spinach individual and a standard meat filled one for the carnivores. i also love the malnati salad, with a great mix of romaine, not iceberg, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, gorgonzola and bacon, with a dynamite dressing. i opt out of the meat, and it's still wonderful. my order is usually to go, but instead of calling ahead, i order at the counter, then sink into their comfy couch or easy chairs in the dining room and sip some house wine while i wait for my order. it doesn't take a long time, and is a perfect way to relax while i anticipate a great meal.
(5)A L.
The best Chicago pizza in Chicago! We tried them all and Lou's was our favorite. The restaurant is clean and staff is friendly.
(4)Jonathan R.
I only have 5 words best pizza in the chi! Very highly recommended for pizza, salad, what ever you want. I go with the pepperoni deep dish with the butter crust. I also would recommend pick up, results are a little fresher and quicker than delivery. Other considerations, if you decide to eat there, I would go early the dinning area is small, but very enjoying environment. Also, consider ordering around 45 mins before you're ready to eat, it takes time to cook a good pie. Nothing else can beat a Lou pizza, enjoy!
(5)Dee W.
Love their pizza - I love that when I'm on a low carb diet, they have their sausage crust pizza. It's always great and filling - perfect deep dish! One of the best deep dish pizza joints in Chicago - just had their Lou special yesterday - yum!! Spinach/mushroom/sausage/sliced tomatos - divine!
(4)Kristen D.
I'm not a fan of this pizza. It's way to cheesy and the crust is pretty limp. (granted I'm not a stuffed pizza person in the first place). At times the pizza has been way to greasy to eat.
(2)A.S. V.
One of Chicago's oldest and best pizza chains, you're guaranteed the same quality of service and food as their original location. It's a matter of opinion who's pizza is best, but this is in my top five.
(4)Dan B.
I'm a huge Lou Malnati's fan but this location for some reason seems to be the most inconsistent. Sauce at Lou's is a big issue cause after the pizza comes out fresh the sauce evaporates pretty fast and becomes dry. At this location their pizza seems to have less sauce than most Lou's locations. I know weird observation but I've had a pizza here a few times and it was the same result. The only time I remember it being awesome was when I was drunk so who knows how good it really was. The suburb locations seem to get it right on a consistent basis and the one downtown is solid as well.
(4)Simon J.
I am actually not a fan of Lou's deep dish at all. I think the sauce is too sweet and ends up making the pizza taste weird. For deep dish I go to Giordano's. That said, Their thin crust pizza is some of the best I have ever had. The GF and I love coming to this location on a weekday/night for a good pizza. Also, we always end up with the same waitress who just sends out good vibes in general. She is polite without being disingenuous and attentive without being intrusive. This is the kind of service we really appreciate so she always gets a decent tip. They lose half a star for lack of good deep dish and another half because I used to work for them catering when I was 15 and my boss was a prick. Definitely try the thin crust though.
(4)Sarah Z.
I have to agree with whoever said that this location is inconsistent. Not enough tomato sauce on the deep dish. Service isn't very friendly, either.
(3)Erin B.
It's no secret that I don't like pizza. This pizza though, after hearing all the great reviews about it, made me sad! I agree with previous reviews that there is way too much cheese, and the crust tasted bland at best. Luckily I ordered cheese ravioli, and that was way much better than the pizza I had tried. There are a million better pizza options in the city. If you're looking for ravioli though, the cheese is the way to go here!
(2)Eric D.
This place was suggested by a date I was with after our ice skating plans were canceled. I'm glad she did because the pizza was pretty darn good. I know there's an in town rivalry between Giordano's and Lou's, but I can't choose. If this place was close I'd probably get it more often.
(4)Little Miss Sunshine B.
Yum.. Right now I am craving the spinach and cheese bread... Again I say, yum.
(5)Melissa H.
I love Chicago style pizza and since I live here it's even more fitting that I mail my friends and family these delicious pizzas. My sister in CA gets most of them. Call 1-800-Lou-To-Go! They offer pizza packages and right now have a taste of Chicago package that includes a little of EVERYTHING!
(4)Ellen M.
Always a great Pizza, This location is one of the best, However, They are not open for lunch, Parking is dificult but worth it, Lou's will always be in our Pizza rotation.
(4)Alexandra T.
They make a crustless pizza!!! I've loved Lou Malnati's since the days when I could still eat wheat. I think it is hands down the best deep dish in this town. And though I have sworn off pork products, I will eat this sauage, cheese and sauce creation. It is not every day the gluten-intolerant get to eat pizza! Or at least pizza that they don't have to make themselves. Such a tasty meal with or without crust!
(5)Angela S.
Fantastic pizza, if you don't over-do it. One piece of the The Lou (all veggies) is just about all I can handle. I don't like it second day though- the crust gets pretty soggy. This is a pizza best enjoyed HOT! Of the real Chicago deep dish pizzas this is one of my favorites.
(4)Hayden J.
Since I moved to Chicago a month ago, I have been searching for my favorite deep dish pizza. And at the moment, Lou Malnati's is my favorite. I ordered a basic pepperoni (which has been my criteria with all the pizza joints I have already checked out). The pepperoni was nicely blended with the cheesy topping with fresh tomatoes and a crust that wasn't soggy but nice and crispy. On top of that, the restaurant provided great service. Congratulations Lou for being my favorite deep dish in the city (so far).
(5)Kallai S.
the best pizza! i can eat their pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!
(5)daniel w.
I finally tried this deep dish pizza that everyone is talking about. It's so good! I had my first deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's since it came highly recommended by my friends. It was great! Can't wait to try some other pizza joints in the city.
(4)Timoteo B.
delicious. tasty. superb. still not has good as chicago style pizza i had in san diego, but was still very satisfied with the pizza. great service, funny waitress. got kicked out because my buddy passed out in the bathroom with his pants around his ankles. still very understanding service, despite being a family joint.
(4)Nico M.
I am a thin crust lover in a deep dish world. Whenever I order pizza it is always thin crust. I recommended loumalnatis saturday night with two of my friends for dinner because of something i had seen on the foodnetwork about it earlier this year. Soo we went, the wait was 35 minutes, they had pizza on the counter for people to eat while they waited, however a guy was hovering over it and my curiousity to taste what they had for sample quickly dwindled. The guy kept going back, hovering and getting slices. I liked that we could order our food while we were waiting. We ordered a large thin crust with spinach(mixed with olive oil garlic and onions), onions and mushrooms. We were totally hungry, and decided to get an appetizer which was the spinach stuffed bread(very small) and was just enough for each one of us to have a lil single piece. So we didnt know it was that small and were going to order sumthing else but then the pizza came. I liked that the waitress served us each our first piece. We were all so hungry that we automatically dug in. It was extremely hot! we all burned ourselves at the same time. sooo the quality of the pizza... i must say i enjoyed it. I liked the fresh ingredients, though it seemed like it needed more basil or garlic or something. the 2 friends agreed. soo overall, lou's was "Aight" nothing spectacular for me. but a nice evening with two close friends is always great.
(3)John D.
lou's is top 3 chicago pizza
(5)Lulu Y.
I got a personal pan pizza to-go from this place. Excellent pizza for less than $10 bucks. The "Lou" pizza really hit the spot. The tomatos tasted fresh and the cheese was full of yummy gooeyness.
(4)Mindy S.
Lou Malnati's is my favorite deep dish in Chicago! The food gets 5 stars, but I have to give it 4 because of the small restaurant at this location, and the hour wait I had to endure the other night. The plus is you can pre-order your pizza so by the time you sit down it's just about ready and there's no more waiting. The chocolate chip cookie is also delicious so save room.
(4)Oona B.
i love the idea to create a large sausage patty that encompasses the whole pizza! yummy!
(4)Melinda B.
The classic deep dish I dream about in Thin Crust, soy latte loving San Francisco. I yearn for you, Lou!
(4)Lynn M.
Good pizza and great customer service to boot. When we were missing one of our dessert pizzas from our order, a manager quickly dispatched another driver to bring us the missing item. Great thin pizza and cheesy sticks and a friendly staff.
(4)elizabeth n.
Although their delivery is not as good as dining in the restaurant, Lou Malnati's has fantastic pizza. The thin crust is buttery and flavorful and the thick crust and stuffed crust pizzas are delicious as well. If you are planning on ordering in from Lou Malnati - you may want to dine in instead.
(4)Tom Z.
I still have Lou's programmed in my phone, and I live in San Francisco. Enough said.
(5)Jason Z.
This is the BEST pizza I have had so far in Chicago. The sauce is amazing, the tomato chunks in the sauce is amazing and the pizza is amazing. Everyone that has come to visit me in Chicago has been taken here. I have eaten many pizza's in Chicago but this one exceeds the rest. It's like eating Lay's. You can't eat just one. If I could give this place 100 stars I would!
(5)Monica M.
When I first moved to Chicago, this was where I got my first taste of Chicago style pizza. We had The Lou which was really good. I tried the butter crust, but I'm not a fan. Ordering from here whether it's for delivery or picking up is fairly quick and the pizza is still hot with gooey melty cheese.
(4)Lauren C.
absolutely love the lou. "Fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese" now, that's my kind of pizza eatins. make sure you get it with the buttery crust. i can see how all of the flavors could make one sick because the cheese is so rich. deeelicious!
(4)Kristin A.
I know that everyone always raves about their pizza, but I think it's greasy and I always feel sick when I'm done eating. Maybe it's because I eat too much, but it is WAY too greasy. I do, however, enjoy their cookie pizza. It comes out baked fresh with ice cream and whipped cream on top. Yum. Save room for dessert.
(3)Mark P.
Butter crust was nice. But actual toppings, sauce, and cheese were a soggy combo.
(3)Joe S.
As far as deep dish goes, this pie is one of the best around. Snappy cornmeal butter crust is tasty, sauce has a sweet zing, and the sausage, pepperoni, and veggies are all good quality. That's probably why they are busy and people have to wait for tables. Great spinach 'za, the sausage crust isn't my thing but I know people who love it. Service can be slow, they're often shorthanded, but it's a very good pie. I'm not a huge fan of deep dish, maybe two or three times a year, but you can't go wrong with Lou's.
(4)m c.
very mediocre- i would rank it a distant third to art of pizza, then gino's. i haven't had giordano's yet, but the sauce was bland, the crust tasteless, and the sausage kind of gross. nevermind, i was going to give it a three, but think will go w/two.
(2)Toshi I.
No visit to Chi-town is complete without indulging in deep dish pizza. You have choices here. Giordano's (great), Gino's East (more touristy) and I don't know why I have never yelped Lou Malnati's. This is hands down the best deep dish. It's consistently good regardless of the location you order from. Our timing was lucky and our wait short. Service was friendly and it just felt like home here. I tell everyone that Lou Malnati's is a must if they visit Chicago.
(5)Janelle H.
This is my second time here and I left just as satisfied as my first. I actually called in my order for dine-in and was accommodated. When I arrived, the hostess knew exactly who I was and seated immediately. Our server was very helpful and checked back with us several times to see if we needed anything. She even saw me about to grab another slice myself and rushed over like one of the tennis ball boys at Wimbledon to get it for me. LOL The flavor of our deep dish cheese pizza was good and the crust was crunchy. I also recommend getting the stuffed spinach bread. The busboys also anticipated when we would be done so they could clear our plates. Overall, I had a great experience. I will be back and o recommend to anyone!
(4)Darren B.
Growing up I was surrounded by Lou Malnati's, yet Giordano's was my favorite for deep dish and thin crust (Chi-town's thin crust is vastly underrated). I still love my Gio's and have even transported some back to Austin, but I have to say in recent years it's Lou's that I crave more when I'm back in town. This location is just footsteps away from my old stomping grounds at DePaul and it's one of their best. You may notice a difference in consistency between locations. My dad and I came in for a pie and while they were busy inside, we got seated right away. Sometimes they'll have a thin crust pizza at the front desk that you can grab a square or triangle of while you wait for a seat. On my most recent visit this was not the case unfortunately. I went with the Goose Island Matilda which is a Belgian style pale ale. It was pretty good. We got an order of wings which were great. We did a mix of both the buffalo and honey bbq sauces. I prefer the buffalo, but felt like getting a variety. There is a good amount of meat on them which is always appreciated. We sat outside for our pizza. I could go into detail about it, but instead, I think the pictures speak for themselves. *Chicago Native Tip: Whatever you do, do not order the personal pizzas. They are not at all the same.
(4)Monica T.
Hands down one of the best deep dish pizza we had in a long time!! (well, to be fair, we live in NYC, so we have access to limited deep dish).. We were seated at the bar with no reservation for Saturday lunch. We ordered an order of Buffalo wings, and a medium Chicago Classic. The wings were really tender and moist with some fancy Gorgonzola dips. Pizza was delicious! I like that the crust weren't that thick, but it was packed with toppings (cheese, tomato sauce, sausages...), yum! The whole meal come up to be about $35bucks and we were stuffed for a long time...Note, pizza takes about 30minutes to cook, so be prepared to wait...or plan ahead
(5)Conor M.
The Lou or the Chicago Classic!!!!!!! This place is crowded which can be a challenge, but the food is amazing.
(5)Autumn A.
The creamy garlic salad dressing was amazing but I almost cried when I tasted the pizza. Wonderful garlicy tomatoey cheesy goodness. The crust is crispy but feels home made. So wonderful. It's what you imagine pizza should be. Great first piece of Chicago pizza!
(5)Kathryn S.
My daughter and I ordered pizza, pasta, and two diet Cokes and waited over an hour and when it was delivered we got real Cokes, not the meatless sauce for the pasta we ordered, and the pizza toppings were incorrect. How difficult can this be? My daughter called the Lou Malnati location, was placed on hold 3 times because she was disconnected three times, and finally called got a manager and said how are you going to fix this? They said we'll have a new order to you in 20 minutes. We'll see.
(3)Lewis B.
We had Giordano's fatigue so finally gave Lou Manalti's a chance, and wondered why we are here before. The ambience is like any other pizza place, loud, busy, lots of utensils clashing. But the food, it's so amazing. There's a reason why it has such good reviews. Service is fast.
(5)Jorge R.
OMG! I am 'mostly' vegetarian, and I am glad I decided to break that preference for this pizza! First time having deep dish and this is what most people talked about...for a good reason!
(5)Julie Y.
Whats there not to like about a good Chicago style deep dish pizza!? First time I came here they were having a private event so ended up not being able to get in so came a couple weekends after and had to wait a good 40 mins but it was worth it! The nice part is while you put your name in for the table you can order whatever youre going to get so that its pretty much ready and there when you sit down! While we were waiting we grabbed a couple drinks next door..Since their bar obviously had no seats. When the table was ready they actually called me when the table was ready and we ran over! I really dont think i need to get into any details about the pizza because its a Chicago style deep dish.. So good can never go wrong but one or max 2 slices is all i could eat! Nice cute spot to take a date I would not recommend this place for large groups since its so small. Good service.. Good food.. def a fan of this place!
(4)Lillian C.
I am not crazy about it. It was ok. I ordered the classic "buttercrust" pizza with extra cheese and lean sausage because I was told by my server this is the classic, and most popular option. Popular means it must be good right? I mean, pizza as a whole is fairly popular and it's pretty darn good. Even bad pizza is still pretty good (I don't think I've met a pizza I've fully written off). I admit I was hesitant about trying deep dish and adding a deep dish place to my itinerary. I am all about the crust. The crust makes or breaks a pizza. the major distinguishing point in a deep dish is how the crust is made (recipe) and how its formed, altering flavors, textures, etc. But I wanted to give deep dish the chance and researched the heck out deep dish. I automatically knocked off the really popular national chains like Uno's. I read the differences between places and knocked out places that do the two layer stuff. I love buttery rich crusts and Lou's gets pretty rave reviews, so I picked this location to pop my deep dish cherry. I have to say, I did not like how crunchy and dry this crust was. I was imagining something more tender but still crisp like a detroit style pizza. Instead, it was like comparable to the crust of a quiche. What really killed it for me was how bland the sauce was. I was looking forward to some intense tomato notes, bright, zingy, maybe a bit peppery, and mine just tasted like just canned tomatoes plopped on top. The cheese- eh, the sausage, bland. No little caramelized bits on the cheese with textural contrast, just molten mozz. I think it was part skim too because it wasn't as creamy as whole milk mozz. I do prefer this over the abomination that is new york pizza (floppy, sloppy, bland crust and minimal cheese and sauce, kill it with fire!) but I'll rather be eating at Costco. Better yet, why is no one talking about Detroit Pizza? It seriously is my favorite pizza. Skip deep dish, skip new york, risk getting jumped to have pizza worth getting jumped for! PS: garden salad is pretty good to say the least! Love the dressing, I'd tell them to put it on the side though because mine was drowning in dressing that I accidentally flicked vinegar into my eye chowing down on a very wet salad!
(3)Crystal T.
Really great service, delicious pizza, cute space, all-around wonderful. I recommend the "Lou!" Had a great time here. Yayayay.
(5)Evan B.
Not only did locals recommend this place but Yelp was dead on as well. * Very friendly staff and attentive service. Went around 7 on a Wed and had no wait * Somewhat awkward that they serve you salad and pizza one slice at a time. I guess that's your thing but as an East Coaster I'm used to pulling my own weight. Not docking a star though. * Pizza with sausage and green peppers was heavenly. Thick crunchy crust held the ingredients very well. * Definitely lived up to our expectations of deep dish Chicago pizza. Go check it out!
(5)Sean R.
Damn good pizza!!! I'm an east coast thin pizza lover and I can honestly say this was a great pie!!! Also ordered the house salad, the Italian dressing was a little sweet, but quite good! Veggies were fresh too! Can't wait to go back for seconds!!!
(5)Chloe T.
The crust is delicious! I come all the time. After being in New York for awhile, nothing beats Chicago pizza! They also offer gluten free for those who need it! The butter crust is the best part :)
(5)Tyler T.
My friend and I came here for pizza and there was a bit of a wait. Luckily they gave out some flat pizza to help stave the hunger for those who were waiting in line. We ended up ordering a small Sausage pizza and it was more than both of us could finish. The pizza was delicious, with an amazing combination of crunchy to soft textures in the pizza, and toppings and fillings that were rich and flavorful. The combination of them together made the pizza all that much more delicious. Overall a great pizza place that I would love to go back to again if I'm in the area.
(5)Matt Y.
Sister was in town and wanted to feed her some deep dish. Couldn't think of a better place than Lou Malnati's. We arrived at 4 pm to beat the crowd and boy was that the right decision. As we were leaving, the line was out the door and the wait seemed like it would be forever. We were seated quick and our server was more than helpful in recommendations and making sure that our waters were topped off with every pass she made. Between the two of us, we ordered a small Malnati's Classic and an order of the Combination Platter. We anxiously awaited the pizza. The appetizer came first. All I can say is deep fried GOODNESS! Mozzarella sticks, cheddar cubs, mushrooms and zucchini all breaded and fried to crispy perfection. The breading was nice and crispy. Didn't feel too heavy and greasy as some fried foods can feel when fried wrong. Finally... the pizza comes. Golden bubbly perfection. The butter crust is simply AMAZING. Sauce was nice and hearty with just the right amount of spices. The only complaint that I could possibly have about the pizza was that the cheese did not seem to have melted enough. Almost felt as though it sat in a window for a brief period to as where the cheese had solidified. Overall, Excellent food and service. This is the place to go if seeking a delectable deep dish pizza.
(4)Tim S.
Waitress never came around to see if we wanted a second round of drinks, just brought us our check then left it sitting on the table despite payment being placed in the check presenter while our water glasses went dry. I took advantage of a quarter filled jug of water to whet our whistle. Thanks for the (non exsistant) pleasant good bye as we left your establishment, seems that conversation the two employees was far too engrossing to look up. Oh, and the food... Meh at best.
(2)Tiffany H.
Pretty standard deep dish Chicago pizza. I am still a fan of Giordano's, so maybe it's just blind brand loyalty that makes me think it's not much above standard. Decently priced and standard service. No disappointments, but not impressed. OH! Highly recommend calling ahead with your order. They don't have call ahead seating, but even with a 30min wait, calling ahead gets your pizza to you right away and helps avoid the additional 45min wait.
(3)Libby W.
Whenever I come to Chicago to visit my friend, we order pizza from Lou Malnati's. I gotta get that Chicago Style Deep Dish while I'm there. So we order the deep dish style, and a side of garlic bread to be delivered. When we called, they said it would be about 45 minutes to an hour. So we decided to go down to the corner CVS and get some pop to go with the pizza. It took about an hour exactly for the pizza to arrive and when it got to her place the box was so hot I could barely hold it! They literally must have JUST pulled it from the oven. So we go back upstairs to her place and open the box and the heat and steam from the pizza was as if we just opened the oven door, lol. So we let it sit for a minute and cool down a bit. We ordered a deep dish, easy on the sauce, and pepperoni. It looked amazing when we opened the box. Of course you can't just eat that type of pizza with your hands like normal pizza (at least without looking like a neanderthal!) So we each took a piece and cut into it. I went to put it in my mouth and the pizza was still piping hot! So we must have let it sit a good 5-10 minutes before actually eating it. Guess that's a great sign it's fresh, eh? The sauce and crust are very sweet. Not like your typical buttery, salty crust. It's very sweet, as if sugar is definitely an ingredient. The sauce appears homemade with chunks of tomato and other ingredients in it. The garlic bread, was the same bread/dough as the pizza and between the sweet flavor and the garlic, I wasn't really a fan. In fact, it was all kind of bland, to be honest. It was good though, and although it was okay, I'll probably want to try something different next time I'm in town.
(3)Gavin P.
Holy hell this is good! Gluten free option: sausage crust deep dish. It's not as deep as a normal deep dish since sausage crust isn't as strong as bread, but its still very delicious and VERY filling. I definitely need to go back and try out the rest of their menu!
(5)Roger C.
In California, we don't have deep dish pizza. We have places that try to imitate deep dish the best they can. This place was suggested to me by a family member who lives in Chicago, and I had to give it a try to get the real authentic "Chicago deep dish pizza" I always hear about. Needless to say, I was very impressed. The first time I ate here, my wife and I got two personal deep dish pizzas, some garlic bread and the cookie pizza for desert. Garlic bread was amazing, and the pizza was really good as well. The pizza cookie? Not so much. It was a bit over cooked and burned, so it was ok. I've had better pizza cookies else where. The service was prompt, and the bar tender was on point all night, never letting my glass get empty. All in all? Great dine in experience. The second time I ate here, my wife and I did carry out as we missed the cut off for dining room options. We ordered a thin crust this time around, just to see how it was and once again, bread sticks. The thin crust pizza was delicious, and I was able to finish almost the whole thing. The garlic bread was once again amazing, and I feel like I actually got more garlic bread with take out than I did in store. All in all? Great to-go experience! I'll be here again next time I find myself in Chicago.
(4)Tim Y.
Had an wonderful dining experience at Lou Malnati's in Lincoln Park. This quiet, plain-old dining room delivers some great food! I probably don't need to add another Yelp review, but took a few pictures to share. Went there on a Friday night with two other people. We waited about 10 minutes for a table. The place was lively, but not overcrowded. Ordered a large mushroom and sausage pizza and a Chicken BBQ Club Salad. I have always had the Lou Malnati salad, but thought I would try something new. A few minutes later the Chicken BBQ Club Salad arrived. It was a beautifully executed salad. Salad a chopped into bite sized pieces, the creamy dressing already tossed, crispy salami, ample chicken and cheese. Enough for three people getting the smaller portion at $7.85. This would also make a great lunch for one person. How many times have you ordered a salad, wishing for more toppings, too much lettuce, too boring, plain, or just not that good? This was none of the above! Now let's talk pizza. This is one of my favorites in Chicago. The large is enough for four people. Each slice was made with love, and the butter crust remained crispy after being served and still after the meal was over. A filling meal, made with just the right sweetness in the sauce. I will be back!
(5)Clara A.
Every summer, I go to Chicago, and every first meal is usually pizza from Lou Malnalti's! The wait is the worst part.. It's as if I'm completely starved each time I'm at LM's waiting for a pizza! At least you know it's all made to order.. I love the butter crust.. I mean, is there really any other way to eat a pizza crust?? I love deep dish pizza and I think Lou Manalti's does it best! The cheese is so thick and oozey, they have a lot of meat, the perfect amount!! The servers are so friendly and knowledgable and very attentive! Always a reason to come back to any establishment.. Keep up the great service!
(4)Kathy R.
I really enjoy getting Lou's pizza when I go to my hometown, Chicago! If I am in mood for deep dish! When I want thin crust, Aurelio's (hands down) is the place to go! The only negative with Lou's is that it has too much sausage filling and it seems like it's too pricey! I got a small with sausage and pepperoni and it was 15.75!! Well, that's Chicago! Still yummy!
(4)Navi R.
I'm not a Pizza fan, but Lou Malnati's have me convinced that I could come back here again. It was my first time trying a deep dish pizza and I'm pleasantly surprised to say that I liked it more than I thought it would. It wasn't too cheesy or overwhelmingly full of suave but a hearty balance between sauce, meat, cheese, and crust. Though I will have to say, my favorite thing here was the BBQ chicken salad. Typically ingredients like any other place but it was delish! I kept reaching for more and so did everyone else at the table. Tip - order less than you think you need. I was there with 9 other co workers and seriously, at the end of dinner, it looks like we barely ate anything yet everyone was filled to the brim. But hey, there's no such thing like this in Seattle! So we have a perfectly acceptable excuse. :)
(4)P 3.
Good pizza. A little thinner and "drier" dough than other deep dish places, but the pizza is good. The family size salad is HUGE - so be aware. Good place, nice service. Would go again.
(4)Sarah A.
So when in Chicago one has to try deep dish Chicago pizza. My friend recommended this place and it did not disappoint. We lucked into a perfect Chicago weekend so sat outside which was awesome. We got a small pepperoni and mushroom with a salad which was the perfect amount of food. Both pizza and salad were great. The pizza is very filling though so I wouldn't be able to eat a lot of it, but it was tasty. The pizzas do take awhile so this is not the place to come if you are in a rush. Since we didn't gorge ourselves on pizza we also ordered the cookie sundae which was basically a giant cookie with ice cream and whipped cream on top. Can I say delicious?!?! Don't eat too much pizza and save room for this!
(5)Try4Gold ..
Bland sauce slopped over a plastic cardboard crust lacking cheese in gapping areas. But it was served hot.
(1)Mindy D.
Call ahead for take-out and give yourself plenty of time. It takes at least 30 minutes for a pizza, even a personal size one. The restaurant doesn't close until 10pm on a Friday night, but they stop seating at 9pm. Luckily, they were nice enough to let us enjoy our planned take-out pizza in the dining area. We weren't hungry, but eating a Chicago deep-dish was a must during our short visit to the Windy City. We asked some locals at a Cubs game where to the best deep dish is. They said Lou Malnati's without contest. Then I asked my friend, and the answer was... you guessed it, Lou's. I can't remember which pizza we ordered, but it was delicious! The crust was perfectly crispy without being too thick and the ratio of toppings to cheese to crust was spot on. With us not being too hungry, the personal size pizza was just the right amount with 4 small slices. Deep-dish pizzas are much more filling to begin with! At the entrance, they sell their frozen pizzas for pickup and some sauces. It looks like you can order them online to be shipped wherever you are. I am now tempted to order one, and not a personal size this time ;)
(5)Mike S.
Lou Malnatti's pizza is one of my favorite deep dish pizzas in the city. Their butter crust is fantastic. When I go to the restaurant I always have to get the Malnattis salad with their delicious salad dressing, salami, and cheese. This location had a longer than average wait time for an early Sunday afternoon. This partly was due to Sunday Church crowd but also due to relatively minimal seating inside the restaurant.
(4)Mariya V.
Hands down, the best deep dish pizza you will ever have. I love the pepperoni deep dish pizza. The sauce is amazing and the crust is perfect. I love coming here with my girlfriends and splitting a salad and a pizza. The salads are great too!
(5)Doug S.
Simply great pizza! Being from Nebraska (but having a heart for Chicago) we had to try one of the city's top pizza joints. We searched many of the top restaurants, but the location of this one (to Wrigley) made it the best choice by far. The place was fairly busy when we arrived, so we got a table outside and we were very pleased with the view and the service. With any deep dish pizza there is going to be a little bit of a wait, but it was totally worth it. We had the Malnati's Chicago Classic, and I can tell why it is classic. A seemingly simple pizza with sausage, cheese and tomatoes, this guy is packed with flavor! We got a large so we could bring some home to share, and the scent of the leftover pizza filled our hotel room, from the refrigerator, with it's garlic - buttery goodness. We are definitely going back next we are in town, and it is great they have freezers stocked with pizzas you can take home and cook(and share with other people from Nebraska).
(4)Rob C.
Thick crust pepperoni was great. Thin crust sausage was pretty good. House salad with house red wine vinaigrette was also great. Wait staff was attentive and helpful... Serving each slice of pizza. Restaurant was comfortable and quaint. A good find for us out-of-towners.
(5)Keith D.
Outstanding pizza, the crust and sauce was over the top. We really enjoyed their house salad.
(5)Alexander M.
Born and raised in Chicago, I have had a lot of different experiences with "Chicago Style Pizza". I have ordered from several different locations, but the one in Lincoln Park is currently the closest to my house. This has become a Sunday ritual. The crust, sauce, cheese and toppings make the overall flavor several stars above the rest. I have eaten Pizzeria Uno, Due, Gino's East, Pequod's, Giordano's, Bacino's, Edwardo's and D'Agostino's to say a few. However, none of those compare to giving you the true taste of what Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is supposed to be. This is hands down, the best in Chicago. (As far as the best Thin Crust Pizza, there's better. Check my other reviews for that winner)
(5)Alexandra H.
The interior is nothing special--except for the sign that says "Chicago Pizza. No Kale, No Sprouts, No Peanut Sauce, No Tofu."--but the pizza is what dreams are made of! As a girl who can typically "hold her own,"--that's my nice way of saying "I am capable of eating a large pizza by myself in one sitting"--two pieces of deep dish cheese pizza and a bite of spinach cheese bread did me, and the two grown men I was with, in. Lou's has everything you're looking for in a Chicago deep dish: borderline excessive amounts of cheese, a light yet chunky tomato sauce and a buttery, flaky crust. Our bill for 4 people was about $30 for a spinach bread, a large deep dish pizza & a big cookie with ice cream. Pretty amazing. Let's just say it's probably a good thing I live in Minneapolis, because they also deliver.
(4)Kate U.
Lou Malnati's is the BEST deep-dish pizza in Chicago. I've had Giordano's and trust me, they can not compete with the crust that Lou Malnati's has. The crust and the quality of ingredients is what keeps me coming back. I honestly just get a cheese or a pepporoni & susage pizza and that is all you need. Simple is key here, the veggies will water down the pizza. If you're dining in, keep in mind the wait here on a Friday or Saturday night can be a little long because it is a small restaurant. They're usually pretty nice and will have out some appetizers for the people waiting for a table that are hungry and smelling the deliciousness. This restaurant itself is pretty small, but intimate. I come here because I live on the northside and it's very convenient to just call in a pizza order and pick it up. Keep in mind that if you're waiting at a table it will take 30-45 minutes to make the pizza so I would advise getting a salad to share or breadsticks. Only thing I'd say is because it's so small (and usually really packed) it gets quite loud on the weekends, and difficult to hear the people in your party. Not much they can do about that though. Enjoy!
(4)Man Y.
I had heard from multiple people that this is the place to have Chicago style deep dish pizza! So on my visit, I made it a point to try this place out. Through no fault of their own, I was not impressed. The fact is, the crust is like a thick pie crust, but I like my pizza more bread-like. So although I'm sure that this is a great place for Chicago style deep dish, and I'm glad I went, I won't be going back.
(3)Alex L.
First day ever in Chicago so this was my first ever deep dish pizza. Had a half pepperoni and sausage half cheese pizza. It was so substantial. I ate three pieces and was full. The service was friendly and efficient.
(5)Richard R.
Quality of ingredients seemed subpar... like as if I ordered pizza at a Denny's. I don't get why this place has so many fans. Maybe it varies by location? Staff and service was good on the bright side.
(2)Sean B.
What else can I say? It's touristy, but it's the best! Whether it's thin crust or deep dish, the pizza is amazing! The sauce is the best in Chicago that I've tried (I've tried a LOT). The toppings are fantastic, and it's not overwhelmed with cheese like Giordano's. When I visit home, Lou's is where I will go. I like it a smudge better than Pequod's, which is also amazing. As much as I hate saying this... TOURIST'S YOU BETTER GO HERE! This IS Chicago pizza!
(5)Michaela F.
Love Lou's pizza- but the service here is terrible. The hostess and manager were over seating and not communicating which resulted in waiting much longer for a table. Additionally while waiting for a table they told us to go to to the bar and from there we were asked to leave because they use the bar for seating- which was clearly contradictory. I will not be returning to this location. New staff is needed. The manager knew we were very unhappy and did nothing to help resolve or apologize for the problem/inconvenience.
(2)Patrick P.
Lou Malnati's has THE BEST deep dish pizza in the city. No other compares. The Malnati Salad is extremely addicting as well. This location is cute and convenient, and the waitstaff is always extremely well mannered! Get there early though, this location is smaller than most and has limited seating. The wait could be lengthy.
(5)Denise L.
Always a big question: Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. I bought two in the same night and taste tested them. Lou Malnati's by a landslide. Their well-balanced and meaty pizza got me good. I'm never a fan of pizza crust, but I can deal with theirs. Not too much cheese like Giordano's. A must try when in Chicago!
(4)Liz R.
People are nice! Good service. Okay food - NEVER ORDER THE FISH. Tastes like freezer. But the spinach/cheese bread appetizer is great.
(3)Sarah B.
This was my first time having deep dish pizza so not sure how helpful my review will be. The service was great. Our pizza came out hot and fresh. Of course on a Saturday night this place is super busy. I would call ahead. We waited for about 45 mins before we got our table and then awhile longer to order and awhile longer to actually get our food. Call ahead. But the wait gave us a chance to hit up the bar. Great place to go with friends after a long work week.
(4)Alexis T.
Ordered a take away deep dish tonight. Found it to be pleasant but not an abundance of flavor. The sauce needs some oregano and maybe a little more basil to add some flavor and depth. So a decent deep dish pizza at an okay price.
(3)Kendal P.
Loved this place! It was a nice walk from Days Inn and just the spot I wanted for good pizza and beer. Loved the IPA and both personal Chicago-style pizzas were delish. The portions are just right. The Lou was tasty but I preferred the other Chicago-style specialty: the Classic (or something - can't remember the name!). The restaurant had plenty of patrons at 9:30pm on a Sunday but the atmosphere was relatively quiet and low key. Great for a casual dinner date or meet-up with friends. Highly recommend!
(5)Victoria G.
Very nice place and pizza was good as always. Convenient location if you are going to see Million Dollar Quartet show.
(4)C P.
Our first authentic Chicago-style pizza. I've always wondered which is better...New York or Chicago style pizza? Sorry Chicagoans (is that a word?) but New York style will win the debate! We ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic, sausage, extra cheese and tomatoes on a butter crust. The sausage was bland but a generous amount, sausage lined ths entire crust. The tomatoes were fresh. The crust was thick and crispy, but tasteless. The cheese was too thick! And tasteless. I mean even cheap pizza is good but I expected more from Chicago style pizza since there is volume...more places to add flavor. Well thicker isnt always better. I will say the wait was not bad. They are packed and they have a great process of allowing the patron to order pizza after your name goes on the waiting list. It was only 15 minutes after we were seated and we got our pizza!
(3)Margaret Z.
Can't visit Chicago without getting a taste of authentic deep dish pizza! We started with the stuffed spinach and cheese bread, which comes out in a small loaf. Each loaf will feed about 2-4 people. It was DELICIOUS - very moist, gooey cheese, and generous amounts of spinach. It takes approximately 30 to 45 mins for the pizza come out and you have an option of various sizes. The menu is deceiving because it says a large will feed 4 people, but there are 8 slices. In my party of 8, we ordered 2 pies and had a ton of leftovers. I would definitely recommend the Lou if you're a veggie lover because it's packed with spinach and tomatoes. I personally liked the meat one better - there's a generous layer of sausage over the entire pie and you can add even more toppings. Crust was doughy with a very crisp edge... my guilty pleasure. Only complaint is that the service is kind of snooty and rude and the tables in the back are squished a little too closely together for my comfort.
