Sorry, Deep Dish, This Is The Chicago Pizza Locals Love

Chicago is known for its food, but if you ask the average American what dish is synonymous with Chicago they'd probably say deep-dish pizza. And TV shows back up that answer.

If you're watching Hulu’s Emmy-nominated original series The Bear, you'll see the beloved pie show up in Season 2, Episode 7, when cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) has to run to Pequod’s Pizza for some deep dish to surprise a diner at the fancy restaurant where he’s working. Why? Because the restaurant staff overheard the guest say she was sad that she was leaving Chicago and never had deep-dish pizza and they wanted to surprise and delight her with a slice.

But deep dish doesn't surprise and delight most native Chicagoans. When locals go out for pizza it's usually for thin-crust tavern-style pizza, which is it’s truly one of the best Chicago dishes you can get.

Want to learn more about Chicago tavern-style pizza? Read on for all the delicious details, plus info on where to get the best tavern-style pizza in the Windy City.

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Related: Is The Bear on FX Based on a True Story?

What Is Tavern-Style Pizza?

Let's start with the crust. Deep dish pizza has a thick (aka deep) substantial crust, while a tavern-style pizza's crust is thin and crispy. The crust isn't paper thin, but it's crispy and crunchy, like a cracker.

But a thin crust doesn't mean that they skimp on the toppings. Tavern-style pizzas are topped with a fair amount of cheese and sausage (or whatever you like). Deep dish pizzas have crust, cheese, toppings, then sauce, but tavern-style pizzas have the cheese on top. Some of that cheese is often dark brown, aka just the right amount of burnt.

If the crust and topping order didn't give it away, the way a tavern-style pizza is cut would tip you off. Instead of triangles, it's cut into small squares. This is universally called tavern-style cut pizza or party-cut pizza. Chicago isn’t the only place to have this type of pizza (we see you, St. Louis), but it’s one of the most well-known.

Where Did Tavern-Style Pizza Come From?

So, how did tavern-style pizza come to be? According to Chicago Magazine, pizza popped up in Chicago in the 1940s when taverns and pubs started serving free pizza to encourage people to linger a little longer. They cut the pizza into tiny squares to make it easy for drinkers to hold the food on napkins as they stood at the bar. According to Esquire, tavern-style pizza started on the South Side of Chicago at spots like Vito & Nick's.

Related: History of Pizza: Italian and American Origins

What’s the Difference Between Tavern-Style Pizza and Regular Pizza?

There are several differences between tavern-style pizza and a standard slice. These are the main ones.

• Thin and crispy crust: The reason tavern-style pizza crust is so thin is because the dough is rolled out using sheeters, super efficient dough-rolling machines that create a thinner crust than hand tossing the dough.

• Square slices: When you ask most people what shape a slice of pizza is they'll go with a triangle. Tavern-style pizzas are cut into squares, although because the pizza itself is still round you will get a few tiny rounded triangular pieces that are heavy on the crust. Some people are fans of those little bits; others not so much.

• Toppings: You can get a range of toppings on your tavern-style pizza, but sausage or spicy giardiniera are two classics. There's also lots of well-done cheese nearly (or sometimes definitely) dripping over the crust.

Do Chicagoans Like Deep Dish Pizza?

Yeah, most locals eat both styles of pizza, but deep dish is more of a special occasion meal or something to eat when out-of-friend towns are visiting.

But tavern-style is quintessential Chicago comfort food. Chicago Magazine reported that, according to Yelp’s metrics, thin-crust pizza was the number 1 order “unique to Illinois during COVID-19.” And that makes sense. It's a quick meal—most people won't order deep dish delivery because it takes 45 minutes just to make the pizza—that makes great leftovers.

But regardless of whether locals prefer deep dish or tavern-style, don't bash either; Chicagoans are proud people who won’t let anyone bad-mouth anything regarding their city. Don't be surprised if you hear pushback on any deep-dish pizza hatred.

Where Should You Go To Get Chicago Tavern-Style Pizza?

If you’re in Chicago, some of the best tavern-style pieces of pizza can be found at your local, independent pizza shop. But here are some iconic ones that are worth a visit.

Aurelio's Pizza, South Loop, 1212 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Aurelio's has several locations, including the South Loop location listed above. They even have spots in Minnesota, Florida and Las Vegas. But it's a local staple—they opened their first store in Homewood, IL in 1959. When it comes to what makes their thin crust pizzas stand out, their menus say "It's the sauce!"

Candlelite, Rogers Park, 7452 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60645

Candlelite is decked out in the most Chicago-restaurant way: Chicago flags on the wall, Blackhawks jerseys galore and a Cubs W flag, of course. A special thing about Candlelite is their light-up marquee that you see up and down the street. You can request special messages for birthdays, anniversaries or just because. Plus, if you want to try this pizza from anywhere in America, they deliver!

Dino's Italian Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Northwest Side, 7004 W Higgins Ave, Chicago, IL 60656

Dino's is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago and features delectable Italian dishes like lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs. But, of course, their tavern-style pizza is truly a must-have. It's one of the reasons Dino's is on Esquire's 100 Restaurants America Can't Afford to Lose.

Michael's Original Pizzeria & Tavern, Uptown, 4091 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60613

Located in Uptown (almost near the Boystown/Wrigleyville area), Michael's Original Pizzeria & Tavern made Eater's "Chicago's Essential Tavern-Style Thin-Crust Pizza Restaurants" list in 2021. And if, even after reading this whole thing, thin-crust pizza just isn't your thing, don't worry: they have deep dish too.

Vito & Nick's, South Side/Scottsdale, 8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652

Speaking of historical Chicago pizzerias, Vito & Nick's is basically as good as you can get. They're credited with being the first (or one of the first) to create tavern-style pizza. Their family opened their first tavern in 1923, serving traditional Italian food, and started making pizza in 1946.

Where to Get Tavern-Style Pizza Outside of Chicago

Outside of the Windy City, there are some chains that serve up thin crust Chicago-style pizzas. Rosati’s Chicago Pizza serves the Chicagoland area, along with locations in Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Wisconsin and more. And if you’re in New York City, you can go to Emmett’s to get a taste of Chicago in the Big Apple.

Next up, if you want try and make your own Italian pizza at home, check out these 12 recipes.