(4)Joey K.
Being from Wisconsin, I am no stranger to cheese and beer. Add in the fact I live in Green Bay, I felt it necessary to try some serious Chicago Style pizza after all the Bear v Packer games. I even opened up a forum on my Facebook page asking my Chicago friends where to go. The most popular was Lou Malnati's and it did not disappoint! I ordered a triple pepperoni (or roni-roni-roni per the receipt) and sausage Lou style pizza. I honestly don't know how I will ever eat another restaurants pizza again. Or not live in Chicago for that matter. I want-nay NEED to drive back soon to enjoy the roni-roni-roni. Our server/bartender was the man-let us sit back at the bar and take it all in. Overall very courteous and gave us good recommendations for local beers. Thanks!
(5)Rafael Q.
This place never disappoints. Great environment and great service.
(5)Kelly C.
Lou Malnati's has a unique approach to deep dish pizza - the thick butter crust then piled with cheese and toppings. This is different than Giordano's or Edwardo's - not better or worst, more a matter of personal preference. When ordering, I highly recommend getting veggies and/or meat - plain cheese can be overwhelming with the sheer amount of cheese with any deep dish style. This location, recently renovated, has a nice updated casual space to dine-in with friendly service. Carry-out is the main focus, but don't overlook it for a good place to sit down for pizza.
(4)Bill F.
My wife and I heard great things about this pizza in advance of a birthday day trip. The stakes were high as many claimed Lou Malnati's would dethrone Giordano's in our hearts as our favorite Chicago deep dish. I will say this...I'm glad we tried LM's famous buttercrust deep dish but the Big G is still safe as #1 for us. The upside...pizza was very cheesy and crust was crunchy. Spinach salad was a nice warm up and the atmosphere was lovely. Went for lunch on a Saturday and got seated right away. Downside...the crust, as some have mentioned here, is quite bland. Tastes like Melba toast and my wife suspected from the crunchiness it might have been frozen and then un-thawed too quickly. Could use a little garlic and salt. Not enough tomatoes for our taste either. To each their own, but for my money it's Giordano's next time.
(3)Lindsey M.
It's true, hands down best deep dish in the city. But what was awesome was we walked in 45 mins to closing on a Tuesday night which if you've ever worked in a restaurant/bar you know thats a really asshole thing to do - especially when the pizzas take 20-30 mins to make. But props to our server, he was such a good sport and really went out of his way to make us feel welcome.
(5)Janine C.
I visited Chicago over the 4th of July Weekend. This place was one of the restaurants that I got the most suggestions on to visit. This was my first time having deep dish pizza! I wasn't disappointed! We got sausage, pepperoni & mushroom. Very tasty & filling. Nice server & pleasant outside environment.
(4)Madi N.
Good pizza, horrible customer service. Bear with me for the whole story... Friday night. My husband and I are new to Chicago and my in-laws were here visiting all the way from Idaho. We called ahead to make sure we wouldn't have a crazy wait and were told that our pizza would be ready when we got there in 30 minutes. Upon arriving, we sat in the waiting room for AN HOUR with no explanation. When it was finally our turn to be seated, they started shoving bar stools around a tiny round table (for our party of SIX that included two large 6'6" men) when there was a perfectly good large table open in the corner. We asked to have to other table and the waitress rolled her eyes and rudely said "well you're gonna have to go back out and wait again." When they cleared it off we were finally seated, hoping for our pizza to arrive since at that point it had been 1 1/2 hours since we called our order in. We waited around for 20 more minutes and our waitress, sensing that we were disgruntled, came and explained that they had just put our pizza in to finish cooking. My sisters friend went and talked to one of the managers, who then came over to our table. No apology, nothing- was a total jerk being defensive about the wait, and wouldn't listen to us explaining that it had been TWO HOURS since we called. That was the last straw so we got up and walked out, still with no dinner. As we were walking across the street a different manager, George?, chased us out the door to make things right. He offered us free dinner and apologized for the situation. He was very nice but it didn't make up for the rest of it. In the end, we got our pizzas free but it was NOT worth the waste of a night and horribly rude customer service that left a bad taste in our mouth.
(2)Malo T.
Outstanding customer service, very attentive and very nice hosts and servers. The wait was not long considering it was a packed house and the pies were fantastic.I wish Los Angeles had awesome Pizza like Lou Malanati's .
(5)Spiky S.
I can't understand why this place is so celebrated. The crust is good, but that's it. The sauce and toppings are bland and soggy.
(1)Christy L.
I'm going to weigh in on the great Chicago debate: what is the best deep dish pizza in Chicago? Well, it's Lou Malnati's, hand's down. I was raised on Gino's as there wasn't a Lou's near where I grew up, but as I have dumped Gino for Lou. I had a pizza party last week, and served both pizzas side-by-side, and my friends also preferred Lou's (though still rated Gino's highly). The butter crust is delicious, and the ratio of crust to sauce to cheese is perfect. My favorite combinations are two of their signature pizzas, the Lou and the Malnati Chicago Classic. For the non-meat eaters, the Lou is loaded with fresh veggies whereas the Malnati Chicago Classic is the best sausage pizza you'll ever have. I recommend delivery during peak hours as this restaurant is fairly small and in high demand. For deep dish, I recommend ordering it un-cut to preserve the crispiness.
(5)Monique V.
Thanks but no thanks. Yes deep dish is awesome but when your pizza comes with a watery sauce and wayyyy too much cheese (talking 1 inch thick), it's more like a casserole gone wrong. I like their crust though and they have a pretty good take out service. However I definitely think there are better deep dish pizza places out there.
(3)Christina F.
I love Lou's. I really do, the crust is so good and my favorite is the sausage pizza. It's got a different taste than Giordano's-- almost to the point where I can't compare the 2. I know there's a huge rivalry between the two but just appreciate them each for their own unique beauty. I have been to several Lou locations and the pizza tastes the same, it's consistently good. It does take a good 45 minutes for the pizza to come out though so be aware of that. All in all, give it a shot if you want classic Chicago deep dish.
(4)Michelle K.
On my trip to Chicago, I gained 5lbs (give or take). Why? I was on a hunt for the Chicago's best deep dish pizza. Unfortunately, while it wasn't horrible, lou malnati's was a let down. The crust was buttery and the sauce, cheese, and toppings were nothing to write home about. The quality of the ingredients weren't horrible, but it just wasn't the best deep dish I've ever had (which, btw, is hands down little star in the bay area). Also, lou malnati's is a chain. If you really want to, you can come here, but honestly, I'd recommend trying pequod's while in Chicago.
(3)Wayne H.
Lou Malnati's is my favorite deep dish pizza in the city. I love the butter crust and the fresh tomato sauce. This is my number one go to for when out of towners want to experience a great Chicago deep dish style pizza. The best part is it can feed an army for a very low cost. This location is also great for dining. We sometimes grab a pizza from here too before the movie in the parks to have at our picnics.
(5)Lauren E.
Our server was so helpful and knowledgable about gluten free, and what we would enjoy eating. He was courteous, aware, and exceeded expectations. Plus- the food was amazing! Definitely recommend.
(5)Zack H.
After eating the Chicago Classic, I'll never let another man besides Lou inside me ever again.
(5)Tahsin I.
Came here after going to Giordano's earlier in the week and loved this place so much more. I arrived with a large group around 9pm and there was a 45min wait but they let us put in our order before while waiting to speed up the process which was great. Usually it takes 30-45 minutes for the pizzas to be done. So by the time we sat down only took about 10 minutes to get our pizza. We ended up ordering a cheese, pepperoni, sausage and i think the Chicago special? All of them mediums for about 9 people. Every slice i had was delicious but definitely too much food for all of us. They say a medium serves 2 but it's more like 3 and a half. No complaints about service it was prompt and accommodating. Our waitress doled out slices for everyone and checked back often to see if anyone needed an extra slice. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone that wants some good Chicago pizza.
(5)Tuong Vi P.
Our last night in Chicago, my baby sister and I made it a point to fill our bellies with some authentic pizza. Wandering around Lincoln Park, I found Lou Malnati's thanks to my handy Yelp app. Though I was Google-mappin' it, I did get some friendly help from the counter guy of Wells Street Popcorn. We got in and were semi-surprised at how un-divey the pizza joint was. It was quite a nice and cozy setting to enjoy a pie, so once we got settled in, we decided to order a small Malnati Chicago Classic for the two of us. The wait was somewhat lengthy, but since we were chatting about our Windy City adventures, the time flew by quickly and before we knew it, a deep dish appeared before our very eyes. Our server kindly cut out a wedge for each of us and we dived in. Really good pizza! Okay, so I'm not the biggest pizza aficionado that ever walked the Earth, but I can appreciate a good one when my mouth meets one. The crust was buttery and crispy on the edges and soft in the inside. The sauce was really well-seasoned and the sausage was the proverbial cherry on top. We were extremely stuffed, even after walking over 20,000 steps that day (yes, we are pedometer girls), and walking to the CTA station was a big of a drag with such lethargy. We slept happily that night. Go and you too shall enjoy a wonderful slumber after your body processes the carbs and calories.
(4)Sacha F.
Really amazing pizza, both deep dish as well as their gluten free option. Do not go to giordanos, this place is way better quality. Great meatballs as well! Try going on a week day as it is often packed on the weekend. :)
(4)Kendrick W.
When people talk about deep dish in Chicago, there are several names that always pop up. Lou's, Giordano's and Gino's (pizzeria uno/due as well) and usually the locals are quick to dismiss them as the best in Chicago. Lou Malnati's holds its own. Their classic deep dish with butter crust is still a winner. I may tend to avoid it because of the throngs of tourists, but if you get to the lincoln park location early enough it's not so bad. Good stuff.
(4)Rawlins R.
You have to go at the right time... I can swear I've been here more than once but Yelp only records me with one visit. Anyway, this location can get very busy as it is located in Lincoln Park. They have seating for about 40+ and also a small bar area. They have a couple TVs, artwork, yada yada. I think if you're coming to this location you know what Lou Malnati's is and you don't need an explanation. If you do need an explanation then you should ask the people you are visiting with that are from Chicago. If you are visiting by yourself and are using my review as a gauge for what to do when you come here then you just need to get the deep dish pizza. I promise you won't be disappointed. Other than that the wait staff is friendly, they will slice and serve your pizza for you. Unless you are with a large party you probably won't finish your medium or large pizza so you can get a to go box.
(4)Sheila K.
I was never a fan of chicago style deep dish pizza until Lou Malnati's. The wait was forever long! The food made up for it. We got a medium Malnati Chicago Classic and a Thin Crust pizza. 4 out of 5 of us had deep dish before and wasn't too fond of it. We came because one of us has never had deep dish. That's when all our heads turn. It was delicious! The Buttercrust on that Malnati Chicago Classic was divine. The crust stayed crunchy and the pizza was not too heavy. It was delicious! The only down side is the Marsala Flavor which I wasn't all too fond off. Next time I am going to try Lou's and hope that the wait isn't days. I wonder if you can call ahead. That would help.
(4)Kat O.
Best deep dish pizza in the world! Grew up on it and will be eating it for the rest of my life
(5)Joe S.
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! I LOVE Chicago Pizza and am totally biased!!! With that said, Lou's holds a very special place near and dear to my heart, mouth, and stomach. Everytime I visit Chicago, I hit up Lou's like a good ole' reliable and satisfying booty call from days past. Lou's never let me down...well...except that there isn't one in SoCal :( . Sausage patty layered above the crust and cheese - check. Pepperoni atop the sausage (not his sausage...but the sausage on the pie crust) - check. Sauce above the a-fore-mentioned - check. Large pitcher of Coke - check. You will either love Lou's or not like it very much at all. If you like deep dish/pan style then you'll probably love Lou's. If NY Thin is your preference and you have no desire to try anything other...then probably not the place for you. This place gets packed - especially in the summer with the patio seating overlooking Lincoln, Sheffield, and Wrightwood. Lots of Lincoln Park eye candy to take in, gorgeous Chicago summer weather, and of course people in this area know how to party and drink...and Lou's is merely steps from a great strip of bars off Lincoln!
(5)Dara B.
Their pizza is delicious. The quality of the restaurant...not so much. I just opened my pizza box to see my receipt literally baked into the pizza. Unsanitary, gross, and down right careless.
(2)Yak Y.
Yum!! Such great pizzas delivered to your door. Excellent gluten free pizzas also.. Thanks Lou!!
(5)Su L.
Pizza is fine, just standard deep dish pizza. But I'm giving 2 stars based on my subpar experience with their salads. You just can't call it a "chicken caesar salad" if all you're gonna get is a s**t ton of romaine lettuce and literally 5 pieces of chicken that are barely bigger than the croutons. Not worth the money spent.
(2)Jessica K.
I've done the gambit of Chicago shops so Lou Malnati's truly is just A-OK. Nothing about it stands out or wows me. Not from the service to the decor, the lack of ambiance or the food. I have a feeling the servers are just tired of putting on a happy "Welcome to Chicago!" kind of face and I totally get that. The menu is limited, the appetizers are tired and unimaginative and the pizza takes well over the 30 minute guesstimate time. We ordered a sausage, spinach, mushroom and tomato pizza and couldn't find the spinach in the pizza. It was more sausage and extra cheese with a sprinkling of vegetables from the bottom of a bin. Awful. And the famous butter crust wasn't as easy as it was to cut and chew as it used to be. I remember a nice soft buttery crust that didn't taste like cardboard and cut the soft palate of my mouth going down. They may have had an off day, but I'll definitely remember to never recommend this place to other people again.
(3)Billy K.
While pizza was and always delicious. The delivery person forgot one and when called was rudely told that it was on the the way without an apology or anything. When the second one got here it was cold. Was going to call and complain but why bother. Last time ordering from this location again
(1)Jessica M.
Seriously, so good! Came here after a bears game so the wait was longer than we'd of liked, but that was to be expected after a big event. We had a pepperoni and sausage deep dish and it was honestly the best pizza I've ever had in my entire life.
(5)Jason H.
You can mix up the pizza but attempt to try the original. You will be glad you did.
(4)Joel M.
Great experience and very tasty pizza. First trip to Chicago and wanted to try deep dish pizza. Was not very deep in fact later the same day we were treated to truly deep dish pizza.
(3)Adrienne T.
I'm officially a deep dish pizza fan. I've been to a few other pizza joints in Chicago and was never satisfied with my experiences. We ordered the Lou Pizza, with tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and four cheeses. Fully flavored amazing pizza. I will be back. Their tomato sauace is also fantastic. I was not able to give Lou's the full five stars because of service and lack of communication. However, I highly recommend their deep dish pizza over other pizzerias in the Chicago area.
(4)Mary D.
Growing up we used to go to Lou's after a successful basketball game win with the team to celebrate. Anyone can say they've got a deep dish pizza . But Lou malnatis delivers in quality and consistancy. Being in Cali now I can't say I've had a carb over load in years, but you best believe that when I touch down unto good ol' o'hare Lou malnati's is one of my first stops to indulge.
(5)Molly D.
I grew up in Chicagoland so I've been eating Chicago style deep dish pizza since I was probably 5 years old. I've tried them all, Uno's, Giordano's, Gino's... the list goes on. I know that every Chicago local has their favorite and will defend their deep dish pizza 'til the end but I have to say that Lou Malnati's is the very best deep dish pizza in Chicago. When we have family visit from out of town Lou's is always requested at one point of their trip. My personal favorite is a very basic pizza: either cheese or a spinach and garlic. If you are still hungry for desert, their cookie pizza with ice cream on top is also amazing. The cookie is gooey and chocolaty. If you're like me and you order here a lot, it is worth it to get a Deep Dish Dough card for no additional charge. You can rack up points and eventually get money off your next order on certain days of the week. Also, one thing to be prepared for is that these pizzas take more time to cook than a traditional thin crust. Make sure you order before you are starving because you will have time to work up an appetite (especially if you're getting it delivered).
(5)Jeremy H.
I was visiting here with a couple of friends and this place was recommended by our boat tour guide. We were welcomed with an estimated wait time of 20-30 mins... But that turned out to be over an hour, but it's not that big of a deal for a Saturday night. As for the pizza, I was a bit worried at first since they offered free samples at the waiting area and I disliked the sauce ( I prefer a pizza sauce that is way less sweet). Thankfully, there was not that much sauce on the pizza we ordered (can't remember the name of the pizza we ordered - probably because of the wrigleyville bar crawl that ensued later that night). The pie was solidly constructed and not sloppy like some others I have had in the Windy City. There was also a consistent and well-distributed amount of sausage throughout--there was sausage in every bite I had! Overall, I would rate this as a solid experience and would recommend to others if they are in the area.
(4)Jason and Janelle P.
We ordered a small classic to share between the two of us. We were warned that their pizzas would take 35 mins. 40+ minutes rolled by and a cold pizza came out. The sausage tasted good, but we asked our server why it was so cold. She told us that possibly the runners may have left it sitting on their counters a little too long and offered to reheat our remaining half. So we opted for that since we were basically eating leftover pizza at their restaurant. It definitely tasted better warm. We would have given them one star, but we added one star because our server did a fine job covering for their ass. And we gave another because they unexpectedly comped our pizza.
(3)Cristine K.
Lou Malnatis for the Win. We recently hosted a party for out of towners and decided to have a pizza show down. We ordered Lou Malnatis (husbands favourite) and Pequods (my favourite) so that our guests could get the authentic experience. Well... LM won the votes with their presentation perfect pizzas and layers of sauce/meat goodness. (And Pequods burnt theirs) Next time - the husband will win the pizza order.
(4)Alison Y.
Pizza and their cobb salad was fantastic! Bar is very small and only serves a small variety of beers and drinks so be prepared for them not having your preferred beer. The bar is also restaurant seating so no chance in skipping lines by eating here. They don't take reservations but you can come in, put down your name and they'll call you when your reservation is ready - handy during those summer days when you can walk around the neighborhood. Overall, clean, inviting, with good service!
(4)Tony B.
We just moved to Chicago & have enjoyed trying new places to eat. This was by far one of the worst pizzas we've ever had (not just in Chicago) but ever in all my 41 years. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.......you're better off going to a big chain like Pizza Hut or Dominos than this place!
(1)Katie V.
I've been to Chicago several times and always had Girodanos for deep dish. When visiting a friend with my boyfriend who has never been to Chi, we knew we had to get deep dish - this led us to Lous. We called ahead as we walked to the place which was a smart move. Got there around 530 on a Saturday, waited about 10 min for a table, then were seated at the bar to wait another 20min for the pie to finish. Not bad. I was so excited when our medium deep dish half sausage, half mushroom came out. Thought it looked shorter than deep dish I'd had in the past, I figured my memory was just exaggerating. Unfortunately it was disappointing. The crust was so dry, the flavor completely lackluster, and the toppings minimal. I felt like I was eating a glob of cheese on a cracker. Service was good and the atmosphere was great but id definitely go somewhere else for pizza unless you want a bland cheese cracker with minimal sauce and little flavor.
(1)Manny F.
I love pizza and of course I was going to have a Chicago deep dish pizza while visiting Chicago. It surpassed all of my expectations. Since they are so thick and layered, it took about 40 minutes for our pizzas to be ready. My wife and I were not bothered by that at all because the pizza was to die for. Layer of melted cheese and sauce oozed as I cut and lifted a slice onto my plate. I made a mess but I loved every second of it. These pizzas are so good and people love them so much that you can actually get them shipped to you anywhere in the country. I'm drooling just thinking about my experience and want to visit Chicago and Lou's again when I get there.
(5)Brittany H.
As a native chicagoian, when it comes to pizza, I've tried it all. Not only is lou malnati's my favorite deep dish in the city, it's my favorite pizza place as well. It's modeled after a living room equipped with couches, making it quaint and comfortable. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a casual night out with friends or family. The thin crust pizza is good, but the deep dish is amazing. The sauce is super fresh and they don't skimp or toppings or cheese. Make sure you order the butter crust! It is a bit extra, but definitely worth it.
(5)Carla B.
My favorite pizza in Chicago. The sauce has a deep wine taste and the crust is delicious. Their sausage is far and above any other competitor's sausage in my opinion. Deep dish or thin crust you can't go wrong. And I love their Malnati's salad and dressing too.
(5)Dan L.
The line at the front on a Saturday night in June 2014 was foreboding, but we endured it anyway. We had started with a family house salad (good), Malnati salad (okay), a deep dish pepperoni (very good), a gluten-free cheese and mushroom (okay), tiramisu (okay), and fudge brownie sundae (okay). Nice to have good IPAs available. Service was friendly.
(4)Brandon S.
Service was a little rough considering it was just my wife and I for a 2:30 lunch however the food was absolutely awesome and worth both the trip and the lack of great service.
(4)Hallie G.
Lou Malnatis is one of my favorite pizzerias in Chicago. However this rating is on the location. We had a group of 12, called in the AM to inform them we had a large party since they cant make reservations. We called 30minutes before we arrived again to inform them. We got there at 8:15pm and put in our name. Hour and a half wait. We were not seated until after 10:15pm ! We were annoyed and then we had given them our pizza orders and we had to wait the full 45min for the pizza!!! The waitress never refilled our water and kept disappearing towards the front door/kitchen. We finally left at 11:30pm since we were fed up and last table to leave. 4hours at this location we would of saved time and had better service at the river north location. Avoid this one or get take out!
(3)Maria S.
I haven't had many deep dish pizzas...living on the East Coast it's all NY Style, all the time. The pizza at Malnati's is pretty tasty, with chunks of juicy tomato and stringy mozzarella. Deep dish is a good value...it's way more hearty and substantial compared to thin crust pizza. A large pizza easily fed four of us for under 30 bucks, with plenty of leftovers (though it definitely is not as good cold as thinner crust pizzas are). Beers are affordable here, too, although the selection is somewhat limited. We called ahead to tell them the pizza we wanted, because the pizzas can take over 30 minutes because of their thickness, and because there can be quite a wait for a seat as the space is small.
(4)Hannah D.
As just about anyone who is from or has visited Chicago tells you... THIS IS THE BEST! and I'm only going to tell you once, the buttered crust is totally worth the extra hours you'll need to put in at the gym. But as the saying goes... When in Rome! or Chicago in this case haha
(5)Kiera R.
Ehhhh, maybe it's because I'm not from Chicago, but I really didn't love the pizza here. We showed up around 5:30 and it wasn't very busy at all. Our server was attentive, but the menu was uneventful and the decor was pretty basic chain-feeling Italian. Everything seemed a little lackluster in terms of flavor and it was a long wait to end up full of cheese. We were told the pizzas were taking up to 35 minutes and I contemplated for a second just finding somewhere else to nom, and then again after tasting the bruschetta, but I stuck it out because it came highly recommended. This place boasts it's purist deep dish sans hipster flavors, but maybe they could use a new flavor or two to make the 30-something dollars my SO and I dropped here worth it. I seriously only remember the taste of regret. Bummerrr.
(2)Robin M.
This was truly Meh. I had the deep dish pepperoni pizza with the famous butter crust. Lots of tomato sauce and cheese, and pepperoni (I guess). I'm not sure because this was one of the most tasteless pizzas I have ever had. Really. It was like eating really heavy air. Maybe they were having an off Sunday; it happens. But count me out for trying it again. Meh.
(2)Will D.
The pizza here is good. Yes they take a while but I wish I hadn't ordered an appetizer and just filled up on beer because the pizza was good and I ran out of room. -1 star because I thought the crust was a little over cooked.
(4)Amanda C.
I have never really understood the serious Lou Malnati's fans... I think the pizza is good but have never been wowed by it. The experience here was mediocre, starting with the 45 minute wait and the hostess not marking down that we were waiting to sit outside. Unfortunately we sat inside, which was ok but not what we had asked for. An apology would have been nice. We ordered the house salad which was great and Lou's pizza with spinach and mushrooms. I thought the pizza was a 3/5. I think it needed more sauce? Maybe this is just how they make it. They serve beer and wine and have a living room in the restaurant area complete with couches and a TV. Samples for waiting customers are a plus. I have heard this location doesn't make their pizza with as much "love" as other locations, so will probably try it again sometime.
(2)Michael D.
They screwed up the pregnant wife's order but more than made up for it by picking up the tab. Excellent customer service. Oh I almost forgot, the pizza is really good too.
(5)Emily S.
I used to LOVE Malnati's. I hadn't had it in awhile, so my husband and I ordered a Chicago classic (sausage pan) for delivery while we completed some projects around the house. The pizza arrived an hour later, soggy and kind of sweaty-looking. There were WHOLE tomatoes on top (like whole canned tomatoes that hadn't been chopped or broken up at all). We each had one piece - and a couple hours later neither of us felt well at all. We didn't really think anything of it until we each ate a slice for lunch the next day. Same thing - both of us were nauseous a couple hours later. We ended up throwing the rest of the pizza away. If there is ONE thing we don't do in our house, it's throw pizza away! That should tell you how gross this was. Never again.
(1)Samantha H.
Any true Chicagoan knows only tourists come here due to the massive whoring out of the suburban (not even from Chicago) joint on Food Network. Anyone actually from here will tell you to go to Giordanos (I literally can't think of one person who would recommend this place and I've lived here 30 years). Their cheese is like hard in texture and their sauce too sweet. The only decent part of this pizza is the crust, which is pretty nice and buttery. It's not authentic, it's not anything compared to Giordanos, it's only good for tourists, not locals, and it's not even from Chicago! Not that I would ever go here on my own, we used to order it at work due to the proximity when we had parties. They also have a strange obsession with whole pieces of food on their pizza (tomatoes, sausage, etc.). I guess keep it for the tourists, us real Chicagoans will keep eating Giordanos.
(1)Dien H.
The staff was very friendly! Our server Hannah was superb. The Chicago deep dish was fantastic, the Lou deep dish wasn't too shabby either!
(5)Becky W.
We stopped here while visiting my sister who lives in the area. It was very crowded, and the wait area was unbelievably tiny. The worst part was the people coming in for carry out trying to get into the soda fridge had to squeeze past all the people waiting. Otherwise, the staff was very helpful and let us place our pizza order while waiting so we wouldn't have to wait longer at the table. We shared the Malnalti salad, but had the olives on the side (I can't stand them). I was very glad we did, because after the wait, I was starving so the salad and the complimentary bread was needed. The crumbled Volpi salami was a little too hard and crunchy for my taste, but the mushrooms and tomatos were very fresh and the dressing was flavorful, but not overpowering. I would recommend the salad, but if you have sensitive teeth, skip the salami. We ordered the pepperoni deep dish pizza and added mushrooms and sliced tomatos. I loved the sauce and thought the extra tomatos were a welcome and flavorful addition, but my mom wished she woudn't have ordered them since the sauce was pretty chunky already. Again, the mushrooms were great, but it could have used more pepperoni as it was hard to find any on many slices. The crust was a little mushy on the bottom, but after having overcooked crusts at other "famous" Chicago deep dish places, I look back on the crust as good. I would definitely pick this as my favorite all around deep dish in Chicago, and worth the trip!
(4)Wei H.
So I went back, twice! Tried the Lou, loved it! This vegetarian version is definitely more of my cup of tea because it's not as rich as the meaty Chicago Classic. We also got the 3 cheese bread and boy that was a lot of bread! We had a carry-out order so unfortunately by the time we got home on a cold December night, the cheese wasn't as runny as we'd want. A quick fix in the oven would have made it delicious again but we were so hungry we went straight at it. On my third trip to Lou Malnati's, my friend and I tried the thin crust - sausage, green pepper and mushroom. The additional toppings add-on fees aren't that terrible. I loved loved loved the thin crust - just the right amount of cheese, sauce and toppings! Needless to say, us two finished that medium designed for 2-3 people... Bottom line is: the food is great and the wait really isn't that bad at the two locations I have been to. Their pasta portions are huge but I find them too salty personally. If you have out of town friends visiting, take them to Lou! I had this perfect excuse to do so for three times and as much as my jeans hate me, I will still go if the opportunity avails. :)
(4)Iris L.
I have to say, I'm a fan of Lou Malnati's. I usually prefer them over Giordano's. Saturday night around 8:30 was the first time I went to this location. We were told the wait would be about half an hour. An hour later, we finally sat down. I'm okay with waiting a while, but only if they tell me how long. The staff did offer samples of pizza to everyone waiting, so that was nice. Our waitress was super nice, though. The Lou is definitely my favorite and the crust was super tasty and crisp. This location isn't as nice as the one in River North, but at least it has a seating area unlike the one in Wicker. All in all, I recommend Lou Malnati's, just not this location.
(3)Rene F.
Bad service, hostess so arrogant. Decided to leave, not worth the wait. Had Lou Malnati's before in other location where customer service is better than this bad attitude reception.
(1)Heather P.
I just moved only a mile away from where I used to live and learned that there is not a single Lou Malnati's that will deliver to my new address. Hey Lou - what's the big idea?!?! Really - a whole extra mile for a loyal customer such as myself is too much for you. Looks like I will be taking my rather regular deep dish pizza cravings to one of your more convenient competitors. Too bad, your loss!
(1)Arika S.
This place is exactly what you would expect for a Chicago deep dish. Salad was good - sweet italian vinegarette was delish! Vegetarian pizza was great...only downfall was the time (takes at least 30 minutes for the pizza to cook) Price was very reasonable!
(4)Kathleen A.
Malnati's is my second favorite deep dish joint in Chicago (Art of Pizza is #1). Gathered up a large group of my girlfriends for my last visit home so I could fuel my 8-month old craving for deep dish pizza. One complaint-they don't take reservations, even for large parties. I even tried calling an hour in advance to see if I could reserve a table, but no go unless someone from my party was present. The place is pretty small inside-I was surprised. No bar area to hang out while you wait either. But you can always pre-order your pizza which is a plus. I love this pizza-the buttery crust and amazing sauce. I usually order sausage and it never lets me down. The Malnati's salads are also amazing and so is their house dressing!
(4)Stu S.
My husband loves great deep dish pizza, so before our current trip to Chicago for the 4th of July he checked Yelp and found Lou Malnati's and found one just a block from the house we're staying at. I'm really glad he did this homework because I'm now a fancier of Chicago deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's and thank God they've got quite a few locations in this great food City. We stayed in Lincoln Park and found the location on Wrightwood and Lincoln just a block away and off we went one recent steamy afternoon. Surprised by the small dining area within what looks like a very big restaurant, we had to wait for a table and then saw that most of the space is dedicated to take out and making frozen pies to take home and cook. It's a big operation, another testament to success and customer appreciation of their fine products. The menu also offers pasta, salads, sandwiches and other varieties of pizza but they're really known for their deep dish and that's what we chose along with a garlic bread appetizer. Both individual pizza's arrived after about 15 minutes and I was shocked at how dang good they were. The crust was a pie shell of perfectly cooked, light pizza dough that contained the high quality ingredients like a baby's bottom in diapers. Balance and the terrific ingredients and masterful cooking made these both really fine dining and I'd go back in a heart beat. Service was pleasant and professional, not much ambience, prices are amazingly reasonable, the restaurant is clean and cheerful. The fact that we had to wait to be seated on a weekday afternoon after 1:00 PM tells me people really like this place and I'm so glad we went. This is a very good place for pizza, so I hope you try it and love it.
(5)Jonathan L.
The pizza is delicious! It's my first time trying Chicago's deep dish pizza. I was told by my friends that this place was one of the best in Chicago. I originally was planning to go to Giordano's but they told me their pizza has lots of sauce. If you want to have better toppings and more cheese, this is the place to go! The prices are very reasonable. Splitting a large with four people is only around 8 dollars plus tip.
(4)Gina S.
This location was fairly small, about 11 tables, a couch and two cozy chairs. We were told the wait would be 1hr 15min, it was more like 45 minutes so it wasn't too bad. They asked us to pick our pizza and place the order while we waited for our table. A pretty smart idea if you ask me, it help combine our total wait time considering it takes 30-40 minutes to make and bake a deep dish. There's a bar next door and they took my number and called right before our table was ready. This was my first time to Lou Malnati's, so we went with the classics. I don't think we could go wrong with a Malnati salad and a Lou deep dish pizza. Both were good. The Malnati salad is their spin on an Italian house salad. I really liked the blue cheese and bacon bits. We had a Large Lou pizza, and boy was it HUGE! But we wanted leftovers for breakfast. The crust is nicely baked with a good crisp crunch to it. There really was no red sauce on the pizza. I was disappointed because that's my favorite part! I asked for extra pizza sauce on the side, but I ended up with a cup of what looked like whole tomatoes with a light watery sauce right from the can. It didn't appear they doctored it up with a special family secret seasoning. The overall pizza favor was pretty flat. I wish there was more spice or zip to the pizza, which they could have gotten if they had a good sauce. Not bad, but not my favorite.
(3)Jennifer C.
This is the must stop in Chicago for pizza! This is a small location - but totally worth the wait. They have a great individual lunch pizza special. The pizza is a perfect combination of the crust, sauce, cheese and some tomatoes on top. Service here is great - and the pizza is not that expensive. Order a big pizza to ensure you have leftovers!
(5)Brandon V.
Without a doubt, my favorite deep dish pizza in Chicago. The servers are typically at least above average in terms of level of service, and the bottomless sodas are ENORMOUS. The stuffed spinach bread is a definite must-try as an appetizer. My only caveat is to be prepared for a struggle finding street parking nearby and for a long wait for a table, especially on the weekend.
(5)Michael B.
The classic deep dish pizza has a crust that tastes like savoury shortbread. The sauce and sausage fresh, delicious and cooked perfectly. Expect to wait but they take your order as you wait.
(4)Piyush S.
I had never eaten chicago style pizza until I visit Chicago last weekend. Had to go to Lou Malnatis. I never thought Deep dish pizza would be so flavourful. When I look at the deep dish, only 1 taste comes to my mind and tats chesse. But when I ate the pizza in Lou Malnatis, it was very very flavourful. Matter of fact, I have to tell that it is the best pizza I have eaten in my life, better that the thin crust ny style pizza. The sauce, topping, cheese, bread everything else is in just such great balance. Now I know the difference between fast food pizza and the real pizza. Lou Malnatis chicago style pizza is a classic.
(5)Adolfo L.
We surveyed all the deep dish places online, and got some advice from friends who had lived here. I even posted on Chicago Yelp Talk for recommendations. We heard names such as Gino's East, Due, Uno's, Giroardi's, and the such, but we heard a lot of passion for Lou Malnati's. This place sounds like where the locals go to get their fix of the city's speciality pizza. Thanks to the people who gave a heads up on the tourists traps. Next time you guys come into San Francisco be sure to avoid Boudin's (Chowder), House of Nanking (Chinese), and Rice-a-Roni. We ordered "the Lou" which was composed of fresh spinach, mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano, and cheddar cheese. It seemed fitting to get the specialty, but I initially wish it had some meat. I quickly noticed the buttery thin crust of the deep dish. And you'd think it'd be a thick crust, but it eems that real Deep Dish has a thinly patted crust that's raised high to encase the toppings. This is what really puts the pie in pizza pie because it certainly cradled the abundant mix of cheese, tomato sauce, and vegetables. And you know what? Who the hell needed meat when you have a pizza pie with that much substance? That's a gem, the Chicago Deep Dish. But I have to point out that contrary to their beliefs, good Deep Dish does exist outside of Chicago. Yes, Zachary's in Berkeley and Lil Star in SF comes pretty close. Chicago, thanks for your Deep Dish. In return you can have our Rice-a-Roni. We never wanted it in the first place.
(3)Nicole P.
WOW. I thought i didnt like deep dish because it often has too much cheese and not enough sauce. But this pizza was beyond good. It had a buttery, crunchy crust, lots of garlic and hot melty cheese. I will be going back as soon as i'm in Chicago again. We all enjoyed the pizza and the service.
(5)Sara F.
Looks like they changed the category. Nice. Power to the people. GO TO LOU MALNATTI'S!!! ITS SOOOO GOOD!
(5)Jay R.
Never understood the love this place gets-perfectly average pizza in every way. It's not bad,mind you-it's always seemed to me to be pizza for the masses; blandly seasoned with decent crust and OK toppings. If you love it, fine-I won't try to talk you out of it. But me,I just don't get it.
(3)Meg C.
Friends of ours recommended this place for deep dish, so we headed there one evening. We tried two different kinds of pizzas and both were delicious. Our friend said that their deep dish wasn't even the thickest you could find in the city, but it was their favorite. I cannot imagine trying to eat pizza any thicker than this! It's like eating a casserole in slice form. You can really get by on just one slice or two if you are starving. Good service.
(4)Jessica S.
Everyone's gotta try Chicago deep dish pizza once, right? My only other experience with Chicago deep dish has been Uno's, so that's my baseline. The Malnati salad was great -- yay for bacon and great dressing -- and we ordered the Lou pizza. It was a little runny on top, probably due to the tomatoes, but it was very good overall. The crust was crisp and not soggy and sweaty, huge plus. It was a bit over-cheesy, but for some reason didn't taste as greasy as some of the Uno's I've had in the past. We each ate about two slices (more or less) and afterwards we all felt fat and comatose. Not in a bad way, just in a "oooohhh I shouldn't eat anything else all day" kind of way. Service was alright. The place was overly air-conditioned (brrr! bring a sweater) but I like the sports memorabilia (not sure about the roomwide homage to Michael Jordan) though it's a little weird to have a couch area (like in a family room) sitting in front of the TV. I wonder if anyone actually sits there?
(4)Tony W.
Must say, I wasn't sure about deep dish. I'm also actually surprised it's taking me so long to taste one (ny snob). It was great! really great!! Not sure why there is any debate or comparison to NY style. Kinda like hot dogs compared to hamburgers, some people just like one, the other or both. I fall into the last camp, I like both deep dish and NY. I ordered the Malnatis (extra cheese and sausage) best six bucks I spent on food this week One thing, if you are going to eat there, be ready for a long wait. They do ask that you put your order in upon arrival (takes thirty minutes to prep and cook). My reccomendation, call ahead and pick it up! Unless you do not mind the wait.
(4)Wolfgang R.
Celiacs- this is the place to go for good pizza! Two choices, regular thin crust gluten-free or a thin layered sausage crust. I've now tried both and they are great! For me, there was no cross-contamination either! I congratulate Malnati's! It was a popular place so we had a short wait (we could order while waiting). Great helpful waitress and wonderful food!
(5)Molly L.
Lou's is tied for my favorite pizza place in Chicago. Go Lou's! It doesn't matter what kind of pizza I get; it's all amazing. Thick or thin, Lou's isn't a Chicago institution for crappy pizza. Also, get the Butter Crust. Mmmmm. :-)
(5)Joanna K.
I loved their deep dish pizza!!!! So Awesome!!!
(5)Tony S.
Plain and simply good deep dish pizza. Sauce is great and perfect to the cheese ratio; people always complain about either too much cheese or too much sauce in a deep dish. Lots of toppings to choose from but I went with just pepperoni which was thankfully a little more thick than than usual slices. The crust is awesome, I wish they could make it in bread stick form its that good! I'll stop by here again for sure on my next visit to the second city.
(4)Brian M.
Being a New Yorker at heart (and living in New England), I was not expecting much when it came to this type of pizza, especially considering that I follow a Celiac diet. When I heard that they had gluten-free pizzas I was envisioning a horrifying thick crust made of rice flour and whatever other nasty stuff ends up in gluten-free pizza crusts. Imagine my surprise when I found that they make the crust purely out of ground sausage. Cover that with tomato sauce and cheese and let me tell you: best gluten-free pizza ever. While not for the faint of grease, it's delicious and let's be honest: you'd probably be getting sausage on your deep dish anyway. I can only hope that this brilliant idea makes its way eastbound. Keep up the good work.
(5)Peter D.
Chicago Classic, Caesar salad and Three cheese Bread excellent....... Men's bathroom DISGUSTING!
(3)David M.
Arrived on a crowded Saturday night @ 9pm. Told wait would be 45 minutes, but we could place our pizza order and it would be ready when we got our table. Cool! They had some thin crust samples in the waiting area and the staff offered soft drinks to everyone. Very nice. Much to our delight, after 20 minutes they called our name and we were seated. The place is clean and sparsely decorated, and that's just fine. Server looked to be the bartender as well, and she was great. As promised, our pizza arrived soon after we were seated. This is a very efficient tool they use. We didn't even have to give the server our order, since we already let them know at the hostess stand. Well, we have never had Chicago pizza, and have always thought NY style couldn't be beat. But, well, this was pretty damn good. Better than NY? Yes? No? Maybe. I thought the crust would be gooey and dense. It was thick for sure, but airy and crisp as well. How do they do that? It had great butter flavor, too. The toppings were fantastic. Cheese stretched from Chicago to Milwaukee but wasn't greasy at all. The sausage was to die for. And maybe I'm just naive, but the crushed tomato sauce seemed fresh. If not fresh, a very high-quality canned product (probably Stanislaus brand, those suckers do tomatoes right). So, so good. I've been Googling for good Chicago pizza in Dallas since we got back, but there is no way you can get something this good anywhere except Chicago. Go here. We did. Twice.
(5)Lindsay C.
I like my pizza like I like my men...thick and covered in tomato sauce. This place is delicious!! I am a weirdo and prefer to scrape off the sauce, pull off the cheese, and then reapply the sauce. I'm just weird. It has nothing to do with how awesome this pizza is.
(4)Jamison K.
So this visit was more of a casual evening. I normally order take out but figured after some cabin fever it was time get out and chat over some great pizza. As is standard in most pizza places when dining in we made our order a bit beforehand so we weren't waiting long. Pizza was great, server was great, I was a big fan of the enormous drink cups, but the best part actually came when I went to use the restroom (which was inevitable after such huge cups). I head to the men's room, and note it is very clean but the water isn't working (I tend to check this because I'm that guy). As I walk out one of the staff tells me he's sorry about what I've discovered and they're working on it. He then proceeds to bring me over to the ladies room, has a female server check if there was anyone inside, and then tells me to go on in while he watches the door for me. This guy simply could have told me tough crap and gone on with his duties, but he helped a guy out (maybe knowing those drink cups were so big). Mad props.
(5)Antonio A.
Can you take heaven, mix it with pizza sauce and toppings and bake it in an oven with deep dish crust to perfection? Well, my friends, that's exactly what the good folks at Lou Malnati's have done here. Prices are moderate for Lincoln Park. Give it a try!
(4)Courtney W.
This place is very family friendly and the atmosphere is definitely low key and comfortable. This isn't my favorite Chicago style deep dish pizza, but it's far from awful. The classic pizza with cheese, sausage, and tomato sauce is outstanding and by far my favorite. The Lou with spinach, tomato, and mushroom is also good as well but I love the thick sausage they put on the classic. When we arrived on a Sunday night (before Million Dollar Quartet) we were told we'd have to wait 25 minutes for our party of 7. They sat us within ten minutes. We ordered our pizza ahead of time because we were worried about being late and our pizza came out about fifteen minutes after we sat down. Our server was really attentive as well and even took a picture of our group when we asked. The bottom line is, the pizza is traditional deep dish. I always end up taking extra home and I know I'm looking forward to a few slices when I'm done with work today!
(4)Sara E.
I like their pizza, LOVE the Lou Malnati salad, and wish the ladies who work the register would quit correcting my pronounciation of "Malnati"... I'm sorry, I get tongue-tied. Please stop, it's embarrassing enough without you commenting. The location creates a lazy girl's dilemma - it's too close to legitimately ask for delivery, but who wants to go outside in this weather?
(4)Cycette H.
I've decided that this is MY FAVORITE PIZZA SPOT. The pizza has consistently been tasty, they have THE BEST CRUST. it's nice and buttery. And I am talking about the thin crust as I don't like deep dish and I haven't tried it here. I can't say much about the staff, because I've only ordered to go, but they to have been consistently polite and accurate in telling me that my pizza will be ready in 30 minutes. They have a frequent pizza club or something. You may want to ask about it if you eat there often. I looked at the brochure and saw that they wanted $40 and said," no." Even though I'd get the $40 back, I didn't want to fork up the money.
(5)Joe L.
Tip: You can actually call in your order ahead of time if your touristing in the area, and have them make it for you as you walk there. Lets just put it out there, I loved deep dish pizza. If given a choice, I would get deep dish over NY style pizza anytime (sorry NYC). However, my experience with deep dish has been limited to the national chain of UNO's. Lou Malnati's makes Uno's (the chain not the Chicago restaurant) look like an amateur in a pro boxing match. Not only is Malnati's a good pizza restaurant, based on their bruschetta (which I use to judge all Italian places), it's also a pretty decent Italian restaurant. The pizza itself was pretty big. My mom and I managed to put away a 12" medium sized pizza. For all those people who say 2 slices will fill you up for sure... well I;m sorry your wrong. My 5 foot tall mom could put away 2 slices easy (and that was after getting a big italian dip sandwich earlier) so if you can only put away 2 slices.... well you need to man up. We got the regular, which I think is sausage, peppers, onions and mushrooms. The ingredients were plentiful, like everyone says, because of the way they make the pizza, you get sausage in almost every bite. YUM Anyway, for the price, I thought the pizza was pretty big. it was bought out to us as soon as it was out the oven, with the cheese still sizzling. In fact, I would have preferred them to keep it in for a bit longer cuz I thought the center was a bit soggy. But just a bit. We got the Massive serving sizes, great pizza, good bruschetta (big portion too), good prices. And the best part for me? The crust. crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside with a great buttery flavor (I didn't even get the butter crust). It was like having a great breadstick built into your pizza. The bruschetta was huge and served fresh as evidenced by the crunchiness of the bread after we received it. Usually there are 6 slices of bruschetta for around 6 dollars, Lou Malnati's gives you 8 slices. WIN.The topping was chopped tomatoes with onions and a little bit of basil and Romano and Parmesan cheese. The tomatoes could have been more fresh, but they weren't overly soft. The dessert was a little bit disappointing. I got the individual sized ice cream pizza thing. the ice cream totally overwhelmed the pizza crust, and because the bowl is heated, that melted the ice cream as well. Sometimes, simpler is better. Overall, a pretty good deal. We ended up paying around 20 dollars for app, pizza, and dessert. The pizza and appetizer were great, but they were let down by the dessert. Oh, and microwaved pizza in the morning? awesome. (yes we ordered more)
(4)David S.
An iconic deep dish pizza that is a must have Chicago classic. Recommended to me my a 14 year Chicago veteran. I had the peppronie and it had a ton of melted cheese on it and is best warm and melty. They deliver but remember that it takes around 30 min just to cook a deep dish so order early.
(5)Jason G.
I was very impressed that the hostess offered to text me when our table was ready, therefore enabling us to stroll around the neighborhood instead of waiting in the lobby to be seated. The pizza was very good, a hint of garlic was appreciated and the cheese was just gooey enough. Get the butter crust. That's what we were told and it was good. Not sure what it would have been without it. Either way, it wasn't enough to pull me from the crust at Pequod's. It also had a nice homey feel with the couches and TV playing the game. I felt, for the second time this weekend that I was in a friend's parent's basement.
(4)Larry L.
I grew up in NJ and love NY style pizza. I live in NYC now and I'm glad to be reunited with the pizza of my childhood. However, Chicago style pizza has a special place in my heart being the pizza of my mid to late 20's. You really can't compare the two types of pizzas and you just have to accept the fact that there can be two types of pizza that are almost exact opposites but equally good. I normally wouldn't order a vegetarian pizza, but the GF convinced me so we ordered the Lou. It's spinach, mushroom, sliced tomatoes and mozzarella+cheddar. It's ok..but I'm not a big fan of the cheddar or the sliced tomatoes. Next time - I'll stick with the sausage. I should mention the dining room. It has a weird layout. It has a living room feel to it with a set of couches in front of a TV that is surrounded by trophy cases. I think it makes eating in feel really weird especially when you have spoiled Depaul kids laying across the couches like it was their home.
(4)Nikki C.
This particular location sucks. I don't know if its the douchosity from being so close to the Grand Central next door, the lincoln park zip code, or what, but the staff and the place itself has no personality. It actually reminds me of a really bad date which was arranged by a friend's parents and thought we would be a good couple because she once sang in a church choir and i like music...yeah..NOT! The deep dish is all this place is about, get it to go, do delivery, skip the idea of sitting here in their dining room which reminded me more of a VFW social hall.
(3)Aaron W.
Best pizza in the world. That is all
(5)Dave K.
This was a recently discovery and I am extremely disappointed at myself for not going there sooner. For meat lovers, nothing beats a Lou Malnati's deep dish pie. I wouldn't call myself the pizza devotee, however I will make sure that I stop by Lou Malnati's every time I am in the Windy City, and do so for as long as I live. Their sausage pie has more meat than any other pizza I've ever had, plenty of meat, but not overbearing. I believe every bite should have an equal portion of dough, cheese, sauce, and meat. The ratio shouldn't favorite one ingredient over another. Ingredients: Sauce: not your typical thick tomato sauce/paste spread on a piece of dough. It's a lighter sauce, almost "diced-tomatoes", if you will. If you're not big on the heavy dose of tomato sauce, this will do the trick. Oh and that crust, that buttery crust; crunchy outside, soft inside, is made to perfection. Cheese: I was told that all-natur'al Wisconsin Mozzarella is used in every pie. Whatever that is.. I love it. For that reason only, I wish California was next to Wisconsin. Paradise, right? Not done. Save room for their Chocolate chip dough pie, filled with 4-5 scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with whip cream and a cherry. Chocolate chip dough baked into a pizza crust-like base. If you're counting the daily calorie intake, this place is so not for you. I say this should be everyone's priority, numero uno destination, as soon as you exit the airport in Chicago.
(5)Brian P.
Friendly staff, long wait, excellent deep dish pizza. Restaurant is wheelchair accessible too.
(5)Matt M.
This Lou's has been my delivery standby after living in Lincoln Park for 2 years. Whether you're getting a simple cheese deep dish, "the Lou" or even their thin crust, you're getting a decent pie that's tough to beat. As a fan of deep dish over stuffed, Lou Malnati's really doesn't have much competition. Just remember that a real deep dish takes 45 minutes to prepare, so your delivery will be about an hour on most evenings and more on peak nights. This location also does NOT do lunch Monday through Thursday. I leave you with one warning: this is good enough that you'll be uncomfortably full afterwards.
(4)Matt M.
Great fresh pizza. It doesn't get any fresher than Lou's!
(5)Lionel G.
THE PIZZA is AWESOME but the staff is just as awesome! I order carry out every now and again and the staff know me by name. They greet me with a smile and have my order ready to go when I arrive. The loyalty card has paid off tremendously! Although there are many Lou Malnati's in the city this one has a GREAT neighborhood feel to it and the food is to die for.
(5)MARK G.
Yummy pizza. I usually go for thin and crispy pizza or thin and greasy pizza. This IS NOT THAT. It is thick and cheesy and heavy and meal-like and I dare you to try and eat three pieces and NOT need to take a nap. You can't do it. It's like TylenalPM. This pizza will put you down like a wounded animal. I have one of these pizzas a year.... it would seem gluttonous to have more than that.
(4)Christine F.
AHHH. Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place. Anyway, this is my favorite Chicago style pizza out of the big three. The crust is crispy and buttery, the sauce is super tangy and oh, they don't skimp on the cheese. And don't forget to order the buttercrust when you go. This location is fairly small and if you come at a busy time you should expect to wait, but it's delicious. The service has always been good. I don't eat this very often because I would weigh 500 pounds if I did, but seriously, top notch stuff.
(4)Nicholas D.
Give me extra garlic, 'nuff said... Lou Malnati's is absolutely one of Chicago's best pizza establishments, but this particular location is by far the best out of any pizza place in Chicagoland. Come grab a table on the sidewalk during the summer and enjoy the scenery in this Lincoln Park neighborhood. I always get a deep dish, and it's never failed me. What's even better is, if there is a line you can place your order while you wait for a table so it doesn't take forever once you sit down. Definitly a must have!
(5)Haley S.
This is my FAVORITE deep dish. Took my best friend and her fiance yesterday - they were visiting from NYC - they loved it. We got to Chicago classic - it was AWESOME. I only go when I have visitors, given the calorie count - but ooh, is it worth it.
(4)Brent W.
Lou's. Yet another culinary institution in Chicago, and amongst the big boys of deep dish players, this is your Go-To Guy, the 'Reign Supreme', the Creme de la Creme, the Upper Crust of deep dish giants if you will. I'd have to say if I were to rate a pizza on looks alone, w.out even taking a bite, Lou Malnati's would get a 5-star right off the top. It looks that good. I mean reaaaal good! Suffice to say, though, when you finally do get into it, it's exactly what your eyes said it would be, and that's a damn fine tasting deep dish. Actually, for a deep dish za, it has a surprisingly "light" tasting corn meal crust that's just a touch flaky and with just a touch buttery taste that's not at all overpowering. Ingredients commensurate with the quality of dough, and that is to say they are very fresh and delicious. I usually opt for their exclusive sausage recipe (crumbled, no slab of sausage for me, thanks!) green pepper and onion. Finished off with fresh cheese and their unique blend of crushed tomatoes that make up their version of a pizza sauce and you're pretty much set w a Chicago all time classic. So why all the praise and only a 4-star? Well, I only do deep dish a few times a year and prefer a thin crust, NY or New Haven Style myself, so i'd be hard pressed to give any deep dish a 5-star rating...even though, to me, Lou's is the *best* example of it in Chicago; or anywhere in the world for that matter.
(4)Dom G.
What can you say about a place that gives away free appetizers when they get busy? Worth the wait Pizza is AMAZING Family place by all means, take the whole family and if you have a Birthday, take them too...I wish I was there now!
(5)Tsubasa O.
In Northern California, the best deep-dish pizza is Zachary's/Patxi's - both are very rich with tomato on top. I've never been to Chicago, so this is what I know. I'm in Chicago for a 48-hour vacation, so I need to eat as much deep dish pizzas as I can for both dinners. One of them was going to be Burt's, so I had to pick between Giordano's, Gino's and Malnati's. The waiting room in the middle of the restaurant was one of the weirdest configurations ever. Couch and big screen tv in the middle of the restaurant, as other people eat pizza around us. We got the traditional deep dish with the buttercrust and it was delicious. A layer of sausage with all other meaty and veggie goodness. Unlike what we get served in the Bay Area, it wasn't super-saturated with tomatoes, and I liked it better that way. The stuffed spinach bread wasn't anything special - it was a mini pizza without the sausage and just unnecessary filler. We got the large pizza for 3 people and it wasn't really enough, so plan accordingly.
(4)Samantha B.
I don't understand the hype surrounding Lou Malnati's pizza. It is just not a good interpretation of great deep dish. The crust is soggy and has a weird beer taste. The sauce is also not sauce, it is more like canned tomato's with spices. The cheese is good but that doesn't make up for everything else. I live steps away from this place and I just cant bring myself to eat here, maybe I will try some of the other items. I think I will stick will my tried and true deep dish pizza joints.
(2)Sylvia I.
I'm not usually a huge fan of deep-dish pizza, but my brother-in-law really wanted to bring me here for my birthday. The whole family ordered a malnati salad...which was way too much if you're hoping to eat some pizza too. Honestly, we should have ordered one salad and split it among the 5 of us! I'm not sure what's in Lou's 'famous' dressing, but we were raving it about and said we could be convinced to come here just for the salad! The pizza was good, but I still prefer NY-style pizza. It was just really filling and after eating our salads, we only had room for 1 slice each. Definitely order your pizza with the buttercrust. And the cheese pizza tasted better than the sausage. During the summer, they'll have a few tables out on the sidewalk, which makes for good people watching. Definitely get here early as the wait can be long, even during a weeknight.
(4)Samantha L.
Ok, so I recently had "The Lou" pizza with pepperoni added, and THAT is delicious. They have decent pasta and salad as well. I don't think I would ever order any other pizza from here than the deep dish Lou, but I will be ordering that again.
(4)Loren H.
Loved the pizza! I think Zachary's in Berkley is still the best as far ingredients, but this is the BEST deep dish in Chicago I have had. The sausage was fresh and was not overpowered by the cheese like a lot of other places. This place is aces....I had no idea that Jordan was on that many SI covers too! ha ha
(5)Johnny B.
Actually prefer their thin crust pizza (not that thin, but compared to deep dish, well...). I enjoy their deep dish, but it doesn't have enough sauce for me. It is very minimal for such a thick slice of pie. The cheese is also not the huge gooey layer you find with some other deep dish pizzas. Actually, I'd venture that Lou's is the least deep of the deep dish, but that's a completely unscientific assertion. I do love the huge chunks of sausage, when you get it as a topping. Also a fan of the crust. All in all, their deep dish is good, just not great. But like I said at the beginning, I prefer the thin. Order the Lou - tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and a mix of cheeses. It's awesome.
(4)Jen A.
Lou's wins. I've been gradually trying out the assorted Chicago-style pizza places (okay, not ALL of them, but the ones "known" for deep dish) and Lou's was the last - and best - I tried. It tastes better than Giordano's or any of the other stuffed pizzas. It just does. The cheese is better, and the crust is less dry. While my friends and I have trouble finishing off an entire medium stuffed pizza from any of the other places, we'd eat past the point of satiation here. It's not just the stuffed pizza. The thin-crust and bruschetta are good, too. There's usually a wait, but it's worth it. The girls up front are very sweet, and they'll put your pizza order in before you sit down so it'll come out right away. Plus, there's random thin-crust pizza to munch on while you're waiting. I'm also a huge fan of the Michael Jordan wall art (all of his Sports Illustrated covers, ever) and the cozy couch area with the big tv. So...until further notice, Lou Malnati's = my favorite Chicago-style pizza.
(5)Mike M.
Best pizza I have had in my entire life!.......enough said
(5)Kimberly L.
Let me begin my review by saying that while I am, like, a third generation Chicagoan, I just don't give a rats a** about deep dish pizza. Really. There's just way too much cheese for it to be enjoyable. But the Lou...oh the Lou. It changed my perception of the deep dish. It's got fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes and three kinds of cheese. I order this with a buttercrust. I don't have it often but the few times I have...it's been tasty. Now...word...this is not a light meal. Anyone who has ever had deep dish or stuffed pizza knows this. If you've just arrived to this town and no one shoved a fat slice of deep dish pizza down your throat as you stepped off the plane, you've now been warned. Deep dish pizza means you're going to be immobilized for several hours until you snap out of the food coma. So if you just have to try deep dish, this is a very solid choice. Giordano's tastes okay but always makes me feel sick afterward. Oven Grinder is overblown. Uno's is a greasy mess. Gino's East is an unsanitary armpit.
(3)Lisa S.
Best Chicago style pizza, hands down! My favorites are the Lou Pizza and the Malnati Salad.
(5)Michael T.
I don't even like pizza. For all the fat and carbs, it's just never been worth it to eat more than a day's worth of calories in 3 slices. Oh, but that was before I met Lou. Lou, you converted me. I actually tried Malnati's pizza when I lived in Seattle and had seen a spot on the restaurant on the Food Network. Having a friend who is a huge cheese and sausage freak, I ordered a couple of pizzas for his birthday. I grudgingly had a bite and proceeded to devour half the small pizza. It's everything that makes it great - the fantastic crust, the fresh sauce, the mountain of sausage, the cheese - oh, the cheese - and that was just the flash-frozen/shipped-to-me kind. When I actually went in to the restaurant for the first time, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I still don't eat a ton of pizza because of the caloric considerations, but if/when i'm going to bother, it's Lou's or nothing.
(5)Elena A.
I love Lou Malnati's pizza. It is my favorite deep dish pizza. Unfortunately, this location can be hit or miss on its service. The first time I went, I went with a large group and was treated great. The last time I went, it was still relatively early but despite the open tables, they told me that they were closing the seating area because they were "backed up on pizza orders". I'm sorry, but you're a pizza restaurant. What did you expect? My friends & I were pretty hungry so we just ordered take-out. The pizza was delicious but 3 stars for unsatisfactory service.
(3)Christina D.
Good pizza. And I don't even like pizza. Especially not deep dish. They just need to add some cheesecake to the dessert menu. THEY HAVE FROZEN ONES TO TAKE HOME, WHY NOT READY TO EAT?
(4)Bobuzzi C.
Favorite pizza place in Chicago. It's not quite as thick as Gino's, but good, chunky tomato sauce and the butter crust is tasty. Heats well for leftovers too.
(5)Amy J.
This pizzeria has been recommended all over the place so we went here for traditional deep dish Chicago style pizza. This was an excellent choice for dinner. I got one of the specials which was the perfect size for one person. If you like deep dish, chances are you'll find something you'll like here. The prices are reasonable and the staff were really friendly. This location was also pretty quiet so we were able to chat and catch up.
(4)Jonathan A.
I like Lou Malnati's. A lot of people don't. I'm usually a fan of Chicago deep dish at most places, but I have to say, I go for the thin crust here. It's so buttery and crispy. The only thing I'm not to keen on is their sausage, but I'm not a big sausage fan either. It's not the best pizza in town, but I won't turn it down either. You can order frozen deep dish pizzas and have them shippedt to relatives and friends out of town which makes for a nice gift.
(4)Eric M.
I live in Cali. Been to Chicago twice. Not a day goes by where I don't day dream about Lou Malnati. Even in these hard economic times, I log onto their website and think... Shoud I have one shipped over, or not? I have bills to pay, and a wife to support... but... cant I just have one deep dish Fed Ex'd? Some days I wish I never walked into the pizzeria, that way I wouldnt have this damn craving for it every day. Until next time Malnati.... til next time. Save a booth for me.
(5)Scott M.
During one of my first trips to Chi-Town, I was seriously searching for the "great Chicago" pie that everybody claims exists..."Who has it" was my main question. Well downtown Chicago, the overwhelming choice was "Lou Malnati's". 5 visits later, I can testify that Lou Malnatis is the truth. Probably one of the top three pizza spots I have been to in my entire life. Thick as hell, with the sauce covering the actual pizza, first time Chicago Pizza eaters might be a little bit confused as to the structure of this pie. But dont hesitate, this is how its done. And damn, do they do it. I typically get the sausage & pepperoni pie. If you get a large, between two people you guys will be able to eat 1/2 of it. I think a large typically comes with 6 slices....dont be fooled. Unbelievably heavenly...i dont think I can say anything that any other reviewers have not said already....so I think Ill quit.
(5)Danny G.
of course i ended up there because of my cousin who is a native to chicago, but i have to admit while we were waiting for our table there was a semi-livingroom so we could drink beer on the sofas and wait for our table. the deep dish was fantastic and it seemed like we tried every dessert there. they were all fabulous. will eat there again.
(4)Theresa Y.
The pizza was great. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there is no draft beer. Come on, man!
(4)Brad K.
Great deep dish pizza, bruschetta, and garlic bread!
(4)John N.
I been wanted to eat a deep dish pizza FOREVER so I can compare who has the BETTER pizza(NYC or Chicago) and I finally got my chance last weekend. I was torn between Uno and Lou Malnati's but after doing my research Lou Malnati's has the better deep dish. I found a Lou Malnati's close to our hotel so we all want there. I was surprise that there were no lines so I was extremely happy. We sat down and pondering what to get but decided instead of getting a hugh pie that we just split it up on whatever topping someone wanted. One of my friend wanted all veggie, my gf wanted anchovies and garlic, and us boys want w/the Chicago Classic. It take about 30 min to get the pie but I didn't mind. We got some chicken wings which was good but it wasn't even spicy when I even asked our waitress to burn my mouth. The pie arrive and we just all dig in and it was DELICIOUS. The topping were ok but the crust of it was sooooo frankly. I try everyone pie expect for the veggie one but I like deep dish alot more then thin crust. Don't get me wrong, i eat tons of thin crust pizza in nyc every night when I walked home from work but if I had to choose 1 over the other then deep dish is for me. I can finally know the difference between a Chicago/NYC. The next day was even better because when we got back to my friend house, we reheat the left over and it taste even BETTER. I wish I brought another large pizza to go and I can eat it every day boohoo
(4)Ron S.
Great pizza of course, but this location in particular is only okay. I am really surprised the place is so small and cramped; the whole restaurant doesn't hold even 50 people. In the dining room, they have a big tv along with end tables and a couch. It is very stupid that they even have it because there could be at least 3 more tables in the section and who is going to sit down in the middle of a dining room to watch tv anyway.
(4)Sara M.
Lou Malnati's, why are you so delicious? It's amazing. I might be biased because I have a friend who works here, but I feel I would love it anyways, beacause the crust is perfection, the toppings are fresh and delicious and I am never let down by any toppings that I or my friends choose!! Honestly, when I say the crust is amazing, I mean it to the point that one time, I secretly cut the crust off of my friend's Lou's pizza to eat it. I was too full for another slice, but just the crust was all I wanted.
(5)Matt G.
I grew up on Lou's so I am quite familiar with the food here. Everything is really good. When you dine in, there is nothing like fresh deep dish from here. The portions are large and you'll have left-overs. A word of caution...each location has a slightly different menu. For example, the Lincoln Park location does not have a fryer, so no cheese sticks or cheddar cubes here! The pizza is always about the same at each store but some of the other menu items are different or not there.
(4)Annie M.
Really good pizza, amazingly crisp buttercrust flavorful flaky pizza crust -- actually crusty, and soft and moist on the inside. Spinach bread -- amazing. Really good, bread (same kind of dough for making crust) stuffed with spinach and mozzarella, dipped into marinara.
(4)Bess R.
Wheat-free pizza. Nuff said. Okay, maybe not enough. Been doing the low-carb/low-sugar thing for a while now, and my wheat-allergic man-friend hasn't had pizza in 3 years since his diagnosis so we were THRILLED to hear about Malnati's pie. It is pretty decadent, with a sausage patty crust, and then all the normal sauce, cheese and toppings you want. We tried mushrooms and onions, and it was perfect. Satisfied our cravings, and didn't screw up my diet or his health. Perfect!
(5)Philip K.
This was some good pizza, I'd had it once before and remember it being a little deeper, that's what she said. Sorry. The sauce was really good, I like the tomatoes, the sausage was really good, and the crust was the best part. Those are the keys to a great pizza, awesome crust, the sauce, and the sausage. Our service was really good too, served our pizza for us, even the second slices. Which is all we could manage.
(4)Christina P.
Lou Malnati's was the first Chicago deep dish pizza I've ever had and man..... the pizza was sooo good!!!! I had the Chicago Classic.. definitely recommend it!! The House Salad was actually really good too! Don't show up starving because it takes about 20-30 minutes to cook the pizza. I thought prices weren't bad at all and the attire here is way casual. I'm sure there are probably a ton of hole in the wall places that have amazing deep dish pizza but if you are an out of town-er visiting the city and you don't got all day to search, this is a good stop!
(4)Jeff B.
ONLINE ORDER ( tastesofchicago.com ): I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with this 'Chicago' style pizza... Unfortunately, I guess, I don't live in Chicago. Probably won't be finding myself there anytime soon either. BUT, low and behold, they SHIP THIS STUFF! AWESOME! I had to try it, my life wouldn't be complete until I did. After dropping a little more than what I would get charged at a national crappy pizza joint, my Malnati's deep dish pizza's were on their way. They arrived packaged very well; in foil tins packed with dry ice. 45min. later I was in pizza nirvana! The tomato sauce is amazing, along with the delicious crust and large amount of mozzarella cheese. I am a fan!
(5)Carlo C.
some local friends took me here last night and i have to say i was really impressed. they said it was their personal favorite pizza i chicago and i can see why. being from guam, i don't have much to compare it to as the only deep dish pizza i've eaten prior to this was pizza hut. lou's was great. had the butter crust pepperoni deep dish pizza and it was pizza awesomeness. will be out trying different pizza and other italian food while here in chicago. so far, so good. also had the buffalo wings and it was pretty good too. i wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place to anyone
(4)Deirdre R.
Best deep dish pizza I have eaten. Delicious signature salad as well. Great food. Great service!!
(5)james g.
Reading all these stellar reviews makes me wonder if I went to the right place. But then again, all the stellar reviews are why we went there in the first place. We walked in with great expectations, and walked out disappointed. The good parts include decent appetizers and fine service. Unfortunately, the bad parts include the pizza. Now, I love deep dish pizza, and was trained by my momma to think that Chicago pizza is the best in the world. And i had just come back from a summer in Taiwan, which left me with a deep craving for good pizza. Despite my normally endless appetite, pieces of our two pies (the Lou and a Sausage and Onion) sat there unloved by the end the of meal. The Sausage pie, in particular, seemed bland and uninteresting. And, even more damning, leftovers were uneaten over the course of three days, despite being surrounded 24 hours a day by 6 hungry boys. Maybe we just hit an off day, but I'm not planning on going back.
(2)Ben S.
The food was very good, service very good but there is something above and beyond here: Terrific management! They do an incredible job here. If you want to experience what great management can do for a restaurant, check it out. Have been now several times and I am taken with it each time.
(4)Kim B.
Lou Malnati's has the BEST Chicago-style pizza in the city - hands down. I always order the "Lou" loaded with fresh tomatoes, spinach, and different types of cheeses - delish! There is nothing like their butter crust, deep dish pizza. Order it uncut to keep the crust crispy! Their thin crust is excellent as well. Actually, I've never had anything at Lou's I haven't enjoyed. If you haven't tried their pizza, you really must!
(5)Jaimie B.
I had an out of town guest from New Orleans who wanted to try 'Chicago style deep dish pizza'. The wait was 45 minutes, we choose first available, and actually got seated outside on the patio within 5-10 minutes of waiting. The pizza was good. I'm just not a huge fan of pizza anymore so I can't really judge, although my guest said it was over cheesed.
(3)Dpb T.
My fav, non deep dish pizza while in chitown
(4)Ms. O.
Not bad pizza, but not the greatest.
(3)Marcel M.
Can't be Lou's Pizza. I've loved the pizza since I was a kid living near the Lincolnwood location. My only complaint is the place is pretty small, but the location still gets 5 stars since they give you a nice comfy leather couch in the middle of the room to chill on. Buttercrust all the way.
(5)Cory K.
on the way home from a wedding in wisconsin, we stayed in chicago overnight before flying home to san francisco. while there, we decided to see as much of chicago's sights as possible, and take in some of what chicago is known for: DEEP DISH PIZZA WOOHOO!! i totally love me some deep dish! while in wisconsin we'd just happened to watched a tv show on pizza, where they talked about lou malnati's as one of the best deep dish pizza's around, so of course we decided to hit it up. the ambiance is fine... more like a sports bar than a pizzaria, but i don't really care about that, as long as the pizza is knock-my-underpants-off delicious! the service was good, the people were friendly, and the wait was fine.... then came the pizza.... really? this is the famous chicago deep dish pizza? it was tasty, and the meat and sauce were good, but there was way too much cheese and juice, and it was a little bland. definitely good pizza, don't get me wrong, but not the oral orgazmatron I was expecting. san francisco's little star classic deep dish pizza with cornmeal-crust, tons of veggies and sausage, impeccably seasoned has this beat hands-down.
(3)Lauren M.
I absolutely love the thinner crust pizza at Lou Malnati's!! Minus one star because there is ALWAYS a wait, and no reservations allowed at this location. But I suppose that is just a testament to the popularity of the pizza!
(4)Chris J.
Best deep dish I've had in Chicago--far better than Giordano's, and preferable to Uno or Edwardos. The sauce has much more of a fresh tomato taste than the others, and the butter crust is fantastic. Just a clearly better deep dish pizza. The service at this location has also been excellent--very attentive and cheerful. Cost is reasonable, and the huge, gooey chocolate chip cookie/vanilla ice cream is phenomenal. My fave spot for pizza in Chicago.
(5)Alyssa S.
I like to think that I have some friendships that will last forever. However, if I ever move from Chicago, and those friends don't send me Lou's every year on my birthday, I will dump them girls so fast... That's how much I love this pizza. Also, for those of you with a social conscience, Malnati's opened up a restaurant in North Lawndale (when no one else would) where they employed ex-offenders who were trying to stay out of jail (which no one else would) and donated a percentage of restaurant profits back to the community (which...you get the idea). Pizza that eases my middle-class liberal guilt? Awesome.
(5)Chas V.
This review applies to the entire chain and specifically to their deep-dish pizza As far as chain Pizza joints go these guys make the best deep dish pizza in Chicago. Yes, I saw the recent Time Out Chicago article where they ranked 5th, but three of the pizza places ranked higher weren't chains, and they were just plain wrong about Giordano's ranking higher. Giordano's would rank higher maybe in 1989 or so, but their quality has suffered significantly over the years and it is not what it used to be. Malnati's is the best. Trust.
(5)S. K.
A little off the beaten path but the malnati salad is reason alone to go. It's the first and only deep dish I've had so I cant really compare it to anything. It was pretty good but maybe I'm just used to Californian style of Pizza with a little bit less cheese and more veggies. The pizzas are pretty big and you could probably share an individual and a salad with one other person.
(4)Natalie L.
Lou Malnati's is my second favorite place for pizza in the city behind Gino's. The deep dish just has amazing flavor, the crust is beautifully crumbly, and the sauce is a bit sweet without being overly sweet. My advice is to order the buttercrust, and if you are ordering sausage and you're worried about grease or balance, order it crumbled instead of the patty (although the patty is more authentic). I think sometimes I take Malnati's for granted. I used to have it every time I came home from New York and sometimes by mail order and I started to think, oh, this isn't the best, but then I moved back to Chicago and had some other deep dish pizza and realized that yes, Malnati's is in fact, the best. And although I do give a slight edge to Gino's in flavor, Malnati's has an edge on Gino's in price--it is definitely not as expensive if that's a concern. But yes, it is not as good for delivery as at the restaurant--but it's still damn good.
(5)fab f.
Second Time I visit and for the second time I had a great experience of a Chicago Pizza. Fresh tomatoes, a lot of cheese, great crust. Place is ok. Always crowded, but I never waited too much. I always take the large pizza, so I can bring home some and enjoy later.
(4)Lesley S.
Absolutely love their pizza, it is the best ever. Rich, buttery crust and great list of toppings. The sauce is basically just some chopped up tomatoes and isn't too overpowering which appeals to me because I am not really big on tomato sauce. I'm not a big fan of this location, though. The setup is really strange. First off, it is carpeted with really ugly plaid, thin carpet. I have no clue why you would put carpet in a restaurant. This place looks like someone's family room. The tables are around the edge and in the middle there is a couch and big screen. One time I was there a woman got up and actually went to lay down on the couch. I was actually embarrassed for her but she acted like this was perfectly normal- just taking a little catnap after she stuffed her face and then she was on her merry way. Oh- no bar either. At least last time I dined in there wasn't. They just had beer and maybe wine, I think. If I had reviewed one of the other locations, I would have given it 5 stars.
(4)Ryan K.
My personal favorite pizza place in this city that respects pizza to a large degree. The deep dish is just so good. And the delivery is timely and responsible. They always seem to remember to call 5 minutes beforehand. Just like I asked them to do.
(4)Anne B.
After one piece of deep dish here, I'm done. Finished. Stuffed. In that regard, it's a bargain. And I can't fault its buttery crust. I prefer the taste of Giordano's stuffed pizza, with its toppings and tomato sauce so charmingly inverted, but it's hard to find much to fault with Lou's.
(3)Catherine D.
Okay, I'll admit it - I was not a believer in Chicago style pizza. At all. (Call me biased, but I'm more of a NYC style kind of woman.) The thought of not being able to pick up my slice and having to eat pizza with a fork and knife really turned me off. Then, I met Lou. I had Chi-town style pizza at another place (the name of which escapes me, BUT it's the place with all the writing on the walls and booths) and I hated it. I was turned off by everything Chicago style pizza was about. The bottom of the crust was so doughy and raw. Weird. However, Lou's was great! Flavorful toppings, tasty crust. (The option to have the crust "well-done", for those that like a firmer bottom) If you want, you can even take a frozen one home to enjoy later. AND there were free samples of pizza while our group was waiting for a table. And who doesn't like good, free food? I would definitely eat here again. Lou's made me believe.
(4)P W.
I wasn't too impressed with the pizza when I ate in the restaurant. I drank a lot of beer and liquor next door at Grand Central for the Ohio State game and ate the leftovers while walking back to the hotel. Maybe it was the alcohol that made it taste better, was good deep dish pizza. I don't know how I feel about Chicago style pizza. It seems ass backwards with the cheese on bottom!
(3)Mike K.
i dont really like the Chicago style pizza (that tastes like lasagna) but i wanted something distinctively chicago in a way i like. Basically, we had "the lou" with the butter crust and it was awesome. Loved it. Totally worth it for an amazing pizza meal
(4)Jen S.
Lou Malnatis is my favorite Chicago deep dish. If you're not looking for deep dish, they also have great thin crust pizza as well. When I order thin crust, I usually get the Lou Special, which has fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. Amazing!
(4)Jason V.
Without a doubt the best deep dish pizza in Chicago.
(5)Dawn G.
Talk about thinking ahead there was a decent wait 20-30 minutes on a Sunday night, odd I know, but anyway- the nice host came over and took our order so upon sitting he was right it wasn't the typical 45 minutes sitting waiting to eat- the spinach bread app was great and the Lou added w/sausage was good too. We (the three of us) shared the brownie sundae- pretty yum and for a day of gluttony it was worth it- our waitress was nice, but not memorable, which was kind of sad; however she had a ton of tables, which made me feel bad for her-we were friendly towards her and she was polite as time allowed- which given the amt of tables she had was too much imo. Hopefully she gets some help I wouldn't want that many tables!
(4)Eric H.
I was in the mood for deep dish pizza after browsing DePaul and the Lincoln Park neighborhood and this place more than satisfied my craving for good deep dish pizza. Not sure it's the best pizza in Chicago but for the price, it was outstanding
(5)Cathy H.
Good deep dish, but frankly, I'm not sure what everyone's raving about. Or about what everyone is raving, if you're interested in the grammatical technicalities. Anyway, it's good, but Pizza Capri and Giordano's is about the same. I also wouldn't pay extra for the butter crust--a friend raved about it and I thought it was going to be super awesome, but it was just...meh. Actually, it was a bit less flavorful than most crusts. Boring.
(3)Laura N.
Even the simple stuff is great here. The deep dish (butter crust) is definitely worth ordering, but so are the basics (you know, like pepperoni & mushroom, etc.) You can call your order in ahead of time, and they will make it for you as you walk over there. Outdoor patio seating too. Great for families - just don't bring your kids there on game days or late nights, there is a bar right next door that does get busy, with Lincoln Park and DePaul crowds.
(4)Stuart W.
One of many Pizzeria in Chicago. I love this place and there's usually parking if you go during off hours. They have one of the best stuff pizza in the business. The crust, sauce and cheese are amazing. It's making me salivate just thinking about it. :-)
(4)Mary S.
LOVE the pizza! And I love the fact that they have deep dish pizza that is relatively healthy. I got the non-butter crust, extra cheese and veggies. They actually have low fat cheese (which tasted GREAT!), so I used that instead of regular cheese. Awesome guilt-free stuff! :)
(5)Blanket J.
As a Chicagoan, I am ashamed to read so many negative reviews of this place. 1. The crust is NOT bland, it is FRESH (sans gobs of salt and all that other BS that is in many other crusts). 2. There is NOT too much cheese, though I would say that about Giordano's... 3. The tomatoes and sauce taste very fresh. 4. If you get a lot of meat on the pizza, yes, it is greasy. Blame the meat, not the pizza... This isn't rocket science here. I can understand how someone who dislikes pizza in general would not like it because, well, it's PIZZA. The best way to judge the quality of a pizza is to get it plain. I challenge anyone to get a plain old deep dish Lou's pizza (tomato sauce and cheese) and tell me that it's not better than the rest. Sorry for the rant, but I go way out of my way for a slice of Lou's and don't like hearing bad things about it, especially from people who don't like pizza in the first place! BOTTOM LINE: If you like pizza and you like fresh tasting food, you will LOVE lou's.
(5)nick a.
My favorite pizza in Chicago The deep dish crust is crunchy and the tomato sauce is amazing. If you have not tried the pizza here you have to.
(5)Eme L.
I'll start off by saying that I've never been a fan of Chicago-style deep dish pizza (even after 8 on/off years of living in Chicago). Give me a thin crust with great sauce and cheese - I'm happy. On a trip back to Chicago, I was convinced to try Lou's for "old times sake.". We started of with the stuffed bread with marinara. Super yummy! I had the 6-inch special. Maybe it was the size - the larger sized pizzas can be a bit daunting - but I was very pleased the the taste and texture. I think I've been win over!
(4)J.B. S.
I'm a pizza fanatic, and this is my favorite deepdish pizza in the entire world. The crust is crispy and flavorful, similar to cornmeal. It is not all doughy and heavy like other places. Sauce and cheese are both perfect. You can eat the pizza 2 days later from the microwave, and it *still* tastes perfect, and that's the ultimate test. Minus one star because all of their restaurants are boring to eat in. Carryout is best.
(4)Roxy A.
While we didn't actually get to dine-in because there was unfortunately a very long wait..having this pizza delivered basically owns all my other pizza delivery experiences..i wish we had chicago style pizza for delivery back in "cali!!!" Basically Lou Malnati's is so far THE BEST CHICAGO STYLE DEEP DISH PIZZA I've ever had!!!! The "Lou" pizza is so tasty...fresh spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese. I loves it. Plus with the veggies in this pizza they don't taste all soggy and weird..b/c I've had other pizzas w/ veggie toppings and they end up tastin all mushy . Also when you call for delivery they ask if you want them to cut it or have it uncut (they suggest having it uncut so it doesn't get all soggy n gross by the time it gets to your house). This pizza was awesome and the next time I head to Chi-city I will definitely be havin' me some Lou's pizza!
(5)Chiara H.
I'm not crazy about deep dish pizza, even though I was born a hard-core Chicagoan. With that said, I decided to give Lou Malnati's a try. My dad ordered deep dish pizza, and I got Sicilian-style pizza (the kind with the really thin crust). I liked mine, but when I tasted my dad's, I instantly got a cheese overdose. The crust was soggy and bland. Perhaps I'm biased as a deep dish hater, but even my dad (who could live off deep dish pizza for the rest of his life) wasn't impressed. Maybe we just came on a bad day. The graceful and friendly service almost makes up for the lack of flavor and disproportionate ingredients on their deep dish pizza (for that day, at least), and that's why I'm giving it three stars.
(3)Danny C.
Not bad. Great pizza, friendly staff, and a decent (if a little overpriced) beer selection. Their crust really makes the pizza, it is extremely buttery and almost like a pastry crust rather than a bread crust. Appetizers are sort of blah, but the pizza is great and represents a pretty decent value. Atmosphere is pretty lively, friendly, and family-oriented. Great for groups, and it's still easy enough to hold a conversation while watching the restaurant around you. Would definitely go back again!
(4)Ashley J.
had some deep dish here and was pretty pleased. although, i thought it was a tad buttery/greasy. and i'm a big fan of grease and i know a bulk of that comes from the cheese. buutttt, i don't know...... that's what's holding back my 5 star review. it really was an awesome deep dish though--like a mountain. buutttt....i'm kind of a bigger fan of bacinos.
(4)Matt R.
You want true chicago style deep dish pizza? Here's the place to go! Very good pizza along with a selection of other traditional Italian dishes. Make sure not to miss this true Chicago staple.
(4)Lori M.
This place is clearly not for the advanced users of pizza and it's healing properties. A transparent suspect of a really poor manager and even worse cooks and janitorial staff to back the place up. We waited for 24 minutes for a table when the "room" had 6 empty unclean tables. The cleanup guy seemed to have novacaine in his thumbs, and even after we were seated, he hadn't actually cleaned the table! The manager stood around (I think he was smoking a Halloween bong) chatting with his incompetent staff right inside the front entry for what seemed like a lifetime. Our server/waitress girl was pleasant, and clearly not thrilled with the operational environment with which she found herself working in...she tried really hard with what she had to work with, which wasn't much. The Lou Malnati salad which we 3 shared wasn't bad, though doused in a sugary vinaigrette that was unrecognizable. The garlic bread looked like they pulled it out of Hoagie Hut's dumpster and threw it in a toaster oven. The pizza, even though thin crust took 30 minutes + which turned out NOT to be worth the wait, sucked more than I anticipated. We ordered two mediums, a peperoni for a teen pizza freak, and a spinach, garlic, & olive for us two petulant pizza priestesses, and collectively, almost in unison, after 3 bites, we all declared, "tasteless, crap". $50 tab and a lousy experience later, we left our vinyl tableclothed dining room, and headed out with a ton of leftover pizza, to find the nearest homeless person who might be really hungry. Jean, Marc, and Rick - I suggest you take a hard look at this location, hopefully your other locations are up to your family standards, but I can't imagine an Italian family who would be proud of this place. Nel bocca del lupo!
(1)Duco Y.
Hate to think how many pizza's I've eatin here in California. Seems like every Friday night my family and I try and find the perfect pizza and have tried them all. Native Californian that had my first pizza in Pasadena California in a place called Sunny Italy and that goes back a long time ago. Sorry, but this has got to be the very best pizza I have ever had. Everything about this place was terrific. So pleased.
(5)Susan L.
What more can you ask for than a heart-shaped Chicago style pizza for Valentine's day? I don't live in Chicago anymore, but I'm STILL having one shipped for the occasion! EDIT: Yes, we really did have a Chicago-Style pizza for Valentine's Day dinner. It was a huge hit, and tasted WONDERFUL--so nice to have a little *slice* of home in Philly. It came with a heart-shaped raspberry cheesecake, which we also devoured with a vengeance.
(5)Karl S.
Wow, get the pan pizza! I got extra sauce - it's great. Thanks!
(5)Stephanie L.
Lou's is my favorite deep dish in Chicago so far. I go with the classic sausage and butter crust. The wait at this location can be VERY long so plan to stay awhile if dining inside. A deep dish takes at least 30 minutes. They have a small dining room. Take out is a great option.
(4)Katie R.
This is the Lou's I order from when I get pizza delivered. I love Lou's, next to Due it's my favorite deep dish in the city. I probably would NOT go back and eat in at this location. Sort of loud, sort of small. Not much atmosphere at all. I've never been disappointed with the food though. If you are getting food delivered: always, always ask for your pizza uncut. The sauce, crust and cheese stay in much better shape. When you have it cut, the juices from the sauce tend to leak into the cracks/make your crust soggy. Maybe this is why people seem to be reviewing the sauce as dry? Either way, delicious to have delivered, but don't go here to eat in.
(4)Ang R.
I never eat at Lou's, and probably never will. That said, I like ordering Lou's in. It's reliably good; nothing spectacular, but among the best purveyors of Deep Dish goodness. I'd rather have Due, but what can you do? Lou's is everywhere, not so Due. The Lou's Special, it must be said, is fantastic. I can't order it all the time, but when I do, I'm always happy with it. I can't forsee a time when I don't order from Lou's every once in a while. We'll try other pizzas, and I'll probably love other pizzas, but sometimes, you just need this stuff.
(4)Iliana C.
AMAZING!!! If you want to try deep dish pizza this is the place to do it! The sauce on the pizza is to die for. The service is friendly and it's where all the locals seem to perfer. Even my friend that hates deep dish pizza found it to her liking.
(5)Hope A.
From what I understand about Chicago style pizza- its a loyalty thing. Kind of like how you cheer for the Cubs or the White Sox, you either like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's. I was told by a local (Cubs fan) that Lou's was the best pizza in town. And so we went. There was about an hour and a half wait, so they took our order, took or phone number and off we went to find a bar. The hostess called us about an hour later, informing us that our table was ready and she was really nice about having to hunt us down. And (surprising to a San Franciscan) she didn't give our table away or give us attitude about wandering off. I love the midwest. Anyways, this was some darn good pizza- but it didn't hold a candle to my beloved Harold Washington pizza at Windy City. (See review below) So, I am going to hold off on awarding that final one star until I have Giordano's and can decide for myself. Sorry Kevin.
(4)Niki C.
First time Lou Malnati eater here. We order it last night & I don't know if I was expecting the Holy Grail of 'Za or what, but it was good, but not "As God is my witness I shall never go hungry again" good. I actually liked the thin crust that the bf ordered more than I liked my "The Lou" deep dish. Definitely worth another try, though, & with it being just up the street, why not? Cookie pizza? Uh ... sign me up. Edited: Ordered a small cheese "deep dish" pizza the other night. Now, I know that I'm going to catch holy hell for this, but what is so "deep dish" about it? It's a thick crust with some cheese slathered on top & some sauce on top of that. I really don't taste what all the fuss is about here.
(3)Melanie B.
Catered my wedding rehearsal dinner and the delivery guy was nice enough to help set everything up for us. As always, the pizza was beyond amazing. The pasta was only okay, and the bruschetta was decent. It was so nice to share a bit of our hometown with all of our guests!
(4)Jen C.
The BEST PIZZA known to man, woman, transgender, transvestite, etc.
(5)Janelle H.
This is my second time here and I left just as satisfied as my first. I actually called in my order for dine-in and was accommodated. When I arrived, the hostess knew exactly who I was and seated immediately. Our server was very helpful and checked back with us several times to see if we needed anything. She even saw me about to grab another slice myself and rushed over like one of the tennis ball boys at Wimbledon to get it for me. LOL The flavor of our deep dish cheese pizza was good and the crust was crunchy. I also recommend getting the stuffed spinach bread. The busboys also anticipated when we would be done so they could clear our plates. Overall, I had a great experience. I will be back and o recommend to anyone!
(4)Darren B.
Growing up I was surrounded by Lou Malnati's, yet Giordano's was my favorite for deep dish and thin crust (Chi-town's thin crust is vastly underrated). I still love my Gio's and have even transported some back to Austin, but I have to say in recent years it's Lou's that I crave more when I'm back in town. This location is just footsteps away from my old stomping grounds at DePaul and it's one of their best. You may notice a difference in consistency between locations. My dad and I came in for a pie and while they were busy inside, we got seated right away. Sometimes they'll have a thin crust pizza at the front desk that you can grab a square or triangle of while you wait for a seat. On my most recent visit this was not the case unfortunately. I went with the Goose Island Matilda which is a Belgian style pale ale. It was pretty good. We got an order of wings which were great. We did a mix of both the buffalo and honey bbq sauces. I prefer the buffalo, but felt like getting a variety. There is a good amount of meat on them which is always appreciated. We sat outside for our pizza. I could go into detail about it, but instead, I think the pictures speak for themselves. *Chicago Native Tip: Whatever you do, do not order the personal pizzas. They are not at all the same.
(4)Monica T.
Hands down one of the best deep dish pizza we had in a long time!! (well, to be fair, we live in NYC, so we have access to limited deep dish).. We were seated at the bar with no reservation for Saturday lunch. We ordered an order of Buffalo wings, and a medium Chicago Classic. The wings were really tender and moist with some fancy Gorgonzola dips. Pizza was delicious! I like that the crust weren't that thick, but it was packed with toppings (cheese, tomato sauce, sausages...), yum! The whole meal come up to be about $35bucks and we were stuffed for a long time...Note, pizza takes about 30minutes to cook, so be prepared to wait...or plan ahead
(5)Conor M.
The Lou or the Chicago Classic!!!!!!! This place is crowded which can be a challenge, but the food is amazing.
(5)Autumn A.
The creamy garlic salad dressing was amazing but I almost cried when I tasted the pizza. Wonderful garlicy tomatoey cheesy goodness. The crust is crispy but feels home made. So wonderful. It's what you imagine pizza should be. Great first piece of Chicago pizza!
(5)Kathryn S.
My daughter and I ordered pizza, pasta, and two diet Cokes and waited over an hour and when it was delivered we got real Cokes, not the meatless sauce for the pasta we ordered, and the pizza toppings were incorrect. How difficult can this be? My daughter called the Lou Malnati location, was placed on hold 3 times because she was disconnected three times, and finally called got a manager and said how are you going to fix this? They said we'll have a new order to you in 20 minutes. We'll see.
(3)Lillian C.
I am not crazy about it. It was ok. I ordered the classic "buttercrust" pizza with extra cheese and lean sausage because I was told by my server this is the classic, and most popular option. Popular means it must be good right? I mean, pizza as a whole is fairly popular and it's pretty darn good. Even bad pizza is still pretty good (I don't think I've met a pizza I've fully written off). I admit I was hesitant about trying deep dish and adding a deep dish place to my itinerary. I am all about the crust. The crust makes or breaks a pizza. the major distinguishing point in a deep dish is how the crust is made (recipe) and how its formed, altering flavors, textures, etc. But I wanted to give deep dish the chance and researched the heck out deep dish. I automatically knocked off the really popular national chains like Uno's. I read the differences between places and knocked out places that do the two layer stuff. I love buttery rich crusts and Lou's gets pretty rave reviews, so I picked this location to pop my deep dish cherry. I have to say, I did not like how crunchy and dry this crust was. I was imagining something more tender but still crisp like a detroit style pizza. Instead, it was like comparable to the crust of a quiche. What really killed it for me was how bland the sauce was. I was looking forward to some intense tomato notes, bright, zingy, maybe a bit peppery, and mine just tasted like just canned tomatoes plopped on top. The cheese- eh, the sausage, bland. No little caramelized bits on the cheese with textural contrast, just molten mozz. I think it was part skim too because it wasn't as creamy as whole milk mozz. I do prefer this over the abomination that is new york pizza (floppy, sloppy, bland crust and minimal cheese and sauce, kill it with fire!) but I'll rather be eating at Costco. Better yet, why is no one talking about Detroit Pizza? It seriously is my favorite pizza. Skip deep dish, skip new york, risk getting jumped to have pizza worth getting jumped for! PS: garden salad is pretty good to say the least! Love the dressing, I'd tell them to put it on the side though because mine was drowning in dressing that I accidentally flicked vinegar into my eye chowing down on a very wet salad!
(3)Crystal T.
Really great service, delicious pizza, cute space, all-around wonderful. I recommend the "Lou!" Had a great time here. Yayayay.
(5)Evan B.
Not only did locals recommend this place but Yelp was dead on as well. * Very friendly staff and attentive service. Went around 7 on a Wed and had no wait * Somewhat awkward that they serve you salad and pizza one slice at a time. I guess that's your thing but as an East Coaster I'm used to pulling my own weight. Not docking a star though. * Pizza with sausage and green peppers was heavenly. Thick crunchy crust held the ingredients very well. * Definitely lived up to our expectations of deep dish Chicago pizza. Go check it out!
(5)Sean R.
Damn good pizza!!! I'm an east coast thin pizza lover and I can honestly say this was a great pie!!! Also ordered the house salad, the Italian dressing was a little sweet, but quite good! Veggies were fresh too! Can't wait to go back for seconds!!!
(5)Lewis B.
We had Giordano's fatigue so finally gave Lou Manalti's a chance, and wondered why we are here before. The ambience is like any other pizza place, loud, busy, lots of utensils clashing. But the food, it's so amazing. There's a reason why it has such good reviews. Service is fast.
(5)Clara A.
Every summer, I go to Chicago, and every first meal is usually pizza from Lou Malnalti's! The wait is the worst part.. It's as if I'm completely starved each time I'm at LM's waiting for a pizza! At least you know it's all made to order.. I love the butter crust.. I mean, is there really any other way to eat a pizza crust?? I love deep dish pizza and I think Lou Manalti's does it best! The cheese is so thick and oozey, they have a lot of meat, the perfect amount!! The servers are so friendly and knowledgable and very attentive! Always a reason to come back to any establishment.. Keep up the great service!
(4)Kathy R.
I really enjoy getting Lou's pizza when I go to my hometown, Chicago! If I am in mood for deep dish! When I want thin crust, Aurelio's (hands down) is the place to go! The only negative with Lou's is that it has too much sausage filling and it seems like it's too pricey! I got a small with sausage and pepperoni and it was 15.75!! Well, that's Chicago! Still yummy!
(4)Navi R.
I'm not a Pizza fan, but Lou Malnati's have me convinced that I could come back here again. It was my first time trying a deep dish pizza and I'm pleasantly surprised to say that I liked it more than I thought it would. It wasn't too cheesy or overwhelmingly full of suave but a hearty balance between sauce, meat, cheese, and crust. Though I will have to say, my favorite thing here was the BBQ chicken salad. Typically ingredients like any other place but it was delish! I kept reaching for more and so did everyone else at the table. Tip - order less than you think you need. I was there with 9 other co workers and seriously, at the end of dinner, it looks like we barely ate anything yet everyone was filled to the brim. But hey, there's no such thing like this in Seattle! So we have a perfectly acceptable excuse. :)
(4)P 3.
Good pizza. A little thinner and "drier" dough than other deep dish places, but the pizza is good. The family size salad is HUGE - so be aware. Good place, nice service. Would go again.
(4)Tiffany H.
Pretty standard deep dish Chicago pizza. I am still a fan of Giordano's, so maybe it's just blind brand loyalty that makes me think it's not much above standard. Decently priced and standard service. No disappointments, but not impressed. OH! Highly recommend calling ahead with your order. They don't have call ahead seating, but even with a 30min wait, calling ahead gets your pizza to you right away and helps avoid the additional 45min wait.
(3)Sarah A.
So when in Chicago one has to try deep dish Chicago pizza. My friend recommended this place and it did not disappoint. We lucked into a perfect Chicago weekend so sat outside which was awesome. We got a small pepperoni and mushroom with a salad which was the perfect amount of food. Both pizza and salad were great. The pizza is very filling though so I wouldn't be able to eat a lot of it, but it was tasty. The pizzas do take awhile so this is not the place to come if you are in a rush. Since we didn't gorge ourselves on pizza we also ordered the cookie sundae which was basically a giant cookie with ice cream and whipped cream on top. Can I say delicious?!?! Don't eat too much pizza and save room for this!
(5)Try4Gold ..
Bland sauce slopped over a plastic cardboard crust lacking cheese in gapping areas. But it was served hot.
(1)Mindy D.
Call ahead for take-out and give yourself plenty of time. It takes at least 30 minutes for a pizza, even a personal size one. The restaurant doesn't close until 10pm on a Friday night, but they stop seating at 9pm. Luckily, they were nice enough to let us enjoy our planned take-out pizza in the dining area. We weren't hungry, but eating a Chicago deep-dish was a must during our short visit to the Windy City. We asked some locals at a Cubs game where to the best deep dish is. They said Lou Malnati's without contest. Then I asked my friend, and the answer was... you guessed it, Lou's. I can't remember which pizza we ordered, but it was delicious! The crust was perfectly crispy without being too thick and the ratio of toppings to cheese to crust was spot on. With us not being too hungry, the personal size pizza was just the right amount with 4 small slices. Deep-dish pizzas are much more filling to begin with! At the entrance, they sell their frozen pizzas for pickup and some sauces. It looks like you can order them online to be shipped wherever you are. I am now tempted to order one, and not a personal size this time ;)
(5)Mike S.
Lou Malnatti's pizza is one of my favorite deep dish pizzas in the city. Their butter crust is fantastic. When I go to the restaurant I always have to get the Malnattis salad with their delicious salad dressing, salami, and cheese. This location had a longer than average wait time for an early Sunday afternoon. This partly was due to Sunday Church crowd but also due to relatively minimal seating inside the restaurant.
(4)Mariya V.
Hands down, the best deep dish pizza you will ever have. I love the pepperoni deep dish pizza. The sauce is amazing and the crust is perfect. I love coming here with my girlfriends and splitting a salad and a pizza. The salads are great too!
(5)Doug S.
Simply great pizza! Being from Nebraska (but having a heart for Chicago) we had to try one of the city's top pizza joints. We searched many of the top restaurants, but the location of this one (to Wrigley) made it the best choice by far. The place was fairly busy when we arrived, so we got a table outside and we were very pleased with the view and the service. With any deep dish pizza there is going to be a little bit of a wait, but it was totally worth it. We had the Malnati's Chicago Classic, and I can tell why it is classic. A seemingly simple pizza with sausage, cheese and tomatoes, this guy is packed with flavor! We got a large so we could bring some home to share, and the scent of the leftover pizza filled our hotel room, from the refrigerator, with it's garlic - buttery goodness. We are definitely going back next we are in town, and it is great they have freezers stocked with pizzas you can take home and cook(and share with other people from Nebraska).
(4)Rob C.
Thick crust pepperoni was great. Thin crust sausage was pretty good. House salad with house red wine vinaigrette was also great. Wait staff was attentive and helpful... Serving each slice of pizza. Restaurant was comfortable and quaint. A good find for us out-of-towners.
(5)Keith D.
Outstanding pizza, the crust and sauce was over the top. We really enjoyed their house salad.
(5)Alexander M.
Born and raised in Chicago, I have had a lot of different experiences with "Chicago Style Pizza". I have ordered from several different locations, but the one in Lincoln Park is currently the closest to my house. This has become a Sunday ritual. The crust, sauce, cheese and toppings make the overall flavor several stars above the rest. I have eaten Pizzeria Uno, Due, Gino's East, Pequod's, Giordano's, Bacino's, Edwardo's and D'Agostino's to say a few. However, none of those compare to giving you the true taste of what Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is supposed to be. This is hands down, the best in Chicago. (As far as the best Thin Crust Pizza, there's better. Check my other reviews for that winner)
(5)Alexandra H.
The interior is nothing special--except for the sign that says "Chicago Pizza. No Kale, No Sprouts, No Peanut Sauce, No Tofu."--but the pizza is what dreams are made of! As a girl who can typically "hold her own,"--that's my nice way of saying "I am capable of eating a large pizza by myself in one sitting"--two pieces of deep dish cheese pizza and a bite of spinach cheese bread did me, and the two grown men I was with, in. Lou's has everything you're looking for in a Chicago deep dish: borderline excessive amounts of cheese, a light yet chunky tomato sauce and a buttery, flaky crust. Our bill for 4 people was about $30 for a spinach bread, a large deep dish pizza & a big cookie with ice cream. Pretty amazing. Let's just say it's probably a good thing I live in Minneapolis, because they also deliver.
(4)Kate U.
Lou Malnati's is the BEST deep-dish pizza in Chicago. I've had Giordano's and trust me, they can not compete with the crust that Lou Malnati's has. The crust and the quality of ingredients is what keeps me coming back. I honestly just get a cheese or a pepporoni & susage pizza and that is all you need. Simple is key here, the veggies will water down the pizza. If you're dining in, keep in mind the wait here on a Friday or Saturday night can be a little long because it is a small restaurant. They're usually pretty nice and will have out some appetizers for the people waiting for a table that are hungry and smelling the deliciousness. This restaurant itself is pretty small, but intimate. I come here because I live on the northside and it's very convenient to just call in a pizza order and pick it up. Keep in mind that if you're waiting at a table it will take 30-45 minutes to make the pizza so I would advise getting a salad to share or breadsticks. Only thing I'd say is because it's so small (and usually really packed) it gets quite loud on the weekends, and difficult to hear the people in your party. Not much they can do about that though. Enjoy!
(4)Man Y.
I had heard from multiple people that this is the place to have Chicago style deep dish pizza! So on my visit, I made it a point to try this place out. Through no fault of their own, I was not impressed. The fact is, the crust is like a thick pie crust, but I like my pizza more bread-like. So although I'm sure that this is a great place for Chicago style deep dish, and I'm glad I went, I won't be going back.
(3)Alex L.
First day ever in Chicago so this was my first ever deep dish pizza. Had a half pepperoni and sausage half cheese pizza. It was so substantial. I ate three pieces and was full. The service was friendly and efficient.
(5)Richard R.
Quality of ingredients seemed subpar... like as if I ordered pizza at a Denny's. I don't get why this place has so many fans. Maybe it varies by location? Staff and service was good on the bright side.
(2)Sean B.
What else can I say? It's touristy, but it's the best! Whether it's thin crust or deep dish, the pizza is amazing! The sauce is the best in Chicago that I've tried (I've tried a LOT). The toppings are fantastic, and it's not overwhelmed with cheese like Giordano's. When I visit home, Lou's is where I will go. I like it a smudge better than Pequod's, which is also amazing. As much as I hate saying this... TOURIST'S YOU BETTER GO HERE! This IS Chicago pizza!
(5)Michaela F.
Love Lou's pizza- but the service here is terrible. The hostess and manager were over seating and not communicating which resulted in waiting much longer for a table. Additionally while waiting for a table they told us to go to to the bar and from there we were asked to leave because they use the bar for seating- which was clearly contradictory. I will not be returning to this location. New staff is needed. The manager knew we were very unhappy and did nothing to help resolve or apologize for the problem/inconvenience.
(2)Patrick P.
Lou Malnati's has THE BEST deep dish pizza in the city. No other compares. The Malnati Salad is extremely addicting as well. This location is cute and convenient, and the waitstaff is always extremely well mannered! Get there early though, this location is smaller than most and has limited seating. The wait could be lengthy.
(5)Denise L.
Always a big question: Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. I bought two in the same night and taste tested them. Lou Malnati's by a landslide. Their well-balanced and meaty pizza got me good. I'm never a fan of pizza crust, but I can deal with theirs. Not too much cheese like Giordano's. A must try when in Chicago!
(4)Liz R.
People are nice! Good service. Okay food - NEVER ORDER THE FISH. Tastes like freezer. But the spinach/cheese bread appetizer is great.
(3)Sarah B.
This was my first time having deep dish pizza so not sure how helpful my review will be. The service was great. Our pizza came out hot and fresh. Of course on a Saturday night this place is super busy. I would call ahead. We waited for about 45 mins before we got our table and then awhile longer to order and awhile longer to actually get our food. Call ahead. But the wait gave us a chance to hit up the bar. Great place to go with friends after a long work week.
(4)Alexis T.
Ordered a take away deep dish tonight. Found it to be pleasant but not an abundance of flavor. The sauce needs some oregano and maybe a little more basil to add some flavor and depth. So a decent deep dish pizza at an okay price.
(3)Kendal P.
Loved this place! It was a nice walk from Days Inn and just the spot I wanted for good pizza and beer. Loved the IPA and both personal Chicago-style pizzas were delish. The portions are just right. The Lou was tasty but I preferred the other Chicago-style specialty: the Classic (or something - can't remember the name!). The restaurant had plenty of patrons at 9:30pm on a Sunday but the atmosphere was relatively quiet and low key. Great for a casual dinner date or meet-up with friends. Highly recommend!
(5)Victoria G.
Very nice place and pizza was good as always. Convenient location if you are going to see Million Dollar Quartet show.
(4)C P.
Our first authentic Chicago-style pizza. I've always wondered which is better...New York or Chicago style pizza? Sorry Chicagoans (is that a word?) but New York style will win the debate! We ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic, sausage, extra cheese and tomatoes on a butter crust. The sausage was bland but a generous amount, sausage lined ths entire crust. The tomatoes were fresh. The crust was thick and crispy, but tasteless. The cheese was too thick! And tasteless. I mean even cheap pizza is good but I expected more from Chicago style pizza since there is volume...more places to add flavor. Well thicker isnt always better. I will say the wait was not bad. They are packed and they have a great process of allowing the patron to order pizza after your name goes on the waiting list. It was only 15 minutes after we were seated and we got our pizza!
(3)Margaret Z.
Can't visit Chicago without getting a taste of authentic deep dish pizza! We started with the stuffed spinach and cheese bread, which comes out in a small loaf. Each loaf will feed about 2-4 people. It was DELICIOUS - very moist, gooey cheese, and generous amounts of spinach. It takes approximately 30 to 45 mins for the pizza come out and you have an option of various sizes. The menu is deceiving because it says a large will feed 4 people, but there are 8 slices. In my party of 8, we ordered 2 pies and had a ton of leftovers. I would definitely recommend the Lou if you're a veggie lover because it's packed with spinach and tomatoes. I personally liked the meat one better - there's a generous layer of sausage over the entire pie and you can add even more toppings. Crust was doughy with a very crisp edge... my guilty pleasure. Only complaint is that the service is kind of snooty and rude and the tables in the back are squished a little too closely together for my comfort.
(4)Joey K.
Being from Wisconsin, I am no stranger to cheese and beer. Add in the fact I live in Green Bay, I felt it necessary to try some serious Chicago Style pizza after all the Bear v Packer games. I even opened up a forum on my Facebook page asking my Chicago friends where to go. The most popular was Lou Malnati's and it did not disappoint! I ordered a triple pepperoni (or roni-roni-roni per the receipt) and sausage Lou style pizza. I honestly don't know how I will ever eat another restaurants pizza again. Or not live in Chicago for that matter. I want-nay NEED to drive back soon to enjoy the roni-roni-roni. Our server/bartender was the man-let us sit back at the bar and take it all in. Overall very courteous and gave us good recommendations for local beers. Thanks!
(5)Rafael Q.
This place never disappoints. Great environment and great service.
(5)Kelly C.
Lou Malnati's has a unique approach to deep dish pizza - the thick butter crust then piled with cheese and toppings. This is different than Giordano's or Edwardo's - not better or worst, more a matter of personal preference. When ordering, I highly recommend getting veggies and/or meat - plain cheese can be overwhelming with the sheer amount of cheese with any deep dish style. This location, recently renovated, has a nice updated casual space to dine-in with friendly service. Carry-out is the main focus, but don't overlook it for a good place to sit down for pizza.
(4)Bill F.
My wife and I heard great things about this pizza in advance of a birthday day trip. The stakes were high as many claimed Lou Malnati's would dethrone Giordano's in our hearts as our favorite Chicago deep dish. I will say this...I'm glad we tried LM's famous buttercrust deep dish but the Big G is still safe as #1 for us. The upside...pizza was very cheesy and crust was crunchy. Spinach salad was a nice warm up and the atmosphere was lovely. Went for lunch on a Saturday and got seated right away. Downside...the crust, as some have mentioned here, is quite bland. Tastes like Melba toast and my wife suspected from the crunchiness it might have been frozen and then un-thawed too quickly. Could use a little garlic and salt. Not enough tomatoes for our taste either. To each their own, but for my money it's Giordano's next time.
(3)Lindsey M.
It's true, hands down best deep dish in the city. But what was awesome was we walked in 45 mins to closing on a Tuesday night which if you've ever worked in a restaurant/bar you know thats a really asshole thing to do - especially when the pizzas take 20-30 mins to make. But props to our server, he was such a good sport and really went out of his way to make us feel welcome.
(5)Janine C.
I visited Chicago over the 4th of July Weekend. This place was one of the restaurants that I got the most suggestions on to visit. This was my first time having deep dish pizza! I wasn't disappointed! We got sausage, pepperoni & mushroom. Very tasty & filling. Nice server & pleasant outside environment.
(4)Madi N.
Good pizza, horrible customer service. Bear with me for the whole story... Friday night. My husband and I are new to Chicago and my in-laws were here visiting all the way from Idaho. We called ahead to make sure we wouldn't have a crazy wait and were told that our pizza would be ready when we got there in 30 minutes. Upon arriving, we sat in the waiting room for AN HOUR with no explanation. When it was finally our turn to be seated, they started shoving bar stools around a tiny round table (for our party of SIX that included two large 6'6" men) when there was a perfectly good large table open in the corner. We asked to have to other table and the waitress rolled her eyes and rudely said "well you're gonna have to go back out and wait again." When they cleared it off we were finally seated, hoping for our pizza to arrive since at that point it had been 1 1/2 hours since we called our order in. We waited around for 20 more minutes and our waitress, sensing that we were disgruntled, came and explained that they had just put our pizza in to finish cooking. My sisters friend went and talked to one of the managers, who then came over to our table. No apology, nothing- was a total jerk being defensive about the wait, and wouldn't listen to us explaining that it had been TWO HOURS since we called. That was the last straw so we got up and walked out, still with no dinner. As we were walking across the street a different manager, George?, chased us out the door to make things right. He offered us free dinner and apologized for the situation. He was very nice but it didn't make up for the rest of it. In the end, we got our pizzas free but it was NOT worth the waste of a night and horribly rude customer service that left a bad taste in our mouth.
(2)Malo T.
Outstanding customer service, very attentive and very nice hosts and servers. The wait was not long considering it was a packed house and the pies were fantastic.I wish Los Angeles had awesome Pizza like Lou Malanati's .
(5)Spiky S.
I can't understand why this place is so celebrated. The crust is good, but that's it. The sauce and toppings are bland and soggy.
(1)Christy L.
I'm going to weigh in on the great Chicago debate: what is the best deep dish pizza in Chicago? Well, it's Lou Malnati's, hand's down. I was raised on Gino's as there wasn't a Lou's near where I grew up, but as I have dumped Gino for Lou. I had a pizza party last week, and served both pizzas side-by-side, and my friends also preferred Lou's (though still rated Gino's highly). The butter crust is delicious, and the ratio of crust to sauce to cheese is perfect. My favorite combinations are two of their signature pizzas, the Lou and the Malnati Chicago Classic. For the non-meat eaters, the Lou is loaded with fresh veggies whereas the Malnati Chicago Classic is the best sausage pizza you'll ever have. I recommend delivery during peak hours as this restaurant is fairly small and in high demand. For deep dish, I recommend ordering it un-cut to preserve the crispiness.
(5)Monique V.
Thanks but no thanks. Yes deep dish is awesome but when your pizza comes with a watery sauce and wayyyy too much cheese (talking 1 inch thick), it's more like a casserole gone wrong. I like their crust though and they have a pretty good take out service. However I definitely think there are better deep dish pizza places out there.
(3)Christina F.
I love Lou's. I really do, the crust is so good and my favorite is the sausage pizza. It's got a different taste than Giordano's-- almost to the point where I can't compare the 2. I know there's a huge rivalry between the two but just appreciate them each for their own unique beauty. I have been to several Lou locations and the pizza tastes the same, it's consistently good. It does take a good 45 minutes for the pizza to come out though so be aware of that. All in all, give it a shot if you want classic Chicago deep dish.
(4)Michelle K.
On my trip to Chicago, I gained 5lbs (give or take). Why? I was on a hunt for the Chicago's best deep dish pizza. Unfortunately, while it wasn't horrible, lou malnati's was a let down. The crust was buttery and the sauce, cheese, and toppings were nothing to write home about. The quality of the ingredients weren't horrible, but it just wasn't the best deep dish I've ever had (which, btw, is hands down little star in the bay area). Also, lou malnati's is a chain. If you really want to, you can come here, but honestly, I'd recommend trying pequod's while in Chicago.
(3)Wayne H.
Lou Malnati's is my favorite deep dish pizza in the city. I love the butter crust and the fresh tomato sauce. This is my number one go to for when out of towners want to experience a great Chicago deep dish style pizza. The best part is it can feed an army for a very low cost. This location is also great for dining. We sometimes grab a pizza from here too before the movie in the parks to have at our picnics.
(5)Lauren E.
Our server was so helpful and knowledgable about gluten free, and what we would enjoy eating. He was courteous, aware, and exceeded expectations. Plus- the food was amazing! Definitely recommend.
(5)Zack H.
After eating the Chicago Classic, I'll never let another man besides Lou inside me ever again.
(5)Tahsin I.
Came here after going to Giordano's earlier in the week and loved this place so much more. I arrived with a large group around 9pm and there was a 45min wait but they let us put in our order before while waiting to speed up the process which was great. Usually it takes 30-45 minutes for the pizzas to be done. So by the time we sat down only took about 10 minutes to get our pizza. We ended up ordering a cheese, pepperoni, sausage and i think the Chicago special? All of them mediums for about 9 people. Every slice i had was delicious but definitely too much food for all of us. They say a medium serves 2 but it's more like 3 and a half. No complaints about service it was prompt and accommodating. Our waitress doled out slices for everyone and checked back often to see if anyone needed an extra slice. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone that wants some good Chicago pizza.
(5)Tuong Vi P.
Our last night in Chicago, my baby sister and I made it a point to fill our bellies with some authentic pizza. Wandering around Lincoln Park, I found Lou Malnati's thanks to my handy Yelp app. Though I was Google-mappin' it, I did get some friendly help from the counter guy of Wells Street Popcorn. We got in and were semi-surprised at how un-divey the pizza joint was. It was quite a nice and cozy setting to enjoy a pie, so once we got settled in, we decided to order a small Malnati Chicago Classic for the two of us. The wait was somewhat lengthy, but since we were chatting about our Windy City adventures, the time flew by quickly and before we knew it, a deep dish appeared before our very eyes. Our server kindly cut out a wedge for each of us and we dived in. Really good pizza! Okay, so I'm not the biggest pizza aficionado that ever walked the Earth, but I can appreciate a good one when my mouth meets one. The crust was buttery and crispy on the edges and soft in the inside. The sauce was really well-seasoned and the sausage was the proverbial cherry on top. We were extremely stuffed, even after walking over 20,000 steps that day (yes, we are pedometer girls), and walking to the CTA station was a big of a drag with such lethargy. We slept happily that night. Go and you too shall enjoy a wonderful slumber after your body processes the carbs and calories.
(4)Sacha F.
Really amazing pizza, both deep dish as well as their gluten free option. Do not go to giordanos, this place is way better quality. Great meatballs as well! Try going on a week day as it is often packed on the weekend. :)
(4)Kendrick W.
When people talk about deep dish in Chicago, there are several names that always pop up. Lou's, Giordano's and Gino's (pizzeria uno/due as well) and usually the locals are quick to dismiss them as the best in Chicago. Lou Malnati's holds its own. Their classic deep dish with butter crust is still a winner. I may tend to avoid it because of the throngs of tourists, but if you get to the lincoln park location early enough it's not so bad. Good stuff.
(4)Su L.
Pizza is fine, just standard deep dish pizza. But I'm giving 2 stars based on my subpar experience with their salads. You just can't call it a "chicken caesar salad" if all you're gonna get is a s**t ton of romaine lettuce and literally 5 pieces of chicken that are barely bigger than the croutons. Not worth the money spent.
(2)Jessica K.
I've done the gambit of Chicago shops so Lou Malnati's truly is just A-OK. Nothing about it stands out or wows me. Not from the service to the decor, the lack of ambiance or the food. I have a feeling the servers are just tired of putting on a happy "Welcome to Chicago!" kind of face and I totally get that. The menu is limited, the appetizers are tired and unimaginative and the pizza takes well over the 30 minute guesstimate time. We ordered a sausage, spinach, mushroom and tomato pizza and couldn't find the spinach in the pizza. It was more sausage and extra cheese with a sprinkling of vegetables from the bottom of a bin. Awful. And the famous butter crust wasn't as easy as it was to cut and chew as it used to be. I remember a nice soft buttery crust that didn't taste like cardboard and cut the soft palate of my mouth going down. They may have had an off day, but I'll definitely remember to never recommend this place to other people again.
(3)Billy K.
While pizza was and always delicious. The delivery person forgot one and when called was rudely told that it was on the the way without an apology or anything. When the second one got here it was cold. Was going to call and complain but why bother. Last time ordering from this location again
(1)Jessica M.
Seriously, so good! Came here after a bears game so the wait was longer than we'd of liked, but that was to be expected after a big event. We had a pepperoni and sausage deep dish and it was honestly the best pizza I've ever had in my entire life.
(5)Jason H.
You can mix up the pizza but attempt to try the original. You will be glad you did.
(4)Joel M.
Great experience and very tasty pizza. First trip to Chicago and wanted to try deep dish pizza. Was not very deep in fact later the same day we were treated to truly deep dish pizza.
(3)Adrienne T.
I'm officially a deep dish pizza fan. I've been to a few other pizza joints in Chicago and was never satisfied with my experiences. We ordered the Lou Pizza, with tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and four cheeses. Fully flavored amazing pizza. I will be back. Their tomato sauace is also fantastic. I was not able to give Lou's the full five stars because of service and lack of communication. However, I highly recommend their deep dish pizza over other pizzerias in the Chicago area.
(4)Mary D.
Growing up we used to go to Lou's after a successful basketball game win with the team to celebrate. Anyone can say they've got a deep dish pizza . But Lou malnatis delivers in quality and consistancy. Being in Cali now I can't say I've had a carb over load in years, but you best believe that when I touch down unto good ol' o'hare Lou malnati's is one of my first stops to indulge.
(5)Molly D.
I grew up in Chicagoland so I've been eating Chicago style deep dish pizza since I was probably 5 years old. I've tried them all, Uno's, Giordano's, Gino's... the list goes on. I know that every Chicago local has their favorite and will defend their deep dish pizza 'til the end but I have to say that Lou Malnati's is the very best deep dish pizza in Chicago. When we have family visit from out of town Lou's is always requested at one point of their trip. My personal favorite is a very basic pizza: either cheese or a spinach and garlic. If you are still hungry for desert, their cookie pizza with ice cream on top is also amazing. The cookie is gooey and chocolaty. If you're like me and you order here a lot, it is worth it to get a Deep Dish Dough card for no additional charge. You can rack up points and eventually get money off your next order on certain days of the week. Also, one thing to be prepared for is that these pizzas take more time to cook than a traditional thin crust. Make sure you order before you are starving because you will have time to work up an appetite (especially if you're getting it delivered).
(5)Jeremy H.
I was visiting here with a couple of friends and this place was recommended by our boat tour guide. We were welcomed with an estimated wait time of 20-30 mins... But that turned out to be over an hour, but it's not that big of a deal for a Saturday night. As for the pizza, I was a bit worried at first since they offered free samples at the waiting area and I disliked the sauce ( I prefer a pizza sauce that is way less sweet). Thankfully, there was not that much sauce on the pizza we ordered (can't remember the name of the pizza we ordered - probably because of the wrigleyville bar crawl that ensued later that night). The pie was solidly constructed and not sloppy like some others I have had in the Windy City. There was also a consistent and well-distributed amount of sausage throughout--there was sausage in every bite I had! Overall, I would rate this as a solid experience and would recommend to others if they are in the area.
(4)Jason and Janelle P.
We ordered a small classic to share between the two of us. We were warned that their pizzas would take 35 mins. 40+ minutes rolled by and a cold pizza came out. The sausage tasted good, but we asked our server why it was so cold. She told us that possibly the runners may have left it sitting on their counters a little too long and offered to reheat our remaining half. So we opted for that since we were basically eating leftover pizza at their restaurant. It definitely tasted better warm. We would have given them one star, but we added one star because our server did a fine job covering for their ass. And we gave another because they unexpectedly comped our pizza.
(3)Cristine K.
Lou Malnatis for the Win. We recently hosted a party for out of towners and decided to have a pizza show down. We ordered Lou Malnatis (husbands favourite) and Pequods (my favourite) so that our guests could get the authentic experience. Well... LM won the votes with their presentation perfect pizzas and layers of sauce/meat goodness. (And Pequods burnt theirs) Next time - the husband will win the pizza order.
(4)Alison Y.
Pizza and their cobb salad was fantastic! Bar is very small and only serves a small variety of beers and drinks so be prepared for them not having your preferred beer. The bar is also restaurant seating so no chance in skipping lines by eating here. They don't take reservations but you can come in, put down your name and they'll call you when your reservation is ready - handy during those summer days when you can walk around the neighborhood. Overall, clean, inviting, with good service!
(4)Tony B.
We just moved to Chicago & have enjoyed trying new places to eat. This was by far one of the worst pizzas we've ever had (not just in Chicago) but ever in all my 41 years. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.......you're better off going to a big chain like Pizza Hut or Dominos than this place!
(1)Katie V.
I've been to Chicago several times and always had Girodanos for deep dish. When visiting a friend with my boyfriend who has never been to Chi, we knew we had to get deep dish - this led us to Lous. We called ahead as we walked to the place which was a smart move. Got there around 530 on a Saturday, waited about 10 min for a table, then were seated at the bar to wait another 20min for the pie to finish. Not bad. I was so excited when our medium deep dish half sausage, half mushroom came out. Thought it looked shorter than deep dish I'd had in the past, I figured my memory was just exaggerating. Unfortunately it was disappointing. The crust was so dry, the flavor completely lackluster, and the toppings minimal. I felt like I was eating a glob of cheese on a cracker. Service was good and the atmosphere was great but id definitely go somewhere else for pizza unless you want a bland cheese cracker with minimal sauce and little flavor.
(1)Manny F.
I love pizza and of course I was going to have a Chicago deep dish pizza while visiting Chicago. It surpassed all of my expectations. Since they are so thick and layered, it took about 40 minutes for our pizzas to be ready. My wife and I were not bothered by that at all because the pizza was to die for. Layer of melted cheese and sauce oozed as I cut and lifted a slice onto my plate. I made a mess but I loved every second of it. These pizzas are so good and people love them so much that you can actually get them shipped to you anywhere in the country. I'm drooling just thinking about my experience and want to visit Chicago and Lou's again when I get there.
(5)Brittany H.
As a native chicagoian, when it comes to pizza, I've tried it all. Not only is lou malnati's my favorite deep dish in the city, it's my favorite pizza place as well. It's modeled after a living room equipped with couches, making it quaint and comfortable. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a casual night out with friends or family. The thin crust pizza is good, but the deep dish is amazing. The sauce is super fresh and they don't skimp or toppings or cheese. Make sure you order the butter crust! It is a bit extra, but definitely worth it.
(5)Carla B.
My favorite pizza in Chicago. The sauce has a deep wine taste and the crust is delicious. Their sausage is far and above any other competitor's sausage in my opinion. Deep dish or thin crust you can't go wrong. And I love their Malnati's salad and dressing too.
(5)Dan L.
The line at the front on a Saturday night in June 2014 was foreboding, but we endured it anyway. We had started with a family house salad (good), Malnati salad (okay), a deep dish pepperoni (very good), a gluten-free cheese and mushroom (okay), tiramisu (okay), and fudge brownie sundae (okay). Nice to have good IPAs available. Service was friendly.
(4)Brandon S.
Service was a little rough considering it was just my wife and I for a 2:30 lunch however the food was absolutely awesome and worth both the trip and the lack of great service.
(4)Hallie G.
Lou Malnatis is one of my favorite pizzerias in Chicago. However this rating is on the location. We had a group of 12, called in the AM to inform them we had a large party since they cant make reservations. We called 30minutes before we arrived again to inform them. We got there at 8:15pm and put in our name. Hour and a half wait. We were not seated until after 10:15pm ! We were annoyed and then we had given them our pizza orders and we had to wait the full 45min for the pizza!!! The waitress never refilled our water and kept disappearing towards the front door/kitchen. We finally left at 11:30pm since we were fed up and last table to leave. 4hours at this location we would of saved time and had better service at the river north location. Avoid this one or get take out!
(3)Maria S.
I haven't had many deep dish pizzas...living on the East Coast it's all NY Style, all the time. The pizza at Malnati's is pretty tasty, with chunks of juicy tomato and stringy mozzarella. Deep dish is a good value...it's way more hearty and substantial compared to thin crust pizza. A large pizza easily fed four of us for under 30 bucks, with plenty of leftovers (though it definitely is not as good cold as thinner crust pizzas are). Beers are affordable here, too, although the selection is somewhat limited. We called ahead to tell them the pizza we wanted, because the pizzas can take over 30 minutes because of their thickness, and because there can be quite a wait for a seat as the space is small.
(4)Kelly S.
Lou's is 3rd on my Chicago deep dish pizza list. 1st is My Pie, 2nd is Gullivers. Lou's sauce is somehow lacking garlic or something. I found it a little blah. The crust was just ok - a little tough and again, lacked seasoning. Service was very good and I LOVED the Malnati salad.
(3)Misha T.
famous for a reason! I had a small sausage patty and a couple of 312s and was quite pleased. The waitress accidentally spilled some water on my friend and they gave us a free giant cookie topped with ice cream (BJs calls it a pizooki)! Great service, great food and I wanna go back.
(5)Sharon F.
Lou Malnati's. If you say it fast enough it sounds like "luminatis", which is totally cultish after you've heard it long enough. EVERY single Chicago local tell me that Lou's is king when it comes to deep dish in Chicago, as if it is some conspiratorial cult, so I just had to try it out. Our rookie mistake was picking this Lincoln Park location on a Saturday night! Even for a party of 2, the wait was long during dinner. Luckily the staff at Lou Malnati's is smart, and served a few thin crusts to keep the hungry mob at bay. We ended up getting in just over an hour after our name went in. Usually I storm out if I have to wait 30 minutes, but with patience as a virtue, the pizza pie was totally worth it! Tip: If you foresee a long wait, order the pizza ~20 minutes ahead of time for it to be served right as you settle in. There is plenty of street parking and bars in the area, so don't wait inside like a sucker. Grab a pre-drink instead. The Malnati salad was a great appetite starter, and enough to feed at least 4 adults. We went with the Malnati Chicago Classic with sausage and the buttercrust just blows you away. For those with an appetite, the 9" is perfect for a party of 2. We could barely eat half! What I loved about Luminatis (my new name for it) was that all the ingredients were fresh. Tomatoes were chunky and firm, cheese was chewy and the dough tasted like it just came off mom's hands. If only the wait was a little bit shorter, I would become a true Chicagoan convert too.
(4)Laura D.
Great Pizza! Best in the city, never disappoints! They can get super busy and sometimes it's hard to get through, but it's worth it.
(5)Steph U.
So good, but so crowded! They don't take reservations, so it's really difficult to eat in, especially if you have a large group, which is why I'm giving this place 4 stars. I brought my parents here when they were visiting from California and we ended up ordering to go, since the wait was over an hour and a half (at 9:15pm!). The pizza was amazing and my parents were definitely impressed. We ordered the italian sausage with mushrooms. I also found out they deliver to my area, so I will for sure be doing that soon.
(4)Martin P.
Had a great time out at this restaurant and take out and delivery is great. The food is excellent probably the best top 3 pizzas in Chicago.
(5)Mike L.
Da best deep dish in Chicago. I think this is the best locale for sit down; however the Elkgrove Village is also good.
(5)Pete B.
Sunday late lunch with my daughter. Got the garlic bread for appetizer. So so good. Bread was perfect. The sauce is one of the best I've had. My daughter who is picky, couldn't get enough of it. The pizza is some of the best I've ever had. So much flavor. The cheese is fresh and abundant. Ive been the ginos, and while the food there was good, ill come back here next time. Better service, quicker service, and cheaper prices. I'm a fan! I wish St Louis (home to some of the worst pizza in the country) had a place with food half this good....
(5)Luke G.
This would be my second time eating here as I live 9 1/2 hours south of this establishment. My only other deep dish experience was with Pizzeria Uno, and I did not care for it. This part of the review is for people that have not ever had deep dish or are looking for a point of view of that from a person outside the "deep dish country." First of this is what a pizza "pie" is, because if you have a slice of pie it is not thin and crispy. It is a deep combination of toppings and ingredients that you need a fork and knife to eat. Speaking of these delicious toppings and fantastical ingredients, Lou uses some A+ pizza toppers. A tip or word of advice, check out the online menu and have what you want ready to tell the hostess because it usually takes 30 minutes for your round bliss in a pan to be made. Also the crust is not your typical dough that you would expect from a pizza. It is more of a flaky butter crust you would see from a apple pie, just not sweet, just buttery...mmm.mm.mmm. We ordered the small pepperoni pizza with added mushroom, garlic, and extra cheese cause that's how we roll. We are not big people so this filled us up, just having 2 slices a piece, now to be fair we did have some bruschetta before. So we met our carb intake for the year in this setting but HEY! you have to live a little right!? Any time I come to Chicago, I will seek this place out and its many fine establishments.
(5)Man V.
I got this recommendation from a close friend. Couldnt have been better unless there were topless dancers(cheezy I know)! A great deep dish experience. The pizza had great balance. Couple this with a fantastic salad and tireless service and get rated a 5...which is what they get.
(5)Leslie B.
I was born and raised on Lou's, my allegiance will never falter. It is simply the best deep dish in the Chicagoland area. For my 50th review...Lou Malnati's. You literally cannot go wrong with a Lou Malnati's pizza, deep dish or thin. My personal favorite is sausage, green pepper, onion, mushroom deep dish. Lou's has a delicious buttery crust, chunky tomato sauce, and thick layer of cheese that cannot be beat. To start, I really like their Malnati's salad, the vinaigrette is awesome. For this specific location, I would suggest picking up during peak hours. The actual dining room doesn't have a ton of space and you could easily wait an hour for your table. If you choose to wait, definitely pre-order your pizza. This is extremely helpful when it comes to having your meal almost ready by the time your table is. IF you've never had Lou Malnati's (shame on you, go now.) then you should dine in. While I will eat Lou's anywhere, I have to say that pizza in the restaurant trumps the takeout. Deep dish just doesn't hold up well when transported. Should you dine-in, order the cookie skillet. You'll be too full, but order it anyway.
(5)Kevin O.
Long story short: They won't deliver to me even though I am only 2.5 miles away. No Lou's will. I live in Chicago in a busy/nicer part of town so this shocked me. Pizza is good, service was not. I have updated this to 3 stars instead of 1 only because the district manager contacted me and was very nice about it. She said they still couldn't deliver to my area, but at least was nice about the situation.
(3)Jennifer C.
During my brief stay in Chicago, we made it a point to visit Lou Malnati's and Giordano's to settle the score between which pizzeria offers the better deep dish. Being from New York, I couldn't have been more excited to try authentic deep dish from Chicago. Nothing does justice to a food legend than actually eating from the place where said phenomenon began. I'm really glad I had this chance to visit Chicago and experience some truly fine deep dish pizza. Sadly though, it did not occur at Lou Malnati's. The crust on my personal pan pizza was solid like a rock, and not in that good, Whispers' 1987 hit, "Rock Steady" sort of way. No, it was a complete betrayal of the delicious sample piece I had at the counter as we waited for a table, which was a thin crust, spinach pizza, and was seriously divine. Their deep dish however, just did not live up to expectation. It was similar to having frozen pizza. My friends were equally unimpressed. In my opinion, there really wasn't much of a battle between Lou's and the other deep dish behemoth, Giordano's. Gio's was infinitely better.
(2)Tom B.
There are more opinions on deep dish pizza than there are pot holes in the streets of this town so I will not even go down that road. It's all about consistency and quality in the pizza business. Lou's has delivered that for years and continues to despite their growth....other favorites who became regional chains have not. I'm a purist when it comes to DD pizza and always go with their signature "Lou Malnati Chicago Classic" which is extra sausage,a rich tomato sauce and butter crust. I order it uncut so it can go in the oven at home for 5-8 minutes and then served for that "just out of the pizza oven" taste you get when you are at the restaurant. Yummmmm.
(4)Elizabeth G.
We had never been to Chicago and new we HAD to try Chicago style pizza. My friend discovered that Lou Malnati's was THE place to go. We were staying downtown but seeing a comedy show a few blocks away from this location. We walked in with about 1 1/4 hours before the start of the show and realized we did not have a lot of time. The bartender was SO helpful and accommodating. She took our pizza order so it could begin cooking and let us sit down once two others had left. She was friendly and customer service oriented. Not to mention, the food was fantastic. We split a house salad that had the red wine vinaigrette dressing and it was perfect. I do not eat cheese and they made me a no cheese personal size veggie pizza. Again, perfect. This place was great and I suggest everyone go here while visiting Chicago!
(5)Carina D.
The pizza here is so amazing. Deep dish amazingness!!!! Next time I'm in Chicago I will be coming back here again!!!
(5)James E.
My favorite Chicago deep dish so far. Have yet to try Gino's or Giordano's though. If you're considering Lou's or Uno, please go to Lou's instead! I like that this location has a modern decor instead of the old touristy style. Free street parking near the dog park.
(4)J J.
Delivery was way late and hate to say $32. For a large pizza Lou's is just another overpriced pizza place
(2)Rawlins R.
You have to go at the right time... I can swear I've been here more than once but Yelp only records me with one visit. Anyway, this location can get very busy as it is located in Lincoln Park. They have seating for about 40+ and also a small bar area. They have a couple TVs, artwork, yada yada. I think if you're coming to this location you know what Lou Malnati's is and you don't need an explanation. If you do need an explanation then you should ask the people you are visiting with that are from Chicago. If you are visiting by yourself and are using my review as a gauge for what to do when you come here then you just need to get the deep dish pizza. I promise you won't be disappointed. Other than that the wait staff is friendly, they will slice and serve your pizza for you. Unless you are with a large party you probably won't finish your medium or large pizza so you can get a to go box.
(4)Sheila K.
I was never a fan of chicago style deep dish pizza until Lou Malnati's. The wait was forever long! The food made up for it. We got a medium Malnati Chicago Classic and a Thin Crust pizza. 4 out of 5 of us had deep dish before and wasn't too fond of it. We came because one of us has never had deep dish. That's when all our heads turn. It was delicious! The Buttercrust on that Malnati Chicago Classic was divine. The crust stayed crunchy and the pizza was not too heavy. It was delicious! The only down side is the Marsala Flavor which I wasn't all too fond off. Next time I am going to try Lou's and hope that the wait isn't days. I wonder if you can call ahead. That would help.
(4)Kat O.
Best deep dish pizza in the world! Grew up on it and will be eating it for the rest of my life
(5)Joe S.
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! I LOVE Chicago Pizza and am totally biased!!! With that said, Lou's holds a very special place near and dear to my heart, mouth, and stomach. Everytime I visit Chicago, I hit up Lou's like a good ole' reliable and satisfying booty call from days past. Lou's never let me down...well...except that there isn't one in SoCal :( . Sausage patty layered above the crust and cheese - check. Pepperoni atop the sausage (not his sausage...but the sausage on the pie crust) - check. Sauce above the a-fore-mentioned - check. Large pitcher of Coke - check. You will either love Lou's or not like it very much at all. If you like deep dish/pan style then you'll probably love Lou's. If NY Thin is your preference and you have no desire to try anything other...then probably not the place for you. This place gets packed - especially in the summer with the patio seating overlooking Lincoln, Sheffield, and Wrightwood. Lots of Lincoln Park eye candy to take in, gorgeous Chicago summer weather, and of course people in this area know how to party and drink...and Lou's is merely steps from a great strip of bars off Lincoln!
(5)Dara B.
Their pizza is delicious. The quality of the restaurant...not so much. I just opened my pizza box to see my receipt literally baked into the pizza. Unsanitary, gross, and down right careless.
(2)Yak Y.
Yum!! Such great pizzas delivered to your door. Excellent gluten free pizzas also.. Thanks Lou!!
(5)Eric S.
We just visited Chicago and had the best deep dish pizza in town. Do not miss this place when you are in Chicago.
(5)Christina R.
There cheese or sausage pizza is freakishly good! If you have not had Lou's.. then you need to! Skip the veggies.. it takes to make it a little watery.
(5)Jenny C.
Poor customer service. Called an hour ahead so that when we got there our pizza would be ready. We we arrived 50 minutes later, they said "we just put in your pizza so it will be another 35 minutes.". When we got the pizza we noticed our order was incorrect. The waitress basically insisted we were wrong, even though we confirmed our order when we called in. First time there, and probably the last.
(1)S K.
Garlic sausage deep dish, crust remains crispy. Small's the perfect size for 2. The Malnati's salad is enough to keep bringing me back. Yum-O!
(5)Dan S.
We wanted to eat some real Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. This place fit the bill. We ordered the Malnati Salad and the Malnati Classic pizza. Both were so good that we are considering ordering the dressing and frozen pizzas from "Taste of Chicago".
(5)Sean C.
Sausage Deep Dish is supposedly atomic, but honestly, I tasted the underlining grease foremost. California yuppie speaking. And I say this is a yukfest with too much gobs of cheese on their pies. Don't trust their salads, what did it travel over five states to get here? #oralhygiene
(2)Helen D.
BEST DEEP DISH PIZZA EVER!!!!!!!! The moment I sunk my teeth into this amazing piece of heaven I could smell, taste and feel the love that went into making this. I absolutely love pizza of all sorts and deep dish definitely tops it. I loved the fresh ingredients and how the crust is crispy and hot. The next time I go to Chicago I'll have to go grab my personal pan pizza. I've been informed that they deliver it to your house but I prefer the fresh version vs. the frozen one packed with dry ice.
(5)Amy Y.
Whenever guest want classic Chicago deep dish pizza I usually take them to Lou's. It has awesome butter crust. "The Lou" is our favorite with its awesome cheese mix, butter crust, and spinach/mushrooms. Also, it has multiple locations and ones outside downtown usually have fairly reasonable wait time. Anything not pizza is not as good, but I guess we usually are just here for the pizza.
(5)Lauren B.
After visiting Lou malnati's I learned there are two types of people in Chicago--Lou fans and Giordano's fans. Our trip to Lou's was OK--we got there around 9:30 at night (so pleased that it was open late!) and had a coupon for a free appetizer from our Hostel. The bruschetta was fantastic--fresh, on good bread--and with enough pieces so all 3 of us could have 3. They kept our water glasses full and constantly checked on us. Our waitress was super cool. Now...the pizza. The dough was almost like bread and the crust was hard. The cheese was really thick. There was not enough sauce on it for my taste (although the sauce was fresh and really tasty!) and at some points you were just eating cheese and crust which I did not care for. Unfortunately I did not get around to trying Giordano's so i can't speak for the differences. Once I got through my first slice, I hit a wall. I got so full so quickly that I couldn't get through my second slice.
(2)Monica T.
Sooooooo good! Noms. Deep dish is amazing and even the salad was really good. This location is trendy and cute.
(5)Alan J.
I have lived in Chicago for a year and finally got around to trying Lou Malnati's. I tried Gino's East about a year ago and wasn't impressed. I ordered the Malnati's Salad, Chicago Classic and a Corona. The Malnati's Salad was robust and flavorful. I like my salads drenched in dressing and full of things other than lettuce. This salad was amongst the best I ever had. The Chicago Classic was pretty good, not great. I'm not yet convinced that Chicago deep dish is better than New York thin crust. The service was good and I will be going back.
(4)holly s.
So, after leaving my first review, I starting thinking about that pizza and started craving it all the time!!! Weird- I gave it 3 stars last time and called it a decent pizza, but then started craving it later. It's like the cheese started oozing all around my brain and invaded all its cells. So we finally went back and got the original, and wow, I see why it never left my memory. Perfect crust (yummy butter crust), sweet sauce, spicy sausage, and the most yummy cheese- PEFECT! Loved it. Can't wait to return to Chicago just to get this pizza!
(5)Dawn H.
Great pizza and even better service. Manager went out of his way to help us out. We forgot to print our Blackhawks tickets at home. The manager let me email them to him and he printed them for me. Totally saved the day!
(5)Emma W.
I thought it was good but mom dad and bro didnt like it so much but ues for me it was delicious!
(4)Ben B.
Lou Malnati's is the best pizza in the city. I usually hit the location on Wells, but my first dine-in visit at this location was every bit as tasty. The pizza is world-class. Seriously, there isn't a better slice on earth. This location has a small dining room, but it's a very cozy feel. A sofa and upholstered chairs are gathered around a flat screen TV. The walls are covered in old Michael Jordan Sports Illustrated covers. It feels like your friend's awesome basement/game room if your friend's awesome basement/game room had an endless supply of fresh, hot, amazing pizza. Pepperoni. Buttercrust. These are the stars and stripes of my own personal flag. I claim this stomach for Lou Malnati's. An empire that will last forever. ** Warning: Expect to wait 60-90 minutes if you want a table on a Friday night.
(5)Christina L.
Totally overrated, what a bummer. The homies and I were visiting from LA and expecting some yummy deep dish from Chi-town. Several people recommended Lou Malnati's and after a long day of hiking and some cali weed, we anxiously ordered some garlic bread w/ cheese and 'The Lou' (spinach mix, mushrooms and sliced roma tomatoes covered with three cheeses) add pepperoni. Fast forward 1 hour, the garlic bread was not garlic-y at all and the marinara dipping sauce was flavorless. :( The deep dish itself was soggy and again, lacking in flavor. The much acclaimed 'butter crust' was not even buttery! One slice in, we had to get rid of the pizza - and I'm asian, I hate wasting food! Perhaps, they had an off day or this location is not the producing up to par.. in any case, I won't be taking any home to the boo as I had promised him.
(2)Brian Y.
I have been going to Lou Malnatis for years and think it is the best deep dish pizza in Chicago! The butter crust is a must add when ordering! I usually take their pizza to go, so this review is more for the pizza than the dining in experience. Still, I have never had a complaint with my dining in experiences at their Evanston and Lincolnwood locations.
(5)Erica J.
They just remodeled this location - it looks great, kind of like modern meets rustic. There's bar seating now, too. Be forewarned - this place is pretty small, and I don't know if it was just the night we visited but it was awkwardly quiet in there, despite it being full. The seats at the high tables were LOW... it feels like your face is in your food. Otherwise, the service and food were great!
(4)Lindsey A.
Worst 1st time experience. Bucktown wouldn't deliver to me and neither would lincolnwood. They answered the phones rudely and annoyed like I was bothering them. I wanted to try this pizza for the first time and the closest location is less than 5 miles away. Customer service terrible. That just shows they don't value their customers or care to make new ones.
(1)Christina L.
Every now and again, I get a hankering for a real Chicago deep dish pizza. I hadn't been back to Chicago for 4 years, so I was already plotting out where I was going to get my pizza. I've been to Gino's and Giordano's (touristy, yes -- but delicious and satisfying) My friend took me to Lou Malnati's. It definitely had a local vibe going on and didn't seem too touristy. The inside made me think I had been transported 20-30 years in time and into someone's living room. There were couches, a TV, and wooden tables scattered around. It was a little odd, but I wasn't there for the ambiance. I decided to get a salad to start - something healthy to balance out the heavy pizza I was about to consume. I settled on the Chicken Club Salad. If you're looking for a healthy salad, stay away from this. It tasted fine, but they were heavy handed with the dressing (which was pretty rich). The salad had romaine lettuce, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, bacon, and tortilla chips. The small was enough to feed 3 people. It was not really the "light and refreshing" salad I was looking for. I'd suggest getting the dressing on the side and asking for less cheese if you're looking for something relatively healthy. We got the "Malnati Chicago Classic". The 9" Small was definitely enough for 2 people. This has sausage, extra cheese, tomato sauce and the famous Buttercrust. Maybe I should've gone with the spinach one, but I was pretty underwhelmed by the pizza. It was really heavy (I knew this coming in - it is deep dish pizza after all, not a Lean Cuisine), and there was excessive amounts of cheese that was salty. The crust was extra buttery but seemed unnecessary since I like my crust a little more dough-like and not butter pie-like. It was decent, but not the best I'd ever had. Ironically, I find myself thinking that Zachary's in the Bay Area, Little Star & Patxi's in San Francisco are better deep dish pizzas than this traditional Chicago pizza. Sad, but true in my book. I wouldn't go back here again - I think I prefer the touristy Giordano's, but that's me! It was inexpensive - the salad and pizza for 2 came out to $20 pre-tip.
(3)Joe M.
I must first do my NY sensibilities justice and say that given the choice between the two, NY style thin crust and Chicago style deep dish, I would choose thin crust, without thinking twice about it. It's just engrained in my being. I don't have a history with deep dish. If I lived somewhere far removed without a pizza culture, it would probably be a toss up. And I think that is the ultimate compliment I can pay. I had tried deep dish at Giordano's and was completely turned off to the idea of deep dish. It was just heavy, crackery and felt like a meat pie. I figured in order to give deep dish a fair shake I should try it again at a better place. I'm glad I did. I could discuss how awesome the Malnati Chicago Classic was, and how a few days later we stopped in at a different Lou Malnati's and ordered another one. But anyone that knows about Lou's knows the deal. And anyone who hasn't experienced deep dish, and has found their way to this review, has an pretty good idea. I can say that I officially now get the appeal of deep dish. From the butter crust, to the sausage disc, to the 15lbs of cheese, to the tangy, chunky tomato sauce. The total is far superior to the summation of its parts. The only thing that still confuses me about Chicago and pizza is that there are so many places that also sell NY style thin crust pizza. Why? You can't get deep dish here in NY. Embrace the deep dish. It's certainly good enough to stand alone.
(5)michael s.
Lou Malnati's IS Chicago style, deep dish, pan pizza. The classic. The bell-weather. The standard-bearer. Dining-in gets you a fresher pie, so make the trip if you can. Gotta try the sausage (a unique, only-in-Chicago homage to meat that's basically a single, giant layer of sausage, spread over the entire surface of the pizza) and always ask for buttercrust. The outside is golden & crunchy on the edges, the inside is moist and delicious because it sucks up all the great flavors of the rest of the pizza. The cheese is stretchy, rich and flavorful. And the sauce, with it's big chunks of tomato and perfect tanginess, is so aromatic and flavorful, you'll be craving it long after the pie is gone. Enjoy with some oregano, parmesan and red pepper and you'll be in heaven. Quintessential. If you think you'll want dessert, order the deep dish chocolate chip cookie when you order your food. They cook it up in the oven and it takes a while. And if you love the taste of Chicago pan pizza, but want something a little less filling, Lou's thin crust is a nice alternative (pepperoni and green peppers make a great combo.) Take-out/delivery can sometimes get a little watery/runny, so order it uncut and "well-done" to evaporate some of the moisture (it won't be burnt). By the time it reaches your home, it'll be perfect. True story. As far as locations, all of them are good; the Wrightwood one is closest to my hood. The atmosphere is pretty basic, the pizza is the star. The one downtown near the Merchandise Mart (one Wells) is my favorite, for no rational reason, and they opened a new one in river north that's probably the space of them all. I've heard that the one in Lincolnwood might be their first location, and it's worth the trip if you're anywhere near there. A mecca for pan pizza lovers. EDITORIAL NOTE: if you're from New York or the East Coast, and you wanna whine/posture/mouth-off that NY pizza is better than Chicago Style, please shut your pie hole. Seriously. You really want to make an argument that one style of pizza is better than another? That's like saying that Pele is better than Michael Jordan. You can't cross the streams like that. It's really bad to cross the streams. The truth? ALL styles of pizza can be great. And all can suck. Depends on the place. Resist the temptation to compare across categories. It's what the pizza illiterate do. There may be a "best NY slice" (i love NY pizza, too) a "best Chicago 'pan' pizza" and a "best Connecticut style", but there is not and never will be a "best overall pizza" It's like comparing apples to iPhones; doesn't compute. Plus, we have such a rich pizza landscape in this town, you shouldn't even lump all "Chicago-style" pizza together. Ain't fair. Ain't right. There are at least 3 different types of Chicago pizza, which should only be compared/judged within their own category. (Again, don't cross the streams.) - Deep dish "pan" pizza (Lou Malnati's, Pizano's, Uno's, Due's, etc.) - Deep dish "stuffed" pizza (Giordano's, Art of Pizza, Eduardo's, Chicago's Pizza, etc.) - Thin "party-cut" pizza (Aurelio's, Pat's, Vito & Nick's, etc.) You can also find square-cut slices (like from Pompei) which seem to be a Chicago-only tradition, but a category of one. Home Run Inn and Connie's are equally tough to categorize, in their own ways. Outliers. You can also find plenty of traditional neapolitan, brick-oven style pizza places around town (Frasca, Pizza D.O.C, etc.), Connecticut-style places (Piece, etc.) and a few decent NY-style places, too (Apart Pizza, 5 Burroughs, etc.) All I'm saying is, don't be a pizza hillbilly. ALL types of pizza can be transcendent and deliver you to a better place. You just gotta open your mind when you open your mouth. And when it comes to Chicago style, deep dish "pan" pizza, Lou Malnati's (and nephew Rudy Malnati's "Pizano's") take the cake.
(5)Amanda G.
Oh. Em. CHEEEESE!!!! Lou gets it - good food, fast friendly service, and the best three cheese bread I've ever eaten. And their wings are some of the best, too. How is that possible? My husband went here on the recommendation of a friend from Chicago and we were not disappointed. He ordered the Buffa-Lou (ha!) wings - 9 wings (equally distributed between drumettes and wingettes - LOVE!), with a sauce that makes your lips tingle, but with plenty of flavor to offset that heat. Their ranch dressing was pretty damn decent too. I tried the cheesy gorganzola they offer as well, but the ranch was the ticket. I ordered the three cheese bread - its a French baguette that's been sliced lengthwise, smothered in garlic butter and topped with melted, stringy, ooey, gooey Parmasean, Cheddar and Mozzarella and served with a full cup of their homemade marinara. The thing was as long as my arm! So. Good. (tip - if you like the ranch that comes with the wings, dip the cheese bread in it. Heaven!) I also ordered the bruschetta - perfect amount of garlic and parmasean cheese with finely diced tomoatoes on a toasted baguette. Ended up taking most of it home since I was fast running out of room (don't you just want to order every damn thing from an italian place? I know I do!) and we still had the pizza to come. It was just as good 12 hours later as a midnight snack. I have to say I'm not a huge fan of deep dish pizza and I like my sauces under the cheese and without huge lumps of tomatoes (its a texture thing for me). Unfortunately this is the way Lou does their deep dish. However, the buttercrust - their signature - is PHENOMENAL. My husband loves deep dish and said this was off the hook. Because its deep dish, it takes 30 mins to cook. That's just how it is. Get an app and cool your jets b/c its totally worth waiting for. We went back 2 days later to the S. State Street location - and it was just as good, so our experience wasn't a one time thing.
(5)Jessica S.
was here a few months ago. good pizza and chicken wings. The Lincoln Park location is also good
(4)Taryn L.
Overall, very good pizza. The house salad for 4 was more than enough for 6. Coated lightly with dressing. Dressing was extremely sweet - not a bad thing, just sweet. We split two medium pizzas between the 6 of us, which gave us each 2 pieces, more than enough. The "Lou" ("fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese") was my favorite, though I couldn't decide whether or not I actually liked the cheddar cheese - sure made it cheesy. The "Malnati Chicago Classic," sausage with tomato sauce on a butter crust, was scrumptious, though I must admit I picked off a little bit of sausage. Better too much than not enough, right? The crust on both was perfectly baked, crunchy but fluffy. Right amount of sauce, right amount of cheese. Service was quick, our server was pleasant and attentive, not much to be said about the atmosphere. One of dining companions (currently living in Chicago) expressed that this wasn't true deep dish. I'm not of Chicago roots but it seemed like deep dish to me and definitely was tasty. It's rare that I eat the leftover crust at the end but I did - ate it all! Since I only get to visit, I'd try another spot next time but if I lived in the area I would definitely return when I got the craving.
(3)Stephanie O.
Any reason to eat a pizza that's 6 inches deep is a good reason to me. I went on a college visit to DePaul and I needed to eat lunch. Good reason? Good enough. I'm from Cincinnati, and our pizza...is...eh. We really should stick to putting thin chili on top of spaghetti. Therefore, words cannot explain my excitement over trying a legitmate deep-dish Chicago style pizza. My family arrived there shortly after they opened, and it was already packed. That's always a good sign. I can't say I'm a big fan of the seating area; there's a big screen TV and couch in the middle to make it feel more homey, but instead all the tables are crouched and I felt like I was sharing more with my neighbors than they needed to know. We ordered a bruschetta first, and it was so-so, typical tomatoes on bread. We just wanted our pizza, really, but we were so hungry we needed something to hold us over. When it finally came, OH BOY, pure excitement. This is what a pizza should look like. The oversauced, undercheesed, not-sure-if-it's-thin-or-thick stuff I get in my city couldn't hold a candle to this. It was beautiful. And the first bite...absolutely wonderful. There was plenty of cheese and a nice amount of sausage. I loved that it wasn't sauce heavy; I'm not a sauce person. My one complaint? I actually disliked the crust. I understand why people like it (other people at my table did), but it wasn't working for me. At least this pizza knew what it was though. So many times I've expierenced pizza that was a huge contrast between 2 different styles. This pizza was Chicago deep dish, and it knew it. I'm going back to Chicago in a few months, and I plan on trying more of the city's culinary delights, from the pizza to the hot dogs. For now, however, I have to sit at home eating chili spaghetti, sadly craving Mr. Lou Malanti's deep dish. :(
(4)Erin T.
We went in because it was packed!! Figured it was bound to be good and we were blown away! Service was fantastic and the pizza was truly wonderful. The only thing I'd say is that the 'pizza for 4' was way too much!! However, we did our best to eat our way through it all.
(5)Julie L.
Excellent deep dish pizza!!!! Friends warned me that I wouldn't enjoy the thickness and gooeyness of deep dish, but I'm glad my first experience with it was at Lou Malnati's. I think we had the Lou special and it was superb. The cheese wasn't too overwhelming and I enjoyed my two slices. I don't think anyone could really eat more than two slices of deep dish before getting sick of it. The medium sized pizza generously fed 4 adults with several more slices to take home. I also enjoyed their spinach bread appetizer. Paired great with the marinara dipping sauce. I didn't care too much for the thin crust pizza though. Great service here as well. I would definitely come back the next time I visit Chicago!
(4)T B.
Great deep dish! Excellent sauce and pepperoni. It's really hard to get a table here, so I prefer to just do take-away or delivery.
(4)Seung Eun C.
For me, the best thing here is the Malnati's salad.. It's simple.. Lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, tomatoes, bacon, and some olives, but the dressing was absolutely superb.. We shared the smaller size, but I could have eated a large all by myself! Who needs pizza?? We ordered the medium butter crust with cheese, sausage, pepperoni, and garlic. Trust, it will be VERY cheesey! It was a little too thick for us and we were getting rather full from the crust... So we just started to pick at the toppings.. Flavors were good and I'm sure if you like thicker crusts, it could blow your mind. Nothing against Malnatis, but I think we'll stick to thin crust. Two thumbs straight up for the deelish salad though!!! Oh, and if you sign up on their website, they send you free coupons. We got a free appetizer with our lunch. YAYAAY!
(4)Hugh B.
I am not sure why the tourists pack themselves into the downtown places like Uno and Due. The pizza here is every bit as good and it is so much less of a hassle. We went with a biggish group (10) on a Saturday for lunch. Service was efficient and friendly. Pizza was delicious -- we had two deep dish and two thin crusts, and every one of them was perfect. No crowds. No waiting. No jostling. And plenty of street parking on a Saturday afternoon.
(5)Steph D.
Hands down, best pizza of my life. And I worked in the pizza business for 9 years. We had the Malnati Classic deep dish with added garlic, and also got a thin crust cheese for our son. We also had the stuffed spinach bread. Average dining experience, good waitress. Thought it was interesting that every single family with children was seated upstairs....almost in exile... but that's fine with me. Just noteworthy. I'm giving 5 stars because of the amazing quality of the food. Everything else would have been a 3-4. But I will definitely go back next time I'm in Chicago. I'm a fan.
(5)Erica S.
I was very skeptical in eating deep dish pizza again after my first trip to Chicago and having a not-so-good experience at Gino's East, but since my sister who's been living there for almost 2 years has recommended it, I had to give it a try. We waited about an hour on a Thursday night to dine in. Started off with a small Malnati Salad, which was perfect for the 4 of us. The large would have been way too much. To be healthy, don't forget to ask for dressing on the side! The ingredients and the dressing are nothing fancy, but it went well together that it was one of the best salads I've had. Even my mom who normally doesn't like or eat salad enjoyed it. Then we had our large Malnati Chicago Classic pizza. My sister suggested the 12" Medium, which the menu said serves 3, but my husband insisted on getting the 14" Large. Of course, it was a mistake getting the Large as it was 2 slices too much. It was cut into 8 slices, but my mom and I were done after the first slice. I was expecting the buttercrust to be greasy and unhealthy, but I was wrong. The crust was actually light and it was very tasty with the sauce, cheese, and the whole layer of sausage. It didn't taste unhealthy like the one I had at Gino's East. YUM x3! Now I have a positive opinion on deep dish. Not the kind of pizza you could eat all the time, but good to have on occasion.
(4)David G.
I can't say enough about Lou's pizza. I still think it's the best deep dish. I went to this particular location when my girlfriend believed that Chicago style pizza was garbage based on a bad experience at another pizza place, so I took her to Lou Malnati's to give her proper Chicago style pizza and she loved it! To reiterate my ravings about Lou's pizza, they are delicious. I could probably eat the crust straight, and that's how much I believe Lou's pizzas are well built. Their signature pizza, The Lou, is great even for vegetarians. It's three kinds of cheese, spinach, mushroom and fresh sliced tomato. I love how Lou's also sells frozen pizzas, in case you want to take the pie on a long journey. A few notes about this location. It's pretty difficult to park here, seeing as it's in Lincoln Park. The location is also smaller than others. If not many people are waiting, they have sofas and a flat screen television you could watch. They will allow you to order your pizza while you're waiting for a table to save time, and they will also let you order drinks while you wait. Overall the staff here is great. Some of the best Chicago style pizza, and if you're trying to prove to a loved one that Chicago style pizza is actually pretty good, Lou's is a great bet.
(4)Cary C.
As a native New Yorker, comparing NY and Chicago pizza is like apples and oranges. I enjoy eating both styles. Having eaten there though, I'm bummed that there isn't a Lou Malnati's in NY. Came here with a buddy while on a baseball road trip, and we both chowed down a large pie that serves 4 people, and it was marvelous. Can be a bit of a wait, but it's well worth it. Visitors can easily find interesting things to see in the neighborhood while waiting (The Biograph Theater is blocks away). Will definitely come back here next time I'm in town.
(5)Anthony M.
Although we are not experts in Chicago deep dish pizza, we loved the thick crust and sauce medley. The sausage was cooked very well and the butter crust was delicious. But, we should have asked for more garlic. A little more garlic would have made this five-star worthy.
(4)Anna G.
SLOOOOOWWWWW service. Took us over 40 minutes to get our two pizzas. Staff was not apologetic- in fact never even mentioned how slow- like it was expected. The pizza was fine. We aren't from Chicago and eating pizza with a fork is not the best, but it was good and really isn't 'pick me up' kind of pizza. It was very tomato-y which is, I guess, traditional Chicago Style Pizza. I wouldn't go again. The service was too slow, and it was just 'fine'- not 'OH MY GOD SO GOOD" at all. We will keep looking for the 'can't wait to go back' pizza. I can't believe people order this mail order online for so much money- not worth it at all.
(3)Henry H.
- Didn't realize how long it's been since I've been here, the dining area is totally remodeled. The remodel really fits the feel of the neighborhood. I personally liked the old decor, with the Jordan SI covers on the wall the couch and TV gave it a real h
(5)Eric Y.
Great deep dish pizza; make sure to get the butter crust option. The Malnati salad is good too. My criticism of this location is that the TVs are too small and there aren't enough of them (sorry, that's not really relevant, is it?)
(4)Robert B.
Delicious pizza and good service. The lunch special of a personal size deep dish pizza with choice of soup or salad and beverage is a real bargain, especially in a city not known for bargains. Congratulations and thanks.
(4)J.M S.
The original and the best. (for all locations) Pick up is my norm from this location, but if eating in, a comfy & sporty atmosphere.
(5)Gina W.
I love Lou Malnati's deep dish! This is a small location though, and therefore their menu is slightly smaller. They don't have a deep frier, so no mozzarella sticks or zucchini for an appetizer. Great pizza, salad, and skillet cookie, though! :)
(4)Mia A.
First time visiting Chicago && this was the first place I've eaten. This pizza is overhyped. Came here bcuz a coworker saw them featured on FoodNetwork. I think they are popular bcuz of the history. I'm still here. Waiting on other ppl in our group to receive their food. Why is it standard for a small spinach deep dish pizza to take 35 minutes? I thought they'da sprinkled some dazzle dazzle on it to taste better. Never coming back here.
(1)DeMarco B.
Best Chicago deep dish I've had. The wait wasn't too bad and they gave us the option to order in advance/let us drink in the lobby. The seating was way smaller than I had thought (like 8 tables max). Worth the wait, would go again, or perhaps order out!
(5)Cathy N.
My flight from California to Chicago gets delayed.. so I spend about 7 hours without any food, and was FAMISHED by the time I got into town. Luckily, my BF's awesome cousin had ordered from Lou's, and a deep dish sausage pizza was waiting at her place to tame my hunger pangs! I have NEVER had deep dish pizza before, and was MADLY impressed by what I tasted. This stuff is a-ma-zing. Plenty of sausage, plenty of fresh tomato sauce, and lots of ooey gooey cheese. I usually have a smaller appetite, but the pizza was so good that I couldn't stop eating it! What a great first impression of Chi-town grub :) Thanks, Lou!
(5)Tristan Z.
Was in Chicago for my first time and told I need to get Lou Malnati's. Overall, it wasn't amazing, though that could have been because I had two friends hyping it up. Don't get me wrong--it was delicious--but it wasn't anywhere close to the best pizza I've had. I do like certain aspects of it; for example, how they bake cheese on the outside of the crust. The delivery was pretty quick, and the prices were reasonable. Had both the "Lou" and the Malnati Chicago Classic. I liked the former better though am generally more a fan of veggie pizza anyway. The serving sizes are pretty big so no need for anything above an individual if you're eating it solo.
(4)Beso M.
one of the best chicago style pizzas around, nough said
(5)Tanya N.
Absolutely the best pizza I've ever had in my life. Ordered sausage bits and pepperoni deep dish. My mouth was watering the whole time. Excellence!
(5)Anne L.
Best deep dish in Chicago. We were able to try a deep dish sausage pizza finally at the Taste of Chicago and it was amazing. The perfect amount of everything and not overly saucy like some pizzas can be. My hubby and I both agreed after trying so many other deep dish pizzas in Chicago Lou Malnati's is by far the best....plus we normally both prefer thin crust pizza. Which speaking of thin crust pizza, we also have ate at their restaurant and we tried the stuffed spinach bread appetizer which was deliciously cheesy and tried a thin crust which was perfect cracker crust. This place definitely knows their pizza and I highly recommend!
(5)Andrea S.
I had my first meal in Chicago here and I loved it! The deep dish was very saucy and flavorful but the BBQ salad was my favorite. I was told the salad comes with a LOT of dressing so we got it on the side and it was perfect. We topped off the meal with an ice cream cookie (should have shared an individual between the two of us) but that was amazing as well. Definitely recommend this place as the first stop for a Chicago deep dish pizza.
(4)Michelle L.
Malnati salad is delicious. First place we learned that we can order the deep dish pizza to be 'well done' -- amazing!
(4)Missy G.
FAVORITE pizza place in the city. Great experience both in the location and with delivery. We have ordered the Lou's salad that comes with their homemade dressing. The basic salad serves two and is contains ingredients like gouda cheese, bacon, mushrooms, greens, tomatoes and black olives. LOVE it. Fresh tasting and a perfect starter while your pizza is cooking. Note that if you are eating at the location, you will want to order some type of salad or appetizer as their pizza takes up to 25-30 minutes. We order the thin crust with pepperoni and cheese. We have also ordered just cheese and the deep dish. All options are excellent. We personally like the thin crust better just based on personal preference of pizza, but you can't go wrong with doing a deep dish. Very flavorful sauce and ingredients, and the crust is great. It is worth the extra time spent for the pizza to cook. The service was excellent as well. No complaints, very attentive. Definitely returning as this is our go to pizza place in a city that spits out pizza at every corner.
(5)Kendall M.
Had pizza delivered from here while visiting friends in Chicago. Delicious gluten free pizza (quite possibly one of the best gluten free crusts I have tried to date) and thoughtful customer service as they asked if we wanted the pizza cut or not, saying it traveled better and stayed warmer if it was uncut. Wish they had more options for toppings. Pineapple and jalapeños would be key additions to the topping line up. Would highly recommend!
(4)Bobby C.
While I may claim to be 'all-knowing' when it comes to thin crust NY style, I'm certainly a philistine when it comes to deep dish Chicago. Usually too filling and not enough cheese for me. But when I'm in Chi, I always try to get the best deep dish from friends' recommendations. Malnati's did not disappoint. The perfect cheese to crust consistency. They even let me split two totally different halves of a pie for no extra charge. In LA that;s considered restaurant blasphemy! I had half 'Lou Malnatis' which is their signature sausage based pie--truly amazing. To balance the holiday calorie intake, I ordered the 'Lou' which is their veggie pie with mushroom, spinach and multiple cheeses. Equally delish in it's own way. I'd make a trip out of my way for this place. Wonderful service. TV with leather couches inside and very reasonably priced.
(5)Carrie P.
Lou Malnati's deep dish is passable. It's not bad, but the crust and sauce is a bit bland. Honestly, I'm on the fence about whether to give two or three stars, but with so many better options in the city I think I need to round down. Service was fine, at least. Atmosphere is generic. For the food, though, you'd do better at Chicago's Pizza, Giordanos, or arguably even Gino's East.
(2)Melanie R.
I'm typically a thin-crust kind of girl, but when in Chicago... The prices were surprisingly cheap given the hype for this place, but you more than make up for that with time spent waiting. Granted we went on a Saturday, but we had to wait for about an hour and the waiting area is tiny and has very limited seating. On the plus side, they've got a system (and it works!) to put in your order while you're waiting, so that you don't have to spend another 30+ minutes once you get your table. Our party of 4 ordered a large pizza and a salad-- that's 2 slices per person and even still we ended up with half of it left over. One slice is all it takes, folks!
(4)Patrick B.
Not only is this the best pizza in Chicago, it's the best place to be in Lincoln Park for service and friendliness by the entire staff. From the people at the front desk to the servers and bartenders, they could not do more to make sure that everything was just the way we wanted it. You can really tell that they all LOVE their jobs there and it shows. Seems to me that Lou Malnatti's really takes the time to hire the right people to make this organization as successful as it is. The manager, Peter, stopped by our table, too to make sure we were enjoying our meal! Top notch manager with a great smile and a way to make everyone comfortable and want to come back. I'll definitely be back!!!!
(5)Michele S.
Great for deep dish carry out. I'm still a fan of the veggie Lou. Servers make sure you have utensils, extra cheese and hot pepper flakes. Very crowded location -- it the original. I wouldn't eat in. Always a line or people waiting for their orders. I managed to find street parking outside under the el.
(4)Jeff R.
One of my favorite Chicago meals ever since I can remember has been a deep dish pie from Lou's. It's a childhood memory and just plain good eating. I love good Chicago deep dish pizza, but I understand that not everyone feels the same way about pizza "pie" vs. thin crust. The reason for today's visit was for a good and cheap lunch before heading off to Ann Arbor for some football. In case you didn't know, Lou has a great lunch special from 11-2 for $7.25 that includes a small salad, drink and personal size pizza. And for those of us that always over order (sometimes on purpose for leftovers), the personal size is perfect, especially mid day. That's all I have, great pizza and great value for a mid day meal. I love Lou Malnati's pizza and probably always will.
(5)Daniel M.
This a review for all the Lou's I have visited over the years. This is Chicago's best deep dish pizza hands down. And if you don't think so, you better check yo' self before you wreck yo' self! The butter crust, chunky tomato sauce, and sausage patty make these pies the masterpieces they are. If you have never had Lou's and are a pizza lover, run don't walk to the Lou's nearest you. Their thin crust is also pretty good too when the cheese is cooked. Have had it a few times where the cheese was not cooked to my satisfaction. But thin crust is not why you come to Lou's.
(5)kevin c.
This is for not only this location, but for all the locations I have been to in including Naperville, Mt prospect carry out, and wicker park carry out. I personally love Manati's deep dish. It is easy to argue about great pizza in this city, but this is my fav. There are many other excellent deep dish pizzas however. I love Malnati's because of the sauce and the melding of all ingredients. I prefer the regular crust to the butter crust. I also love it because you can taste individual ingredients as you eat it. p.s. the thin crust is really good as well.
(5)Jelena Z.
It was that time of year again-- my brother's annual visit from St. Louis! Translation: the only time I allow a little Lou's in my life. I called, placed the order for a medium sausage deep dish with butter crust and an hour later, we were feasting like we hadn't ate in days. I was kind enough to send my brother home with a few slices, and I horded a few for myself as well. If I'm going to dabble in deep dish... only Lou's!
(5)Cherie D.
Not great. My friends and I stopped in and the wait was too long, we ordered out and had them deliver, deliverer forgot some stuff. Pizza just wasn't all that great.
(2)Michael L.
Always a great Chicago pizza company, this place holds itself up.
(4)Jon B.
Another Pizza place to memorize when you're in the city, with plenty of north and west side location you can easily find this pizzaria. I recommend The Malnati Chicago Classic. I've had both their thin crust and deep dish and being a Chicago man i prefer the deep dish.
(4)Cameron N.
My wife and I ate here last night and had a great meal. They don't take reservations so that's something to be cognizant of. We arrived at 6:15pm on a Wednesday and it was still a 30-40 minute wait for a party of 2. Lou's is worth the wait though. There is actually a bar right around the corner (SE) that you can grab a drink at. We started with the Malnati salad. The mix of ingredients (olives, salami, gorganzola, etc.) makes for a perfect combination. They do a great job of pre-mixing the salad dressing as well so it's just the right amount. The tomatoes are super fresh and elevate the flavor profile of the dish. Unless you haven't eaten for a week the medium size is perfectly sufficient. You would actually think it's a large when they bring it out. It will provide two people two big bowls of salad each. The pizza was obviously to die for. It takes about 30 minutes for them to cook it from the time you order. When we were waiting for our table they actually gave us the option to "pre-order" our pizza so it could be prepared faster. If you are super hungry or have children this may be a good option for you to consider. We chose the Malnati classic. The buttercrust, cheese, lean sausage and tomatoes are phenomenal together. The Malanati family hand selects the tomatoes and they get their cheese from a local dairy that has been supplying them for 40 years. Combine this with years and years of crust perfecting and you have the makings of a stellar pizza. The next time we visit we really want to try the 'Lou' which has spinach and mushrooms. Word to the wise, if you are "creating" your own pizza from scratch keep in mind that they charge you the full price for each topping even if you elect to only put it on half of the pizza. This wasn't an issue since we selected the classic but you can rack up costs quickly if you think your bill is 1/2 of what they will actually charge you.
(4)Doug R.
I convinced some friends to make a 7 block treck on a shitty Chicago night for what I had been told was on of the better deep dishes around the city. Weren't they on the Travel Channel or Food Network or something? I dunno, maybe it was Fieri ranting about the whole layer of MEATY sausage on the pizza that intrigued me and made me convince my friends to go. I mean come on, "Malnati's" just sounds awesome! I think what I am most disappointed by about this place-this particular location-is the experience; specifically the ambiance. Granted! A restaurant should be judged on its food firstly, but this place is so spectacularly horrible that it must be discussed! Malnati's dining room has the feel of a living room that was set up by someone with a lot of money, but really really cheap taste...in the early 90's. FOR EXAMPLE: big couches in front of a big screen TV, A LOT of maple wood treatments with white walls, wretched green, orange and black carpet, too many mirrors and wall to wall faded, cheaply framed Michael Jordan Sports Illustrated covers. Now that I think of it, this probably would have been my dream bedroom when I was 8 years old...in the early 90's. They also had early 90's soft ballads on the piped in music-seriously. I guess I'll give them points for continuity? Maybe in 10 more years this place will catch the retro cycle and be cool. But now, its more like they are painfully out of style. We ordered beers just for the sake of boredom really. No draft, just a few high priced bottles with diner style glasses that were chilled (no need to chill glasses with good beer actually). OK I get it, this isn't a beer bar. Thanks for having Sam Adams and 312? We ordered an app, because, well, we didn't know any better I suppose. We got the stuffed spinach bread and after the first bite we were pleased. The third bite was terribly cold in the middle and seemed to fit perfectly on top of heavy, sad, vinyl table cloths. Thawed to order, yes! Also, the plates were plastic. Fucking plastic. Really?! A few looked like they came from Wal-Mart and a few looked like they had been yanked from a school lunch room. Ahhh early 90's memories...Thanks Malnati's! Our sausage and pepperoni deep dish came out eventually and looked nice. That butter crust is pretty buttery and therefore tasty. But after one slice, the dryness and toughness of the crust sets in and it does not make it that enjoyable. The sausage was very nice, and yes Guy, there was tons of it. Nice reporting. The pepperoni was average. Overall, the pizza was hearty and just barely good enough to make the trip worth it...I think. But it does not hold a place in my heart! No sir. I've had better deep dish at Uno's and even in Branson, MO for Jordan's sake (granted the owner is from Chicago and used to work at Uno's)! I got the feeling that the locals treat this place like we treat Branson, MO around here: you only go when your lame aunt and uncle or grandparents show up and demand you go. So there you go. I just made the tenuous comparison to Branson, look what you've made me do Malnalti's. Next time I'm making the 45 minute journey out to Burt's Place.
(2)Bill S.
I was suggested to try Lou's from the bartender at our hotel during a recent trip. I've had pizza in Chicago before, but I wanted a local's perspective on the best deep dish pizza. And while the pizza was excellent, the service was very slow. We waiting almost 45 minutes for a table and almost another 30 minutes for our food. They did comp one of our sides for the wait though. Overall, I really want to try them again because the pizza was that good. We had the signature "Lou's pizza", it was very, very good.
(4)Lauren W.
The airport shuttle driver offered us recommendations of things to see and do in the city including a visit to Lou's. This local tip confirmed our research about the Chicago must eat. We ordered the new spinach salad which was delicious and The Malnati Chicago Classic deep dish pizza. Our server was attentive and made sure we understood there was a 30 min wait on the pizza, she even served the salad at the table. Pizza was incredible, simple but bursting with flavor. A must eat whilst in Chicago. Oh and the sodas are huge and I mean HUGE!
(5)Priya S.
Few words Deepdish- vegetarian -my experience -awesome....
(5)Jon H.
Lou Malnati's is a great example of chicago pizza. The wait times can kill, but they let you order when you put your name done, and viola, 50 minutes later, when you sit down at your table, and another 15 mins after that, your pizza arrives. We forgot to get the butter crust, but even without it the pizza crust was amazing. We had a half cheese and half pepperoni for 2 size (each size pizza has an indication how many people it could feed, which is perfect). The crust was flaky and crisp, the sauce was tangy and sweet, the cheese was plentiful, and the pepperoni provided ample coverage. Service was quick and helpful, and oh yeah, the salads and the sodas/iceteas ARE HUGE. Best of all? Two people with drinks and a salad was under $40 with tip. Best affordable chicago-tradition (outside of hot dogs).
(4)Stelio F.
Favorite pizza joint in Chicago. Love both the deep dish and thin crust.
(5)Angus L.
Malnati's Gluten free pizza is the best of the best! Ive been gluten free for 2 years, and have tried alot of GF pizza. Theres is amazing. If I could eat it everyday and not gain a million pounds I would. Its that good. Also I have met the owner at one of the locations a couple times, and he is a really great guy. I could not love this place more!
(5)Kent L.
Generally speaking, of the main Chicago pizza chains, I would rank in the following order: Giordano's, Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, Unos. Gino's and Lou's is a toss-up depending on the location. If you are talking Lincoln Park, Lou's trumps the Gino's in the area.. Different pizzas, but atmospheres are worlds apart. For example, the Gino's in Lincoln Park uses disposable silverware and does not have free refills on the sodas, while the atmosphere at the LP Lou's is laid back and comfortable with couches and a flat-panel tv (which was great for Shark Week when we went). We always get the large pepperoni deep dish. DO NOT FORGET TO ORDER WITH THE BUTTER CRUST! We forgot this last time around and were very sad when we realized it.. don't be cheap, IT IS WORTH THE EXTRA $0.75!!
(4)David S.
Great pizza as always. Can't go wrong with sausage or sausage and pepperoni. My favorite Chicago pizza place over Geno's East and Giordanos. Parking is a bit of a hassle if you are traveling through, but always worth the effort.
(4)Chatzy F.
Hi, BEWARE FOOD POSION ISSUE Order from here on Saturday 4/24/2010; 3 weeks ago, Pizza was not cooked, was suppose to credit my credit card never did. I tried to re-heat pizza so it was cooked properly then I got food posioning. Still not fully recovered from this ordeal. My stomach will not be the same! Will never order here again!
(1)Patrick C.
Best Deep dish in Chicago hands down! Italian sausage + Hot giardiniera + Butter Crust = Heaven
(5)Kathy H.
I like the Michael Jordan memorabilia but this is not the best Chicago style pizza I have ever had. I know this is blasphemous but for the best Chicago style pizza you must go to Zachary's in Berkeley, California.
(3)Tiffany W.
BEST PIZZA IN CHICAGO HANDS DOWN! get the Lou's the veggie one, its incredible. thick crunchy crust, nice and cheesy! MMMMmmm my mouth is watering!
(5)Chexll M.
Hands down... I love their pizza.... Although, some people complain about the wait time... its worth it because it is freshly made....
(5)Lisa H.
AWESOMENESS!! Lou Malnati's has officially replaced Giordano's as my #1 deep dish pizza. I have not tried Due's yet, but LM's deserves five stars without a doubt. We got two buttercrust, deep dish pizzas, one with fresh tomatoes/mushrooms, the other with sausage/pepperoni. Both were absolutely amazing. The next morning, there was a mad rush for the refrigerator to fight over the leftovers. Observations: (1) Buttercrust is...exactly what it sounds like. AMAZING. (2) The ingredients are very high quality. The sausage was incredible and the freshness of the tomatoes really popped. (3) It's not greasy for deep dish pizza, which I love. Sometimes deep dish is just too oily for me. Delivery service gets 5 stars. It took less than 45 mins to get the pizza, and extra points for the sweetheart delivery guy. He called when he got close to our place. When I met him, he asked me where our building actually was (we live in an alley building) and offered to walk it up there for me. I gave him a huge tip .. . and this was BEFORE I even tried the awesome pizza!!
(5)Brittany Y.
The establishment is nice. Lots of mirrors. I love mirrors. The waitresses were super nice and very attentive but the pizza is just, regular. The people that rave over this pizza have to be stoners, everyone knows they'll eat anything.
(2)Daniel B.
Lots of Cheesy Goodness - Check Yummy Sauce with chunks of tomato - Check Buttery Crust of Love - Check Sausage the size of my fist - Check I'm going to be a fat ass in no time now that I found out they deliver to my work - Double Check I was living in New York a couple years ago and my grandma sent a couple of these bad boys in the mail. Yes, I needed a handkerchief to dry the steady stream of tears running down my face. DON'T JUDGE ME! I love Lou's and have for a long time and I am not ashamed to say that I fanned them on Facebook. I will say it is a tad bit high on the price, but it is worth it. LOU'S FOR LUNCH!
(5)Michael C.
This is good pizza. We went a couple of weeks ago for some deep-dish and were not disappointed at all. The wait, on a Friday night, was 90 minutes, but it was actually more like 50, but they had free thin-crust pizzas in the waiting area to munch on, which was cool. They also put our pizza order in as we waited, so our pie was done soon after we sat down. That's also cool. We got a big salad, which was good, though not great, but that was just to tide us over until the pie came. I thought the pizza was excellent and worth the wait, too. We got a sausage and pepperoni, which both tasted fresh and were on the top in abundance. The cheese is good, the sauce is good, and the crust is very good. All in all, fantastic: I wish I was eating one right now. Everyone was very, very nice, too. So call ahead or maybe go on an off-night, but no matter what, this is worth it.
(5)Travis P.
I cannot get enough of this pizza. First off the crust, that corn meal based crust is thick but has a crisp bite to it. In addition the sweetness from the corn meal adds a whole layer to the pizza. (The usual flour based crust, to me, is too heavy and doesn't add much flavor) The sauce is by far one of the best pizza sauces I have found. The fresh herbs and spices and those juicy tomatoes combine for an amazing blend of taste and flavor. Now I love their sausage pizza, which they spread out so you get a taste in every bit. Overall, the pizza is not as heavy as most other deep dish Chicago pizza places. Every time I go back, it is the flavor that captures me.
(5)Eric L.
I went here years ago after attending the Red Sox/Cubs series @ Wrigley. To be honest, I've been dreaming about Lou Malnati's ever since. Amazing crust, sauce that is spiced just right, great cheese and the prices were fair. Next time I am in Chicago this will be my first stop.
(5)Royce d.
Deep-dish? Or deep connections to a Bavarian secret society? I went to Lou Malnati's with my friends Kohl, José, Mensah, and Jordan to enjoy Chicago style deep-dish pizza. As soon as we walked in, we were told that it would be a 45-minute wait and we could not have banana peppers on our pizzas even if we brought our own. Why does Lou Malnati hate banana peppers? Is he allergic? Are they too tangy? The answer is obvious-- "Lou Malnati" is a homophone for Illuminati. The Illuminati is funding Lou Malnati's and conspiring to end banana peppers. Everything came together when I asked if I could speak with Lou. The man at the front desk told me that I could not speak with him because he was not there. This is because "Lou" is not a real person. "Lou Malnati" is simply a fake Italian name used to represent the hatred for the Catholic Church, blacks, and banana peppers. Lou Malnati's: Free Parking, Free Refills, Free Masons.
(4)Matt W.
Honestly, Domino's is a better bet than Lou's.
(2)Gwen R.
Okay, this pizza is so good that I am suspicious of any review on here referring to "meh" or "disappointment". WHAT?!?! The deep dish pepperoni is where it's at and I have tried several competitors....nothing even comes close to the perfect balance Lou's achieves with the crust and the toppings. Try the cheese bread, too---it's a great precursor to what's to come. Also, the service at this location is OUTSTANDING. Always have a great server and the counter staff is always courteous and upbeat. It's a great value, too---hard to find in this city sometimes, but you definitely get what you pay for here.
(5)April P.
My cousin insisted that this was THE Chicago deep dish pizza to try while I was in town. He had an order of the "Lou" delivered to his apartment. After just one look and one bite, I was in heaven. The "Lou" consists of spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. It was nothing like anything I'd ever had before. After 2 slices, I was already in a food coma. I'm not sure how it is dining at the restaurant but I'm definitely a fan of Lou's. Can't wait to try out what else they have to offer!
(4)Dan B.
Pizza, pizza, pizza. Boy do I love it and while Lou's isn't my death bed deep dish pizza it's top notch. The sauce isn't a deep full layer on top and not as flavorful and sweet as I prefer. This place had great service on a Thursday night and anytime you order deep dish, do yourself a favor and pre-order. Saves you time and usually gets you a seat when this place is busy, which I hear is usually the case. Glad I could find a local craft brew on the menu as well. Wish Viccino's had a downtown locale but this will certainly due.
(4)Caroline M.
Best Chicago Deep Dish, period. This coming from a Chicago Native. All I gotta say, is that right when my plane lands (if I am out of town for an extended period of time), I call my mom so that the Pizza arrives just as I get home. Deep dish, butter crust, well done, onions and sliced tomatoes. If you can't decide which salad to get, go with the Malnati Salad. Lasagna= deliciousness Raviolis= yum-oh Italian Beef= sexy Basically anything you get is gonna be awesome, ya know. Oh and one last thing, always go for the meat sauce.
(5)Rachel W.
I LOVE lou's pizza...it's by far the greatest deep dish in Chicago. No contest. Make sure to order their butter crust for both thin crust and deep dish. My favorite is to order the 'lou'...Fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. I believe it comes standard w/the butter crust but make sure. Add the Malnatis salad and you have the perfect meal. I pretty much never branch out from pizza and salad, but why order a sandwich from a pizzeria when the pizza is this good? I wouldn't recommend dining in unless you're the parent of a child on a soccer/softball/baseball team
(5)Grace J.
Def order The "Malnati Chicago Classic" rather than the "Lou" and if not..make sure to order with buttercrust...makes a big difference! :) Everyone always seems to order the cheesy bread, but...that's a lotta bread..! We usually order the maltnati salad which comes with a sweet dressing and crunchy bacon bits. Save room for the pizza though~
(4)Matt M.
This Malnati's is not as good as the ones in the suburbs. Its dingy inside and the pizza does not seem to contain really fresh ingredients. But its still as addictive as crack. But the service here is great and the wait staff is attentive without being overbearing.
(4)Kenia G.
Great deep dish pizza, right amount of sauce and very cheesy :). The crust was buttery and crispy. Everything was delicious, I gave it 4 stars just because I prefer New York Pizza but overral great experience.
(4)jason b.
Our first-ever Chicago style pizza! The small was enough to feed both my wife and I. Tasted good, we would be back if we lived in the area. Long wait but I guess that's normal for Chicago style pizza preparation? Service was friendly.
(4)Michelle L.
I may be biased because Giordano's is my favorite which is why I am only giving 4 stars. The crust is a little too thin but it is still amazing deep dish with delicious sauce. The place is too small it is always very crowded so you should prepare to have to wait for some time. It was nice though because we put our pizza order in while we waited since it takes about 45 minutes for the pizza to be ready anyways.
(4)Skylar E.
This is probably the best pizza I have had in Chicago to date. The Chicago classic stuffed pizza with Italian sausage and vine ripe tomatoes is my favorite. This restaurant is a great place to take friends from out of town for some classic Chicago style pizza and a few beers. I recommend sitting outside if the weather is nice.
(4)James Michael S.
Classic Chicago pizza place. Skip uno's, gino's and giorodanos and go straight to Lou's if you're looking for a Chicago-chain style pizza restaurant. This is not my favorite Chicago pizza place but its good pizza. I recommend the thin crust but thats a personal preference as I do not care for Chicago-style. The Lou is a good choice or just get your favorite toppings. Very consistent and very good ingredients. Be prepared to wait if you go during dinner hours. Take out is always a good option.
(4)Eric B.
i guess i just don't like deep dish pizza. this one was better than when we tried it before. it wasn't really delicious, it just made me not hungry anymore. delivery time was on point though.
(2)Kate N.
My favorite pizza in Chicago. I'm more of a fan of their thin crust than deep dish...but maybe it's just because I can't wait the hour it takes the deep dish to cook. I crave the thin crust, for real. Their tomato sauce is divine.
(5)Sasha W.
It's my first day in Chicago, I'm super hungry, and I've been craving pizza for weeks. Couple that with the fact that deep dish is my favorite kind of pizza, and you've got the most excellent welcoming ever. Aside from the 45 minute wait, this place is perfect welcoming ever. But they were so nice about the wait too, that I really didn't mind. So thank you Lou's for being a great representative of Chicago Pizza =). Thank you. really.
(5)Laura B.
I'll admit I am a loyal disciple of the Church of Chicago Deep Dish and have dined at the altar of the Holy Trinity (Lou's, Gino's, and Giordano's) on many occasions. But I digress. This Lou's is great because it has a stellar location in Lincoln Park, a couch and huge TV (?!) in the small-ish dining room, and satiated my intense hunger (hangover?) one Sunday morning at exactly 11am. No, seriously, I think they had just unlocked the doors before we walked up. Our group of 8 immediately ordered bruschetta, drinks, the lunch specials, and a medium "Lou". The lunch specials are a complete and utter STEAL and should be consumed by everyone within a 10-block radius for lunch every single day. Really. A personal one-topping deep dish pizza with salad and a drink for SEVEN FREAKING DOLLARS?! Proclaim this from the mountaintops, people. The "Lou" is an amazing concoction of veggie delights on a gorgeous specimen of a pizza. It could only be improved by adding patty sausage, but we were with a vegetarian and there are apparently no substitutions. The bruschetta was incredibly crispy and we could pile on the tomatoes at will. Placing a drink order means that a liter-o-cola is soon to be delivered to your side. Guess what? You can also order Lou's ONLINE for delivery anywhere in the country. There IS someone in this world who loves me and his name is Lou. This religion is easy as.... pie.
(5)Rebecca H.
Lou, I am desperately trying to get me some of your supposed yummy pizza, but you're killing me here. I have been here three times now and the wait has been so long that I actually considered going back to the train wreck Grand Central next door before my stomach digested itself. Please, Lou, I'm begging you. Just once, seat me in under 60 minutes so I get my food in under 2 hours. I have tried to see you during off peak times and you just never slow down!
(2)J T.
Food = OK; Service = Good. Food: Chicken wings; Individual pizza - the "Lou Malnati's" The chicken wings were good, but I've had better. The "Lou Malnati's" was decent though I found it to be a bit on the dry side (aka a bit more sauce would have balanced it out). Service: Attentive and on point.
(3)Meagan L.
This may be the restaurant that changed my opinion of deep dish. A true thin crust lover I finally tried what I've been told is the best deep dish in Chicago. While I still love my thin crust, Lou Malnatis did not disappoint. Very good crust, nice tomato sauce and not too much cheese (which is usually what I hate about deep dish, it just makes me feel sick). Their dining room is pretty small, but on a Monday night we got seated within a couple minutes. Our server was attentive and their prices are very reasonable. I don't understand the weird lounge area in the dining room with the couches and tv? Seems like wasted space. I think I'll definitely be back.
(4)Mo O.
One of the Best! Not only in Chicago but across the US! Even while I am out here in CA, we still get Lou's pizza and go to Lou's when we go back to Chicago. This place is a must when you are in Chicago and it does not matter what you order. The crust alone is GREAT, and the rest is heaven in a circle. My personal favorites are the pepperoni deep dish. Thank you Lou and continue your great food!!!
(5)Haleh H.
The pizza was ok, nothing special.
(3)Ryan C.
After 2 and 1/2 years of living in Chicago and listening to people go ape shit bonkers on how great Lou Malnati's pizza is, I finally made it there last week. Curiosity of all the hype started getting to me and wanted to know what I was really missing out on...I just HAD to know. I told the waiter it was my first trip to Lou's and he somewhat shared the joy with me. Once again, I was going back on the hype of everyone else and trying to create my own hype...the waiter was somewhat on board with my joyous moment. The order took 45 minutes, which seems normal for Stuffed Pizza. If you want to know, I had sausage and spinach on my pizza, which makes for a savory blend of tastes. So, the pie comes up and I prepare myself for my first taste. The waiter starts to leave and I told him he's not going anywhere until he witnesses my first bite of Lou's famous pizza. My first taste of Lou's pizza should be celebrated by their staff. Yes, I actually did make him wait for until I took my first bite. MMMM MMMMM MMMMM... it was wonderful and made just right. I love stuffed pizza with cornbread crust. I topped off 3 slices and had to push for the forth slice. It's up the lines of Gino's. Please don't get me started on Gino's vs Lou Malnati's debates. They are both great pizzas. Go there and try it yourself if you haven't been. For such a wonderful pizza pie experience, Lou you earned 5 slices on the 5 slice star rating. You'll see me back again...I promise you won't have to watch me take my first bites for now on.
(5)Scott F.
My summary, which repeats other comments: 1) Pizza was overrated. I like the idea of a sheet of sausage, but it did not translate to actual deliciousness. 2) Love that they have an outdoor space, but the actual location is on a busy corner and not conducive to enjoying your food or conversation. 3) Service was hit-or-miss, with our server disappearing for huge blocks of time. 4) Front desk staff lacks in friendliness. They seem put-off with pick-up orders and with people asking about seating updates after an hour of waiting. 5) Be prepared to wait a long time. If they say 20 minutes, they mean 60. 6) Chocolate chip cookie pizza was great. Lastly, if you are under the age of 100, bring an I.D. I watched a woman, clearly in her 60s or more, refused a glass of wine because she did not have ID.
(2)Katrina F.
Now this is THE best Chicago deep dish pizza. All those other places that are stuffed crust are just full of cheese and do not come even close to the perfection that is Lou's. The crust is a little buttery and wonderfully crisp- a must for any good pizza. The sauce is an equally important ingredient and theirs is wonderful with chunks of tomato- yum! I'm a big fan of the standard sausage pizza but the vegetarian and Chicago classic are great as well. I also highly recommend the Lou's salad- I have not had salad from any other pizza place that comes even close to this goodness! I always have been and will be an addict for life!
(4)Greg P.
If you regularly put ketchup (or catsup) on wet bread at home, but you're in the mood to pay way too much for it, as well as wait an hour, then come here and order a deep dish pizza. However..... it is pizza, after all. That's the only reason for the 2nd star,
(2)Jenny T.
Oh no...not good...I'm sinking...into a pizza coma. I don't know if you know this about me, but I am a full-blown pizza addict. I could eat pizza everyday. Sometimes I wonder if I could even have a relationship with pizza, but always decide against when picturing myself kissing a greasy, tomato-y piece of pie. Ick! However, my boss has just introduce me to my new lovey named "Lou Malnati's Pizza". The thin crust is so crispy, thin, & delicious that I believe I may have eaten 5 pieces. Yeah, five pieces in front of my co-workers and boss-it's a bit embarrassing looking back on it. I ate the mushroom & olive pizza, which was to die for! There was just enough sauce (I'm not a huge sauce fan) & more than enough veggies!! I didn't like the plain cheese though. It tasted too much like cheap cheese & had a weird texture. Mm-mm, I did not appreciate it! No way, no how! Edwardo I love your "natural pizza", but I think I may have found a bette & tastier lover and he goes by the name Lou.
(5)Meredith B.
mmmmm.... It's not exactly gourmet, and yes it is a little greasy, but I think it's some of the best deep dish that you can get for delivery in Chicago. I've eaten in the restaurant once - nothing special about the ambiance. My friends and I always order the deep dish pepperoni, and the Chicken Club Salad. Now that salad is something special. The dressing has a powerful, addictive quality that keeps us picking at it for hours, until 2 am. The pizza is tasty, filling stuff - one slice is enough for me (though I am a wee thing) - and there's no shortage of gooey cheese....
(4)Flo J.
I love Lou's. I just wish they had a better restaurant in this location to accommodate more people and create a better atmosphere. We carry-out all the time. Butter-crust is a must!!!!!
(4)Babs H.
A friend turned me on to Lou's last year and I haven't looked back since. The funny thing is, I had a slice of her left over next day cold pizza and I still thought it was really good. I came in for a fresh za and that is precisely what I got! The crust had a good flavor, was not soggy, and thick as a brick. I usually don't like chunks of tomatoes in my sauce but I really liked their sauce, too. I've been here a handful of times to dine in and never had trouble being seated. Also, the times that I've ordered pick up they've always been prompt. The staff has always been friendly and welcoming, especially to new comers. I sent a group of friends from Nashville there and they loved it! In fact, they had nothing but good things to say about Lou's.
(5)Eric L.
Did I really eat a pound of cheese? Sausage, peppers, onions, buttercrust - w/ a side of giardiniera. I think I'm getting aroused.
(5)Lisa S.
We wanted to round out a trip to Chicago with a dinner of deep dish pizza, so I was put in charge of scouring Yelp for a place within walking distance of the Days Inn so us out-of-towners would not have to figure out parking. Lou Malnati's came up in my search and after reading a passage that stated something like "Best Deep Dish in Chicago" we were sold. We walked by the windows and peered into the dining room before entering. The place looked cozy with tartan carpet, nice lighting, a comfortable couch in the middle of the dining room. Upon entering we were told by the very attractive hostess that the wait was 15-20 minutes to be seated but that we could look over the menu and put in our food orders right away because deep dish pizza takes longer to cook. How thoughtful! And then she offered to bring us something to drink while we waited. Doubly thoughtful! The dining room has a certain charm to it, with Sports Illustrated covers pertaining to Michael Jordon framed and hung on the walls. I question some of the choices, because if you are idolizing Michael Jordon would you really want to hang up covers that trashed him? Regardless it made me chuckle. Our group can never decide on pizza toppings so we are accustomed to getting separate orders, and I choose the deluxe filled with sausage, onions, green peppers and mushrooms. I ordered the individual because I wasn't famished, but now I wish I would have ordered a larger size just to take home leftovers because this pizza was seriously delicious. Shell out the extra 75 cents and get your pizza with butter crust, there's really no other way to eat it. The staff was as good as the pizza! Friendly, attentive, and warm this place has a real family atmosphere to it. If I lived in Chicago Lou Malnati would become a part of my weekly ritual without a doubt.
(5)Kelly C.
I always hold a certain level of skepticism whenever I try a new deep dish pizza place since the ones I always go to in Berkeley/San Francisco are really really good. But it is Chicago and I had to give it a try. I was pleased with Lou. The atmosphere of the place was great, we saw near the bar and were surrounded by TVs playing Sunday football. Pizza wise, the tomato sauce was great, flavorful and chunky. What stood out to me the most was the crust, it wasn't overly thick and hence too filling, it was a solid crust- buttery, flaky and complemented the sausage filling, sauce and cheese perfectly.
(4)Kariyushi C.
I discovered this pizza when two friends were in town visiting and wanted authentic deep dish pizza. Instead of an estimate on delivery, they tell you the precise time your pizza will arrive. It may be an hour after you called, but you know they won't be late. In fact, they're usually about 15 minutes early. They really layer the toppings and they go heavy on the veggies, which I love. The only reason this place doesn't get five stars is that it's only good while it's smokin' hot (the cheese gets tough as soon as it cools down) and I often feel quite ill after downing two or three slices. If you want to get real Chicago deep dish, I believe this is the place to go. I've never had crust like this, it's fabulous.
(4)Sam L.
Order Lou's to go so you don't have to wait for a table there! Lou's special is delicious!!!
(4)Gayle D.
I love love love this pizza! It's what I want for my birthday every year! Go for the butter crust. Sausage, deep dish. Mushrooms.... mmmmmm. The only reason I don't have my birthday party at this place every year is the decor. Not sure how to describe it...no character. Just functional, really. But once the pizza arrives I don't notice!
(5)Yoko Y.
All's I got to say is Lou's needs to muscle their way into the Reggio's space at O'hare. Reggio's gives a bad name to Chicago pizza and Lou's does the opposite. Their deep dish pizza is great. The sauce is tomato heaven and the crust is just buttery goodness. And the cheese, it's crazy. I haven't seen hot cheese stretch out like spaghetti since I was a kid. It was very unruly to handle but it was so yummy. Both pepperoni and the Lou's pizzas are great choices but I think the pepperoni pizza packs more of a punch. Of note, these pizzas take 30 minutes to bake, regardless of size. *I don't recommend the garlic bread. It was BLAND.
(4)Mara A.
Still as horrible as the first time. Ordered it today (not by choice) had one slice and whats the point! you dont taste anything! its a pointless 300 calories! dont do it!!!
(1)Shawn Z.
I love deep dish. It's a good balance of dough and cornmeal. Awesome toppings
(5)ButtaflyPoet P.
This is thee best pizza I have ever inhaled. NY has nothing on Chicago pizza, thin crust included. I am not originally from Chicago so I really make sure I take all my out of town guests....so I can have more Lol
(5)Vickie L.
This Lou's restaurant is really cute, it's like you're eating in someone's living room. We didn't have too much of a wait. We got the garlic bread to start and it was fricking huge! We got a sausage & pepperoni deep dish pizza and it was loaded with toppings. My one complaint is that they don't put enough sauce on for my taste, so I always steal my bf's tomatoes to make up for it. Parking is pretty hard in this area, so hopefully you live closeby and can take the bus or walk.
(4)Siobhan D.
I don't think I understand the fan following and their love for this, but to each his own. The cheese bread was soooo unhealthy but so freaking good and the marinara dipping sauce was rad. The service was nice, and attentive and it made me feel like I was home in smalltown Pennsylvania more than a big city like Chicago. Not busy when you get there on the later side, and they had a good selection of beers while you wait for your pizza. I had the individual size deep dish cheese, which was perfect for one, but the buttermilk crust was not my fav. It was too hard to cut through, it overtook the rest of the pizza flavor. But it's worth it to try all the pizza Chi-town can offer.
(2)M M.
Very Bad. Pizza tasted like air and was very expensive for that.
(1)Chris M.
By far the best! I was born and raised with a Lou Malnati's around me at all times, and I intend to keep it that way. I have been to the the one in Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, Lincolnwood, and the one on Lincoln Ave in Chicago. Oh yeah, and I'm Italian so my opinion matters more, right? Consistency is the key to the Malnati's secret. You can always taste all of the ingredients you order on the pizza. Here's a couple tips for all you rookies: 1) If you want to dine in, you can order ahead and your pizza will be ready when you get there. 2) I suggest getting the pizza well done and adding the butter crust. Soooooo good! Enjoy! Lou's blows Gino's, Uno, and all those other places out of the water!
(5)Jill W.
Any Lou Malnati's -- best deep dish in Chicagoland. I recommend the sausage or cheese. I've also heard the thin crust is good too, but I couldn't go here and not get the deep dish.
(5)Monis R.
A true sports pizza place. Sport memorabilia is on every wall. My mom and I sat in the Michael Jordan room. It had his Sports Illustrated covers all over it. (That's a lot btw). The relaxed atmosphere brought a sense of comfort and nostalgia to me. Being in Lou's my heart and brain said to me, "Hey Monis, I wish there was neighborhood pizza place like this wherever you live." A gigantic leather couch and love sofa surrounded the dining tables. In front of the couches is a crystal clear TV that let me watch the Cubs while my mom drank her red wine and ate her Caesar salad until the pizza was ready. The pizza that we ordered filled the entire room with an aroma so delicious; you never wanted it to go away. It was a better fragrance than a new car smell. The blend of all of the Italian ingredients was an aphrodisiac to my nose. The first bite that I took with the cheese still bubbly was crisp, a little tangy, meaty, tender, and went down into my stomach without any immediate repercussions. It was hot and fresh. Never eat a Lou's frozen. I know you can order them, but you need to go to Chicago to eat them.
(5)Chris C.
Growing up in Chicagoland, I never really knew how good we had it when it came to pizza. Once I got older and did some traveling, I realized just how terrible the pizza can be in most of the cities around the country. Of all the excellent places in Chicago to get pizza, Lou Malnati's is easily the best. It is not too thick or cheesy, which I think sometimes other Chicago pizza places can be, and the butter crust is amazing. In fact, I would say the butter crust is the key that sets it apart from all the other places. Plus, they aren't stingy at all on the toppings. It is also pretty consistent across all their locations, I haven't had a bad experience yet. The staff is always friendly, and the service good (if a little slow, those awesome pizzas don't cook real quick). If only I could find the kid that unscrewed the red pepper cap the last time I went.... even Lou Malnati's isn't very edible with an entire bottle of crushed red pepper coating the pizza.
(5)Ria A.
This is my favorite Chicago pizzeria. I've tried Giordano's, Gino's East, Pizzeria Uno, and some other small pizza places but I think Lou Malnati's is the best. Coming from LA, I'm not used to such thick, cheesy slices of pizza but Lou Malnati's has just the right balance of cheesiness, toppings, and crust. I personally think the "Lou's Pizza" deep dish is the best. This pizza is topped off with all kinds of tasty veggies. I've had the Lou's Pizza on thin crust and it didn't turn out so good so definitely go with the deep dish and if you want to make it extra fatty, you can add a slab of butter to the crust to make it extra flaky and tasty! I just love the crust here! I've tried the sausage pizza too and having such a big slab of sausage topped onto my pizza like a lasagna isn't exactly my favorite. So unless your a meat lover you might want to pass on the sausage. The salads are really good. I love their ceasar salads here. If you're dining in the warm and toasty bread is great too. If you're here on a visit you can even buy frozen pizzas here to take home!
(5)Nik B.
This is hard to write, because Lou's pizza is 5 stars in my book, but I went to Lou Malanati's tonight in search of non-pizza. A glance at the Sandwich portion of the menu tells you that the Chicken Parmesan sandwich is the "house specialty." Really? First of all, for a sandwich it took way too long to make. A sandwich with boring white bread, two chicken breasts nicely fried but covered in a blandly boring tomato sauce with some mozzarella cheese on top. Oh and the side of chips is literally a sealed bag of Lays that comes with your meal, which I thought was hilarious. Lesson learned: when it comes to Lou's, stick to the deep dish pizza.
(3)Jessie S.
I was surprised by how thin the crust is on this deep dish pizza. We did remember to get the butter crust and was expecting to LOVE it but it was just sort of meh. To be fair we did get personal size pizzas and I think those don't tend to be as good as the full size version. We did sit outside and it was a glorious day. I would like to try it again since so many people seem to love it. Maybe we were there on a bad day or something.
(3)J O.
Not 5 stars just b/c i'm not a deepdish style girl- from cali but i must say their deepdish is very tasty! My 1st deepdish experience was at Gino's East (which I heard from locals was great), but I thought was gross! So for my second experience, I was skeptical but Lou Malnatli's has changed my mind about deepdish pizza =) They even ship all across the US.
(4)Jennifer K.
We ordered take out from here when visiting Chicago. It's everything you want in a deep dish! Yumo!
(4)Andrea C.
an open letter to lou malnatis in lincoln park: lous, i will be the first to admit, you are delicious. your cheesy deep dishiness and buttery crust could make hearts break. and im sure it has. and i love you for that. but for the LOVE, get some more tables. 5? 5 tables inside? come on. you know how much everyone loves you. this past saturday afternoon when i was hankering for deep dish and there was an hour and a half wait....i thought about waiting it out- really considered it...because your pizza is very...very very good. but in the end, i just couldnt do it. not for lunch, lous. just not for lunch. maybe youre better to visit on a weekday. or perhaps i should have done carry out- i dont know, but i do know you must acquire some more tables and a larger dining room or i fear that events like what unfolded on saturday afternoon may happen once again. for the people, please, i beg. do something. eternally yours, andrea c.
(4)Chris Z.
This was great pizza, although I felt like such a glutton afterwards. It is so filling, fresh, and full of flavor. I was taken here by someone who recommended it for Chicago-style pizza and she was spot on. The wait was so long that we ended up going to the store across the street for a 6-pack and drank on the side of the building until our table was ready.
(4)Mary S.
Let me begin by saying the pizza is delicious. I ate here for the first time EVER on Saturday. How is that possible? I don't know. I really don't. I have lived here over five years and have completely skipped this awesome pizza. The reason for the two stars is the heart stopping bass that filters through the restaurant. I went here last night for a relaxing dinner. I didn't expect a fine dining experience. I just wanted to eat pizza with the boy on a chilly June Saturday night. Our dining experience was muddled with the sounds of 96.5 type bass pumping from the club next door at 6 p.m. I felt as if I was inside Grand Central. I would order from Lou Malnati's again but I would never eat in the restaurant. If I wanted to go to a club with douchebag music, I'd just eat shitty food next door.
(2)Michael M.
um. great pizza, but what the ----? they don't take orders over the phone? they deliver for goodness sake! great place besides that. Really good pizza, just kind of annoying to have to wait for it.
(4)Hooman B.
I went to the one near OHare - WOW what a frickin awesome pizza. Deep dish pep., AMAZING. Finally I understand what Chicago Deep Dish is all about... GO here, it's awesome.
(5)Jeremy S.
I'm not a Chicago resident, so maybe it's inappropriate for me to cast a vote on Chicago Pizza. Haha yeah forget that I'm a yelper so I can't help myself... I thought Lou Malnati's made a decent deep dish pie. But watch out, the sauce on top is very thin and bites may be intermittently tomato-less. I checked with a native Chicagoan and he offered the same critique. As other yelpers mentioned, you must be ready to wait a while to get a table. However, the good news is they'll let you have beers while you wait (even though there is no bar).
(3)Jean H.
One of the best dish pizza!!
(5)Tolga E.
We went to Lou Malnati's because he makes the quintessential Chicago pizza. Also, because he was on Throwdown with Bobby Flay, and I freaking love that show. We chose the Lincoln Park location because, well, we were visiting Chicago and Lincoln Park sounded like a cool place. Honestly, this was a charming restaurant. We went late on a Saturday night, and we only waited 20 minutes or so for a table. We even got drinks and sat at the weird old couch that sits in the middle of the dining room in front of an old-school projection big screen tv. But when we got to our table, and received our pizza, which was the classic combo with the "layer" of sausage and butter crust, it was clear why we came. That is some darn good pizza. And anything that features a layer of sausage is automatically awesome. Overall, it was really, really good. I'll stop short of saying it was fantastically great, but it was really good. For fantastically great, you probably need to go to Burt's Place. But Lou Malnati's still rocked, and he was definitely worthy and justified in his defeat of Bobby Flay in the throwdown. Good for Lou.
(4)Jodi R.
I've been eating at Lou Mo's since I was a kid. This location is consistent and delivers In a timely fashion. The dining room & exterior recently had a face lift. Additional seating in the way of high tops have been added. New to the menu is a lunch special of 1/2 order of pasta, house salad & drink ( the largest cup I have ever seen in a restaurant) for about $7 or $8. There are several other new items on menu Pizza takes about 35 min., so be patient Sometimes I crave their spaghetti and marinara. Great place with kids. Basically you could go here in your pj's, but please don't. Service is always friendly. Wish they had a veggie based minestrone instead of chicken & pork. Parking, well it's Lincoln Park. There's always sports on the TV.
(3)S M.
Awesome deep dish pizza!!!! Enough said.
(5)Carey A.
We were referred to Lou's by ChaCha (a service that you text questions to..the number in case you are wondering is 242242). We walked to the Pizzeria not knowing what to expect. We walked in to a packed waiting area and found out that the wait was 45 minutes to an hour. My husband always says if there is a wait it must be good. So with no other plans, we put our names down and give them our pizza order. They do offer little slices of pizza awhile you are waiting and will never bring you drinks if you ask. You can call in an order, pick up pizza to cook yourself or dine-in. You can also eat inside or out. There is about ten tables inside - no booths. We ordered a deep dish pep pizza and three cheese bread. Both were very good. We had left overs and ate it for lunch the next day - still delish! We'll be back to dine for sure!
(5)Marissa D.
Yes, yes, Lou Mal's is still the best deep dish ever...we go for the cheese and sausage every time and are happy campers. For those of you who like a little hotness in your life, this tastes even better with some hot red pepper flakes on top. I have to correct my previous review on two counts. First, 1-1.5 pieces is usually not enough...definitely need the full 2 pieces. Secondofly, the pizza no longer tastes weird when I reheat it...probably because I usually do it in the oven now instead of the microwave. Ok...that's all.
(5)Santiago A.
This place was great. Very, very good. I think it is hands down the best deep dish in this town. However, I'm not a super fan of Chicago-style pizza to begin with. I think I liked this one so much, because they have a slightly different twist to it that makes all the difference. Usually this style goes wrong with a sauce, sauce, and more sauce approach. They have their recipe down pat and add an extra layer of cheese to balance out the pie better.
(5)Kristin C.
Try as I might, I just cannot get into the whole deep dish pizza craze. I am so much more a thin crust girl. With that being said, I DO like Lou Maknati's deep dish the best out of all I have tried (I just stay away from the snausage because it comes in a meat-patty style that freaks me out). I also enjoy their thin crust very much - I like Spinach and Pepperoni. Everytime I actually eat on site, I see at least one Zagat-Guide-toting loser (c'mon, be subtle buddy) deciding whether it is worth the wait or not (there is always a wait). I have no problem waiting because it means pre-ordering your pizza (a must anyhoo) and drinking miller lites or cheap wine in the lobby. Great tourist watching-especially once the buzz kicks in.
(4)Brandon C.
I'm lactose intolerant. I'm an Ohioan who isn't a big fan of Chicago style deep-dish pizza. I love Lou Malnati's. The wait is a little long if you're going for dinner on the weeknd, but they have think crust pizza on the counter for you to munch on. They'll also place your pizza order while you wait so that it comes out fresh pretty quicky after you get seated. There isn't a ton of parking in that area normally, but Wrightwood (west of Sheffield) has some spots that aren't zoned.
(4)Ted b.
I love this place!!! I've eaten deep dish at a ton of places in and around Chicago but Lou Malnati's beats them hands down. From the crust the the toppings, they do not miss...
(4)lana v.
Best pizza ever! I am not joking, I can eat it everyday and be in heaven. They also offer low fat cheese which tasted exactly like the regular cheese, so while you are still eating pizza, it can at least be a little healthier. I am not impressed with the salads they offer, but the pizza is amazing.
(5)v m.
the "Lou" (veggie) pizza is quite possibly one of the best deep dish pizzas i have ever had. also the chocolate chip pizza (dessert served with cookie, ice cream, and whipped cream) is quite tasty. their thin crust pizzas are good too, but maybe i'm just tired of them because we have them at most of our corporate functions... relatively well priced i'd say. this specific location is right under the el so i always opt to sit inside...
(4)Kristin C.
There is no reason to ever step foot inside another Chicago pizza place. It'd be like committing adultery. On second thought, I do enjoy a trip to My Pie every once in a while ...so I guess that makes me a pizza slut.
(5)Cassandra M.
We went here after seeing Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Network. We chose to get the lunch special, only $6.95 for a big soda, salad, and a personal one topping deep dish pizza. My husband and I swapped halves with each other, his pepperoni and my sausage so we could try both. As an appetizer we had tried the stuffed spinach and cheese bread, it was good, I will be attempting it at home. The server was EXTREMELY nice. Over all the experience was nice, but it was not my favorite pizza, still searching, we try a new pizza place every time we go to visit Chicago. I found the pizza needed a little more tomatoes/sauce and had asked for more to put on top. The interior was nice and family oriented, big flat screened t.v. my husband loved, it was switched to ESPN. We will go back, maybe try "The Lou".
(3)Jessie S.
This place has the most amazing pizza, both thin crust and deep dish!
(5)My D.
Maybe I'm biased because I'm a Chi-town girl for life, but nothing beats a Lou Malnati's pizza. The toppings, the butternut crust, the chunky sauce... it feels like home everytime. It's even better now that they have the crustless pizza aka 'no-dough pizza'. Get this: the entire crust is replaced with a layer of sausage! Could you ask for anything better???
(5)Brian B.
In a town known for deep dish, this is simply the best. It just doesn't get any better than a Lou's deep dish with the sausage patty, pepperoni and delicious butter crust, in my humble opinion. You can't go wrong with Giordano's either, I just think this is a bit better.
(5)Debbie W.
As someone who splits time in a few cities, chicago pizza isn't my favorite. But.....Malnati's was the best I have had. If you want deep dish chicago pizza, this is the place to have it.
(4)Rachel H.
Lou's was the second stop on my friend and I's foodstravaganza on Friday night and as always it didn't disappoint. We were starving so we started out with some minestrone while we waited for our pizza. Not being a huge minestrone fan, I'm always happy when one really hits the spot like this one. This location is often crowded, so crowded in fact, that once Martha and I had to go to CPK as our second choice. Shameful, I know. Don't kick me off Yelp please.... anyway... since we went at about 10:30, the dining room was pleasantly empty. Also in this dining room there's a huge leather couch in front of the tv. I definitely thought about sprawling myself out and making myself at home. Instead we downed gigantic diet cokes, and stuffed ourselves with deliciously cheesy, sausagey, buttery pizza. Our waitress was friendly. The only reason this location is 4 stars instead of five is b/c like someone else has mentioned, they don't have any of the fried appetizers on the menu at this location, and I really enjoy their calamari.
(4)Anjali B.
Very good classic pizza - weird staff. Not nice at all when we went in for pickup, and got visibly frustrated when we were trying to get our money together (it didn't even take that long), and it wasn't even that busy. Jerks. I prefer Giordano's anyway.
(3)Aimee W.
Glorious. The restaurant decor makes me feel at home--Michael Jordon paraphernalia. The low fat cheese makes me feel better about myself when eating this little piece of heaven. Ask for your pizza uncut when delivered or carrying out--keeps the crust crispy.
(5)Bryant C.
Ok, so I have had Lou's about 5,000 times and have never reviewed it. If you are looking for Chicago style it is hands down the best. I love pizza and have been to all of the typical Chicago style places. Lou's is always the best. Their Malnati salad is really good as well. The thing I like about Lou's pizza that is different from the others is the sauce, which is slightly sweeter and chunkier, and the crust. The crust is corn based and not flour based. Lou' shits the spot every time.
(5)Terren J.
My first Chicago deep dish pizza was eaten here. I came with a huge group so it took a while for us to get seated. Initially we thought 3 pies would be enough for 14 people but this one guy (who apparently didn't know how fulfilling deep dish pizza can be) thought we needed to order more and proceeded to order 3 more. Needless to say, our group could not eat the extra pizzas so we boxed them up and handed them out to people on the streets. haha. I stuffed myself with 2 slices and they were fantastic. Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza is what I expected Chicago pizza to be like. It's 10x better than Gino's East.
(5)Joe U.
Order the salads, they are fresher than most places are capable of serving. Tasty house dressing, too. For some reason they never seem to have the order ready when I come pick up. Good quality overall.
(3)Samael M.
I'm not generally a fan of Chicago Style Pizza, but this is amazing. Until I tried their pizza I didn't even like much sauce on pizza, preferring more cheese in the balance, but it is truly exquisite, full of spice and the occasional sun dried grape tomato. I am just guessing at that last part, I don't know if they are sun dried, but they taste better than any tomato I've ever had. Cheese and toppings are there in spades, they skimp on nothing. I've ordered some Chicago pizzas, even from "top" places, that made me feel like I was just eating bread. I'm not from Chicago, so the concept of a 20 dollar pizza is new to me, but you definitely get your monies worth, in quantity and taste. The only downsides are that it can get soggy, usually during the leftover phase, and despite the taste you will have some. The other is that this location opens at 4pm and I have to wait to satisfy my craving.
(5)Phil K.
I've had to wait for quite a while just about any time I've gone out for deep dish pizza, so I wasn't surprised that we had to wait about 30-45 minutes for a table. Here's a big tip, place your order while you're waiting so that you get your food much more quickly once you're seated. I think we only had to wait 10-15 minutes for our pie after we sat down. I was a little bummed that our spinach+mushroom deep dish pizza was not as good as the same that I've had at Zachary's in Berkeley, CA. I guess there's a difference between stuffed pizza and deep dish pizza that I wasn't really aware of before. I think stuffed is the way to go, because the deep dish wasn't all that I had hoped for. It was quite good, mind you, but I will consult Yelp more closely next time I'm in the mood for deep dish.
(3)Rhys O.
Always great. Had the bruschetta for the time. Absolutely AMAZING!!!! Must try!
(5)Rachel M.
Where should i start...Let's just say before heading here i made sure i did my research as to which restaurant will give us a good taste of what chicago deep dish pizza is all about...unfortunately most reviews of this place are definitely falsely accusing of being the best pizza, most amazing pizza they've ever tasted...sorry kids...the 4 of us did not think that at all I'll rate: -Spinach Salad - not bad...dressing was pretty good...i like the sweet vinigrette -Calamari - kinda soggy but the spicy taste was different from what im used to i'll give it 3 stars The "Deluxe" individual size - I was expecting much more from the pizza, especially since it comes highly recommended, and because I have rarely met a pizza I didn't like. Not only was the pizza, just ok, it just wasn't good. The crust was soggy and the toppings (green pepper, onion and tomato) didn't taste fully cooked. The toppings mixed with the flavor of the sauce resulted in a taste that resembled wet bread topped with salsa, more than a deluxe pizza. I may have tasted the pizza on an off night, but I wouldn't recommend it. I would have to taste the pizza again to be fair. Mostaccioli ala Malnati - menu description of this pasta alone made my mouth water but when i got it...it was bleh...nothing to jump through hoops for and taste was missing something, not sure what it was but even i can make a better pasta dish than this =( Lasagna-The lasagna was not bad, since it satisfied my hunger after a red bull-vodka hangover, but I'd have to say that I reached over for more forkfuls of spinach salad than lasagna (which I doggie-bagged half at the end of dinner). The waitress had to been new because she had to "ask" her boss to see if we were allowed to order from the children's menu...yes we are over 12 years old but we only wanted the corn dogs!! We almost borrowed some 4yr olds just to order CORN dogs...but waitress said it was fine, AFTER i asked if it was ok with her manager The best review i can give this place was that we didnt have to wait an hour like they said...i believe it was only 20min and we did order the pizza prior to being seated.
(2)A A.
Excellent Deep Dish Pizza. the best deep dish i have found. this location brings pizza samples out while you wait to have your pizza made and to be seated. This is a must try pizza if you are from out of town.
(5)Kathleen B.
Pizza gets a 5 but the remodel gets a 1. This used to be a great place to go because it felt like you were eating dinner in your parents living room. But they sold out and turned it into a more Lincoln Park-esque establishment with loud music and a bar. Also, when we were there the night before the 4th the air conditioning had broken which made it even more awful. Their pizza will always be great and we will still do carry out orders but when we want to eat out we will head just up the street to Pat's Pizza where there isn't an hour-long wait and it feels like an actual pizza restaurant instead of a wannabe trendy establishment.
(1)a w.
I think this is a good option for pizza in the area. They have quality food and you can pretty much always expect that from them. Their pizza is definitey yummy and a great greasy pizza.
(5)Tanya R.
SO OVERRATED!!! We were dying to try this place out after hearing so many great reviews about it being the best pizza in the city. I've had Gino's and Giordano's....even Bacino's, and this place can't hold a candle to any of them. It was definitely not spectacular deep dish, and the atmosphere was small, somber, and very poorly decorated. I wanted to run out of there before the food even came. Good service, but just not the best. So many other places in this city that are SO MUCH BETTER. Plus, I had to sit down (after having 2 slices of a small pizza) because my heartburn was so bad I thought I was going to collapse on the sidewalk. So, I'm no longer listening to what anyone says. If I'm doing pizza from now on, it's Giordano's. Period.
(2)Paul C.
Sweet Lou cooks up the best deep dish in Chicago. Whenever I have family or friends in town looking for authentic deep dish I take them here.
(4)Jeremy G.
The pizza was good, but it definitely doesn't live up to the hype. The buttercrust was not as flavorful as it could have been (a little salt would go a long way) and the sausage was a little bland. Chicago has a reputation for great deep-dish pizza, but I still have yet to find it.
(3)Yuri G.
i tried this pizza a the taste of chicago recently and it was really good! i LOVE the soft buttery crust.
(5)Zack R.
I was a big Lou Malnati's fan when I lived in the suburbs and love it jst the same since moving to the city. This location is very close to me and I've been here plenty of times and never have I been dissatisfied. GREAT atmosphere. I love the old Sports Illustrated magazines that adorn the walls, and Im a big fan of the couch and big TV taking up the middle of the indoor seating which really gives you a comforting feeling, as if you could just come in, plop down on the couch and abuse their free cable without the threat of police intervention. The pizza is as good as always and reminds you that there is still a "big 3" in chicago as far as gourmet pizza goes and Lou Malnati's is one of them. (Gino's and Giordanno's are the other in my opinion.)
(4)Sam G.
The Lou is great. Sometimes the wait is nearly two hours, but I can't really hate on them for that.
(5)Tiff B.
I don't care what anyone else says, Lou Malnati's is the best Chicago style pizza in the world. I always get "the Lou" or just a sausage and mushroom on buttercrust. It's seriously the perfect food!
(5)Ji K.
I did not realize the extent of my love for Lou Malnati's deep dish sausage pizza until I had to give up meat for quite some time. It literally hurt me to see others eat a slice of sausage and not be able to have a slice myself. I still remember the first time I ate a slice of Lou's sausage pizza as a 9-year old. It was literally love at first bite. Yeah, the sausage patty can be somewhat overwhelming-- but, from the perspective of a meat-loving Chicago native, it is heavenly. I've tried the Lou (veggie variety) and it's also pretty good, but the sausage has my heart.
(4)Ari M.
If Giordano's is more pizza than you can handle, but you've still got a taste for deep-dish, Lou's is the place to go. And you've got to have it with Buttercrust! loumalnatis.com
(4)MandM S.
Once Lou - never anyplace else for Pizza! Thin Cheese with Jalapenos ....Yummy!
(4)Ai M.
I had the cheese, sausage, and spinach deep dish. The cheese is underneath the sauce, making it taste like tomato pie. Spinach is less acidic and cheesier. Sausage is the best. The meat is a whole patty underneath the sauce!
(4)Benjamin B.
Deep dish pie; pepperoni and buttercrust. It's a winner! I live a block away, so I just went out and picked it up. I was impressed! Great flavor, the crust was nice; I generally prefer a stuffed pizza because I like cheese better than crust, but this was darn tasty. Nice sauce, too!
(4)Joe A.
Born and raised in Chicago and know what good Chicago Pizza is and this is it, I have tried them all and nothing compares. Give it a shot and you will not be disappointing.
(5)Amanda Z.
Can't help it, this is my fave of the bunch! I like the thin crust, I like the Chicago style. The crust is crispy and delicious, the sauce is tomato-y, and the cheese is delicious! What's more to say...when people ask me for my favorite "chicago-style pizza", I direct them here!
(5)Kelly T.
Ok Lou Malnati's, you didnt convert me from what I grew up eating, greasy NY thin crust pizza to Chicago style deep dish pizza, but you did turn me into a huge fan! From start to finish our dinner was great- cheesy breadsticks to individual pizzas that were plenty for lunch the next day. Yum yum get you some is all I can say!! The service was attentive and witty- who can ask for more??
(5)Nicole B.
I think Giordano's is better. And that's all I have to say about that right now.
(3)Anonymous P.
Eh, their crust is just too much. It's like eating bread and butter and it just fills you up so quickly. But if you decide to go there, don't order anything with sausage. They pretty much just lay a long, continuous link of sausage around the edges of the crust. Gross. New York pizza is so much better.
(2)Sarah S.
This will probably be one of my briefest reviews as I just don't have much to say about this mediocre place. I just don't understand the hype about this place. It seems to me that a lot of people around here list this place as their favorite deep dish pizza, but I just don't love it. Maybe the fact that I'm from the east coast means I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to deep dish, but it's not that I don't like it - I just don't like Lou Malnati's pizza. I felt like there was way too much tomato sauce in the pizza and not enough of everything else. The crust was meh, and the wait was at LEAST an hour. I was told this place was amazing, though, so I figured the wait was worth it. I was sorely disappointed. The pizza wasn't inedible, but it wasn't great, the service was mediocre, and we had to wait a long, long time for our food even though we ordered it before we were even seated. Never going back here!
(2)Jennifer B.
The pizza here is okay, but not great. I certainly prefer Gino's East, but my brother was in town and he wanted to try someplace else. I thought he was going to cry when the waitress told him they didn't have ham or bacon as toppings. The pizza was just a little bland for my liking.
(2)T B.
Coming from NY, I wanted to see all what Chicago had to offer in a few days. This place came highly recommended from a friend born and raised in Chicago. Even though I am a fan of thin crust pizza- as I think it just makes more sense- I love the deep dish variety here. I am a stickler for the classics so I went with the basic pepperoni. The crust was buttery, yet not doughy, and the cheese and tomato sauce blended so well that I think they should change the name to Wedding Pizza- after Italian Wedding soup of course. If I am ever back in Chicago, I will def come here again.
(4)A L.
The best Chicago pizza in Chicago! We tried them all and Lou's was our favorite. The restaurant is clean and staff is friendly.
(4)Jonathan R.
I only have 5 words best pizza in the chi! Very highly recommended for pizza, salad, what ever you want. I go with the pepperoni deep dish with the butter crust. I also would recommend pick up, results are a little fresher and quicker than delivery. Other considerations, if you decide to eat there, I would go early the dinning area is small, but very enjoying environment. Also, consider ordering around 45 mins before you're ready to eat, it takes time to cook a good pie. Nothing else can beat a Lou pizza, enjoy!
(5)Dee W.
Love their pizza - I love that when I'm on a low carb diet, they have their sausage crust pizza. It's always great and filling - perfect deep dish! One of the best deep dish pizza joints in Chicago - just had their Lou special yesterday - yum!! Spinach/mushroom/sausage/sliced tomatos - divine!
(4)Ande L.
Well, well, well, I finally got around to trying Lou's dine-in and I thought I'd just add to my growing list of Lakeview reviews.... I'm used to ordering delivery from Lou's, in which case, give yourself about 2 hours, it doesn't matter which day of the week it is. I've tried a few things from here. I've gotten the Lou special and it's pretty good. I prefer to not order the butter crust. I've also gotten the sausage and I almost couldn't finish it. It just wasn't my thing at all. My all-time favorite dish though is the Malnati salad. It is delicious. Lasts me about 2-3 meals, and I practically lick the dressing cup clean. It is that good. So, anyway, back to my dine-in experience... My date and I (please see Ping Pong entry) had to wait an hour to be seated, which isn't that big of a deal considering it's Friday night and we were going to wait at least that long anywhere else. Then, we ordered Coke and they brought us Diet Coke and it took about 20 minutes to grab the waitress's attention. It wasn't even that busy, she just wasn't around. So we ordered pepperoni and I have to say that it's probably my favorite pizza choice at Malnati's to date. See, my thing about Malnati's is that it's good, but I don't think it's that good. I just haven't found any place better, but I'm sure it exists.
(3)Fernando D.
This probably is the best pizza in town..Arguably. The deep dish is great here. The meat they put on it is great cuz they put a whole bunch. It just fills you up pretty quick. Plus it tastes great even if you take some home with ya.
(5)Eric K.
Lou's is my favorite pizza place in the city. I order from this place all the time, and I am never disappointed. The deluxe deep dish pizza is absolutely amazing, might even be the last meal I would ever eat. The crust is the most flavorful I've ever tasted on a deep dish pizza.
(5)Benjamin B.
Great pizza and the wait is quick for pick-up, which is my normal mode of consumption here. We get the thin crust, I know I know, with pepperoni and tomato and it is always slammin'. The Malnati's salad is also terrific and I get to eat all the olives as my fiance doesn't like them.
(4)bj f.
when i'm in the mood for a deep dish pizza, only lou's will do. so many other places produce doughy crusts and filling that tastes like tomato paste, but not lou's. a crunchy, perfectly textured tasty crust lays the groundwork for a perfect balance of cheese and tomatoes. i especially like the fact that in addition to the usual small, medium and large sizes, they offer an individual sized mini which, for me, is perfect for two meals. and because i'm the only veggie in the house, i can order the lou's or spinach individual and a standard meat filled one for the carnivores. i also love the malnati salad, with a great mix of romaine, not iceberg, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, gorgonzola and bacon, with a dynamite dressing. i opt out of the meat, and it's still wonderful. my order is usually to go, but instead of calling ahead, i order at the counter, then sink into their comfy couch or easy chairs in the dining room and sip some house wine while i wait for my order. it doesn't take a long time, and is a perfect way to relax while i anticipate a great meal.
(5)Kristen D.
I'm not a fan of this pizza. It's way to cheesy and the crust is pretty limp. (granted I'm not a stuffed pizza person in the first place). At times the pizza has been way to greasy to eat.
(2)A.S. V.
One of Chicago's oldest and best pizza chains, you're guaranteed the same quality of service and food as their original location. It's a matter of opinion who's pizza is best, but this is in my top five.
(4)Simon J.
I am actually not a fan of Lou's deep dish at all. I think the sauce is too sweet and ends up making the pizza taste weird. For deep dish I go to Giordano's. That said, Their thin crust pizza is some of the best I have ever had. The GF and I love coming to this location on a weekday/night for a good pizza. Also, we always end up with the same waitress who just sends out good vibes in general. She is polite without being disingenuous and attentive without being intrusive. This is the kind of service we really appreciate so she always gets a decent tip. They lose half a star for lack of good deep dish and another half because I used to work for them catering when I was 15 and my boss was a prick. Definitely try the thin crust though.
(4)Sarah Z.
I have to agree with whoever said that this location is inconsistent. Not enough tomato sauce on the deep dish. Service isn't very friendly, either.
(3)Erin B.
It's no secret that I don't like pizza. This pizza though, after hearing all the great reviews about it, made me sad! I agree with previous reviews that there is way too much cheese, and the crust tasted bland at best. Luckily I ordered cheese ravioli, and that was way much better than the pizza I had tried. There are a million better pizza options in the city. If you're looking for ravioli though, the cheese is the way to go here!
(2)Eric D.
This place was suggested by a date I was with after our ice skating plans were canceled. I'm glad she did because the pizza was pretty darn good. I know there's an in town rivalry between Giordano's and Lou's, but I can't choose. If this place was close I'd probably get it more often.
(4)Little Miss Sunshine B.
Yum.. Right now I am craving the spinach and cheese bread... Again I say, yum.
(5)Melissa H.
I love Chicago style pizza and since I live here it's even more fitting that I mail my friends and family these delicious pizzas. My sister in CA gets most of them. Call 1-800-Lou-To-Go! They offer pizza packages and right now have a taste of Chicago package that includes a little of EVERYTHING!
(4)Ellen M.
Always a great Pizza, This location is one of the best, However, They are not open for lunch, Parking is dificult but worth it, Lou's will always be in our Pizza rotation.
(4)Alexandra T.
They make a crustless pizza!!! I've loved Lou Malnati's since the days when I could still eat wheat. I think it is hands down the best deep dish in this town. And though I have sworn off pork products, I will eat this sauage, cheese and sauce creation. It is not every day the gluten-intolerant get to eat pizza! Or at least pizza that they don't have to make themselves. Such a tasty meal with or without crust!
(5)Angela S.
Fantastic pizza, if you don't over-do it. One piece of the The Lou (all veggies) is just about all I can handle. I don't like it second day though- the crust gets pretty soggy. This is a pizza best enjoyed HOT! Of the real Chicago deep dish pizzas this is one of my favorites.
(4)Alonda L.
i tell everyone back in washington how great lou malnati's pizza is.... incredible. i love deap dish pizza. one slice of the small pizza is more than enough for me. and their salads.... so yummy. i love their house dressing. incredible. i have nothing bad to say. when they say it will be done, they mean it will be done at that moment, second, minute in time.
(5)Jacqueline S.
The best pizza in Chicago! My boyfriend and I both grew up in/near Chicago and love Lou Malnati's (one of the many things we had in common when we met in Iowa). Everyone I know loves it too! My boyfriend and I both think it is much better than Giordano's. I love that they deliver! They have never gotten an order wrong and the pizza has never been cold. Great place to order from or to eat at!
(5)Liz Y.
I love deep dish and was so excited when I had a reason to go to chicago so I could get real chicago deep dish pizza. I heard this place, loui's was the best. really!? this is it? my long anticipation for this was very disappointed. this is chicago! you can't be serious. but it was still good...
(3)Joiera C.
Great pizza especially when its fresh andlove the deep dish! Nothing like Chicago pizza!
(5)Megan R.
This is my favorite Chicago-style pizza in the city! It is amazing! They have a great chopped salad but just the pizza alone is enough for me. For an extra flavor boost - try the butter crust...
(5)Dan B.
I'm a huge Lou Malnati's fan but this location for some reason seems to be the most inconsistent. Sauce at Lou's is a big issue cause after the pizza comes out fresh the sauce evaporates pretty fast and becomes dry. At this location their pizza seems to have less sauce than most Lou's locations. I know weird observation but I've had a pizza here a few times and it was the same result. The only time I remember it being awesome was when I was drunk so who knows how good it really was. The suburb locations seem to get it right on a consistent basis and the one downtown is solid as well.
(4)Hayden J.
Since I moved to Chicago a month ago, I have been searching for my favorite deep dish pizza. And at the moment, Lou Malnati's is my favorite. I ordered a basic pepperoni (which has been my criteria with all the pizza joints I have already checked out). The pepperoni was nicely blended with the cheesy topping with fresh tomatoes and a crust that wasn't soggy but nice and crispy. On top of that, the restaurant provided great service. Congratulations Lou for being my favorite deep dish in the city (so far).
(5)Kallai S.
the best pizza! i can eat their pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!
(5)daniel w.
I finally tried this deep dish pizza that everyone is talking about. It's so good! I had my first deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's since it came highly recommended by my friends. It was great! Can't wait to try some other pizza joints in the city.
(4)Timoteo B.
delicious. tasty. superb. still not has good as chicago style pizza i had in san diego, but was still very satisfied with the pizza. great service, funny waitress. got kicked out because my buddy passed out in the bathroom with his pants around his ankles. still very understanding service, despite being a family joint.
(4)Nico M.
I am a thin crust lover in a deep dish world. Whenever I order pizza it is always thin crust. I recommended loumalnatis saturday night with two of my friends for dinner because of something i had seen on the foodnetwork about it earlier this year. Soo we went, the wait was 35 minutes, they had pizza on the counter for people to eat while they waited, however a guy was hovering over it and my curiousity to taste what they had for sample quickly dwindled. The guy kept going back, hovering and getting slices. I liked that we could order our food while we were waiting. We ordered a large thin crust with spinach(mixed with olive oil garlic and onions), onions and mushrooms. We were totally hungry, and decided to get an appetizer which was the spinach stuffed bread(very small) and was just enough for each one of us to have a lil single piece. So we didnt know it was that small and were going to order sumthing else but then the pizza came. I liked that the waitress served us each our first piece. We were all so hungry that we automatically dug in. It was extremely hot! we all burned ourselves at the same time. sooo the quality of the pizza... i must say i enjoyed it. I liked the fresh ingredients, though it seemed like it needed more basil or garlic or something. the 2 friends agreed. soo overall, lou's was "Aight" nothing spectacular for me. but a nice evening with two close friends is always great.
(3)John D.
lou's is top 3 chicago pizza
(5)Lulu Y.
I got a personal pan pizza to-go from this place. Excellent pizza for less than $10 bucks. The "Lou" pizza really hit the spot. The tomatos tasted fresh and the cheese was full of yummy gooeyness.
(4)Mindy S.
Lou Malnati's is my favorite deep dish in Chicago! The food gets 5 stars, but I have to give it 4 because of the small restaurant at this location, and the hour wait I had to endure the other night. The plus is you can pre-order your pizza so by the time you sit down it's just about ready and there's no more waiting. The chocolate chip cookie is also delicious so save room.
(4)Oona B.
i love the idea to create a large sausage patty that encompasses the whole pizza! yummy!
(4)Melinda B.
The classic deep dish I dream about in Thin Crust, soy latte loving San Francisco. I yearn for you, Lou!
(4)Lynn M.
Good pizza and great customer service to boot. When we were missing one of our dessert pizzas from our order, a manager quickly dispatched another driver to bring us the missing item. Great thin pizza and cheesy sticks and a friendly staff.
(4)elizabeth n.
Although their delivery is not as good as dining in the restaurant, Lou Malnati's has fantastic pizza. The thin crust is buttery and flavorful and the thick crust and stuffed crust pizzas are delicious as well. If you are planning on ordering in from Lou Malnati - you may want to dine in instead.
(4)Tom Z.
I still have Lou's programmed in my phone, and I live in San Francisco. Enough said.
(5)Jason Z.
This is the BEST pizza I have had so far in Chicago. The sauce is amazing, the tomato chunks in the sauce is amazing and the pizza is amazing. Everyone that has come to visit me in Chicago has been taken here. I have eaten many pizza's in Chicago but this one exceeds the rest. It's like eating Lay's. You can't eat just one. If I could give this place 100 stars I would!
(5)Monica M.
When I first moved to Chicago, this was where I got my first taste of Chicago style pizza. We had The Lou which was really good. I tried the butter crust, but I'm not a fan. Ordering from here whether it's for delivery or picking up is fairly quick and the pizza is still hot with gooey melty cheese.
(4)Lauren C.
absolutely love the lou. "Fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese" now, that's my kind of pizza eatins. make sure you get it with the buttery crust. i can see how all of the flavors could make one sick because the cheese is so rich. deeelicious!
(4)Kristin A.
I know that everyone always raves about their pizza, but I think it's greasy and I always feel sick when I'm done eating. Maybe it's because I eat too much, but it is WAY too greasy. I do, however, enjoy their cookie pizza. It comes out baked fresh with ice cream and whipped cream on top. Yum. Save room for dessert.
(3)Mark P.
Butter crust was nice. But actual toppings, sauce, and cheese were a soggy combo.
(3)Joe S.
As far as deep dish goes, this pie is one of the best around. Snappy cornmeal butter crust is tasty, sauce has a sweet zing, and the sausage, pepperoni, and veggies are all good quality. That's probably why they are busy and people have to wait for tables. Great spinach 'za, the sausage crust isn't my thing but I know people who love it. Service can be slow, they're often shorthanded, but it's a very good pie. I'm not a huge fan of deep dish, maybe two or three times a year, but you can't go wrong with Lou's.
(4)m c.
very mediocre- i would rank it a distant third to art of pizza, then gino's. i haven't had giordano's yet, but the sauce was bland, the crust tasteless, and the sausage kind of gross. nevermind, i was going to give it a three, but think will go w/two.
(2)Jorge R.
OMG! I am 'mostly' vegetarian, and I am glad I decided to break that preference for this pizza! First time having deep dish and this is what most people talked about...for a good reason!
(5)Julie Y.
Whats there not to like about a good Chicago style deep dish pizza!? First time I came here they were having a private event so ended up not being able to get in so came a couple weekends after and had to wait a good 40 mins but it was worth it! The nice part is while you put your name in for the table you can order whatever youre going to get so that its pretty much ready and there when you sit down! While we were waiting we grabbed a couple drinks next door..Since their bar obviously had no seats. When the table was ready they actually called me when the table was ready and we ran over! I really dont think i need to get into any details about the pizza because its a Chicago style deep dish.. So good can never go wrong but one or max 2 slices is all i could eat! Nice cute spot to take a date I would not recommend this place for large groups since its so small. Good service.. Good food.. def a fan of this place!
(4)Chloe T.
The crust is delicious! I come all the time. After being in New York for awhile, nothing beats Chicago pizza! They also offer gluten free for those who need it! The butter crust is the best part :)
(5)Tyler T.
My friend and I came here for pizza and there was a bit of a wait. Luckily they gave out some flat pizza to help stave the hunger for those who were waiting in line. We ended up ordering a small Sausage pizza and it was more than both of us could finish. The pizza was delicious, with an amazing combination of crunchy to soft textures in the pizza, and toppings and fillings that were rich and flavorful. The combination of them together made the pizza all that much more delicious. Overall a great pizza place that I would love to go back to again if I'm in the area.
(5)Matt Y.
Sister was in town and wanted to feed her some deep dish. Couldn't think of a better place than Lou Malnati's. We arrived at 4 pm to beat the crowd and boy was that the right decision. As we were leaving, the line was out the door and the wait seemed like it would be forever. We were seated quick and our server was more than helpful in recommendations and making sure that our waters were topped off with every pass she made. Between the two of us, we ordered a small Malnati's Classic and an order of the Combination Platter. We anxiously awaited the pizza. The appetizer came first. All I can say is deep fried GOODNESS! Mozzarella sticks, cheddar cubs, mushrooms and zucchini all breaded and fried to crispy perfection. The breading was nice and crispy. Didn't feel too heavy and greasy as some fried foods can feel when fried wrong. Finally... the pizza comes. Golden bubbly perfection. The butter crust is simply AMAZING. Sauce was nice and hearty with just the right amount of spices. The only complaint that I could possibly have about the pizza was that the cheese did not seem to have melted enough. Almost felt as though it sat in a window for a brief period to as where the cheese had solidified. Overall, Excellent food and service. This is the place to go if seeking a delectable deep dish pizza.
(4)Tim S.
Waitress never came around to see if we wanted a second round of drinks, just brought us our check then left it sitting on the table despite payment being placed in the check presenter while our water glasses went dry. I took advantage of a quarter filled jug of water to whet our whistle. Thanks for the (non exsistant) pleasant good bye as we left your establishment, seems that conversation the two employees was far too engrossing to look up. Oh, and the food... Meh at best.
(2)Libby W.
Whenever I come to Chicago to visit my friend, we order pizza from Lou Malnati's. I gotta get that Chicago Style Deep Dish while I'm there. So we order the deep dish style, and a side of garlic bread to be delivered. When we called, they said it would be about 45 minutes to an hour. So we decided to go down to the corner CVS and get some pop to go with the pizza. It took about an hour exactly for the pizza to arrive and when it got to her place the box was so hot I could barely hold it! They literally must have JUST pulled it from the oven. So we go back upstairs to her place and open the box and the heat and steam from the pizza was as if we just opened the oven door, lol. So we let it sit for a minute and cool down a bit. We ordered a deep dish, easy on the sauce, and pepperoni. It looked amazing when we opened the box. Of course you can't just eat that type of pizza with your hands like normal pizza (at least without looking like a neanderthal!) So we each took a piece and cut into it. I went to put it in my mouth and the pizza was still piping hot! So we must have let it sit a good 5-10 minutes before actually eating it. Guess that's a great sign it's fresh, eh? The sauce and crust are very sweet. Not like your typical buttery, salty crust. It's very sweet, as if sugar is definitely an ingredient. The sauce appears homemade with chunks of tomato and other ingredients in it. The garlic bread, was the same bread/dough as the pizza and between the sweet flavor and the garlic, I wasn't really a fan. In fact, it was all kind of bland, to be honest. It was good though, and although it was okay, I'll probably want to try something different next time I'm in town.
(3)Gavin P.
Holy hell this is good! Gluten free option: sausage crust deep dish. It's not as deep as a normal deep dish since sausage crust isn't as strong as bread, but its still very delicious and VERY filling. I definitely need to go back and try out the rest of their menu!
(5)Roger C.
In California, we don't have deep dish pizza. We have places that try to imitate deep dish the best they can. This place was suggested to me by a family member who lives in Chicago, and I had to give it a try to get the real authentic "Chicago deep dish pizza" I always hear about. Needless to say, I was very impressed. The first time I ate here, my wife and I got two personal deep dish pizzas, some garlic bread and the cookie pizza for desert. Garlic bread was amazing, and the pizza was really good as well. The pizza cookie? Not so much. It was a bit over cooked and burned, so it was ok. I've had better pizza cookies else where. The service was prompt, and the bar tender was on point all night, never letting my glass get empty. All in all? Great dine in experience. The second time I ate here, my wife and I did carry out as we missed the cut off for dining room options. We ordered a thin crust this time around, just to see how it was and once again, bread sticks. The thin crust pizza was delicious, and I was able to finish almost the whole thing. The garlic bread was once again amazing, and I feel like I actually got more garlic bread with take out than I did in store. All in all? Great to-go experience! I'll be here again next time I find myself in Chicago.
(4)Tim Y.
Had an wonderful dining experience at Lou Malnati's in Lincoln Park. This quiet, plain-old dining room delivers some great food! I probably don't need to add another Yelp review, but took a few pictures to share. Went there on a Friday night with two other people. We waited about 10 minutes for a table. The place was lively, but not overcrowded. Ordered a large mushroom and sausage pizza and a Chicken BBQ Club Salad. I have always had the Lou Malnati salad, but thought I would try something new. A few minutes later the Chicken BBQ Club Salad arrived. It was a beautifully executed salad. Salad a chopped into bite sized pieces, the creamy dressing already tossed, crispy salami, ample chicken and cheese. Enough for three people getting the smaller portion at $7.85. This would also make a great lunch for one person. How many times have you ordered a salad, wishing for more toppings, too much lettuce, too boring, plain, or just not that good? This was none of the above! Now let's talk pizza. This is one of my favorites in Chicago. The large is enough for four people. Each slice was made with love, and the butter crust remained crispy after being served and still after the meal was over. A filling meal, made with just the right sweetness in the sauce. I will be back!
(5)Toshi I.
No visit to Chi-town is complete without indulging in deep dish pizza. You have choices here. Giordano's (great), Gino's East (more touristy) and I don't know why I have never yelped Lou Malnati's. This is hands down the best deep dish. It's consistently good regardless of the location you order from. Our timing was lucky and our wait short. Service was friendly and it just felt like home here. I tell everyone that Lou Malnati's is a must if they visit Chicago.
(5)Hannah D.
As just about anyone who is from or has visited Chicago tells you... THIS IS THE BEST! and I'm only going to tell you once, the buttered crust is totally worth the extra hours you'll need to put in at the gym. But as the saying goes... When in Rome! or Chicago in this case haha
(5)Kiera R.
Ehhhh, maybe it's because I'm not from Chicago, but I really didn't love the pizza here. We showed up around 5:30 and it wasn't very busy at all. Our server was attentive, but the menu was uneventful and the decor was pretty basic chain-feeling Italian. Everything seemed a little lackluster in terms of flavor and it was a long wait to end up full of cheese. We were told the pizzas were taking up to 35 minutes and I contemplated for a second just finding somewhere else to nom, and then again after tasting the bruschetta, but I stuck it out because it came highly recommended. This place boasts it's purist deep dish sans hipster flavors, but maybe they could use a new flavor or two to make the 30-something dollars my SO and I dropped here worth it. I seriously only remember the taste of regret. Bummerrr.
(2)